When considering the most fascinating anime character archetype, assassins are often at the top of the list (limited to two-dimensional fictional characters only). Their character development is often masterfully crafted, leaving one curious about their origins as villains and what drove them to become killers. Whether it be a tragic past or simply a means of income, there are various motivations behind their thirst for blood.
Additionally, their method of eliminating targets is a significant contributing factor to their notoriety. While some adhere to traditional methods such as using knives and snipers, others rely solely on their agility and power to tear their victims apart. However, being astute is a basic necessity, and it is enthralling to witness their tactical prowess in action when executing their targets after careful analysis.
In the anime world, an assassin’s role could easily be described as “mastering the art of killing.”With that said, here are some of the most talented anime assassins of all time:
Rob Lucci: The Infamous Villain in One Piece
At the mere age of thirteen, Rob Lucci was already the epitome of the perfect assassin that every government institution would desire. Having been trained by the World Government since he was at least eight years old, Lucci had been immersed in the life of an assassin for most of his life and had mastered the art of the job. He demonstrated his capabilities by single-handedly taking down an entire pirate crew and the five hundred soldiers they were holding captive.
Before the two-year time skip, during which the Straw Hat crew underwent significant growth, Rob Lucci was already recognized as one of their most formidable opponents. He had previously served as an agent of Cipher Pol 9 and was known as one of the deadliest assassins in the organization’s history.
9. Yor Forger (Spy x Family)
The Forger, known for her deceptive appearance, possesses a one-of-a-kind combination of lethal assassin skills and endearing clumsiness. She works in isolation, separate from her colleagues and makeshift family. Her physical prowess is unparalleled, capable of sending a grown man flying with a single kick and outpacing even Loid, making her a perfect fit for the title of ‘Thorn Princess.’ Her expertise in cleaning up bloody scenes is displayed in her ability to leave the Forger residence spotless.
Despite her profession as an assassin, Yor manages to maintain a balance in her life and keeps her loved ones safe. Her skills in the kitchen may not match her abilities as an assassin, and she may struggle to hold her liquor, but her lovable and hilarious personality only adds to her endearing nature. As a member of the enigmatic Garden organization, Yor uses her unparalleled speed, reflexes, and superhuman strength to swiftly eliminate her targets.
8. Akame (Akame ga Kill)
Despite her innocent appearance, Akame is a formidable force to be reckoned with. Having been raised by the Empire and trained by elite assassins since childhood, she has honed her skills and become a lethal killer, always prepared to seize any opportunity. Prior to joining Night Raid, Akame utilized her assassin abilities to eliminate numerous enemies of the Empire, earning the prestigious title of the country’s top assassin. Her strength and expertise make her one of the most powerful members of the rebel group, Night Raid.
As a child, Akame was sold by her parents to the Empire. However, she later joined the revolutionary army and dedicated herself to overthrowing the monarchy. With her exceptional speed, reflexes, and strength, as well as her impressive swordsmanship, she proves to be a versatile and formidable opponent. Akame effortlessly takes down even the most daunting enemies, demonstrating her skill in wielding swords, firearms, and hand-to-hand combat.
Claire ‘Vino’ Stanfield from Bacanno!
Despite being a standout in a show filled with superhuman characters, Claire is not characterized by overt supernatural abilities. Instead, he is revered as the greatest assassin in the world, attracting the jealousy of hitmen from all corners who aspire to challenge him and carve out a reputation for themselves. His mysterious demeanor and solipsistic outlook, in which he sees himself as the center of the universe, only adds to his mystique.
Despite his willingness to resort to violent methods, the assassin possesses a strong moral code. He is dedicated to protecting the innocent and only goes after those who pose a threat to others. In addition, he possesses incredible strength and is capable of mastering any physical task he sets out to do.
Despite being a formidable and cruel assassin, Claire’s training as an acrobat in the circus has allowed him to apply his skills with impressive agility in his new job. He moves fluidly in any area and effortlessly takes out his targets. However, he also displays remarkable heroism by only targeting potential killers and not harming innocent individuals. Despite his brutal methods, he is still able to showcase his acrobatic talents in a unique and deadly way.
Hei (Darker than Black)
Despite his aversion to killing, Hei, renowned as one of the most lethal assassins, reluctantly joined the Syndicate, an underground organization, in order to protect his sister. Through his training as an assassin, he honed his exceptional abilities in martial arts and weaponry, and his remarkable agility earned him the nickname ‘Black Reaper’ during his time as a hitman.
