Summary
- Anime is full of iconic swords, from the flamboyant Excalibur to the oversized Dragon Slayer, inspiring memorable battles and characters alike.
- Rurouni Kenshin's Sakabato is not just a blade; it's a symbol of a vow against killing, showcasing the power of redemption and inner strength.
- Swords in anime go beyond mere weapons, embodying character growth, history, and even sentience, making them essential elements in storytelling.
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.
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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 on February 16, 2025, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: At this point, one might conclude that anime creators enjoy giving viewers things to talk and swoon about. The fascinating worlds, intriguing characters, and the well-thought-out plots are just not enough and legendary swords have been added to the list. These swords might seem like mere objects, but they play a very important role in the anime they appear in and, most importantly, the hand of their wielder. These swords tend to take a character from zero to hero, as they symbolize power, honor, and destiny. Be it legendary katanas or mystical blades with supernatural abilities, these swords have shaped epic battles, unforgettable storylines, and the wielders' lives.
30 Sword Of Hades
The Sword That Can Cut Souls
Saint Seiya
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 11, 1986
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Masami Kurumada
- Number of Episodes
- 114
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
The Sword of Hades is not a normal sword. This sword can penetrate not only the body, but also the soul. No shield or armor can survive this god-tier weapon that belongs to Hades, the King of the Underworld. This sword is a weapon of absolute destruction and death because, not only can it get rid of souls permanently, it prevents resurrection or reincarnation.
Used in Saint Seiya: Hades Chapter - Inferno, this weapon shows Hades' overwhelming power, as he nearly used it to kill Seiya and his allies in a single strike. It is no surprise that the deadly Sword of Hades is considered to be one of the strongest god-tier weapons in anime history.
29 The Vessel Katana
A Sword That Chooses Its Wielder
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 9, 2019
- Studio
- Kinema Citrus, DR Movie
- Creator
- Aneko Yusagi
- Number of Episodes
- 50
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix
The Vassal Katana has a mind of its own, not allowing just anyone to partake of the powers it possesses. Kazuki smugly hoped and believed that the Vassal Katana would choose him, but to his greatest shock, the sword flew to Raphtalia’s hands, making her the Katana Hero. This was a major turning point for Raphtalia, as her slave crest was removed, elevating her from Naofumi’s sword to an independent, powerful warrior.
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From that moment forward, Raphtalia’s strength increased because the sword granted her enhanced speed and swordsmanship. The Vassal Katana symbolizes Raphtalia’s growth, independence, and strength, making it one of the most significant weapons in the series.
28 Tōkijin
A Cursed Demon Sword
Inuyasha
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2000 - 2004-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- ANIMAX, Nippon TV, YTV
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Creator
- Rumiko Takahashi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Tubi
When a sword is made from the parts of a demon, it inevitably has great strength, and this is the case with Tōkijin, a demonic sword forged from the fangs of Goshinki, a demon slain by Sesshōmaru. This masterpiece sword was put together by the evil swordsmith Kaijinbō, and its overwhelming dark aura cannot be ignored as it makes powerful demons tremble in its presence.
Tōkijin is a weapon of destruction, and it perfectly suits Sesshōmaru’s cold and ruthless nature. However, Sesshōmaru discards Tōkijin after surpassing its power, proving his growth. Despite this, this sword remains an iconic weapon because it made Sesshōmaru known as one of the strongest characters in Inuyasha.
27 Split Soul Katana
A Sword That Attacks The Soul
Jujutsu Kaisen
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Creator
- Gege Akutami
- Number of Episodes
- 47
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu
This katana has no business with the physical, as its main target is the soul. The Split Soul Katana in Jujutsu Kaisen attacks the soul directly, ignoring whatever armor or shield its opponent is wearing. This deadly cursed tool is wielded by Toji Fushiguro and, as a non-cursed energy user, Toji’s mastery of the blade, combined with his incredible speed and precision, makes him one of the deadliest assassins in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Because of its wielder, this weapon is one of the most feared cursed tools in Jujutsu Kaisen and is a lethal weapon against cursed energy users.
26 Lostvayne
A Sacred Treasure That Produces Clones Of Its Wielder
The Seven Deadly Sins
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2021-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Creator
- Nakaba Suzuki
- Number of Episodes
- 100
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
Meliodas initially debuted in The Seven Deadly Sins with a broken sword. The Dragon Sin of Wrath wreaked havoc with that sword but eventually came to be more recognized for his sacred treasure, Lostvayne.
