Wiki defines a sniper as:

“A sniper is an individual, usually a soldier or law enforcement agent, who specializes in shooting targets with high-precision rifles from very long distances, usually from a concealed location. Most are skilled in carrying out stealth and camouflage tactics on a battlefield zone. Military snipers are also adept at carrying out methods of infiltration, reconnaissance, and observation techniques.”

I’m going to loosely use this definition for my top ten list. After going through a whole bunch of animes I narrowed it down to my list to 5 snipers. This list was pretty fun to make and I hope you enjoy reading it.

#5 on our list is:

Vash the Stampede

Vash comes from an anime called “Trigun”, which aired in the late 90s. Now I know Vash isn’t your typical “sniper”, but I feel that because his accuracy with his revolver allows him to be placed on this list. The story behind Vash is actually long and confusing so I’ll just sum it up quickly: Vash is an alien life form on a quest to save humans from his evil brother. Now the anime doesn’t really explain why he is so skilled with firearms but then again does it really matter? Regardless, Vash is a force to be reckoned with.

Here is the intro to the Anime series…. Ahh this brings me back.

#4 on our list is:

Uryū Ishida

You might recognize this character from the ever so popular “Bleach” anime. I hate referencing Bleach and Naruto because of all the insane fan boys out there, but in this situation Mr. Ishida deservers all the fame.

In the “Bleach” storyline, UryÅ« Ishida is part of a line of a warrior monks called “Quincy”. The “Quincy” are a clan of humans who, over many centuries, became spiritually aware. In doing so they devised their own brand of spiritual powers; they can absorb spiritual energy and then manipulate for offensive purposes. They most commonly reshape spiritual particles into various types of bow and arrows, but can also concentrate spiritual energy into the form of swords or explosives. UryÅ« Ishida himself uses his spiritual powers to manifest bow & arrows, which he uses to sniper evil spirits.

#3 on our list is:

Yoko Littner

Yoko Littner is from the Anime called Gurren Lagann. Yoko is a girl from Jeeha’s neighboring village of Ritona. She wields an extensive range of firearms, most frequently of which is a long range sniper rifle modeled after the Barrett M82. She uses her marksmanship from afar to assist the other characters in the show. I’m too lazy to get into her full story but if you want to learn more, here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tengen_Toppa_Gurren_Lagann_primary_characters

Now why is she on the Top Snipers list? She kicks ass, uses a sniper rifle, and is extremely hot. If you can find a better anime sniper, let me know.

(WARNING THIS VIDEO HAS LOTS OF BOUNCING BOOBS AND FANSERVICE)

#2 on our list is:

Lockon Stratos

“Lockon Stratos will SNIPE THEM!” Sorry small anime reference there.

Lockon Stratos is the call sign of the sniper in the anime series Gundam 00. At a young age, Lockon witnessed the death of family at the hands of terrorist. Since the attack he has carried a deep resentment towards terrorists ever since. This resentment pushes him to join an anti-terrorist group called “Celestial Being”, allowing him to pursue justice against evil-doers.

Lockon is #2 on this list because he can snipe moving targets while piloting a huge Robotic war machine. Now I know this is all fictional but that definitely sounds a little difficult. As the sharpshooter for the Gundam Meisters, Lockon proved his value in combat against overwhelming odds several times.

Check out Lockon in action:

Finally the

#1 Sniper on our list…

SAITO

Saito comes from the Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. anime. Saito is an elite soldier in an government anti-terrorist group known as Section 9. He can handle any automatic firearm with deadly accuracy and precision, but his primary role is as the unit’s tactical sniper. His left eye was replaced with the “Hawkeye”, a prosthetic eye that interfaces with satellites to allow for shots of incredible accuracy. He is also valued for his ability to think like enemy snipers; on two separate occasions his ability at determining sniping locations impacted Section 9′s actions.

See why Saito is #1:

I hope you enjoy the list! If you have any comments or questions feel free to ask! Think you know a better sniper? Try us! Want to call us noobs? Bring it! Until next week!

Stay tuned for small updates throughout the week.

10. Samanosuke Akechi from the Omnimusha series.

Samanosuke is a badass Samurai from the Omnimusha video game series. He was born in the year 1535, during Japan’s Sengoku Period. Don’t judge him because he’s from the medieval era. His mission is to protect the world from demons and to overthrow the evil Nobuanaga. He’s claimed as the greatest heroes during the Oni/Genma war and of the deadliest demon hunters in history.

Check out Samanosuke in action:

9. Minato Namikaze (4^th Hokage) from Naruto

Minato is a powerful ninja from the popular Japanese manga, “Naruto”. Minato makes this list because he defeated the “Nine tailed Demon Fox”, the strongest demon in Naruto history. Known as the 4^th Hokage and the leader of the Hidden Leaf Clan, there isn’t a ninja in the Naruto Universe who doesn’t know about the “Yellow Flash”.

8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Anne Summers is “the Slayer”, one in a long line of young women chosen by fate to battle evil forces. This mystic calling endows her with dramatically increased physical strength, as well as endurance, agility, ease of healing, intuition, and a limited degree of clairvoyance, usually in the form of prophetic dreams. Although she usually slays vampires she is known to slay demons in her free time.

