Have you ever noticed that the cool guy in anime is usually a swordsman? Like their sword, they are edgy and sharp, because of that we can’t not love them. Popularity aside, we will look at top 10 anime swordsmen by their skill, power, and feats. Because of that criteria fan favourite swordsman Zoro, won’t make the list at the time.
Another criteria is that a sword needs to be a main focus in the fighting style. Even if Rudeus Greyrat is technically a swordsman, his focus is magic, which throws his of the list as well. To gather as much anime as we can, we limited ourselves by choosing only 1 swordsman per anime.
10. Akeladd from Vinland Saga
In the epic story of Vinland Saga, a character who epitomizes the essence of swordsmanship is Askeladd. A calculating and cunning Viking commander, Askeladd’s mastery of the blade goes beyond mere physical prowess. His strategic brilliance is mirrored in his swordplay, where every movement is a calculated step towards victory. With a blade as his brush, he paints his path through battles with a lethal elegance that belies his ruthless nature.
Askeladd’s swordsmanship is a unique blend of skill, adaptability, and psychological impact. It’s not just about clashing steel, but about outwitting and outmanoeuvring your opponent. He exploits an opponent’s weaknesses and uses it against them.
9. Kirito from Sword Art Online
Kirito is a virtual swordsman in the RPG game in which players got captured. Sword Art Online S1 has a special place in our hearts as it was an anime who got a lot of people in the space. On the front of it, one of rare dual-wielding swordsman is our hero.
With a blade in hand, he navigates the intricacies of digital worlds, his swordsmanship is a mesmerizing dance of precision and speed. Kirito’s mastery lies not only in his skilful swordplay but in his unyielding determination to protect those he cares for.
From the Aincrad arc to the Underworld, Kirito’s journey unveils his evolution as a swordsman. His dual-wielding ability and swift reflexes grant him an edge in combat, while his unwavering resolve transforms each battle into a test of his mettle. Kirito’s swordsmanship embodies growth, resilience, and the potent fusion of human spirit with technology.
8. Afro Samurai from Afro Samurai
In the gritty world of Afro Samurai, the enigmatic figure with afro stands as a living embodiment of lethal swordsmanship. With a blade that carves through adversaries like poetry in motion, Afro’s skill is a symphony of precision and devastation. His path of vengeance is etched with each masterful stroke, a narrative of relentless determination and the pursuit of justice.
Afro’s swordsmanship is an extension of his identity and his quest for redemption. His technique, coupled with lightning-fast reflexes, makes him an unparalleled force on the battlefield. Every clash of steel becomes a dance of death, an intricate choreography that echoes his inner turmoil and external conquests. Afro’s swordsmanship is not only a display of physical mastery but a testament to the indomitable will that propels his blade forward, shaping his destiny amidst a world drenched in blood and steel.
7. Sakata Gintoki from Gintama
In the universe of Gintama the enigmatic Sakata Gintoki wields a sword with an unconventional elegance that defies expectations. Beneath his nonchalant exterior lies a swordsman of remarkable skill and depth, capable of turning the most absurd situations into displays of masterful swordsmanship. Gintoki’s approach fuses unorthodox wit with deadly precision, crafting a unique style that mirrors his personality.
With his iconic wooden sword, Gintoki showcases a blend of comedy and combat that symbolizes his adaptability and resilience. His battles become a fusion of swordplay and satire, where laughter and lethal strikes intertwine seamlessly. Despite the laughter he evokes, Gintoki’s swordsmanship holds a serious edge, especially when protecting those he cherishes. His blade carries the weight of his past and the promise of a better future, making his swordsmanship not just a skill, but a reflection of the complex layers that define his character.
Our beloved anime swordsman is always followed by a man’s best friend Sadaharu.
6. Saber from Fate:Zero
Saber emerges as a paragon of swordsmanship in the battleground of Fate: Zero. Her blade, Excalibur, shines as a symbol of honour and destiny. Saber’s swordsmanship is a blend of grace and power, a testament to her unwavering resolve and chivalrous spirit.
