Centuries ago, during the Edo period in Japan (1601-1867), a loyal samurai of the Soma clan named Tange Samanosuke was betrayed by other clan members. He is attacked and maimed, losing his right arm and right eye. Tange renounces his clan’s loyalty, adopts the name “'''Tange Sazen''',” and embarks on a journey across Japan as a disillusioned and cynical ronin.

No longer bound by the rigid codes of the samurai class, Sazen is neither anchored by honor or purpose. He operates as a drifter, always up for a bet or accepting work whenever it suits him. He frequently mocks social conventions, authority figures, and even the very genre he belongs to. In some stories, he runs or frequents low-class establishments, blending into Edo’s underworld.

Early depictions present him as a ruthless mercenary, willing to betray others for his own gain. He can shift from lazy indifference to explosive violence in an instant. Yet over time, particularly in later serials, he evolves into a more complex sympathetic character. He forms unexpected bonds, especially with outcasts like orphans, women, or disgraced warriors, becoming a reluctant protector of the defenseless and an opponent of corruption.

Tange Sazen's popularity lead to the creation of a gender-swapped version of character, known in Japanese as Onna Sazen (lit. Female Sazen or Lady Sazen).

Despite losing an arm and an eye, Sazen's martial prowess remains undiminished, as numerous adversaries have come to realize. His one-eyed perception gives him an uncanny combat awareness. His one-armed technique is specialized, focusing on precision, speed, and unpredictability.

All published film media of Tange Sazen from before January 1, 1953 are public domain in the US.

Some notable appearances are listed below:

*Mainichi Shimbun (1927-1930)

*Shinban Ōoka seidan (1928)
*Tange Sazen (1933)
*Tange Sazen II: Kengeki no maki (1934)
*The Million Ryo Pot (1935)
*Tange Sazen: Nikkō no maki (1936)
*Tange Sazen: Kan'un hissatsu no maki (1936)
*Tange Sazen: Konryū jubaku no maki (1936)
*Tange Sazen: Aizō maken hen (1937)
*Tange Sazen: Kanketsu hōkō (1937)
*Onna Sazen: Dai-ichi hen - yōka no maki (1937)
*Onna Sazen: Dai-ni hen - maken no maki (1937)
*Shinpen Tange Sazen: Yōtō hen (1938)
*Shinpen Tange Sazen: Hayate-hen (1938)
*Shinpen Tange Sazen: Sekigan no maki (1939)
*Shinpen Tange Sazen: Koiguruma no maki (1939)
*Onna Sazen: Tsubanari mutō-ryū no maki (1950)
*Tange Sazen (1952)

* Shojoji no tanuki-bayashi Dan Dan'emon (1935)

*[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tange_Sazen Wikipedia]
*[http://jessnevins.com/pulp/pulpt/tange.html Jess Nevins]
Category:Literary Characters
Category:Heroes
Category:Japanese Characters
Category:Samurai Characters
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Category:Fubō Hayashi - Creator
Category:1927 Debuts
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