This sword's special ability allows Meliodas to create up to six clones of himself, and each clone would possess a fraction of his power. If only one clone is summoned, said clone would have up to 50% of Meliodas’ full power, which is enough to overpower many countries. On the contrary, the clones themselves are not the biggest threat when Meliodas is using Lostvayne, but the fact that they can each use full counter at full power.
25 Enma
A Cursed Blade Synonymous With The King Of Hell
One Piece
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 20, 1999
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Eiichiro Oda
- Number of Episodes
- 1122
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Pluto TV
Wado Ichimonji is undoubtedly Zoro’s most iconic sword, but in recent times, particularly with the Wano arc, the legendary sword Enma has risen as a worthy competitor. Enma was previously owned by Kozuki Oden, and its eerie aura suits Zoro to a large extent.
Known as the King of Hell, Enma is known to suck out Haki and, by extension, life force from those who wield it. This makes wielding it a tough prospect even for the Straw Hat’s swordsman; however, mastering the sword despite the challenge it poses is one challenge that Zoro would take on anytime, and the benefits make the challenge even more worth it.
24 Arthur’s Excalibur
A Sword Of Plasma Brought About By Imagination And Conviction
Fire Force
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 6, 2019
- Studio
- David Production
- Creator
- Atsushi Ohkubo
- Number of Episodes
- 48
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
The sword name Excalibur is highly pronounced in the world of anime, and even Arthur of Fire Force uses one. However, Arthur’s Excalibur stands out as it is a bladeless sword. Arthur condenses the energy blade from his pyrokinetic abilities, making the blade out of plasma.
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Excalibur’s hilt is cross-shaped and made from a special carbon material to conduct Arthur’s abilities. With his Excalibur, Arthur has cut down a plethora of enemies, and the more he feels like a medieval sword-wielding knight, the more powerful he and Excalibur by extension become. Because his sword’s blade is channeled through his abilities, Arthur can also increase and decrease the length and volume of his sword.
23 Flesh Katana
A Sword Made From The Flesh And Blood Of A Demon
Demon Slayer
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Studio
- ufotable
- Creator
- Koyoharu Gotoge
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
The Upper-Rank One demon has maintained his spot over countless years for a reason. He was a former human swordsman, and more interestingly, the brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. On turning to a demon named Kokushibo, his sword skills became even more powerful and more refined.
After becoming a demon, Kokushibo got a befitting sword that allowed him to practice his techniques to their full potential. Rather than a normal Nichirin blade, Kokushibo’s sword is a katana made from his flesh with the ability to increase in size. While it might have looked like a normal blade during its debut in the Demon Slayer anime series, Kokushibo’s sword is anything but that. Its blade is blood-red with various eyes all over it.
22 Sakabato
Forged By Master Swordsmith Arai Shakku
Rurouni Kenshin
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1996 - 1998-00-00
- Creator
- Nobuhiro Watsuki
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Rurouni Kenshin is easily one of the most underrated anime around. It's a fun series that focuses on the life of a wandering swordsman who left his previous life as an assassin and promised never to kill anyone else again. The sword he wields personifies this mindset, with Himura using a blade from a reputed swordmaster whose weapons are notorious for having a dreaded killing edge.
In comparison, the Sakabato seems like a run-of-the-mill katana and doesn't look all that impressive to behold. The blade is forged on the opposite end solely to discourage killing, with Himura's skills being downright necessary to make the most of this katana and ensure that a life isn't taken while using it.
21 Ea
The Strongest Noble Phantasm In The Gate Of Babylon
Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2015
WHERE TO WATCH
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Gilgamesh is one of the strongest Servants in Fate/Stay Night who makes his presence known time and time again by summoning a wealth of powerful weaponry to overwhelm anyone who crosses his path. However, even in this vast arsenal, there's one sword he prefers over the rest that can completely decimate foes with no warning.
Ea is the most powerful Noble Phantasm in the Gate of Babylon that Gilgamesh summons. It's a sword that is unique to him, with its power being impossible to fathom, making it a pain to deal with. The sword looks extremely unique and is one of the few items brought out during the Holy Grail War that has never existed in any timeline, further adding to its allure as one of the strongest blades in the series.