Highlights

• Swords have a significant presence in anime and are often iconic and visually striking weapons.
• Some swords in anime have become so well-known that they have influenced pop culture and future designs.
• Each sword mentioned in this article has unique characteristics and plays a crucial role in their respective anime series.

Swords are arguably the most represented form of weaponry in all fiction, besides maybe guns. Various societies from across human history used swords in some form, and in modern pop culture, they have developed an undeniable cool factor. From samurai to knights, all manner of warriors are often depicted with a sword at their hilt.

Anime is well known for its fantasy stories, and swords thrive best in a fantasy environment. Due to this, anime is flooded with many swords and sword-wielders. Among them though, some blades have managed to etch themselves into the minds of viewers as instantly recognizable and exceptionally cool weapons.

Updated February 9, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Swords in anime take all kinds of shapes and forms, to the point where calling these weapons swords can feel rather odd. Still, there are some blades in this medium that have become iconic because of their design, power, and importance in the main narrative.

Some of these blades have broken into the mainstream to the point where most casuals unfamiliar with anime can recognize these swords, with some of these weapons going so far as to shape pop culture and influence future designs.

19 Kurikara (Blue Exorcist)

A Unique Maken Created By Mephisto Pheles

A demon blade that takes on the shape of a katana, the Kurikara is a powerful blade that has played a major role in the events of Blue Exorcist. It's one of the most underrated shonen anime that fans should check out if they want to enjoy solid storytelling and great action scenes.

The blade was used to seal Rin Okumura's Demon heart, setting the stage for an incredible moment when this power simply couldn't be held in the sword after a point. The importance this blade holds in Blue Exorcist can't be stated enough, making it one of the best parts of this underappreciated anime.

18 Samehada (Naruto)

A Sentient Sword That Eats Chakra

Kisame is one of the best villains in Naruto, with his shark-like powers being pretty destructive in their own right. The sword he wields, Samehada, looks ridiculous, and it's revealed later on that this weapon is a sentient, living being!

Samehada loves to feed on chakra and has some intelligence of its own, given how it fooled Killer B into thinking that he'd switched allegiances. This powerful sword can be tricky to deal with, and its blades are sure to cause some serious damage if they make direct contact.

17 Murasame (Akame Ga Kill!)

A Lethal Blade That Awakens A User's Power With A Curse And Poisons Foes

A cursed sword with a long and bloody history, Murasame is certainly a unique weapon that foes should be wary of. The blade is coated in a poison that can destroy its opponent with a single cut, and the only way to negate its effects is to amputate the area that is damaged as soon as possible.

Akame ga Kill! may have had an anime run that ended way too quickly with its pacing being all over the place, but the alluring nature of the Murasame still shone through this mess. Fans can always check the manga for a better-paced and more engaging version of the story that explores the history and abilities of the Murasame in more detail.

16 Spirit Sword (YuYu Hakusho)

A Sword Made Of Spirit Energy

The Spirit Sword isn't technically a physical blade that anyone can pick up in YuYu Hakusho. Rather, it's an extension of Kuwabara himself, being able to use the powers of this sword to slice through his enemies and gain the upper hand whenever required. Of course, given how goofy Kuwabara is, there are times when he actively works against himself while using this blade.

Kuwabara's Spirit Sword may not look like anything special, but it's how this comic relief character uses this blade that makes it such a force to be reckoned with. It helps that Kuwabara's latent spirit energy allows him to enhance the power of this sword and help it reach new heights, which is very much required in a series where demons and humans alike reach immense heights of power in record time.

15 Claymores (Claymore)

A Massive Blade Wielded By These Enhanced Warriors

It's a shame that the anime adaptation of Claymore ended prematurely, with the original ending being far from what the scope of the anime was. Still, this gave people an excuse to check out a manga with some of the most awe-inspiring art fans can check out, despite the story going completely off the rails.

Claymores are human-demon hybrids that essentially serve as monster slayers, using their eponymous swords to slice demons to bits. These swords may not seem all that iconic, but it's the people who wield these blades that make it such an enduring part of the series.

