For early anime enthusiasts in the West, Toonami was the holy grail. When the weekday afternoon cartoon block kicked off in 1997, it gave eager fans of the medium the chance to catch up on some of the most popular series in the overarching zeitgeist, from mega-hits like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z to more niche offerings like Outlaw Star and The Big O in later years. In late 1999, one surprise offering was added to the lineup, which quickly attracted a dedicated fanbase. Now, over 25 years after first appearing on Cartoon Network, Ronin Warriors is back in the spotlight for the best possible reason, and there's good cause to be excited.
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Back in June 2025, it was confirmed that Ronin Warriors would be getting an official sequel from its original studio, Sunrise. While the show, which originally aired in 1988 in Japan, inspired three OVA sequels back in the late 80s and early 90s, this is a more grand affair, bringing the characters and story to fresh audiences with updated animation tossed with some always-welcome nostalgia.
While Ronin Warriors ended its Toonami run rather quickly, in March 2001, its impact was remarkably profound. Case in point: while my husband claimed to only remember the show in passing, when asked, he could quickly remember the names of the five main characters, along with the primary antagonist. The series managed to blend the superhero genre with fantasy and shonen-style action, and that left an impression, whether viewers realized it at the time or not.
Ronin Warriors Was a Staple of Early Toonami
While some in America may have caught Ronin Warriors on the USA Network or the Sci-Fi Channel in the mid 90s, its addition to Cartoon Network's Toonami lineup on September 27, 1999, guaranteed that it would find a more massive and dedicated audience of anime fans. The action anime series follows five young warriors who must fight back against Talpa, an ancient evil hellbent on destroying the planet. A century prior, he was banished to the Nether Realm, with his armor split into nine pieces. Four were given to Talpa's Dark Warlords, representing Corruption, Cruelty, Illusion, and Venom. The other five pieces went into the titular fighters, who remain on the side of good.
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The characters are where the series shines most, as the five main fighters each stand for a particular virtue, something any parent would be happy to expose their children to. (They also have exceedingly cool Samurai armor to boot, something which translated well to toy releases at the time). Ryo, the unofficial leader of the group, stood for righteousness; Kento, for justice; Sage, for grace; Cye, for trust; and Rowen, for wisdom. These tenants, along with their respective elemental powers and unique personalities, made it easy for viewers to pick a favorite, or to see themselves in one, or all, of the Ronin Warriors (or Samurai Troopers, as they're known in Japan).
Ronin Warriors changed many character names and had a dubbed English theme song in the West, something less common today. It also featured some campy voice acting and localization changes that detracted from its roots in traditional Japanese culture, leading many to seek out the original version to enjoy it as it was originally intended. Regardless, the nostalgia factor has kept people coming back to its heavily edited overseas release, but now, fans finally have some new content to dive into after decades of reruns.
Nearly 40 Years after the Original Series Debuted in Japan, The Ronin Warriors Sequel is Finally Here
The first episode of Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers, the sequel to Ronin Warriors, premiered on January 6. Following its initial announcement in Summer 2025, many fans were shocked to learn that this wouldn't be a remake, given the length of time between the two releases, the countless advances made in animation since the original's 1988 drop, and the finale of the original series' seeming to tie a perfect bow, rendering a sequel unnecessary or, at the very least, odd. However, Episode 1 cleared things up, as Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers isn't a direct sequel at all , featuring many entirely new characters and including a tad more violence than what those tuning into Toonami back in the day expected. It does feature some cameos and callbacks, but—without including any spoilers—it was quickly made apparent that this ain't your mama's Ronin Warriors.
Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Episode 1 premiered on January 6, and new episodes air each Tuesday. The original series is also streaming on the service.
Curiously, the first episode of the new series includes some music that was popular in the 80s in Japan, though unexpectedly, not songs that appeared in the original show. Instead, these are simple pop hits that harken back to a simpler time, and those familiar with Japanese popular culture will be floored by the unexpected additions. The animation is vibrant and flashy, and while not everyone may agree with the art direction, it's something that certainly garners attention, especially given the now muted palette of the past. Fans eager to relive their Toonami days may be in two camps about the new release, but it may take a few more episodes to find out just where people stand.
Plenty of hit anime series are primed to return in early 2026, with heavy hitters Jujutsu Kaisen and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End returning in January. Other shows getting new seasons this year include Hell's Paradise, Oshi no Ko, Fire Force, and The Apothecary Diaries, making the next few months particularly exciting for fans of the medium. Hopefully, some other long-dormant releases can make a comeback in the same way as Ronin Warriors.
Ronin Warriors (Yoroiden Samurai Troopers)
- Release Date
- April 30, 1988
Five champions in mystical armour strive to defeat a dark emperor and his four warlords to save the world from domination.