What’s up everyone! I’m back and today I’m talking all about swordsmen. While I haven’t watched every anime with a swordsman, here are my favorite picks:

Roronoa Zoro – One Piece

He is the Strawhats’ top swordsman and first mate. He has been by Luffy’s side since the beginning and he has more than proven his loyalty to the crew. His three sword style is deadly and swift. No one can imitate Zoro’s style of swordplay. While he is clearly gifted in his strength, don’t forget the training that goes into the craft. There are many early episodes of Zoro constantly training, working and honing his craft. And let us also not forget how strong this man is. Full disclosure, I’m not even caught up to current episodes of One Piece to give examples of his strength. Oh what about when the Straw Hats were in that ice tundra and a huge, I mean massive, glacier was in front of the ship? You know what Zoro did? He jumped and sliced it in two. Gave it the Moses effect so the ship could pass through. Remember when the crew met up after 2 years of training? You know what Zoro did then when he fell asleep on some other pirate ship? That’s right, he woke up and sliced that thing in half too. And it wasn’t a tiny ship either. Zoro, for me, is the best swordsman in anime history.

Ichigo Kurosaki – Bleach

Dedication to his friends and family is Ichigo’s sole motivation in becoming the best swordsman in Bleach. No desire for a title, or to take over any kind of sector/group. He only wanted to be stronger to protect those who he loves. There are probably people who dislike Bleach for this fact, but you cannot deny the mounds of success Ichigo has because of this motivation. His eyes focused on his goal, which help him surpass the monstrous obstacles in front of him including Zaraki Kenpachi, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Sousuke Aizen. And while training for these battles he gets pushed pass his limit, gaining more skills than the last. We see this when Ichigo is taken by Urahara Kisuke to do underground training. Here he learns Bankai in only two days. Byakuya states that it usually takes 10 years to learn and even longer to master it. And the transformations! I love a good transformation and I have to say Ichigo has the coolest on this list. Always a favorite, Ichigo bankais his way to number 2.

Levi Ackerman- Attack on Titan

Levi Ackerman is the epitome of hard work exacerbating talent. Talented he is, but his work ethic is second to none. He alone can carry the whole team on his back serving as a mix of strength, leadership, and decisiveness. He does not waver on his decisions as one second of hesitation could leave his whole squad dead in the wake of the Titans. We’ve seen just how strong Levi is numerous times throughout the series. Levi had one of the hardest upbringings in the show, which shaped him to rely on himself. He gathers a new resolve after his team is slaughtered by the Female Titan. He is able to slice her muscles where she can’t move so he can aid Mikasa in saving Eren. He singlehandedly takes down Beast Titan.

Inuyasha- Inuyasha

Now this is a classic choice. Literally, one of the anime that shaped my childhood was Inuyasha. He was the first swordsman I’d ever laid eyes on and he was good. Not only does he know how to handle a sword, he handles it well despite only being a half demon. His sword, the Tessaiga, is powerful enough to slay 100 demons. What truly made this sword so unique is that in order to wield it, he had to care for humans.

Those were my favorite swordsmen in part 1! Let me know only whose your favorite swordsmen are in the comments!

Peace ✌️