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Scythes are one of the coolest weapons in anime.
Not everyone goes for this complex blade with rural origins. But those who do usually have the personality to match.
In popular culture, the scythe is seen as a macabre tool thanks to its association with the Grim Reaper. The Japanese certainly picked up on this trend, so many of the scythe-wielding characters in anime pay homage to this classic image of death.
Well I’ve decided to pay respects to these unique warriors by ranking my favorite scythe-wielders out there.
Along with their combat prowess, all of these characters have something unique that makes them shine. And they all add a lot to their respective shows.
12. Haqua du Lot Herminium
Anime: The World God Only Knows
Not all scythe-wielders are blood-thirsty psychos.
They can be cute, too.
This fledgling demon is the smartest of her generation. In fact, she was awarded her Scythe of Testament as a recognition for her academic achievements.
That said, she struggles when it comes to applying all of that knowledge. Somehow she’s a total klutz when out on the field.
This, along with her tsundere streak, makes her too cute to be true.
Part of me wanted Haqua’s feelings to be noticed by the main character, Keima Katsuragi – but the way her character is written made it clear from the get-go she was only ever going to be a second plate.
Don’t worry, Haqua, we know you’re the best girl.
11. Shuhei Hisagi
Anime: Bleach
Shuhei is the co-lieutenant of the 9th Division of the Gotei 13 – and his combat prowess befits someone with such an important position in the Soul Society’s forces.
Generally, he prefers to avoid bloodshed – so he keeps his Zanpakuto in its sealed form.
Once his Shikai is released, his weapon becomes two small scythes attached to long chains – a blade meant to reap life.
Shuhei doesn’t draw much attention to himself. But he’s a man that rises to the challenge when it matters – and he has a heart of gold.
10. Erigor
Anime: Fairy Tail
If you’re looking for a warrior that’s committed to being the most powerful scythe-wielder, Erigor is the one.
He was already one of the strongest members of the Dark Guild Eisenwald, where he was known as the “Death God” for being a Mage assassin.
His choice of a scythe as his main weapon just reinforces the image.
In fact he’s so obsessed with strength, that he was happy to sacrifice his mind in exchange for more power after joining Oración Seis. That’s some resolve!
9. Shinoa Hiiragi
Anime: Seraph of the End
Don’t let yourself be fooled by Shinoa’s cute-as-a-button exterior.
This is a soldier with a champion’s ability, and she’s not one to show mercy.
A sergeant in the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, Shinoa Hiiragi wields a mighty scythe inhabited by a terrible demon.
It takes someone of her caliber to wield it without being possessed, and she makes it look easy.
Her sarcastic and somewhat apathetic demeanor is one of the character’s most endearing traits, as are her occasional tsundere moments.
8. Airi
Anime: Queen’s Blade
If this were a ranking of the hottest scythe-wielders in anime, Airi would be at the top.
Airi wields her scythe and mystic powers to dominate others in service of her master, the Swamp Witch. That said, she’s not all bad.
In fact, her kind nature and surprisingly good heart seem unbecoming of the demonic servant she’s supposed to be.
She may be a fearsome warrior. But Queen’s Blade being what it is, Airi spends most of her time on-screen being robbed of her clothing by other warriors.
7. Dead Master
Anime: Black Rock Shooter
If there’s one thing I liked about the Black Rock Shooter anime and OVAs, it’s the incredible character design – as seen on Yomi Takanashi’s “otherself”, and one of the main antagonists of the series, Dead Master.
This devilish scythe-wielder’s appeal comes from how well her weapon & the rest of her design fit together.
The vertebrae-like shape of her scythe’s body and heel are mirrored on her own horns.
The boney theme continues with Dead Master’s servants – a pair of remote-controlled skulls.
I think this character nails the scythe-wielder look incredibly well. And it helps establish her as a villain – even if deep down, she’s probably just misunderstood.
6. Gisselle
Anime: GATE
I’ll be real with you:
The main reason I included Gisselle is that I can’t get enough of dragon girls.
I’m a simple man.
I see a cute blue girl in sexy clothes, and I put her in my ranking!
That said, it’s not like she doesn’t deserve the spot.
Gisselle is one of the Twelve Apostles serving the god Hardy, and as such, she’s ridiculously powerful in battle.
You could call her a one-woman army.
As if that wasn’t enough, Gisselle can tame dragons – though after seeing the JSDF make short work of her previous draconian servants, she’s taken an interest in having a gunship of her own rather than looking for new dragons to tame.
5. L’Arc Berg Sickle
Anime: Rising of the Shield Hero
If I had to pick a single character in anime to wield a scythe for me, I’d go straight for L’Arc Berg Sickle.
I mean, he’s the Scythe Hero – that’s his whole character!
He even has a scythe tattoo on his upper arm.
You know, so people can tell he’s the scythe guy.
In all fairness, he’s actually a master of scythe-wielding. He can throw his scythe with great accuracy, spin it around, and even levitate the darn thing, if need be.
This freedom-loving champion wields the Vassal Scythe to protect his world. But he’s far from a servile knight.
L’Arc is the king of his own country. And he’s not half bad at the job.
4. Ruby Rose
Anime: RWBY
Ruby is one of those refreshing main characters who’s competent from the get-go without having to learn not to be an obnoxious idiot.
This Huntress is licensed to hunt Creatures of Grimm – terrible monsters created by the God of Darkness.
When you consider she also designed the scythe herself, you can begin to see the kind of genius we’re dealing with.
3. Celty Sturluson
Anime: Durarara!
Straight from medieval European fairytales comes Celty Sturluson – a bike-riding Dullahan featured in Durarara!
Dullahans are an ancient Celtic creature you’d recognize more easily as the headless horseman – like the one from Sleepy Hollow, except Irish.
Known as the Black Rider, Celty has changed the horse for a bike. But she’s still riding through the night looking for her missing head.
She may not have a head, but she can handle herself in a fight just fine.
Celty wields a very slim scythe that makes me think of a bent road-sign – except the sign is actually a sharp blade.
Despite being such a wacky character on the outside, this Irish fairy is pretty down-to-earth. She likes gaming, watching Netflix, and the ears on her biker helmet reveal an adorable personality within this menacing exterior.
2. Maka Albarn
Anime: Soul Eater
Maka Albarn was one of the first anime characters I ever had a crush on – and how could I not?
She’s not only adorable, but she’s also a very capable badass.
Especially when paired up with her weapon companion, Soul Evans, whose weapon form is a menacing scythe.
They say girls mature earlier than boys. And if you compare Maka to other shounen anime protagonists of her time, that seems to hold true.
A very mature outlook supports her strong-willed personality, and she’s quick on the uptake when it comes to life’s lessons.
At one point it’s even revealed Maka is actually capable of turning into a scythe herself. Can you get any more hardcore than that?
1. Hidan
Anime: Naruto: Shippuden
People don’t talk about how insane Akatsuki’s Hidan actually is.
Whereas more notorious villains like Pain and Madara had relatively understandable motivations, this S-Rank missing ninja’s only desire is to slaughter as many people as he can, in the most destructive way that he can.
He does all of this to please a Lovecraftian god known as Jashin.
He’s so good at it, Jashin even made Hidan immortal.
Immortality is a pretty solid boon by itself. But still, Hidan goes the extra mile by wielding his own bones as weapons, and making himself into a voodoo doll of his opponents after drinking their blood.
Did I mention he wields a triple-bladed scythe?
One blade just wasn’t hardcore enough for this dude.
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
