13 Anime Featuring Dark Knights Who Rescue Princesses
Picture this: a hero cloaked in shadows, wielding a blade heavy with secrets, charging through danger to save royalty from the clutches of evil.
Anime has given us countless tales where dark knights—brooding, powerful, and sometimes morally gray—step up to rescue princesses in distress.
Whether they’re battling demons, corrupt empires, or virtual nightmares, these warriors prove that sometimes the most unlikely heroes wear the darkest armor.
Ready to meet the knights who trade shining plate for shadowy cloaks?
1. Berserk
Guts isn’t your typical hero with a heart of gold and a spotless reputation.
Known as the Black Swordsman, he’s a hardened mercenary who’s seen more darkness than most people can imagine, yet he charges into the Tower of Rebirth to save Princess Charlotte.
His weapon? A sword so massive it looks like it could crush mountains.
Though his methods are brutal and his past is haunted, Guts proves that even the most scarred souls can fight for something—or someone—worth saving.
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
What happens when a exiled prince dons a mask and becomes a revolutionary leader?
Lelouch Lamperouge transforms into Zero, commanding the Black Knights in a daring rebellion against the mighty Britannian Empire.
His ultimate goal isn’t just power or revenge—it’s creating a world where his beloved sister, Princess Nunnally, can live safely and happily.
With brilliant tactics and a mysterious supernatural ability called Geass, Lelouch walks a tightrope between heroism and villainy, all for family.
3. Sword Art Online
Trapped in a virtual reality game where death is permanent, Kirito earns his reputation as the Black Swordsman through sheer skill and determination.
When Asuna Yuuki gets imprisoned in ALfheim Online and forced to play the captive Fairy Queen Titania, Kirito doesn’t hesitate.
He dives into this new digital nightmare, battling through impossible odds and pixelated enemies.
His journey shows that love can transcend even the boundaries between reality and fantasy, one boss fight at a time.
4. Sailor Moon
Not all dark knights swing swords—some throw roses with pinpoint accuracy!
Tuxedo Mask, also known as Mamoru Chiba, serves as the mysterious protector of Sailor Moon, who happens to be the reincarnation of Princess Serenity.
Dressed in a sleek black tuxedo and mask, he swoops in during critical battles against evil forces.
The timing is impeccable, his style is unmatched, and his devotion to protecting the princess is absolutely legendary in the magical girl genre.
5. Claymore
Imagine warriors who are part human, part monster, created specifically to hunt demons.
Clare is one such Claymore—a silver-eyed slayer who takes on the darkest creatures to protect innocent people, including those of royal blood.
Her journey begins with revenge but evolves into something far more noble.
Though she’s technically more knight than princess-saver in the traditional sense, her selfless battles against overwhelming darkness embody the spirit of a protector fighting for those who cannot fight themselves.
6. Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn)
When Princess Yona’s perfect life shatters in a single night of betrayal, only one person stands between her and certain death.
Hak, known as the Dark Dragon and Thunder Beast, is her childhood friend turned bodyguard who sacrifices everything to keep her safe.
Armed with a glaive and unwavering loyalty, he guides the exiled princess through enemy territory.
His protective instincts are fierce, his combat skills are legendary, and his devotion runs deeper than any ocean.
7. Black Clover
Yami Sukehiro is the captain of the Black Bulls, a squad of misfit magic knights who constantly save the Clover Kingdom from catastrophic threats.
With his signature Dark Magic and a katana that can slice through dimensions, Yami embodies the rough-around-the-edges knight who gets results.
He’s protected royalty and nobility countless times, though he’d never admit he cares.
His gruff exterior hides a surprisingly strategic mind and a heart that beats for his squad and kingdom alike.
8. Rage of Bahamut: Genesis
In a world where gods, demons, and humans clash, Kaisar Lidfard starts as a disgraced knight seeking redemption.
His path intertwines with divine beings and royal figures who need protection from world-ending threats.
Though he begins his journey driven by revenge and honor, Kaisar evolves into a true protector.
His transformation from fallen knight to hero showcases how darkness—whether in circumstances or attire—doesn’t define a person’s capacity to save others when it matters most.
9. Goblin Slayer
He has no name, only a title earned through countless brutal battles.
Goblin Slayer dedicates his life to exterminating goblins, often rescuing noblewomen, adventurers, and villagers from horrific fates.
His methods are ruthless, his armor is dark and battle-worn, and his obsession borders on madness.
Yet beneath that cold exterior lies someone who understands loss intimately and refuses to let others suffer what he endured, making him an unlikely but effective savior.
10. The Rising of the Shield Hero
Betrayed and falsely accused, Naofumi Iwatani becomes the darkest of the Four Cardinal Heroes.
Armed only with a shield and a growing cynicism, he protects those who actually deserve it—including Princess Melty, who unlike her treacherous sister, genuinely needs his help.
His journey from naive hero to hardened protector is painful to watch.
However, his willingness to shield the innocent despite his own suffering proves that true heroism often wears the scars of betrayal.
11. Fate/Zero
Known as the Magus Killer, Kiritsugu Emiya fights in the Holy Grail War using the darkest methods imaginable.
His mission involves protecting Irisviel von Einzbern, who serves as both his partner and the vessel for the Holy Grail itself.
Kiritsugu’s tactics are morally gray at best, involving assassination and manipulation.
Yet his ultimate goal—saving the world from endless conflict—drives every terrible decision, making him a tragic dark knight fighting for an impossible dream.
12. Overlord
What if the dark knight was actually an undead overlord trapped in a video game world?
Ainz Ooal Gown, once a regular player, now rules as an all-powerful lich king protecting his loyal subjects—including several who hold princess-like status in his kingdom.
His methods are terrifying, his power is absolute, and his appearance is literally skeletal.
Despite this, Ainz demonstrates surprising care for those under his protection, even if his morality is… let’s say flexible.
13. Vampire Hunter D
Half-human, half-vampire, and entirely mysterious—D is the ultimate dark knight wandering a post-apocalyptic world.
He’s hired to rescue noblewomen and daughters of wealthy families from powerful vampire lords who kidnap them.
With his iconic wide-brimmed hat, supernatural abilities, and a talking parasite in his hand (yes, really), D is unforgettable.
His quiet demeanor hides incredible power, and his dedication to his mission never falters, making him a legendary protector across generations.
