Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku, a recent success by MAPPA, stands out as one of the darkest shounen series in recent times. The anime revolves around a group of death row convicts engaged in fierce battles on a remote island named Kotaku. They are in the pursuit of the elixir of immortality.
To maintain order among these unruly criminals, each one is accompanied by an Asaemon. These are executioners hailing from the Yamada clan. The Asaemon are known for their exceptional swordsmanship and loyalty to the Shogun. In this guide, we will list the most formidable Hell’s Paradise Asaemon in the story.
Who are the Asaemon
A Brief Look into the Yamada Clan
- The Yamada Clan consists of rōnin who serve as both sword testers and executioners for the Shogunate. They have gained notoriety as the Neck-Chopper Asa or Decapitator Asa.
- Within the clan, individuals bestowed with the title Yamada Asaemon are responsible for appraising new swords by testing them on corpses and carrying out the execution of convicted criminals through decapitation. During executions, the Yamada clan adheres to a strict doctrine. They try to ensure the condemned feel no pain or emotional response from their swords.
They strive to achieve a perfect, clean cut that aligns with this principle. Despite being under the jurisdiction of the shogunate’s blade magistrate, the Yamada clan operates as rōnin and does not serve the shogun in an official capacity.
Consequently, they are prohibited from receiving land, income, or any form of government benefits. To sustain themselves, the clan engages in the production of medicines derived from the corpses they examine, such as the creation of Asamiya Pills.
Yamada Clan’s Ranking explained
Within the Yamada clan, there exists a hierarchical system that assesses potential candidates for the future clan leader.
This ranking system takes into account various factors, including expertise in specific domains and proficiency in the Tameshi Ittō-ryū martial arts style. The rankings range from 1st to 12th, with the 1st rank representing the highest level of qualification and suitability for assuming the role of the clan leader.
However, the rankings within the Yamada clan do not always accurately reflect the strength of an Asaemon. The clan considers fighting prowess the least significant factor when determining the qualifications for a rank. As a result, a lower-ranked Asaemon may possess greater strength and abilities compared to those ranked higher. Furthermore, despite the prevailing bias against Yamada Asaemon women due to their gender, they can still attain a rank if a higher-ranked Asaemon supports their position and vouches for their abilities.
The Top 10 Asaemon in Hell’s Paradise
#10 – Yamada Asaemon Tenza
We start our list with Yamada Asaemon Tenza. And even though we put him in rank 10, he should not be underestimated
- As the disciple of Yamada Asaemon Shion, he has honed his skills and emerged as a respected swordsman within the Yamada clan, ultimately earning the title of the tenth Asaemon.
- Additionally, Tenza possesses formidable unarmed combat abilities and displays remarkable endurance and stamina. Notably, he demonstrated his resilience by enduring a prolonged battle against Wadatsumi’s tentacles and successfully returning to the island.
- Despite sustaining severe injuries from Zhu Jin’s Tao-enhanced attack, he swiftly recovered and proceeded to incapacitate their vision, persisting in combat with the Tensen long enough to ensure Shion and Nurugai’s escape.
- Tenza’s swordsmanship is characterized by unmatched speed, allowing him to execute rapid and overwhelming strikes against his adversaries.
#9 – Yamada Asaemon Senta
Next on our list is Senta, the fifth-ranked Asaemon.
- While his combat capabilities may pale in comparison to the other Asaemon on this list, Senta compensates for it with his impressive speed. Swiftly and unexpectedly, he slashed away both of Mu Dan’s hands and his right leg.
- Beyond his physical prowess, Senta also possesses extensive knowledge of theology and culture.
- Like all Asaemon, he is skilled in decapitating his adversaries with a single stroke of his sword. Senta’s swordsmanship style draws similarities to fencing, emphasizing agility and precision in his attacks.
- Notably, he was able to engage in battle with Mu Dan, a formidable Tao user, inflicting damage, and swiftly dispatching the Kiyōshi before they could strike Yuzuriha.
#8 – Yamada Asaemon Genji
Genji holds the 8th position within the esteemed Asaemon clan, signifying his remarkable skill as a swordsman.
- Genji took it upon himself to protect Yuzuriha, considering her too dangerous to be left unattended after the demise of his own criminal. He is a calm, composed and stoic individual, and both his character and his swordsmanship reflects that.
- Genji’s exceptional forte lies in his incredible strength, enabling him to effortlessly combat the formidable creatures that inhabit the island. Though his role in the narrative is relatively modest, his sporadic appearances showcase his unmatched physical power.
- According to Shugen, Genji’s swordsmanship is accentuated by his wrist strength, capable of overpowering opponents in clashes of blades.
- Like every Asaemon, Genji possesses the ability to swiftly decapitate individuals with a single stroke of his sword, showcasing his proficiency by beheading even a Sōshin with one deft cut.
#7 – Yamada Asaemon Fuchi
Moving forward, we have Fuchi, the ninth-ranked Asaemon.
- Upon arriving on Kotaku, Fuchi accomplished a rare feat by surviving the island’s daunting trials and reaching Horai, a milestone not achieved for a thousand years.
- Fuchi’s primary asset lies in his exceptional intellect and knowledge, surpassing even those ranked higher than him. Setting himself apart from his fellow clan members, Fuchi’s passion lies in the study of medicine.
- He displays a keen interest in dissecting the diverse species he encounters on the island. Fans assume that it is this knowledge and intellect that got him the Fifth rank among the Asaemon.
