Asagiro

アサギロ～浅葱狼～

209 chapters

33 volumes

2009 – present

Okita Souji, a twelve-year-old prodigy from an obscure swordsmanship school, is renowned for his exceptional skill. A demonstration match using wooden swords is arranged for the local lord, and an instructor from a nearby school is summoned as his opponent. The instructor initially dismisses the boy, but soon realizes he cannot take him lightly. Both settle into a serious duel, their warrior pride on the line. The match is fiercely contested, but the boy ultimately wins, setting off a chain of unforeseen consequences. Though ferocious with a blade, Okita is ignorant of the deadly intricacies of politics and courtly etiquette. When the instructor decides to commit suicide out of shame, that consequence shatters the boy's simplistic view that sword matches are merely contests of skill—especially when the instructor requests that Okita serve as his second and cut off his head. Asagiro is a meticulously detailed period piece, featuring compelling artwork and thrilling sword fights, illustrating the weight of pride and social standing in ancient Japan.