There are many weapons to choose from in anime, with everything from shuriken to scythes to baseball bats appearing across different series. However, one of the most popular, and often lethal weapons used is a sword. While the type of sword differs between characters, the deadliness of the weapon do not.
Swordsmen have a strong reputation in anime as being fast, powerful, and deadly, and this reputation is not unearned. With several amazing characters across various genres, every anime fan can name at least one powerful swordsman. Often, these characters are friendly and will not attack unless provoked. However, when push comes to shove, they exhibit their true power. For this reason, while fans may appreciate meeting the character in real life, they would never want to truly fight them.
10 Kirito Would Use His Unique Skills To End The Fight Quickly
Kirito from Sword Art Online is considered one of the best swordsmen both in-universe and out, and for good reason. Kirito is a master with a sword, whether he is using one or two, taking down several tough opponents as well as boss monsters with his unique skills.
Kirito has already proven that he is also capable of bringing these fighting skills to the real world, as he built up his strength to fight alongside Asuna in their world rather than just the virtual one. While Kirito is at his strongest with Asuna by his side, he is incredibly powerful by himself and is not someone anyone should pick a fight with.
9 Shana Would Not Hesitate To Strike Her Opponent Down
Shana, the titular character of Shakugan no Shana may be small, but she should not be underestimated. Shana is fierce, determined, and strong. With the Nietono no Shana in hand, this Flame Haze will not hesitate to cut down an opponent in a fight.
Shana can bat away Rinne with a single swing of her sword and can stand toe-to-toe with the Crimson Denizens. While she does not hesitate in a fight, she is never reckless. Shana would be a difficult opponent to fight. Not only does she bring all of these skills to the table, but with her specialty being fire, the fight may be over before it ever really begins.
8 Tanjiro Would Not Have To Fight Alone
There are many swordsmen in Demon Slayer that no one would ever wish to fight. Tanjiro is one of them. Tanjiro in particular has a few major advantages that would make him terrifying in a real fight. His nose can pick up any scent and track it, meaning that hiding from him would not be possible.
He is skilled with several different techniques, drawing on elements such as fire and water and using those to quickly kill his enemy. Possibly the most fearsome thing Tanjiro brings to the table is his sister Nezuko, who would definitely be coming with him if he crossed over to the real world. Not only would the challenger have to contend with all of Tanjiro's impressive skills, but would also have to fend off Nezuko at the same time. A situation like that would simply be impossible to win.
7 Akame Would Only Need To Land One Hit
Akame of Akame Ga Kill is arguably the strongest of the Night Raid. Engaging in a real fight with her would be a huge mistake. Akame can separate her emotions during a fight, and with no personal attachment to anyone in the real world, would have no problem cutting them down.
Akame is a well-rounded fighter, being incredibly fast, intelligent, and dedicated to her mission. She can keep her wits about her during a battle to strategize quickly and find a solution. However, the worst part about fighting Akame is her sword, Murasame, which will curse anyone she cuts with it, spreading throughout their body and killing them nearly instantly.
6 Levi Will Get Creative With His Equipment To Take Down His Opponent
Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan is so powerful that even his enemies warn each other about him. Levi's signature spin attack is highly effective against titans, turning him into a human buzzsaw. However, Levi has proven that he can take those same Titan-slaying skills and use them on humans, too.
He annihilated Zeke in their match, and in his fight with Kenny, Levi used not only his swords but also his gear and anything else he could get his hands on to kill his attackers. Levi is incredibly intelligent, and when angered, becomes nearly unstoppable. With his speed and precision, a fight with Levi would be over before it began.
5 Erza Will Adapt To Every Change With Her Requip Ability
Erza Scarlet of Fairy Tail would be a truly fearsome opponent. Erza's signature move, Requip, allows her to change her armor in an instant, meaning that she can use each one to instantly counter and attack her opponent. Her collection is huge, with some options focusing on defense, such as the Adamantine Barrier, while others are more useful for attacking, such as the Clear Heart Clothing.
Erza can use many varied attacks with her Requip skill and can go from raining swords down on her opponent to slicing through literally anything the next. Erza refuses to give up and has continued to battle with almost every bone in her body broken, even using her one good arm to stop a meteor. This is one fight no one wants to have.
4 Reinhard Would Only Need To Swing His Sword Once
Reinhard van Astrea is the most powerful swordsman in the Re:Zero universe. Luckily he is a good person, but he would spell trouble for everyone if he were a villain. While the anime has not shown too many of Reinhard's fights so far, the one viewers saw between him and Elsa was so impressive it proved Reinhard's capability.
However, it was the fight between Reinhard and Puck that truly cemented his worth, as he destroyed the rampaging spirit with a single swing of his sword. With that much power, it would be truly foolish to challenge Reinhard to a fight.
3 Teresa Would End The Fight With A Smile
Teresa of manga-turned-anime Claymore is considered a legend. Teresa is the most skilled swordsman of any of the Claymore by far, and she proves it in the series. When confronted by 4 of the top Claymore tasked with killing her, Teresa barely bats an eye.
She overpowers all of the Claymore the organization sent, injuring each one just enough to immobilize them, and scaring Number 2, Priscilla, so badly that she freezes in the face of Teresa's wrath. Teresa does all of this without ever activating her Yoma powers despite every attacker using theirs. In a real fight with Teresa, a faint smile may be the last thing anyone sees.
2 Guts Would Find A Weak Point
Powerful, tactical, and precise are only a few words to describe the amazing feats Berserk protagonist Guts performs in his series. Guts keeps his composure in a fight and uses his wits to find an opening, a weakness, or a strategy to bring it to the fastest end possible.
Once he has successfully disarmed his opponent, Guts makes sure to finish the job so that there is no chance of them getting back up to fight again. With his calm demeanor, monstrous strength, and tactical advantage over nearly every opponent, fighting Guts in real life would be a quick one-way ticket to the afterlife.
1 Saber Alter Would Destroy Everything
Saber Alter has appeared in many iterations of the Fate series, and with each appearance, she proves why she is a formidable opponent. While Saber herself is incredibly powerful, Saber Alter is her corrupted version, a spirit bent on destruction and death.
She is incredibly strong and wreaks havoc on her opponent. She reduces castles to rubble with a single swing of her sword and defeats one of the strongest servants, Berserker, multiple times in a matter of minutes. Saber Alter would destroy her opponent.