Having a nifty blade is one of the prerequisites for anime characters (right up there with spiky hair and daddy problems). Anime swords define characters who wield them. These legendary swords are known to kill a hundred in one stroke.
We'll be counting down our picks for the top ten most popular anime swords in the history of anime. We're only looking at physical objects rather than energy projections and sticking to actual swords, meaning no knives, sabers, or scissor blades. Let's dive in.
Samehada (Naruto)
When choosing a weapon, you want to go with something that makes a statement and we can't think of an anime sword that does that more than this movie sword.
While this anime sword initially appears like a large sword wrapped in bandages, unwrapping it reveals something much creepier.
Not only is this anime sword sentient but it draws power from whoever wields it and can flex shape-shift at will and absorb the power of attacks used against.
This anime sword may stretch the definition of the word 'sword' a tiny bit but this weapon is nonetheless dangerous.
Future Trunk's Sword (DragonBall Z)
When you're able to fly, fire devastating energy blasts and benchpress mountains like most of the cast from this anime series- carrying an anime sword almost seems a tad redundant.
But if we hailed from a dystopian future in which most of the human race had been wiped out thanks to androids, we'd take anything we could get. Which brings us to this anime sword.
Despite a fairly simple blade, this anime sword is deadly in the hands of Vegeta and bouncing baby boy from the future- in whose hands this anime sword becomes a powerful weapon as Frieza learned all too well.
Elucidator And Dark Repulser (Sword Art Online)
Kirito is perhaps the only anime character who can wield two swords. Well, most characters are limited to one weapon, the protagonist Kirito has access to a unique ability which allows him to wield two anime swords at once.
Each of Kirito's two swords is incredibly powerful but when used simultaneously, these anime swords are able to take down some very powerful foes.
Appropriately enough, obtaining them wasn't easy. One kirito sword had to be forged out of a rare crystalline while the other anime sword was a rare boss drop that Kirito obtained on the 50th floor.
Toyoko Bokuto (Gintana)
While this anime sword may look like an ordinary wooden sword but this weapon is actually made of ten thousand year old alien wood-at least that's what it's owner claims.
We're more of the mindset that this anime sword is just plain old wood and periodically replaced but whatever this anime sword's true origin is, it's still a powerful weapon in the hands of Ikon who regularly uses it to perform some pretty impressive feats.
This anime sword has seen him through numerous pitched battles, occasionally breaking but still able to cut through numerous obstacles despite lacking a cutting edge of any kind.
Sakabatou (Rarouni Kenshin)
At first glance this anime sword appears to be an ordinary katana, lacking in any major detail or flourish but closer inspection reveals one critical detail.
Rather than on the outer curve, the cutting edge is facing inward towards the user. This may seem pretty impractical as an anime sword but there is a good reason for that.
Created by a master swordsmith as his final creation, this anime sword was created to symbolize the beginning of the Meiji era and the end of a long period of bloodshed. This era is supposed to be a time of peace
The samurai would throw their swords away. Despite being created as a symbol of peace, the inverted anime sword is nonetheless a potent tool in the hands of its wielder.
Kurikara (Blue Exorcist)
This anime sword isn't held by any old swordsman or wandering Samurai but by Okumura- the son of the devil himself.
An enchanted weapon made exclusively to kill demons, this anime sword can absorb the hearts of demons to use as a power source because the blade actually contains Rins own demonic hearts.
Drawing this anime sword causes him to revert to his true form. This also means that if the anime sword were to be destroyed it would be the end of the devil.
Tessaiga (Inuyasha)
This powerful and imposing anime sword is said to be able to kill a hundred demons in a single strike. Looking at the size of this anime sword, we can believe it.
Rather than having an ordinary blade, this anime sword was actually forged from the fang of Inuyasha's father- hence its name which translates to 'iron crushing fang'.
This anime sword has numerous abilities-most notable of which is the power to transform into an ordinary katana just in case walking around with a giant cleaver is a bit too conspicuous.
Zangetsu (Bleach)
Summarizing the complicated history of this imposing anime sword in a short span of time is no easy feat.
Like all historical swords held by the spiritual guardians known as Shinigami, the anime series protagonist Ichigo's anime sword is a manifestation of his own inner power.
He can use this anime sword to cut through spiritual energy and pretty much anything else that gets in his way.
As Ichigo's powers grow and become more refined, this anime sword is able to take on new forms- from a massive cleaver to a swift katana.
Excalibur (Fate/Stay Night)
Like the mythical weapon that bears its name, this anime swore is seen as a tool for righteousness. Wielded by everybody's favorite female anime warrior, Excalibur is capable of transforming magical energy into raw power.
This legendary anime sword is nearly unstoppable in battle, possessing unparalleled offensive and defensive power as well as incredible speed and versatility.
Naturally, this means that Sabre is a force to be reckoned with when this holy anime sword is within her grasp, especially when combined with a sheath Avalon.
Dragon Slayer (Berserk)
More like a massive slab of iron than an anime sword, this massive weapon can tear whole swathes of opponents to shreds thanks to its massive weight after this anime sword's years of being periodically soaked in the blood of demons of every sort.
This anime sword becomes stronger than it originally was with each kill and is able to cut down even the toughest of foes. This is one anime sword that definitely lives up to its name.
So here were our picks for most popular anime swords in the long history of anime. Do you agree with our picks?
