History Main / CoolSword

** Tachi/[[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]] (two-handed): The weapon of choice of the {{Samurai}} and certain {{Ninja}} (especially of the [[HighlyVisibleNinja highly visible variety]]). Tachi were in vogue for most of the time, being supplanted by katana after the Sengoku Period. Are considered the coolest swords of all by some people. [[EveryJapaneseSwordIsAKatana Not all Japanese swords were katana]], but popular culture doesn't know that...nor are they generally aware of the Katana's European counterpart, the German [[KnifeNut Großes Messer and the two-handed Kriegsmesser]]

* Shortsword Category: Most variations are shorter than a transition sword, but not quite a [[KnifeNut knife]], having an average blade length of 50 cm (20 in) that is closer to a [[MacheteMayhem machete]]. Are so short that they are always one-handed.

* ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'' has Kensuke, Laios's LivingWeapon. [[spoiler: It later grows the symbol of a winged lion, the guardian of the Golden Kingdom and one of the only creatures said to be a match for the power of the Lunatic Magician.]]
* ''Manga/ChoujinSensen'' has Sasamura wielding his katana skill in hopes of honing his [Void] sword style. The [Void] is a selfless state of mind that allows the user to perform a CleanCut.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''. All Shinigami (and then some other characters) carry ''zanpaktou'' (soul swords). Usually they look like normal swords, but when the wielder achieves First Release (Shikai), they can be temporarily made... well, variations on larger, longer, sharper, they become two swords, one of them becomes something like a few dozen razor-sharp cherry blossoms. Final Release (Bankai) is something else entirely. Usually, the weapon can't even be classified as a sword anymore. The resident MadScientist has one that turns into a {{Kaiju}} Caterpillar, a member of squad 11 has one that's a giant combination of a Dao and some kind of pendulum-blade thing which he spins around to increase its power. It's Shonen Manga, so you get what you pay for.
* Tokiya Mikagami of ''Manga/FlameOfRecca'' has a family heirloom sword named Ensui, which also doubles as a ninja madogu. Inactive, it's just a little bone handle with a spike, but when he immerses it in water it becomes a very lethal water blade. Not only can he use any fluid in it (including blood and acid) but he can use any of the forms of water (ice, steam), manipulate his surroundings, and create water doppelgangers. The more liquid he uses, the stronger it gets. The fact that he's a damn good swordsman (and the only trained fighter in the group) does not detract from Ensui's coolness.
* The Sunlight Heart Plus in ''Manga/BusoRenkin''. The upgrade to a lance is a sword... that can turn into a lance filling the empty space with energy. And can fly to the moon.
* Aion's sword in ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'', which (in the manga) [[spoiler:contains his horns, making it the source of his power]]. Father Remington also has a energy sword.
* Lohengrin and the Prince's swords in ''Anime/PrincessTutu''. The Prince's sword can even turn into two swans when broken, which... is a bit silly, but still cool, since [[spoiler:it allows Mytho to call the sword to him after Fakir breaks it with Lohengrin's sword]].
* Mikoto's sword ''Miroku'' in ''Anime/MyHime''. Powerful enough to [[AbsurdlySharpBlade cut through gilded steel]], and she can call it from anywhere if she isn't already holding it. It's also [[spoiler:[[EvilWeapon part of the body of the]] BigBad.]]
* SuperRobot shows will often have the HumongousMecha of TheHero wield some kind of Cool Sword, [[{{BFS}} impossibly huge or otherwise]].

* RealRobot wise, such is the rule of every single ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' in existence: each Gundam has to have a [[LaserBlade beam saber]] or otherwise [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam00 similar weaponry made of metal]].
** ''[[Manga/MobileSuitGundamSeedAstray Gundam SEED Astray]]'' takes this to wild extremes - Lowe Guele creates the Gerbera Straight katana so his Astray Red Frame doesn't run out of juice. Then, he built a ''150 meter version'' of that sword. Then, he built the Tactical Arms for Gai Murakumo's Astray Blue Frame, with one of its forms being a sword! Later on, Lowe makes his own Tactical Arms after the Red Frame gets beat up pretty badly.
* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'':
** [[LadyOfWar Signum's]] Laevatein is a mechanical sword with a bolt-action [[NitroBoost cartridge system]] that can [[FlamingSword burst into flame]], split into sections as a WhipSword, and [[BifurcatedWeapon combine with its sheath]] to form a bow. Plus, it's a LargeHam that speaks [[GratuitousGerman German]] and is voiced by Creator/TetsuyaKakihara.
** Fate Testarossa's Bardiche can also become a Cool Sword when it assumes its [[{{BFS}} Zanber Form]], [[LaserBlade Riot Blade]], [[DualWielding Riot Zanber Stinger]], [[{{BFS}} Riot Zanber Calamity]] or [[{{BFS}} Riot Zanber II]]. And Bardiche speaks English with a BadassBaritone.
* Gourry's Sword of Light from ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}''. A functional enough sword in its normal form, but if the blade is removed and Gourry's calls "Light Come Forth" it becomes a light-saber that can kill demons.

* Kamina from ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' [[ItMakesSenseInContext melted down a pair of swords to create a lethal, gigantic version of his sunglasses]]. It gets better too.
** Kamina also wields a katana himself, and the katana is bigger than the sheath in which it is stored.
* Nike in ''Manga/MagicalCircleGuruGuru'' eventually learns to call upon the magic sword of light, "Kira Kira." It's highly effective when used properly, but can be finicky about anything interrupting the process. This has resulted in Kira Kira having where the point of the blade would be instead be an old man's head and a little schoolhouse. On the other extreme, being summoned in an ice cave made it an ice sword.
* Asuna's Ensis Exorcizans in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', a [[{{BFS}} huge]] demon-banishing sword that can also [[AntiMagic cancel any magic, even wide-range area spells used to decimate entire armies]]. Comes in the form of a PaperFanOfDoom if you don't summon it properly.
** Then there's Jack Rakan. He's called "[[RedBaron The Thousand Blades]]" for a reason.
** Speaking of [[Creator/KenAkamatsu Akamatsu's]] work. In ''Manga/LoveHina'' the Urashima family had in its possession a sword simply called "Hina". It makes the wielder become a lot stronger and better in combat, but the thing is cursed and the demon that was sealed into it will possess the wielder if they aren't strong enough. It appeared once again in ''Negima'' in the hands of an enemy who likely stole it. The blade itself is pitch black and in combat it has its own [[BattleAura aura]] that resembles [[TechnicolorFire black flames.]]
* Manga/{{Claymore}}s use... well claymores. They're effectively a symbol of the human ability to resist the youma.

* ''Manga/SoulEater'':
** Ragnarok, [[EquippableAlly who]] varies in size and shape (though not to BFS standards), but most of the time looks like a longsword. A black longsword, who is not so much attached to his wielder as he is ''inside them'' when not being used in combat. Also counts as a Vibroweapon, and a bullying TalkingWeapon.
** Tsubaki would also count after she gains her Uncanny katana [[{{Supermode}} mode]] after [[spoiler: [[TokenMotivationalNemesis defeating her brother]] and he allows her to absorb him]]. Then there are her forms after Black Star works out the Nakatsukasa Purpose.
** Excalibur. To clarify: His sword form is perfectly symmetrical, and gives his meister powers that put them on the level of godhood (super speed, strength, etc.) Though, to wield him one must worship the very ground he walks on and follow all of his demands, if you don't do things EXACTLY his way, he won't do jack for you. The sword and his list of demands (1000 of them!) is SO annoying, nobody in the Manga has managed to use it (Some have tried, but when you bring it up, they always get the exact same look of dread on their face. It looks like a hybrid of the face one gets when constipated, combined with what occurs after a GroinAttack), with the occasional reference to one or two people who have managed to use it in the past. In an anime episode, Hiro (minor character only seen ONCE in the manga series), actually finds Excalibur tolerable and also enjoyable, and becomes the strongest meister in all of Shibusen, even taking out Black Star, Kilik and Death the Kid. This ended when Hiro couldn't stand Excalibur's constant sneezing and puts him back.
* [[FourStarBadass Major General]] Olivia Armstrong's saber in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' has to count. It has cool carving on it, and [[RunningGag it has passed down the Armstrong line]] [[MemeticMutation for generations!]]
* The many famous swords of Manga/OnePiece with Mihawks 'Kokutou Yoru' or Zoro's 'Wadou Ichi Monji' only being a few examples out of the ever growing list of cool Swords.
** Add Kizaru's sword of light to the list, it's a magic/chi variant of a [[LaserBlade lightsaber]].
* ''Manga/{{Yaiba}}'' is full of this, ad has a wide selection, including: [[BlowYouAway Fujin's Sword]], [[ShockAndAwe Raijin's Sword]], [[AllYourPowersCombined Ryujin's Sword]], the [[EvilWeapon Devil King Sword]], the [[MakingASplash Water Demon]] Longsword and the [[FlamingSword Fire Demon]] [[{{BFS}} Longsword]].

* ''Franchise/DragonBall'':
** Future Trunks's sword, which was used to kill Freeza. King Cold believed the sword was the reason how he could kill Freeza, but it's soon revealed that the sword is nothing special. However. It got chipped when Android 18 blocked the attack from Super Saiyajin Trunks and he hardly used it ever since. And in the non-canon seventh movie, it broke into two when Trunks fought a OneWingedAngel Android 13. Since after Trunks's training in the Room of Spirit and Time, Trunks never used his sword for the rest of the manga (and ''Z'' anime), likely due to its damage.
** In ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'', Trunks has another sword (or the same was just repaired), and even though it is just a regular sword and not necessary for him to use in combat, Trunks feels comfortable to have it by his side. [[spoiler:However, in the finale of his arc, Trunks somehow manages to create a Genkidama and transfers all the energy into his sword, turning it into the Sword of Hope and defeats Fused Zamasu with it.]]
** Super Janemba turns an oni's mace into the red Dimension Sword. As its name implies, it cuts through dimension and can create dimension portals. It throws {{Sword Beam}}s all the time and gives [=SSJ3=] Goku big trouble.
* The Gauntlet swords in ''Anime/{{Bakugan}} New Vestroia'' are similar to lightsabers.
** In Mechtanium Surge Dan and Mag Mel (Barodius) create energy swords with no handles!
* In ''Franchise/LupinIII'', Goemon has ''Zantetsuken'', a katana made out of either a special alloy or a meteorite (depending on the version), which can [[AbsurdlySharpBlade cut absolutely anything]]. (Except particularly strong enemies' weapons. And konnyaku gel.)
* Yoh's katana Harusame in ''Manga/ShamanKing''.

