Trickster — Hiroaki Samura

Kidnapped and bound by three Ittoryu warriors, Rin is unable to warn her bodyguard Manji, the immortal swordsman, that he's heading into a trap. To make matters worse, the Itto-ryu possess a large dose of kessen-satsu, the only poison known to damage Manji's blood and severely cripple his regenerative abilities. And is Mugai-ryu assassin Giichi following Manji in order to help rescue Rin … or will he just stick around long enough to finish off any survivors?

• "Blade of the Immortal's image of pre-modern Japan might be filled with anachronism, but it is also gifted with loving detail and interesting perspective."- VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)