Anyone who has witnessed the traditional Japanese katana or sword collection can attest that they are a sight to behold. These marvelous pieces of art far transcend the appearance and power of ordinary swords that serve various purposes in mundane daily life. This is precisely why a majestic and powerful katana is usually the prime weapon in almost all anime and manga series.
Throughout the history of Japan, katanas have remained the weapon of choice for skilled warriors and samurai. These sharp blades were an integral part of traditional Japanese soldier uniforms and were the main battle weapon. The true history of katana blades is not limited to being fancy ninja swords; after their advent in the Sengoku period, they were commonly used by the Shinobi warriors for espionage, stealth attacks, and guerrilla warfare.
A katana is the perfect combination of an expertly crafted straight, sharp blade, embedded with a balanced hand guard, or tsuba, and shielded within a sturdy scabbard. Forged using traditional Japanese swordsmithing techniques, it is an unmatched, precise tool of destruction and protection.
Real Japanese Ninja Blades in the Anime World
The lore, beauty, and high quality of Japanese katana have inspired anime and manga creators from the very beginning. These blades are unlike the rest of the swords, with over-the-top width and length. The sleek yet powerful blade of a katana gives the impression of controlled power that is ready to be unleashed, ready to slice and dice the opponent into slithers within moments, and by the time the foes discover their impending fate, it's already too late.
The katanas in anime always look and feel more powerful. They have a presence of their own in every frame and every sequence. In the hands of master swordsmen, they become true weapons of mass destruction. Of course, it helps that the most valiant and skilled warriors are almost always depicted as preferring katanas over any other weapons, making them a symbol of unparalleled power and talent.
The Most Popular Ninja Katanas in the Anime World
The favorite anime katanas for each fan are purely subjective to personal preference. However, there are some so impressive that almost all fandoms agree that they are quite unparalleled. So let's look at some of the most popular katanas in the anime world.
Naruto Series
Sasuke Uchiha's Sword: Sasuke, a prominent character in the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden series, wields a katana as part of his arsenal. His sword, known as the Kusanagi Sword, has a Hokuto, which is a straight blade design very commonly seen in traditional Japanese katanas. Sasuke used his katana to great effect in all his memorable fights against powerful opponents like Orochimaru, Itachi Uchiha, and Danzo Shimura, the leader of the disbanded Konoha's Root division.
Ninja Scroll
Jubei's Sword: In the anime film Ninja Scroll, the protagonist, Jubei Kibagami, wields a katana as he battles various supernatural foes. The film is known for its intense action sequences and stylized sword fights. The impressive way Jubei used his katana to overcome Tessai, Utsutsu Mujuro, and Himuro Gemma, the superhuman ninja assassins from the Eight Devils of Kimon, still makes for some of the most intense and graphic action sequences in the anime world. In fact, the adversaries he faced throughout the film were quite diverse and presented unique challenges, requiring Jubei to demonstrate his expertise with the katana in each encounter.
Basilisk
Various Ninja Swords: Basilisk is an anime series featuring two ninja clans engaged in a deadly conflict. The characters in the series use a variety of weapons, including katanas, with distinct designs and abilities. The katanas wielded by the Kagero: Kōga Clan, Oboro: Iga Clan, Tenzen Yakushiji: Kōga Clan, GennosukeKōga: Kōga Clan, and JubeiKakei: Iga Clan, along with their individual combat styles, are still revered by anime fans.
Kenshin's Sakabatou: While not a traditional ninja series, Rurouni Kenshin features Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman who wields a reverse-edged katana known as a Sakabatou. The series includes various sword-fighting styles and techniques.