14 Wooden Katana (Gintama)

Gintoki's Comical Toyako Bokuto Is Surprisingly Effective

Gintama is one of the funniest shonen anime that anyone can check out, even if it can take a while for this show to click for viewers. The adventures of Gintoki and his friends end up being hilarious pretty much every time, but the show knows when to pull out its serious moments and get fans hooked on certain arcs that are built up brilliantly.

The best thing about Gintama is how the series' protagonist is such a skillful swordsman that a simple wooden katana is all he needs to take out even the strongest opponents around. The fact that this silver-haired character never tries to take the life of a sentient being is proof enough of just how well-written and likable this character is.

13 Future Trunks’ Sword (Dragon Ball)

A Blade Used In Some Of The Show's Most Iconic Moments

In the world of Dragon Ball, where most fights are bare-knuckle brawls or ranged ki shootouts, Future Trunks has always stood out due to his use of a sword. While the sword would later not see as much use, it played a vital role in making Trunks’ first appearance in the series as iconic as it is.

It’s a rather simple weapon design-wise but is extremely strong, being able to slice Frieza clean in half. While it is damaged by Android 18, Future Trunks is later seen wielding it against Zamasu, where he was able to infuse it with ki and make it into an energy blade.

12 Elucidator And Dark Repulser (Sword Art Online)

Kirito's Two OP Swords

Despite a somewhat controversial reputation in the anime community, Sword Art Online was undoubtedly a powerhouse of popularity in the mid-2010s. It was hard to attend an anime convention without seeing a small army of Kirito cosplayers, and often on their backs, they would carry Elucidator and Dark Repulser.

These swords are obtained separately by Kirito, and while he ends up leaving them behind eventually, they are still his best-known weapons. The blades themselves are high-value gear and are dual-wielded by Kirito to great effect.

11 Excalibur (Soul Eater)

A Sentient And Holy Sword

The sword Excalibur originally comes from the story of King Arthur and has appeared in many forms of media. When it showed up in Soul Eater, it was fittingly known as the most powerful weapon in existence and was capable of being wielded by almost anyone.

However, weapons in Soul Eater have personalities, and Excalibur’s is completely insufferable. In its non-weapon form, it appears as a bizarre, pure white creature, who talks incessantly. Wielding him requires adherence to his many, often contradictory rules, a requirement so undesirable that only few can even stand to be around him long enough to etch themselves into history.

10 Rengoku’s Nichirin Blade (Demon Slayer)

The Flame Hashira's Visually Stunning Katana

Demon Slayer is full of cool and memorable weapons, with the nichirin blades easily being the most recognizable. When selecting which of them is most recognizable, the easy choice would be Tanjiro’s sword, which is a sleek, black blade with a circular, wheel-like guard.

However, due to being regularly replaced, the sword hasn't reached its most unique form, which is a shame. As such, the Flame Hashira, Rengoku’s blade, with its distinct fire-patterned blade and the flame-shaped guard is arguably more iconic... although this statement is a bit controversial.

9 Tessaiga (Inuyasha)

A Demon Blade That Gets Stronger With Each Battle

Inuyasha is a legendary anime that needs no introduction. It may be pretty dated by this point, but the adventures of Inuyasha and Kagome are still pretty nostalgic for viewers who had the pleasure of enjoying this anime's story in their childhood.

The show still holds up even now, despite some aspects of the title feeling a bit dated. Regardless, fans will love it whenever Inuyasha whips out the iconic Tessaiga in combat, with its sentience and ability to learn new attacks making it a powerful sword that elevates the show in its own way!

8 Anti-Titan Blades (Attack On Titan)

Blades Made Specifically To Cut The Nape Of A Titan's Neck

While not a specific sword, the standard issue swords of Attack on Titan’s anti-titan military are instantly recognizable and cool weapons. Wielded by almost every major character in the series, these swords play a vital role in humanity’s war against the Titans.

The swords are similar to snap-off knives, with several sections that can be broken off individually. Each soldier also carries several sets of blades, as they can be released from the grip to refresh the blades and stay on the offensive. Later on, these blades are combined with guns to let the Survey Corps alternate between fighting Titans and humans at a moment's notice.