* In ''Manga/BlueExorcist'', [[AntiAntiChrist Rin]] has Kurikara. Important for being a) handed to him by his father figure before [[DeathByOriginStory he died]] b) acting as a PowerLimiter for his [[TechnicolorFire Blue]] [[{{Hellfire}} Flames]] and demonic abilities c) being an ancient demon slaying blade and finally d) also acting as a FlamingSword when drawn.
* In ''Anime/GunXSword'', Vaan wields a WhipSword that he wears around his waist like a belt that also acts as the activation key for his HumongousMecha.
* [[Anime/TenchiMuyo Tenchi Masaki]] nets himself a few in the three continuities he's a major player in (re: ones [[Anime/PrettySammy where Sasami]] [[Anime/SasamiMagicalGirlsClub doesn't take over.]]) In the OVA, he has Tenchiken, the lightsaber-like weapon that belonged to his grandpa. It's also set so that if a non-Juraian touches it, it electrocutes them. He also has the Light Hawk Sword, an energy sword ''he'' creates from the Light Hawk Wings, powerful enough to disintegrate Kagato... and split his spaceship Souja in half!
** ''Anime/TenchiUniverse'' goes back to just Tenchiken, but TheMovie shows his mom Achika pulling more out of it by elongating it to the point where she could cleave the monster KAIN.
** ''Anime/TenchiInTokyo'' gives Tenchi a crystal-like sword, comprised of six gems... but, because Tenchi [[IJustWantToBeNormal wants to be normal]], he separates the gems and gives them to the girls.

* ''Manga/{{Inuyasha}}'''s title character has his Tessaiga. So cool that Sesshomaru's antagonism is partially out of jealousy over Inuyasha being able to wield it, but not him.
* ''Manhwa/DragonRecipe'': Kalsiss is the strongest holy sword of the Holy Sword clan. Her owner, Incia, uses her for the purpose of preparing dragon meat, [[MundaneMadeAwesome because no normal sword can cut the flesh of a Kaiser Dragon.]]
* In ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventure'', Black Knight Bruford wields a cool sword [[NamedWeapons named "Luck" which is engraved on the blade.]] After he is defeated and briefly restored to his old noble self, Bruford passes on the sword to Jonathan, and adds a "P" to it with his own blood and renames it "Luck&Pluck" in honor of Jonathan's courage. Jonathan later makes good use of "Luck&Pluck" in his battle with Dio.
* Touta's "gravity sword" from ''Manga/UQHolder'' is a black katana that is able to alter the effect gravity has on it. It can be rendered completely weightless for effortless wielding, or it can increase its own mass to insane levels, giving it enormous striking power. The highest setting Touta has used thus far is the "10,000x" gravity multiplier, giving the sword an apparent weight of 500 tons. It was apparently created by Albireo Imma, a master of gravity magic.
* ''LightNovel/TheAsteriskWar'': [[EmpathicWeapon Ogre Luxes]] come in all shapes and sizes, but special mention goes to the Four Colored Magic Swords, weapons so powerful they could destroy the world if their power is misused. One of these, the Ser-Veresta, is wieled by TheHero Ayato.

* ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'': In addition to Meta Knight’s sword Galaxia (Mentioned below in the Video Games folder), there’s also the weapon wielded by Sirica, a one-shot character who appears in “Crusade for The Blade.” While the weapon itself is technically a [[SwissArmyGun multi-use firearm]], it ''does'' have a retractable blade that, when activated, can be used for close combat.
* In ''Manga/TheRedRangerBecomesAnAdventurerInAnotherWorld'', the Sacred Sword is the royal family's holy sword created by fusing seven holy swords together and the prized weapon that was once used by a previous hero to seal away the demon lord. It's a MorphWeapon capable of changing its shape to change its abilities and is powerful enough to stagger even Red's [[HumongousMecha Maximum Kizuna Kaiser]].

* The adamantium/titanium (depending on what version) sword in ''ComicBook/{{Blade}}'' that has an interesting security system built into it to mutilate the hand of any unknowing wielders. (When it's titanium, Blade has to actually behead the vampire to kill them.)
* While few of the swords ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}'' has used were particularly elaborate, they were all very old. Only ever used as improvisational weapons, you'd think a rusty piece of metal wouldn't be that cool. But they are. May be Mike Mignola's [[AuthorAppeal love of Gothic antiquity rearing its head]].
** He was recently given [[spoiler: Excalibur]], which appears as a somewhat ornate and unusually long gladius. There's also [[spoiler: his father's sword, which waits for him in Pandemonium and will herald the Apocalypse]].

* Soultaker, the blade of ComicBook/{{Katana}} from ''[[ComicBook/BatmanAndTheOutsiders The Outsiders]]'', drinks the souls of those it kills, and then makes them available as ghosts to answer questions.

* Martha from ''ComicBook/GiveMeLiberty'' uses one (a saber) when she fights the gay nazis IN SPACE! (She wisely refuses to use firearms, since they'd puncture the station's outer hull, which would kill both parties. [[TooDumbToLive Her opponents are not that smart.]])
* In ''ComicBook/FishPolice'', Inspector Gill acquires a sword which he names [[ICallItVera Suds-Guzzler]].
* ''ComicBook/XMen'': Illyana Rasputin's Soulsword, forged from her very soul. It's incapable of cutting purely physical objects (though it still blocks things just fine), but it can cut through anything the least bit magical -- artifacts, enchantments, demons, etc. -- like a hot knife through butter. It also generates a kickass armor when she wills it. Ilyana's own magical abilities are also enhanced while wielding the Soulsword. Finally, the sword is a symbol of her mastery over Limbo.
* The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odinsword Odinsword]]. A ''huge'' sword several hundred feet in length, it's so powerful that it's considered a weapon of mass destruction by the Asgardians. Let that sink in for a second. A race of superpowerful ''warrior gods'' fear the Odinsword's power. In ''ComicBook/FearItself'' Odin revealed the sword's true name is Ragnarok.
* ''ComicBook/UsagiYojimbo'': Usagi's daisho, a katana and wakizashi [[NamedWeapons named Willow Branch and Young Willow, respectively.]] While the weapons are nothing more than master-crafted swords Usagi won in his first tournament, they have seen extensive use over more than a decade, cutting tree trunks and nicking other swords in {{Blade Lock}}s, and are still in pristine condition.
* Interestingly, Creator/AntarcticPress had a series of "How to Draw Manga" books with one section on swords. The artist pretty much told the reader that if you're gonna draw a Cool Sword, make it ''practical''.

* In DC Comics, Nightmaster was a member of ''ComicBook/{{Shadowpact}}'' and was the wielder of the ''Sword of Night''. The sword gave eternal youth, the ability to compel the truth from someone, cut through almost anything, warned its wielder of danger and could split into three swords that shot out at victims.

* In the 2016 comics, ComicBook/DoctorStrange forges the first magical relic that bears ''his'' name, a sword capable of cutting through dimensions. When his forging mentor Eoffren dubs it the Sword of Strange, Stephen instead calls it a scalpel: the Scalpel of Strange.
* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': In ''ComicBook/TheDayTheCheeringStopped'', the Sword of Superman is a short double-edged orange broadsword forged at the dawn of the universe which can grant its wielder godlike knowledge and power.

* In ''Fanfic/TruthAndConsequences'', Adrien recieves Fang, a green [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]] fueled by the PowerOfHate, forged by [[YinYangBomb combining the powers]] of the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous, and wielded by Sarutobi Sasuke, who was a past wielder of the Black Cat. It can't even be drawn from its sheath unless the wielder has enough hate for whatever they want to destroy, but is impossibly sharp in the [[IaijutsuPractitioner instant after it's drawn]]. [[SpiritAdvisor Sarutobi]] refuses to give it up until Adrien proves he's worthy of it, and puts him through hell to do so.
* The author of the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' fic within a fic in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10849720/1/Another-Life Another Life]]'' gives her AuthorAvatar the ultimate cool sword: Excalibur, "the mystic sword of Merlin." Then, because that's not cool enough, she melts it down to make "Excaluzi, the Mystic Machine Gun That Slew Voldemort."
* ''Roleplay/CityOfChains'' features ''Everburn,'' [[WarriorPrince Lucien's]] [[AncestralWeapon family sword]]. Bonus points for being a {{BFS}} and having an enchantment that superheats it to cut through more stuff.

* In the ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' fanfic ''Fanfic/{{Forward}}'', River acquires a Chinese ''jian'' that was once owned by a [[ShoutOut General]] [[VideoGame/Fallout3 Jingwei]]. Aside from being a nice blade, it also [[ShockAndAwe channels electricity]].
* Kyon's {{Laserblade}} in ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'', whose hilt was used by [[AncestralWeapon one of his ancestors]] and blade was made from the remains of a robot from another world.
* Predictably enough, Saber's sword in the Fate/Stay Night fanfic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7509812/1/Nails Nails]]. The edge is sharp enough to cut through atoms and [[ArtisticLicenseNuclearPhysics cause nuclear fission explosions with every swing]].
* In the ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'' [[BadFuture Dark World]], [[EleventhHourRanger Minty Pie]] -- at some point during her [[HeroOfAnotherStory offscreen adventures]] -- acquires the Sword of Four Seasons, a magically blessed sword capable of purifying beings its used on.
** Lord Tirek, during his original rampage, possessed a sword called Eclipse, that was forged from the remains of [[spoiler:PandorasBox]] that had contained the immense dark magic he'd absorbed to gain his power.

* In the ''[[Literature/TheHungerGames Hunger Games]]'' fic ''Fanfic/SomeSemblanceOfMeaning'', both [[{{Deuteragonist}} Obsidian]] and [[BloodKnight Achilles]] fight with cool swords.
* In ''Fanfic/ThePrincessAndTheDragon'':
** Jean Claude's sword [[spoiler:made from the scales of a White Dragon kit.]]
** Bakura's (stolen) magical weapon, aptly named Dragonsbane.

* Kai Fischer from the ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' and ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'' fanfic, ''Fanfic/RidingTheWaves'', gets a pirate sword. Its origins aren't completely known.

* In Chapter 22 of ''Fanfic/RanmaSaotomeChiMaster'', Ranma and Shampoo each receive a very valuable and exquisitely forged sword from Ranma's guru (who is also Shampoo's grandmother); Ranma a Jian for his hard work as her apprentice, and Shampoo a Dao as a belated sixteenth birthday present.
* ''WebVideo/NightwingTheSeries'': Deathstroke wields a katana-like blade which he wears on his back and uses for up-close assassinations.

* ''Fanfic/AManOfIron'' continues Westeros' tradition of having lots of cool swords lying around. In addition to the canonical [[{{BFS}} Ice]]:
** Tony has forged two Valyrian steel swords, Lawkeeper (which he gave to Rhodey) and Shadowfang (which he gifts to Jon, hoping to create a new AncestralWeapon for the Iron Pointe Starks). Bonus points to the latter, which has a sunstone in the hilt, which makes it lighter to wield.
** House Bracken's AncestralWeapon, Hate Eternal, which is powerful enough to cut through both of a man's hands in one blow [[spoiler: even when used by a teenager like Theon]].
** [[spoiler: Gerion Lannister, [[CompositeCharacter now called]] Nikolos Fury, retrieved and now wields Brightroar.]]
* In ''Fanfic/TheWeaverOption'', Taylor has the Nebula's Shard, an ancient Eldar weapon that kills all Eldar in its immediate vicinity in a rather spectacular manner if it manages to cut any one of them.
* ''Fanfic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'': Night Blade's AncestralWeapon ''Determined Point'', and the Masamane sword he replaced it with.
* In ''Fanfic/PurpleDays'', Joff retrieves Brightroar and fuses it to his soul, allowing him to summon and dismiss it at will.
* ''Fanfic/HarbingerFinmonster'' (''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'', ''WesternAnimation/ParaNorman''): Wendy Corduroy's sword, besides being a {{BFS}}, has runes running down the middle, and Danny notes that it's ''not'' a normal weapon, given its ability to harm supernatural entities.

