SerpApi.Org
A lot of anime are known for their intense battles intended to captivate audiences and spark intrigue. In order to aid this effort, many weapons have been crafted over the years, making certain characters and their confrontations more memorable. They could also serve significant narrative purposes, with unique features and lore relevant to the story.
These special arms are usually associated with a single character to whom their fame is tied. They are often used to perform signature skills accompanied by distinct callouts from their respective users. While countless weapons have been introduced since anime’s inception, only a select few have reached a truly iconic status.
Tessaiga (Inuyasha)
Tessaiga is a sword belonging to the popular half-demon Inuyasha. It was created from the fangs of his father, Toga, and forged by the swordsmith Totosai. It has been dubbed the “sword of destruction,” capable of slaying a hundred demons in one stroke. It was forged alongside the Tenseiga, dubbed the “sword of life” and belonging to Inuyasha’s brother, Sesshomaru.
The weapon was designed to protect Inuyasha’s mother and Toga’s human wife, Izayoi. For this reason, it inflicts damage on pure yokai who try to touch it, essentially forming a protective barrier to any humans in need. It has numerous forms and has displayed many new abilities over the course of the series, proving indispensable to Inuyasha on his journey.
The Scissor Blade (Kill la Kill)
The Scissor Blade is a giant red blade created specifically to combat Life Fibers. It is the signature weapon of Ryuko Matoi, and for the longest time, was one of the only clues she had to finding her father's murderer. It is one of two halves and is most effective when used in conjunction with the other.
Together, they are called the Rending Scissors, and beyond just damaging Life Fibers, they halt their regenerative capabilities. Later, it is revealed that the other half is in the possession of Nui Harime, the woman responsible for killing Ryuko’s father. It serves as a huge driving force in the series, fueling Ryuko’s determination and aiding her greatly in combat.
Samehada (Naruto)
Samehada is a legendary sword famously wielded by the “Monster of the Hidden Mist,” Kisame Hoshigaki. It is unusually large for a sword and is regularly wrapped thoroughly using bandages. When released, it features a series of sharp scales all over, growing larger and larger when combined with its rare chakra-absorbing capabilities.
The weapon is also sentient, known to have certain preferences regarding the chakra it consumes, and refuses to be wielded by anyone it dislikes. It has gone from user to user, but was most effective in the hands of Kisame, even earning him the title of “Tailed Beast without a Tail.”
Elucidator (Sword Art Online)
The Elucidator used to be the trademark weapon of Kazuto Kirigaya, more commonly known as Kirito, in the original Sword Art Online anime. It is a pitch-black sword that perfectly fits his “Black Swordsman” epithet. He obtained it on the 50th floor of Aincrad, looted from a boss as a high-tier demonic monster drop.
The sword is arguably most famous for its role in the battle against the 74th-floor boss, “The Gleam Eyes.” Equipped alongside the Dark Repulser, it debuted the unique dual-wielding skill, Starburst Stream. This was a relentless 16-hit combo attack that essentially allowed Kirito to solo the boss and save all Aincrad Liberation Force members present.
Hellsing Arms .454 Casull (Hellsing)
The Hellsing Arms .454 Casull is a large custom semi-automatic pistol used by Nosferatu Alucard. This heavy firearm was created by the Hellsing Agency and designed specifically to exterminate regenerative supernatural threats. It is typically paired with the 13mm Jackal, a secondary pistol that followed its production but possesses more firepower.
What makes the .454 Casull so effective against monsters is the special ammunition contained within it. These rounds are forged from silver material obtained from melted holy relics that counter the superhuman composition of Alucard's opponents. Additionally, the rounds are explosive in nature, delivering a much-needed extra impact against his formidable foes.
Soul Evans (Soul Eater)
Soul Evans is a sentient Demon Weapon who takes the form of a deadly red and black scythe. As is the case with most Demon Weapons in the Soul Eater series, Soul can transform between his human and weapon forms at will. However, he is only effective as a weapon in the hands of his partner, Maka Albarn.
His main goal is to consume a set number of souls and ascend to the rank of Death Scythe, a title reserved only for Demon Weapons worthy of being wielded by Lord Death himself. Though he never makes it that far in the anime, he accomplishes many admirable feats with Maka while overcoming significant internal turmoil along the way.
Excalibur (Fate/stay night)
Excalibur is the legendary sword belonging to Artoria Pendragon, obtained from the Lady of the Lake as a replacement for the Sword in the Stone, Caliburn. It is one of the greatest Noble Phantasms in the franchise, referred to as the Sword of Promised Victory, and has appeared in multiple series and iterations.
It is often concealed by Invisible Air, a sheath of wind used mainly to keep her identity hidden. The sword was presented along with Avalon, a scabbard boasting considerable healing capabilities. It is most known for its unrivalled destructive power, usually released after Artoria roars its name, summoning forth a beam of light that annihilates everything in its path.
Wado Ichimonji (One Piece)
The Wado Ichimonji is one of Zoro’s earliest and most treasured swords. It was inherited from his deceased childhood friend and rival Kuina and has since remained with him throughout his travels. The sword is one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, forged and left behind by the legendary Wano samurai Shimotsuki Kouzaburou.
This elegant white-hilted blade was one of the only swords to survive the Pirate Hunter’s early encounter with the “World's Strongest Swordsman,” Dracule Mihawk. Post timeskip, it is usually placed in Zoro’s mouth as part of his Three Sword Style, where it consistently pulls its weight alongside his other swords, Enma and Sandai Kitetsu.
Zangetsu (Bleach)
Bleach is home to sentient weapons called Zanpakuto, unique to every Soul Reaper. They have various stages and change appearance across each one. Ichigo’s Zangetsu appears as a massive cleaver in its initial release, known as Shikai, but shifts to a sleek, minimalistic design in its Final Release, known as Bankai.
It is popularly known for enabling Ichigo’s most iconic attack, Getsuga Tensho, used many times over the course of the series to great effect. During the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Ichigo’s Bankai is broken by Jugram Haschwalth. This leads him to Oetsu Nimaiya, who guides him in reforging his Zanpakuto into its true form, manifesting as two seemingly separate blades.
Dragon Slayer (Berserk)
The Dragon Slayer is the signature weapon of the original Black Swordsman, Guts. It is a massive sword that can more accurately be described as a colossal slab of iron due to its sheer size. It was created by a man named Godot in the hopes of fulfilling a king's request for a sword capable of slaying a dragon.
The blacksmith never imagined there would be a human capable of utilizing the oversized blade, and yet Guts handles it with terrifying precision, cleaving through opponents with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, through countless battles against Apostles and spirits, the weapon has gained the ability to damage astral entities and even members of the God Hand in some capacity.