Hei’s exceptional ability to release electricity, combined with his remarkable physical prowess, grants him a considerable edge in battles. He favors using a knife, which he can electrify to administer lethal shocks. In addition to this, his power enables him to control matter, disable entire buildings, and even devastate a vast area of South America.
Hei’s tactical brilliance is evident in his resourcefulness in combat, as well as his ability to improvise plans and adapt to any situation.
5, The Legend of Himura Kenshin
Despite his past as a renowned hitokiri, Himura Kenshin, a skilled swordsman who gained fame during the Meiji Revolution, now strives to lead a peaceful life as a warrior, even utilizing a non-lethal blade. As a child, Kenshin was saved and trained by a master of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, a sword style known for its balance between gentleness and destructive power.
Despite his master’s peaceful nature, Kenshin chose to leave and join the war out of a strong sense of duty and a desire to protect his loved ones. However, this decision ultimately led him down a dark path of violence and death, and he gained a reputation as a renowned assassin. In just six months, he had already killed over a hundred people and earned the infamous nickname “Battosai the Slasher”. Throughout the war, Kenshin continued to live up to this title, solidifying his role as a ruthless assassin in need of redemption.
4. Itachi Uchiha
Itachi stands out as one of the most prominent characters on our list. His deeds, including the tragic act of annihilating his entire clan and setting his brother on a quest for revenge, have made a lasting impression on the series. At just 11 years old, he was enlisted into Konoha’s elite Anbu unit and rapidly ascended to the position of captain within a year.
Despite leaving the village and joining the Akatsuki, he remained one of their most formidable and influential members, further solidifying his impact on the series.
Despite appearing cold and deceitful, Itachi’s affection for his village and brother was apparent. His actions, though necessary, were motivated by his love and desire for peace. Itachi’s unwavering loyalty and love for his brother made him a complex character who stayed true until the very end.
Toji Fushiguro
Despite being the most powerful sorcerer in the world, Gojo Satoru was nearly killed by an assassin who possessed no cursed energy or technique. This speaks volumes about the assassin’s abilities. Toji Fushiguro, a former member of the Zen’in clan, was often looked down upon due to his lack of cursed energy.
As a result, Toji’s twisted personality was reinforced, allowing him to become an exceptionally merciless assassin with a distinct style among Jujutsu sorcerers. His deficiency in cursed energy and extraordinary physical abilities due to the heavenly restriction make him a highly efficient killer, particularly against other sorcerers, earning him the moniker “Sorcerer Killer.”
Toji has demonstrated proficiency in using traditional weapons like guns and katana. However, when tasked with eliminating a Jujutsu sorcerer, he opts for a variety of cursed weapons instead.
“Toji carries an array of cursed weapons, imbued with cursed energy and stored within a cursed spirit that can shrink to the size of a coin. Despite his limited screen time, he was able to decimate an entire generation of sorcerers.”
2. Koro-Sensei (Assassination Classroom)
Despite his role as the eccentric teacher of class 3-E, Korosensei was once known as “The Reaper,”considered to be one of the top assassins in the world. With a record of over a thousand kills, he possessed all the necessary traits of a highly skilled executioner.
Koro-Sensei’s reputation as the greatest assassin in the world remains unchanged, even in his human form. This is evident in his ability to effortlessly counter assassination attempts using his vast experience and keen observational skills. He retained all of his abilities from his previous form and, thanks to human experiments, gained several superhuman skills such as heightened senses, lightning-fast reflexes, and unmatched speed that surpassed even the fastest aircraft known to man.
Despite spending most of his life as a killer, Koro-sensei was highly regarded and feared by his fellow mercenaries. Although he never used his powers on his students, he gained even greater strength after undergoing government experiments. He utilized this newfound power to seek retribution against the laboratory that had subjected him to torture and resulted in the death of his dear friend.
1. Top 10 Moments of Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)
Killua was born into a notorious family of assassins, and his exceptional abilities were recognized from a young age. He quickly mastered a variety of killing techniques and was subjected to brutal training as a child. By the age of three, he was already taking part in perilous espionage missions. His combat skills are unparalleled, and his parents consider him to be the most gifted assassin in their family’s lineage.
Although he was trained to be an elite assassin, Killua eventually becomes tired of that lifestyle and decides to join his friend, Gon, in becoming a Hunter. He may have left his role as an assassin, but he still possesses the skills he acquired, including stealth, tracking, agility, stamina, and resistance to poison, pain, and electricity. Additionally, he applies his assassination techniques in battles before discovering new weapons and mastering Nen.
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