Anime assassins captivate audiences with their intriguing narratives and dark origins, delving into the reasons behind their lethal paths. Whether driven by circumstances or personal choice, their meticulous planning, target analysis, and flawless execution make for captivating viewing.
Some assassins operate within realistic settings, relying solely on their physical prowess, agility, and deadly skills. Others, however, infuse their craft with fantastical or supernatural abilities. Regardless, all assassins share a common characteristic: an unwavering focus on efficiency. Their ultimate goal is to eliminate targets swiftly and discreetly, often accomplishing this feat with minimal movements, blending the art of killing seamlessly into their calculated performances for the audience's satisfaction.
10 Yor Forger – Spy x Family
9 Akame – Akame ga Kill!
Yor Forger, the renowned assassin from the anime, has become incredibly popular among fans. In the upcoming second season of Spy x Family, viewers can expect to see more of her thrilling adventures. Traditionally, assassins prefer to remain unknown, but Yor possesses the rare ability to maintain her secretive life while ensuring the safety of her loved ones. Working undercover for the enigmatic Garden organization, she operates under the codename "Thorn Princess" and executes her targets with unmatched speed, agility, and extraordinary strength. However, her immense power sometimes proves challenging to control, leading to amusing incidents like unintentionally slicing a tennis ball with a casual swing.
Akame ga Kill!'s main character, Akame, was sold to the Empire as a child by her parents. To survive a brutal examination, she had to prove her abilities and was subsequently trained to become an elite assassin. Her exceptional talent was evident by her survival, but her training by one of the deadliest assassins further enhanced her skills. With remarkable speed, agility, and strength, Akame effortlessly takes down even the most formidable opponents. Whether she wields a sword, a firearm, or engages in hand-to-hand combat, she always achieves her objective: eliminating her targets.
8 Koro-sensei – Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom's Koro-sensei is not only known as one of the most iconic anime teachers, but also as one of the most formidable assassins. With his exceptional intelligence and thoughtful guidance, he has garnered respect from his students. Previously referred to as "The Reaper," he held the reputation of being the world's finest assassin, even in his human form. His ability to effortlessly thwart assassination attempts is a testament to his vast experience and keen observational skills. Additionally, as a result of human experimentation, he acquired a range of superhuman abilities, including extraordinary senses, reflexes, and speed surpassing that of the fastest aircraft in the world.
7 Train Heartnet – Black Cat
Train Heartnet was orphaned at the age of ten when an assassin killed his parents. However, he was fortunate enough to be taken in by the same assassin, Zagine, who taught him the art of killing. Despite Zagine's eventual demise, Train managed to survive by living on the streets until he caught the attention of a Chronos officer who became his caretaker. Eventually, Train became a member of Chronos and earned the moniker of Black Cat, renowned for his unparalleled speed, agility, and marksmanship. Not only can he accurately shoot down bullets in mid-air, but he also excels at using his gun as a close combat weapon.
6 Lugh Tuatha Dé – The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat
5 Mireille Bouquet – Noir
The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat introduces us to an infamous assassin who, unexpectedly deceived, finds himself reborn as Lugh Tuatha Dé, a member of a noble lineage tasked with fulfilling assassination requests from royalty. With the fusion of his past life's knowledge and experiences, as well as the unique abilities bestowed upon him by the world's goddess in exchange for eliminating the hero, Lugh proves himself an unparalleled assassin. Constantly honing his skills and evolving through the utilization of specialized magical techniques, many of which he crafted himself, Lugh exhibits his prowess.Mireille Bouquet, one half of the group Noir, is a highly skilled professional assassin available for hire. In the past, she predominantly worked alone until the events of the story unfolded. Motivated by a personal tragedy, Mireille approaches her job with an unwavering commitment to perfection, efficiently eliminating targets in a calculated manner. However, beneath her confident exterior, she carries a hidden burden of remorse for the harm she inflicts. Armed with her reliable Walther P99, Mireille proves to be an exceptionally competent assassin, occasionally stepping in to assist Kirika when she encounters difficulties.
4 Killua Zoldyck – Hunter × Hunter
Born into the Zoldyck family, the most notorious group of assassins in Hunter × Hunter, Killua's exceptional talent was evident from a young age as he quickly mastered a wide array of killing techniques. Despite being groomed to become a distinguished assassin, Killua eventually grew weary of this lifestyle and made the decision to become a Hunter alongside his close friend, Gon. Although he left behind his former profession, Killua has retained the skills he honed, including stealth, tracking, agility, stamina, and resistance to various types of poison, pain, and electricity. Furthermore, prior to acquiring new weaponry and discovering the art of Nen, he would rely on assassination techniques during combat.
3 Ein – Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
Ein, the protagonist of Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom, holds the prestigious title of the first Phantom of the Inferno within her organization. Amidst her existence void of memories, she thrives solely as a seasoned assassin, perceiving herself as a mere instrument for her master. Although lacking innate talents that set her apart, Ein persevered through grueling physical training, acquiring a diverse range of skills along the way. Her extensive experience honed her into an exceptional assassin, proficient in utilizing her expertise in firearms, battle strategies, and human anatomy to precisely eliminate any given target.
2 Hei – Darker Than Black
Darker Than Black's main character, Hei, is a Contractor who acquired the unique ability to manipulate molecules when the Heaven's and Hell's Gates emerged. Despite his aversion to killing, he reluctantly joined the Syndicate, an underground organization, in order to safeguard his sister, and underwent training to become an assassin. Thanks to his exceptional proficiency in martial arts, weaponry, and astonishing agility, he became known as the "Black Reaper" during his days as a hitman. Additionally, he exhibits remarkable strategic thinking and adaptability, cleverly devising plans and adjusting to any given circumstance.
1 Claire Stanfield – Baccano!
The narrative of Baccano! revolves around enigmatic occurrences involving various characters, among them Claire Stanfield, who goes by different aliases like Felix Walken, The Rail Tracer, and the renowned assassin Vino. Regarded as the finest assassin in the world, Claire honed his strength and agility to exceptional levels during his time as an acrobat in the circus. After departing the circus, he seamlessly employs his acrobatic prowess in his new profession, effortlessly traversing any environment and dispatching his targets with ease. Despite his lethal and cruel nature, as he renders his victims unrecognizable, he surprisingly displays acts of heroism, reserving his killings only for those who pose a threat to others.
In the world of assassination, success hinges on a blend of refined skills, extensive training, and an acute situational awareness. Merely possessing physical strength is inadequate, for professional killers must execute their missions with utmost discretion, leaving behind no evidence that could expose their true identity. In this perilous realm, only the elite few can ascend to the pinnacle of their profession without falling victim to their own trade. This extraordinary feat has been achieved by the following anime assassins.