Gamaran
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yousuke Nakamaru. It was serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from May 2009 to June 2013, with its chapters collected in twenty-two tankōbon volumes.
It chronicles the adventures of Gama Kurogane as he competes in the Grand Tournament of Unabara. Facing many opponents with powerful weapons and techniques, Gama must use all his skills in his quest to become the greatest swordsman in the land.
Plot
Middle Edo Period—One state becomes the gathering place for sinful martial artists, who believe in nothing other than power, knowing no other way-of-life than letting oneself go wild in battle. That powerful state is Unabara, the "Haunt of Demons"...Naosata Washitzu, the daimyō of Unabara, is looking for his successor. Calling upon his 31 sons, he tells them to search for whomever they believe to be the strongest martial arts style in the land. Once these 31 styles have been chosen, a great competition called "The Grand Tournament of Unabara" will be held. Pitting themselves against each other, these fighting styles will battle until one emerges victorious. The winner shall be known as the 'strongest fighters in the land', and the son who sponsored them shall become the Daimyo's successor.
In the mountains of Unabara lies the doujo of the "Ogame Ryū". There, Naoyoshi Washitzu, one of the 31 sons of Naosata Washitzu, comes in search of the legendary swordsman, Jinsuke Kurogane, the man known as "The Thousand Man Slayer". When he arrives he discovers that Jinsuke has disappeared and not been seen for several years. Instead he encounters Jinsuke's son, Gama Kurogane. After testing Gama's fighting style and skills, Naoyoshi invites Gama to fight for him in the upcoming tournament. Desiring to become stronger, Gama agrees to his offer, and here marks the beginning of Gama's quest to become the strongest of all...
The Grand Tournament of Unabara
- Round One – The 31 styles will be split into eight groups with 4 to 5 styles per group. For one month the styles in each group will battle each other in whichever way they please, be it one-on-one or an all-out-brawl. When the leader of a style admits defeat, they may be beheaded or spared by the victor. At the end of the month, the style that emerges victorious from each group will move on to the second round.
- Round Two – The 10 victorious styles from the first round will battle each other at the same time. The condition for victory against another style will be taking the head of the Daimyo's son who sponsored that style. There is no limit on how many heads can be taken, however, only one head needs to be presented in order for a style to move on to the third round.
Characters
Protagonists
;Naoyoshi WashitzuOgame Ryū - A martial arts school that specializes in Battōjutsu. The techniques of the Ogame Style are divided into five forms, each based on a different element.
;Gama Kurogane
;Shinnojou Sakura
;Zenmaru Ichinose
;Iori Sengoku
Antagonists
;Jinsuke Kurogane;Hyouga Brothers
Tengen Ryū - A martial arts school that specializes in Naginatajutsu. A very young school which has only existed for three years. Grouped with the Ogame Style in the First Round.
;Maki Baian
;Yakushiji Eima
Nakaizumi Ryū - A martial arts school that specializes in Kyūjutsu. The school utilizes three unique kinds of arrows to overcome the limitations of archery in combat. "Destruction" uses a heavy lead mass on the head to give it great speed and accuracy. "Encircle" uses special fletchings to allow it to turn in flight. "Fang" uses a crescent bladed head and multiple barbs to cause extreme damage. Grouped with the Ogame Style in the First Round.
;Nakaizumi Arata
Kyousen Ryū - A shadowy martial arts school that specializes in Taijutsu. The Kyousen Style uses specific strikes to an opponent's body in order to rupture their internal organs. Only taught within the Daimaru Clan, the style has been used for assassinations for several generations. Grouped with the Ogame Style in the First Round.
;Daimaru Sakon
;Daimaru Ryūgo
;Daimaru Souji, Genzou, and Shinosuke
;Daimaru Gorou
Tamagakushi Ryū - A martial arts school that specializes in Ninjutsu. A style that has militarized the art of ninjutsu and is known as one of the "Five Dragon's of Unabara".
;Fujibayashi Saizou
Kasanemanji Ryū - A martial arts school that specializes in Kusarigamajutsu. Each member of the school wields a unique kusarigama. They gained renown in the tournament for defeating one of the "Five Dragon" styles in the First Round. Fought against the Ogame style in the Second Round.
;Matsumoto Muraku
;Jaki and Kotaru
Myoujin Ryū - A martial arts school that specializes in Sōjutsu. A style that has existed for over a hundred years and is known as one of the "Five Dragon's of Unabara". The style passes down its techniques by continually handing down four unique Japanese spears to four wielders. These wielders are known as "The Four Divine Spears". While there are many 'disciples', only the four who wield one of these spears is considered a member of the Myoujin Style. Fought against the Ogame Style in the Second Round.
;Midou Shingo
;Sakakibara Sasuke
;Jinno Ichiou
;Omiya Banri
Muhou Ryū
Jinsuke's Personal Corps
;Kudou Shimon
;Ranmaru Itou
;Tsuchiryuu
;Yamanoue Kiyomori, the "Lord Of Doom Fist"
;Toujou Shungaku
Advisors
;Kujou Mario
;Ichinose Kai
;Murasame Riko
;Hanamura Riichirou
;Kuryuu Ango
;Nachi
Corps Commanders
;Yoshifuku Jingyou
;Nishio Motoji
;Kuro Hajime
;Hasukawa Kiichi
;Nasu Souun
;Toudou Koma
;Oshimi Taisuke
;Mamiya Suzunosuke
;Kura Shiden
;Furuhashi Genya
;Rinkei
;Maezono Chouei
;Niina Gakushin
;Maruyama Ichida
;Uchikawa Banjirou
;Azuma Jin
;Kumakushi Sanzou
Division Commanders
;Maniwa Juuhou
;Shibano Ippi
;Sarumata Kenzou
Unabara Royal Family
The sons of lord Washitzu Naosata, each has sponsored a different school in the tournament. The winning school's sponsor will succeed Lord Washitzu.;Naomasa Washitzu
;Naosata Washitzu
;Naokatsu Washitzu
Publication
Gamaran, written and illustrated by Yousuke Nakamaru, was serialized in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shonen Magazine from May 13, 2009, to June 26, 2013.The manga is licensed digitally in English by Kodansha USA and the first volume was released on September 20, 2022.
A sequel manga series, titled Gamaran: Shura, which focuses on Iori Sengoku, was serialized in Kodansha's Magazine Pocket app from March 7, 2018, to February 27, 2025. The sequel manga is also licensed digitally in English by Kodansha USA and the first volume was released on October 25, 2022.