Efu no Shichinin

Efu no Shichinin, or The Seven of the Efu, was serialized by Yamaguchi Takayuki beginning in 2013 within the pages of Weekly Shonen Champion. The series serves as a historical fiction epic, drawing heavily upon the stylistic and narrative influence of Futaro Yamada’s legendary ninja literature. Yamaguchi, known for his intense and highly detailed illustrative style, sought to capture the brutal, high-stakes atmosphere of the Sengoku period, depicting a group of seven specialized warriors caught in the complex web of political and supernatural conflict.

The reception of the work is largely defined by Yamaguchi's visceral artistic approach, which emphasizes dynamic movement and stark, often grotesque character designs. By focusing on the darker, more visceral aspects of samurai-era folklore, the series appeals to readers of seinen and mature shonen manga who appreciate character-driven historical dramas. It is considered a representative piece of Yamaguchi's technical mastery in action choreography and his dedication to subverting traditional tropes within the jidaigeki genre.