Riposte 15 Best Swordsmen in Anime Ranked

Riposte: 15 Best Swordsmen in Anime, Ranked

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1 Riposte: 15 Best Swordsmen in Anime, Ranked

Swordsmen (and women) are an iconic staple of shonen anime, and these are some of the finest blade wielders ever animated.

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Anime action is a staple of introducing the world to the creativity within Japanese media. The epic battles of vengeance, competition, and power played a major part in defining the cultural experiences that fans know today. And a center point for a lot of that action is the anime swordsmen, fighters of a special, mid-range martial art that itself has come to be defined by Kurosawa-esque noble warriors, epic clashes, and ridiculous displays of power that shouldn’t be possible with single pieces of steel.

Yet, it is within these simple weapons and the quiet, human element that goes with them that makes sword wielding anime characters so engaging and innately stoic. In praise of the noble art, this list will be running down the best sword fighters ever to draw their blades in anime.

Updated on April 20th, 2021 by Sean Cubillas. The funny thing about anime sword fighters is that there’s always a bigger sword out there. A blade means nothing if it doesn’t have something to clash with; and within the anime realm, there are plenty of fights to be had. While the status quo since the last time this list was written hasn’t changed much, it must acknowledge the growing variety of sword fighters out there. Now more than ever, people are looking for something to fight and fight for. Why not learn how from some of anime’s best?

15 Levi Ackerman (Attack On Titan)

The interesting thing about Attack on Titan’s sword fighters is that they’ve reinvented how sword fighting works. Sword fights typically involve close quarter fights with finesse; but in Attack on Titan, that same skill is met with explosive and exhilarating speed as the swordsmen literally launch themselves at their targets to cut them down.

And, in Attack on Titan’s dreaded world, there are few as respected and feared as Levi Ackerman. Though he’s far smaller than both the Titans and his compatriots, Levi’s tactical mind and skill with a blade can more than level the playing field.

14 Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)

A fresh, loveable face within the world of animated samurai, Tanjiro Kamado has quickly won the world over during his adventures. Besides having his series break all manner of sales records, Tanjiro is a humble, aspiring underdog who’s managed to surprise and inspire everyone with his fights against horrific evils.

It helps that he’s trained to test his sword against all manner of fantastical, demonic danger. With grace that would impress any Akira Kurosawa fan and power to hype up any Shounen faithful, Tanjiro has become a swordsmen for everyone.

13 Akame (Akame Ga Kill!)

Akame is the titular, deadly assassin from Akame Ga Kill! whose special ability allows her to kill any living being with one cut. With her blade Murasame, she’s able to inject a lethal curse that can quickly infect anyone she cuts.

However, even without said curse, her opponents still wouldn’t live to tell the tale, as Akame herself is a talented, super-soldier capable of defeating all manner of beasts and weapons with her agility and decisive strikes. If anything, Murasame is really a blessing keeping her enemies from seeing just how deadly she can be.

12 Erza Scarlett (Fairy Tail)

Some Fairy Tail fans believe Natsu Dragneel is the main character. Others think it’s Lucy Heartfelia. However, going by pure hype, everyone knows that the real star of Fairy Tail is none other than Titania herself, Erza Scarlett. Erza is certainly more than a master of the sword. With her abilities, she’s proficient with all manner of weapon meant to beat down rogue wizards and demons.

However, she’s proven time and again that she’s really talented and powerful with a blade. Sometimes, she doesn’t even need to carry armor as her sword skills are more than enough to handle some of the world’s toughest fighters.

11 Afro Samurai (Afro Samurai)

While many people fondly remember Afro Samurai as that one anime that has Samuel L. Jackson, the sheer amount of anime action should never be underestimated, especially in regards to the series’ titular character. Colder than the blade he wields and more powerful than Sam Jackson’s voice, Afro is a brilliant and vengeful samurai looking to avenge his father and become the best fighter in the world.

It doesn’t help that everyone else is looking to dethrone him to do the same. With plenty of opportunities to show just how deadly he is, there’s very little question as to why Afro is one of the best samurai in the anime industry.

10 Kirito (Sword Art Online)

For years, the idea of the nerdy swordfighter on the internet was near synonymous with that YouTube video of that guy practicing lightsaber battles with a broom. However, Kirito managed to bring plenty of respect back to the nerdy, swordfighting arts when all that fantasy knowledge meshed with hi real-world kendo training. He dominated the ranks of SAO, bringing that long sought after power fantasy many RPG gamers try to achieve to extreme catharsis.

Kirito has garnered the exclusive Dual Blades ability, took on boss level nightmares like the Gleam Eyes, and quickly disposed of some of the gaming community’s worst like the hero is.

9 Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)

As much of a great comedic romp as Gintama is, let’s not forget how much of a samurai legend that Sakata Gintoki is. His own “White Yaksha” moniker was earned on the battlefields of the Joi War, as he singlehandedly wiped out Amanto hordes in brutal fashion.

Though he’s hung up the steel blade, Gin still manages to be a total badass with his wooden, Lake Toya sword, somehow taking on the steel of the Shinsengumi and slashing through entire, giant robots. That’s not even mentioning his his epic battles against Yato King Hosen, Oboro, or Takasugi, bloody displays of anime action that drive a huge tonal shift from fart jokes.

