Zanbatō

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A zanbatō (斬馬刀, literally "horse-slaying sword" or "horse-chopping saber"), also spelled zanbatou or zambatou, is an especially large type of fictional Japanese sword used by some characters in anime and video games, most notably Sagara Sanosuke from the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin and Zabuza Momochi from the anime and manga series Naruto. The weapon consists of a large, wide blade attached to an extended, pole-like hilt.

[edit] Actual zanbatō

There is no historical evidence that the Japanese ever produced a weapon like the fictional zanbatō. First it would be impossible for any living person to use a blade as large as zanbatō are depicted. Additionally, the blade itself would be far too large for the type of handle with which it is depicted to support it. If a historical sword called "zanbatō" did actually exist, its form would almost certainly have been different. Some websites such as Kamakuranet offer "zanbatō" for sale that more closely resemble nodachi or ōdachi than they do the zanbatō depicted in anime series.

[edit] Chinese zhǎn mǎ dāo

A Chinese anti-cavalry weapon of the Song Dynasty written as 斬馬刀 (zhǎn mǎ dāo, literally "horse-cutting blade") is of similar proportion to a zanbatō, though it differs in form. Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamaki in construction; it had a wrapped handle 37 cm (15 in) long, making it easy to grip with two hands. The blade was 114 cm (45 in) long and very straight with a slight curve in the last half. This somewhat resembles the zanbatō and may have served as an inspiration.

[edit] Fictional appearances

In Bleach Ichigo wields this as his first sword.

In Code Lyoko the character William Dunbar carries a zanbatō when fighting in Lyoko.

Guts from the manga/anime Berserk carries the Dragon Slayer (which he has successfully used to kill both rider and horse, preserving the zanbatō's conceptual usage). It should be noted that this character's appearance predates Rurouni Kenshin by several years, and may be the first occurrence of a human using a giant sword in an anime or manga series. Additionally, the character Zodd from the same series at one point wields a sword that he calls a "zanbatō", although it is much smaller, and resembles a historical ceremonial blade.

In Rurouni Kenshin, the zanbatō is claimed to be a historical weapon from the Sengoku Period in Japan, where it was supposedly designed to be used against cavalry, its large size being useful for killing horses and their riders in a single blow. The character of Sanosuke is said to have been based on Harada Sanosuke, Sixth Unit captain of the Shinsengumi, who differed from the other captains in being a spearman, not a swordsman.

In Naruto, Zabuza Momochi, a member of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist, wields a zanbatō, occasionally called a Guillotine Sword. Another member of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of Mist, Kisame Hoshigaki, also wields a zanbatō-sized weapon (though his functions more as a sawblade) with a unique chakra-absorption ability and special shaving properties.

In the anime Vision of Escaflowne, Van's master Balgus wields a giant blade capable of even destroying giant robot Guymelefs. Though not named as such, it is of comparable size to a zanbatō. It is thinner than most presentations of the zanbatō, but more accurate in that it would have to be thinner, and thus lighter, to avoid breaking the hilt.

In the anime InuYasha, the titular character's sword Tessaiga grows into a zanbatō-sized, fang-like sword. Bankotsu, an enemy encountered later, wields the Banryū, a zanbatō-like sword referred to as a halberd in the show due to its great size. Bankotsu wields it one-handed.

The Digimon called Zanbamon's name is based on his weapon, the zanbatō.

The Super Robot Grungust Reishiki from the Super Robot Wars video game series uses a massive double-edged sword named a zankantou (斬艦刀, literally "ship-cutting sword"). True to its name, the zankantō is effective in dispatching large battleships, but is also invaluable in fighting bosses and robots. Alternately, Grungust Sanshiki wields a giant katana that enlarges into a zankantō when needed.

Ogami Ittō from the Lone Wolf and Cub manga uses Suyoryu's technique called Tsuyoi Zanbatō to attack horsemen.

In the game Guilty Gear XX there is an unlockable character called Kliff Undersn who wields a huge sword similar to a zanbatō.

In the Game Boy Advance Fire Emblem games, the zanbatō is a sword that is especially effective against calvalry.

In the RPG Final Fantasy VII, Cloud Strife's weapon, the buster sword, bears a distinct resemblance to the zanbatō.

The Aeon Yojimbo in Final Fantasy X uses "Zanmato" if he is paid enough money. The attack kills every enemy in the battle. In the sequel, Final Fantasy X-2, he uses a weaker version that leaves each character with one hit point. Also, Auron's swords in Final Fantasy X are sizeable enough to be considered zanbatō.

In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, a ninja or assassin can wield a katana called Zanmato, a sword from which assassins can learn Ultima Masher. Described as a "giant sword engraved with words of destruction", it is the outlaw "Killer Rayne"'s trademark weapon.

In the Soul Calibur series of video games, the zanbatō is said to be the weapon of choice for Seung Mina, though she uses a polearm which more resembles a Guan Dao. However, Siegfried Schtauffen does wield a blade of comparable size and shape — his primary weapon in Soul Calibur III—"Requiem".

In the anime Utawarerumono there is a character named Karurauatsuurei (Karura) that wields a gigantic sword that no ordinary man can lift.

Sword Man, one of the Robot Masters in Mega Man 8, has a massive sword on his arm that resembles a zanbatō. According to the game's manual, the sword was an ancient sword stolen from a museum by Dr. Wily, perhaps trying to tie it to ancient Japan.

Nelo Angelo (or Nero Angelo) from Devil May Cry wields a huge zanbatō as his weapon.

The Strike Gundam from the anime and manga Gundam SEED features an option pack called the "Sword Striker" which is also a zankantō in the similar fashion as above. This version is equipped with a beam cutting edge, increasing its cutting power. Its size makes it notably useless.
- The concept of MS-sized zanbatō are carried over to Gundam SEED Destiny, featured on Sword Impulse Gundam and Destiny Gundam. Unlike their predecessor, their swords are more lightweight, allowing wielding in one hand, and in the case of Destiny is foldable too, making it far more useful then the sword on Sword Striker. However, it is still less wieldy than a skilled pilot with two normal beam sabers, which allows for even faster attacks.

In the melee game series based on the Three Kingdoms period of China, Guan Ping, son of Guan Yu and brother to Guan Suo and Guan Xing, wields what could be called a zanbatō.