- Despite his physical appearance and scholarly inclinations, Fuchi displays remarkable proficiency as a swordsman in his own right. He carries two swords and despite having a smaller stature compared to his Asaemon counterparts, Fuchi’s agility and skill enable him to triumph over the multitude of monsters roaming the island and the myriad of other lurking horrors that reside there.
#6 – Yamada Asaemon Isuzu
In the sixth position, we have Yamada Asaemon Isuzu. Although she is an unranked Asaemon, she was recruited to join Shugen and Jikka on their expedition to the island.
- Isuzu is a devoted follower of Shugen and faithfully carries out his commands. Despite being a woman, Isuzu possesses a robust physique and remarkable strength. She effectively utilizes this in combat. She wields two blades that can be combined to form a double-sided naginata.
- While she may not be the most skilled swordsman in the Yamada Asaemon clan, the strongest Asaemon, Shugen, remarks that she is more than capable.
#5 – Yamada Asaemon Eizen
In the fifth position, we have the former Yamada clan leader, Yamada Asaemon Eizen. Although not the strongest, he possessed undeniable strength. This is why his clan gave him the first rank of the Asaemon and chose him to be their leader.
- However, despite holding the prestigious first rank, the clan understood that Eizen lacked combat skills. Consequently, the clan did not regard him as their most formidable fighter. That distinction rightly belonged to his protege, Yamada Asaemon Shugen.
- The hierarchy within the Yamada clan emphasized qualifications for leadership rather than individual prowess. This is why The clan bestowed Eizen with the first rank owing to his exceptional credentials for assuming the mantle of clan head.
#4 – Yamada Asaemon Sagiri
Next up, we have the deuteragonist of Hell’s Paradise, Yamada Asaemon Sagiri. She has arguably shown the most growth throughout the series, giving her the coveted fourth position in our list of the strongest Hell’s Paradise Asaemon.
- Sagiri, a highly proficient swordswoman, successfully attained the esteemed position of an Asaemon within the Yamada Clan, securing the twelfth rank and positioning herself as a potential future leader of the clan. She excelled as one of the top sword testers in the Yamada clan. However, Sagiri’s limited battle experience hindered her effectiveness in combat.
- Nevertheless, her peers acknowledged her remarkable capability to hold her ground against formidable adversaries. These included Gabimaru, Rokurōta, and Lord Tensen, when she exhibited unwavering determination.
- Gabimaru himself regarded Sagiri as significantly stronger than him. He recognized that her willingness to confront her own doubts empowered her to overcome obstacles.
#3 – Yamada Asaemon Shion
In third place, we have Yamada Asaemon Shion. He is definitely one of the fan favourites of the anime.
- Shion is the fourth-ranked Asaemon. The Yamada clan recognized him as one of its most formidable members. They also widely regarded him as a promising candidate for future leadership.
- During his journey on Kotaku, Shion achieved a remarkable feat by becoming one of the few individuals in a millennium to survive the treacherous challenges presented by the island and successfully reached Hōrai, the present abode of Lord Tensen.
- Shion engaged in a fierce battle against Mu Dan at the peak of his power. In this battle, Shion displayed remarkable resilience. He effectively countered his adversary’s attacks and ultimately emerged victorious, delivering a fatal blow.
- Notably, Shion harnesses the power of Wood-attribute Tao and has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in its application.
#2 – Yamada Asaemon Jikka
Next, we have Yamada Asaemon Jikka. Second to only Shugen, he is definitely a Hell’s Paradise Asaemon to be reckoned with.
- The Yamada clan ranks Jikka as third-ranked Asaemon, following Eizen and Shugen. He is undeniably a skilled individual. The Yamada clan regards him as one of its most formidable members. He achieved an extraordinary feat by slaying a Wadatsumi. This is a sea creature notorious for claiming the lives of explorers attempting to depart from Kotaku.
- Notably, Jikka became the first person to successfully escape Kotaku unscathed twice. No other Asaemon has achieved this feat.
- Gantetsusai, acknowledging the challenging nature of navigating the treacherous ocean currents, admitted that even a master swordsman like himself would find such a feat arduous while sailing on a boat. Witnessing Jikka effortlessly dispatch the Zhu Jin-fused Banko further convinced Gantetsusai that Jikka possessed the prowess of a legendary figure capable of slaying gods—a distinction that could secure his place in history.
#1 – Yamada Asaemon Shugen
Finally, we have the strongest Hell’s Paradise Asaemon, Yamada Asaemon Shugen. He is definitely deserving of the title of this spot for a variety of reasons.
- Shugen is recognized by his peers as the Yamada clan’s most formidable Asaemon. He held the esteemed second rank. The clan considered him a strong contender for assuming leadership, rivaling his mentor, Eizen.
- Upon reaching Kotaku, Shugen demonstrated remarkable prowess by effortlessly dispatching a group of Sōshin without relying on his sword and effortlessly eliminating a Monshin without displaying any signs of concern. He also triumphed over a Dōshi, adept practitioners of Tao under Lord Tensen, surpassing their expertise in its utilization.
Notably, Shugen even overwhelmed Gantetsusai, a widely renowned swordsman, nearly delivering a fatal blow. Ultimately, Shugen accomplished an extraordinary feat by becoming one of the rare humans in a millennium to survive and escape the harrowing trials presented by Kotaku.
Shugen possessed the power of Water-attribute Tao and exhibited adept control over it. This enabled him to perceive the presence of others, discern the movements and vulnerabilities of his adversaries. This also augments his physical attacks, including empowering his sword strikes.
