10 Best Greatswords in Anime History, Ranked

I’m a huge anime fan, and I’ve always been fascinated by the swords they use! It’s amazing how they’re rarely just weapons – they really seem to represent who the character is, their past, and what they’re meant to do. Everyone always talks about katanas, and those Nichirin blades are incredible, but honestly, the greatswords are something else. They aren’t about grace or finesse; they’re about sheer, overwhelming power. Each swing feels like a total game-changer! They’re ridiculously huge and heavy – it doesn’t even make sense how anyone can wield them – but they’ve given us some of the most epic moments in anime, hands down.

Greatswords in anime, like Guts’ Dragon Slayer from Berserk and Inuyasha’s Tessaiga, are much more than just large weapons. They represent a character’s burdens and often determine the fate of battles – and even entire series. These iconic blades create unforgettable fight scenes that become cultural touchstones. Here’s a look at ten of the most impressive greatswords in anime history.

10) Cloud Strife’s Buster Sword (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children / OVA)

Cloud Strife is a famous character from the Final Fantasy video game series, and his signature weapon, the Buster Sword, has also appeared in anime like Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. This enormous sword is probably the most well-known oversized weapon in Japanese pop culture. It’s a huge broadsword, around five or six feet long, with a single-edged blade that’s about a foot wide.

The sword’s blade is a pale color, contrasting with its dark gray body. It features a red leather grip and a gold handguard decorated with swirling patterns. There are two holes in the handguard used to attach the sword to Cloud’s back, and these are also believed to hold materia, which are magical orbs in the game.

The Buster Sword was originally created by Angeal Hewley’s father and was highly valued by Angeal himself, who rarely used it to keep it in good condition. After losing to Zack, Angeal gave him the sword as a symbol of his hopes and principles. Later, it ended up with Cloud, who used it more often than anyone else. After the events of Final Fantasy VII, Cloud left the sword on the cliff where Zack died, as a way to remember him.

9) Erza Scarlet’s Purgatory Armor Swords (Fairy Tail)

The Purgatory Armor looks like a metallic dress and comes with a massive black sword, even bigger than Erza herself. The sword has six spikes that gradually increase in size along its blade. This armor is considered one of Erza’s most powerful forms – so much so that, according to legend, no one who’s witnessed it has survived to describe it. The armor’s strength is largely due to its greatsword, which significantly boosts Erza’s attack power but leaves her more vulnerable.

We see Erza use this armor during the Tower of Heaven arc while battling Ikaruga. Although it’s quickly broken, demonstrating a vulnerability to powerful blows, the Purgatory Armor’s immense power still makes its greatsword one of the most impressive oversized weapons in anime.

8) Kuwabara’s Dimension Sword (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Kuwabara begins with a basic, glowing sword. However, he develops it into the Dimension Sword, a huge, two-handed blade made of energy that can cut through almost anything – even different dimensions. The sword looks like a classic medieval weapon with a streamlined design, and Kuwabara powers it with his spirit energy, making it bigger, stronger, and sharper. This is a valuable skill in a world full of constantly changing demons and humans.

During his fight with Sensui, fans finally saw how skilled Kuwabara was with a sword. Even though Sensui was stronger than both Hiei and Kurama and could block their strongest moves, he had to actively avoid Kuwabara’s attacks with the Dimension Sword. This sword doesn’t just strike at close range; it releases a powerful wave of energy that travels a long distance, letting Kuwabara damage opponents from afar.

7) Hoshigaki Kisame’s Samehada (Naruto)

Samehada is one of the Seven Deadly Swords of the Mist, but it doesn’t look like a typical sword. It resembles a living creature, covered in shark-like scales. Roughly the size of an adult man, it’s normally kept wrapped in bandages. When unwrapped, you can see its blade is formed by scales that run all the way down to the hilt, which features a small skull at its base.

Samehada’s immense size reflects its strength and the amount of chakra it has taken in. It can share this stored chakra with its user by partially merging with them, which can restore their energy, stamina, and even heal severe wounds immediately.

When Samehada absorbs enough chakra, it can grow to an enormous size, developing scales that look like shark fins with teeth. These scales don’t slice – they tear opponents apart on impact, and can even transform into spikes all over the blade, including the handle. Its hilt is also incredibly flexible, able to stretch and bend, allowing it to be wielded like a flail. This makes Samehada a uniquely versatile and powerful greatsword.

