Giant swords are almost a given in battle-heavy anime. There's always a swordsman wielding a blade larger than their own body, with many people wondering how they can hold such an enormous weapon with ease.
With how many huge opponents every shonen character faces daily, they need great strength and mental prowess, enough to wield giant blades. Behind each giant sword is a purpose for its immense length, along with a meaningful name and an even more unique power others might not notice. Only their wielders can draw out their full potential.
10 Leraje Comes In Various Forms (Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic)
The Ko Empire's Third Imperial Prince, Ren Koha, made a pact with a powerful djinn known as Leraje, known for her physical strength. He carries her inside his giant sword. The sword has an enormous black blade that can change whenever Ren uses his Djinn Equip abilities. It can even transform into a giant two-sided weapon - a scythe on one side and a hammer on the other - if Ren so desires.
9 There Are A Few Huge Swords In The Soul Society (Bleach)
The zanpakuto in Bleach are complicated weapons to wield, housing a spirit meant to communicate with its wielder. The most common form is the katana, which looks like a regular sword, but the size can range from an ordinary dagger to an enormous cleaver-like blade.
Three of the largest blades in the anime are Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu, Kenpachi Zaraki's Nozarashi, and Ikkaku Madarame's Hozukimaru. Zanpakuto can grow several times larger than their wielder, allowing them to cover more ground in battle.
8 The Dragon Slayer's Size Is Nothing To Sneeze At (Berserk)
Forged by the blacksmith Godot, Guts' sword has been his weapon of choice throughout his journey. Because of its size, it's believed to be strong enough to cut through a dragon, hence the name. Although he's never had the chance to slay a dragon, Guts can still use this powerful blade to cut down any opponent, no matter how big they are. Dragon Slayer is much larger than Guts (who's around 6'6" in height), but he wields it with ease due to childhood experience wielding large blades.
7 Sanosuke's Sword Is Similar To Guts' Dragon Slayer (Ruroni Kenshin)
As a hitman for hire, Sanosuke Sagara used a colossal sword to cut down his enemies. Known as a "zanbato" or a "horse-slaying sword," Sanosuke's sword is twice his height, with its blade several times wider than a regular sword. The aging metal is over three hundred years old and a well-regarded antique from the Onin War. Unfortunately, the zanbato was destroyed in his initial duel with Kenshin Himura. The latter sliced the giant sword in half as part of his finishing move, permanently retiring it from further use.
6 Kubikiribocho Is About As Fearsome As Its User (Naruto)
The late Zabuza Momochi wasn't the first wielder of this massive blade. Also known as Kubikiribocho or "Decapitating Carving Knife," its first wielder was Juzo Biwa, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Kubikiribocho earned its name from the many lives it claimed during the Third Great Ninja War. Kubikiribocho was then passed down to Zabuza, a new member of the Ninja Swordsmen, carrying on its bloody legacy.
It's as big as a full-grown man and shaped like a large butcher knife. One of the sword's unique features is the pair of holes in the blade meant for decapitating opponents. Kubikiribocho can also regenerate itself when destroyed, the iron reforming itself using the blood of its victims. Now, Suigetsu Hozuki owns the blade, and considering his former affiliation with Orochimaru, that may or may not be a good thing.
5 Panther Lily's Bustermarm Is Four Times Its User's Size (Fairy Tail)
Fairy Tail fans would be familiar with Panther Lily's Bustermarm. The sword stands taller than Panther Lily in his enlarged humanoid form, at about four times his size. When it was first introduced in the series, only its large hilt was visible. However, it lengthens immensely into a double-edged blade once its abilities are activated. Bustermarm can cut through earth and even iron without much force, and it can also change its length depending on its user's needs.
4 Yoru Helped Its Wielder Earn His Title (One Piece)
Dracule Mihawk is considered the strongest swordsman in the One Piece universe, and it's all thanks to his signature blade, Yoru. Yoru stands a head taller than its 6'4" wielder, modeled after a German sword called a "kriegsmesser." The curved blade is black and reflective, earning it the mysterious name, also meaning "night." Its cross-like hilt is meant for two-handed sword fighting, giving Dracule more control in his swings.
3 Samehada Is A Danger To All Shinobi (Naruto)
Similar to Kubikiribocho, Kisame Hoshigaki's Samehada is a blade no one wants to cross paths with. Kisame is already a terrifying opponent given his large chakra reserves, but wielding Samehada only makes him more formidable.
Unlike other swords owned by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Samehada is sentient and likes to "eat" pleasant-tasting chakra, mainly from powerful ninja. It's around the same size as Kubikiribocho and usually wrapped in bandages, but the actual blade is covered in dark blue scales that shed any damage it receives. Samehada grows larger as it "eats" more chakra. Teeth even protrude from the front end of the blade.
2 Durandal Is One Of Four Prominent Swords (High School DxD)
Xenovia Quarta's Durandal is one of the Four Holy Swords mentioned in High School DxD. The sword was forged with a combination of alchemy and magic and is a unique blade compared to the other Holy Swords.
It's a massive dark blue broadsword, just a bit taller than Xenovia, decorated with gold. Durandal is sentient and responds to its wielder's inner desires. For Xenovia, who seeks to eliminate any opponent, the sword emits a destructive and frightening aura.
1 The Tessusaiga Is One Of The Most Famous Large Swords In Anime (Inuyasha)
One of anime's most iconic giant swords is Inuyasha's Tessaiga, also known as the "Iron-Cleaving Fang." Due to Inuyasha's mainstream popularity, even non-anime fans are familiar with this large, fur-covered blade.
When inactive, the Tessaiga looks like a battered, rusted katana. It can protect the wielder from pureblood demon attacks with a barrier, but it's the farthest thing from threatening. But when activated, the blade takes on a more prominent, fang-like appearance. In this active state, Inuyasha can perform various signature moves, the Wind Scar being his most famous.