* The sword made by Domingo Montoya for the six-fingered Count Rugen and wielded by Domingo's son [[MyNameIsInigoMontoya Inigo Montoya]] in ''Film/ThePrincessBride''.
* The same six-fingered sword prop is Top Dollar's weapon of choice in ''Film/TheCrow''
* The ancestral two-handed sword carried by Etienne Navarre in ''Film/{{Ladyhawke}}''. Each wielder embeds a jewel on its handle to mark its lineage.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Lightsabers in general are pretty darn cool. Particular examples from the films include:
** Darth Maul's double version.
** Count Dooku's bent handle version, which mimics the current pistol-grip handle used in Olympic fencing so Christopher Lee could mix point-control techniques from his fifty years of experience in fencing with kendo techniques.
** Luke's green one was unique in the original trilogy.
** Mace Windu's purple lightsaber, which is unique in the films. Creator/SamuelLJackson requested the color so he could pick himself out in the big fight scenes.
** The crystal within [[Film/TheForceAwakens Kylo Ren's]] lightsaber is cracked, which causes the blade to have a fiery, unstable look to it. It also has two venting ports on the crossguard that manifest as small blades in themselves, which he can use to break a BladeLock by driving the exhaust into his opponent, separate from the main blade.

* The swords made by Hattori Hanzo from ''Film/KillBill''. Three people in the movie have had swords made for them by the legendary swordsmith: the Bride, Bill himself, and Budd.
* Balian of Ibelin inherits his father's sword in ''Film/KingdomOfHeaven''. The DVD features include a piece on how they went about making the sword to look as cool as possible without compromising its functionality.
* Lord Loxley's sword in ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'', which the Sheriff of Nottingham pulls out in the last fight sequence. He dominates the fight until he drops it, but as soon as he picks it up again, he [[TakeThat splits Robin's sword in twain.]]

* In ''Film/{{Braveheart}}'', William Wallace's claymore becomes a symbol of the man.
* ''Film/StarTrek2009'': When asked what his specialty was in combat, Sulu answers "fencing." Kirk is less than impressed until Sulu whips out a telescoping saber and kicks a little ass.
* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'':
** The sword Will makes for James Norrington in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl first film]] shows up in all the sequels and is regularly noted as a "nice sword". It's replaced by Blackbeard's sword in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides fourth movie]] which can control ships! It is later owned by Barbossa at the end.
** It seems as if the only redeeming quality of working on the ''Flying Dutchman'' under the command of Davy Jones is that you get a really kick-ass sword. Just look at Hadras's.
* Patrick Swayze's character in ''Film/SteelDawn'' fight with one. [[BlingBlingBang And it's shiny too]]!

* The "Alumutian" blades in ''Prince of Persia and the Sands of Time''.
* The Sword of Doom and the Sword of Fate in ''Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword''.
* The Vorpal Sword in ''Film/AliceInWonderland2010''.
* In ''Film/TheSwordAndTheSorcerer'', the hero is armed with a triple-bladed sword that can shoot two of its blades.
* In ''Film/{{Blade}}'', the title character has a booby-trapped silver katana for fighting vampires.
* In ''Film/TronLegacy'', as well as having discs to go hand-to-hand combat with, Quorra reveals a new weapon, a [[http://tron.wikia.com/wiki/File:Codex_weap_katana.png lightsaber-like]] [[http://tron.wikia.com/wiki/File:Olivia-Wilde-as-Quorra-640x960.jpg sword]].
* In ''Film/RedSun'', the gold sword the Emperor of Japan sent to President Grant as a token of friendship
* The warrior in the StonePunk film ''Film/TheDeadLands'' wields a pair of short swords carved from stone.
* In ''Film/TheLastWitchHunter'', Kaulder wields Hexenbane, a sword that killed possibly hundreds of witches, can crush stone and has a mechanism enabling it to be [[FlamingSword set on fire]].

* ''Film/TheBastardSword'' The sword itself has legendary properties.

* A villainous version shows up in ''Literature/WayOfTheTiger'' with the sword, Sorcerak. Your character, Avenger is a BarefistedMonk ninja who avoids using weapons other than shurikens and maybe poison needles (if that skill was chosen). Instead Sorcerak belongs to his archenemy, Honoric who's the grand marshal of an army dedicated to an evil deity. Sorcerak radiates fear in enemies and will absorb opposing magic - this will prove useful to Avenger if he has a chance to kill Honoric early on.
* The titular Bloodsword and its twin, the Demon's Claw in ''Literature/BloodSword'', these two weapons were made by the angel of Death to separate the world of dead from the living. As such they are easily the most powerful weapons in the series and are especially devastating against undead (capable of killing them instantly). Other interesting swords include Bludtranker, a sword that was forged from a sliver of the sword belonging to the god Frey and deals extra damage to giants, and the sword of Loge which is blue crystal sword whose blade turns invisible in combat - making it easier to hit enemies as they have a difficult time defending against the unseen blade.
* ''Literature/TheFabledLands'' has a few available during certain quests, but none moreso than the White Sword. It's described as being made from a white metal, adds a whopping +8 to the PlayerCharacter's combat skill and cannot be lost through robbery, imprisonment, or even death. Fittingly, it is given to the player as a gift by Nagil, the God of Death if the player has the Chosen One Of Nagil title.
* In the ''[[Literature/EndlessQuest Blade of the Young Samurai]]'', you are the titular samurai and you're on a quest to recover 3 magical items in Nippon, including your father's katana which is a "sunblade" that lets you trash practically any enemy you encounter.

* Caspian's katana sword in ''Literature/AstralDawn'' is an example of this. It has a silver blade and is made from his center. He later creates a more powerful version with a gold blade. Another awesome sword is the sword Caspian has to find in order to defeat Devlyn, Magali's crystal blade Sword of Fracture.
* From the "Jabberwocky" poem in ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'', there's the vorpal sword. The vorpal sword goes on to become iconic in tabletop gaming circles through TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons.

* ''Literature/TheCampHalfBloodSeries'':
** Literature/{{Percy Jackson|AndTheOlympians}}'s sword, Anaklusmos/Riptide, which is made of celestial bronze and can only hurt heroes, monsters and gods; it also turns into a pen and reappears in Percy's pocket if he ever throws or drops it somewhere. It can also be used as an actual pen, but it takes 9 main books for Percy to realize this.
** Then there's Luke Castellan's sword Backbiter, forged of both steel and bronze so it can hurt both mortal and god [[spoiler: made from Kronos's scythe and eventually reforged into that shape]].
** Nico di Angelo wields a [[BlackSwordsAreBetter black]] sword made of Stygian Iron. The sword has the unique ability to absorb a monster's life force when killed, thereby [[DeaderThanDead stopping]] the ResurrectiveImmortality of monsters.
** ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'' has Jason's Imperial Gold sword, which can also turn into a javelin. Sadly, it broke during the fight with Enceladus. Though he gets a new one from Juno herself at the end of the book.
** ''Literature/MagnusChaseAndTheGodsOfAsgard'' brings us Sumarbrander, the Sword of Summer/Jack. A sentient, floating, ''talking' sword that can kill pretty much anything, create portals into other worlds, and will boast as it does so.

* In ''Literature/LoyalEnemies'', darkans are an entire category of Cool Swords. They're extremely sharp, beautifully decorated and roughly katana-shaped. As druidic weapons, they have an inbuilt DetectEvil ability and glow green in the presence of [[OurMonstersAreDifferent darklings]]. This actually proves more annoying than useful, as the darkan used in the story is wielded by werewolf Shelena. Try to sneak up on somebody with your sword shining like a glowstick.
* In Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series:
** Inverted with Carrot Ironfoundersson's sword, which is the most unmagical sword there is. It has no power, it has no name, there is nothing written on it, there are no jewels on its hilt. It's just "a long piece of metal with very sharp edges." But it's still a Cool Sword, because, as Fred Colon observes, "Real kings had shiny swords, obviously. Except, except, except maybe your ''real'' real king of, like, days of yore, he would have a sword that didn't sparkle one bit but was bloody efficient at cutting things." Said sword can effortlessly rip through metal, and on one occasion, went right through a man and buried itself into the solid granite pillar behind him...because a real king doesn't just pull a sword from a stone, he can shove a sword ''into'' a stone.\\
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The tendency for swords to be magical and special and what not was lampshaded when Carrot first received his sword, as it was noted that the fact that it wasn't magical or special in any way made it one of the most unique swords in the world. In the same book, the fake heir to the throne has a glittery, gem-laden sword of inestimable coolness that [[CurbStompBattle utterly fails to save him]] vs. a dragon. The trick, though, lies in how [[MagicAIsMagicA magic on the Discworld works]]. Death and his family, for example, can pass through walls and such because they're more ''real'' than other things. If Carrot's sword truly has no magic in it, then it's got to be thoroughly ''real'', which would make it extremely powerful when pitted against...well, most anything on the Disc.
** Death's sword, however, is so thin it can barely be seen, and so sharp it can cut a flame in half. It's primarily another tool for [[TheGrimReaper reaping the souls of the dead]], so its blade has the same properties as his scythe, but for the most part it's reserved for kings.
** Vetinari's sword is rumored to be one of these (supposedly made from iron extracted from human blood), but in fact it is completely ordinary. It's not even a sword. People assume his walking stick is a SwordCane (with the aforementioned blood of a thousand enemies rumour), and he allows them to think this because "if people think you might have a sword, they forget that you definitely have a club". His actual weapons of choice are ordinary stilettos.
** The swords of Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde may look all worn and notched, but that's just because [[OldSoldier they've gotten a lot of use.]] Since the Discworld runs on Narrative Causality, the Horde (seven geezers, one of them in a wheelchair) run (or, in one case, ''roll'') roughshod over entire armies, but that comes back to bite them when they're facing Carrot, solo, armed with a ''spectacularly'' unmagical sword. Cohen, knowing from long experience exactly what that sort of setup does to the probabilities, backs down immediately.
** Hrun's sword Kring from ''Literature/TheColourOfMagic'' is so cool it can not only hold a conversation (probably better than [[DumbMuscle Hrun]] can), but can also take over anyone wielding it. It has various motivations, from forcing its wielder to be a hero, as with [[LovableCoward Rincewind]], to avoiding being stuck in a coal seam for millions of years (it was thrown in a lake once, possibly for being annoying, and didn't enjoy that). Ironically, what it ''really'' wants is to be a ploughshare ("[[CallToAgriculture I have no idea what that is, but it sounds like an existence with some point to it]]").
* In ''Literature/TheDreamsideRoad'', Orson’s sword of fire is his signature weapon and can cut through everything from guns to [[spoiler:Tucker’s]] Cobalt isotope-powered metal.

