15 Most Powerful Rifles in Anime

Anime is known for its over-the-top weaponry, featuring incredibly powerful rifles that often defy reality. This list highlights some of the most impressive rifles seen in anime, detailing their in-universe descriptions, ammunition, and key moments. For fictional designs, we’ll refer to the official anime source material. When a rifle is based on a real firearm, we’ll provide references to databases that track its appearances on screen.

For easy reference and to ensure accuracy, each description details the rifle, the anime it appears in, and what the weapon does or how it’s used in the story. Sources are included with each entry so you can confirm the information.

RX-78-2 Beam Rifle (seen in ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’)

The RX-78-2’s main weapon is a powerful beam rifle, comparable in strength to the main guns of battleships from its time. It uses a technology called E-cap to store energy particles, then fires them as a concentrated beam, making it incredibly effective against armored enemies.

According to Gundam lore, the technology behind beam weapons used by both the Federation and Zeon relies on something called Minovsky physics. This allows them to pack the power of a battleship into weapons small enough for mobile suits, using particles called Minovsky and mega-particles. This also explains why beam rifles become so effective when these particles fill the battlefield.

Positron Sniper Rifle (seen in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’)

In the battle of Operation Yashima, NERV requested a special, experimental sniper rifle to fight the Angel Ramiel from very far away. Records show this rifle needed all of Japan’s electricity to fire, highlighting how much power it used and confirming it was built specifically to defeat Angels.

Official guides explain that the rifle was originally developed by the JSSDF as part of their research and development program, and was later adapted for use with the Evangelion units. Later versions of the rifle are shown with markings like “SUPER-POSITRON” on the barrel. These guides also establish the rifle as one of several specialized Evangelion weapons, each with its own unique abilities and support needs.

Kaneda’s Laser Rifle (seen in ‘Akira’)

During the final battle, Kaneda uses a cutting-edge laser rifle. This weapon is powered by a backpack battery and has a cooling system built in. He fires it at Tetsuo during their fight in the stadium, while the Colonel simultaneously attacks from space with an orbital laser.

Official sources describe the weapon as a powerful, high-tech laser. Anime fansites highlight its ability to cut through objects and the fact that it needs to be recharged between shots during combat.

Hellsing ARMS 30 mm Anti-Midian Cannon “Harkonnen” (seen in ‘Hellsing’ / ‘Hellsing Ultimate’)

Seras Victoria’s main weapon is a powerful 30mm cannon originally designed by Walter C. Dornez to fight the Midian. It’s incredibly large and uses special ammunition, so strong that only someone with superhuman abilities can effectively use it.

The series’ character and weapon guides identify the Harkonnen as Seras’ go-to weapon for providing long-range support, outlining what ammunition it can use and how it’s best employed in major battles.

“Harkonnen II” Long-Range Defensive System (seen in ‘Hellsing Ultimate’)

The Harkonnen II is a 30mm, semi-automatic weapon designed specifically to defend Hellsing Manor with long-range firepower. It’s part of a series described as an ‘Extra Long-Range Bombardment Firearm System’ and was built by Walter for Seras.

Reports on this franchise highlight its focus on defensive strategies and the ability to operate over greater distances than the original Harkonnen group. They explain how the organization adapted Seras’s rifle for particular missions and requirements.

PGM Hécate II (seen in ‘Sword Art Online II’)

In the ‘Gun Gale Online’ story arc, Sinon gets the PGM Hécate II, a powerful sniper rifle based on a real-world French weapon. The game’s details explain how she obtains it – as a rare reward from a difficult challenge – and its large caliber makes it perfect for taking down enemies from far away.

The character information pages explain Sinon’s use of different weapons and confirm the Hécate II was her main rifle during that part of the story. This highlights that the game accurately represents the rifle’s weight and size as it exists in real life.

Barrett M82A1M (seen in ‘Jormungand: Perfect Order’)

The Barrett M82 is a powerful, long-range rifle designed to disable equipment and intercept targets. In the anime series ‘Jormungand: Perfect Order,’ the M82A1M version of this rifle appears in the episode “Pazuzu,” as documented by fans who have captured screenshots.

The rifle’s origins and technical details, along with how it came to be widely used, explain why it’s frequently shown in anime featuring military contractors and government forces as the preferred choice for a powerful .50-caliber weapon.

