Summary
Ichigo Kurosaki: An alternate Soul Reaper who surpasses his predecessors in skill and strength, making him one of the best swordsmen in Bleach. Artoria Pendragon (Saber): A chivalrous figure with unparalleled sword-fighting skills, defeating even famous historical figures. Yoriichi Tsugikuni: The greatest demon slayer in the Demon Slayer series, with unmatched skills and a compelling storyline.
Swordsmanship is a huge part of fantasy, that’s why The most legendary swordsman in anime and manga are such iconic characters. Given Japan’s samurai history, it’s no surprise that so many anime characters use swords.
However, just because a character has or uses a sword does not make them legendary. To be ranked among the most legendary swordsmen in anime and manga history, a character essentially has to become superhuman in sword fighting. The best anime and manga swordsmen are dangerous warriors who can take down the strongest opponents with just their blades and wits.
Ichigo Kurosaki – Bleach
Created by Tite Kubo
Ichigo is the main protagonist of Bleach and spends his time as an alternate Soul Reaper. Throughout the series, Ichigo progresses in both strength and skill, which quickly makes him one of the best swordsmen in the entire series., surpassing the men and women who have spent thousands of years wielding the blade. His duels in the series contain some of the best and most epic battles in anime. Bleach has long been one of the most iconic Shonen Jump titles and is known to Western fans as one of the Big 3. Ichigo will always be one of the most legendary swordsmen and for good reason .
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Artoria Pendragon (Saber) — Fate/Stay Night
Created by Type Moon
Artoria Pendragon, also known as Saber, is King Arthur but as a woman. Saber is one of the strongest classes in Holy War and is a recurring character in the Fate series. Saber is an interesting character, often appearing as a chivalrous and righteous figure, though as more of the story is revealed, viewers learn that she is a terrible and abandoned ruler.
However, Saber’s sword skills are second to none and the duels she puts up are some of the best in anime. She has been seen fighting all sorts of famous historical figures and even defeated Sasaki Kojiro, known as one of the greatest samurai of all time, who only lost to Miyamoto Musashi during his lifetime.
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Yoriichi Tsugikuni – Kimetsu no Yaiba: Sát quỷ
Created by Koyoharu Gotouge
Yoriichi Tsugikuni is a background character with terrifying skills that seem unprecedented in the Demon Slayer series. Yoriichi is known as the greatest demon killer and was the only person to nearly kill Muzan. He is also Kokushibo’s older brother, who followed the path of a demon rather than a human-like Yoriichi. Yoriichi’s story is one of the best Demon Slayer stories and showing him as both human and swordsman is all the more memorable.
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Erza Scarlet — Fairy Tail
Created by Hiro Mashima
Erza is one of the main characters in Fairy Tail and by far one of the strongest characters in the guild. Her swordsmanship is unparalleled, and she has conquered almost every fight she has ever faced. Erza’s most useful attribute is Equipment Magic which allows her to switch to various types of armor and swords. in battle. This allows her to maximize her strength and skills in any form of combat to her advantage.
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Sakata Gintoki — Gintama
Created by Hideaki Sorachi
Gintoki doesn’t usually take things too seriously, but when he does, he’s the deadliest swordsman around. His duels in Gintama are incredible, and many fans consider his fight with Takasugi to be the best sword fight in anime, as well as one of the best fights in anime. Gintoki has lived by blades all his life and is often seen with a bamboo sword in the series due to owning a sword being banned in Japan. Notwithstanding, Gintoki proves himself to be the best swordsman around and is one of the most memorable main characters in anime.
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Roronoa Zoro — One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda
While Zoro may not be as good a swordsman as Mihawk, he is still one of the best swordsmen in the series and is easily one of the most iconic swordsmen in anime and manga. Zoro’s transformation into a swordsman is amazing to witness and is one of the best aspects of One Piece. Zoro’s best fights in One Piece are some of the best in the series and fans always enjoy seeing him push his limits and improve further as a swordsman. Whether it’s learning how to cut and not cut whatever he wants in his fight against Mr. One often masters Conqueror’s Haki in his battle against King, his duels are always entertaining.
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Gut – Berserk
Created by Kentaro Miura
Guts is the main character of Berserk, one of the best seinen manga ever. He is often called the Black Swordsman and wields a giant sword weighing nearly 400 pounds. Despite the blade’s ridiculous width and weight, he is able to swing it with ease and with precise skill. It had its weaknesses, but it was an asset to him more often than not.
Due to Guts’ ridiculous strength and bloody battles, some fans often view him as nothing more than a powerful swordsman with no real skills. However, there is a clear emphasis on swordsmanship skills in Berserk and Guts has certainly earned the right to be considered one of the most legendary anime and manga swordsmen.
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Mugen & Jin — Samurai Champloo
Created by Shinichiro Watanabe & Studio Manglobe
As much as it would hurt both characters to hear that, both Mugen and Jin in Samurai Champloo are too equal to claim one character is better or more legendary than the other. Mugen’s reckless fighting style makes him an unpredictable opponent, especially against trained opponents. Additionally, his win-at-all-costs mentality means he is not afraid to incorporate the environment into his fighting style if it benefits him.
On the exact opposite end of the spectrum is Jin. Jin’s considered and disciplined swordsmanship style makes him a much more cerebral warrior. While Mugen’s matches are all street brawls, Jin’s are complex chess matches that require precision and thinking. It was this training that allowed Jin to punch above his weight and hold his own against the few remaining warriors in the world of Samurai Champloo who legitimately outclassed him.
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Dracule Mihawk-One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda
Dracule Mihawk has long been hailed as the strongest swordsman in One Piece and will hold that title for a few more years. His strength is amazing, even comparable to one of the Four Emperors. Although fans don’t get the chance to see him put his swordsmanship to the test very often, every time he does, he impresses. His final battle with Roronoa Zoro is by far one of the most anticipated battles in One Piece and then everyone will finally get to see him show off his full power.
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Miyamoto Musashi – The Wanderer
Created by Takehiko Inoue
The story of Miyamoto Musashi in Vagabond is based on the novel Musashi which recounts the story of the man considered the greatest samurai who ever lived. Vagabond is a faster-paced story that still captures Musashi’s development and philosophy while delivering some of the most breathtaking artwork in manga.
Musashi is easily the most legendary swordsman in anime and manga as he gives readers everything a fan could want in a swordsman. He has epic duels that land him in trouble, but he also develops as a person and a swordsman by being in harmony with nature and religion. Musashi’s depth is astonishing, and every reader will be changed after reading this incredible story. It’s worth noting that one of the best swordsmen in history is also the most legendary swordsman in anime and manga history.
Read on Viz
