Every character has a reason to speak through the power, especially when the source of the strength depends upon the sword. As we all know, most of the anime series include at least one character whose power source is based on swordsmanship. So, I am going to share a list of the 15 best Swordsmen in the history of anime. If you are curious to know about each and every character, then do not forget to read the article till the end so that you can get an idea of how and why they are a part of this list.
Swordsmen and swordsmanship define the whole concept of swordplay. That means swordsmen are the wielder of swords, and the way they wield the sword defines swordsmanship. Sometimes anime character does not follow the concept of using a sword, but a character like Asta can relate to that concept. Even though he has no mana any magic, he has the power of a demon’s sword, which he uses against his opponents.
Moreover, including all these swordsmen on the basis of their power, the strength of landing a hit, range of attack (close and long), way of fighting and speed, and depth of damage on opponents. So, we can discuss about them one by one in this article. All the characters are valuable and have the courage to fight against anyone without thinking about themselves.
15 Best Swordsmen in Anime
As we all know, we are going to talk about 15 best Swordsmen in the history of anime. I have prepared this list for you guys, so let’s talk about them one by one.
1. Sakata Gintoki (Gintama)
Sakata Gintoki is the main protagonist of the anime series ‘Gintama’, and also, he is a samurai who can slash opponents with his wooden sword. As we all know, Gintama is one of the best anime series because of the mixture of comedic elements with serious concepts. Gintoki is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime, and that is because of his fighting style and his experience as a swordsman. His combat ability makes him worthy to give him the name of “White Yaksha”. During the Joi War, “White Yaksha” is the symbol of his single-handed combat against Amanto. Also, his fights against Takasugi, Yato King Hosen, and Oboro give us an idea of his strength.
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2. Zoro (One Piece)
One Piece is a type of anime series which includes different types of fighting styles, and because of that, every character is shining like a star. Zoro is one of them who is known because of his exceptional fighting style. His three-sword style is one of his ultimate sword styles, which will give you an idea of the flow of power through his swords. He is one of the members of Straw Hat pirates in the anime series ‘One Piece’, and his unique skill makes him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. He does not look like, but he is brutal when it comes to showing his pride as a swordsman in front of his opponents.
3. Levi Ackerman (Attack On Titan)
We all know how amazing the anime series ‘Attack On Titan’ is. The characters and their way of fighting make them special, for example, Levi Ackerman. He is from an Ackerman family, and the Ackerman is known because of their fighting style. Levi’s fighting style is the same as other Ackerman, but his unique way of using a sword with perfection is something remarkable about him. His brutal way of swordsmanship makes him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. He is best in both close-range and long-range attacks with the use of his swords. However, his perfection works more when he becomes serious about himself.
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4. Guts (Berserk)
When we are talking about swordsmen, then how can we forget about one of the most brutal characters in the history of anime? Yes, Guts is one of the most brutal characters in the history of anime. He is known because of his exceptional talent as a swordsman and also because of his experience as a skilled fighter. His way of fighting is not a normal way of fighting, especially with his enormous broadsword. Guts do not care about who he is fighting with whom, he just likes to slaughter everyone single opponent who comes to fight against him. His uniqueness and brutal nature make him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime.
5. Teresa of the Faint Smile (Claymore)
What would you say when you see a girl who gives a deadly smile after killing opponents by using her ultimate sword attacks? Scary, right? Teresa from the anime series Claymore, known as Teresa of the Faint Smile and that is because of her deadly sword attacks with a faint smile on her face. She is so strong and nearly unbeatable, especially when she fights with all of her strength. Teresa is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime, and also, she is one of the strongest characters in the anime series Claymore. Her way of fighting is amazing because of great speed and sense of opponent’s attacks. She is a type of character who does not use her full strength.
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6. Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Do you know every character has some unique abilities to make them special throughout the series? No, right? Ichigo Kurasaki is a perfect example for that. He is a teenager, but his way of swordsmanship show us a vibe of an experienced man who knows how to land a hit. Ichigo is a Soul Reaper, and he is known for his intense level of swordplay. His unique abilities and unbelievable speed makes him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. Also, by wielding Zangetsu, he becomes almost god-like creature with unlimited strength. He does not look like, but his experiences as a notable swordsman comes from some epic battles.
