The Most Notable Swords in Anime History

Genres: Anime, Action, Comedy, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Action fiction,
First episode date: January 8, 2012 (Japan)
Language: Japanese

As Saizo Kirigakure goes for his daily forest jog, fate intervenes. He comes across a bloodied young priestess named Isanami, who has fled from a massacre at her shrine. She is on the run from Tokugawa Ieyasu’s ninjas, determined to seek revenge for the fallen temple.

Desperate for help, she turns to Saizo, not knowing he is connected to the person she needs to see – Yukimura Sanada.

Saizo takes it upon himself to escort Isanami to Yukimura, a warlord and the co-founder of the Sanada Ten Braves – a group of swordsmen on a mission to change the world.

The Braves are determined to protect Isanami and the mysterious power of the Kushitama from rival warlords.

As Yukimura learns of Isanami’s mysterious power, he takes her under his wing, united in their goal to avenge her temple and win the feudal war of Japan. Get ready for an epic journey filled with sword fights and moments of pure chance!

Developers: Capcom, Capcom Production Studio 4,
Genre(s): Action; Hack and slash; Fighting; Beat ’em up

Step into the world of Sengoku period Japan, where powerful warlords compete for control and political power with hopes of unifying the land. But, one ruler stands above the rest, the mighty Nobunaga Oda, with the military might to conquer all of Japan.

As Nobunaga expands his rule, Sanada and Date must set aside their differences to defeat the rising tyrant and save feudal Japan from his tyrannical reign.

Get ready for a tale of magic, military prowess, and political intrigue as these warriors and leaders clash with the armies of Nobunaga.

Will they be able to stop his reign and restore peace to the land? Find out in this epic tale of power, honor, and survival.

Owner: Dracule Mihawk
Grade: Supreme Grade
Type: Black Sword

Embark on an epic journey in the world of One Piece and behold the supreme swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, who wields the infamous Yoru. This sword is not just any ordinary blade but one of the 12 elite-grade swords that boast a distinct crucifix design.

As the current champion of swordsmanship, Mihawk holds the title with absolute authority. With Yoru in his grip, he unleashes fearsome air slashes that maintain their cutting edge even at a distance and effortlessly slice through massive structures.

Although Roronoa Zoro is renowned for his sword skills, Mihawk’s mastery over Yoru cements his position as the greatest swordsman in all of One Piece.

Join this thrilling tale of sword mastery as these two warriors battle for the title of the ultimate swordsman.

Author: Yoshiki Tanaka
Adaptations: The Heroic Legend of Arslan (1991)
Episodes: 4
Genres: High fantasy, Historical fantasy, Sword and sorcery

Get to know Arslan, a prince with a heart of gold and a flair for clumsiness.

Life in the capital city of Ecbatana, the kingdom of Persia, is nothing short of luxurious for our young hero. Surrounded by comfort and convenience, from dental insurance to Kofix branches, Arslan has lived a sheltered life within the city’s walls. Well, everyone is happy except maybe for the enslaved people.

But fear not, for the kingdom is ruled by the formidable King Andragoras. A warrior king who dominates his enemies with growls and victories in battle, Andragoras keeps Persia strong and stable. Or does he?

Prepare for a wild ride as Arslan sets out to prove his worth and defend his kingdom from the unknown.

First episode: April 12, 2005 (Japan)
Final episode: September 20, 2005
Genres: Anime, Action, Drama, Adventure, Fantasy
Language: Japanese

Step into the samurai world, where two ancient ninja clans, the Iga and Kouga, have been locked in a never-ending war. That is, until a powerful warlord orders a ceasefire, giving the clans a chance to lay down their arms.

But love knows no bounds, and when Gennosuke Kouga, the heir of the Kouga clan, falls in love with Oboro Iga, the heir of the Iga clan, they see a chance to bring peace through marriage.

However, as fate would have it, their clans are again drawn into war.

Caught between their love for each other and their duty to their clans, Gennosuke and Oboro must make a heart-wrenching decision that will determine the fate of their families and their love.

VR: Sword Art Online
Type: Weapon
User(s): Kirito
Crafted By: Lisbeth

Join Sword Art Online, where popularity collides with controversy!

In the mid-2010s, this anime took the community by storm, with Kirito cosplayers invading anime conventions left and right, swords in hand. The Elucidator and Dark Repulser, Kirito’s trusty blades, became symbols of the show’s immense popularity.

Get ready to witness the power of the Elucidator and Dark Repulser in action! These high-value weapons are obtained by Kirito on his journey and are dual-wielded to devastating effect.

Voiced by: Takeshi Kusao (Toei Animation), MORE
Fictional universe: Dragon Ball
Siblings: Bulla
Notable alias: Future Trunks

Enter the thrilling world of Dragon Ball and witness the unmatched strength and skill of Future Trunks, the warrior who wields a sword with unmatched precision.

In a land where hand-to-hand combat and ki attacks reign supreme, Trunks stands out with his trusty weapon.

The sword’s simple design may seem unremarkable, but its cutting power is second to none. It effortlessly slices through even the toughest foes like Frieza with ease. Despite suffering damage at the hands of Android 18, Future Trunks doesn’t let that slow him down.

