Anime is a unique style of animated movies and TV series first made popular in Japan. Along with its closely-related art form, Manga (Japanese comic books), it is known for its fantastic characters with oversized physical features and poetic dialog.
In the last few years, Anime and Manga have gained an enormous following worldwide, and the popularity of replica items such as swords has grown greatly.
The first Anime short film was created in 1917, though the medium struggled to gain a mainstream following until the 1960s and ’70s. In those decades, as Manga comics gained acceptance and popularity, Anime series were often spun off in an attempt to gain a wider audience.
Osamu Tezuka is the best-known creator from this early period of Manga’s popularity. More recently, Hayao Miyazaki has achieved worldwide recognition through internationally-successful feature-length films such as “Princess Mononoke” and “Spirited Away”.
Today, Anime is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Japan and, to a lesser extent, worldwide. Several modern series have achieved a large mainstream audience. These include Pokemon, Dragonball Z, Naruto and Bleach.
Replicas of Anime Swords have become popular collectors items, though perhaps none as popular as those from “Bleach.”
This massively-popular epic series features numerous sword-wielding characters, including lead characters Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki.
As the series has gained in popularity, replica swords for these and other characters have been produced to meet an ever-increasing demand.
Ichigo’s sword is known as “Zangetsu.” This type of sword is a “Zanpakuto” or “soul-cutting sword” and is one of the most popular Anime collector’s items. Another popular sword is that of Toushiro Hitsugaya, a major character in one of the Bleach films.
Many other Anime series feature swords prominently and most are available as replicas. Dragonball Z’s Trunks Sword is one such example as are InuYasha’s Tetsusaiga, Naruto’s Zabuza Sword, and Rurouni Kenshin’s reverse blade Sakabato.
For a more detailed treatment of Anime and Manga, see the Wikipedia. For an active community of fans discussing “Bleach”, see the Bleach Forums.
If you're a fan of the Final Fantasy story, you may recognize the Trademark Nodachi Sword. This hefty weapon was the favorite of the story's main character, Prettz. If you haven't seen the story, VHS may be your only chance to see "The Legend of the Crystals" in the U.S.
Prettz, ...
Perfect as a costume accessory at an anime convention, this entirely wooden sword in the style of Rangiku Matsumoto's Haineko blade avoids the complications of real steel in modern public places. Keep the genuine blades at home.
This all-wood reproduction measures 39-1/2 inches overall and sports a silver-painted wooden blade 27 inches ...
The details of this replica Bleach sword should accurately match the personal weapon of the story's main antagonist -- Sousouke Aisen, one-time captain of the 5th Division Soul Reapers and the creator of the Hollows.
The sword called Kyo-ka Suigetsu presents its ordinary form as a katana with a distinctive hexagonal ...
This pristine white katana replicates the Sode no Shirayuki magical weapon borne by Rukia Kuchiki of the Japanese manga Bleach. The physical form of her potent sword is a normal katana with a hilt colored brownish-red, but the shikai or second stage weapon is a lustrous, pure white.
This Rukia ...
This reproduction of the personal katana of Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, an evolved hollow or demon from the Japanese manga series Bleach, faithfully reproduces the details of the ordinary version of Grimmjow's magical sword. When the sword of this high-ranking member of the Army of Arrancar does transform, it changes Grimmjow as well.
The ...
The Samurai Zabimaru Katana accurately replicates the ordinary form of the magical weapon wielded by Renji Abarai in the popular Japanese manga series Bleach. Though sometimes described as having a red handle, the sword's normal form is actually black-handled as shown here. Only during transformation does the color shift ...
The strange sword you see here is the magical counterpart or zanpakuto of the merely physical sword called Wabisuke. In the popular manga Bleach, this unusual weapon is wielded by Izuru Kira, one of the more popular characters in the series.
Growing up in the world just beyond this one, ...
Another of the unique swords in the Japanese manga series Bleach, this interesting blade is the personal weapon of Kenpachi Zaraki, a powerful supernatural warrior and captain of the 11th Division of the Soul Reapers. Set far in Japan's future and well into a fantastic afterlife, Bleach follows a war ...
This real-world version of the Urahara Shikai Katana -- from the Japanese anime series Bleach -- serves as a physical reminder of a powerful magical weapon. Bleach tells a complex tale of supernatural war between enigmatic soul reapers like Urahara and evil "hollows" avoiding the fate of souls after death. ...
This replica of Saya Otanashi's sword from the Anime series Blood+ misses one of the unique features of the personal weapon of the good queen of the vampiric chiroptera. Aside from that, the off-center katana does hold to the basic pattern of that purely fantasy weapon.
It's easy to understand why ...
If you're a fan of the Japanese anime series Bleach, you'll enjoy this recreation of the personal zanpakuto (or magical weapon) of Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the Gotei Imperial Guards, 13th Division. Wielded by one of the most honorable members of the Soul Reapers, the double sword called Sougyo No ...
Familiar to fans of the long-running Japanese anime series Bleach, this heavenly blue katana recreates the personal sword of Love Aikawa. Simpler in appearance than many of the Bleach zanpakuto (or magical transforming weapons), the Heart Guard sword hid special powers to be released in battle by ...
Since the Secret Agent Black Fantasy Sword looks somewhat like a machete, owners of this interesting anime weapon are often tempted to use it like one. That it has done a fairly good job of that speaks well of this unusual fantasy sword.
A black cord-wrapped full tang grip and ...
Fans of the Japanese anime TV series Naruto will instantly recognize the Kusanagi or grass cutter sword with which Sasuke Uchiha acquired his legendary Chidori Nagashi technique. Those who don't know the show will still find this a good basic katana even though it's inspired by a cartoon story. The ...