7. Nobunaga Hazama (Hunter x Hunter)
What do you think about the character who knows everything about the swordsmanship? Interesting, right? Nobunaga Hazama is the one who knows everything about the swordsmanship, and that is because of his intense training in swordplay. He is like a QuickSilver when he becomes serious against his opponents. His unbeatable speed and reflection time against opponents’ attacks make him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. He is best in close range attacks, and according to the record, he never missed a chance to lift a lethal blow. His reaction time is quick as his opponents’ attacks when he finds any sense of danger.
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8. Kenshin Himura (Rurouni Kenshin)
How can we forget about Kenshin Himura, especially when we are talking about swordsmen? No we can not forget, right? Kenshin Himura from the anime series ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. That is because of his speed and depth of slashes of every single hits he lands on an opponent. His way of swordsmanship allows him to create a huge passage across the limbs of his opponents. Kenshin’s attacks are mainly destructive nature, and this is one of the reason of mass death incidents when he was in an extreme mode. He is polite but not a weak samurai and even though he knows the strength of his swordplay.
9. Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer)
One of the greatest anime series of all time, Demon Slayer which, have number of different characters who have unbelievable strength, which flows through their way of using a sword. Tanjiro Kamado is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime, and that is because of his unique way of swordsmanship. His swordsmanship is based on Water Breathing and Sun Breathing. Sun Breathing is a special type of breathing which has passed from his father to him, and not all the Hashira can easily use this special kind of breathing technique. His way of fighting is totally based on swordplay, which makes him one of the strongest Hashira in the anime series Demon Slayer.
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10. Trunks (Dragon Ball Z)
Like father like son, but this case is not applied here because Trunks is not as same as his father, Vegeta. Trunks is a saiyan who fights more with his sword, and that is because of his sword based fighting style. He is not like is own father, but when he becomes serious, he shows same brutal nature as his Vegeta’ shows. Trunks is a capable fighter, and his speed and range of attacks depend on his base and ultimate power that makes him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. He does not seem much strong, but in reality, he is one of the strongest character in the universe of Dragon Ball, who uses a sword for fighting against his opponents.
11. Asta (Black Clover)
Having a strong protagonist makes a story better, but what about his strength if it is based on enormous broadsword? Not a comparable one, right? Asta is a perfect example for this question, and that is because of his demonic powers, which goes through his sword. He has no mana, and without mana, he can not use magic, but still, he is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime. That is all because of using a five-leaf grimoire which allows him to use Liebe’s demonic powers. Also, His sword allows him to use different types of abilities by giving him unreachable powers. His fighting style is mainly based on sword when it comes to unleash his unlimited strength.
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12. Yukichi Fukuzawa (Bungo Stray Dogs)
Here comes a character who is known especially because of his sword style and also because of his special power ‘All Men Are Equal’, and that character is Yukichi Fukuzawa. He is a perfect example for swordsmanship because he knows how you can kill an opponent without knowing him your presence. As a skilled swordsman, he becomes formidable character against the opponents. He is one of the strongest character in the anime series Bungo Stray Dogs even though he looks like a weak man. His way of using his sword allows him to extend the area of an opponent with a certain limit for him, which makes him one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime.
13. Meliodas (Seven Deadly Sins)
What do you think about the strength of the character is based on height? Not good, right? Meliodas is a perfect example for this question because he proved himself as a worthy fighter with unlimited strength, even though he just looks like a kid. He is a demon and a son of Demon Lord, so because of that, he has demon powers which allows him to cross the limit of his physical strength. However, his sword style is based on demon powers, so he can reflect the effects of opponents’ attacks and block them without any problem. Also, he can replicate himself and land an explosive hit by using his sword’s powers. Meliodas is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime.
14. Yato (Noragami)
What do you think about someone who has a cute smile but destructive powers? Exceptional guy, right? Yato from the anime series ‘Noragami’ is one of the 15 best Swordsmen in anime, and all that is because of his destructive power “God of Calamity.” He is a type of character who likes to show his innocent side more than his brutal side because he knows that how monstrous he is. His way of swordsmanship defines us the necessary elements for swordplay. Yato does not show much interest of becoming a serious man during a fight but his unbeatable strength through his sword say everything about him.
15. Inuyasha (Inuyasha)
So, the last but not the least, Inuyasha is a titular character from the anime series ‘Inuyasha’, and he is not a complete human. That is because of his half-demon and half-human form. However, he is a master swordsman who is known for mastering in many sword-based abilities and also for strong supernatural power. His sword allows him to break and block any barrier, especially when he sense any danger. His sword is made up of unnatural strength, which allows him to cross the limit of his own strength just by landing a hit. He is a worthy swordsman who never failed to impress his opponents through his swordsmanship.
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