The Ultimate Ranking of Anime’s 35 Most Legendary Swordsmen You Need to Know!

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Significant struggles over revenge, rivalry, and dominance significantly shaped the iconic Japanese landscapes recognized by fans today, with many of these conflicts centered around the anime swordsman – skilled martial artists specializing in a mid-range art that embodies noble warriors, grand battles, and astonishing power displays, reminiscent of Kurosawa’s style. In various anime series like Tanjiro’s Water Breathing Techniques from Demon Slayer or Haki in One Piece, these abilities serve as additional enhancements to the characters’ sword-wielding prowess.

Despite being armed with basic weapons, characters like Himura Kenshin from anime, who wield swords, captivate us due to their inherent stoicism. Through rigorous training and mental discipline, they strive for swordsmanship excellence. However, some anime swordsmen surpass others in extraordinary ways, either through extraordinary powers or exceptional commitment to their craft.

Vicious Became Leader of the Red Dragon Syndicate for His Ruthlessness

Initially, Spike Spiegel’s dearest friend in “Cowboy Bebop,” Vicious’ insatiable hunger for constant strife eventually transformed them into bitter adversaries. Yet, through his exploits, Vicious rose to become one of the most influential figures within the Red Dragon Syndicate. In no time, he exploited this power to betray all the elder members, seizing control of the Syndicate for himself.

Following the Titan War, Vicious opted to specialize in wielding a katana as his main weapon. Remarkably, his proficiency with this sword surpasses that of many individuals who are more adept with firearms. On numerous occasions, he was able to unsheathe his katana and strike before an armed opponent could even pull the trigger. In confrontations against Spike, a martial artist and sharpshooter renowned in their universe, Vicious consistently maintained the advantage.

Bradley’s Speed and Strength Let Him Fight an Entire Army With Only a Sword

The leader of the Brotherhood, King Bradley, was the sole homunculus who showed signs of aging due to his unique condition as being partly human. Despite being the youngest among their group, he seems to be in his 60s. However, the Philosopher’s Stone within him maintains his vigor even during his “advanced” years.

In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, many characters rely on ballistic weapons or alchemy. However, Bradley stands out due to his ability to wield swords. His extraordinary power, known as the Ultimate Eye, enables him to perceive and respond to numerous attacks simultaneously at speeds surpassing those of typical humans. This unique skill came in handy when he swiftly cut through a significant number of troops who attempted to rebel against him at their headquarters. Remarkably, he even managed to demolish a tank using only his sword.

Yami Was Trained From Childhood To Become a Magic Swordsman

In the realm of Black Clover, it’s Yami Sukehiro who stands out as the most proficient sword-wielder. Originating from the Hino Country, where martial arts centered around swordsmanship, Yami was nurtured from an early age into a magic swordsman. Yet, his journey took an unexpected turn when he left home and embarked on a voyage that eventually brought him to the Clover Kingdom.

In a turn of events, Yami found solid ground once more due to his exceptional talents, elevating himself to the highest echelons as a Magic Knight. Over time, he even managed to assert authority over his own Magic Knight Guild, founding the Black Bulls. His formidable Dark Magic grants him the ability to tear open rifts in existence and generate miniature black holes capable of vacuuming up other potent spells.

Byakuya Wants Everything Done Perfectly, Even His Swordsmanship

Belonging to one of the Four Noble Houses within Soul Society, Byakuya’s exceptional swordsmanship among the Gotei 13 comes as no surprise. He is regarded as the embodiment of the Kuchiki clan, explaining his demanding nature towards others. Despite this, he can be excessively stern, sometimes meting out punishment to individuals he might otherwise spare.

In the world of Bleach, Byakuya’s prowess as a swordsman stems from a blend of his swiftness and rigorous training regimen. Notably, he can outwit and vanquish high-ranking adversaries without them even detecting his moves, as evidenced in his battle against Zommari Rureaux. His Shikai and Bankai abilities allow him to subdue opponents without moving an inch; transforming his blade into countless minute blades that shred foes like a cherry blossom tree in the wind.

Nanami Is Best Known For His 7:30 Ratio Technique

With his potent, accursed skill, he wields an ordinary-looking sword that can slice through any obstacle, be it covered or not. This weapon synergizes superbly with his Ratio Technique because once he locates the enemy’s most vulnerable point, the blade enables him to swiftly dismantle them. Nanami’s Inherent Skill significantly boosts his combat prowess.

