A character driven anime brought to you by Studio Manglobe, the creators of Ergo Proxy and Samurai Champloo. The main character Masa-no-suke, an unemployed samurai (J. ronin), is scouted by the charismatic Ki-ichi to take part in the kidnapping and ransom of wealthy merchants in the Edo period. Though reluctant at first, the stories and motivations behind the kidnappings slowly develop into a willingness to participate in forming a powerful and effective gang of criminals.

A beautiful music score envelopes this story of mystery, loyalty and desperation.

A documentary style anime of the life of Musashi Miyamoto, the unrivaled swordsman of the Edo Period. Presented with 2D animated battle sequences and 3D computer graphics for narration and detailed explanations of his martial strategy.

A go-to DVD for all martial artists, to discover a historically accurate depiction of the greatest swordsman that ever lived.

In the Warring States (J. Sengoku) era in Japan, a young orphaned boy named Kotaro and his faithful canine companion Tobimaru flee from a band of Chinese Ming Dynasty warriors for reasons unknown. Among them is a Western swordsman, Lou-Lang, who only desires to find an opponent who is worthy of fighting. Along his travels, Kotaro encounters a nameless unemployed samurai (J. ronin) after seeking refuge in an abandoned temple. This mysterious warrior, Nanashi, serves as Kotaro’s bodyguard through his perilous journey to the Mangaku Temple.

Inspired by the folk hero Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi, the main character Jubei Kibagami travels the countryside of feudal era Japan, in a world of swords and sorcery. Through his attempts to find employment, he meets a young female ninja Kagero, whose occupation as a poison tester for the Mochizuki clan’s Chamberlain has mutated her body to become deadly to anyone who dares to kiss or sleep with her. The duo are aided by a monk spy for the Shogunate, Dakuan, in order to battle the Eight Devils of Kimon, an organization of demons engaged in a plot to overthrow the government.

A critically acclaimed anime film with extraordinary battle sequences set in a world of violent fantasy. (Warning : Extreme Violence and Sexuality. Not recommended for those below the age of 18.)

In the year 1614 AD, warring ninja clans are invited to participate in an event to claim a prize of the total annihilation of the other clan. The two major clans, the Iga and the Kouga, each support a different son of the ruling Shogunate, Hidetada Tokugawa. The winner will receive the support of the Shogunate for the next thousand years!

A romantic story with plenty of action, vengeance and treason.

Based on Akira Kurosawa’s highly acclaimed 1954 movie ‘Seven Samurai’. Every year in the farming village of Kanna, bandits come at harvest time to steal rice and kidnap women and children. The village elders are determined to fight back, and proceed to recruit warriors who can train and protect them for a meager payment of rice.

An entertaining tribute to the memory of the late, great Kurusosawa with a modern day and futuristic twist!

Slicing its way into the number ten spot of the list is Afro Samurai. Known for its mixture of hip hop and Japanese historical reference, this anime really made learning about samurai really cool and fun. Afro decides to devote his life to the sword after his father was killed in a duel by cruel villain “justice”. We see Afro embarking on a journey to seek revenge for his fathers death, encountering numerous bloody battles with various other strong samurai. The reason Afro was chosen on our list was because he embodies the awesome persona of a man out to kill, with an urban attitude to back his claim. His words are as powerful as the sword he wields, as he is out to rid of anyone in his way. He just oozes confidence and embodies the true samurai spirit: standing by your morals.

The name Musashi Miyamoto should ring a bell in your mind if you're very familiar with Japanese history, as he was one of Japan's most revered samurai during the very feudal time in Japan. Throughout his life he had suffered numerous struggles, even at a very young age. While he became known for his exceptionally skilled blade work, most people know Musashi by his famous book called, “The Book of 5 Rings”. This philosophical book became an extremely successful piece of work that would ultimately change the mentality of many Japanese even in modern Japan. Gun-Dou Musashi is the more light hearted but still adventure filled anime, that uses the famous samurais name to give us somewhat of a taste of perhaps what things were like during that period. The main character wields both a sword with electricity, and demon sealing revolvers to put a stop the enemies at hand. Musashi's colorful personality shines as he is a calm, cool, and collected young man with aspirations of becoming stronger in each battle. His quirky behavior at times make the anime a lot more colorful, and add more interesting scenarios among the allies he encounters throughout the show. A wonderful character with whom we all can relate to.

Coming in at number eight on our top ten is Gifuu Doudou!!: Naoe Kanetsugu was a very well known military general of the infamous Uesugi family. Taking place in the very famous Sengoku era, Naoe is on a quest to attain the throne with the help of his fellow ally, Maeda Keiji, who also during the Sengoku era was a legendary warrior on the battlefield. They both come together to overcome to the extreme oppressive powers that were in control during arguably one of Japan's most dangerous and volatile moments in history. Despite Naoe playing the role of the aggressive general, you can see a lot of harmony within him as he is playful in nature with characters in the cast. His strong analytical skills paired with his calm demeanor make him such a powerful individual to learn from. It's this well formed balance that gives Naoe a well deserved spot on our list of samurai in anime.

Hakuoki Reimeiroku takes our seventh spot in the top ten samurai anime because of its great visuals, and real attention to detail pertaining to the events taking place during the ruling of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Japan's long battles with political strife and corruption have erupted into the streets, leading to numerous deaths among the public. The shogunate recognizes this ongoing problem and ships a new force of master-less samurai called Roshigumi, to aid the Aizu forces in Kyoto. Hajime, much like the rest of samurai on our list has a purpose to serve, to protect those in danger while maintaining peace within. Hajime has an extremely strong heart as you can clearly see in the first episode where he is mistreated by his superior. His sheer passion to fight for justice can be seen all throughout the series, but despite his will to fight, you can see the more childish side of him when he's with his friends. His willingness to see all sides of the story make him an interesting character to watch and learn from.

If it hasn't already occurred to you by now, there definitely is an ongoing trend with regards to a strong tie to the now infamous Sengoku era. This is one era that is often used as a base to express the hardships Japan had gone through during the very tumultuous times during the rule of Tokugawa Shogunate. Shigurui is no exception to this trend as it slices its way into the number six spot on the list. Before all of the onslaught began, the Edo era was one of Japan's most peaceful and economically rewarding times, as society had become more established and businesses flourished. In Shigurui, Tokugawa decides to hold a traditional tournament by which one must use a wooden sword to battle their opponent. However, things change as the rule now states that you must use a real sword and so competition is now more intimidating. Gennosuke is a one armed blade master, which already speaks volumes considering that he wipes out his opponents with despite a handicap. It displays an enormous amount of confidence to be able to pull off such skillful attacks, while at an insane disadvantage. His clever tactics never fail him as he uses trickery to gain insight on his rivals, while maintaining the most mysterious demeanor. That characteristic is what gives Gennosuke the sixth spot, simply because his such an intelligent fighter and demonstrates to all of us that, despite our misfortunes we can all manage to do something amazing.

Coming in at the top five spot in the samurai anime list is none other than Samurai Champloo. Many fans of the show fell in love not with only the characters throughout the duration of the series, but more notably the musical score. Late musical pioneer Nujabes had created some of the best music that anime had ever heard in a very long time, and his spirit still resonates all throughout this anime. From great songs such as “Mystline” to the very powerful opening track “Battlecry” Samurai Champloo never disappoints in any way, shape or form. Mugen is your typical vagabond, a wandering samurai with no purpose. However, when paired up with Jin and his new fond friend Fuu, his true character is revealed. He is an extremely hard working individual who truly has a big heart even though at times his foolish ways get him into trouble. His sweet and charming demeanor catch the eyes of Fuu which help to develop a nice character relationship in the story, and more so the brotherly love between Jin is also a pleasure to watch. It demonstrates the true value of friendship, and Mugen is a great example of a man of many traits but will always lend a hand to those he admires most.

We are now getting one step closer to that number one spot on the top ten list of anime that focus on the samurai lifestyle. Gintama is one of Japan's longest running anime, along with other popular jump franchises such as Dragonball, Bleach and One Piece. Spanning for almost ten years, Gintama is an anime that once seen cannot be unseen. Japan ranks it highly on their own top list of hot anime series, as its extremely popular with every age group all across the country. This journey takes us back to feudal Japan yet again, but this time with main character Gintoki. This isn't your ordinary feudal Japan however, as every encounter Gintoki meets is unusally odd and quirky, which is what adds the spice and flavoring to this tasty treat of a series. Gintoki isn't very keen on finding a job like most other citizens and so we see Gintoki on an endless adventure seeking whatever job comes his way, while battling strange looking monsters, a weird Yakuza clan and much more. Gintoki is an extremely random character who at times makes you question whether he's even a samurai to begin with. But its that spontaneity and jubilant that makes Gintoki so fun to tune into. He is a great people person, as he is able to chat it up with almost anybody in the most innate way.

Choosing a top three of any top ten is never an easy task, as there are a wide variety of popular anime that truly stand the test of time as being great. However, this number three spot could not avoid this list as Basilisk hops in to take the cake. This is one of the more darker and truly fascinating takes on samurai culture in Japan. Taking place in 1614 AD, Basilisk is all about Ninjas, swords, kunais, and more. It is nothing short of awesome, as it takes you in various different directions visually but also emotionally. Two warring ninja clans which are directly associated with the son of Tokugawa, send out ten representatives to fight each other to the death to obtain the ultimate prize: Absolute support from the Tokugawa government and completely eliminating each other in the process. Gennosuke has the ability to look into his opponents eyes and completely take control of his enemies body, forcing themselves to commit deadly acts without thought. He maintains his calm most of the time, because he is madly in love with a woman who sees him as a loving and nurturing man. He tends to avoid eye contact in fear that his eyes may put her in danger, but their love is so strong that it has no effect on her. Gennosuke shows extreme loyalty with his allies, all the while having the insane power to dismember his opponents by just staring at them. It's this mixture of love and justice that gives Gennosuke the number three spot.

The name speaks for itself. Rurouni Kenshin is an anime that will truly stand the tests of time as being one of Japans most notable works, pertaining to anime. This series has had many sequels, spin offs, and merchandising through the roof due to its sheer popularity in Japan. Globally it has taken off as well, selling over a million copies of the manga on its own. What makes this series so special is how well scripted it is, and how relatable the main character is. We all can learn from the mistakes and hardships that Kenshin goes through, displaying love and passion with a motivation for self discovery. Kenshin is a vagabond who has had his fair share of dark times, but is now on a journey to seek peace and harmony in his life. As a rounin, his job as an assassin was all tragedy and no triumph, but through it all he realized that it was time to walk away from all of that, and pursue more. He eventually comes across a female kendo master, former thief, all on brawler and a doctor who all join him on this epic journey towards change. in this wonderful series. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, please do so as you will most certainly be taken aback by all of the plot this story provides.

Number one is never an easy spot to be in, as there are others out there hungry to take the throne. However, this series encompasses everything that we would like to see in an anime samurai adaptation, that closely mimics the past feudal history of Japan. We are now greeted with our last anime on the top ten list of samurai anime, with none other than Sengoku Basara. Every character throughout the series use real names that can be found all throughout the historical chapters in Japan's rich past. Date Masamune and Sanda Yukimura are the two heroines of the series, as we see the two battle it out in this action packed anime filled with great pieces of historical information to educate those watching. Date was a notorious leader in the rise of the Tokugawa period, and his impact can still be seen in Japan. His personality is that of a natural born leader, out to seek justice and stop at nothing to tear his enemies down. His eyes and swords intimidate anyone who stands in his path, and his roaring voice screams out confidence with every word he speaks. Don't let that fool you as Date is still a warm hearted man who shares a lot in common with Sanda. They have a passion for overcoming adversity and it what leads Date to lead his entire army to victory.

Kill la Kill is a revenge story that was also produced by TRIGGER. Ryuuko Matoi is on the search for the person who murdered her father. The trail of clues leads her to a prestigious academy that is governed by a special student council. They possess “goku uniforms”, a type of uniform that gives its wearer superpowers. Similar to Ninja Slayer, Ryuuko receives supernatural abilities to aid her on her quest for justice. That assistance takes the form of Senketsu, a blue sailor uniform with sentience. Using Senketsu and her unique scissor blade, she has to take down the head members of the council. All the while she tries to discover who is really behind her father’s death.

Another anime from TRIGGER, Inferno Cop, has a very similar premise to Ninja Slayer. The main character’s family was killed by an organization known as the Southern-Cross. This man, claiming to have risen from hell, seeks to punish the evil group and anyone else who has the audacity to bring the law in Jack Knife Edge Town. It seems as if Ninja Slayer carried on the spirit of the Inferno Cop series. But, where Inferno Cop was minimalistic in its animation, Ninja Slayer is a bit more fluid and has more special effects. The action is over the top. The tone of the humor is extremely comparable to Ninja Slayer. I love that the humor is present in almost every single frame. If the characters aren’t doing something outrageous then their dialogue or timing is securing a laugh out of the audience.

This retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is another tale of a man seeking revenge (seeing a pattern here?) for his false imprisonment. In this version, he receives powers from a demon that allow him to strike down the ones who exiled him to Cheateau d’If. This series has a very unique art style. It is nothing like Ninja Slayer, and yet it still stands apart from most contemporary anime. Interestingly enough, the plot is not told through The Count’s point of view. Check this out if you’re looking for an interesting story with an art style that pops and is just as important as any of the main characters.

Mononoke is an interesting piece set in feudal Japan. Kusuriuri is a “medicine seller” who wanders around the country encountering “mononoke” or lingering spirits. Using his vast knowledge of the supernatural and the Exorcism Sword he is able to destroy the evil spirits. This series bizarre visuals and use of supernatural abilities secured it a spot on the list. However, it was also chosen because the main character is very different from the previous recommendations. He is not driven by anger or selfish reasons. Instead, Kusuriuri believes in searching for “katachi” (shape), “kotowari” (reasoning), and “makoto” (truth) throughout the world. His greatest fear is that during his travels he’ll cease finding these beliefs and thus discover that he has no reason to exist.

In this reality, the worlds of demons and humans overlap. Though humans can’t see demons, a balance needs to be maintained. Otherwise, demons could harm or kill people. Insert the protectors of humanity, aka Karas. They maintain the balance. However, one of the longest living protectors has gone rogue. Now, it’s up to the newest member, Yousuke Otoha, to take down the evil Karas who plans on unleashing his army of demons on the world. He must use his newly acquired abilities, and unique physiology, to protect humanity. Karas is another show that centers around a man who receives supernatural abilities to fight evil. Though he is not a ninja, like Fujikido Kenji, Otoha does become skilled as a swordsman. Also, Karas broke away from its contemporary anime shows by mixing 2D and 3D techniques. The CG details enhanced the 2D approach to give the show a unique aesthetic.

The only connection the show shares with Ninja Slayer, and it’s a strong one, is its absurdity. Both shows are hold no punches and are willing to toss aside traditional anime conventions. Though, Ninja Slayer has unique characters and an interesting story, FLCL blows it out of the water. The characters are so strange and their actions defy logic. The story is confusing, purposely so, and is almost entirely a coming of age metaphor. All you need to know is that the main character’s name is Naota Nandaba. He is a 6th grade boy who is struggling to make sense of the relationships he has with the women around him. From there, just enjoy the crazy fast-paced ride that is FLCL. Get ready to witness some incredible use of color, music, and emotional atmosphere throughout the series.

Though his full name is Kaizou Konpaku, Ichigo and the others refer to him as Kon. He is a modified soul capable of fighting hollows. Kon usually takes the form of a small, stuffed teddy bear with a spiky mane and short tail. During the Hueco Mundo Arc, Kon played the role of hero for Karakura Town. Urahara turned Kon into Karakura-Raizer. He then led his team of follow superheroes against the growing number of Hollows that had appeared in town. They then entered a mysterious fortress and took down the Arrancar within. The fortress was destroyed just in time for the final battle to take place in Karakura Town. It’s tough not to like this cute little bear that is actually very perverted and is attracted to women with large breasts. At one point, he took over Ichigo’s body and made a move on Orihime and then kissed Ichigo’s female friend Tatsuki Arisawa (angering her in the process). Let’s also not forget that he also sang the intro for Bleach’s Opening #6.

“Nel” was the former Tres (#3) Espada. She contains two forms. The first is that of a young child. She looks very small and sounds adorable when she talks with her lisp. Despite this childlike demeanor, she has a surprisingly advanced vocabulary. Though she believes all Shinigami to be evil, she does develop a connection with Ichigo and follows him into Las Noches. Her second (and true) form is that of physically mature woman. In this form, she acts more composed, analytical, and is able to fight her opponents very methodically. She demonstrated this in her fight against Nnoitra Gilga (5th Espada). Also, she was also capable of defeating him when she released her Zanpakutou and entered her Resurreccion form: a centaur. However, at a critical moment she unexpectedly reverted back to a small child. She retains her strong attachment to Ichigo when she enters her mature form. At one point, she comically almost knocked Ichigo unconscious after the battle with Nnoitra. She tackled him with an overly enthusiastic hug while he was already passing out from exhaustion.

She was the original Shinigami stationed in Karakura Town. Her adopted brother is Byakuya. At first, she was very cold to others and had trouble making friends. She took her responsibilities as a Shinigami extremely seriously and wanted to fulfill her duty. But, she slowly opened up to Ichigo and the others. She is the one responsible for explaining the world of Shinigami and Hollows to Ichigo. Though not the strongest fighter, her Zanpakutou’s unique ice techniques and her ability to wield Kidou make her a formidable opponent. Early in the anime’s lifespan, people often “shipped” Ichigo and Rukia together. The time they spent together in the first couple of arcs led them to developing a close relationship. Ichigo was the first person that she truly opened up to. Her personality and physical appearance were strikingly opposite to Orihime’s. So, that was another reason why people wanted to see them end up together.

This man is the #1 Espada of Aizen’s army. Of course, having the title means he should be the strongest and lead all the other Espada. This is a responsibility Starrk wants nothing to do with. Unlike the others, he has a distaste for battle and harbors no inherent aggression. The only real motivation he had in the battle at Fake Karakura Town was to prevent any more of his comrades from dying. He is also the only Espada to have split his soul into two beings. Starrk’s counterpart is Lilynette Gingerbuck. The reason for this split is because the original being was so lonely. Its mere presence caused other hollows in the vicinity to lose their soul and die. This was a major reason why they began following Aizen. He was the only person that didn’t die when he was in their presence. The lead up to the reveal of Starrk as #1 was worth it, save for one aspect. His power, fighting prowess, techniques, and character design were definitely fitting for the top Espada. But, it seemed that he was capable of more if he had been truly motivated. Either way, he is a great character and his fight against Shunsui is one of the best ones of the series.

He is the former Captain of the 8th Division. Currently he is the Captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander for the entire Gotei 13. He is one of the oldest captains and was trained personally by the previous Captain-Commander Genryuusai Yamamoto. His appearance stands out from the other Captains because he wears a straw hat and a pink, flower patterned kimono over his captain’s uniform. He is an easy-going guy who tries to avoid fighting as much as possible. I mentioned that he isn’t particularly interested in fighting. This was spotlighted in his fight against the #1 Espada, Starrk. Both have similar personalities. So much so, that Starrk proposed the idea that they only pretend to fight while the other Shinigami and Espada battle intensely. Shunsui admitted that he’d prefer to do just that, but he decided that he couldn’t do that to his follow comrades. In the fight he also showed his Zanpakutou’s unique ability: the power to make children’s games real.

Toushirou is the Captain of the 10th Division of the Gotei 13. He is the youngest captain and is labeled a true prodigy. He keeps a cool demeanor most of the time, but he does consider himself above “immature actions”. He has also developed a cold attitude towards most people. The notable exceptions are Momo Hinamori and Rangiku Matsumoto. There are two main reasons why he’s on this list. First off, it’s truly impressive to see Toushirou’s ability and potential be praised by other formidable characters. Captain Commander Shunsui commented in his fight against Starrk that Toshirou could potentially become stronger than him in another hundred years. Even the enigmatic Gin Ichimaru has stated that Toushirou is the reincarnation of a powerful guardian that returns every few centuries. Of course, this isn’t an exact prophecy. He’s just addressing the fact that this young captain is genius the likes of which are extremely rare. The second is because of his relationship to his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto. They often bicker with one another, but they actually have a long history and deep down they look out for each other. One important aspect of their relationship is that Toushirou is often tossed aside by bumping into Rangiku’s bosom. Their interactions have led to tons of fanfiction “shipping’ them together.

Grimmjow was the 5th Espada in Aizen’s Arrancar army. Outside of battles, he is a laidback person who shows disrespect for authority. He’s always looking to prove his strength. Usually that meant wanting to pick a fight with Ulquiorra, whom he saw as inferior in combat prowess, and trying to squash the grudge he had with Ichigo. Once he’s in the midst of combat, his true self emerges. His aggression and ability to exploit the smallest of openings left by his opponent is scary, to say the least. His character design remains a fan favorite to this day. He has light blue, spiked hair and blue eyes with green lines below them that ooze ferocity and strength. His mask covered the right side of his face and was a basic design of a two rows of jagged, sharp teeth. The perfect way to emphasize Grimmjow’s straightforward desire to fight. His Adjuchas form is one of the best ones we’ve seen as well. In the past he was shown as a scaly, white panther. In the flashback, he quickly attacked a group of Adjuchas and impressed them to the point of becoming their leader. He vowed to be their king and lead them towards becoming Vasto Lordes. This glimpse into his past is actually very touching and provides backstory for why Grimmjow always pushes himself to exceed his own limits and overcome any opponent.

Gin was the Captain of the 3rd Division before he defected and joined Aizen’s ranks. He is known for his nondescript clothing and generally bland appearance. Except that his eyes are always closed and constantly has a large smile plastered on his face. He has the ability to unnerve those around him. This skill plus his naturally mysterious nature give off the sense that he is hiding some sinister plot and is just putting on a fake persona. Gin’s backstory and reasons for aiding Aizen in his plans, for over one hundred years, are heartfelt and tragic. The audience never knew what he was thinking and whether he was in fact truly following Aizen or waiting for an opportunity to turn on him. His manipulation and disinformation skills were second to none. He managed to hide his intentions and his Bankai’s true ability from Aizen for all of that time. In the end, he managed to come the closest to killing Aizen before Ichigo showed up in his new form.

Before his betrayal of Soul Society, he was the captain of the 5th Division. His gentle personality and soft-spoken attitude earned him the respect of his peers and subordinates. Unfortunately, it was just an illusion that covered up his treacherous and selfish nature. Once he departed from Soul Society, he showed his true colors and led an army of Arrancar in a war against his former comrades. On more than one occasion, Espada have mentioned that the Arrancar follow Aizen because he is a being without fear. This is one of the many reasons for why he is such an attractive character. Aizen was the ultimate bad guy of the series. He outsmarted all of the other Shinigami and even pitted them against each other a few times. He felt that everyone (except Urahara) was beneath him in terms of intelligence and strategy. In fact, Aizen spent over one hundred years and sacrificed hundreds of Shinigami in order to create the Hougyoku. Everything up to the final showdown had been according to his plan. He was most definitely the Batman of the Bleach universe. Also, no one ever posed a threat to him, until his Gin betrayed him and his final battle with Ichigo. I want to emphasize “final” because in their first fight Aizen famously put an abrupt end to Ichigo’s attack (and theme song Number One) with a single finger. Throughout his reign of terror, he had no problem taking on multiple captains at once. Even when he encountered a new technique or Bankai, he quickly developed a counter and regained control of the situation. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the only reason he was defeated by Ichigo was because he was the main character. Sometimes “plot armor” is stronger than the strength of an immortal being with hundreds of years of planning.

Ichigo is an angsty teenager who hates school, but has a strong sense of justice. His inclination to fight at every opportunity comes from his desire to protect those around him. It is something that was instilled into him as a young child when he overheard his father say that his name meant “to protect one thing”. Ichigo inherited unique properties from each of his parents. His father was a former Shinigami and his mother was from a pure Quincy bloodline. It’s no surprise that the titular character of the series is also one of the most loved ones. We saw him start out as a normal-ish person with a heightened awareness for hollows. Then, he slowly transitioned into a formidable Shinigami, capable of standing toe to toe with any of the captains. Eventually, he became something even greater than that. As I mentioned before, his unique heritage played a key role in his development of abilities and strength. But, his Hollowfication was something else he had going for him as well. He was in a constant struggle against his inner-hollow trying to free itself and take over his body. This Hollow-Ichigo is a very cool aspect of himself that forced him to confront his true motivation for fighting and wanting to gain power. It assisted him in several battles and gave him access to a multitude of unique abilities. Ichigo Kurosaki was given all of the tools (by the author Tite Kubo) necessary to become the strongest character in the entire series. This could come off as lazy writing, but it hasn’t stopped Ichigo from constantly gaining the top position in popularity polls in Japan.

First up we have third division lieutenant Izuru Kira's Zanpakutou, Wabisuke. Much like Izuru's disposition, Wabisuke's powers are characteristically dark. As its name suggests, Wabisuke attacks with the aim to make their opponent quite literally fall to their knees, as though apologising for their wretched misdeeds. To do so, it doubles the weight of anything it strikes. With the command "Raise Your Head", Wabisuke also changes into an angled hook shape, allowing Izuru to use his Zanpakutou as a guillotine and decapitate his enemies. What makes Wabisuke worthy of a position on this list is the merciless extent of its ability. Not only does it double the weight of anything it touches once - if the target is struck again, the previously doubled weight doubles again, and this ability is limitless. Furthermore, as this cunningly uses their opponents weight against them, Wabisuke and Kira can fell any enemy that they can get close enough to strike.

Next on the list we have Renji Abarai's Zabimaru. Released using the command "Howl", Zabimaru transforms into a jagged six-part blade that can be extended much like a whip, allowing Renji to attack from a significant distance. In Bankai, this Zanpakutou becomes a gigantic skeletal snake with a bright red mane, making it look truly deadly. In this form, Hihiou Zabimaru can shoot incredibly destructive beams from its mouth. As well as being one of the first we see in Shikai form, Zabimaru is one of the few Zanpakutou we actually see develop in Bleach. When we first meet Renji, he is only able to use Shikai, but we watch him communicate with and train alongside Zabimaru until they achieve Bankai. Also, with its wild appearance, both forms of Zabimaru are just too cool not to be on our list.

Anyone who's seen the Bleach anime can agree that Captain Commander Yamamoto is one badass old man. He's got the most experience and authority in all of Soul Society, but most of all, he's got the most powerful Zanpakutou. A fire type, Ryuujin Jakka inspires fear even in the strongest of Shinigami. As it's release command "Reduce All Creation to Ash" suggests, in Shikai, Ryuujin Jakka has the ability to turn anything in the vicinity into dust. It can also be used to imprison even the strongest enemies in a cage of flames. So what keeps the all-powerful Captain Commander's Zanpakutou from being higher up on the list? The answer is screen time. With so many powerful captains, lieutenants, and other Shinigami under him, Genryuusai doesn't even have to lift a finger until the fourteenth season of the anime. Although we are told of and see for ourselves some of the destructive power of Ryuujin Jakka, we're left with many unanswered questions.

Next on our list we have Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and his Zanpakutou, Pantera. Unlike Shinigami, when Arrancar release their Zanpakutou using Resurrección, they themselves change into their true forms and become able to use the full extent of their powers. By releasing Pantera using the command "Grind", the Zanpakutou itself disappears and Grimmjow's appearance becomes feline. His already extraordinary strength becomes enhanced, giving even Hollow-masked Ichigo a run for his money in one of the best battles in Bleach. Pantera makes it into the top ten for the range of abilities it has - unlike other Zanpakutou, which tend to have one element or theme to their powers, Pantera enhances hand-to-hand combat, and has explosives, blades, and sound-based attacks in its arsenal. With Pantera's release we also get to learn about Grimmjow's past, and why he is so hungry for power, allowing us to empathise with the enemy.

Much like Gin Ichimaru's snake-like smile, there is something immediately disconcerting about his Zanpakutou. The first time Gin uses Shinsou in the Bleach anime, it leaves both Ichigo's group and viewers wondering what on earth happened. Its Shikai, released with the phrase "Shoot to kill", allows the blade to extend up to one hundred times its original length at incredible speed, barely giving his target the opportunity to block or evade the attack. In Bankai, this length and speed increases even further - although due to Gin's shady nature, by how much is unclear. Retaining the form of a traditional Japanese short sword in all of its releases, you could say Shinsou is a grower, not a shower - but Gin certainly knows what he's doing with it. By downplaying its speed and exaggerating its length, he is able to mentally manipulate his enemies. He also hides Shinsou's ability to turn to dust and enter his opponents' body and poison them on command, allowing him to use it as a trump card. With both Shinigami and Zanpakutou not willing to give anything away, this combo is more than deadly, earning them sixth place on our list.

Not all Zanpakutou are created equal, and Kyouka Suigetsu is the perfect example of how they can be just as twisted as their Shinigami. Just like the former fifth division captain Sousuke Aizen, all is not as it seems with Kyouka Suigetsu. Although everyone who has seen its Shikai is convinced that it has a regular power like the rest of them, in fact that is nothing but a delusion - its actual power is "Complete Hypnosis." Kyouka Suigetsu manipulates its enemies so that they only see what Sousuke wants them to see, giving him complete control of any situation. What makes Kyouka Suigetsu stand out from the other Zanpakutou on this list is that it does not depend on physical but sensory attacks. It is also one of the most terrifying Zanpakutou, as its powers seem to have no time limit, having affected the Visored for over one hundred years. Furthermore, even if Sousuke's opponents realise that they're being tricked, they can't do anything about it. It is impossible to escape Kyouka Suigetsu's illusions once they have started - making this the most fitting weapon for Bleach's ultimate antagonist.

Next we have a Zanpakutou as beautiful and deadly as the Shinigami that wields it: Senbonzakura. When its Shikai is activated with the command "Scatter", Senbonzakura breaks down into a thousand tiny blades, which Byakuya then controls with the remaining hilt. In Bankai, Senbonzakura's destructive power multiplies exponentially, with the amount of near-invisible blades becoming countless and nigh on inescapable. What's more, unlike in Shikai, Byakuya does not need to physically control Senbonzakura Kageyoshi - although doing so does increase attack speed. All in all, Senbonzakura is an elegant weapon and mesmerizing to watch in action. Seeing Byakuya fight with his released Zanpakutou is exciting not only because you know you're in for some amazing action, but also because it shows a different side to Byakuya. It lets viewers know that although he is cold and proud, he is also able to be passionate and go all-out in battle. With its cherry-blossom image, Senbonzakura also perfectly suits Byakuya, who is fixated on tradition.

Toushirou Hitsugaya may be small, but his strength is anything but. Not only is he a captain, but his Zanpakutou Hyourinmaru is said to be the strongest ice-type in Soul Society. Hyourinmaru's Shikai, which is released using the command "Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens", allows Toushirou to control water and ice, creating fierce-looking dragons from the tip of his blade. In Bankai form, a dragon of ice wraps itself around Toushirou's body, giving him frozen wings and claws. Even if shattered, Daiguren Hyourinmaru can easy regenerate itself. As if that wasn't cool enough, Hyourinmaru's power is so intense that even just releasing its Shikai can change the weather, creating great storms. But what really makes it worthy of such a high position in this top ten list is its potential. Toushirou admits in the series that his powers are still somewhat underdeveloped, explaining the reason for the ice flowers that signal the lifespan of his Bankai. He is already incredibly strong, but once Toushirou has fully mastered Hyourinmaru's abilities he will no doubt become a true force to be reckoned with.

Next up and taking the number-two spot is another ice type and Bleach's best girl Rukia Kuchiki's Zanpakutou, Sode no Shirayuki. When released using the Shikai command, "Dance", the entire length of Rukia's sword turns as white as snow, matching the colour of her spiritual energy. The tsuba also changes shape, becoming snowflake-like, and from the pommel flows a white ribbon. Due to this appearance, Sode no Shirayuki is said to be one of the most beautiful in all of Soul Society. But it's not just its appearance that makes this Zanpakutou so popular - Sode no Shirayuki is also incredibly powerful. Following its Shikai command, it has three "dances": "First Dance, White Moon", "Next Dance, White Ripple", and "Third Dance, White Sword". Each of these dances showcase a different ice-based technique, each more powerful than the last. With Rukia's emotional backstory, watching her and Sode no Shirayuki working together to become stronger is enough to melt even the most icy of hearts.

It might seem a little too obvious to have the protagonist's weapon at number one, but be assured it's for good reason. From the moment Ichigo wraps his hand around his Zanpakutous hilt, it's clear to the viewer that Zangetsu is something special. Not only is the shape of its original sword form unique, but it's also bursting with overwhelming strength. However, Zangetsu earns the number one spot not just for sheer power or its cool appearance(s), but for the complexity of its character. Unlike most Shinigami, Ichigo has an amalgamation of Shinigami and Hollow powers - something which is reflected in the way Zangetsu appears in Ichigo's inner world. We see first see him as "Old Man Zangetsu" and "Hollow Ichigo", then the younger-looking "Tensa Zangetsu", the evolved "Hollow Ichigo", and even as a combination of the latter two. Thanks to this character development, Zangetsu also gets the most screentime of all the Zanpakutou, making us as viewers feel closer to him, and root for him throughout the series.

