We have previously discussed samurai girls and ninja girls. Lovely though they are, so as to get a more concrete image of lovely ladies who wield sharp blades, we turn to Europe. These swordswomen wield larger blades to crush their enemies and see them driven before us. The swords and armor might be different, but these girls are no less epic.
1. Darkness (KonoSuba)
Darkness is a crusader with exceptionally high defensive stats. Her toughened body enables her to act as the perfect shield for her friends. This role works out perfectly for her sadistic side. Though Darkness is a remarkable swordswoman who can defeat almost anything with little effort, she can’t actually hit anything on purpose.
Natsume Akatsuki began writing his novel series on December 20th, 2012. Kadokawa Shoten later picked up the rights, and the artist Kurone Mishima was attached to the series. All seventeen volumes have been published in the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint.
2. Mimiru (.hack//SIGN)
Mimiru is the online name for a gamer from Tokyo. Her character in The World is a powerful heavy-blade user. Mimiru is a friendly girl with a fierce temper. She is the first to meet the tragic figure Tsukasa, and all but leads the charge to help this lost soul find a way out. Mimiru shares the same class and model as BlackRose, another cute swordswoman from the .hack game series.
Koichi Mashimo directed and Kazunori Ito wrote this series for studio Bee Train. Yuki Kajiura, of course, provided the epic music for the series. .hack//SIGN aired between April 4th, 2002 and September 25th, 2002 in 26 episodes.
3. Olivier Mira Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Olivier is the fierce Ice Queen of Fort Briggs. Her combat prowess as a swordswoman is unmatched, as seen when she’s able to make her brother Alex tap out during a sparring match. She becomes embroiled in the battle against Father and his Homunculi and becomes an invaluable ally to the Elric Brothers.
Hiromu Arakawa created her seminal manga series from July 12th, 2001 to June 11th, 2010. Square Enix released all 27 volumes in Monthly Shonen Gangan.
4. Asuna Yuki (Sword Art Online)
Like Mimiru, Asuna is a gamer who uses a player character in a VRMMORPG. No matter the game or class, Asuna’s skills with a rapier shine through to achieve victory in battle. Asuna’s skills were honed in the hellish Aincrad, and further sharpened in the mythical world of Alfheim.
Reki Kawahara first released her novel series all the way back in 2002. The light novel iteration, with abec providing the illustrations, began its run on April 10th, 2009. ASCII Media Works has since released 27 volumes in the Dengeki Bunko imprint.
If you want your own cute angelic swordswoman, J-List can help. The Asuna Stacia, The Goddess of Creation Ver. 1/7 Figure from Sword Art Online is now available for pre-order.
5. Clare (Claymore)
Clare is ranked 47 in the Claymore organization, which might suggest that she’s the weakest swordswoman of her order. Warriors are typically half-yoma, wherein they’re implanted with yoma genetic material to gain superhuman and monstrous powers. Clare is, in fact, 1/4 yoma, as she took in the genetic material of another warrior. Teresa was the most powerful warrior of her day, and Clare’s mother figure. Rather than being the weakest swordswoman in the organization, Clare was among the most powerful. Her speed alone was second to none.
Norihiro Yagi worked on his manga series between June 6th, 2001 and October 4th, 2014. Shueisha released all 27 volumes in the Jump Comics imprint.
6. Leina Vance (Queen’s Blade)
We go from nuns to swordswomen in Queen’s Blade. Leina comes from a noble family who wields absolute power throughout the land. She took her late mother’s armor and left her cozy life behind to become an adventurer. Leina now competes in the Queen’s Blade tournament to become stronger and live the life she always wanted. Of course, her sisters are after her for different reasons.
Queen’s Blade first began its sexy tournament as a series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan.
7. Saber (Fate Stay/night)
Saber is one of the more overpowered swordswomen in anime. Her true name is Artoria Pendragon, the legendary King Arthur who wields Excalibur. Her remarkable combat skills are made all the more efficient with such a divine blade in her hands. Despite her stern expression and her tragic history, she is still a kind and honorable warrior who fights for justice.
Type-Moon, led by Kinoko Nasu, released the first Fate/stay night as an adult visual novel on January 30th, 2004. Toned-down versions were released later, allowing it to reach general audiences.
8. Hikaru Shidou (Magic Knight Rayearth)
Hikaru and her new friends Fuu and Umi were summoned by Princess Emeraude to Cephiro to save it from the evil sorcerer Sol Zagato. She became one of three magic knights to fight the forces of evil. Hikaru embodies the element of fire, and wields it to great effect with her new magic sword. Though she is just an ordinary girl from Japan, she takes to her new power and destiny with great excitement, like any good isekai protagonist.
Clamp created the original manga series from November 1993 to April 1996. Kodansha released all six volumes in Nakayoshi.
9. Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)
We can’t have a list about cute swordswomen and not include this fiery redhead. Erza endured great hardships in her youth to become the peerless warrior that she is today. Her real powers lie in her Requip: The Knight skill that enables her to summon different types of armor and weaponry. Her style changes depending on her revealing armor set of choice. Coupled with her sword magic, Erza is prepared for any foe she might encounter.
Hiro Mashima began to write and illustrate the series on August 2nd, 2006. Kodansha has since released 78 volumes across the different Fairy Tail manga series.
For those in need of a cosplaying knight, J-List has you covered. The Erza Scarlet Figure Seduction Armor (Special Finish) Ver from Fairy Tail is now available for pre-order. Don’t let the lack of clothing or armor fool you, Erza is still a powerful swordswoman.
10. Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)
We spoke at length about the action and fanservice-filled anime Kill la Kill. Ryuko, and her older sister Satsuki, are incredibly powerful swordswomen. Yes, Ryuko counts as a swordswoman even if her sword is one-half of a large pair of scissors. Her father’s death compels her to seek out his killer and avenge him. This leads Ryuko to battle increasingly dangerous and colorful foes. Her armor choice, much like Erza’s, sees her revealing a lot of skin.
Hiroyuki Imaishi directed and Kazuki Nakashima wrote this anime series for Studio Trigger. 24 episodes and one OVA aired between October 4th, 2013 and March 28th, 2014.
What do you think of our list of lovely swordswomen? Did you find new warriors to cheer for? Would you prefer someone else for a similar list? Let us know in the comments below.
