Claymore

Claymore is based on a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi. The anime adapts the first eleven volumes of the manga for the first twenty-four episodes of the series, and then uses an original storyline for the last two episodes. Claymore was produced by Madhouse and DR Movie, and was directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka. The twenty-six episodes of the series aired on NTV from April 3 to September 25, 2007. FUNimation Entertainment holds the licensing rights for Claymore in the United States.

In the series, humans coexist with creatures called Yoma. The Yoma are sentient monsters that feed on human innards. A nameless and secretive organization was created out of half-human, half-Yoma warriors to protect the humans from the Yoma. However, this organization charges large fees for their services. The humans have called these warriors either “Claymores” (due to the large, unsheathed swords they carry) or “Silver Eye Witches” (due to their appearance and cold demeanor toward others). The Claymores are created by the organization by implanting Yoma flesh and blood into humans.

At the beginning of the series, a small town is terrorized by a Yoma. A Claymore named Clare is assigned to take care of the Yoma in that village. Clare is a distant and quiet Claymore, and she occasionally has an impulsive side. While she is at the village, Clare meets a naïve and kind-hearted young man named Raki. Raki’s parents were murdered by a Yoma, and he lived with his brother and his uncle in the village. It turned out the Yoma who attacked Raki’s parents disguised himself as Raki’s brother, and was the Yoma attacking the village. This Yoma is killed by Clare, and soon after the Yoma’s defeat, Clare leaves the village.

After Clare leaves, Raki is exiled from the village, because the villagers suspect that Raki could also be a Yoma. While wandering in exile, Raki encounters Clare. Raki is used as bait by a Yoma, who attempts to defeat Clare. But Clare ends up defeating the Yoma, and she allows Raki to travel with her as a cook. The series follows their adventures.

Claymore has a bit of violence in it, but there is a very interesting concept and story being presented in the series. However, due to the violence in the show, I would recommend Claymore to anime viewers who are seventeen years of age and older.