6) Clare’s Claymore (Claymore)

People call Clare and her fellow warriors “Claymores” because they all fight with large, two-handed swords. Clare’s sword is a massive, double-edged greatsword, nearly as tall as she is. Each Claymore’s sword has a unique symbol engraved on it, acting like a personal identifier. These symbols are usually based on the first letter of the wielder’s name – like a ‘C’ for Clare – and are often creatively designed or mirrored, suggesting the Organization makes each sword specifically for its user.

This sword isn’t decorated at all, emphasizing that it’s made purely for killing monsters. It stays incredibly sharp and never seems to break, leading some to believe it was originally designed to defeat extremely powerful beings – even stronger than regular Yoma. It’s heavier than most medieval swords, reflecting the Claymores’ own incredible strength. A Claymore and her sword are inseparable, and she will ultimately die with it, which then serves as her headstone.

5) Ichigo’s Zangetsu (Shikai – Oversized Cleaver Form) (Bleach)

While Bleach features many incredible swords, Ichigo Kurosaki’s Zangetsu is arguably the most famous. In its released form, it’s a huge greatsword that looks like a massive kitchen knife. The design is simple but memorable: a large, imposing blade—as tall as Ichigo—with a black side and a silver side, carried on his back. What sets Zangetsu apart from most other swords is its lack of a handguard or traditional hilt, highlighting its immense and untamed power.

Instead, Ichigo grips the tang – the metal part of the blade that forms the core of the handle – wrapped in cloth. This allows him to swing the weapon like a flail or throw it at enemies for attacks from a distance. Unlike other swords in the anime, this form doesn’t have special powers, but it’s easy to use and adaptable. Its broad blade can even be used to block attacks.

4) Inuyasha’s Tessaiga (Inuyasha)

In the world of anime, few weapons are as recognizable and popular as Tessaiga, the large, fang-shaped sword used by Inuyasha. What truly sets Tessaiga apart isn’t just its power, but how it connects to Inuyasha’s growth as a character. This sword is almost alive, frequently talking to Inuyasha and guiding him on when and how to use its special abilities.

In battle, the Tessaiga sword grows into a huge blade with a furry cross guard, resembling a dog’s coat. It can shield Inuyasha from demons, defeat a hundred demons with one swing, and even learn new abilities by absorbing the powers of those it defeats. The sword embodies Inuyasha’s strong demon heritage, but also his kindness – it only reaches its full power if the wielder cares about humans.

3) Asta’s Demon-Slayer Sword (Black Clover)

I’m completely fascinated by Asta’s Demon-Slayer Sword – it’s definitely his signature weapon! It’s massive and really bulky, looking all worn down with dirt and rust. The blade itself is huge, and it’s designed with a unique angle – the base actually curves inward. What’s really interesting is how the hilt and blade aren’t directly connected; there’s a groove running along the blade that links them together.

This sword is incredibly dangerous to magic users because it instantly cancels out any spells it touches. Beyond that, Asta can control the sword’s anti-magic ability to make it float, allowing him to fly. He can also grow the sword to a massive size and control it from afar, making it a remarkably adaptable weapon in a world where magic is commonplace.

2) Escanor’s Divine Axe Rhitta (The Seven Deadly Sins)

I have to mention Escanor’s Divine Axe, Rhitta, even though it’s not a sword. It was crafted by a master artisan from one of the series’ most powerful races. This huge, two-handed axe has crescent-shaped blades and was specifically made to handle Escanor’s incredible strength as the Lion Sin of Pride. What’s really amazing is its ability to soak up all the intense heat Escanor gives off during the day and then unleash it with pinpoint accuracy.

This massive axe isn’t just strong and weighty – it’s deliberately off-balance. Almost all its weight is in the axe head, making it incredibly difficult for anyone to use. That is, except for Escanor, who can lift it as easily as a feather.

1) Guts’ Dragon Slayer (Berserk)

Most anime fans immediately think of Guts’ Dragon Slayer when they picture greatswords. The legendary blacksmith Godot created the sword, and it was so powerful it could actually cut off a dragon’s head – which is how it got its name. Despite its incredible power, the sword was extremely heavy and large – over six and a half feet long – making it nearly impossible for anyone besides Guts to use effectively.

Guts’ sword, often described as massive and heavy like a block of iron, is surprisingly fast in his hands. He can slice through armor, bodies, and groups of enemies with a single, powerful swing. Its size and weight also make it versatile – he’s been shown using the flat of the blade to crush opponents and even as a makeshift shield.

2025-12-20 03:42