1. Introduction
“Touken Ranbu” is based on the popular simulation game Touken Ranbu ONLINE, where historical Japanese swords are personified as warriors known as “Touken Danshi.”
These characters serve under the player, referred to as the “Saniwa,” to protect history by traveling through time and battling those who seek to alter it.
Since its release in 2015, Touken Ranbu has gained a massive fanbase and expanded into various media, including anime, stage plays, musicals, movies, and more.
The anime adaptations consist of multiple series, each with its own tone and narrative style, which can make it confusing for viewers to know in what order to watch them.
This guide aims to provide a recommended viewing order for newcomers and long-time fans alike.
2. Recommended Viewing Order for Touken Ranbu Anime
Here are two suggested viewing orders:
- Broadcast Order
| Viewing Order | Series | Air Dates | Episode Count / Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Season 1) | Oct 3, 2016 – Dec 19, 2016 | 12 episodes |
| 2 | Katsugeki Touken Ranbu | Jul 2, 2017 – Sep 24, 2017 | 13 episodes |
| 3 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Season 2) | Jan 8, 2018 – Mar 26, 2018 | 12 episodes |
| 4 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie 1 | May 20, 2022 | 77 minutes |
| 5 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie 2 | Jul 8, 2022 | 79 minutes |
| 6 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie 3 | Sep 1, 2022 | 60 minutes |
| 7 | Touken Ranbu: Kai | Apr 2024 – | 12 episodes |
This order follows the original broadcast schedule, though Katsugeki is inserted between the two seasons of Hanamaru, making the tonal shift a bit abrupt.
- Recommended Viewing Order (Hanamaru First)
| Viewing Order | Series Title | Air Dates | Episode Count / Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Season 1) | Oct 3, 2016 – Dec 19, 2016 | 12 episodes |
| 2 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Season 2) | Jan 8, 2018 – Mar 26, 2018 | 12 episodes |
| 3 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie 1 | May 20, 2022 | 77 minutes |
| 4 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie 2 | Jul 8, 2022 | 79 minutes |
| 5 | Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie 3 | Sep 1, 2022 | 60 minutes |
| 6 | Katsugeki Touken Ranbu | Jul 2, 2017 – Sep 24, 2017 | 13 episodes |
| 7 | Touken Ranbu: Kai | Apr 2024 | 12 episodes |
This order prioritizes the Hanamaru series first, making for a smoother transition from the light-hearted atmosphere of Hanamaru to the more serious Katsugeki and Kai. The different tones are less jarring this way.
3. Overview of the Touken Ranbu Anime Series
The Touken Ranbu anime is divided into three main series:
- “Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru” Series
A heartwarming, slice-of-life series that focuses on the daily lives of the Touken Danshi. The first season aired in 2016, followed by a second season in 2018. A trilogy of movies was released in 2022, serving as a continuation of the series. - “Katsugeki Touken Ranbu”
A more serious and action-packed anime adaptation, broadcast in 2017. It emphasizes sword battles and a more intense, dramatic storyline. - “Touken Ranbu: Kai – Kyoden Moyuru Honnoji”
The latest addition to the franchise, this 2024 series centers on the historical Honnoji Incident, providing a new perspective on the story of the Touken Danshi as they fight to protect history.
4. Viewing Order: Chronological vs. Broadcast Order
- Chronological Order
Watching in chronological order allows viewers to experience the character development and storyline in a more coherent, narrative-driven manner. It’s ideal for those who want to focus on the growth of relationships between characters and understand the sequence of historical events. - Broadcast Order
Watching in broadcast order gives viewers an authentic experience of how the series was originally presented. You can also observe how the animation style, tone, and storytelling evolved over time, providing a unique perspective on the development of the franchise.
5. Streaming Platforms
- Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Series
Available on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, Netflix, and other streaming services. Availability may vary by region. - Katsugeki Touken Ranbu
Streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video. - Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie Trilogy
Available on Blu-ray/DVD, Amazon Prime Video, and other select streaming platforms. - Other Related Works (Musicals, Stage Plays)
These can often be found on DMM TV and the official websites of the respective productions.
6. Highlights of Each Series
- Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Series
Focuses on the light-hearted daily interactions between the Touken Danshi, making it an excellent introduction to their personalities and relationships. - Katsugeki Touken Ranbu
Emphasizes dramatic, action-packed sword fights and a more intense narrative, appealing to viewers who prefer more serious storytelling. - Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Movie Trilogy
Offers cinematic-quality animation and emotionally driven stories that expand on the Hanamaru series.
7. Conclusion
There’s no wrong way to watch the Touken Ranbu anime series. Whether you follow the broadcast order for a traditional viewing experience or opt for the recommended order that prioritizes the Hanamaru series first,
both approaches offer unique ways to enjoy the rich world of the Touken Danshi. Choose the order that best fits your preferences!
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