No two anime katana are created equal, but that doesn’t stop fans from wondering which of them might reign supreme. Tanjiro Kamado‘s Nichirin sword in Demon Slayer is an impressive addition to the anime katana library. Its unique properties include the ability to absorb sunlight and store it for use later, making it one of the only weapons capable of destroying Demon Slayer‘s heliophobic demon race.
Moreover, the materials used to craft Nichirin blades are reminiscent of the mythical Japanese ore hihi’irokane, an impressively strong metal that’s described as shining as brightly as flames. While it’s impossible to know which katana Tanjiro’s Nichirin sword could dominate for sure, it’s still fun to imagine how he’d clash against other famous anime katana.
10 CAN’T BEAT: Kenshin’s Sakabato Shinuchi Is Strong But Not Strong Enough (Rurouni Kenshin)
Compared to the first sakabato Kenshin Himura wields in Rurouni Kenshin, Sakabato Shinuchi is much stronger but still made with ordinary sword materials. Nichirin blades, on the other hand, are made with mythical metal that’s strong enough to defeat demons. In terms of fighting style, Kenshin’s Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu is probably more deadly than the Demon Slayer Corps Breathing techniques, but Kenshin left his training early and lacks the physical stamina to bring forth Hiten Mitsurugi’s full power. Tanjiro wins by a hair here.
9 COULD BEAT: Inuyasha’s Tessaiga Is Specially Forged & Enchanted (Inuyasha)
Made from his father’s fang and intended to be used to protect humans in Inuyasha, Tessaiga is a blade that’ll be hard for Tanjiro to take down. If used at full strength, Tessaiga easily overpowers any Nichirin blade, especially owing to the fact that Tessaiga can store power and become stronger over time. Even though Tessaiga is technically a demon-forged sword, it’s also got impressive battle capabilities and, most importantly, it’s indestructible as long as Inuyasha is alive. Unless Tanjiro takes Inuyasha‘s life, Tessaiga is walking away with the prize here.
8 CAN’T BEAT: Mugen’s Double-Edged Tsurugi Is Just An Ordinary Sword (Samurai Champloo)
In terms of materials, Mugen’s double-edged tsurugi in Samurai Champloo is relatively ordinary, although its shape is something else entirely. Mugen’s sword combines the hilt of an Okinawan sai with an ordinary double-edged tsurugi. Sais are used for stabbing and blocking, and the prongs on its handle were designed with parrying katana in mind. Combining Mugen’s erratic fighting style with a sword that’s equipped to parry katana will surely give Tanjiro a healthy challenge, but the Nichirin blade’s special properties will ensure its victory.
7 COULD BEAT: Shichika Yasuri Is A Sword That Can Break Any Blade (Katanagatari)
While not literally a blade, Katanagatari‘s Shichika Yasuri was forged into a blade-breaker in a similar fashion to how an actual swordsmith would make a sword. Shichika is the seventh head of the Kyotoryu school of sword martial arts, a form of combat that hones its practitioners into proverbial blades themselves.
Shichika’s strikes are able to cut as lethally as any blade, and one of his fighting techniques literally snaps swords in two. Nichirin blades are shown to break under enough stress, so Shichika could likely shatter Tanjiro’s sword before losing the fight.
6 CAN’T BEAT: Stocking’s Stripes I & II Will Be At A Disadvantage (Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt)
The Anarchy sister’s weapons in Panty & Stocking w/ Garterbelt are specifically meant for defeating spiritual beings, which means Stocking’s swords will likely have a tough time with a Nichirin blade. The Scarlet Crimson materials used in forging Nichirin swords excel at storing ultraviolet energy from absorbing sunlight, and the latent energy can burst forth if the sword’s handler becomes passionate enough. Stripes I and II, in comparison, are just clothing infused with Stocking’s spiritual energy. It’s more likely that the Nichirin sword wins in this case.
5 COULD BEAT: Roronoa Zoro’s Wado Ichimonji Is Of The Highest Quality (One Piece)
As one of the 21 Great Grade Swords in One Piece, Wado Ichimonji possesses superior strength, sharpness, and durability, making it a tough blade to take down. Zoro has demonstrated Wado Ichimonji’s strength several times throughout the series, and it’s one of his blades that’s never taken any damage. Moreover, Zoro’s swordsmanship is a higher caliber than Tanjiro’s, and Zoro prides himself as a master of the blade. It’s unlikely for Tanjiro to dominate Zoro’s skills, meaning the Nichirin blade loses.
4 CAN’T BEAT: Anri’s Saika Is A Demonic Blade, Making It Susceptible To Nichirin Steel (Durarara!!)
Since Saika is a possessed demonic blade, it’s unlikely that Anri Sonohara could defeat Tanjiro’s sun enchanted Nichirin sword. Not much is known about Saika’s origins or materials but Durarara!! does make it clear that Saika has a passion for humanity that expresses itself with desires to cut and possess others.
As a possessed sword, it’s possible that Tanjiro’s Nichirin blade has the upper hand here. Tanjiro is also the better swordsman in terms of skill, and Saika has broken before, meaning Tanjiro’s Nichirin blade wins this fight.
3 COULD BEAT: Akame’s Murasame Is A Cursed Blade Honed For Killing (Akame Ga Kill)
One might imagine that Tanjiro’s blessed Nichirin steel would dominate a cursed blade like Murasame, but Akame ga Kill‘s signature sword is specialized for harming humans, and Akame is an exceptionally skilled assassin. Moreover, Murasame is a Teigu, which are mysterious and legendary relics that are imbued with special properties. Murasame is known as the One-Cut Killer since its special property is to harm opponents with a cursed poison that stops their hearts within seconds. And considering that Teigu were likely made with magical properties, it’s unlikely that Tanjiro’s Nichirin sword will surpass Murasame.
2 CAN’T BEAT: Rin’s Kurikara Relies On Demonic Energy, Making It Susceptible To Demon Slayers (Blue Exorcist)
Although it’s truly an impressive sword in its own right, Rin Okumura’s Kurikara blade in Blue Exorcist runs on demonic power, meaning the Nichirin blade’s anti-demonic power will be a lot to handle. While demons in Blue Exorcist aren’t susceptible to sunlight like the demons in Demon Slayer, it’s still important to note that Nichirin blades are forged with defeating demons as their sole purpose. It’s also worth mentioning that Kurikara is literally Rin’s demon heart, and demons’ hearts are their most vulnerable weak spot.
1 COULD BEAT: Ichigo’s Zanpakuto Is Insanely Powerful & Rebellious (Bleach)
Ichigo Kurosaki’s lineage in Bleach bestowed him a rather unordinary, unpredictable zanpakuto that’s capable of feats never seen before in Soul Society. But more importantly, Ichigo’s zanpakuto has something that Tanjiro’s Nichirin sword doesn’t: a soul by the name of Zangetsu. That fact alone makes Tanjiro’s Nichirin blade pale in comparison in terms of power since it’s limited to what Tanjiro himself can do. If Ichigo were to pass out in battle, Zangetsu awakens his full destructive powers. It’s unlikely that Tanjiro would come out on top here.
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