With the widely growing popularity of anime and martial arts, custom katana is becoming popular every day. This is because the mainstream media gave a spot to ancient Japanese history. All the anime lovers will agree that good swordplay adds a heavy visual lift to the anime. It instantly becomes more catching. Even though there can be different mythical weapons in the anime, the katana remains one accurate and tested weapon for any animated contribution of all time.
If you look closely, you will find many remarkable swords, but only some are considered legendary because of their backstory. Many options are available for custom katana for sale if you want to build your collection but remember that sword can be judged by its blade, appearance, and destruction abilities. Let’s look together at the 5 remarkable Japanese Katanas in Anime.
CONTENTS
1. Reverse Blade Katana — Rurouni Kenshin
The reverse blade katana is also known as Sakabato in Japanese. This is the last of the strange swords forged by master swordsmith Arai Shakku. This type of katana was also used by Himura Kenshin in the series. The design of this Katana is one of the best works by the creator. In the creator’s previous work, the methods gave elements that make them not a proper tool for battle. The reverse blade Katana is simply designed by forging the blade in the opposite direction to conventional designs. It makes the katana an ill-fit option for killing. These feature of the reverse blade is similar to the Shinto-era katana. The Hamon can be found in an extremely rare hitatsura notare midare on both sides of the blade, making it challenging to differentiate the cutting side from a distance. The forging of the katana is extremely simple, but there are a few variations throughout.
The Sakabato is forged as a holy katana since it is the last of Arai Shakku’s blades. It is believed that the previous swords of Arai Shakku were made in an offering to honor the peace that the Meji Era would bring. Just like the manufacture of every holy sword, two pieces were made of the reverse blade katana, a Kageuchi (Shadow Performer) and a Shinichi (star performer). However, each copy of this katana made its way to the hands of Himura Kenshin. This sword was used by the Himura Kenshin, Myojin Yahiko, and Himura Kenji.
2. Wado Ichimonji zoro – one piece
The second sword on the list in Wado Ichimonji belongs to Roronoa Zoro. Initially, it belonged to Kuina and her family. The meaning of Wado Ichimonji is a straight line through the path of harmony. This sword is also part of the 21 Great Grade swords. This came into the possession of Zoro after the death of Kunia when he asked her father about the sword, and he gave the sword. Let’s discuss the appearance of the sword. It has a pure-while hilt with a circular hand-guard. The sheath of the sword is painted white, and the hardening line is a straight blade called suguha. This sword has an intricate yet beautiful design. The colors of the edge are perfectly divided. The inner bo-hi is made of deep black, while the outer edge is colored in shining white—the blade of the sword curves at the end, with a sharp edge that cuts efficiently. Harmony and peace are represented by the sword’s sheath, which is of white color with a modest kojiri at the end.
According to Tashigi, it is one of the most powerful katana in the world. It has a significantly higher caliber. Zoro did not let anyone touch this sword. In the beginning, it was owned by Shimotsuki Kazaburo, later carried by Kushirou and then Kuina, and after death, it was given to Roronoa Zoro.
3. Zangetsu – Bleach
It is said that the Shikai is a form of Zangetsu that is similar to an oversize kyber knife. The sword has no tsuba and proper hilt; Zangestsu holds the sword through a cloth-wrapped tang. The size of the sword is around 1.75 meters, said to be as long as Zangetsu. It has a silver blade with a black edge. The cloth around the tang demonstrates his courage and will. While on a battleground, this cloth falls away when required, reducing back to a controllable size. The massive blade of the knife can be used to protect oneself from the incoming rival attacks. This knife is always in its Shikai form, unlike other Zanpakuto. This type of Zanpakuto is a full-time released form due to Ichigo’s vast yet unmanageable Reiryoku, said to Yoruichi Shihoin.
4. Tessaiga – Inuyasha
The literal meaning of Tessaiga is Iron-Crushing Fang or Steel-Cleaving Fang. It is also spelled as Tetsusaiga. It is a strong yokai sword forged by inu-hanyo Inuyasha during the main story and was initially owned by his father. He instructed Totosai to make a sword by using one of his old gangs as material for the sword’s blade. This sword was the matching part of the Sesshomaru’s inherited sword, called the Tenseiga. Both swords are said to have different purposes. Tessaiga is a sword that has the ability to kill a hundred demons at once in a single strike and is called the sword of destruction, while, Tenseiga is a sword that is said to save a hundred lives with a single stroke; this is the reason why it is called the sword of life.
Another fantastic feature about the Tessaiga sword is that it seems to have a mind of its own. It has also been guiding and directing Inuyasha. It has given him advice on various situations; this is a combined trait that Tessaiga shared with the Sesshomaru’s Tenseiga. After some time, it was revealed that both swords are made from one blade, but their father decided to divide the blade into two separate swords. The Tessaiga also has the power to absorb the strength of any substance, material, or form of demonic energy that encounters it, making itself vital and more powerful.
The age of this sword Is 203 years, and it was broken in the battle against Goshinki. The color of the blade is silver, while the grip color is brown, making it eye-catching for anime lovers.
5. Nichirin Swords – demon slayer
Demon Slayer has gained unlimited popularity in a short period despite being out since 2019. Fans love to watch Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu, but they are also longing for some action. Kyojuro Rengoku and Tengen Uzui are the main characters in the anime, while Giyu Tomika and Shinobu Kocho have minor roles. Let’s look at the nichirn swords.
- Stinger Nichirin Katana
This katana has a highly distinct position among the Demon Slayers and the Hashira. Her body does not have the power to cut even a shorter demon, so this was the way to design a weapon for her. This katana is intended for the absence of physical strength, and it has poison.
- Giyu Tomioka: Standard Nichirin Katana
Even though Poor Kyojuro was part of the series for a short time, he is remembered for his strengths. Perhaps he could defeat Akaza, the Upper Three Kizuki if he had not utilized his energy to protect the people present on the Mugen Train. He used the sword with him throughout his fight with Akaza, but unfortunately, it couldn’t go through. He had cut his limbs and torso of Akaza easily, but it didn’t cut his neck.
- Tengen Uzi: Dual Nichirin Cleavers
Tengen owns a pair of Nichirin cleavers that are connected through a chain. They are relatively large in size and appearance; however, Tengen uses them effortlessly and makes quick yet powerful strikes. Just like when he attacked and beheaded Daki, she had no idea. It is said that his sword has extraordinary explosive power, and hardly anyone can survive the strike. Tengen is also to use these cleavers as well as his bombs and shinobi training contribute to making Tengen a challenging opponent.
- Obanai Iguro: Twisted Nichirin Katana
The sword owned by Obanai Iguro is an excellent fit for his style of battling. Since he has sliding movements, the sword does its job perfectly and makes it difficult for the rival to fight against it. In the final battle, his sword turned red after awakening his Demon Slyer Mark and had him through the fight.
Conclusion
It is a fact that weapons play a vital role in terms of making the character and story strong. Since the start of anime, the writers have discovered a wide variety of iconic weapons, just like the characters using them. And when discussing these weapons and instruments, it is impossible to forget one of the ancient weapons, i.e., the sword. Through decades, one can easily see how swords and katanas have been an integral part of the anime world with prominent design, power, and purpose varieties. If you have not watched any of the anime mentioned above, I advise you to watch it.
