Claymore (manga)
| Company type | Manga series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manga, anime, entertainment |
| Founded | June 6, 2001 |
| Founder | Norihiro Yagi |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Manga, anime, soundtrack, video game |
| Parent | Shueisha |
CLAYMORE (presented in uppercase) is a Japanese dark fantasy manga series both written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi. It first appeared in Shueisha's shōnen manga publication Monthly Shōnen Jump starting in June 2001, continuing until the magazine ceased publication in June 2007. Subsequently, the narrative transitioned to Jump Square, where it was serialized from November 2007 through October 2014. The collected chapters were published across 27 volumes.
The story was adapted into a 26-episode anime series produced by Madhouse, which aired on Nippon Television between April and September 2007. Alongside the anime, a CD soundtrack and a character song CD featuring voice actresses were released in July and September of the same year.
In North America, the Claymore manga was officially licensed by Viz Media, which issued all 27 volumes from April 2006 until October 2015. The anime’s North American rights were acquired by Funimation, while Madman Entertainment holds distribution rights for Australia and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, the anime is distributed under license by Manga Entertainment.
Setting
The narrative unfolds on a fictional medieval island where humans face threats from , humanoid creatures capable of shape-shifting that prey on humans. To combat these beings, a covert organization known as The Organization engineers human-Yoma hybrids—female fighters referred to as "Claymores" or "Silver-eyed Witches"—who are contracted to hunt Yoma. These warriors don armored attire and wield massive claymore swords.[1]
Both Yoma and Claymores utilize a demonic energy called , which grants shape-shifting abilities and enhances physical strength. However, overuse of Yoki can lead to "awakening," a transformation into formidable super-Yoma entities labeled as Awakened Beings. Historically, only female warriors have successfully resisted this metamorphosis, resulting in the discontinuation of male Claymores.
The island is segmented into 47 districts, with each district assigned a single warrior.[2] Claymores are ranked from No. 1 to No. 47 according to their Yoki potential, strength, agility, intelligence, sensory perception, and leadership qualities. These rankings shift relative to each warrior’s comparative power, although the precise balance between innate ability and training remains unclear.
Elite warriors frequently stand out through distinctive sword techniques, combat styles, or specialized Yoki powers. Techniques include drill-like sword thrusts, rapid sword drawing and sheathing maneuvers, and vibrating blades designed to disorient opponents. Combat styles range from extended reach attacks to dual-wielding swords and bursts of Yoki for increased speed. A rare subset of warriors possesses advanced Yoki-sensing capabilities that allow them to detect others over distances or in close proximity; such individuals commonly hold high ranks.
Among the Claymores, four are notable for their offensive Yoki techniques: Galatea disrupts adversaries’ Yoki flow to undermine their attacks; Teresa anticipates enemy movements by sensing Yoki currents—a skill later adopted by Clare; Raftela wields control over other Claymores’ vision and mobility as an anti-Claymore operative tasked with preventing internal treachery.
Story arcs
The opening storyline centers on the protagonist No. 47, Clare, who saves a boy named Raki from a Yoma and takes him under her wing. The subsequent arc shifts to a flashback focusing on Teresa, the top-ranked warrior of her time, and the young orphan destined to become Clare. This segment culminates in Teresa’s demise at the hands of the Awakened Being Priscilla, prompting Clare to swear revenge.
Within Clare’s narrative, the Slashers arc highlights fighters Miria (No. 6), Deneve (No. 15), Helen (No. 22), and Galatea (No. 3). The Gravestones arc introduces the cruel Ophelia (No. 4). The Witch's Maw arc features characters Jean (No. 9), Riful, and Dauf. The Northern Campaign arc brings in Flora (No. 8), Undine (No. 11), Isley, and Rigaldo. Throughout these arcs, both Raki and Priscilla reemerge as Clare continues her quest for vengeance.
Manga
Claymore, authored and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi, made its debut in Shueisha’s Monthly Shōnen Jump on June 6, 2001. The publication ceased on June 6, 2007. Following this, four special chapters were featured in Weekly Shōnen Jump between July and October 2007 before Claymore resumed serialization in the new magazine Jump Square starting November 2, 2007. The series concluded after a thirteen-year run on October 4, 2014. Shueisha compiled the chapters into twenty-seven volumes published from January 5, 2002, through December 4, 2014.