* In ''Literature/TheIcemarkChronicles'', the hero of the second book, Charlemagne, is given a prophetical sword called the Blade of Fire.
* The ''Literature/KingdomsDisdain'' series: The Castle of Aldroy has a "Hall of Swords", a whole room of them. The most prominent so far is Valsofren, a sword as long as a man is tall that is said to only cut those the weilder hates, never an ally or loved one. This tragically doesn't apply to AccidentalMurder.
* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' we have the impossibly cool ''Callandor'', a sword-shaped crystal artifact capable of greatly amplifying magic, one of the most powerful magical artifacts in existence, which only TheChosenOne [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything could pull out of its magical stasis]]. Our hero pulled it out, then jammed it back into the ground to remind everyone he was coming back for it, rather than use it. Turns out this was smart, as ''Callandor'' was flawed, and constant use would [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity drive him insane]] even faster than normal, if it didn't [[SuperPowerMeltdown kill him first]]. He's used it once or twice since then, and even for him, gone nutty.\\
\\
The series also has Rand's first sword, his father's, marked as a blademaster's weapon which could never be damaged. It was destroyed when he stabbed Ba'alzamon with it. Rand then got the sword of King Laman of Cairhien. Even Mat has an ''ashandarei'', a spear with a sword blade on the end. There was also Justice, the sword of Artur Hawkwing. The swords with heron marks have different degrees of coolness. Most of them are mundane and modern, albeit of excellent workmanship. The rest are relics of the Age of Legends. Most of them are just mass-produced standard issue weapon (like the Japanese WWII-era [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingunto Shingunto]] swords, but wrought with the One Power), while the very few are individually crafted for prominent personalities.
* ''Stormbringer'' from ''Literature/TheElricSaga'' by Michael Moorcock, which has the distinction of being a Cool Sword, a {{BFS}}, ''and'' an ArtifactOfDoom.
* During the final confrontation in K. J. Taylor's ''Literature/TheFallenMoon'' each of the two opponents wields one. Arenadd uses the traditional Northern sickle specially made for him. Erian has [[TakeUpMySword his father's sword]] which he has had blessed by the sun god.
* ''Changeling'' from C.J. Cherryh's ''Literature/MorgaineCycle'' has a edgeless "blade" made out of crystal, which would make it harmless... except that, when unsheathed, its tip produces a rift in the fabric of reality [[WeaponsThatSuck that sucks up everything in its path]].
* The Sword of Riva from ''Literature/TheBelgariad''. An [[{{BFS}} incredibly large sword]] made of [[ThunderboltIron meteoric iron]], it's so heavy it needs the MacGuffin stuck on its pommel to lighten its weight. It also has a tendency to glow with [[FlamingSword blue fire]] when aforementioned macguffin is attached.
** Garion is able to use the Orb of Aldur to give a friend's sword some similar properties. By the time Garion is done with it, 'Zakath is able to use his {{BFS}} as a rapier because it weighs absolutely nothing.
** Cthrek Goru, Torak's black sword, is also pretty damn cool. A [[ArtifactOfDoom cursed]] {{BFS}} that [[CastingAShadow leaks shadow]] with every swing, it intills fear in all those menaced by it. Wielded first by Torak, and then by [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils the Demon Lord Mordja]], it is present at both [=EVENT=]s and serves as the EvilCounterpart to the Sword of the Rivan King.
* In Creator/DanAbnett's TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} novel ''Literature/{{Ravenor}} Returned'', they go up against a warp-tainted sword, which is ''vampiric''. The wound freaks out the doctor they find to treat it.
* The sword of Martin the Warrior from the Literature/{{Redwall}} series. Another case of meteoric iron, plus handed down through many followers. It's been described as having an edge like midwinter, which is just pure badass. This weapon is proof a sword doesn't have to have a unique look (all it has going for it is a ruby pommelstone and black-cloth-wrapped handgrip) to be a Cool Sword. It wasn't always a Cool Sword; in the prequel ''Martin the Warrior'', it's just his family's sword, with nothing else special about it. When Martin arrives in Mossflower, Tsarmina breaks it in a fit of rage, and it later gets reforged using meteoric iron by UltimateBlacksmith Boar the Fighter into the blade of legend.
* In Creator/CSLewis's ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'', Peter is given a sword by Father Christmas. In ''Literature/PrinceCaspian'', when they have found themselves back in Narnia, they go to get their gifts, and Peter takes it down and announces that it is his sword, with which he killed the wolf.
** In the ''Prince Caspian'' scene described above, he refers to the sword as ''Rhindon'' - [[http://narnia.wikia.com/wiki/Rhindon Wiki Narnia]] has a detailed description.
** Surely the rapier of Reepicheep the Mouse falls under this trope the one way or the other?
* In Creator/DanAbnett's ''Literature/GauntsGhosts'' novels, Ibram Gaunt's swords are not only [[ChainsawGood chainswords]]; his first one was [[ItWasAGift a gift from his mentor]], and after it is [[WreckedWeapon wrecked (much to his distress)]], he receives the power sword of Hieronymo Sondar, the founder of Vervunhive, while he tries to defend it in ''Necropolis''. [[spoiler:In ''Only in Death'', Varl confirms Gaunt's death by showing the sword. Then Ezsrah takes it for a ''bludtoll'', a RoaringRampageOfRevenge to culminate in [[DeathSeeker his own death]], and Mkoll chases after him to recover it. Rather than fight Ezsrah, he agrees to follow him until he dies and recover the sword then.]]
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' novel ''The Black Road'', the main character, Darrick, looks for a sword, Stormfury, that will allow him to defeat the main villain of the book. When he finds it, the sword looks like a plain infantryman's weapon. When Darrick questions its lack of style, the sword's guardian points out that an impressive and awe-inspiring weapon would be more likely to be stolen, and the sword's abilities could not to be kept secret.
* The titular blade of the ''Literature/SwordOfTruth'' series. It's indestructible, can cut through anything the wielder perceives as an enemy, and feeds off the user's anger. And in the right hands, it can make the wielder a near unbeatable swordsman.
* In William King's ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' Literature/SpaceWolf novel ''Wolfblade'', Ragnor loses his sword defending the House of Belisarius. The Celestarch therefore gives him one: from the time of the Emperor, that had once belong to Skander. It fits his hand as if made for him, and the rune radiate a strange coldness.
* In Creator/GrahamMcNeill's ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' Literature/HorusHeresy novel ''False Gods'', Maggard wields a Kirlian blade -- "forged on ancient Terra and said to be able to severe the connection between body and soul" -- and Horus is impressed with how it killed the [[ZombieApocalypse walking corpses]] (as well as with Maggard's own skill).
** Horus himself carries a golden sword, forged for him by one of his battle brothers when he was made Warmaster.
** Temba carrires a warp-tainted sword that Temba [[IKnowYourTrueName whispered Horus's name]] to before fighting with new skill (although the sword is too blood thirsty, and Horus manages to kill him). [[spoiler:But Horus's wound is killing him, and Loken discovers the sword was a xenos artifact -- too late to prevent Erebus, whom he knows responsible for this, from taking Horus to a shrine.]]
** In Creator/JamesSwallow's ''The Flight of the Eisenstein'', Garro's sword Libertas. Parts of it are older than the Age of Strife, and when he discovers Horus's treachery, he has his men swear their [[ThePromise oath of moment]] on it. [[spoiler:Later the reanimated corpses have "plague knife" which produce infection when they strike.]]
* Various "great weapons" in Steven Brust's ''Literature/{{Dragaera}}'' series.
* Parodied in the ''Literature/RiverOfDancingGods'' series with Joe the Barbarian and his mighty sword Irving.
* In Bernard Cornwall's Literature/{{Sharpe}} novels the title character wields a heavy cavalry sword. Whilst this weapon is not unusual for the period in which the books are set it is unusual for a light infantry officer to carry such a large blade. In ''Sharpe's Sword'' Sharpe was given the choice between a cool sword that was more like a work of art, a symphony designed to kill, and a mass-produced heavy cavalry sabre that had been customised with love by his friend Patrick Harper. Guess which one he chose.
* Need, from Creator/MercedesLackey's ''[[Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar Velgarth]]'' books, is an archtypical version. In the hands of a mage or other martially unskilled person, the sword confers the abilities of a master fighter, to the point of hijacking their body if need be. In the hands of a warrior or other magically unskilled person, it provides nearly complete immunity to any magic cast on them without their permission. No matter ''who'' holds it, she will [[HealingFactor heal with remarkable speed]]. The downsides? Need chooses its bearer and will [[EmpathicWeapon only work for a woman]], [[RestrainingBolt will not harm a woman even if the woman in question is trying to kill Need's bearer]], and will... press... its wielder into [[ChronicHeroSyndrome aiding any woman in the area whether that woman wants help or not]].
-->Woman's Need calls me
-->As Woman's Need made me
-->Her Need I must answer
-->As my maker bade me.
** Somewhat amusingly, in her last appearances in the series Need is wielded by Firesong k'Treva, a gay ''male'' Hawkbrother archmage. Need, by this point fully conscious, explains that Firesong is able to make full use of her power because he is "balanced," [[InTouchWithHisFeminineSide his masculine and feminine qualities in harmony]].
* All of the [[TalkingSword live swords]] in ''Literature/{{Paladins}}''; [[BloodKnight the Khan]], [[IncorruptiblePurePureness the Nameless]], and [[TykeBomb Nadide]] all appear in the novel, and many more are mentioned.

* ''Literature/DawnOfWar'': In Chris Roberson's ''Dawn Of War II'', Wisdom. Explicitly described as a rare sword so marvelous as to have a name. Lost in a fight with a tyrannid, it is found again in a collection of xenos artifacts, and one SpaceMarine immediately takes it up in order to undo the shame.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
** The Swords of the Cross, which each have [[PublicDomainArtifact a nail from the True Cross]] worked into the blade. They are ''Fidelacchius'', ''Esperacchius'', and ''Amoracchius'': the swords of Faith, Hope, and Love respectively. If that weren't cool enough, ''Ghost Story'' confirms that they are also respectively the [[{{Kusanagi}} Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi]], Durandal, and {{Excalibur}}, or were at least reforged therefrom.
** [[spoiler: In due course, the Sword of Faith breaks, when used by one with impure intent. It is now nothing but a hilt. This hilt comes into the possession of a nerd, in a moment of great peril. The nerd is proved worthy. Fidelacchius appears to be delighted to become [[Franchise/StarWars precisely the kind of sword]] that every nerd immediately thinks of when given the specifications "cuts through anything" and "starts out as just a hilt". That said, there is a limit to its awesome power. It will not harm mortals, only the supernatural. So against a mugger or mortal minion of a demon and the angelic light will not touch them.]]
** The Wardens of the White Council have some heavily enchanted swords which can [[AntiMagic cut through magic]]. [[spoiler:Harry didn't get one when he was made a Warden in ''Literature/DeadBeat'' because the wizard who makes them was rendered unable to do so by the events of the book]].

* Sadrao and Kuroinu's swords in ''Literature/BlackDogs''. Sadrao's, which possibly counts as a {{BFS}} (if you're human-sized), is said to be so well crafted that if properly taken care of it could be used for a hundred years.

