Blades of the Guardians TP (2025)

True Grit meets Romance of the Three Kingdoms! A thrilling manhua—mixing adrenaline-packed spaghetti Western and Game of Thrones–type empire drama—Blades (Biao Ren) follows extraordinary swordsman and bounty hunter Dao Ma and his three-year-old son as they take a larger-than-life journey fated to uproot a brutal ancient Chinese empireIt is the third year of Daye (607 CE). The people of Sui Dynasty are living in poverty under the brutal rule of Emperor Yang Guang. In the desert fringes of this empire is a traveling swordsman named Dao Ma. He’s a skilled bounty hunter who hopes to pay off his debt to his foster godfather while looking after his three-year-old son, Xiao Qi.When Dao Ma takes on an escort mission to bodyguard an enigmatic fugitive to the imperial capital Chang’an, he treats it as a simple high-paying job. Little does he know that this client is a dangerous mystic twirling strings that could uproot the empire from its foundations.One of the top bestselling manhua titles in China, Blades of the Guardians’ dramatic, brutal illustrations and tight, intricate plot will leave readers at the edge of their seats. It is perfect for fans of seinen manga like Vagabond, wuxias like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and world-shaking adventures like The Lord of the Rings.

In ancient China, a lone swordsman risks everything to protect a child destined to change the world. True Grit meets The Last SamuraiSet in ancient China during the fall of a ruthless empire, bounty hunter Dao Ma breaks his code to protect a child and becomes the hunted. What begins as a routine escort mission turns into an epic fight for survival against assassins, warlords, and the forces of fate. Blades of the Guardians blends the intensity of True Grit, the heart of The Mandalorian, and the grand intrigue of Game of Thrones. A breathtaking martial-arts fantasy rooted in Chinese history, filled with brutal action, haunting beauty, and fierce compassion.