On July 18, 2006, Viz Media announced that Claymore would be serialized in North America’s Shonen Jump anthology. Viz published the first volume on April 4, 2006, with the final volume released on October 6, 2015.
Anime
The manga was adapted into an animated television series produced by Nippon Television, D.N. Dream Partners, Avex Entertainment, and Madhouse. It aired in Japan from April 4 to September 26, 2007. Hiroyuki Tanaka directed the series, with Yasuko Kobayashi handling series composition, Takahiro Umehara responsible for character design, and music composed by Masanori Takumi. Covering content from the first eleven volumes across twenty-four episodes, the anime concludes with an alternate ending in its final two episodes.
By February 2008, seven DVD volumes each containing three episodes had been released in Japan by Avex Trax, alongside four limited edition collections. The most recent limited edition and standard volumes were issued on January 30, 2008, with further releases scheduled for March 26, 2008. On February 15, 2008, Funimation secured Region 1 DVD and broadcast rights and released the first North American DVD on October 14, 2008; by February 2009 three volumes had been made available. Funimation later released a complete Blu-ray box set on February 16, 2010. Madman Entertainment acquired licensing rights for Australia and launched Volume 1 in early 2009.
In North America, the series premiered on television through the Funimation Channel on September 6, 2010. Previously accessible via Netflix until April 2012, it remains available through Hulu as well as Funimation’s streaming platform and physical media.
Music
The anime features two primary theme songs: the opening track "Raison d'être" performed by visual kei rock group Nightmare and the ending theme "Danzai no Hana: Guilty Sky" sung by J-pop artist Riyu Kosaka. These themes are consistent throughout all twenty-six episodes.
Two official soundtrack albums have been released. The first album, Claymore TV Animation O.S.T., launched on July 25, 2007, contains thirty-two tracks including instrumental pieces composed by Masanori Takumi along with TV-sized versions of the opening and ending themes. The second release titled Claymore Intimate Persona: Character Song Shuu, issued on September 27, 2007, features ten character songs performed by voice actresses from the anime cast.
Video game
Claymore: Gingan no Majo (translated as Claymore: The Witch of the Silver Eyes) was launched on May 28, 2009, by Digital Works Entertainment exclusively in Japan for the Nintendo DS platform. This side-scrolling action title features gameplay where players take control of Clare, utilizing touch screen mechanics to regulate her Yoki energy. Excessive use of this power results in Clare becoming completely overtaken by Yoma, which leads to a game over.
Live-action TV series
In March 2025, it was announced that a live-action television adaptation of the series is in development. This project is a collaboration between CBS Studios, Propagate Content, Masi Oka, and Shueisha, aiming to broaden the franchise’s reach through a scripted series format targeting new audiences.
Reception
Carlo Santos from Anime News Network commended the dynamic action sequences involving Clare in volume 7, describing them as "eye-popping" with impactful page designs. However, he felt the emotional aspects seemed somewhat detached and found certain plot points predictable. His ratings for this volume were A for artwork, C+ for narrative, and an overall B grade.
Theron Martin, also writing for Anime News Network, observed in volume 14 that the series appeared to have "lost some of its luster," noting a reduction in significant events per volume and a decline in the intensity of action scenes compared to earlier installments. Despite this, he consistently praised Yagi’s artistic quality, awarding an A− for volumes 11, 12, and 14. By volume 16, Martin noted a resurgence in quality with a compelling blend of character development, plot revelations, and action sequences, calling it the strongest entry since volume 12.
Martin also gave a favorable review to the anime’s initial five episodes, forecasting it would be a successful release for Funimation. His scores included A− for story, B+ for animation, A− for art, A for music, culminating in an overall A− rating.
In terms of commercial performance, Claymore ranked 42nd on ICv2's "Top 50 Manga—Summer 2008," indicating solid sales figures and popularity.
Upon its release, the game Gingan no Majo received a score of 21 out of 40 from Weekly Famitsu.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Claymore (manga)
- Adventure anime and manga
- Anime series based on manga
- Crunchyroll anime
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- Funimation
- Madhouse (company)
- Madman Entertainment anime
- Madman Entertainment manga
- Nippon Television original programming
- Shōnen manga
- Shueisha franchises
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- Television shows written by Yasuko Kobayashi
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