Lone Wolf and Cub

Lone Wolf and Cub is a massively influential historical manga that was created in 1970 by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima. It has been adapted for the screen and the stage. Ogami Itt, the titular lone wolf, is a former shogun executioner who now works as an assassin after being disgraced by false accusations from the Yagy clan. On his path of vengeance, he is accompanied by his cub, a three-year-old boy named Daigor.

Itt's previous position was one of great honor and privilege, as he assisted in the ritual seppuku of those samurai sentenced to death. The Yagy clan's leader, on the other hand, covets this powerful position and works to depose Itt from it. He accomplishes this by slaughtering Itt's family, all except his son, and framing Itt as a potential traitor to the shogun. This setup sends the lone wolf and his cub on a long journey of vengeance, as Itt works as an assassin to eventually achieve his goal. Few historical manga are as influential and popular as this one, nor are they as rich in specific details about Japanese history and samurai tradition.

Author: Kazuo Koike

Original run: September 1970 – April 1976
Volumes: 28

Status: Completed

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/lone-wolf-cub/s?k=lone+wolf+and+cub