One of the best things about the anime One Piece is that there’s a place for different kinds of characters and powers in its vast world. It’s definitely not a one-way street, especially when you have Pirates, Giants, Marines, Bandits, and Swordsmen all battling it out in glorious life-or-death situations. The Swordsmen of One Piece in particular are a fascinating group, and even more fascinating, are the unique swords that they use. The strongest swords are imbued with special abilities that give those who are deemed deserving enough to swing them incomparable, god-like strength. And some of them are so iconic that they seem to have a life of their own outside their wielders. So is time to find out which are the 15 Strongest Swords in One Piece, ranked in order!
15. Oto
Oto is the other half of the powerful double-edged sword pair, Oto and Kogarashi. It belongs to Shiki, the Golden Lion, and functions as one of his prosthetic legs.
Before he lost his legs, Shiki carried both Oto and Kogarashi in his hands during combat. During his battle in Marineford, Shiki defeated multiple armed soldiers using the pair. After losing his limbs, he was still fully capable of fighting his opponents by sending out air-based strikes through powerful kicks. Not much is known about Oto’s fate after Shiki’s death, but it is assumed that both swords were buried with him.
14. Sandai Kitetsu
This is the third of the Cursed Kitetsu Blades and one of the 50 Grade Swords in the anime. Roronoa Zoro, one of the series’ greatest swordsmen, is currently the wielder of the Sandai Kitetsu.
Zoro got Sandai Kitetsu on a trip to Loguetown early on in the series. Its caretaker Ipponmatsu was initially hesitant to hand it over to him because of its history of killing its former owners, but to his surprise, Zoro was able to control the deadly energy within the sword.
Sandai Kitetsu has a stubborn and bloodthirsty personality. Zoro once remarked that it was like a problem child, determined to have its way and strike beyond his wishes. This erratic behavior only adds to its already deadly power.
13. Napoleon
Anyone who knows Big Mom, knows her massive sword, Napoleon. Unlike other swords, Napoleon is a sentient Homie that takes the form of a gigantic bicorne hat when not in use. It displays its facial expressions and emotions through the Jolly Roger skull design on it, and can often mimic Big Mom’s expressions as well.
Napoleon was born when Big Mom placed a piece of her soul into her hat, so it is naturally very protective of her, and fiercely loyal. While in its Sword Homie form, Napoleon can manipulate and transform its own blade to suit Big Mom’s needs. Even though it’s her go-to weapon and she clutches it in combat, it can also move by its own will.
12. Yubashiri
Yubasihiri, or the Snow Chaser, was one of the 50 Skillful Grade swords before it met its end. It was initially in the possession of a storekeeper named Ipponmatsu as a cherished family heirloom, but later became the property of the Straw Hat Pirates, Zoro. Yubashiri caught Zoro’s eye when he traveled to Loguetown and was offered to him after he successfully withstood Sandai Kitetsu’s Curse.
It was an integral part of Zoros’s Three Sword Style until it was sadly destroyed in Enies Lobby, at the hands of Shu’s rust-based attack, Sabi Sabi no Mi. It was laid to rest alongside the remains of the Rumbar Pirates.
11. Raiu
This is one of many unknown-grade swords in the anime. It belongs to Shiryu, one of the notorious Blackbeard Pirates, and has seen more than its fair share of blood both on and off the battlefield as a result of the pirate’s malevolent nature.
Raiu is a sleek, stately sword and is easily identifiable by its long slim blade, flowery tip, and red, diamond-patterned handle. Even though the true depth of Raiu’s strength is still largely unknown, its potential cannot be overstated.
10. Nidai Kitetsu
Nidai Kotetsu is the second of the three Kitetsu swords. Like its counterparts, it is a Cursed Blade, which means that it is fated to cause the death of whoever wields it.
The blade was forged by Kotetsu, a skilled swordsman, and forefather of famed swordsmith Kozuki Sukiyaki. It’s currently being used by the series’ protagonist, Monkey D Luffy, who borrowed it from Sukiyaki to battle Basil Hawkins.
According to the Kitetsu lore, each of the three Cursed swords has less strength than the one that came before it. However, this does not imply that Nidai Kitetsu is weak. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, possessing an acute sharpness.
9. Wado Ichimonji
In combat, you can find this sword in the mouth of Rononoa Zoro. The Katana is one of the esteemed Great Grade Swords and has a history and strength worthy of its rank.
Wado Ichmonji was crafted by Shimotsuki Kozaburo, who also made the infamous sword Enma. It was formerly owned by Shimotsuki’s granddaughter Kuina, and after her untimely death, it was retrieved by her rival and closest friend, Zoro.
Zoro regards Wado Ichmonji as a prized possession and is very protective of the sword due to his painful connection to it. He famously used it to cut through the steel frame of Mr 1, and the gigantic body of Pica.
