Drifters poster

Drifters

TV Show TV-MA 2016 24m/ep 7.3 /10 Ended
Tokyo MX A Tokyo MX Original
Created by Kohta Hirano, Hideyuki Kurata

Shimazu Toyohisa, a samurai felled at the Battle of Sekigahara, finds himself alive in a strange, magical world where famous warriors from different eras have been gathered. Separated from everything he knew, Toyohisa teams up and clashes with other warlike personalities as rival factions jockey... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About Drifters

Shimazu Toyohisa, a samurai felled at the Battle of Sekigahara, finds himself alive in a strange, magical world where famous warriors from different eras have been gathered. Separated from everything he knew, Toyohisa teams up and clashes with other warlike personalities as rival factions jockey for control through brutal skirmishes and tactical gambits. The tone flips between sharp humor and bloody action, and the focus stays on how leaders make choices under pressure, how loyalties shift, and what soldiers pay when conflict never stops. The series keeps future developments under wraps while laying out mounting tensions and battlefield spectacle.

The anime premiered in 2016, adapted from Kohta Hirano's manga and guided in series composition by Hideyuki Kurata. Its main voice cast includes Yutaka Aoyama, Mitsuki Saiga, Yuichi Nakamura, Naoya Uchida, and Junko Minagawa, who bring historical figures to life.

The show did not sweep major mainstream awards, yet it earned steady recognition within anime circles. Reviewers and fans often singled out the performances of the voice cast and the show's distinct visual approach, even when broader industry prizes were absent.

Its mash-up of real historical figures like Nobunaga Oda and Hannibal Barca with fantasy elements carved out a niche reputation. Drifters drew a loyal cult following, inspired fan art and cosplay, and sparked online debates about its portrayals of famous leaders and its blend of anachronism and warfare.

Audience response sits solidly positive, reflected in a 7.30/10 viewer average from a modest number of votes. Viewers praise the kinetic combat, imaginative matchups, and darkly comic moments, while common criticisms point to uneven pacing and graphic violence that won't be for everyone. Major themes include leadership under fire, the ethics of war, and how myths are reshaped when history's giants meet in a new, ruthless arena.

Details

Release Date
October 07, 2016
Episode Length
24m
Rating
TV-MA
User Ratings
97 votes
Type
TV Series
Seasons
1
Episodes
12
Network
Tokyo MX
Status
Ended
Genres
Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Comedy
Country
Japan
Studio
Hoods Entertainment +1 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Yutaka Aoyama

Yutaka Aoyama

Hannibal Barca (voice)

Mitsuki Saiga

Mitsuki Saiga

Yoichi Nasu no Suketaka (voice)

Yuichi Nakamura

Yuichi Nakamura

Toyohisa Shimazu (voice)

Naoya Uchida

Naoya Uchida

Nobunaga Oda (voice)

Junko Minagawa

Junko Minagawa

Jeanne d'Arc (voice)

Shiho Kokido

Shiho Kokido

Olminu (voice)

Tatsuhisa Suzuki

Tatsuhisa Suzuki

Naoshi Kanno (voice)

Mitsuru Miyamoto

Mitsuru Miyamoto

Murasaki (voice)

Created by: Kohta Hirano, Hideyuki Kurata

Seasons (1 season, 12 episodes)

Season 1

Season 1

12 episodes - 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Drifters is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes.

Yes, you can buy on Apple iTunes.

Drifters has 1 season with a total of 12 episodes.

With a rating of 7.3/10 from 97 viewers, Drifters is well-regarded and recommended by viewers.

Shimazu Toyohisa, a samurai felled at the Battle of Sekigahara, finds himself alive in a strange, magical world where famous warriors from different eras have been gathered. Separated from everything he knew, Toyohisa teams up and clashes with other warlike personalities as rival factions jockey ...

Drifters stars Yutaka Aoyama, Mitsuki Saiga, Yuichi Nakamura, Naoya Uchida, and Junko Minagawa.

Drifters was created by Kohta Hirano and Hideyuki Kurata.

Drifters was released on October 07, 2016.

Drifters is a Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, and Comedy series.

Drifters uses real historical figures like Shimazu Toyohisa, Nobunaga Oda, Hannibal and Jeanne d'Arc, but it's not a true story. The series puts those people into a fictional, magical world and invents events for the sake of fantasy and action.

It's highly fictionalized, taking names and some traits from real people but changing their personalities, motives and actions to fit a fantasy plot. If you want accurate history, the anime isn't meant to be a reliable source.

No second season has been released, and the TV series consists of a single 12-episode run from 2016. The show's status is listed as ended, so there hasn't been an ongoing continuation on TV.

Drifters is rated TV-MA and contains graphic violence, gore, bloodshed and dark humor, so it's intended for mature audiences. It's not suitable for children or viewers who are sensitive to intense combat and violent imagery.