Samurai's Greatest Years, Ranked

When was the golden age of Samurai? We ranked every year by the accumulated weighted rating of its best Samurai titles — a year rises when it delivered many strongly-rated entries, not just a lone classic. Data from 3eyedraven's catalog.

  1. #1 2021 9 great titles Best: Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
  2. #2 2017 8 great titles Best: Lupin the 3rd: Goemon's Blood Spray
  3. #3 1964 7 great titles Best: Onibaba
  4. #4 1972 7 great titles Best: Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
  5. #5 1965 6 great titles Best: Kwaidan
  6. #6 2010 6 great titles Best: 13 Assassins
  7. #7 1962 5 great titles Best: Harakiri
  8. #8 2023 5 great titles Best: BLUE EYE SAMURAI
  9. #9 2024 5 great titles Best: Shōgun
  10. #10 1967 5 great titles Best: Samurai Rebellion
  11. #11 2013 5 great titles Best: Gintama: The Final Chapter - Be Forever Yorozuya
  12. #12 2025 5 great titles Best: Last Samurai Standing
  13. #13 1966 5 great titles Best: The Sword of Doom
  14. #14 2014 5 great titles Best: Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends
  15. #15 2012 5 great titles Best: Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins
  16. #16 1963 5 great titles Best: 13 Assassins
  17. #17 2022 5 great titles Best: Orient
  18. #18 2009 5 great titles Best: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger