In One Piece, some of the most powerful and important figures are swordsmen, and this has been the case for hundreds of years. Those who fall under this umbrella have typically made their way in the world due to their unparalleled mastery of Haki and overall strength with the blade instead of doing so through any Devil Fruit powers.
This results in exceptionally powerful warriors and Haki masters whose skill and strength with a sword put them in a league of their own. In fact, one of the most coveted titles in the general world of One Piece is that of the World’s Strongest Swordsman.
Honorable Mention: St. Nerona Imu
Signature Weapon: First Twenty Weapons
Upon making his full appearance in the Elbaph Arc, Imu eliminated all doubts regarding his immense strength. One of the biggest reasons for this was through his summoning of the First Twenty Weapons, each of which had a different application of his mysterious Omen ability and were implied to be even greater and stronger than the Supreme Grade Weapons.
However, most are on the fence about whether Imu can even be considered a swordsman at all. Of course, he wields many swords and weapons, but the power he holds mostly concerns his Haki and Omen and not his skill with a blade, so he may not be considered a swordsman like the others. However, if he were, he would undoubtedly be considered the strongest of all time.
Shimotsuku Ryuma Was the Strongest After the Void Century
Signature Weapon: Shusui
One doesn’t gain the title of ‘Sword God’ without being an exceptionally powerful swordsman. Ryuma was a legendary master of the blade hailing from Wano, and his strength struck fear into the hearts of Wano’s enemies 400 years before the start of the main story. Many fans even believe that he may have originally hailed from the Void Century but was sent forward into the future.
Ryuma’s skill with a sword and mastery of Haki were unparalleled. Owning the Great Grade Blade Shusui, he alone protected Wano from many of the greatest threats that the country faced. Plus, he used Shusui by imbuing so much Haki into it that it turned into one of the only two Black Blades in history, which only brings up his and his weapon’s strength even more.
New Questions Added!
GameRant Quiz
Davy D. Xebec Was the Strongest Swordsman of the Old Era
Signature Weapon: Eclipse
As the captain of the greatest pirate crew of the old generation, Davy D. Xebec, more commonly known as Rocks D. Xebec, was one of the most important pirates of all time, despite having his name expunged from history. Even though he didn’t own a Devil Fruit, Xebec’s strength is remembered as being equal to that of the Pirate King Roger and the Marine Hero Garp.
Xebec primarily fought with his sword Eclipse, with which he rose to the top as part of the old generation alongside other incredible wielders of Conqueror’s Haki. Though he never officially owned the title of the World’s Strongest Swordsman, he fit this designation in all but name, since none were a match for his incredible strength and skill with a blade.
Dracule Mihawk Is the Strongest Swordsman Currently
Signature Weapon: Yoru
Few figures in the world of One Piece inspire as much awe and dread as the current World’s Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk. Existing in a generation of exceptionally powerful fighters, Mihawk’s journey saw him claw his way to the top and defeat the most powerful swordsmen to become the undisputed greatest sword wielder in the entire world.
Due to his lack of a Devil Fruit power, Mihawk is often compared to his rival and equal, Shanks, who himself is one of the strongest characters in One Piece, though it is said that Mihawk’s sword skills are superior. Plus, his weapon, Yoru, is one of the 12 Supreme Grade Weapons as well as a Black Blade, making it exist in a league of its own in terms of quality and overall strength.
Roronoa Zoro Is the Strongest Swordsman of the Next Generation
Signature Weapons: Wado Ichimonji, Enma, Sandai Kitetsu
As the greatest swordsman of the next generation, and one of the coolest characters in all of One Piece, Zoro’s skill with a sword is unmatched by any of his peers. Not only is he immensely skilled at wielding multiple blades at once, but his drive to get stronger has made him one of the few Conqueror’s Haki users of his generation.
Despite there still being a long way to go before he masters this ability, his trajectory is looking amazing. Though there are a few notable members of the Worst Generation who are undoubtedly stronger than him, they are few and far between, and none of them can even hold a candle to his skill and strength when it comes to swordsmanship.
One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.