The Top 20 Strongest and Most Badass Old Men in Anime

In the real world, as you age typically your strength fades, and your wisdom increases. However, it is not quite so in anime. Some of the strongest and most badass characters in anime are, in fact, old men. They may not be as handsome as they were when they were young bucks, but their advanced age has done wonders for their power. So who stands among the strongest and coolest old men in anime?

20 – Hiruzen Sarutobi from Naruto

Born the son of Sasuke Sarutobi, Sarutobi’s family was one of the first to settle Kotonoha and he was one of the first ninjas trained there, taught by the First Hokage. He would later because the Third Hokage only to retire, then later come out of retirement after the Fourth Hokage’s death. Of course, it was his own student that would later come back and show that he had surpassed his master.

19 – Zeno Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter

Despite his advanced age, Zeno is still an efficient and pragmatic assassin as well as a skilled user of Nen. Killing is only a job to him and he rarely lets emotion enter into it. Although wise and cold in battle, he is a very witty old man that uses his quick thinking and speed to succeed in both battle and conversation. He places all of his hopes now in his grandson, Killua.

18 – Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryuusai from Bleach

Commander of the Shinigami in Soul Society, Yamamoto is considered the strongest captain of them all. Even though he has an appearance of an old man, he is in peak physical condition and has many scars all over his body to hint at his many battles. He has a fiery temper like other captains and believes that laws must be executed for the sake of the community, making him deeply upset by rule breakers. He also wields the Ryuujin Jakka, the strongest of all flame-type Zanpakutou.

17 – Master Roshi from Dragonball Z

Of course Master Roshi would make the list. The “Immortal Turtle” was, at one point, the strongest martial artist on earth and the first to wield the Kamehameha technique. Of course, after the Saiyans start powering up, his skills kind of become moot and he gets set into the comic relief role with his porno addiction and all around perverted nature.

16 – Furinji Hayato from Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

Back in his youth, no one was safe from the reckless and violent Hayato. Men, women, animals, tiny, tiny, babies – he would fight them all. Most famously, Hayato frequently recalls the time he took on 500 martial artists at one time. However, time has not slowed him down, even in his 90’s he is still ready to take on anyone.

15 – Zodd the Immortal from Berserk

Typically demons wouldn’t really qualify as “old men” except that in the Berserk universe most demons were once people. Meaning that Zodd the Immortal, although now transformed, is actually a pretty old man. He is also a pretty unbeatable man, fighting eternally with Skull Knight and serving Griffith even if he does not always agree with the paths that he takes.

14 – Makarov Dreyar from Fairy Tail

Not only is Makarov the Guild Master of the Fairy Tail Guild and one of the Ten Wizard Saints, he also posses the ability to turn into a giant to which he uses to wrestle a dragon. If only you could be so cool in your geriatric years.

13 – Yoshihiro Shimazu from Samurai Kings

In the world of Samurai Kings, age as a warrior is often a testament to experience. If that is so, no one is more experienced than Yoshihiro. Known as the Shimazu Demon, Yoshihiro constantly yearns for battle and stronger opponents to fight. He cares little for the conflict of others, but will advance if there are powerful foes to fight like Tadakatsu Honda.