Set in the Middle Ages, the remnants of humanity are tormented by paranoia and death. Whispered in fear, the word "Yoma" evokes a vivid image in everyone's mind: monstrous creatures with an insatiable hunger for human flesh. Yet, the terror of their gruesome appetite is overshadowed by the dread of their ability to shapeshift and steal the memories of their victims. Constantly vulnerable to attack, humans live in unease, even among their own families. Few methods exist to kill a Yoma. The Organization, informally known as "Claymore," serves as humanity's sole line of defense, deploying half-human, half-Yoma female warriors to cleanse villages of Yoma. It is a lonely and perilous existence, with death looming over each new assignment. Any time found between grueling battles and long, arduous journeys is spent in an ever-intensifying struggle to resist their Yoma blood and preserve their humanity. Aware of this, villagers pay for their protection reluctantly and hold their guardians in contempt. Claymore follows the stoic, low-ranking warrior Clare on her daunting quest for personal vengeance. Along the way, she encounters many unexpected aspects of the world, ranging from the camaraderie and hope shared by her fellow warriors to the sinister truth behind the Claymore Organization.