8. Ame no Habakiri
Ame no Habakiri is the revered Feathery Cutter of Heaven and one of the strongest of the 21 Great Grade Swords. It was forged by Kozuki Sukiyaki, and wielded by his son, master swordsman Kozuki Oden.
Oden carried Ame no Habakiri alongside another sword, Enma, and incorporated both weapons flawlessly into his Daito Two Sword Style. After his death, the swords were separated, and Ame no Habakiri was passed on to Oden’s son Kozuki Momonosuke.
7. Shusui
Shusui is the pride and joy of the Wano people, and also one of the 21 Great Grade Swords. The famous katana has a striking black blade, with intricate red etchings and a distinct white hilt wrap.
Shusui once belonged to Shimotsuki Ryuma, a legendary swordsman from Wano. After his death, it was buried with him until it was stolen along with his body by Gecko Moria. Following his revival and defeat by Zoro in the Thriller Bark Arc, Ryuma bequeathed the sword to him, and Zoro carried it until the Wano Arc. In this Arc, Zoro agrees to return it to Wano Country in exchange for his current sword, Enma.
6. Gryphon
Shanks’ sword, Gryphon, is an awe-inspiring weapon in the world of One Piece. It’s a stunning Saber with a gleaming, ornate hilt and crimson pommel, complemented by a distinct crossguard in the shape of a seagull.
In many ways, Gryphon is an extension of the one-armed swordsman, Shanks, and he wields it with unparalleled skill. He once used it to block the mighty strike of Whitebeard’s Murakimogiri; a testament to its durability. In another gripping scene, it was able to withstand Sakazuki’s magma-fuelled punch without a scratch. These feats make it one of the strongest swords in the anime, despite its status as an unknown-grade sword.
5. Shodai Kitetsu
This sword has a mysterious and deeply ominous history. It is not only one of the 12 Supreme Grade swords, but also a Cursed Sword, and rumored to bring death to anyone who is not strong enough to wield it.
It was the first sword forged in the Kitetsu line and is undoubtedly the strongest of all the Kitetsu-type swords. Even though it has never truly been identified within One Piece, a weapon closely fitting its description has been spotted repeatedly in the possession of one of the elder, bald-headed Gorosei.
4. Enma
Enma is a legendary great-grade sword in One Piece. It’s a sleek katana with a unique black hamon pattern and exudes an aura of mystery.
Enma was forged by Shimotsuki Kozaburo and initially owned by the legendary swordsman, Kozuki Oden. In his prime, Oden wielded it together with its sister sword, Ame no Habakiri. It is currently owned by Roronoa Zoro, who collected it from Oden’s daughter, Kozuki Hiyori, during the Wano Arc. Zoro’s mastery of Enma is showcased when he cuts Kaido, impressively leaving a scar on the dragon’s near-indestructible scales.
Enma’s thirst for Haki and the immense power it requires adds an element of danger to its use. It disfigured Zoro’s right arm after he first used it, and would’ve done permanent damage but for his ability to control his Haki.
3. Murakumogiri
Murakumogiri is also known as the Gathering-Clouds Cutter. It is a Supreme Grade sword owned by infamous pirate Edward Newgate, alias Whitebeard. Murakumogiri is technically a Naginata, or polearm weapon. Hence, it is often seen with a long pole, which Whitebeard usually carries in his right hand.
Murakumogiri possesses unbelievable strength and durability. It survived one of Akainu’s vicious magma attacks with zero damage, and has also gone up against Kozuki Oden’s legendary swords; Ame no Habakiri and Enma.
Whitebeard held on to Murakumogiri for over thirty years before he died in the Summit War of Marineford. The sword was placed close to his grave after his passing, alongside his beloved Jolly Roger.
2. Ace
Not to be confused with the character Ace, this sword is a powerful weapon belonging to the Pirate King himself, Gol D Roger. It was introduced early on in the series during the infamous Battle of Edd War.
Unlike other conventional swords, Ace is more a cutlass than a sword. However, this doesn’t mean it’s less durable or powerful than typical swords. During the Pirate King’s four-day battle with Whitebeard, Ace withstood a barrage of blows from his Murakumogiri, which is also a Supreme Grade Sword.
While using Ace, Roger prefers to infuse his Haoshoku Haki into the blade before striking at his enemies, making it an even deadlier weapon.
1. Yoru
Yoru, or Kokuto Yoru, is without a doubt one of the strongest swords in One Piece and is fittingly wielded by the greatest swordsman in the series, Dracule Mihawk. It is rumored to be the strongest of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords, of which only four are known.
The massive crucifix-shaped sword has a depth of power that so far only its owner Mihawk has been able to fully tap into. The Black Blade can tear apart large warships, as seen when it destroyed Don Krieg’s fleet. It can also deflect bullets with ease and even split a mountain-sized iceberg like a piece of cake.
Mihawk was able to push Whitebeard’s diamond-skinned commander, Diamond Joz, back with a single swing of Yoru. The legendary sword lives up to its reputation as a Supreme Grade, and Mihawk’s skill truly does it justice.
