One of the most popular swordsmen in anime history, Roronoa Zoro from One Piece has moved fans and enemies alike with his never-ending loyalty and desire to win. The "Pirate Hunter" has constantly strived to surpass his limits and to earn the title as the "Strongest Swordsmen In The World", a title currently held by Dracule Mihawk.
He has put his very life on the line just to ensure the survival of his captain and has time and time again engrossed in horrific bloodbaths to see the dreams of his captain and crew come alive. Despite being so powerful, Zoro is still miles away from claiming his dream title and still has a long and arduous journey ahead of him.
10 Stronger: Saber (Fate Series)
Arguably the best English sword fighter ever, Artoria Pendragon/Saber wields the Excalibur, a weapon capable of reducing enemies to mere dust. In addition to this weapon of mass destruction, The King of Knights also has the ability to recuperate from any life-threatening injuries, thanks to the Noble Phantasm Avalon.
Zoro, despite being a mighty swordsman in his own right, will find himself in an uphill battle against the destructive capabilities of Excalibur and the near-infinite regenerative abilities of Avalon, resulting in a battle whose outcome will be his loss.
9 Weaker: Hyakkimaru (Dororo)
The ronin, who was on the hunt to find his body parts which were once sacrificed by his father, had to go through several grueling trials to get his rightful revenge. Hyakkimaru is a pretty reckless fighter, who frequently has put his body on the line to defeat his foes, even resulting in the loss of his artificial limbs.
Hyakkimaru is a formidable wielder of the sword in his verse, but up against Zoro, he would find himself completely overwhelmed. The latter with his superior strength and resilience would undoubtedly come out on top.
8 Stronger: Genryusai Yamamoto (Bleach)
The former Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Yamamoto was one of the strongest, if not the strongest Shinigami in the history of the Soul Society. With over 2 millennia of combat experience, near-infinite Reiryoku, and strength that can pummel even the mightiest of foes, Yamamoto is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Bring in his Zanpakuto, the Ryūjin Jakka, and his Bankai, the Zanka No Tachi, and you have a power that can even destroy the entirety of the Soul Society if used for too long.
Yamamoto would have no difficulty in a battle against Zoro. The latter with his endurance would withstand quite a few blows, but would inevitably succumb to the Shinigami's mighty strength and power.
7 Weaker: Clare (Claymore)
The female Claymore is a cold, calculating, and menacing warrior, who has proved that she is not to be underestimated. Constantly taking on bigger and stronger foes, Clare has used her wits and skills to overcome life-threatening situations and defeat numerous Yomas.
Roronoa Zoro, with his 3 Sword Style, would overwhelm Clare in a battle of weapons. Add his insane durability and attacks that can cut down mountains, and you have an equation that'll give him an undeniable victory.
6 Stronger: Guts (Berserk)
The "Black Swordsman" is a fearsome entity who has extraordinary strength and durability. Guts has managed to defeat 100 men all on his own and countless Apostles have fallen to his blade. The master swordsmen first set foot into battle at the tender age of 9, and since then has defied odds to come out as the victor.
With the ability and ruthlessness to use anything and everything to his advantage, Guts is a savage brawler who'll go to any extent just to win. Along with his mastery of the sword, he also has his Berserker Armour, giving him increased speed, strength, and stamina, in the end proving to be too much for the Pirate Hunter.
5 Weaker: Ikki Kurogane (Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan)
The so-called "Worst One", Ikki Kurogane is a swordsman who, despite having the weakest of all abilities, has managed to usurp his foes over and over again. With near mastery and understanding over the way of the blade, Ikki has been shown to have the ability to even steal the fighting styles of his opponents during battle. Coupled with the Itto Rastesu and the Perfect Vision, he is one swordsman who can hold his own against bigger and stronger enemies.
Ikki might take the edge in terms of pure skills, but Zoro with his superior strength and durability would take the victory. The latter has even shown the ability to destroy giant mountains and structures, forcing Ikki into a corner only to be finished off.
4 Stronger: Killer Bee (Naruto)
The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is nothing short of a beast when it comes to battle. Using 7 blades in a style unique to him, Bee has managed to overwhelm even master swordsmen, some of whom even had the Sharingan. His Chakra Cloak further augments his abilities, making him a truly ferocious opponent.
Zoro, even with all his achievements and battle prowess would find himself on the loser's end in a battle against the Jinchuriki, unable to keep up with Bee's speed and his massive horde of chakra.
3 Weaker: Kamado Tanjiro (Kimetsu No Yaiba)
The demon slayer, who in his own rights is a formidable swordsman, has time and time again defeated foes who were stronger than him. A practitioner of the Water Breathing Style and the Hinokami Kagura, Tanjiro is a fine wielder of the blade and has more than enough moves in his arsenal to give even the mightiest of demons a run for their money.
Tanjiro, although fairly strong, would stand no chance against the 3 swords of Zoro and would likely be overwhelmed with the massive strength and speed of the Pirate Hunter.
2 Stronger: Dracule Mihawk (One Piece)
The "The Strongest Swordsman in the World," Dracule Mihawk is someone who can even destroy meteors with a simple swing of his blade. His sword Yoru has struck down all those who opposed him, and his skills are a testament to the respect and fear that he has garnered over the years.
Mihawk had already once made easy work of Zoro. And despite all his training and improvement, Zoro is still nowhere near the level of Mihawk, the latter probably being the final hurdle standing in the way of Zoro's dream.
1 Weaker: Jin (Samurai Champloo)
The calm, collected, and technically proficient swordsman is one of the most accomplished warriors in his 'verse. Jin, along with his compatriot Mugen, are both swordsmen with unique fighting styles— but the former, by the end of the series, had proven to be better in terms of swordsmanship and skill.
Jin, with his technical knowledge and insight, would take the edge in terms of pure swordsmanship, but Zoro, with his pure strength, durability and speed would completely obliterate Jin.