8 Clare (Claymore)

Not all great sword fighters are swords-“men.” Clare is part of an elite group of demon hunting knights solely comprised of women known simply as Claymore. These girls are put through harsh training and embued with Yoma blood so that they can partake of the superhuman feats necessary of slaying ravenous, Yoma threats to humanity.

Raised under and the successor to the #1 Claymore, Teresa, Clare is a cold, calculating Claymore who uses her wits and profound ingenuity to take on monsters way above her level which is really saying something considering that she is ranked among the weakest of the Claymore. Despite this, Clare has still managed to walk alongside and against some of the world’s leading Claymore, proving that numbers really aren’t everything.

7 Saber (Fate Series)

Continuing the trend of badass women who can cut demons in twos, fours, and eights, King Arthur/Saber is one of the best English, sword fighters out there. Baring a mighty greatsword, incredible miracles, and profound training to rival some of history’s best, Saber has proven time and again to be a favorable pick for the Holy Grail Wars.

Beyond just her sword fighting, Saber is a major player given her long experiences, granting her great battle acumen and strategy necessary to take on an enemy even off the battlefield. An all around noble warrior, Saber has truly earned her Fate class.

6 Mugen (Samurai Champloo)

Reaching back to samurai territory, Mugen is an incredible example of someone with a savage, freestyle talent that’s as great for evading enemy attacks as it is for dishing out unpredictable one’s of his own.

Bringing the dirty, sleazy style of a true vagabond with modern flair, this greasy hero somehow manages to fuse a variety of martial art and sword play with hip-hop breakdancing, showcasing some of the coolest moves ever seen on both the battlefield and dance floor. Adding on top his nerve racking demeanor and a small tendency to use a few dirty tricks, and Mugen is easily one of the most dangerous samurai out there.

5 Hyakkimaru (Dororo)

There’s beating someone with one hand tied behind your back and then there’s Hyakkimaru. A sacrificial lamb for his father’s own ambitions to bring prosperity and power to the land, Hyakkimaru was robbed from an early age of several limbs and organs that were dispersed across various demons.

Given new life by a wandering prosthetist, Hyakkimaru traveled the land in search of the demons who took his body, using his innate ability to see people’s true nature and the heightened senses that go with it to guide a superhuman level of sword fighting skill. For a time, even his own blades came out of his prosthetic limbs, allowing him to attack from a wide variety of angles. Having taken on samurai and demon alike, there is a trail of bodies lining Hyakkimaru’s path.

4 Ichigo Kurasaki (Bleach)

How could this list go on without mentioning everyone’s favorite Substitute Soul Reaper and edgy, teenage heartthrob? Ichigo Kurasaki and Bleach as a whole is infamous for blending the gentle dance of Kurosawa swordplay with the immense Shonen-level power of a Dragon Ball character.

Ichigo in particular is the ultimate powerhouse within Bleach’s world, sporting the abilities of a Soul Reaper, Hollow, Quincy, and beyond. With this, Ichigo has been part of some the most epic battles known to both samurai and Shonen kind, using all of the above to embrace some of anime’s greatest transformations for himself and, of course, his sword Zangetsu. Bankai!

3 Guts (Berserk)

Even without the Berserker armor or demon blood flooding his anger, Guts was a mighty, unholy force to be reckoned with from day one. Never being one to show off, Guts simply bears his gigantic broadsword at all times, swinging it wildly if even a fly so much as passes him.

Channeling all of the angst of having to live in the medieval nightmare of Berserk’s world, Guts has been known to tear man, steal, and beast alike into tiny, confetti like pieces and is known to do so against massive waves of them for long periods of time. With the added benefit of his heavy metal cosplay, Guts is even a major threat to the Gods of his world, showing everyone around him who truly has the biggest sword.

2 Himura Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin)

As this list nears its top spot, it finally reaches perhaps the most iconic and influential swordsmen within anime. Himura Kenshin was once a tool of mass death to his feudal lord who now wanders the land as a “rurouni” (think of, like, a sadder ronin), trying to find some way to redeem his past sins and protect the land. However, despite his polite demeanor and aim for passiveness, Kenshin should not be underestimated.

He’s risen through the samurai ranks at a tender age, eventually managing to pull off some of the most iconic feats known to anime, such as lightning fast slashes, dicing limbs so cleanly that they can be reattached, and, of course, cutting through pure steel. Somehow get on this guy’s bad side, and you’ll be reawakening a horrifying beast that will ensure that you won’t be seeing him long…if anything at all.

1 Hawkeye Mihawk (One Piece)

Who else could rank so high on this list than someone literally called the Greatest Swordsmen in the World? While there are plenty of talented sword fighters within One Piece’s world (many apologies to you, Roronoa Zoro), Mihawk just had to make this list given his status and insurmountable feats within the show. While Zoro has infamously sliced through a variety of items, there’s a funny scene in One Piece: Stampede where Mihawk easily manages to do one of Zoro’s cuts from a greater distance.

He doesn’t even need all that big or powerful of a sword to take on his enemies, with a simple dagger more than sufficing to taking on well-trained samurai. However, when he does pull out his infamous Yoru, Mihawk is able to elegantly fight and wave the heaping piece of steel as if it were a baton.

Link Source : https://www.cbr.com/best-swordsmen-anime/

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