On April 5, 2025, the highly anticipated anime “Yaiba”debuted its first episode, aptly titled “Meeting Yaiba.”This episode immerses viewers in Yaiba’s journey as he transitions from a life spent in the dense jungles to the complexities of modern society. Throughout the episode, it becomes evident that Yaiba possesses an extraordinary talent for swordsmanship, underscored by his remarkable instincts and extraordinary strength.
Moreover, the narrative hints at a deep-rooted rivalry between Yaiba’s father, Kenjuurou, and Raizou. While Kenjuurou appears to dismiss this long-standing feud, he ultimately sets off on a journey, leaving Yaiba behind to navigate his own path.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Yaiba Episode 1.
Episode Highlights
The premiere opens with Yaiba wielding a bamboo sword in the jungle, adhering to his father’s unusual training method, which aims to draw out a gorilla for combat practice. Despite his reservations about this approach, the confrontation with the gorilla showcases Yaiba’s immense potential as he navigates the encounter solely through instinct, marking a significant milestone in his development as a swordsman.
However, the situation quickly escalates when a group of gorillas appears, forcing Yaiba, alongside his father and their pet tiger Kagetora, to flee. They cleverly evade capture by concealing themselves within a banana crate.
Unluckily, their misadventure continues when the crate is transported to Japan. The scene shifts to Sayaka Mine greeting her father, Raizou, at the airport. She congratulates him on his recent victory at the Asia Kendo Championship, an achievement he downplays, believing that defeating Kenjuurou would be the pinnacle of his career.
In a twist of fate, Kenjuurou and Yaiba find themselves at the same airport, leading to an encounter with Raizou and his daughter. Kenjuurou insists that Raizou take care of Yaiba, a suggestion Raizou promptly declines. However, Kenjuurou arranges a sparring match between Yaiba and Raizou’s top kendo student, intending to demonstrate Yaiba’s talent. The match ends with Yaiba effortlessly dominating the disciple, securing his place in Raizou’s household.
The following morning, Raizou realizes that Kenjuurou has left, entrusting Yaiba to him. Yaiba then accompanies Sayaka to her school, where she ominously warns him about the “monsters”that reside there. In a show of bravery, Yaiba vows to protect her, hinting at a budding romantic connection between the two.
Once at the school’s kendo dojo, Yaiba encounters Onimaru, the national kendo champion. In an attempt to surprise his opponent, Yaiba launches a sneak attack but is swiftly disarmed, demonstrating Onimaru’s superior skill. This climactic moment ignites a rivalry between the two, setting the stage for future confrontations while Sayaka tries to mitigate the tension.
Conclusion
The first episode of “Yaiba”expertly establishes its protagonist, laying a strong foundation for the evolving family dynamics as well as the rivalry with Onimaru. Fans can look forward to episode 2, which is set to air on April 12, 2025, where we will witness Yaiba’s integration into school.