* Creator/TadWilliams's ''Literature/MemorySorrowAndThorn'' is about the three titular swords and their role in defeating ([[PropheticFallacy or not]]) the [[BigBad Storm King]].
* In ''Literature/TheSongOfRoland'', we have [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durandal Durandal]], [[VideoGame/{{Marathon}} No, not that one.]], the sword of Charlemagne's paladin, Roland. Said to be indestructible, in addition to containing various holy relics in its hilt, including a tooth of St. Peter, blood of St. Basil, and a hair of St. Denis.
** This sword was so indestructible, that when Roland attempted to smash it to prevent it being taken by the Saracens, he accidentally created La Brèche de Roland, a large gap in the Pyrennes mountains forty meters wide and a hundred meters tall.
* In ''Literature/BookOfTheNewSun'', Severian's executioner's sword "Terminus Est" has a hollow blade half filled with mercury, with the intent of causing its balance to shift when making a decapitating strike from above, thus making the strike more effective ([[VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight NOT with the intent of poisoning the blade]]).
* In ''Literature/TheScar'', Uther Doul wields a "possible sword" from the Ghosthead Empire; when swung imprecisely, it simultaneously strikes everywhere it could have possibly struck. Note that if you are not a competent swordsman, it is possible to cut yourself.

* In Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Literature/TheHourOfTheDragon'', Zenobia brings Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian a sword when she rescues him.
-->''Whatever else she might be, she was proven by that dagger to be a person of practical intelligence. It was no slender stiletto, selected because of a jeweled hilt or gold guard, fitted only for dainty murder in milady's boudoir; it was a forthright poniard, a warrior's weapon, broad-bladed, fifteen inches in length, tapering to a diamond-sharp point.''
** In ''Literature/ThePhoenixOnTheSword'', a long-dead seer talks with Conan and gives his sword a phoenix mark, which allows it to kill {{Eldritch Abomination}}s even when broken.
** [[Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian Conan's]] first sword when he was just a teenager evading some wolves. He stumbles upon the barrow of a long-dead chieftain. This chieftain had been entombed with his broadsword, which was one of the earliest iron weapons to have been made since Atlantis had fallen. Despite its age, there were only a few spots of rust and was still good condition. It was a fine sword for any age and when Conan took it, the chieftain went undead leading to a fight, with Conan emerging with his first sword. Despite being otherwise mundane, this blade would be the influence for Conan's magical Atlantean sword in the movie and TV adaptations.
** Interestingly ''[[AvertedTrope rarely the case]]'' in the original stories by Howard. Conan tends to lose his weapons through various circumstances like breaking them in fights or getting them confiscated after being arrested or captured. He tends to just use whatever he can pick up in his adventures - primarily swords and axes, maybe occasionally a spear or club, but they'll always be nondescript and fairly mundane. He's not particularly attached to them, either - in one story where he ''does'' have a cool sword he briefly considers selling it to cover a gambling debt, and only stops when he realises he can [[AntiHero just keep the sword and use it to make more money]].
* In the ''Literature/{{Shannara}}'' series by Terry Brooks there are two of these. Literature/TheSwordOfShannara, which can [[spoiler: reveal the truth]] about anything it touches, and the jet black Sword of Leah, which, having been dipped in the Hadeshorn, can now cut and parry magic as though it were iron and steel.
* The ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'' expands on the types of lightsabers available. Mara Jade also has a pink one, as did Siri Tachi, a love interest for Obi-Wan when he was young. There are also tonfa-style sabers, the rapier-like lightfoils, and [[WhipSword lightwhips]] which are almost always wielded by [[WhipItGood hot dark side temptresses]].
* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Shardblades are [[{{BFS}} enormous]] {{Soul Cutting Blade}}s that often have fancy designs or symbols on the blade. They are much much lighter than their massive size would indicate and can be vanished to {{Hammerspace}} when not being used. WordOfGod is that part of the reason he came up with them was because he was annoyed that the coolest fantasy swords [[Franchise/StarWars were in a sci-fi series]]. Also, [[spoiler: living]] Shardblades wielded by an active Knight Radiant are even cooler, having glowing TronLines on them on them in the Radiant's order's colour. [[spoiler: They don't even have to be swords.]]
* By the same author, we have Nightblood from ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}''. Created by [[InsubstantialIngredients forging a thousand souls into its black blade]], it is sentient, quite intelligent, and bent on destroying all evil in the world. When drawn, it will vaporize anything you hit with it, at the cost of draining away your soul. Oh, and WordOfGod is that it's a FlawedPrototype[=/=]SuperPrototype that was an attempt to create a Shardblade.
* Many a young fantasy fan was introduced to this trope by [[FlamingSword Dyrnwyn]] in ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain''.

* In Teresa Frohock's ''Literature/MiserereAnAutumnTale'', the good guys' swords can not be wielded if stolen; this is what tells Raechel that Lucian was given the sword he carries.
* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', there's the Sword of Gryffindor; which is a goblin-made, pure silver sword capable of being strengthened by the magical properties of creatures it slays. After absorbing basilisk venom, it becomes one of the [[KryptoniteFactor few known methods of destroying a Horcrux]].
* In the first tie-in novel for ''Series/{{Knightmare}}'', Treguard of Dunshelm gains a Cool Sword when slaying the dragon Bealwit. The dragon's blood bestows magical power on his formerly mundane weapon, which is known thereafter as Wyrmslayer.
* ''Literature/ForestKingdom'': There are any number of cool swords in the series, notably the Infernal Devices -- Rockbreaker, Flarebright and Wolfsbane (gigantic, malevolent and sentient magical swords) -- and the Curtana, known as the Sword of Compulsion. They're all evil, but undeniably cool. The Rainbow Sword from the same novels is something of an inversion, as it appears to be an entirely normal blade, and doesn't even have a cool name, although it does have its own powers and proves pivotal in the story.
* In ''Literature/TheUnhandsomePrince'', the enchanted sword that Prince Hal picks up at a tavern appears to be utterly useless--one character comments, "Mr. Genius here gets the only magic sword that guarantees you'll get your butt kicked"--but it's still a cool sword, beautifully crafted from the finest quality materials. It's a "singing sword", which, as Hal explains, doesn't mean it ''actually'' sings, but that it's so well made that it emits a musical tone when tapped. It becomes even cooler once Hal figures out the trick to using it.
* In Victoria Hanley's ''Literature/TheSeerAndTheSword'', Landen's kingdom had a magical sword. Unfortunately not good enough to keep from being conquered. Landen's dying father ordered him to learn to sword-fight and use it.
* In Creator/RuthFrancesLong's ''Literature/TheTreacheryOfBeautifulThings'', Jack goes to Wayland for a sword to use against the nix. To have any hope, he must exchange for it without haggling. Once he describes what he is doing, and hands over the payment, Wayland hands over Mimung, and tells him that it is the sword of the fool, suitable for what he's setting out to do.
* The Sword Of Kings in Literature/TheQuestOfTheUnaligned. A massive sword somewhere between longsword and zweihänder, it has demonstrated powerful AntiMagic properties (allowing its wielder to parry spells as though they were physical objects) and may have other magical properties.
* ''Literature/TheHeroes'', of ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' series, has the Father of Swords. It's described as an [[{{BFS}} absurdly large two-handed sword]] of dull gray that looks like something a person who'd only heard about swords in stories would think up. In the book, its current bearer is Whirrun of Bligh, who regards it as a blessing and a curse. Although the weapon looks impractical, he wields it with shocking quickness.
* ''Literature/{{Somewhither}}'', Ilya's sword ''Shirabyoshi'' is a hundred year old katana which belonged to his grandfather...and can kill werewolves.

* In Stuart Hoden's ''Warp Angel'', there are 'acid swords'. An acid sword is force-field projecting hilt that shapes an extremely corrosive pool of acid into a blade. Getting hit by one tends to result in limbs getting melted off and large gouges getting burnt into flesh. The acid sword is so corrosive that, with the exception of the force field of another acid sword, the blade will dissolve through anything in the story setting including hardened far-future alloys.
* The 'aeon edge' from ''Literature/AeonLegionLabyrinth'' that has an edge that cuts with accelerated time. It basically ages everything to death and [[AbsurdlySharpBlade there are very few substances that can stand up to the ravages of time]]. It also has a burst function that sends out a wave of energy powerful enough to rip through a tank. It requires ammo to use and has a [[SetSwordsToStun stun mode]].
* In ''Literature/HopeAndRed'', Hope wields the [[NamedWeapons Song of Sorrows]]. The humming sound the blade makes when it moves through the air is said to be the loss it feels at every death.
* ''Literature/TheTraitorSonCycle'':
** The Fell Sword is a magic construct that can cut through the soul of any living being, though it can only be wielded in the athereal.
** The Wyrm of Erch gives Bad Tom an giant zweihander that can [[AbsurdlySharpBlade cut through absolutely everything]].
** Pavlo Payam's ancient sword is a double whammy, being both a physical AbsurdlySharpBlade and a Fell Sword.
* In ''Literature/ImpliedSpaces'', the protagonist's sword, Tecmessa, has the ability to send his enemies to a sealed pocket universe.

