In his manga series Samurai Deeper Kyo, Akimine Kamijyo explores the life of a Samurai. In the Edo era of Japan's history, Samurai Deeper Kyo follows Demon Eyes Kyo, a samurai who is attempting to reclaim his body when his opponent, Mibu Kyoshiro, locks his soul inside his body. Benitora's successor, bounty-hunter Shiina Yuya, as well as Sanada Yukimura, a longtime foe of the Tokugawa, join Kyo in the quest for Benitora. There were 38 volumes of Samurai Deeper Kyo collected when it was published in the Weekly Shnen Magazine of Kodansha from October 15, 1999 to May 10, 2006. 2002 saw an animated television adaptation of the manga. As of December 23, 2002, there were a total of 26 episodes of the Studio Deen production on television in Japan. In the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, both the manga and anime have been licensed. As of 2002, Tokyopop had purchased the manga Although Kodansha allowed its licensing contracts to expire in 2009, Tokyopop was prevented from continuing the English translation of the series. The manga series Samurai Deeper Kyo was taken up by Del Rey Manga shortly after, and the final volumes 35 and 36 as well as 37 and 38 as well as been released in a single book. In 2003, Media Blasters purchased the anime series under its AnimeWorks banner. aired on Encore network channels in the United States for a short time.