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Powerful swordsmen are abundant in anime, but they continue to captivate audiences with their flashy techniques and unique sword styles. Characters like Guts from Berzerk, Roronoa Zoro from One Piece, and Himura Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin serve as prime examples. They combine exceptional battle intelligence with impressive techniques to overpower their adversaries, embodying the essence of a skilled sword wielder.
In the world of isekai anime, equally formidable swordsmen exist. These individuals may possess innate talent, acquire special abilities upon entering a new realm, or be native residents of that world. They demonstrate considerable swordsmanship skills, further augmented by extraordinary powers, establishing themselves as formidable contenders. Here, we present some of the most formidable swordsmen in the isekai genre.
10 Raphtalia – The Rising of the Shield Hero
Raphtalia, the first true companion of Naofumi Iwatani, is a demi-human who was initially enslaved. After being purchased by Naofumi, she becomes his faithful partner in various battles, serving as both a literal and symbolic sword. With her cute raccoon and tanuki origins, Raphtalia surprises with her incredible combat skills. She possesses remarkable agility and speed, rivaling some of the strongest characters in the series, and showcases a wide range of abilities. Furthermore, she wields the powerful Vassal Katana, a weapon that grants her a diverse set of skills, earning her the esteemed title of the Katana hero.
9 Brain Unglaus – Overlord
Brain Unglaus is an exceptional warrior, widely regarded as one of the most powerful humans in the series. Initially, his arrogance led him to believe that he surpassed everyone except for his rival, Gazeff Stronoff. However, through significant encounters, he underwent a significant transformation, becoming more humble and grounded in his actions. This personal growth had a positive impact on his moral compass and significantly enhanced his swordsmanship abilities.
Not only is Brain a formidable fighter, but he also possesses remarkable martial arts skills and the ability to enhance both his physical and mental attributes before engaging in battle. Cocytus, one of Ainz's servants, even acknowledged Brain's exceptional skill and remarked that he could be a valuable asset to the Great Tomb of Nazarick, indicating his immense potential.
8 Ghislaine Dedoldia – Mushoku Tensei
Content: Ghislaine, trained by Gal Farion, one of the Seven Great Powers, has become a distinguished fighter, reaching the esteemed rank of Sword King. This rank is the highest attainable in the formidable Sword God Style, renowned as the most powerful swordsmanship school in the series.
Being a practitioner of the Sword God Style, Ghislaine possesses numerous proficient abilities intrinsic to the school. Notably, she wields the longsword of light, a technique executed with remarkable speed, appearing as if she moves at the velocity of light itself. Additionally, her remarkable physical strength highlights her endurance, as she served as the initial mentor to Eris Greyrat, a future Sword King.
7 Fran – Reincarnated as a Sword
Nicknamed the Black Lightning Princess, Fran is a renowned adventurer who wields a remarkable sentient sword named Shishou. Initially a slave, Fran's fortunes changed when she was rescued by Shishou, and she gradually uncovered her true talent as a proficient swordswoman.
In combat, Fran displays an impressive range of elemental magic abilities that enhance her speed, strength, and resilience. With her diverse skillset, she has triumphed over adversaries who were initially deemed more powerful, including A-ranked adventurers and B-rank monsters that posed significant national threats. Even without relying on Shishou's capabilities, Fran remains a formidable warrior thanks to her exceptional battle intellect and untapped potential.
6 Hakurou – That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Hakurou is highly esteemed in the world of Reincarnated as a Slime, despite not holding a top position. His wisdom, intelligence, and swordsmanship skills contribute to his reverence. Although Hakurou is not as powerful as Rimuru overall, he is an exceptional swordsman who mentors the already formidable protagonist.
Originally an ordinary ogre, Hakurou transformed into a Kijin after Rimuru bestowed a name upon him. This brought about remarkable enhancements to his physical abilities and perception. He is regarded as a catastrophic-level menace and possesses sufficient strength to annihilate a small country.
5 Reinhard van Astrea – Re: Zero
Reinhard Van Astrea is a valiant knight, known as a sword saint, and one of the most formidable characters in Re: Zero. Additionally, he possesses the divine protection of the sword saint, allowing him to select any skill necessary to emerge victorious in battle. Despite his immense power, he maintains a friendly disposition and is always willing to aid those in need.
Since his introduction, Reinhard has exhibited exceptional swordsmanship, assisting Subaru in vanquishing Elsa Granhiert, a cruel assassin. His impressive achievements also include overcoming the powerful spirit Puck, one of the four most formidable spirits in the world, and engaging in a fierce battle against the archbishop of greed, Regulus, resulting in a deadlock.
4 Gazef Stronoff – Overlord
Gazeff Stronofff, much like Reinhard, is an honorable warrior who has gained the admiration of the powerful Overlord, Ainz Ooal Gown. He served as the personal protector of the King of Re-Estize and was renowned as the kingdom's most formidable fighter. Trained by a former adventurer of the highest rank, Gazeff eventually surpassed even those at that level.
His primary weapon, known as Razor Edge, is one of the five esteemed national treasures of the kingdom. Similar to Brain Unglaus, Gazeff possesses abilities that augment his physical capabilities and wields a multitude of effective sword techniques. However, his ultimate skill, the Sixfold Slash of Light, exceeds them all. With a single swing of his sword, Gazeff unleashes six incredibly forceful slashes.
3 Cid Kagenou – The Eminence in Shadow
Cid Kagenou is a recent addition to the roster of immensely powerful protagonists in isekai anime. He suffers from what is commonly known as the 8th-grader syndrome, but unlike most chuunibyous in anime, his fantasies actually manifest in reality. In his previous life, he acquired swordsmanship skills through books and videos, which he began practicing at a young age in his current world.
Among Cid's impressive array of sword skills, Shadow Dance and Shadow Slash stand out. The former focuses on quick and agile movements, while the latter involves an incredibly forceful slash. Additionally, Cid possesses remarkable aptitude in mastering multiple skills, and despite his heavy reliance on magic, he is able to overpower many adversaries without it.
2 Kirito – Sword Art Online
In Sword Art Online, the virtual world carries immense consequences mirroring the real world. Consequently, the game's events hold the same level of reality as any physical setting, and the achievements of its characters are equally remarkable. Kirito, one of the pioneers in this game, has faced numerous challenges and emerged victorious each time.
Through countless battles, Kirito has gained extensive knowledge and experience, earning himself the renowned title of the Black Swordsman. His unique skill in dual-wielding allows him to increase his speed and power, enabling him to adapt effectively in various situations. One of his most iconic abilities is the Starburst Stream, a technique involving a swift succession of sixteen strikes capable of vanquishing even the most formidable adversaries in the series.
1 Rimuru Tempest – That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
After being reincarnated as a slime, Rimuru, formerly a dull man, found himself in the form of a similarly unexciting creature. Despite the generally weak perception of slimes, Rimuru utilized his unique power to absorb the attributes and skills of anything he consumed, allowing him to rapidly grow in strength. Furthermore, he possessed the extraordinary talent called Great Sage, which endowed him with extensive knowledge and exceptional analytical abilities.
While Hakurou served as his primary mentor for swordsmanship, Rimuru's additional powers and advanced combat experience have made him a significantly more formidable fighter. He predominantly employs the Hazy style, utilizing fast movements and penetrating attacks in his sword arts. Remarkably, Rimuru has proven himself against some of the series' most powerful swordsmen, including Hinata Sakaguchi, even when not relying on heavy magic.