Her combat style is a symphony of precision and strength, where each swing is a testament to her noble lineage and unyielding determination. Saber’s mastery over her legendary sword transcends the physical realm, intertwining her fate with the art of combat. Every clash reverberates with the echoes of her valiant past, a saga of sacrifices and heroic feats. Saber’s swordsmanship becomes a reflection of her quest for an ideal world, where the steel of her blade becomes an instrument to carve a brighter future amidst the tumultuous chaos of fate.
5. Himura Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin
His reversed-edge sword, a symbol of his vow never to kill again, becomes an extension of his soul and a testament to his redemption. Kenshin’s swordsmanship is a harmonious blend of tranquillity and devastating precision, embodying the dichotomy of his past as a deadly assassin and his present as a humble protector.
With a demeanour of serene humility, Kenshin’s battles are symphonies of speed and finesse, where his blade dances like a whispering breeze before delivering decisive strikes. His Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style is an art form that channels both raw power and calculated elegance, a mirror of his own internal conflict.
4. Guts from Berserk
In the brutal world of Berserk, Guts stands as a relentless force of nature and his swordsmanship a testament to his unyielding will. Bearing a sword of immense proportions, Dragonslayer, he cleaves through adversaries and fate itself with a fury that mirrors his tormented past. Guts swordsmanship is a symphony of sheer power and visceral determination.
His battles are a reflection of his own internal turmoil, a man plagued by demons both within and without. Guts style is born from survival, a blend of instinct, brutality, and skill that carries the weight of his traumas. Each strike with Dragonslayer is roaring declaration of his existence amidst the chaos.
3. Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer
In the haunting and otherworldly realm of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro Kamado emerges as a beacon of unwavering determination and evolving swordsmanship. Armed with his nichirin blade, Tanjiro embodies a unique dance of elegance and ferocity, a testament to his relentless quest to avenge his family and eradicate demons. His breathing techniques are a symphony of fluid movements and precise strikes, each swing a brushstroke in the canvas of combat.
Tanjiro’s swordsmanship is not just about defeating demons but also about understanding them. His empathetic nature and innate sense of justice elevate his battles beyond mere clashes of steel. Through adversity, he evolves, incorporating new skills and techniques that mirror his personal growth. Tanjiro’s journey encapsulates the fusion of resilience and compassion, proving that his swordsmanship is not only a means to an end but a reflection of his soul’s evolution as he navigates the darkness in pursuit of a brighter dawn. His swordsmanship was one of the best animations we have ever seen on the screen.
2. Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach
In the world of the big 3 anime – Bleach, Ichigo Kurosaki emerges as a dynamic swordsman. Armed with his massive zanpakuto, Zangetsu, Ichigo’s swordsmanship encapsulates raw power and unwavering determination. His strikes blend grace with fury, each swing resonating with his indomitable spirit.
Ichigo’s journey is a testament to the evolution of his swordsmanship, as he transitions from a brash novice to a seasoned warrior. His mastery of various forms paints his battles with a mesmerizing intensity. What sets him apart is his unique ability to forge bonds with his zanpakuto and harness their true potential, resulting in awe-inspiring transformations like his Bankai.
Ichigo’s swordsmanship mirrors his internal conflicts and growth, making his battles not only physical but emotional odysseys. His prowess becomes a bridge between worlds, defending humanity from spiritual threats while embodying the intricate fusion of strength, loyalty, and sacrifice that defines his character.
1. Dracule Mihawk from One Piece
As with Bleach, another swordsman from the big 3 anime stands at the top. In the vast and adventurous seas of One Piece, the enigmatic Dracule Mihawk stands as the epitome of swordsmanship’s grandeur. With the indomitable Black Sword Yoru in hand, Mihawk’s mastery transcends mere combat, turning every duel into a symphony of finesse and lethal precision.
As the world’s greatest swordsman, Mihawk’s skill is not just about defeating adversaries but defining his era. His mastery of the Supreme Grade sword and his effortless utilization of all forms of Haki place him in a league of his own. Mihawk’s swordsmanship is both an inspiration and a challenge, driving others to pursue excellence. His quiet demeanour belies the tempestuous strength that lies within, a force that shapes the very fabric of One Piece’s swordsmanship legacy and cements his name among the pantheon of the greatest blade-wielders.
If you wanted to see Zoro on the list, blame Mihawk not me.
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