If you're into the blood and violence of Ninja Scroll and want more of the same, this is the very first title that you should be looking towards. In this 2005 series, the setting is 1614 AD and two rival ninja clans are fighting to the death for the possession of a scroll. The last clan standing will not only get to see their enemies destroyed forever but will also receive the backing of the Tokugawa government for the next thousand years. In many ways (but not all) one could consider Basilisk to be a spiritual successor to Ninja Scroll. As mentioned previously, the series is filled to the brim with all the blood, violence and murder that you could possibly want while also delivering a solid story that has lived on in the hearts and minds of fans since it was first released a little over a decade ago.

If you're not as into the blood and violence of Ninja Scroll but still want to see impressive action sequences, look towards the 2010 series Katanagatari created by the same man who brought you the Monogatari series. In this series, the setting is the Edo era and the hero is a martial arts master living in exile named Yasuri Shichika. Under the orders of a general and master strategist named Togame, he leaves his home and goes on a quest to find the twelve treasured swords made by the master swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki. One thing that Ninja Scroll had that Katanagatari also possesses are amazing action sequences that get you on the edge of your seat and leave you craving more, more, more. In every episode, Katanagatari delivers the action with heart pounding martial arts, satisfying death sequences and a great story filled with twists and turns just for good measure.

Predating Ninja Scroll by a good six years, Yotoden is a three episode OVA series which features samurais, ninjas and plenty of action scenes which are fueled by a desire for revenge! The story for this title features a young female ninja who manages to escape her village as it is destroyed by Lord Nobunaga. Carrying only a mystical short sword, she swears to take down Nobunaga and get her revenge. Soon she is joined by two other ninja who also carry mystical weapons and the trio set out on their mission. Ninjas seeking revenge and having to go through demons to get it is a pretty common theme in martial arts anime and this release is absolutely no different in that regard. If you loved the darkness of Ninja Scroll and want to get some more of that action on your screen, this is not a bad direction to look.

Another title that predates the subject of this article by a couple of years, this is another entry that pits samurai vs. ninja. The hero of this one (if you want to call him that) is Shurannosuke Sakiki, a masterless samurai with unrivaled sword skills. One day he is hired by the Nakura Clan to rescue a princess from the Seki Ninja. While Ninja Scroll features ninjas as the heroes, they are the villains in this movie which makes it just slightly different from many of the other titles on this list. That doesn't sever the basic threads that ties the titles together though which is hyper action from start to finish.

Getting away from ninjas specifically, how about samurai? One of the most famous samurai anime in history is Rurouni Kenshin and there's a very good reason for that. Originally airing in 1996 and lasting for an impressive 94 episodes, Rurouni Kenshin won fans around the world in the years following its original airing as anime became more popular with fans around the world. In this series, the story follows a former assassin named Kenshin who is now a wanderer in the Meiji era. Upon entering a small town, he is mistaken for a bandit who is using his former name which eventually leads to him moving into a small dojo and making new friends. If you're looking for ninja action, you'll want to look towards the second season (also known as the Kyoto Arc) which features ninjas and samurais alike doing fierce battle against each other often times to the death. In this arc, Kenshin teams up with the Oniwaban clan of ninjas in order to take on an old foe from the war who is still out for blood. Our plucky hero must channel his inner demons and bring back the man he used to be in order to defeat the evil villain who is causing death and destruction wherever he goes.

And now we've come full circle and are back to the violence. Originally airing in 2007, this is one of the most violent series of the last decade and will make even the most hardened of gore fans a little queasy at times. The story takes place in the Edo era and features a tournament held by Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga. In this particular tournament, real swords are to be used and one of the matches features a one armed fighter named Fujiki Gennosuke and a blind fighter named Irako Seigen. Both of these fighters come from the same discipline and are eager to prove themselves worthy of being the next successor. As with other entries in this list, this isn't strictly a ninja series but more warriors who are skilled in various forms of martial arts. To appreciate one though it's often good to appreciate the other and Shigurui will help you do just that.

The clean and plain looking God of Fishing and Commerce Ebisu is up first, a surprisingly dark and secretive God of fortune. It’s a while before we learn much about Ebisu, with most of his actions remaining unknown throughout the series, being very much the man of mystery. An incredibly calm and efficient man, his pursuit of his goals is both admirable and enviable, as he willingly goes as far as venturing into the underworld to accomplish them. Which doesn’t seem to bother him in the slightest by the way. With his long jacket, tailored suit, and pure white gloves, Ebisu looks like a mix between a businessman and a well-dressed butler, which seems appropriate given his personality. Although not generically cool, Ebisu has a confidence and composure about him that, coupled with his sleek appearance, makes him at the least a fascinating character.

Shinki of Kofuku the Goddess of Poverty, and in many ways her carer, Daikoku is one of the manliest men in Noragami. Seemingly not afraid of anyone or anything, Daikoku has no trouble dishing out punishment to Gods like Yato and Kofuku when he thinks they’re screwing about, and tries his best to be the moral compass of the mishmash group. As his mistress tends to incur bad luck, he tries to focus on ways of avoid fighting altogether, so as to ensure she doesn’t accidentally destroy Japan. In his Shinki form Daikoku quite surprisingly turns into an elaborate fan, with one of his abilities being to create a portal to the underworld itself, not something many are capable of doing. Daikoku’s tough act and caring personality make him seem like a cool father character, and the Gods he’s looking after seem like little kids!