He harnesses the power of his ki to transform his sword into a blazing energy weapon capable of taking down even the strongest opponents like Zamasu.

Who’s the hero of Juni Taisen, you ask? Good luck finding one worth rooting for among the death game participants named after the Chinese zodiac animals.

But don’t worry, the angel of death is hot on their heels!

While the show might not stretch your brain to its limits, it’s from the mind of Nishio Ishin, the mastermind behind the Monogatari series and Medaka Box. So, at the very least, it’ll be entertaining.

Should you watch it?

The animation is top-notch, and the sword scenes are a feast for the eyes, but the shallow characters and predictable plot leave something to be desired. Still, I’ll give it a chance and hope for a plot twist to make it worth my while.

The Meiji era of Japan sets the stage for the epic tale of Rurouni Kenshin, where the wanderer Himura Kenshin battles for redemption. Once a feared assassin, Kenshin now wields a unique reverse-blade sword and vows to use his skills for good instead of evil.

With each new challenge, Kenshin must navigate his dangerous past and maintain his oath never to kill again.

As the stakes rise and powerful enemies emerge, will the reformed killer hold onto his noble ideals and protect the innocent?

Release date: April 29, 2017 (Japan)
Director: Takashi Miike
Adapted from: Blade of the Immortal
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures, Arrow Films

Blade of the Immortal, a well-known manga series, has yet to find success in its adaptations. The 13-episode anime series from 2008, however, did the original justice.

Meet Manji, a swordsman with an unbeatable advantage – immortality.

Cursed after killing 100 samurai, Manji can only break the curse by taking down 1000 villains.

The series begins with Rin, a 16-year-old seeking revenge for her murdered family. She can’t do it alone, and that’s where Manji comes in. Join the unlikely duo as they embark on a thrilling journey filled with murder, revenge, and severed limbs.

Excalibur, the legendary sword from the story of King Arthur, has made its mark in various forms of media, including Soul Eater. In Soul Eater’s world, Excalibur is the most powerful weapon and can be wielded by almost anyone.

But here’s the catch – weapons in Soul Eater have personalities, and Excalibur’s is unbearable. In its non-weapon form, it manifests as a bizarre, pure white creature who never stops talking.

Wielding Excalibur means following its countless, often conflicting rules – a task so unpleasant that only a select few have the patience to endure it and make their mark in history.

Meet Yoko Nakajima, a 16-year-old student at an all-girls high school. Raised in a strict and conservative household, Yoko’s father forbids her from wearing pants in the modern era.

Despite her obedience and attempts to be the good girl, Yoko’s rigid upbringing has stifled her true self.

At school, Yoko shines as the chairwoman of the student council and a top-performing student. However, her red hair is a source of controversy among the teachers, who refuse to believe it’s a natural color.

But Yoko stands by her truth, refusing to conform to their narrow-minded expectations.

Demon Slayer is packed with impressive weapons, but the Nichirin Blades steal the show.

While Tanjiro’s sleek black blade with a circular wheel guard may seem the most recognizable, it doesn’t reach its full potential until the swordsmith village arc, which is yet to be animated.

So, for now, the flame hashira, Rengoku’s blade, with its flame-patterned blade and flame-shaped guard, takes the most iconic title.

Attack on Titan’s anti-titan military packs a punch with their standard-issue swords. These iconic weapons are carried by almost every major character and play a crucial role in humanity’s fight against the Titans.

With a design resembling snap-off knives, these swords feature several breakable sections, and soldiers carry multiple sets to stay ahead of the game.

It’s no wonder they’re the go-to weapons for the ultimate showdown against the Titans.

Revved up and ready to cut, Ryoko’s scissor blade is the standout icon of Kill la Kill. This sleek weapon, crafted by Ryoko’s father, is half of a pair that transforms into powerful rending scissors designed to slice through life fibers.

With its dynamic design, the scissor blade can shrink to a compact size or grow larger than buildings, making it a versatile weapon.

In a show overflowing with unique flair, the scissor blade reigns supreme as the ultimate symbol of Kill la Kill.

It’s no surprise that Dragon Slayer takes one of the top spots as the ultimate giant anime sword. This massive blade set the standard for all other giants in fiction, inspiring classics like Cloud Strife’s buster sword.

Despite its lack of special abilities, its sheer size and weight make it a formidable weapon.

Only someone with immense strength, like Guts, can wield this behemoth and effortlessly slice through hordes of enemies.

Giyu is a towering figure with a chiseled physique and a striking pale complexion. He exudes a serious demeanor, with an expression that rarely betrays any emotions.

His unruly black hair stands out with tufts that seem to defy gravity, styled in a low and messy ponytail.

A fringe of uneven bangs casts a shadow over his piercing sapphire eyes, which fade to a lighter blue and are framed by sharp eyebrows. This striking young man is a sight to behold.

Giyu, a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, showcases his unmatched power and skill in combat.

He effortlessly captures Nezuko from Tanjiro and swiftly knocks him out with a single blow, leaving no doubt of his superiority.