Claymore is one of those titles that sits in a very specific corner of the anime world: the “criminally underrated dark fantasy” shelf. It released quietly, left quietly, and yet continues to haunt many fans because of how good it could have been and how good it already was despite its limitations.

A World Where Humanity Clings to the Edge

At its core, Claymore thrives on its bleak, oppressive worldbuilding. Humans live in constant fear of Yoma, shape-shifting monsters hiding among them. Their only line of defense? Claymores—half-human, half-Yoma warriors, all of them women, bred and trained by a morally grey Organization that treats them like disposable assets.

This setup alone makes Claymore a standout in the dark fantasy genre. It’s brutal, melancholic, and refreshingly unromanticized. Death isn’t flashy—it’s sudden and often meaningless. Power doesn’t come without corruption. And heroism? It’s a luxury few characters can afford.

Clare: A Protagonist Forged From Trauma

Clare’s journey is another core pillar of the series. She isn’t the chosen one. She isn’t the strongest. She’s actually one of the weakest Claymores in rank, forced to claw her way through battles she’s technically not meant to survive.

Her motivation—revenge and redemption tied to Teresa—gives the story emotional electricity. It’s simple yet potent, and it grows beautifully as Clare slowly becomes more than just a vessel of vengeance. The anime captures much of this well: her desperation, her restraint, and her terrifying potential.

Action That Hits Hard

Even with a 2007 budget, Claymore’s action sequences feel visceral. The speed, the monstrous transformations, the limb-tearing brutality of Awakened Beings—it’s all delivered with that old-school gritty energy.

When Claymore lands a fight, it lands it with impact, not gloss.

Where the Anime Fumbles: The Grand Manga Scope Was Too Big

One of the greatest tragedies in anime adaptation history is Claymore’s missed potential.

The manga spans deep political intrigue, massive wars, shifting allegiances, character evolutions, and layers of worldbuilding that expand far beyond the early chapters. It’s a story with a real endgame, something the anime never lived long enough to reach.

But here’s where the real issue hits:

❌ The anime ends at Episode 26 with an original ending.

❌ Entire arcs—some of the BEST arcs—never got animated.

❌ Key characters barely get development.

❌ The mythos of the Organization is never truly explored.

Instead of becoming the next Berserk-tier dark fantasy epic, the anime ends in an abrupt, almost jarringly incomplete state. It’s not bad—just unfinished.

Why Claymore Deserves a Full Reboot

Let’s be blunt:
Claymore is prime reboot material.

• The manga is complete.
• The story is structured perfectly for a multi-season adaptation.
• Dark fantasy is more popular than ever.
• Modern animation studios could make the fights look god-tier.

If Hunter x Hunter, FMA, and Higurashi can get beautiful re-adaptations, So can Claymore.
A faithful reboot would transform it from “underrated gem” into “instant modern classic.”

Final Rating

Claymore (Anime): ⭐ 8/10
A gripping, atmospheric dark fantasy with strong characters and brutal action—held back only by its premature ending.

Claymore (Potential With a Faithful Reboot): ⭐ 10/10
A masterpiece waiting to happen.

Image credit Madhouse