Top 10 Insane Anime Sword Fights

“Noragami” (2014-15)

How can you go wrong with a battle between two Gods of Calamity? In a bid to turn his fellow deity back to the murderous being he once was, Rabo was willing to do in Yato’s new Half-Phantom love interest, which in turn flicks his kill switch. Might have been a bit of a misstep on Rabo’s part, since when his moral limitations scrapped, Yato is able to dish out some heavenly punishment against his old comrade. Even after absorbing the depraved powers of an Ayakashi, his skills still can’t compare to that of the stray god’s.

“Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu” (2017)

Leave it to Ufotable to take a story about a bunch of swords transforming into handsome blokes and warp it into a stunning soiree of slashes. In a bid to stop a monstrous horde from changing the course of history, our collective of devilishly dazzling death dealers start laying siege to the army’s ghostly troopers. From a visual standpoint, this is action eye candy galore, especially when it comes to the one on one battle between Mikazuki and the superior Time Retrograde soldier. It’s nothing short of breath-taking in its presentation, but what else would you expect from the guys behind Fate?

“Bleach” (2004-12)

Everyone has their opinion on the Fullbringer arc, for good reason. However, it can’t be denied that it saved one of its most polished fights for the very end. After finally regaining his Shinigami abilities, Ichigo decides its time to get even with leader of Xcution for his deceptions. While Ginjo’s own Bankai is pretty radical, it pales in comparison to Ichigo’s revamp. This results in one of the series’ flashiest feuds, filled with more Getsuga Tenshos than we know what to do with, not to mention that final stab. Now that’s what you call sharp.

“Chivalry of a Failed Knight” (2015)

It’s a tournament arc with swords, what’s not to love? Despite originally being regarded as the least talented Magic Knight around, Ikki managed to hone his single talent and rise up to the point when he could challenge the strongest student of them all. In order to prove their strength in an equal and honourable manner, both Ikki and Todo unleash their full power right from the getgo. The battle may one last for a single second, but it’s a single second of blinding animation that reminds you just how good this show could be when not focusing on Stella’s bust!

“Sword of the Stranger” (2007)

No powers, no gimmicks, just two warriors using every drop of skill at their disposal to best their foe in a rapid-fire duel to the death. And it is glorious. Despite being haunted by his past sins, ronin Nanashi finds a new purpose in life in defending young orphan Kotaro against the blades of the Emperor’s legion, including that of the fearsome Luo-Lang. Naturally, the two master swordsmen end up coming to blows, resulting in a frantic final fight that harkens back to the old days of Japanese cinema.

“Rurouni Kenshin” (1996-98)

With so much bad blood between these two, it only made sense that the former Man-Slayer and the member of the Shinsenguimi would eventually clash swords again on a new battlefield. Shrouded in darkness while his beloved Kaoru watches on in fear, Kenshin demonstrates that no matter how gentle a soul he might appear to have, there’s a bloodlust in him that can’t be pushed aside. And we can’t complain as it gives an excuse for awesome exchanges like these. If not for Shishio stirring up trouble, these two would have likely torn one another apart. You know, more than they already did.

“Garo: The Animation” (2014-15)

How does one prove they are valiant and not consumed by revenge? Simple. Just battle the crowned prince in a sword fight of epic proportions until you figure out what you’re really made of. In order to reclaim the Golden Armor and become Garo once again, Leon tests his mettle against Alfonso in a scuffle that’s borderline beautiful. The fluidity of the sword flurries, the cultural setting, the illumination of the sunset, it all merges together to create a true feast for the eyes. Not bad for a duel that contains zero hostility.

“Gintama” (2006-)

The White Demon has encountered a multitude of deadly and bizarre opponents in his time, but none come close when compared to the ferocity of the Black Beast. With the Shogun assassination plot finally coming to a head, it falls to Gintoki to settle the score with his old war buddy in a truly gruesome display of violence. When they’re not slice and breaking apart each other’s bodies with their signature weapons, they’re punching the ever-loving shit out of each other to the point where you’re wondering if its possible for a person to bleed that much.

“Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale” (2017)

It may be brief, but Kirito’s clash with the second-best player in the VR world of Ordinal Scale turned out to be a pretty slick viewing experience. With everyone’s memories hanging in the balance, including that of Asuna’s, the Lord of OP is given no choice but to show the jealous Eiji just how top tier his sword ranking really is. The intense speed of the fight is only matched by its catchy soundtrack, continually building until Kirito decides to end things with but a single slash, putting Eiji out of commission.

“Fate/Apocrypha” (2017)

A determined young man taking up the sword against the twisted ploys of a man named Kotomine in order to protect a beautiful blonde? Yep, that sounds like the Fate-verse alright, only here we get treated to a pulse-pounding sword showdown between two Masters. While Kotomine certainly doesn’t give Sieg a moment to breath, he’s woefully unprepared to face the homunculus’ newfound strength after inheriting Saber of Black’s will. Of course, its not like he was going to lose while Ruler and Astolfo were watching him. Can’t let the harem down!