7 Demon Dweller Sword (Black Clover)

An Ancient Anti-Magic Weapon

Despite Black Clover’s relative infancy, it managed to carve out a respectable spot in the anime world, partially due to its distinct aesthetics. Asta’s demon dweller sword benefits from this, being easily recognizable even in the sword-laden anime landscape.

The sword is a perfect fit for Asta, as it helps with his magic-countering fighting style. The sword can absorb magic and send it back out as an attack. It is also said to passively drain magic from whoever it touches, which is beneficial due to Asta’s lack of magic.

6 Scissor Blade (Kill La Kill)

A Unique Blade Made Specifically To Cut Life Fibers

Kill la Kill isn’t a very long or old anime but has managed to achieve icon status due to its striking iconography. From the uniforms to the music, the anime is dripping with unique flair, and arguably nothing in the show is as recognizable as Ryoko’s scissor blade.

The blade is actually half of a pair that combine to form the rending scissors, a special weapon made by Ryoko’s dad to cut life fibers. The sword has a sleek design and is also shown to be able to change size, shrink to a portable size, or grow larger than buildings.

5 Yoru (One Piece)

One Of The 12 Supreme Grade Swords

When one thinks of swordsmen in One Piece, the immediate first character that comes to mind is Roronoa Zoro of the Straw Hat Pirates. However, despite Zoro’s quest to be the world’s greatest swordsman, that title is currently held by Dracule Mihawk, the wielder of Yoru.

Yoru is one of 12 ‘supreme grade’ swords in the world of One Piece, with a unique, adorned crucifix design. In Mihawk’s hands, the sword can achieve feats like slicing massive structures in half and firing air slashes that can retain their cutting power even at range.

4 Excalibur (Fate)

A Legendary Holy Sword

The Fate series may seem like a daunting series to get into, but most people would be surprised at just how simple the show can be and how engaging the action is when viewers get hooked on the series. The ongoing conflict surrounding the Holy Grail makes for a riveting setting as Masters and their Servants try to take each other out in a bid to make their wildest wishes come true.

The Excalibur is the sword wielded by Saber in the series, with this blade making a resounding impact every single time it makes an appearance. The striking design of the blade coupled with the massive power it holds makes it clear why so many people fear Saber and what she can do when she's summoned by her master.

3 Wado Ichimonji (One Piece)

A Blade That Zoro Holds Near And Dear To His Heart

Roronoa Zoro is one of the greatest anime characters of all time that fans can't get enough of. This swordsman ramps up the coolness in any scene he's featured in, with his immense presence making him a force to be reckoned with. He wields numerous blades to great effect in combat, but the one notable blade that he gets his hands on for the first time is Wado Ichimonji.

This blade plays a central role during his battle against Daz Bonez, where he unveils his technique, Shishi Sonson, to cut through his steel body and attain victory in this battle. It's one of the best moments during One Piece's early run that proves why this character is beloved by the masses.

2 Zangetsu (Bleach)

Ichigo's Shikai

Much like Demon Slayer, Bleach is a series defined by its sword-wielders. Between the shikai and bankai forms, there are tons of unique sword designs in Bleach, but none of them are as instantly recognizable as Ichigo Kurasaki’s giant kitchen knife.

Zangetsu is a blade with many variations, including its many forms that range from a thinner, black blade to a smaller pair of blades that Ichigo dual wields. It also plays a direct part in Ichigo’s character development due to the hollow spirit within the sword.

1 Dragon Slayer (Berserk)

A Ludicrously Big Sword That Arguably Started The Trend Of Heroes Wielding Enormous Blades

There really couldn’t be any other choice for first place. Dragon Slayer is the quintessential giant anime sword and is notable for inspiring many other giant swords in fiction. Even iconic weapons like Cloud Strife’s buster sword owe their existence to Berserk's Dragon Slayer.

The sword itself lacks any special abilities besides its sheer size and weight, which makes it unusable to most people. Only due to his absurd strength can Guts wield this beast of a blade and use it to cleave crowds of enemies into pieces.