Despite swords and swordsmanship being a thing of the past, there's often no greater joy than being able to dress up and cosplay as a badass swordsman or swordmaiden. This is especially true for anime characters, where there are many great sword-wielders to dress up as at the next convention.
If you're not sure, though, which characters best suit your own personality and style, there's no need to worry. We've compiled a list of awesome anime swordsmen and sword maidens below that are sure to slay onlookers and fellow cosplayers.
1. Kenshin Himura
A wandering samurai, Kenshin Himura is the main protagonist for the series Rurouni Kenshin. In it, Kenshin is the former assassin known as Battōsai.
Haunted by all the killing that he'd done during the Bakumatsu, or the final years of the Edo period in Japan, Himura seeks redemption and atonement for all the blood he's spilled. Because of this, he now carries around a reverse-blade sword, along with the oath to never kill again.
Dressed in a simple red kimono and white hakama, Kenshin Himura would be the perfect samurai to come dressed as in any anime or comic convention.
2. Mikasa Ackerman
When it comes to awesome female sword-wielders, nearly none are as terrifyingly good as Mikasa Ackerman. From the series Attack on Titan, Mikasa is a member of the Survey Corps, and one of its most formidable fighters. She's a genius when it comes to her use of the vertical maneuvering equipment. Not to mention her adeptness at using the blades with exceptional speed and efficiency.
Dressed in their iconic white collared shirt and fitted pants, light brown jacket, and green cape with the blue and white "Wings of Freedom", Mikasa Ackerman and the rest of the Survey Corps members are the perfect swordmasters to cosplay as at your next event.
3. Tanjiro Kamado
One anime series that has risen in popularity over the last few years is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba. Here, we follow siblings Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado on their quest to eradicate the threat of demons and seek out a way to turn the demon-turned Nezuko back to a human.
Tanjiro's dedication to his sister and his friends makes him an endearing character, and someone very much worth emulating at a convention. Dressed in the standard Demon Slayer uniform underneath his signature checkered black and green haori, Tanjiro and many of the other members of the Demon Slayer corps are sword-wielders definitely worth cosplaying as.
4. Raphtalia
One of the main heroines in The Rising of the Shield Hero series, Raphtalia is one character whose loyalty and devotion are admirable. Let's not forget her skill with a sword either. In fact, her skills are further recognized and acknowledged in the second season of the anime, where (spoiler alert) she becomes chosen as the Katana Vassal Weapon Hero.
5. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
While the Naruto series focuses more on ninjutsu techniques, there's one swordsman in the series that stands out because of his exceptional skill. That person is none other than Sasuke Uchica.
A member of the Uchica clan, Sasuke is not just talented in ninjutsu, but also possesses the famous Sharingan, which allows him to track fast objects, predict opponents moves, and see the flow of chakra.
Add to that that later on in the Naruto: Shippuden series, we find Sasuke formidable with a sword as well. Sasuke’s sword is called the Kusanagi, which was given to him by Orochimaru. And while Sasuke’s sword doesn't contain any innate abilities, he is able to channel lightning through it, which increases its cutting edge and makes him capable of slicing through practically anything.
6. Kirito
Another swordsman with elegantly designed blades is Kirito from Sword Art Online. Being the only dual-wielder throughout the entire series, Kirito swords The Elucidator and The Dark Repulser are iconic swords to behold. And whether you want to dress up as the black swordsman, or just put his swords on display, both blades are definitely a sight to behold.
7. Asuna
While we're on the subject of Sword Art Online, let's not forget Kirito's other half, Asuna. Better-known as Lightning Flash, Asuna is more than formidable with a sword as well. Her one-handed rapier, Lambent Light, carries a charm and elegance to it that suits her character perfectly. Female cosplayers have the perfect character in Asuna if they're looking for a sword maiden to dress up as.
Choose Only High-Quality Cosplay & Anime Swords
While these seven are our top picks for character cosplays, there are more than a dozen other exceptional swordsmen and sword maidens that are definitely worth cosplaying as.
However, no outfit is complete without a high-quality replica or your favorite character's sword. So if you're looking for the final piece to complete your costume, we recommend checking out Ice Imports' cosplay and anime swords. They have a wide selection of high-quality Demon Slayer swords, Sasuke swords, and One Piece swords all available for you to check out on their website.
