Set just before World War II: Having honed his swordsmanship to a fine art, dashing young Kumomaru leaves his native Japan to see the world and test himself against the evil forces brewing an apocalyptic world war. His companions include a beautiful French woman and the as yet unknown writer Ernest Hemingway. Samurai Crusader was published in English by VIZ Media in tankoubon format from August 5, 1996 to December 6, 1997.