Regardless of needing to establish numerous vulnerabilities by exhausting his adversary, Nanami’s unwavering accuracy and precision are always on point. Swiftly and skillfully, Nanami slices through moving targets. As a level 1 sorcerer, it’s evident why individuals in the Jujutsu Sorcery profession hold Nanami in high regard. Yet, Nanami’s power falls short compared to the lowest-ranked swordsmen in the anime world.

Olivier Can Even Fight Homunculi Without Alchemy

In the captivating world of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, swords aren’t typically employed due to the dominance of firearms and alchemy. However, Major-General Olivier Armstrong, a character renowned for her combat prowess, isn’t deterred by this trend. She skillfully employs a military saber in battle, a weapon that, for officers like her, is usually reserved for ceremonial purposes. Yet, as pragmatic as she is, Olivier has no qualms about deploying this weapon effectively during combat.

Olivier excels in handling small firearms as well, but she prefers using a saber in combat, likely due to its unlimited ammunition supply. On one occasion, she sliced General Raven across the chest with it and later attacked Sloth, the homunculus, on the Promised Day. While Olivier fought valiantly, she required her younger brother and the Curtises to complete the task, showcasing that although her swordsmanship is exceptional, there are other anime swordsmen who outshine her in skill.

Yato Fights Fiercely for His Friends

In the anime “Noragami,” Yato is a formerly revered deity now struggling for respect. He attempts to restore his status by gaining followers, yet the journey isn’t straightforward, as it’s filled with obstacles such as spirits. To overcome these challenges, Yato enlists the aid of his new weapon, Yukine, who transforms into a sheathed katana.

Initially struggling to work together, Yato and Yukine eventually form an incredibly strong bond, with Yukine transforming into a pair of blades for Yato. With these new weapons, Yato ascends to become one of the top sword-wielding characters in anime and a formidable opponent against anyone who threatens him or Hiyori Ikki. Some powerful techniques employed by Yato include Rend, Sunder, Cloudburst, and Crimson Bloom; each is more potent than the last.

Stain’s Quirk Is How He Killed So Many Pro Heroes With Ease

In the anime “My Hero Academia”, the character known as Stain, the Hero Killer, has taken down numerous heroes with his unique ability that immobilizes and his exceptional swordsmanship skills. Stain’s ultimate goal is to eliminate those he believes are false heroes, who prioritize fame and wealth over their duties. Consequently, he targets heroes like Ingenium, whom he feels have strayed from their true roles in society.

Stain’s unique ability forces him to inflict a wound and taste the victim’s blood to induce paralysis, with the duration varying based on the individual’s blood type. However, without a long sword, which is crucial for most battles, his Quirk would be largely ineffective. If Stain wasn’t as skilled a swordsman as he is, he wouldn’t have posed such a significant threat to heroes.

Aki Prefers to Fight With His Fox Devil Contract

In most anime, swordsmen can wield their weapons freely without consequence. However, for Chainsaw Man’s Aki Hayakawa, using his sword is a last resort due to it reducing his lifespan. Aki has a pact with a Curse Devil and carries a sword that appears like a nail. To activate the contract, Aki must aim the nail at his target and then utter “fire.

In simpler terms, when Aki points his sword at a target, the Curse Devil’s finger will snap, sending a nail flying towards that spot. After three hits from this nail, the target can either be severely harmed or killed by Aki. However, his bond with the Fox Devil is broken during combat with Katana Man. Unfortunately, Aki was unable to counter the Snake Devil, demonstrating that even his abilities have their limits.

Hiko Remains the True Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style

When people recall Rurouni Kenshin, they often picture Himura Kenshin and his numerous adversaries. However, it’s rarely Hiko Seijuuro, the instructor who taught Kenshin the Hiten Mitsurugi Style, that comes to mind. Initially, Hiko took in young Kenshin, imparting all he knew about the fundamental principles of this lethal style of swordsmanship.

Despite Kenshin’s exceptional skills, he falls short when measured against his master, Hiko. Firstly, while Kenshin doesn’t have a bloodthirsty nature, Hiko isn’t bound by Kenshin’s vow to never kill. Secondly, Hiko’s robust physique is better suited for wielding the Hiten Mitsurugi Style due to its demanding nature, unlike Kenshin, who, as he ages, finds his body becoming less agile.

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2025-05-31 20:24