One of Bishamon’s most notable Shinki, Kuraha is considered second in command behind Kazuma, her primary Shinki, being both sensible and wise. One of the coolest looking Shinki in the series, in both his regular and Shinki forms, Kuraha’s standard appearance is that of a well-dressed pirate, with some intense facial hair going on, and an eyepatch to accompany his suit. As for his Shinki form, well, the dudes a lion. A Lion. I don’t think any more needs to be said than that. Kuraha is awesomely loyal and cares deeply about his comrades. And not just his fellow Shinki, but as long as he is doing right by his master, Kuraha appears to be a very caring person. It can be easy to forget about him with most of his time being spent as a lion, but Kuraha is one seriously awesome old man.

One of the show’s main antagonists, like Yato, Rabou is a God of Calamity, known for leaving death and suffering in his wake. Unlike Yato however, Rabou didn’t develop a conscience and carries on as he always has as an evil God. To this end Rabou possesses some pretty sweet abilities, including being able to absorb Phantoms, and his Shinki allowing him to control water, creating liquid doubles of himself as well as wielding it as a weapon. Rabou’s character design screams anime antagonist, with his flowing silver hair, and the combination of his mad yellow eye and pointed mask giving him a crow like visage. Along with characters like Ebisu, Rabou is a good example of how much contrast there is between the designs in the show.

Old man Tenji is the God of Learning, and among the wealthiest and popular of Gods (because who doesn’t pray for higher grades). Quite the silver fox, despite his grey and intellectual appearance, Tenjin has basically formed his own harem, with a preference for young female Shinkis, and a boatload of charm and money at his disposal. Seriously, they’re literally leaving other Gods to be with him: see Yato’s unfortunate Shinki experience early on. Not your regular kind of cool guy, Tenjin is more badass grandad material, full of stupid, pervy jokes and yet still maintaining a following of gorgeous young women. On top of that, Tenjin is a true bro, helping out when it’s really needed and even doing favors behind heaven’s back, you don’t get much smoother than that.

Where to start with our main girl Hiyori Iki, she does not get the credit she deserves. The only half-human, half-phantom in the series, her funky tail helps connect her to the Far Shore, being one of the few humans that can see Gods and other supernatural beings. While she’s just an ordinary, pro-wrestling obsessed high school girl, when she leaves her regular body behind and becomes her half-Phantom self, she gains incredible strength and agility, capable of taking on weaker Phantoms by herself. Despite her frail, mortal body, Hiyori generally doesn’t seem too bothered about mixing with Gods, or fighting them. Her main priority is making sure that everyone is safe, excluding herself for the most part.

Young and rebellious, Yukine is Yato’s current Skinki and a pretty powerful one at that, taking the form of the long, curved blade, Sekki. Yukine, meaning “sound of snow”, is an interesting name to give to someone so loud and with such a brash attitude, but it also says something about the cleanness and innocence of such a young and unknowing character. Plus it sounds pretty neat. One of the cool things about Yukine is watching him deal with teenage problems, in a world where he’s surrounded by pretty much only adults, and kind of old ones at that. Although he fares pretty badly at first, his strong desire to mature, better himself and stand amongst his peers is admirable for someone going through such a hard time, and make him one of the most relatable characters in the show.

Bishamon’s lead Shinki, Kazuma is a powerful Blessed Regalia, acting as her navigator and advisor throughout the series. Looking surprisingly ordinary and clean cut, Kazuma is one of the few characters in the series to always wear glasses, making him stand out considerably amongst the cast. Kazuma is easily one of the most respectable and reasonable characters, even knowing when it is best to disobey his master for her own sake. It’s this attitude that makes him so awesome, as you can always trust good guy Kazuma. On top of that, Kazuma appears to be one of the most powerful Shinki, having no trouble creating Boundary’s or using Restraint, amongst his many other abilities. This also enables him to fulfill the cool sensei role for Yukine and Hiyori when there’s no one else around to educate them about all things Far Shore.

Next up, the strong and sexy God of War and Fortune Bishamon. Bishamon plays something like Yato’s rival throughout the series, with them both at each other’s throats most of the time, and having some quite different ideas regarding how to go about business. Despite this, Bishamon is probably the God in Noragami most dedicated to protecting her Shinki, even though it often causes her great pain. She also does an incredible job of remaining one of the most powerful characters in the show, whilst still retaining her femininity, and acting as not just a master but almost as a mother to her family of Shinki. Her all black outfit really stands out, making her look like something of a cross between a warrior and a dominatrix, which added to the fact that she rides a lion is pretty intimidating. Her armory is also pretty impressive, with an ensemble of weapons including a whip, a gun, and a two handed sword, along with a full suit of battle armor just in case. With her straightforward attitude and bright purple, cat-like eyes, Bishamon is certainly one seriously cool gal.

And at number one the stray god himself, Yato is the series protagonist and the one causing most of the trouble. Being a God of Calamity, Yato has an innate bad ass vibe going on, with a history of battles, wars and assassination behind him. Despite his current homeless lifestyle, when things get serious it’s easy to see Yato’s previous self shine through, being incredibly calculated and tactical when it comes to fighting. Although coming across at first as a joker whose main priority is looking after number one, Yato’s attitude towards others is surprisingly admirable and he becomes increasingly dependable as the show progresses, caring more about his friends than himself. As far as his appearance goes, Yato’s brilliant blue eyes are one of the main distinguishing features of the show, with the color schemes of both Noragami and Noragami Aragoto’s openings centered on those jewel-like blues. Yato is cool in the same way a lot of anime protagonists are: because they come to be the good guy we’re all cheering for.