There was, however, a Chinese anti-cavalry weapon of the Song Dynasty also written as 斬馬刀 ('', "horse cutting blade" , ''' Zhanmadao ''') or ''' Zanmato ''' which could have been the inspiration for the zanbatō, although it differs in form. Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a Nagamaki in construction; it had a wrapped handle 37 cm long making it easy to grip with two hands. The blade was 114 cm long and very straight with a slight curve in the last half. This somewhat resembles the zanbatō and may have served as an inspiration.
- The zanbatō is claimed in or ōdachi much more than the anime weapon. The character of Sanosuke is said to have been based on Harada Sanosuke , one of the leaders of the Shinsengumi , who carried a "large spear."
- In the '' Naruto '' series, ninja Momochi Zabuza wields a Zanbatou. A fellow member of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of Mist, Hoshigaki Kisame , also wields a large blade which can be considered a Zanbatou with a unique attack style due to it's special shaving properties. It is likely that the other five swordsmen (four in the anime since Kurosuki Raiga was revealed, whose smaller swords are discounted like much in the the Naruto filler arcs) will also wield large Zanbatou-like blades.
- While unnamed, in the anime Vision Of Escaflowne , Van's master Balgus wields a giant blade capable of even destroying giant robot Guymelef s, comparable to the Zanbato. It is thinner than most presentations of the Zanbatou, but likely closer to the real thing which would not be excessively thick due to weight.
- In the anime InuYasha , the same named character's sword Tessaiga grows into an immense version similarly large like a Zanbatou. Bankotsu , an enemy encountered later, wields the Banryū , a great sword referred to as a halberd in the show due to its great size, which Bankotsu wields one-handed.
- The Digimon called Zanbamon 's name is based on his weapon, the Zanbatou.
- The Super Robot Grungust Reishiki from the Super Robot Wars video game series uses a massive double-edged sword named a ''zankantou'' (斬艦刀 lit. Ship-cutting Sword). True to its name, the ''zankantou'' is effective in dispatching large battleships, but is also invaluable in fighting bosses and robots. Alternately, ''Grungust Sanshiki'' wields a giant Katana that enlarges into a ''zankantou'' when needed.
- Ogami Ittō from the Lone Wolf And Cub Manga uses Suyoryu's technique called Tsuyoi Zanbato to attack horsemen.
- In the game Guilty Gear XX #RELOAD there is an unlockable character called Kliff Undersn who wields a huge sword similar to a Zanbatō.
- In the Game Boy Advance '' Fire Emblem '' games, the Zanbato is a sword that is especially effective against calvalry.
- In the RPG '' Final Fantasy VII '', Cloud Strife 's weapon, the Buster Sword , bears a distinct resemblance to the Zanbatō.
- The Aeon Yojimbo in '' Final Fantasy X '' uses "Zanmato" if he's paid enough money. The attack kills every enemy in the battle.
- In the '' Soul Calibur '' series of video games, the zanbatou is said to be the weapon of choice for Seung Mina , though she uses a polearm which more resembles a Naginata .
- Auron 's swords in '' Final Fantasy X '' are sizeable enough to be considered zanbatō.
- In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance a Ninja or Assassin can wield a katana called Zanmato, a sword from which assassins can learn Ultima Masher. Described as a "giant sword engraved with words of destruction", it is the outlaw "Killer Rayne"'s trademark weapon.
- Nelo Angelo (or Nero Angelo) from '' Devil May Cry '' wields a huge zanbatou as his weapon.
- Guts from the manga Berserk carries the dragon slayer.
- The Strike Gundam from the anime and manga Gundam SEED features an option pack called the "Sword Striker" which is also a ''zankantou'' in the similar fashion as above. This version is equipped with a Beam cutting edge, increasing it's cutting power. It's size makes it notably useless.
- In the melee game series based on the Three Kingdoms period of China, Guan Ping son of Guan Yu and brother to Guan Suo and Guan Xing wields what could be called a zanbatou.
- In the anime BLEACH . Kurosaki Ichigo's gigantic Soul Slayer is what could be called a zanbatou
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