Anime often features strong characters who use various weapons, with swords being a favourite. In many of these stories, the main characters have a special strength or mystical power that helps them master their swords.
In this list, we’re going to look at anime where the character slowly improves their sword skills and eventually becomes a legendary sword fighter. We’ll explore shows with iconic fight scenes and numerous sword clashes wielded by a variety of anime swords, focusing on the journey of skill development over time.
10. Blue Eye Samurai
One of the best sword fighting anime, even though it’s not exactly an anime, Blue Eye Samurai has anime-style elements that takes sword fighting to an extreme level that is sure to impress any anime fans out there. It follows the story of a samurai with both European and Japanese heritage.
The show dives deep into the art of making swords with traditional Japanese tamahagane steel, uses accurate Japanese sword terms, and portrays sword use as authentically as historical samurai did. If you’re into intense fantasy sword action with a touch of realism, this is a show you shouldn’t miss.
9. Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is a captivating anime that showcases a wide array of swords, drawing inspiration from history while adding a fantastical twist. The series follows the journey of characters as they progress from novice sword fighters in high-school training rooms to skilled experts through intense battles, conflicts, and life-threatening situations.
The well-crafted characters and their thrilling sword fights against various adversaries, including humans, dragons, giants, spiders, and ghosts, make Sword Art Online an exciting choice for sword-fighting enthusiasts. The show’s popularity has also spawned a successful video game franchise, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the world of Sword Art Online and experience the exhilarating sword battles firsthand.
8. Bleach
Bleach is a show with a unique twist on swords – they can turn into characters with their own souls, opinions, and thoughts after achieving a state of “Bankai.” It tells the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, who faces many moral choices while wielding his powerful swords. These swords have a Japanese style but are also filled with fantasy elements.
The battles that Ichigo fights with his sword are extraordinary and different. They’re intense, violent, gory and show the soul reaper “Zanpakuto” swords’ incredible powers that can cause massive damage to many enemies at once.
7. Ruruoni Kenshin
This anime is loved for its many sword fights, which happen often throughout the series. You’ll watch the journey of Himura Kenshin, a former assassin who travels across Japan, meeting different people and facing tough choices.
The swords featured are inspired by Japanese samurai swords, from wooden ones used for training to big ones designed to fight armor, and the classic katana. What sets this anime apart is Kenshin’s unique abilities, like predicting enemy moves, and the cleverly designed sword battles that leave a lasting impression.
6. Sword of the Stranger
Sword of the Stranger stands out as the top sword-fighting anime, even though it’s older than others on this list. It earned an award for a fight scene that is both thrilling and emotionally powerful, unlike anything else out there.
The story zooms in on Kotarou and Nanashi, moving quickly through the plot. The anime showcases both Japanese and Chinese swords, paying close attention to detail. While the action unfolds at a slow pace, the wait is worthwhile once the swords are drawn and the clashing begins.
5. Afro Samurai
Afro Samurai is an anime in which the action is centred around swordplay rather than the main character’s words, which is done by Samuel L. Jackson. The show pays great attention to the swords, portraying them with accurate details. It mainly features Japanese-style swords like the katana. In the sequel, “Afro Samurai Resurrection,” you’ll also see some European swords.
This anime is ideal for viewers who love intense battles, including one-on-one duels or one-against-twenty fights, where the focus is on the action rather than the characters’ emotions. It’s violent, with lots of blood and scenes where characters are literally cut to pieces.
4. Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
If you’re interested in a mix of history, magic, and lots of action, Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku is worth checking out. You’ll follow Gabimaru, a ninja who’s been betrayed by his own people.
Gabimaru faces death at the hands of those he loves, but his determination shines through his incredible swordsmanship and his desire to see his wife again. This anime packs everything you’d expect from a sword-fighting series but with a twist: it’s extremely violent and intense. Every battle feels crucial, as a single blow could end a key character’s role in the story.
3. Kimetsu No Yaba (Demon Slayer)
Meet Tanjiro Kamado, a kind boy who becomes a fierce swordsman after demons kill his family. Follow his journey as he learns swordsmanship, featuring many impressive swords.
Most swords in the anime are Japanese samurai swords, including katanas. What sets this anime apart is how it fully explores the sword’s journey, from start to finish, showing its growth. Each sword in the anime has its own unique skills and powers, making the story and each battle that will unfold even more interesting and different.
2. Berserk
This anime is famous for its use of massive swords that have become icons in the anime world. While they aren’t historically accurate, their presence makes the sword fights memorable. You’ll see epic wars and intense one-on-one duels that span several episodes, with warriors wielding huge swords similar to claymores in battles to the death.
What makes this the best anime for many, as well as the original manga apart from other shows, is the attention to detail in caring for Gut’s sword between battles. It’s polished, cleaned, and well-maintained, which adds to its importance and connection to the story as it progresses.
1. Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo showcases authentic East Asian swords, including the double-edged tsurugi and the single-edged katana. Set in feudal Japan, the characters journey through diverse landscapes set during and after the late stages of the Sengoku Jidai, Japan’s war era.
The sword fights in this anime are unique, emphasizing the skill and strategy of the sword users rather than relying on the common anime trope of powerful one-slash kills. This focus makes the battles especially engaging and realistic which is a very unique thing in the world of anime series. Each character has their own fighting style which changes through its course.
Bonus: Honorable Mentions
Even though swords might not be the main focus in some anime, there are still many shows that feature a wide variety of blades. It would be a mistake to overlook them. Here are a few that deserve a mention and are definitely worth checking out.
These anime offer a diverse look at swordplay and the unique blades within their worlds, adding depth and intrigue to their stories.
- One Piece – over 25 sword designs with the most iconic belonging to Luffy and Zoro
- Naruto – over 10 sword designs with wielders who hone their skills gradually
- Noragami – over 10 sword designs backed up with action-packed battles
- Akame ga Kill – featuring iconic fantasy sword designs
- Sengoku Basara – set during the warring Sengoku Jidai with historical samurai as Oda Nobunaga
- Dororo – accurate Japanese sword designs with high attention to detail
- Blade of the Immortal – over 10 sword designs used by Japanese Ronin warriors
