Summary
- Special swords in anime offer unique powers, requiring the right user for optimal potential.
- Some swords do not need a strong wielder to cause widespread destruction.
- Swords like Yoru in One Piece and Murasame in Akame Ga Kill are deadly weapons with potent abilities.
Swords are the most commonly used weapons in any anime. While most of the weapons are ordinary with no special abilities, there are certain swords in anime that are blessed with unique powers. Such swords are prized as they provide their users a significant advantage over their opponents in a fight.
Due to the considerable number of powerful swords in anime, it is obvious that some special swords offer more abilities to their users. Having the right user is crucial for unleashing a sword's true potential, but in a handful of cases, the swords do not require a strong wielder to cause widespread destruction.
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Updated March 30, 2025, by C.M. Edwards: Swords are a common weapon in anime and are tools capable of unimaginable power. Most often, the most powerful individuals in a respective series wield swords able to clever entire cities in half or cut the universe to ribbons. Blades have a long history in Japanese culture and an equally long history in anime, making their appearance more than just a cool object. Whether it be materializations of a warrior's soul or a weapon forged by a master demon blacksmith, swords in anime are devastatingly powerful. Here are more of the strongest swords in anime.
22 Spirit Sword (Yu Yu Hahusho)
Made From Kuabara's On Will
Yu Yu Hakusho
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1992 - 1994-00-00
- Creator
- Yoshihiro Togashi
- Number of Episodes
- 112
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
Kuabarta is a hot-headed hoodlum, just like his best friend Yusuke Yurameshi. When Kuabara began to develop his own spiritual powers and join yurameshi on the frontline fighting demons, his powers manifested into a golden sword. While Kuabara's swordsman skills left quite a bit to be desired, the weapon itself proved to be more than capable of picking up the slack. The blade of raw energy proved that it could slice through anything it came in contact with, and as Kuabara grew more skilled, he learned to adjust the potency and size of the sword, making it more dangerous.
21 Elucidator (Sword Art Online)
A Legendary Item Made From Precious Materials
Sword Art Online
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2012 - 2020-00-00
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Creator
- Reki Kawahara
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
After Kirito became trapped in the game world and set out on his own to level up and grow stronger in hopes of freeing himself and the other players form their prison, he needed a weapon that could keep up with his growth. After his battle on the fiftieth floor, he received the Elucidator from the demonic beast boss. The sword has demonstrated incredible durability and sharpness that has cut thousands of targets down in a single stroke, including some players. The weapon's potency has been pushed even further thanks to Lisbeth boosting the weapon's stats once Kirito obtained rare materials.
20 Zangetsu (Bleach)
Physical Form Of Ichigo's Soul
Bleach
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2004 - 2012-00-00
- Network
- TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC, BS TV Tokyo
- Creator
- Tite Kubo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Zangetsu is a name synonymous with Bleach, the original weapon, and the fan favorite of Ichigo Kurosaki. After his training with Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo regained and heightened his Soul Reaper abilities. Being pushed to speak to his own soul, he learned his weapon's name and grew more powerful. Zangetsu is a large, black, wide-bladed sword. The edge is incredibly potent, having sliced entire mountains in half. The weapon has faced off against some of the strongest blades in the Soul Society, such as Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonsakura and Renji Abari's Zabimaru.
19 Double Edged Tsurugi (Samurai Champloo)
A Perfect Unconventional Blade For An Unconventional Fighter
Samurai Champloo
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2004 - 2005
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Creator(s)
- Shinichirô Watanabe
Double Edged Tsurugi is the sword that belongs to Mugen from Samurai Champloo. Mugen is brash, unhinged, and temperamental. Unlike the swordsmen of his time, Mugen didn't utilize a normal fighting style. Instead, he combined his aggression with different kinds of martial arts.
Mugen's aggressiveness is also reflected in his weapon of choice. Mugen doesn't wield a regular sword with one sharp and one blunt side, but he has a blade with both sharp sides. The sword also has two prongs at its base, which he uses to trap the weapon of his opponent and disarm them.