* In "Literature/TheYellowDwarf", a kind mermaid gives the King of the Gold Mines a sword carved from a diamond and brighter than the Sun's rays, which he uses to slay many enemies on his way to save his fiancée from the dwarf's captivity. Unfortunately, he drops it while trying to reassure her that he still loves her, and the dwarf snatches it up and kills him with it.
* Captain Reilly's LegendaryWeapon katana in [[Literature/{{Okuyyuki}} "Okuyyuki"]]. Made even cooler by being inhabited by a genuine Japanese ''kami'' spirit, who teaches him Japanese and eventually becomes a sort of MagicalGirlfriend to him.
* Zodiac, Tooi's sword in ''LightNovel/TheReunionWithTwelveFascinatingGoddesses''. It normally takes the form of a black short sword, but [[MorphWeapon changes in appearance]] depending on which of the goddesses possesses it. It has possibly the coolest origin story as far as swords go, being forged by Zesca, the Deity of weapons, using Etherium mined by Gushana, the Deity of earth, and finally completed using Tooi's blood and the souls of all twelve goddesses.
* Chosen Ones in ''Literature/TsunTsunTzimTzum'' get armed with the Shard of Kether, a blade that grants strength and endurance to its wielder and also has been known to [[FlamingSword burst into flame]] when needed. It's a good thing it's so cool, because Noah, the latest Chosen Ones, is otherwise [[UnlikelyHero terribly unfit for the role.]] At one point, he marvels that he's managed to kill a monster, and then admits to himself that no, ''Shard'' killed the monster - he just happened to be holding it at the time!
* In Geoph Essex's ''Lovely Assistant'', Jenny Ng [[spoiler: (like the rest of the Grim Reapers)]] wields a very oddly described sword brought to her by Rex, [[CoolHorse her appropriately pale horse]]. While it turns out to be a very bad idea (for unrevealed reasons) to use it on living people, and it can't touch [[spoiler: [[OurMonstersAreDifferent the creature they face]]]] in the climax, its true functions turn out to be much more important and useful than any mere weapon.
* In the Creator/LordDunsany story, ''The Fortress Unvanquishable Save For Sacnoth''. Sacnoth is an AbsurdlySharpBlade that is the greatest sword in the world. It was made by taking the spine of the NighInvulnerable dragon Tharagavverug after it was slain. The spine was sharpened with one of Tharagavverug's steel eyes and the other eye was affixed to the hilt to give the wielder [[SpiderSense warning of danger]]. Sacnoth is so mighty, it can cleave through steel walls with ease and in a sword fight against the [[InfinityMinusOneSword 2nd most powerful sword in the world]], Sacnoth kept notching the other sword while taking no harm itself.
* In ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', the most feared weapon is the Elder God-forged sword Dragnipur a OneHitKill sword that[[YourSoulIsMine takes the victim's soul and imprisons it]] in an other-dimensional prison wagon that is eternally fleeing oblivion.
* Creator/MichaelMoorcock has more than just Stormbringer, his first Erekose story has the hero being the only one capable of using the sword Kanajana. Kanajana is held in a special sheathe that keeps its deathly aura (implied to be extreme radiation) in check. When unsheathed, its aura sickens and will eventually kill any person other than Erekose and getting struck by the blade is a OneHitKill due to its toxicity.
* Author Richard Kirk (a pseudonym for Robert Holdstock of ''Mytahgo Woods'' fame) wrote the [[BarbarianHero Raven: Swordsmistress of Chaos series]], in the fourth book ''The Lords of Shadows'' the golden metal Mabion is mined for its strong but light qualities. However when specially treated and made into a Mabion blade, this sword can steal the might of its victims - growing stronger if used to kill a mighty foe but growing weaker if used on weaklings - a Mabion blade will actually fight on its on accord to a limited degree (won't fly around, but will guide the user's hand).
* In ''Literature/ALandFitForHeroes'' there is Ringil's Kiriath-forged greatsword Ravensfriend. As it turns out, in right circumstances it is also a TalkingWeapon. Later on we learn all Kiriath weapons are like this.
* In ''Literature/ShadowOfTheConqueror,'' Imperious is [[EvilOverlord Dayless the Conqueror]]'s masterpiece sunucle, the most perfect and powerful sword ever created on [[FloatingContinent Tellos]]: blue and gold, longer than ordinary one-handed swords, capable of AbsurdCuttingPower, with a hilt stylized to resemble a flaring sun and enough of Dayless's [[GadgeteerGenius dark secrets]] cooked into it to render it impervious to the [[{{Phlebotinum}} darkstone]] that normally shatters [[PowerCrystal sunucles]]. The sunforger's guild used to constantly petition him to just let them examine it, which he absolutely refused. One of his last regrets before [[DrivenToSuicide jumping off the edge of the world]] is that he [[RetiredMonster isn't strong enough]] to carry Imperious with him so that they can leave the world together, and his first objective after [[FountainOfYouth becoming young again]] is to get back home to reunite with his beloved sword.
* Creator/GarthNix's ''Literature/OldKingdom'' series has twin swords [[NamedWeapons Binder and Nehima]], crafted by the Wallmakers, an ancient line of royal artificers.
** Binder [[EmpathicWeapon prevents Lirael from taking itself]] until she swears she will use it to defeat a great undead monster, and to return it to its rightful owner when she's done.
** Lirael is given the sword Nehima once she discovers her destiny as future Abhorsen. It seems to change its own inscription every time she looks at it, reflecting her progress along that path. It is eventually reforged with the combined powers of necromancy and [[spoiler:all the Charter magic bloodlines and used to seal away the BigBad]] Orannis [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast the Destroyer]].
* ''Literature/VillainsByNecessity'': Truelight, Fenwick's longsword, which lets off its own magical light and can sense Evil.

* ''Literature/RetiredWitchesMysteries'': Witches in the series have a specific tool, depending on their respective element, that helps them focus their powers and retains some of their magic after years of use. Fire witches, like Elsie, have a sword; hers, which was made in Toledo, Spain, has a silver hilt inscribed with fire symbols and is sharp as a razor.
* ''Literature/BazilBroketail'': Bazil's sword Ecator, which was given to him in the second book (aptly titled ''A Sword for a Dragon'') in place of lost Piocar. It is enchanted and imbued with a spirit of the same name, making it basically indestructible, capable of cutting through any material and draining the life force of enemies it hits.

* In ''Series/AuctionKings'', An authentic katana from World War 2? A SwordCane? Gallery 63 has sold both.
* ''Series/BabylonFive'': Londo was an accomplished duelist and member of a prominent duelling club in his youth, and owns a matched pair of cotari (Centauri duelling swords) from that period of his life. They adorn the wall in his quarters on Babylon 5, and see occasional use throughout the series.
* The Sword of Power in ''Series/{{Cursed}}'' is an ancient Fey-forged sword covered in glowing runes, that can only be destroyed with Fey Fire and can grant the wielder great combat abilities and/or augment their magic if they have powers. It's also known as the Devil's Tooth and the Sword of Kings, and it ''[[AmbiguousSituation may]]'' be Excalibur.
* In ''Series/{{Farscape}}'' we could witness Ka D'Argo's Qualta blade, which was a pretty impressive sword. Until he held it differently and made it a Qualta rifle!

* In Kamen Rider, [[Series/KamenRiderKuuga Kuuga (Rising) Titan]], [[Series/KamenRiderAgito Agito Flame, Burning and Shining]], [[Series/KamenRiderRyuki Ryuki, Knight, Ohja and the Alternatives]], [[Series/KamenRiderFaiz Faiz (All Forms) and Kaiza]], [[Series/KamenRiderBlade Blade]], [[Series/KamenRiderKabuto Kabuto Hyper and Sasword]], [[Series/KamenRiderDenO Den-O Sword and Liner, Zeronos Altair]], [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Kiva Garuru and Emperor, Ixa Burst, Saga]], [[Series/KamenRiderDouble Accel]], [[Series/KamenRiderOOO OOO]], and [[Series/KamenRiderFourze Fourze Elek States]].
** The English version of Ryuki has Dragon Knight, Wing Knight, Strike, and Eubulon.
** One of the Final Form Rides for Series/KamenRiderDecade is Final Form Ride Blade Blade. Which is Series/KamenRiderBlade as a big sword. Which he swaps with [[Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger Shinken Red's]] sword for a tag team attack.
** And don't forget the original sword-wielding Kamen Rider, Series/KamenRiderBlackRX and his gut-plunging Revolcane. Series/MaskedRider carries that along with the Electro-Saber.
** And also don't leave out ''every single Rider'' from ''Series/KamenRiderSaber'' who transform using the power of their swords. Each of them embodies a different [[ElementalPowers Elemental Power]], such as Saber using dragons and fire with Kaenken Rekka[[note]]“Flame Sword Raging Fire”[[/note]], Blades possessing lion and water motifs with Suiseiken Nagare[[note]]“Force of Water Sword Running Water”[[/note]] and Espada with lightning, djinns and magic lamps armed with Raimeiken Ikazuchi[[note]]“Thunderclap Sword Yellow Thunder”[[/note]]. Even the villainous Riders carry swords as well.

* In ''Series/ThunderboltFantasy'', [[InfinityPlusOneSword The Sword of Divine Retribution]] is a beautiful sword given as a [[ForgedByTheGods gift from the gods]] to humans in order to repel [[TheLegionsofHell the demon invasion]]. After the war, it is [[DismantledMacguffin split into three parts]], but is soon [[EvilOverlord hunted down]].

* The ''Literature/PoeticEdda'' of Myth/NorseMythology includes a story called ''The Waking of Angantyr''. The story revolves around the magic sword Tyrfing ("The Finger of the War God"). Odin's mortal grandson Svafrlami managed to entrap some Dwarves and forced them to forge the sword for him. It [[PowerGlows gleamed like fire]] and could [[AbsurdlySharpBlade cut through metal and stone as if through cloth]]. It would also never miss a strike and the blade would never blemish. But angry at being forced to create it, the Dwarves cursed it so that whenever it was drawn it ''would'' kill someone. It was also designed to betray its wielders eventually. However, it was an awesome weapon and Angantyr uses it in a battle between his people, the Goths, and their far more numerous enemies the Huns. The Goths win because Angantyr cuts down much of their army using Tyrfing.

* Subverted in ''Literature/{{Beowulf}}''. There's a lot of build-up to his use of Hrunting (any sword with a name is important). And then when he uses it against Grendel's mother it fails. He has to use a sword found in the home of Grendel's mother to defeat her. Being forged by giants makes it a cool sword in its own right, but again, Grendel's mother's blood melts the sword.
** When Beowulf uses Hrunting again on the Dragon, it actually breaks.

* The Saingeom (Four Tigers Sword) in Myth/KoreanMythology. Being forged in Tiger day's tiger hour, of Tiger year's Tiger month (plus, a metalsmith can only make one in his ''entire lifetime''), it has powerful positive(Yang) force that can ''destroy'' monsters and evil spirits. In one story, a scholar named Shin Heum(1566 1628) was plagued by evil spirits in his house, and the King presented Saingeom to his son to stop it. While his son was returning from the palace, the saingeom suddenly flew out of its scabbard and struck one of the columns in Shin Heums house, ''causing the blood to spurt out of it''. Shin Heum was not bothered by evil spirits since.
** Also doubles as RealLife example as well, since there are some of them(the Joseon Dynasty of Korea made lots of Saingeoms for ritualistic reasons) still existing in Korean National Museums and private collections. And in 2010(year of the Tiger in Chinese Zodiac), [[http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201002091740065&code=94 Korean metalsmiths succeeded in creating some.]]

* Myth/CelticMythology has plenty of awesome blades. The first is Claíomh Solais, the "Sword of Light", which is basically Excalibur on crack. There's also Caladbolg or "Hard Lightning", the sword of Fergus mac Róichl, a sword which left a beautiful rainbow trail behind the blade, and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu it could kill gods]] - once, the wielder missed an enemy and the swing ''chopped the tops off some adjacent mountains''. Finally but no less awesome is Fragarach, "Answerer", the sword of Manannan mac Lir and Lugh Lamfada, which had a number of awesome properties including the ability to cut through anything, [[WoundThatWillNotHeal inflict wounds that never heal]], control wind, and [[TruthSerums stop someone from telling lies by holding it against their throat]]. A worthy mention although it isn't a sword is the Spear of Lugh, a mighty weapon that continually spouts flames and sparks and can pierce just about anything, although it was an AxCrazy EmpathicWeapon that needed to be stored soaked in a bath of blood or poppy milk (depending on the telling) to keep it under control.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'', the [[SpaceMarines Imperial Marines]] have ceremonial cutlasses. Aslan, interestingly enough never used swords because they thought their [[AnatomyArsenal claws]] were satisfactory. They have a great love for finely crafted weapons of all Technology Levels though.
* Though ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' has a plethora of exceptionally Cool Swords, it should be remembered that the ''basic'' chainsword is still, well, a sword ''and a chainsaw'', thus being the exact blend of utterly cool and horrifyingly gory that defines 40k.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' lives on cool swords. The most common of the cool swords are made of Jade, and are extremely fast because of it. Orichalcum weapons are weapons of perfection, made out of the same stuff as the Unconquered Sun himself. Moonsilver weapons can change shape and slip past defenses. Starmetal swords are made out of meteorites. Soulsteel weapons are made out of the souls of the dead. All of them are already very strong in stats, the material just adds a bonus.
* In ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'' the Silthuri, the Martian Royal Caste, are the only people allowed to use the Silthanka. Long, thin and very light sabres, these swords outclass every other conventional sword in the setting on speed and quality. For the more traditional Earthling, the 19th century cavalry sabre is also available.

