Sarai-ya Goyou (House of Five Leaves)
Anime Like Samurai Champloo If You’re Looking for Something Similar
Continuing the rōnin theme, Sarai-ya Goyou tells the story of a masterless samurai, Akitsu, who has lost employment at several Houses due to his shy personality. Following his struggle to attain a new master, Akitsu takes a job as a bodyguard for Yaichi, the leader of a gang called the Five Leaves. While Akitsu is initially ambivalent towards the gang, he warms to Yaichi and his outlaws, as their actions muddies the young samurai’s sense of honor. This anime shares Shinichirō Watanabe’s love for rejects, with Sarai-ya Goyou and Samurai Champloo sharing common ground by positioning themselves outside of the realms of society. Fans who enjoyed Samurai Champloo for its power fantasy may want to give this one a miss, however, as Akitsu is a humble character and swordsman.
