What is this genre all about? "Bakumatsu" (幕末, "Late Tokugawa Shogunate") occurred between 1853 and 1867 during which Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy and modernized from a feudal shogunate to the Meiji government. Bakumatsu represents the final years of the Edo period (when the Tokugawa shogunate ended) and preceded the Meiji era. The primary historical significance of Bakumatsu was the conflict between the pro-imperialist "Ishin Shishi" ("nationalist patriots"), and the shogunate forces, including the elite Shinsengumi ("New Selected Corps").
The Meiji Era (including Meiji Restoration) denotes the 45-year reign of Emperor Meiji, running from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912. During this time, Japan started its modernization and rose to world power status.
Be aware that this category should only be assigned to anime that take place in Japan during the years mentioned above, and not to every anime that has samurai in it.
We present you the list of Bakumatsu Meiji Period manga you should read right now.
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Top Bakumatsu Meiji Period manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
2. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
The story of Rurouni Kenshin takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. It tells the story of a peaceful wanderer named Himura Kenshin, formerly known as the assassin Hitokiri Battōsai. After participating during the Bakumatsu war, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin. When arriving in Tokyo, he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who was in the middle of a fight with a murderer who claims to be the Hitokiri Battōsai from her swordmanship school. Kenshin decides to help her and defeats the fake Battōsai. After discovering that Kenshin is the real Battōsai, she offers him a place stay at her dojo as she notes Kenshin is a gentle person instead. Kenshin accepts and begins to establish lifelong relationships with many people, including ex-enemies, while dealing with his fair share of enemies, new and old. (Wikipedia)
Also includes the one-shot: Crescent Moon Over A Country At War (Vol.6)
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story has finished publishing and it has 259 Chapters. It is also Known as: るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚-, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
1. Shinobi no
The final moments of the Edo Period approach! The American fleet known as "The Black Ships," with Admiral Matthew Perry at the helm, demand the end of the shogunate's isolationist policy and the opening of Japan to western trade. In a last attempt to stop the war, Abe Masahiro, the chief councilor to the shogun, tasks his men with finding Sawamura Jinzaburou, one of the last shinobi in the land. How will the aging ninja complete the secret mission assigned to him and prove the ways of the shinobi are not obsolete? A new tale of the last ninja begins!
Shinobi no has finished publishing and it has 57 Chapters. It is also Known as: シノビノ, Shinobi no