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Take your pick between [[MagicKnight Weiss]]' Myrtenaster, a RoyalRapier with a revolver-style mechanism in the grip that allows her to imbue her attacks with elemental properties from Dust, or [[{{Ninja}} Blake]]'s Gambol Shroud, a folding katana/kusarigama with a machine-pistol in the grip. Then there's also [[spoiler:Raven Branwen's]] Omen, a [[{{BFS}} huge]] red [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]], similar in shape to Gambol Shroud with a sheath to match, and a revolver mechanism similar to Myrtenaster.
* There's Tucker's energy blade in ''Machinima/RedVsBlue''. Beyond being an energy blade, it was also a key to unlock a spaceship. Which was stolen and later destroyed. Tucker keeps the blade and uses it from time to time.
* ''WebAnimation/DSBTInsaniT'': Cody can create crystal swords.

* ''WebAnimation/MadnessCombat'' characters use every melee weapon and firearm possible, but [[TheProtagonist Hank's]] Dragon Sword, a black katana with a dragon-shaped handle with [[BilingualBonus Thai]] engraved on the blade, is seen as his iconic weapon.
** DragonAscendant turned FriendlyEnemy Jebus has the Binary Sword, a [[{{BFS}} thin and longer than he is tall]] two-hander with binary for [[Literature/TheBible 316]] engraved on it.

* ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'': Torg's sword Chaz (a.k.a. Unholy Evil Death Bringer) is a quasi-AncestralWeapon that, when bathed in the blood of the innocent, [[EmpathicWeapon is able to talk]] and "kill most things that can be killed." Oh, and it [[PowerGlows glows red]], to boot. Torg is [[http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=040619 very aware]] of just how cool that is.
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Roy Greenhilt's sword, after whom his family was named, was handed down from his grandfather (a great swordsman). The sword also receives an aura (when it is reforged using [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin starmetal]]) that makes it especially effective against the undead.
* Occam's Razor from the ''Webcomic/DresdenCodak'' comic [[http://dresdencodak.com/2009/01/27/advanced-dungeons-and-discourse/ ''Advanced Dungeons & Discourse'']]
* ''Webcomic/TalesOfTheQuestor'': Wildcard. Produced by Quentyn, Kestrel, and Fen out of a enchanting-practice sword while completely drunk. Its intricacies have baffled analysis, and it can go [[UnpredictableResults from invincible to useless]] between attacks -- though it always seems to come through in a crisis, even if not in the manner expected.

* Malice and the Three-Element Sword/Steamblade in ''Webcomic/TheWaterPhoenixKing''. Subverted in that Anthem's first sword was an ordinary weapon tossed aside by a deserter and all its power was a [[ChekhovsGun literal deus ex machina.]]
* ''Webcomic/{{Pibgorn}}'' [[http://www.gocomics.com/pibgorn/2008/03/07/ I wondered where it had gotten off to.]]
** [[http://www.gocomics.com/pibgorn/2008/08/04/ This is the sacred scimitar of Satori. . . its magical properties undisputed. . . because it alliterates]]

* ''Webcomic/WaywardSons'': Suras ends up with a very special cool sword It has the [[MacGuffin Star Core]] set in the hilt, giving it special properties (not revealed to the reader yet), and according to the resident oracle, every timeline in which he ''doesn't'' have the sword ends up with them losing the upcoming war.
* The Sora Katana in ''Red Steel''.

* Kit from ''Webcomic/TheStoryOfAnima'' can be seen wielding [[http://tapastic.com/episode/80247 an incredibly ornate, angel-winged sword]] in a piece of bonus art.
* Edith of ''Webcomic/{{Godslave}}'' obtains a khopesh capable of hurting Blacksmiths and with power to make InstantExpert out of everyone.

* ''Webcomic/Aurora2019'': The god Vash's sword Kendal was forged by the smith god Tahraim after Vash defeated the storm god Tynan. It was forged from an ingot and a jewel that Vash had used to replace his right hand and eye, respectively, in the battle against Tynan. The jewel at the hilt glows the same color as Vash's eyes.
* ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'': Captain Toma's [[AntiMagic first materials]] sword cannot be cast on using Pymary, and can cut through Pymary attacks.

* While ''Literature/TheImpossibleMan'' feature cool swords, the one that stands out is Kaori's wooden sword Seizon, which means Existence in Japanese, where legend has it that it was whittled by Miyamoto Musashi and has the ability to cut existence itself.
* The Sword of Saledesh in the ''Tales of Ubernorden'' story "The Sword of War" possesses unspecified powers that allows the wielder to conquer the world.
* Cinder gets a sword the web serial ''Literature/AshAndCinders'' that's made of ice, enchanted not to melt, and [[AbsurdlySharpBlade can actually cut through a rock-monster]] and encase it in ice.
* Allie from the ''Literature/BraveNewWorldUniverse'' has the power to create and shape ice. She uses this to make an inordinately sharp sword made purely of ice. Literally, a ''cool'' sword.
* ''WebVideo/ManAtArms'' are an entire show built around cool swords underwent through {{Defictionalization}}

* The ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' episode "Make Love, Not Warcraft" featured the "Sword of a Thousand Truths" which was later added to the [[VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft actual game]] under the name "Slayer of the Lifeless".
* Drew's Fire Sword from ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretSaturdays''.
* From ''WesternAnimation/{{ThunderCats|1985}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats2011'':
** Protagonist Lion-O has the [[NamedWeapons Sword of Omens]], the AncestralWeapon of Thundera's kings, that [[RetractableWeapon extends]] from dagger to longsword when Lion-O utters a ByThePowerOfGrayskull, and hosts an AmuletOfConcentratedAwesome in its hilt that can shoot {{Sword Beam}}s, project a BatSignal in times of [[SituationalSword distress]], and grant Lion-O [[{{Seers}} visions]]. DependingOnTheWriter, it can [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands do just about anything]] that its wielder can phrase in the form, "[[CatchPhrase Sword of Omens! Give me X beyond X!]]"
** Mumm-Ra's Sword of Plun-Darr, which is [[DoubleWeapon double-bladed]] and usually [[FlamingSword on FIRE]].
** Several cool swords feature in the ''[=ThunderCats (2011)=]'' episode "The Duelist and the Drifter", most notably the Sword of Hattanzo, the SinisterScimitar favored by predatory sword [[CollectorOfTheStrange collector]] and MasterSwordsman the Duelist.
* A lot of Franchise/{{Transformers}} use swords despite possessing lasers. Those that stand out include Star Saber's Saber Blade from ''Anime/TransformersVictory'' and the unrelated blade known as the Star Saber (made of three [[CombiningMecha Mini-cons]]) from ''Anime/TransformersArmada''.
** In ''Transformers Armada,'' Starscream's wing becomes a sword, and in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated,'' Megatron's rotors become his swords. (His TransformationSequence doesn't reveal this, but that's how it works on the toy.)
*** Vector Prime's sword [[NamedWeapons Rhisling]], which [[spoiler: he posthumously gives to Optimus Prime, who uses it to slay Galvatron]], Wing Saber's namesake weapons, formed from his wing flaps, Snarl's sword that doubles as a rifle, Galvatron's conjured sword, Evac's rotor-sword, and Starscream's Cyber Key-activated swords in ''Anime/TransformersCybertron.''
*** Later retconned as Cyber Caliber.
** In ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' The [[spoiler:Star Saber]] that Optimus Prime obtains in the episode Legacy, it glows and is [[AbsurdlySharpBlade really damn sharp]].
*** Megatron's [[spoiler: [[EvilKnockoff Dark Star Saber]]]] is basically the same, only it glows purple, has a jagged edge, and [[spoiler: ''shatters'' the Star Saber]].
*** Also from ''Prime''[='=]s supplementary fiction is the Chaos Edge, one of a handful of weapons made by Solus Prime and wielded by Nexus Prime (both Cybertronian {{Precursors}}). Its abilities are never elaborated on, but hinted to be particularly nasty - Nexus actually only used it as a threat with no real intention of using it though.
* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Sokka's [[CompanionCube space sword]].
* ''WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian'' has DeadpanSnarker EmpathicWeapon Lula.
* In ''WesternAnimation/KingArthurAndTheKnightsOfJustice'', obviously Arthur had Excalibur, not to be outdone,[[BigBad Lord Viper]] had an awesome jagged edged sword.

* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'':
** Jack has a very cool sword. It was forged by the gods into a holy katana that is one of the very few things that can actually harm Aku.
** The Scotsman has a blade that is just about as cool. His sword of choice is a huge [[{{BFS}} claymore]] that also has magical properties, like nigh-unbreakability, due to being inscribed with "'''MAGIC RUNES!'''"
** The Winter segment of the episode "The 4 Seasons Of Death", had a race of orc-like creatures constructing one, forging it from crystals mined deep in a mountain, heating it with a dragon's fire, cooling it within an ancient glacier, imbuing it with the power of lightning, having seven blacksmiths all hammering it at once, and holding an gladiator-style arena battle to decide who should wield it. [[spoiler: When the wielder encounters Samurai Jack, he immediately cuts the sword in half with his katana before the guy even has a chance to fight back]].

* Sliced Ice from ''WesternAnimation/SkysurferStrikeForce'', whose sword has the power to freeze. It's literally a cool sword.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003'', the Shredder give Leonardo an ancient sword forged by a man who folded the metal 1,000 times to take out any impurities. Also the Shredder's magic sword.
* Lance's Lance chain-sword and the Titan's sword in ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan''.