18 Kusanagi (Naruto)
An Unblockable Blade Of Lethal Intent
Naruto
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Showrunner
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, Hulu, Hoopla, Pluto TV, Tubi
The Kusanagi Sword is an incredibly strong blade that was wielded by Orochimaru. The Legendary Sannin member was able to store the blade inside his body and use it whenever required. This particular sword is based on Japanese folklore, which is hardly surprising considering Kishimoto has used it multiple times in his story.
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The Kusanagi Sword is capable of extending and retracting its blade at Orochimaru's command. This allowed him to catch his opponents off-guard. Orochimaru was also able to control the sword telekinetically, which gave him an edge in fights. Furthermore, the Kusanagi Sword was said to have the power to cut through anything. After Itachi sealed away Orochimaru, the Kusanagi Sword was also sealed away with him. However, Orochimaru was freed during the Fourth Great Ninja War, and it is possible that the sword is still in his possession.
17 The Scissor Blade (Kill La Kill)
A Sanquin Weapon With Unparralleled Power
Kill la Kill
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Creator(s)
- Kazuki Nakashima
The Scissor Blades were created by Isshin Matoi. Originally, they were joined together to form a single weapon, but they were split into two. The Red Scissor Blade was given to Ryouko, and the Purple Scissor Blade was in the possession of Nui Harime.
The Red Scissor Blade can change its size completely. It can go from being a massive sword to a small trinket, making it extremely easy to carry around. The Purple Scissor Blade is able to change its shape and take on a stronger form that has a curved scythe at both ends. Both blades have been deemed very dangerous weapons, and they can cause a lot of damage. When the scissors are combined, their destructive power increases significantly.
16 Ragnarok (Soul Eater)
The Black-Blooded Buster Sword
Soul Eater
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2008 - 2009-00-00
- Creator
- Atsushi Ohkubo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Ragnarok, also known as the Demon Sword, is the weapon partner of Crona. He was melted by Medusa and mixed with Crona's blood. Due to being melted in Black Blood, Ragnarok's form and powers were enhanced. Ragnarok is able to harden the blood inside Crona, which prevents attacks from damaging her.
He is also able to use the Black Blood and transform it into different things. In his regular sword form, Ragnarok becomes a broadsword that can effortlessly cut human flesh. Ragnarok can also use a special ability that causes him to vibrate, increasing the damage output. There is no doubt that he is definitely among the best anime swords.
15 Ryujin Jakka (Bleach)
Flames That Could Consume The Entire Soul Society
It is the Zanpakuto of Shigekuni Yamamoto, who is one of the strongest characters in the Bleach series. The Zanpakuto is considered to have the highest offensive power among all the Zanpakuto in the Soul Society.
Once the blade's full power is released, it is able to incinerate anything that stands in its way. In addition to its devastating power, Ryujin Jakka has the ability to affect a wide area.
14 Demon Dweller Sword (Black Clover)
The Counter magic Weapon of A Magicless Wizard
Black Clover
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2021
- Creator
- Yūki Tabata
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
The sword is wielded by Asta, who uses his grimoire to summon it at will. It is also able to cut through magic and absorb the magic of other people. The Demon Dweller sword is also able to absorb magic spells, which are then released in the form of a slash.
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The sword can also be loaded with Anti-Magic, which can be unleashed as powerful slashes. While the sword is exceptional at countering magic, it does not fare as well against physical attacks as it is completely blunt.
13 Nichirin Swords (Demon Slayer)
Attuned Specifically For Each Warrior
Demon Slayer
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Network
- Adult Swim
- Creator
- Koyoharu Gotoge
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
It is difficult to choose just one sword from Demon Slayer as all of them are handcrafted with the utmost care. These swords play an important role in the lives of Demon Slayers as they are used to cut down the demons, who have infested the earth.
The strength of these swords is further bolstered by Breathing Styles as shown when Tengen Uzui's Nichirin cleavers were able to slice Daki's neck quite effortlessly.