CheyTac M200 “Intervention” (seen in ‘Detective Conan’)

In the anime ‘Case Closed: Dimensional Sniper,’ the character Subaru Okiya uses a CheyTac M200 bolt-action sniper rifle. This rifle is known for its long-range accuracy and is typically loaded with specialized .408 or .375 CheyTac ammunition. The anime accurately depicts the rifle’s features, including its scope and bolt mechanism.

The M200 sniper rifle was designed for extremely long-distance targeting of both people and equipment, and its powerful ballistics make it a popular choice in movies and books for scenes featuring shots taken from miles away.

Howa Type 89 (seen in ‘GATE’)

The anime ‘GATE’ realistically portrays the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, featuring their standard Howa Type 89 5.56mm rifle, including the folding-stock Type 89-F model with a built-in bipod and the use of rifle grenades. Detailed online resources track scenes involving paratroopers and the firing of these grenades.

Information about the Type 89 rifle details its introduction as a replacement for the older 7.62 mm Type 64. It also explains where the rifle fits among other modern assault rifles, reflecting how the Japanese Self-Defense Forces use this series in major operations.

Seburo C-26A (seen in ‘Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex’)

In the anime ‘Stand Alone Complex’, the Seburo C-26A is the main carbine/assault rifle. It’s designed with a 50-round magazine, a bullpup configuration, and ejects casings forward into a built-in brass catcher. Details provided with the show explain how the ammunition feeds and is caught by the top-mounted catcher.

According to information from franchise wikis, the C-26A weapon is made by Seburo, a manufacturer within the fictional world created by Masamune Shirow. It’s identified as the standard long gun used by Section 9, which explains why it’s frequently seen in both close-quarters combat and medium-range battles in urban settings.

Dragunov SVD (seen in ‘Black Lagoon’)

In the anime ‘Black Lagoon’, the SVD 7.62x54R marksman rifle is frequently seen with members of Hotel Moscow and former VDV soldiers, including Balalaika in both flashbacks and action scenes. It’s established as the group’s standard sniper rifle, complete with a PSO-1 optic.

As a movie buff, I’ve noticed the Dragunov SVD rifle popping up *a lot* in films and shows, especially when they’re trying to depict Russian organized crime. It makes sense, though – the SVD isn’t just a standard infantry weapon, but something of a step up, bridging the gap between a regular rifle and a full-on sniper system. The production teams seem to get that detail right, and it adds a layer of authenticity I appreciate.

Heckler & Koch PSG-1 (seen in ‘Highschool of the Dead’)

The anime ‘Highschool of the Dead’ features a sniper, Rika Minami, accurately using an H&K PSG-1 rifle to clear an airport. Notably, the show correctly depicts how many bullets the rifle’s magazine holds throughout the scene, as confirmed by screenshots and details from the episode.

The database identifies the PSG-1 as a battle rifle and precision rifle used in the show, and includes specific details about its features – like the scope and bipod – which align with how this semi-automatic weapon is used in real life.

Gravitational Beam Emitter (GBE) (seen in ‘Blame!’)

The ‘Blame!’ series features the GBE, a highly advanced rifle that fires focused beams of graviton energy. These beams are incredibly powerful and can penetrate the massive structures of the City. It’s consistently depicted as one of the most powerful and rarest handheld weapons in the franchise.

Experts within the story also point out that only a powerful, focused energy blast can break through the Megastructure’s defenses. This is why the rifle is so important during the biggest and most damaging battles.

X-Rifle / X-Shotgun (seen in ‘Gantz’)

The Gantz equipment records detail a powerful, long-range energy weapon—commonly known as the X-Rifle or X-Shotgun—which operates similarly to the X-Gun but can hit targets from much farther away and includes built-in sights. Official descriptions state it’s effective at distances of at least a kilometer during combat.

Throughout the series, characters are frequently shown using the X-Rifle during missions. Interestingly, the anime sometimes calls it a rifle, while official guides refer to it as an X-Shotgun.

Tsuranuki Zutsu “Piercing Gun” (seen in ‘Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress’)

Ikoma and Takumi created the Tsuranuki Zutsu, a powerful steam-powered weapon, to break through the tough armor of the Kabane. It’s described as a significant improvement over the standard steam guns used by the soldiers, with upgraded materials and a design built for this specific purpose.

Details about the setting’s steam-powered guns clarify that most use lead bullets. However, the Piercing Gun is specifically designed with higher pressure and a special bullet shape to effectively penetrate armor.

Share your picks—what did we miss and which anime rifle would you add to the list?

2025-10-06 03:21