* Finn's swords from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' are often cool. For example there's his [[BlingBlingBang golden sword]] ([[FridgeLogic which surprisingly is a good weapon]]), his [[KatanasAreJustBetter twin golden katanas]], and his [[AbsurdlySharpBlade root sword]]. More notably, in one episode, his golden sword got upgraded to a ''[[UpToEleven fourth dimensional sword]]''. In another episode, it's revealed that Finn and his adoptive brother Jake have a [[AncestralWeapon family sword]] made out of '''[[RuleOfCool demon's blood]]'''.
** After said demon-blood sword is drained and shattered, Finn later acquires a Grass Sword, which stores as a wrap on his forearm when not in use, and is permanently bonded to him…until said arm is ''ripped off'', only saved from the elbow-up by the semi-sentient sword sacrificing itself.
** Much later, after [[ItMakesSenseInContext Finn's arm grows back]], a secret plan is put into motion to revive a cosmic Wish Master, involving a ''lot'' of TimeyWimeyBall stuff; Finn actually earns yet ''another'' new sword from all this, the Finn Sword, made from ''an alternate time-duplicate of himself!''
** After the Finn Sword merges with the remnants of the Grass Sword in Finn's arm to become its own entity with an exact copy of the Grass Sword, Finn used a fairly normal rapier, but after that gets destroyed, he got his final onscreen sword. The Night Sword, forged by [[NightmareFuelStationAttendant Peppermint Butler]] and blessed with Nightosphere magic by the Nightosphere's king, [[{{Satan}} Hunson Abadeer]].
** Billy the Hero's sword Nothung. He can even SummonToHand by calling its name, and even then it's [[AbsurdlySharpBlade so sharp if he doesn't have his gauntlet on it will damage him]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'', Ron Stoppable once wielded the Lotus Blade, a magic sword protected by the Yamanuchi Ninja Academy. Not only an AbsurdlySharpBlade, the Lotus Blade can also be transformed into various other ancient weapons like staffs and shields.
* The legendary Willblade from ''WesternAnimation/HuntikSecretsAndSeekers''. It was used by the first Seeker, Lord Casterwill himself, to seal the Spiral Mark that can be used to call the Nullifiers. After it is found, Lok begins using it as his Weapon of Choice in pretty much every episode thereafter. The Betrayer tricks Lok into unsealing the Spiral Mark with it under the pretense of destroying it.
* Gaff's Dragon Sword in ''Animation/IronKid''.
* The ghostly hero of ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantomcat}}'' had one named "Touché" that could respond to his beck and call.
* The Sword of Enlightenment from ''WesternAnimation/AtomicPuppet'', which is able to siphon power and redirect it as beams of energy. However, it is so powerful that [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity an ordinary person would go insane]] just from holding it for long enough (as Pauline experienced when she became [[ActionGirl Sword Sister]]).
* Titanslayer from ''WesternAnimation/FinalSpace''. The Titan Bolo forges it by ''collapsing a red dwarf star''.

* ''Webcomic/SteamgearInc'': Terry's steamgear is a custom-built katana, that flips out into a propeller at the flip of a switch.

* ''Webcomic/SteamgearInc'': Terry's Steamgear is a custom-built katana, that flips out into a propeller at the flip of a switch.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', the Shredder give Leonardo an ancient sword forged by a man who folded the metal 1,000 times to take out any impurities. Also the Shredder's magic sword.

** Tachi/[[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]] (two-handed): The weapon of choice of the {{Samurai}} and certain {{Ninja}} (especially of the [[HighlyVisibleNinja highly visible variety]]). Tachi were in vogue before the 1400s, while katana became popular afterwards. Are considered the coolest swords of all by some people. [[EveryJapaneseSwordIsAKatana Not all Japanese swords were katana]], but popular culture doesn't know that...nor are they generally aware of the Katana's European counterpart, the German [[KnifeNut Großes Messer and the two-handed Kriegsmesser]]

** Falx (two-handed): The Dacian Legionnaire-killer. This awesome weapon is long, and it's curved, but unlike most curved weapons, it is sharp on the ''inside'' curve instead of the outside, so it can [[IncrediblyLamePun hook up]] any lorica segmentata (Roman plate armor), decapitate you with a push and a pull and hack off limbs. One of the few weapons that actually changed Roman standard armor. There was also a shorter, one-handed version of the weapon as well.

** Nico di Angelo sports a [[BlackSwordsAreBetter black]] sword made of Stygian Iron. The sword has the unique ability to absorb a monster's life force when killed, thereby [[DeaderThanDead stopping]] the ResurrectiveImmortality of monsters.

* In ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'', Anaklusmos/Riptide, which is made of celestial bronze and can only hurt heroes, monsters and gods; it also turns into a pen and reappears in Percy's pocket if he ever throws or drops it somewhere. It can also be used as an actual pen, but it takes 9 main books for Percy to realize this. Then, there's Backbiter, forged of both steel and bronze so it can hurt everyone [[spoiler: made from Kronos's scythe and eventually reforged into that shape]].
** Sequel series 'Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'' has Jason's Imperial Gold sword, which can also turn into a javelin. Sadly, it broke during the fight with Enceladus. Though he gets a new one from Juno herself at the end of the book.
** ''Literature/MagnusChaseAndTheGodsOfAsgard'' brings us Sumarbrander, the Sword of Summer/Jack. A sentient, floating, ''talking' sword that can kill pretty much anything, create portals into other worlds, and will boast as it does so.

* In ''ComicBook/FishPolice'', Inspector Gill acquires a Cool Sword which he names [[ICallItVera Suds-Guzzler]].
* [[Comicbook/{{Magyk}} Illyana Rasputin]]'s Soulsword, forged from her very soul. It's incapable of cutting purely physical objects (though it still blocks things just fine), but it can cut through anything the least bit magical -- artifacts, enchantments, demons, etc. -- like a hot knife through butter. It also generates a kickass armor when she wills it. Ilyana's own magical abilities are also enhanced while wielding the Soulsword. Finally, the sword is a symbol of her mastery over Limbo.

** Ván, the Sword of Hope, [[ExcaliburInTheRust appears to be a completely unremarkable arming sword to the untrained eye, and completely unlike what one would expect from an incredibly powerful magic sword]] - something which is lampshaded. However, it is sentient (probably), layered with enchantments, made of uru and vibranium, and designed to both match Twilight and NoSell [[spoiler: ''Phoenix fire'']] - something at which, remarkably, it succeeded. That's pretty darn cool.

* The "+ULFBEHR+T" (sometimes "+ULFBEHRT+") Viking swords made in Germany are these in terms of quality. Their fittings are generally plain, barring the fact that the name is inlaid into the fuller with strips of iron (it was said that Ulfbehrt swords were made in a German monastery). These are the finest and most sought-after Viking swords to the point that they're considered the Rolex and Mercedes of the time, due to the fact that they were made from crucible steel, which was considered a super-steel at the time. This is because the process used to make crucible steel is done to ensure that all impurities are burned out of the steel puck. There was such a high demand for the brand name that a lot of smiths decided to try and pass their works off as +ULFBEHR+T or +ULFBEHRT+ swords. Because of this, Viking warriors bought [[ShoddyKnockoffProduct fakes that often wound up being inferior to the genuine quality blades]], which can be recognized by misspelled inlays ("+UBRLFH+T") and fancy fittings that the originals don't have.

* ComicBook/IllyanaRasputin's Soulsword, forged from her very soul. It's incapable of cutting purely physical objects (though it still blocks things just fine), but it can cut through anything the least bit magical -- artifacts, enchantments, demons, etc. -- like a hot knife through butter. It also generates a kickass armor when she wills it. Ilyana's own magical abilities are also enhanced while wielding the Soulsword. Finally, the sword is a symbol of her mastery over Limbo.

* There is a fictional version of the real-life mythical sword the [[{{Kusanagi}} Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi]] (the "Grass cutter") in the Marvel Universe, which plays an important role in the first "ComicBook/{{Ares}}" miniseries.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** The most prized heirloom of House Stark is the enormous greatsword called Ice. It is made of Valyrian Steel, which makes it impossibly sharp. Ned used it for execution and ceremonial purposes, and in general battle, used normal swords.
** Jon's parting gift to his little sister Arya is a custom-made rapier she names Needle.
** Jon is rewarded with the Valyrian steel bastard sword Longclaw by the Lord Commander, Jeor Mormont, who felt the sword's name suited a wolf as much as a bear. Its most distinctive feature is a custom pommel of a white wolf with red eyes. Its functional coolness comes from the fact that as it's Valyrian steel, it's able to hold an incredibly keen edge. It can also block White Walkers' weapons and shatter them with one blow.
** Joffrey shows off his cool sword Hearteater in "Blackwater" but flees the battle without even unsheathing it.
** Since House Lannister lacks an ancestral cool sword, Tywin has House Stark's ancestral Valyrian steel sword Ice reforged into ''two'' swords, Widow's Wail and Oathkeeper, a status symbol only the Targaryens are known to have matched with Blackfyre, sword of the Targaryen kings and heirs and Dark Sister, Visenya's sword, though probably less because he wants two really cool swords and more because he wants to show how completely House Stark has been crushed, and to manufacture legitimacy for Lannister rule of the Seven Kingdoms. Oathkeeper lacks some of the more spectacular elements of its book counterpart (namely its highly distinctive rippling red-and-black blade), but its handle is still ludicrously baroque. Twyin gives Oathkeeper to Jaime, who in turn presents it to Brienne, who is the one to name it this. Once she swears to Sansa, Ice returns to the North... partially. Following the death of Tommen in the aftermath of the Green Trial, Jaime takes up Widow's Wail.
** The hilt of Roose's sword is specifically designed to resemble an inverted headless flayed man, with the guard formed by his outstretched arms.
** The hilts of Daario's arakh and dagger are shaped like naked women.

* [[https://guns2swords.com/ Guns 2 Swords]] is a MSCHF project in which customers can send in guns to have them reforged into decorative swords.

** Billy the Hero's sword Nothung. He can even SummonToHand by calling its name, and even then it's [[AbsurdlySharpBlsde so sharp if he doesn't have his gauntlet on it will damage him]].

*** In addition to being of superlative craftsmanship, elven-blades of the vintage of Glamdring, Orcrist, and Sting had the special power of glowing blue when orcs were near. After [[spoiler:being buried with Thorin,]] Orcrist's glowing power seemed to be extended to all foes, such that "the fortress of the dwarves could not be taken by surprise." Having been forged in the first age, they were also almost ''seven thousand years old'' by the time of the events of The Lord of the Rings - apparently cool elven swords don't rust.

* ''Franchise/PrettyCure'':

* ''Webcomic/Aurora2019'': Vash (and later Kendal) possess an apparently magical sword. The jewel at the hilt glows the same color as their eyes.

* [[http://www.chinese-swords-guide.com/sword-making.html Kuo Chang-hsi]], a Taiwanese swordsmith, uses ''human bones'' to forge his swords. (He also forged the Green Destiny sword for ''Film/CrouchingTigerHiddenDragon''.

** And also don't leave out ''every single Rider'' from ''Series/KamenRiderSaber'' who transform using the power of their swords. Each of them embodies a different ElementalPower, such as Saber using dragons and fire with Kaenken Rekka[[note]]“Flame Sword Raging Fire”[[/note]], Blades possessing lion and water motifs with Suiseiken Nagare[[note]]“Force of Water Sword Running Water”[[/note]] and Espada with lightning, djinns and magic lamps armed with Raimeiken Ikazuchi[[note]]“Thunderclap Sword Yellow Thunder”[[/note]]. Even the villainous Riders carry swords as well.

** And also don't leave out ''every single Rider'' from ''Series/KamenRiderSaber''. Each swordsman carries a weapon based on an element and story their sword is based on, such as Saber using dragons and fire with Rekka, Blades armed with Nagare possessing water and lion motifs and Espada covering lightning and [[Literature/{{Aladdin}} a magic lamp]] and carries Ikazuchi. Even the villainous Riders carry swords as well.