Summary
The idea of a sword-wielding protagonist isn’t new to most shonen stories, especially in fantasy stories where an adventurer or a knight has to take up arms to save a damsel in distress and perhaps the whole world along with it. However, just because a “boy with a sword” is a popular trend in shonen doesn’t mean it stops there, as even shojo manga has its fair share of swordswoman protagonists who rise up to the occasion.
While the idea of a girl with a sword isn’t already new thanks to gaming and other popular media, seeing a swordswoman in a more specific genre like shojo can remain a surprise to fans who often associate the genre with traditional story beats such as romance. Thankfully for curious readers, some of the best shojo manga with swordswoman protagonists also end up having both compelling stories and deep character development.
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Illustrator
Michiyo Akaishi
When Hayumi Natsuki and her class attend a school cruise trip, they are whiskedback to the Year 1636- just a year before 1637’s Shimbara Rebellion where Amakusa Shiro’s faction lost and the event itself causing the loss of more than 37,000 lives. The story ofAmakusa 1637begins shortly after Natsuki arrives in Japan, where people mistake her not only for the feminine-looking Shirou but also as a heaven-sent angel. When Natsuki realizes that Shirou had died the year before and right before he became popular, the youngster commits to this mistaken identity in the hopes of averting the horrible outcome of the rebellion.
Throughout the story, Natsuki’s training in kendo made pretending to be Amakusa Shirou easy. However, an interesting point in the story has to do with its bright cast of characters that helpAmakusa 1637explore many themes - such as gender and identity. For instance, fellow student Eri Kasugano is initially presented as the resident strategist for Natsuki’s fights, however, she also harbors feelings for her. Meanwhile, Naozomi Yatsuka is a skilled kendo student positioned as another love interest for Natuski, but his eventual affair with the real Amakusa Shirou hints he could be bisexual.
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Yumi Tamura
In the post-apocalyptic setting ofBasaraa child is prophesied to bring Japan out of the clutches of the evil Saffron Clan. Unfortunately for them, the “child” came in the form of twins: a boy named Tatara, anda girl named Sarasa. When the local ruler Red King destroys Tatara’s home and beheads him, Sarasa assumes to take his place to continue the rebellion. Throughout her journey, she encounters the mysterious Shuri - who eventually becomes her love interest.
Unbeknownst to each other, Shuri is the Red King, and the former has no idea that Sarasa has merely taken the mantle of Tatara to lead a rebellion against his rule. This tension marked much ofBasara’s story, especially when both sides decide to take harsher actions against their supposed enemies. A key point in Sarasa’s character development is the “strain” of grieving for her brother and pretending to be a man, making gender identity a key point of her characterization across the story.
Mizuho Kusanagi
The story ofYona of the Dawntakes place in the fictional nation of Kouka, where the sheltered Princess Yona witnesses the murder of her father the king at the hands of her childhood crush, who was also the leader of a coup. Now a fugitive, Yona is accompanied by her bodyguard Hak as they try to find thereincarnations of the Dragon Warriorswho had once united Kouka during similarly turbulent times two millennia prior.
While her sheltered status left her with not many skills at the start of the manga, her conviction and determination forged Yona into a capable leader and warrior. Unlike other damsels in distress, Yona asks her companions to teach her self-defense techniques. Hak even became her teacher in her first fighting art, archery, before eventually learning to use the sword. Yona’s small stature hides a fierce warrior, making her an admirable protagonist in this journey to take back her home kingdom.
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CLAMP
Considered one of the earlier creations of CLAMP,Magic Knight Rayearthbegins when schoolgirls Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji are whisked away from their Tokyo Tower field trip and into the world of Cephiro. This planet is managed by prayers of the Pillar, whose abduction by the evil Zagato has caused the world to suffer imbalances that threaten its destruction. Hikaru and her peers are assigned to become Magic Knights - wielders of evolving weapons and the mecha-like Rune-Gods - to defeat Zagato and save the current Pillar, Princess Emeraude.
Much ofthe focus ofMagic Knight Rayearthis the developing camaraderie among the girls, whose attitudes (short-tempered Hikaru, no-nonsense Umi, intelligently gentle Fuu) initially clashed. However, their adventures soon help them bond as close friends and protect each other in their missions. Despite the series showcasing various elemental magic and mecha action, the Magic Knights manifest their powers through unique swords and their knightly armor. Swordsmanship in the manga is also usually seen performed by Umi with her fencing background and Hikaru with her aggressive attacks.
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Riyoko Ikeda
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution,The Rose of Versaillesis both parts historical fiction and a bittersweet tale of romance. The story has two major protagonists, who share different perspectives of life in France at the time: Marie Antoinette whose status as Dauphone and eventually Queen of France is met with politicking among her court, and Oscar Francois de Jarjayes who leads Antoinette’s royal guard while noticing the plights of the poor in the country. Both women fall in love with Swedish count Axel von Fersen, although the count only had his eyes on the Queen.
Much ofthe manga’s action comes from Oscar’s many interactions with individuals throughout the French Revolution. As head of the Queen’s royal guard, Oscar is immensely skilled in fencing - a combat art that would serve her greatly against her foes. However,The Rose of Versaillesmade its impact on readers in the way it provided social commentary on societal norms, feminism, and gender identity: Antoinette as opposition to the patriarchy, and Oscar going beyond heteronormative assumptions.
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Chiho Saito
When a young Utena Tenjou meets a mysterious prince who gives her a signet ring, the child vows to become “a prince herself.” This is depicted inRevolutionary Girl Utena, where a teenagerUtena duels her way to become the fiancee of the Rose Bride Anthy Himemiya. This comes alongside a mission to protect her from others who want her power to “revolutionize the world.” Much ofRevolutionary Girl Utenainvolves Utena protecting Anthy from nefarious forces in duels that pit the protagonist against foes with their respective backstories and agendas.
Fans of shoujo stories may appreciateRevolutionary Girl Utena’salmost theatrical presentation in both the manga and the anime. Fights of Utena aren’t only thrilling but also serve as a way for characters to “free” themselves from their burdens. Freedom of expression also becomes a highlight ofUtena’s story, where its stylistic art direction is juxtaposed by the breaking of gender archetypes with dueling girls that are “princes”, coming-of-age as these characters attempt to mold the world in their image, and even sexuality in the manga’s depiction of LGBT couples.
