The new Touken Ranbu anime has arrived, which means more content for the enormous franchise. If you're not sure where to start, here's our complete Touken Ranbu anime watch order.
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Welcome to Touken Ranbu: What Is It About?
Touken Ranbu began as an online collectible card game (CCG) developed by Nitroplus and DMM Games back in 2015.
It depicts anthropomorphized versions of historical Japanese swords known as "touken danshi" or "sword boys," who are tasked with defending history from evil forces attempting to change it.
Players assume the character of a Saniwa, a time-traveling sage who guides the touken danshi through conflicts and imbues them with spirits.
With multiple adaptations and spin-offs, including stage plays and musicals, newbies to Touken Ranbu will be overwhelmed by the amount of content available.
It's not too late, though, because you may enjoy the franchise beginning with the anime series, so this watch order will undoubtedly help you out.
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All Touken Ranbu Anime Series and Movies in Release Date Order
Below is all the anime content that has been released or announced for the Touken Ranbu series so far:
Title | Format | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru | TV Series (Season 1) | 2016 |
Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu | TV Series (Season 1) | 2017 |
Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru –Makuai Kaisouroku | Movie | 2017 |
Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru | TV Series (Season 2) | 2018 |
Toku: Touken Ranbu –Hanamaru –Setsugetsuka –Yuki no Maki | Movie | 2022 |
Toku Touken Ranbu –Hanamaru: Setsugetsuka –Tsuki no Maki | Movie | 2022 |
Toku Touken Ranbu –Hanamaru: Setsugetsuka –Hana no Maki | Movie | 2022 |
Touken Ranbu Kai –Kyoden Moyoru Honnouji | TV Series (Season 1) | 2024 |
Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu Movie | Movie | To Be Announced |
Wanpaku! Touken Ranbu | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
The Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu film was announced in 2017, but there is no specific release date as of this writing.
The project has already released two teaser visuals, but there is no official trailer for the film yet.
Fans are concerned that this film may be forgotten, although there has been no indication that it has been canceled.
Meanwhile, Wanpaku! Touken Ranbu anime project was revealed in January 2024, and it will most likely feature Sanrio's redesigned Touken Ranbu characters.
Are the Touken Ranbu TV Anime Series Related to One Another?
No, Hanamaru, Katsugeki, and Touken Ranbu Kai are unrelated. After all, they are all situated in different versions of the same universe that are completely independent of one another.
While Hanamaru focuses on the sword boys' pleasant day-to-day lives, Katsugeki emphasizes action and historical conflicts above the characters' daily lives.
Touken Ranbu Kai shares the same vibes as Hanamaru but focuses on Fudou Yukimitsu.
This means that you don't have to watch any of the previous TV series to start Touken Ranbu Kai this Spring 2024 season.
Do You Need to Watch Touken Ranbu in Order?
If you want to start with Hanamaru, you can use this Touken Ranbu watch order:
- Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru season 1
- Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru-Makuai Kaisouroku compilation film
- Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru season 2
- Toku Touken Ranbu-Hanamaru: Setsugetsuka-Yuki no Maki
- Toku Touken Ranbu-Hanamaru: Setsugetsuka-Tsuki no Maki
- Toku Touken Ranbu-Hanamaru: Setsugetsuka-Hana no Maki
However, you can also start with Katsugeki or Kai. It is up to you whether you desire a more peaceful or action-packed start to the franchise.
Are you going to watch the new Touken Ranbu anime? Let us know in the comments below!