8 Best Anime That Have Swordsman As A Protagonist

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Swordsmen are popular characters, largely because they’re known for their discipline and strong moral code. That’s why so many anime series feature them as the main characters. While a swordsman protagonist doesn’t automatically make an anime a hit, it definitely adds to its appeal. Over time, fans have enjoyed countless anime centered around skilled swordsmen.

8. Berserk

Berserk centers around Guts, a skilled but quiet warrior who travels from battle to battle. He eventually joins a group where he finds a sense of belonging. The anime adaptation is excellent, though unfortunately, it only covers part of the story, concluding after one season.

7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

I’m a huge fan of Demon Slayer – it’s seriously become one of the biggest anime ever, right up there with giants like One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto! The story centers around Tanjiro and his sister Nezuko. It’s heartbreaking because their family is attacked by a demon, and Nezuko is actually turned into one herself. That’s when Tanjiro sets out on this incredible journey – he’s determined to find the demon responsible and find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human. It’s such a compelling story!

6. Claymore

Few anime feature female leads as compelling as the one in Claymore. What sets it apart is Clare, a powerful, intelligent, and striking warrior who dedicates herself to protecting the world from dangerous, shapeshifting demons known as Yoma.

5. Samurai Champloo

  • Aired: 2004
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy

Samurai Champloo follows the journey of Fuu, a waitress looking for a specific samurai, and the two unlikely companions who agree to help her. Mugen is a wild, unconventional swordsman, while Jin embodies the traditional samurai spirit. After Fuu saves them from being put to death, Mugen and Jin join her quest to find the samurai she seeks.

4. Bleach

  • Aired: 2004
  • Genre: Supernatural, Action-Adventure

I’m a huge fan of Bleach, and it’s definitely one of the most influential anime ever made, right up there with the biggest names in the industry! The story centers around Ichigo Kurosaki, who unexpectedly gets pulled into the world of spirits and becomes a Soul Reaper. It’s true the anime had a pretty sudden ending for a while, but I was so thrilled when it came back with a new season – it’s been amazing and has only made the series even more popular!

3. Inuyasha

  • Aired: 2000
  • Genres: Adventure And Fantasy

Inuyasha is a classic anime series that remains popular today. It centers around Kagome Higurashi, a girl who travels back in time to feudal Japan. There, she encounters Inuyasha, a half-demon, who is on a quest to collect the incredibly powerful Shikon Jewel. The jewel was broken into pieces and scattered to prevent anyone from abusing its power, but a villain named Naraku is determined to gather the pieces and use them for evil. Now, Inuyasha and his allies must stop Naraku before he succeeds.

2. Afro Samurai

  • Aired: 2007
  • Genre: Action And Dark Fantasy

Afro Samurai is an anime that takes place in a unique version of feudal Japan. While rooted in traditional Japanese culture – with samurai, sword fights, and a classic setting – it also includes elements of the American Old West, like its music and some character designs. The series centers on Afro’s quest for revenge against the man who killed his father, known only as Justice.

1. Gintama

  • Aired: 2006
  • Genre: Action And Comedy

Gintama is an anime that truly has it all. It features a captivating story with characters you’ll quickly fall in love with, blending heartfelt moments with hilarious comedy. It’s also full of fun references to other popular shows and movies like One Piece, Naruto, and Star Wars. The story takes place in a world conquered by aliens, where a samurai named Sakata Gintoki earns a living by taking on various odd jobs.

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2026-05-27 15:36