The Valiant Must Fall (2025)

An action-packed and supernatural historical drama about a samurai-turned-rebel and a mysterious young woman--from the creator of the hit manga and anime Gunslinger Girl! The Edo period has ended, and former samurai Haruyasu is adrift in a strange new world. Not even the promise of rebellion can cure him of his desire for death. But after an assassination gone wrong, Haruyasu finds himself at the mercy of his intended victim's bodyguard, an intriguing young woman with the power to heal--so intriguing, in fact, that he decides he wants to live in order to learn more about her. But what will she ask in return for saving his life?

The Edo period has ended, and former samurai Haruyasu is adrift in a strange new world. Not even the promise of rebellion can cure him of his desire for death. But after an assassination gone wrong, Haruyasu finds himself at the mercy of his intended victim's bodyguard, an intriguing young woman with the power to heal-so intriguing, in fact, that he decides he wants to live in order to learn more about her. But what will she ask in return for saving his life?

A FLAWLESS DEATH.Shino, a semi-hidden, wants to kill her mother, then die herself. To do so, she and Haruyasu steal a special blade from the Meiji government that can kill immortals. The Imperial Archives fiercely pursue them to recover it, blocking the group’s escape more than once, but help comes from an unexpected source—a young boy from Aizu.

After Shino confides in her sister, Enka decides to let Shino go, making it clear she will stop anyone who tries to kill their mother. Shino and Haruyasu go to retrieve the sessho-seki that Shino previously hid, but they discover Shino's brother, Ikumatsu, has stolen it. When Ikumatsu goes rogue, the government sends a new agent-former Shinsengumi captain Fujita Goro!

“TO THINK LIFE CAN BE THIS FLEETING...”Hoping to steal back the Sessho-seki, Shino and Haruyasu team up with former Shinsengumi leader Fujita Goro to confront Ikumatsu and his kinsman Kikuji. Their trap works, and a battle breaks out between the two sides! Haruyasu faces Kikuji a second time, and though kinsmen are granted long lives, will letting go of immortal life prove to be the only path forward?

“A BEAUTIFUL SWORD CANNOT BE WEAK.”The indomitable Enka exhibits the power of the semi-hidden in a vicious battle against the Imperial Archives. Meanwhile, Iba Hachiro, Kai’s kinsman, crosses blades with former Shinsengumi captain Fujita Goro to protect Ikumatsu. For a third time, the immortal siblings clash over their ideals. To what future will the ensorcelled Sessho-seki lead the valiant?

WILL THE LOSS OF A SIBLING BE TOO MUCH TO BEAR?Shino and Ikumatsu battled fiercely over the Sessho-seki, but in the end, that very blade took Ikumatsu’s life. Many others died as well in the conflict, bringing both grief and great change to the Kyuko clan. Now Shino and Haruyasu must decide where to go next. Will Shino resume her mission to find and kill her mother?

KNOWLEDGE IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORDHaruyasu, Shino, and the others met with Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun, to learn how the Sessho-seki are forged. However, plans change when Shino’s sister, who came from Kyoto, suddenly loses her mind!