VIZ Media announced today at Emerald City Comic Con that the highly anticipated series YAIBA: Samurai Legend will premiere on April 5, 2025. The series will be available on Netflix in North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, and will also stream on Hulu in the United States.
The exclusive acquisition of the YAIBA: Samurai Legend anime is a landmark deal granting VIZ Media the master license rights, including theatrical, television, digital, home entertainment, ancillary, and merchandise for North America, Latin America (including the Caribbean), Australia, and New Zealand.
YAIBA: Samurai Legend, based on the manga created by Gosho Aoyama, is a classic shonen series that follows the adventures of young samurai Yaiba Kurogane, who, alongside his friends, embarks on a journey to defeat evil forces threatening his world. Known for its dynamic action scenes, humor, and imaginative storylines, YAIBA: Samurai Legend is a celebrated work that has garnered a loyal fanbase in Japan and across the globe.
“We’re excited to bring Yaiba to a wider audience,” said Brian Ige, Sr. Vice President, Animation. “This series has been a fan favorite in Japan for years, and we’re eager to introduce its unique blend of action, adventure, and humor to the global market. This acquisition reinforces VIZ Media’s commitment to delivering the best in manga and anime entertainment.”
Additionally, VIZ Manga will release chapters 1-23 of YAIBA: Samurai Legend manga series digitally in English for the first time on March 20, 2025, with Volume 1 set to publish in print on July 8, 2025, allowing new and returning fans to experience the thrilling saga from the very beginning. The acquisition of YAIBA: Samurai Legend is part of VIZ Media’s ongoing mission to expand its portfolio of iconic anime and manga titles, ensuring fans have access to the best content from Japan.
VIZ describes Yaiba: Samurai Legend as follows:
Yaiba Kurogane has spent his days training in the jungle in order to attain his goal of becoming a real samurai. By a twist of fate, he returns to Japan and starts living with the Mine family, who are connected to his father, Kenjuro. Yaiba constantly baffles the Mines’ daughter Sayaka as she witnesses his wild and reckless ways.
One day, Yaiba tags along with Sayaka to school and has a fateful encounter with Takeshi Onimaru, a kendo expert. Yaiba and Onimaru repeatedly clash, and as if in response to their search for strength, two ancient powers are unleashed: the Fujinken, the Wind God’s Sword, and the Raijinken, the Thunder God’s Sword. Both supernatural blades that have jolted the world since ancient days have reawakened…and the truth behind them is revealed!
Source: Press Release
