When it comes to action shonen, One Piece stands out as one of the rare series that features a wide variety of fictional fighting styles. This includes the use of raw physical strength, Devil Fruit powers, and specialized martial arts like Fish-Man Karate. However, amidst all that style, nothing beats the thrill of watching two master swordsmen lock blades in a pure duel.
At the top of weapon-based combat are the 12 Supreme Grade Blades, also known as the Saijo O Wazamono. Forged centuries ago, these blades represent the highest level of craftsmanship. As a result of that creation process, they boast unparalleled durability and sharp cutting power, making them easily capable of withstanding powerful Haki clashes without sustaining a single scratch.
Even though the Supreme Grade Blades play a major role in the story, most of them have yet to be revealed in One Piece. Thus far, only five of these blades have officially been confirmed, belonging to the Emperors, Marine Admirals, and other historical figures.
Naturally, this huge gap leaves ample room for fan speculation, leading readers to theorize that combatants such as Shanks, Rocks D. Xebec, Figarland Garling, Admiral Ryokugyu, Shamrock, and even the King of the World, Imu, might possess the remaining weapons. But until the rest of the collection is fully revealed in One Piece’s story, the current confirmed lineup serves more than enough to prove why these legendary blades are feared across the seas.
5
Yakuza Kasen
Wielder: Issho (Fujitora)
Fujitora using his blade in One Piece
Hidden in plain sight, Marine Admiral Issho’s signature weapon hardly looks like an actual lethal threat at first glance. Disguised as an ordinary shikomizue, Yakuza Kasen functions as a simple wooden cane sword that consistently helps the blind admiral navigate his physical surroundings.
Due to this remarkably humble appearance, the true nature of the hidden blade was actively debated by the fandom for several years before series creator Eiichiro Oda finally stepped in and officially confirmed its Supreme Grade status in the SBS corner of Volume 106.
What lands this unique cane sword at the bottom of such an exclusive tier is specifically how Fujitora chooses to utilize it in battle. Rather than relying heavily on pure swordsmanship, Yakuza Kasen primarily serves as a physical conduit for his destructive Zushi Zushi no Mi abilities.
The blade is undeniably durable, easily withstanding the immense strain of forcefully pulling meteorites directly from the sky and crushing powerful opponents with intense gravity. But even though the sword can effortlessly handle the insane friction required to drag giant asteroids straight out of orbit, it still lacks the raw, sword-based legacy established by the legendary blades of Emperors and the Pirate King.
4
Murakumogiri
Wielder: Edward Newgate (Whitebeard)
Roger and Whitebeard fighting in a clash of Haki
While the majority of Supreme Grade weapons are traditionally forged swords, Whitebeard favored wielding something with a significantly wider reach on the battlefield. The Murakumogiri is a massive naginata, perfectly scaled up to match the overwhelming physical presence of Edward Newgate, the Strongest Man in the World.
Serving as the primary conduit for his destructive Tremor-Tremor Fruit abilities, this towering polearm was consistently used to channel literal earthquakes throughout the Summit War at Marineford, effortlessly creating huge localized tsunamis and shattering the air itself.
The blade even managed to withstand direct attack from Admiral Akainu’s magma, easily blocked Vice Admiral John Giant’s axe strikes, and held up well against the enormous impact of quakes caused by Whitebeard himself without suffering the slightest damage. While it obviously lacks the features of Cursed and Black Blades, this naginata remained intact after years of battle.
3
Ace
Wielder: Gol D. Roger
Gol D. Roger channeling haki through his sword.
Gol D. Roger conquered the Grand Line without ever relying on the powers of a Devil Fruit, relying entirely on his immense Haki and a cutlass named Ace. Unlike the cursed katanas or massive polearms, Ace possesses a deceptively simple design. Its true nature only surfaces whenever Roger actively coats the blade with his overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki.
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The legendary clash between Roger and Whitebeard perfectly demonstrated the blade’s raw capability, generating a colossal energy shockwave that split the heavens apart without the two weapons ever actually making direct physical contact. Roger cherished this cutlass so deeply that he even went out of his way to name his unborn son after it. While the iconic weapon has not been seen since the Pirate King’s public execution in Loguetown, its historical footprint remains undeniable. Placed in the hands of the Pirate King, Ace carved out a massive legacy that changed history forever.
2
Shodai Kitetsu
Wielder: Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro
Nusjuro using his Supreme Grade Blade.
The Kitetsu line is infamous for inflicting brutal deaths on whoever wields it, but among its ranks, there is the Shodai Kitetsu, which is considered a Supreme Grade sword. For many years now, the readers had pondered over the secrets of the katana wielded by Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, and now that his sword is out in the open, it has proven that the fearsome rumors surrounding it were indeed true.
What truly secures Shodai Kitetsu’s rank as the second-strongest confirmed sword in One Piece is the devastating scale behind every single one of its attacks. During the Egghead Island incident, Nusjuro effortlessly sliced through massive Pacifistas, freezing their mechanical bodies with just a single, lightning-fast draw.
The weapon’s freezing effect perfectly matches his monstrous Haki. Even though it lacks the permanent Black Blade status seen with Yoru, the Shodai Kitetsu possesses a cursed edge that easily surpasses the sheer raw force of weapons like Murakumogiri or Ace. Wielded by an immortal being, this cursed katana operates as a flawless instrument of cold-blooded destruction.
1
Yoru
Wielder: Dracule Mihawk
Currently holding the title as the finest Supreme Grade Blade seen so far in One Piece, Yoru rightfully rests in the hands of a man boasting that same legendary caliber: the World’s Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk. Even though most standard weapons must be coated with Armament Haki to avoid shattering mid-battle, Yoru operates differently.
Since it’s an established Black Blade, the sword does not rely heavily on its wielder’s raw physical strength. Achieving this status clearly demonstrates that the weapon has been hardened through relentless years of application of intense Armament Haki. As a result, this sword remains far more durable and powerful than any normal blade.
Mihawk wields this huge, crucifix-like sword with terrifying precision. With just one casual swing of his sword, the world’s strongest swordsmen could easily cleave a towering frozen tsunami or split a pirate ship in half.
Unlike other Supreme Grade blades like Murakumogiri or Ace, which rely heavily on their users’ strength and abilities, Yoru stands out as a true example of pure swordsmanship. The sword itself is a living embodiment of Mihawk’s unrivaled mastery over the art. Until someone successfully forges a Black Blade comparable to Yoru, it shall remain the strongest Supreme Grade Blade in the franchise.
Release Date
October 20, 1999
Network
Fuji TV
Directors
Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
Mayumi Tanaka
Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
Kazuya Nakai
Roronoa Zoro (voice)