Alright, this list could literally go on forever because anime has used a lot of non-weapon items in fights. Cards, coins, crosses, hair pins… You name it and some anime character somewhere has attempted to weaponise it (probably successfully). I narrowed this list down to characters and items that were genuinely fun to watch in action and where the item was used in its standard form and didn’t have some magic transformation applied to it (sorry Orihime’s hairpins but that ruled you out).
Weapon effectiveness was not the primary consideration which explains a few of the choices below. That said, this was a fun list to make and I’d really love to see what you would have included on your list so please leave a comment below.
What are my favourite non-weapon items used as weapons in anime?
Please Note: There may be some spoilers below.
Honourable mention this week goes to Lin Shaolee in Black Cat for their creative use of a scarf as a weapon (though a lot of the weapons in Black Cat could have ended up on this list). The other honourable mention:
I’m just going to leave this here and get on with my list.
Number 5: D Gray Man – Soccer Ball
You have to admit, soccer is not the first thing you think about when someone mentions D Gray Man. In a show full of weird weapons as every Innocence is just a little bit unique, Daisya Barry’s stands out because it is just a ball and he is just a kid playing even when fighting for his life.
For a character that only really appeared in three episodes his impact is enormous because his personality is a breath of fresh air, the impact he has on others is incredible, and then he dies tragically (as do most side characters in D Gray Man so I guess we all saw it coming). Still, odd ball weapon choice and still incredibly awesome to watch.
Number 4: Hunter X Hunter – Fishing Rod
Again, Hunter X Hunter is full of plenty of weird items being used as weapons, but I think Gon’s fishing rod is a classic. I kind of thought it was cute when he was training to be a hunter and was using a fishing rod, and then the more we learned about being a hunter the weirder it seemed and some of the situations Gon ended up using that rod are fantastically non-sensical and yet it always ends up pretty effective.
But mostly this made the list because it so suits Gon’s personality. I did notice that he was using it less often as the story progressed and I still have a fair way to go through the series so I’m kind of hoping it doesn’t get totally forgotten later.
Number 3: Black Butler – Cutlery
Did anyone seriously think I was going to make this list of non-weapon items without adding Sebastian and his flair for using cutlery as weapons? The reason this isn’t number one is because I’m pretty positive the only reason these weapons are effective is because they are being thrown by a demon.
I somehow don’t think the average person is going to throw a fork hard enough to penetrate skull from a distance (I could be wrong but I hope not). Still, watching Sebastian in action with the silverware… Just another reason he is one hell of a butler.
Number 2: Soul Eater – Tombstone
For a show about people who can literally transform into weapons, Sid’s first fight might seem a little underwhelming given he is just hurling his own tombstone around. And yet, in any other show this would be awesome. Here’s a zombie literally fighting off his attackers by pummeling them with his own tombstone.
There’s a certain level of craziness to that idea that really appeals and it doesn’t hurt that this fight is the first time we see Maka and Black Star ‘working’ together. This is definitely a non-weapon item that no one really expected to see weaponised but it sure makes for a fun fight sequence.
Number 1: Love, Chuunibyou and Other Delusions – Pigtails
Yep, it is the Dekimori Spin and other random attacks by Dekimore (aka Sanae). Okay, her attacks are almost never effective but they are always awesome to watch whether we see her own delusional version of the attack or whether we see the real world action, it is always fun. Pigtails are definitely the ultimate non-weapon item that has been turned into a weapon of at least mass annoyance even if not mass destruction.
Including the time she tangles herself in her own hair and falls over. I also liked the time she increased the weights on her hair for a more effective attack and then couldn’t even really move. Yes, weaponised pigtails. We definitely need to see more of this even though I’m pretty sure most villains will not be shaking in their boots.
What are your favourite examples of non-weapon items used as weapons?
There’s my list for the week and as I said before, I’d love to hear what you would add on your list. What’s your favourite non-weapon item that has been weaponised?
Thank-you for reading 100 Word Anime.
Join the discussion in the comments.
Karandi James