Latest in Kit Rae's Swords of the Ancients collection, the Avoloch Mitrhrodin Sword: Gold Edition puts stainless steel and leather where the words of H.P. Lovecraft and J.R.R. Tolkien used to be. Play any of today's fantasy video games, and you dive into that old world of the imagination. ...
To perform with this unique weapon in the sequel to Hellboy -- Hellboy II -- actor Luke Goss trained for six months with Brad Allan of Jackie Chan's stunt team. As Prince Nuada, Elven military leader of the mechanical Golden Army, Luke Goss put this fanciful spear through a very ...
The Nemesis Battle Axe, sold as a fully functional battle weapon, does outclass most other modern martial arts axes. Many of the modern versions of this intimidating double-bladed axe are intentionally lightweight, built more for kata than for fighting. Though this is a very nice axe, and a type of weapon that ...
For collectors of anime swords and for fanatical fans of the game Ninja Gaiden, this 42" katana will be a familiar friend. The mainstay weapon of hero Ryu Hayabusa, the Dragon Ninja Katana was essential to both victory and revenge. The original Dragon Sword was said to be ...
This model of a replica sword from the hit anime show Bleach can be found in two different styles. We've seen one version with a leather-wrapped handle, but it's not as common. You'll find this one more often. It has a beautiful burgundy cord wrap around the handle as well as a couple ...
The hit Japanese anime show Bleach provides us with yet another sword to bring to your attention: a katana inspired by one of the show's main Soul Reapers, Lieutenant Renji Abarai.
The katana probably best represents Renji's character due to its crimson overtones. In the series, Renji's red ponytail sets him apart ...
This is an official replica sword from the Ninja Gaiden video game series, wielded by the hero Ryu Hayabusa. In the game he is known as a "modern day Super Ninja." Ryu is a direct descendant of the Dragon Lineage, referring to the ancient ninja warriors who forged this same ...
Many different collectible weapons have surfaced from the popular Japanese anime show Naruto. This is the Kusanagi, wielded by the Sannin Orochimaru. The Kusanagi is more commonly known as a grass cutter sword, so you may see it listed as such.
This sword is popularized mainly by Naruto's "emo kid" Sasuke. His ...
In the Final Fantasy saga, the warrior Sephiroth mistakenly believed himself to be the last of the god-like Ancients and through that self deceit was drawn to the path of evil and his eventual downfall. Masamune, his six foot long katana, is reproduced with some expertise in this massive 68" replica.
Perhaps ...
Hiro Nakamura, a Japanese executive bored with modern life, suddenly develops the ability to travel in time, the audacity to do that, and as a result, the need for a good sword. He finds it on display in a museum.
While I do not recommend time travel, or liberating museum pieces ...
This Rurouni Kenshin reverse blade katana from General Edge is one heck of a deal. It's built from decent-quality materials and will look great as a basic display sword. It's not intended to be a high-end sword, so the materials are not top-of-the-line, but that helps keep the cost down.
The blade ...
This is a distinctive Bleach anime sword, labeled as the Tensa Zangetsu. You'll also find it listed as a Zanpakuto on other sites.
The edge of the Zangetsu blade is trimmed with 40 inches of 440 stainless steel, giving the entire blade a two-toned black-and-gray effect. And the entire sword measures a whopping ...
Here's another anime replica sword that's not a bad deal either. It's from the InuYasha series. The name of the sword is Tessaiga meaning "iron-crushing fang," and is wielded by InuYasha himself. It's otherwise called the Sword of Calamity, and is the untransformed version of the Tessaiga.
The Tessaiga stretches ...
This is the final sword of Bleach's Ichigo, named Tensa Zangetsu, found on the Bleach anime series. Collectors really like to comment on its reserved design. Normally, Bleach swords in their final form have a lot of flair and decor, whereas the Tensa sword is the opposite. So they prefer to ...
Chances are if you got pretty giddy with the release of HALO 3, you'll have the same reaction with this Covenant Titanium Color Energy sword.
It's a replica blade wielded by the Sangheili of the Covenant army, otherwise known as the Covenant Elite. It's a pretty good replica, and it's intended to ...
Mugen's Typhoon Swell sword from the short-lived series Samurai Champloo is a great deal for an anime replica sword. It's also a decent choice to consider if you're looking for a unique and inexpensive replica sword.
The Typhoon Swell blade is made entirely from 440 stainless steel, and measures 29 inches long. It ...
From the Manga series Bleach comes a rare, eye-catching sword known as Senbonzakura. It is wielded by the character Byakuya Kuchiki, and is literally translated "a thousand cherry blossoms." Interestingly, the sword's design wasn't meant to capture the warmth and beauty of a forest full of white cherry blossoms. ...
This fantasy sword is inspired by the Japanese anime/manga series Bleach. It's the blade of 10th Division Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro, and is a very detailed and authentic replica of the original manga sword.
Honestly, due to the price, we didn't expect this Zanpakuto sword to be high in the quality department... but ...
This isn't a "flashy" sword. It's not overlaid with solid gold, or carved with intricate Japanese characters. But it is still a product of quality craftsmanship.
The noteworthiness comes from the battle-ready construction of its blade. The 27.5-inch blade is full-tang, made from one solid piece of high carbon steel, ...
This balisong sword is a replica of the Damascus Blade used by Alita in "Battle Angel Alita: Last Order". The sword is wielded quite impressively by the title character in Yukito Kishiro's Manga movie.
It's quite an impressive knife -- gorgeous, large, heavy, and sharp. The handle is made of stainless steel and ...
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