SwordBandits

Localization
 Leader
 Prominent members

***SwordBandits*** (also called simply ***Bandits***) is the villainous paramilitary organization of Azuma in the *Dragons of Azuma* webseriers. The army gathers many inhabitants of Azuma from all of the Four Empires. All of the soldiers have a ninja like appearance. Their primary weapon is a ninjatō. In the entire world of DoA there is over 500,000 swordbandits' soldeirs.

## Overview

Swordbandits' are shown as a paramilitary organization spreaded around Azuma, based on the western description of a ninja warrior. They are mostly considered as weak but, occasionally they are called 'the curse of Azuma'. The bandits doesn't use typical army tactics but often work in groups or even lone soldiers are walking trough Azuma.

Their main purpose is taking over goods and villages for, yet, an unknown goal. The bandist, most often resides in a taken over by them villages or forts. Also every bandit has a tatoo of the bandits' symbol on their body.

## Weapons

The bandits are seen using a variety of weapons. The most basic and popular weapon used by soldiers is a ninjatō, which can be replaced when a bandits gets higher in the army ranks. High ranked soldiers may use custom weapons (as General Taka carries a Katana). The type of weapons are not only limited to bladed-weapons as Buta's soldiers are shown with nunchaku and bō.

## Clothing

Bandits are often shown with dark-colored clothes with a ZOKU (賊 *zoku* meaning bandit or thief) symbol on their clothing. The style of the clothing is often personalized on bandits' own needs but on many ocassions is shown to be ninja themed. Buta and his men are shown in casual martial arts uniforms (with many different accessories differenting on different soldiers, like head bands, whrist bands or leg pullers/bands). Soldiers from fort Uragiri are seen in a more veriety styles, as suit, armors, caps, etc.

## SwordBandits' Wanted Lists

SwordBandits runs Wanted Lists of people who dare to fight against the army and their soldiers. The lists does not shown any prize money for eliminating a wanted man, thus if a high ranked wanted person is defeated by a bandit he might be promoted to a higher rank. The lists are also grouped by ranks, thus it is still unknown how theese ranks are specefied (altough Momo is ranked 'Supreme Kill' for defeating over 50 high ranked officers, and Daikon 'Bandit Hunter' for defeating 16). Also if possible, a list consist full name of a wanted man. Momo and a youngster named Daikon are the only known wanted people at this poins of the story.

## Ranks

In the swordbandits army a ranking system is used, probably to show majority of strenght between of the soldiers. When a bandit advances in rank he can also change his weapon of choice. When a bandits reaches the rank of sergent he is allowed to have a ZOKU sign on his clothes (thus, all high ranked swordbandits must wear it).

#### Bandit Man

Every new bandit is given a regular, dark colored bandit clothing (that may be changed when a bandit ranks higher) and a ninjatō sword. Also every bandit men gets a ZOKU tatoo on his body. It isn't known if new bandits are trained in fight or only skilled warriors might join the army.

#### Bandit Soldier

The 'Bandit Soldier' from Nikukyū Village doesn't poses any special abilities, thus in fight he uses a sword (which might suggest that this rank still isn't allowed to use other weapon than a sword).

#### Bandit Leader

The 'Bandit Leader' from Nikukyū Village doesn't poses any special abilities, thus he is seen with a nunchaku around his neck (altough, in fight he is seen using a sword) might suggest that his rank is allowed to use other weapon that a sword.

#### Sergeant

This is the first rank to be allowed to wear a ZOKU symbol on their clothing. A huge one appears in fort Uragiri, hoever he wasn't shown fighting.

#### Lieutenant

Nikukyū lieutenant is shown to be an avarage fighter. Unlike the other swordbandits, he is vielding a bō instead of a sword. Also in fort Uragiri a lieutenant appears, thus he is an adjutant of the fort's commander.

#### Captain

A swordbandits' captain is shown to be far beyond the, one-rank lower, lieutenant. Buta, which men are easily defeated by Neko, almoust kills his opponent and shows a type of immunity to Neko's trick. Another four captains appear, in fort Uragiri. Most of them (expect Zō) are seen to be a match with Buta's strenght. Although three others aren't seen to wield any weapon, Captain Ushi uses a whip as his weapon of choice.

#### Major

Major rank is one rank higher than a captain. Shōga is the first major to appear. As a major he is seen wielding a european-like sword. It is seen that his strenght is beyond that of his captains (except Zō) (as a 'similar strenght' hit defeats one of his captains and brings him on his knees).

#### General

General is high ranked officer of the Swordbandits army. Taka is shown to be a strong warrior vielding a katana sword as his weapon of choice. He is also shown to be acknowledged of Tamashi Energy.

## Others

* As bandits wear 'dark colored clothes' the colored page of chapted 7 shows that Buta's group are in navy blue and deep purple clothes.
* Taka is the first bandit to use the Tamashī energy and the first to appear overall.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/blogarchive/21938
2. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/14
3. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/69/
4. ↑ I.E. Buta's Men and also one of the Nikukyu Village inhabitants mentions that trough Azuma, many lone groups are walking and are taking over villages - http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/128
5. ↑ *(...)every one who joins the army must do a ZOKU tattoo on his body. So even if he doesn't yet have one on his clothes he has it on his body(...).*http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/blogarchive/21938
6. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/128
7. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/52/
8. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/83/
9. ↑ Captain Buta suggesting that for defeating Momo, he could become a General. http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/84/
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/153
11. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/100/
12. ↑ The man talking to Shōga from page 201 is called a sergent by Zō on the next page.
13. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/179
14. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/222
15. ↑ http://dragonsofazuma.thecomicseries.com/comics/224