Bamboo Blade

Yen Press brought the manga Bamboo Blade to English-language readers from 2009 to 2012, adapting the beloved 14-volume series about a high school kendo club and its eccentric, cash-strapped coach. The story blends sports action with slice-of-life comedy, centering on a ragtag team of girls whose competitive drive is matched only by their personal quirks. Written by Masahiro Totsuka and illustrated by Aguri Igarashi, the series is a warm, energetic entry in the sports-manga genre, praised for its character-driven humor and authentic depiction of kendo.