花の慶次 [Hana no Keiji]

In the early 1990s, Shueisha published Hana no Keiji, a sweeping 18-issue series that reimagines the life of the legendary 16th-century warrior Keiji Maeda. Written by Tetsuo Hara (of Fist of the North Star fame) with art by Satoshi Miyagawa, the comic blends historical drama with the stylized, muscular action that defined Hara's signature look. It stands as a distinctive entry in the Weekly Shonen Jump lineage, offering a more mature, character-driven take on samurai lore that deepened the publisher's repertoire beyond its usual battle manga.