7. Vampire Hunter D

D is a dhampir, the half-breed child of a vampire father and human mother, therefore he makes the ideal demon/vampire hunter. He is renowned for his consummate skill and unearthly grace, but feared and despised for his mixed lineage: born of both races but belonging to neither. Often underestimated by his opponents, D has surprising power and resourcefulness, possessing most of the strengths and only mild levels of vampiric weaknesses. D does not suffer from vampiric weaknesses usual to dhampirs, possessing an imposing supernatural aura to his opponents and godlike reflexes surpassing even vampires.

The Official Trailer:

6. Dante from Devil May Cry Series

Another half breed, Dante is a mercenary dedicated to exterminating demons, a mission he follows in pursuit of those that killed his mother and corrupted his brother. He is the son of Sparda, a demon of great power that rebelled against the demon emperor and defeated his army. As a result of his demonic heritage he possesses numerous superhuman abilities which he uses in combination with a variety of weapons to accomplish his goals.

5. Ryu Hayabusa from the Ninja Gaiden Series

Single handed overthrowing an empire, slaying legendary demons and winning world-class fighting tournaments, Ryu Hayabusa holds the #5 spot on our list. Ryu is a “super-ninja” with insane ninja skills. He also wields the legendary Dragon sword and is a proud member of the Hayabusa Clan. His assassination list includes, Greater Fiend Doku, Emperor Vigoor and many other monsters. Like many others on this list he has prevented the destruction of the world numerous times.

4. Rachel from the Ninja Gaiden Series

Another character from the Ninja Gaiden Series, Rachel is a scantily clad Fiend Hunter in the Vigoor Empire. She searches for her sister Alma, who was turned into a Greater Fiend by Doku. She dispatches Fiends with the aid of her Warhammer (a fauchard-like weapon), the Peluda Tail (a whip), and her Blades of Ouroborus sorcery. She became a Fiend Hunter to kill her corrupted twin sister Alma. However, she finds herself unable to do so when given the opportunity.

She kills demons in high heel stilettos…nuf said.

3. Illidan Stormrage from World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

Illidan Stormrage, known as The Betrayer, is currently the self-proclaimed Lord of Outland, ruling from the Black Temple. He was born a night elf, and as stated by Maiev Shadowsong, is now “neither demon nor night elf, but something more”. Once an unusually gifted Sorcerer, the extent of his powers today are difficult to classify, due to his powers increasing in large bursts as a Demon Hunter, Sorcerer, and having absorbed the powers of the Skull of Gul’dan.

2.  Alexander Anderson from Hellsing Anime

Alexander Anderson is a character from the manga/anime Hellsing. Acting as both an antagonist and anti-hero he is a warrior priest or paladin monster slayer who works for the Iscariot Organization.  Alex is one of the rare humans who has faced off against Alucard and lived to tell the tale.

1. Jezzerie Jaden from Shadow Hunter

#1 on our list is Jezzerie Jaden, a young, orphaned, beautiful woman, attempting to make a life for herself in the big city.  As she grapples with mundane problems like making rent and a creepy manager at work, something deeper brews: a nagging suspicion that her life is not her own. Seeking answers (not to mention extra cash) she enrolls in a past life regression experiment which seems to ignite visions of a demonic past that no one can explain. Shadow Hunter is the story of a provocative super-heroine who survives a brush with death only to find herself fighting the legions of hell for her very soul.  She has an incredibly sexy and brutal attitude and definitely “Over the Top”.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Infamous for his mass array of original character creations, Ogure Ito (otherwise known as “Oh! Great”) created a second animated series that aired in Japan in 2006 entitled “Air Gear.” For many, this is old news, as many loyal fans of “Oh! Great”’s works have not only seen the Tenjou Tenge and Air Gear animes in their entirety (26 & 25 episodes each) but have been still following up with their respective mangas, especially Air Gear; which has reached nearly 200 chapters thus far. However, for those of you who have neglected to follow the Air Gear series whether it is due to your declining interest in current animes or your infatuation with the popular Naruto and Bleach series, I am here to inform that the Air Gear series is a hidden gem in the Otaku universe. At first glance the Air Gear series may appear as somewhat “corny” as you realize that the plot is based around the invention of “Air Treks,” motorized roller blades, however, to those who are patient enough to sit through the remedial introduction of air trek dynamics and the differing classes amongst “storm riders” (those who use Air Trek for competitive purposes), Air Gear offers a truly deep plot and an intriguing line of characters, concepts and art-work.

I recommend to at least completely watching the anime. Air Gear takes something that many people can relate to, roller blades, and takes this concept of inline skate tricks to a whole new level. I can assure that many of you, after watching the anime, will put on your roller blades for the first time in many years (to only realize they are too tight for you now). To add, the music included in the animated series compliments the action in Air Gear so well, as it plays out its funky beats and mixes that may be reminiscent of some old school B-Boy hits.

Here is sample of what the ANIME entails. Video was made by the wriX Crew.

If you find yourself enjoying the little taste of the Air Gear plot that the anime has to offer, definitely invest time in reading the Air Gear Manga. As the plot thickens in the Air Gear world, “Oh! Great” hits you with some sick imagery, and plot twists that will undeniably get you hooked!

Here is where you can get all the goods!

Anime: http://www.tokyotosho.com/

(you need bittorrent for this)

Manga:

Volumes 1-17 can be obtained at:

http://www.kuu-scans.info/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=j7a7saufl7okaujrgb9odldr21&

and the later Volumes:

http://www.sorascans.com/

Also Check out this cool blog:

http://cuteproxy.wordpress.com/

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