One of the classic manga that I read during high school and paid a revisit recently as I explored another works of the mangaka. Naruto might reign supreme as the most popular Shinobi manga, but if you want something more explicit and intense, Basilisk is what you are looking for. When Romeo and Juliet into ninja series, you got yourself Basilisk! Named after the mystical deadly creature that can kill any living creature, Basilisk is the tale of tragic star-crossed lovers who caught into the deadly feuds of their clan due to a whim of their lord.
Taken place in early Tokugawa era, Basilisk narrates the story of the heir of Koga and Iga ninja clan, Gennosuke and Oboro who are in love with each other and their union in near future supposed to bring an end to 200 year long bloody feud between their clan. However Fate demand otherwise, as Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu demand both clans to send 10 best fighters of their sides to engage in mortal combat to the last man to determine the next successor of Tokugawa Shogunate with 1000 years favor as the reward for the victor. Thus the pair of lovers are plunged into situations that they are forced to kill each other for the sake of their clan.
Apart from the powerful tragic story that evokes the conflict between personal emotion and duty, Basilisk offers very intense ninja action during its brief run. Having 20 Ninjas divided into two groups and fight to the last man do make Basilisk to be one of the best in its time. While the manga appears to take more grounded tone, the Ninjas of Iga and Kouga come with many magical powers which are put to use into their mortal combat, ranging from face changing technique, wall merging to practical immortality. Not to mention the main protagonists possess deadly ability themselves with Gennosuke possess Eyes that forces people into murderous Frenzy while Oboro's eyes nullify any Ninja magic completely. However for some reason both protagonists rarely use their overpowered ability and let their subordinates to run the show. If you seek for intense yet short Ninja manga, nothing can go wrong if you pick Basilisk.
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