Anime Defenders Tier List (2025): Best Units Ranked for Every Game Mode

Whether you’re grinding through Infinite mode, breezing through story stages, or trying to climb the leaderboards in Trials, having the right units makes all the difference in Anime Defenders. With new updates and powerful banners dropping regularly, staying on top of the Anime Defenders Tier List (2025) is key to mastering the meta.

This tier list breaks down all major units by rank, role, and usefulness across various game modes—so you can summon smart, upgrade wisely, and dominate every wave that comes your way.

🔹 S-Tier: Must-Have Meta Breakers

These are the best of the best. If you have them—build around them. If they’re in a banner—summon immediately.

⭐ Flame Dragon King (inspired by Natsu – Fairy Tail)

• Type: Fire / AoE Burn DPS
• Why It’s S-Tier: Unmatched burn damage over time, wide AoE range, and incredible synergy with Fire-type buffs. Shreds through mobs and bosses alike, making him the ideal carry for Infinite and Boss Rush.
• Best Mode: Infinite Mode, Trials
• Synergy: Pairs perfectly with burn support units and range buffs.

⭐ Time Reaper (inspired by Gojo – JJK)

• Type: Time Stop / Hybrid
• Why It’s S-Tier: Game-breaking crowd control with wide-range AoE time stop. He allows your team to breathe during intense waves and melt bosses safely.
• Best Mode: Trials, Bosses, Hard Story
• Synergy: Works incredibly well with burst units like Katana Devil and Crimson King.

⭐ Crimson King (inspired by Sukuna – JJK)

• Type: Hybrid Burst DPS
• Why It’s S-Tier: Deals massive raw damage in quick intervals. His passive adds curse stacks for bonus DPS. One of the fastest wave clearers in the game.
• Best Mode: Infinite, Leaderboards
• Synergy: Combo with debuffers or time-freeze units for insane burst.

⭐ Berserker Hero (inspired by Luffy – One Piece)

• Type: Melee AoE / Rage Mechanic
• Why It’s S-Tier: Gets stronger the longer the wave lasts. High survivability and huge DPS potential in drawn-out battles.
• Best Mode: Infinite, Bosses
• Synergy: Rage scaling pairs well with healers and tanks.

🔸 A-Tier: Reliable, Versatile, and Powerful

These units are incredibly strong and viable across most content but may lack the insane burst or utility that S-tier units provide.

⭐ Katana Devil (inspired by Asta – Black Clover)

• Type: Melee DPS / Anti-Magic
• Why It’s A-Tier: Perfect for shredding tanky enemies with shields or magic resistance. Can solo lanes with ease.
• Best Mode: Story, Boss Rush
• Synergy: Combo with buffers or supports like Time Reaper for full potential.

⭐ Ice Admiral (inspired by Aokiji – One Piece)

• Type: Freeze Support / AoE DPS
• Why It’s A-Tier: Provides reliable wave control through freeze effects, excellent for stalling mobs and bosses alike.
• Best Mode: Trials, Challenge Modes
• Synergy: Freeze-stall + Burn team is a classic deadly combo.

⭐ Lightning Swordsman (inspired by Zenitsu – Demon Slayer)

• Type: High-Speed DPS / Crit Burst
• Why It’s A-Tier: Incredible crit scaling and fast attack speed make him perfect for sniping fast enemies.
• Best Mode: Trials, Challenge
• Synergy: Buffers that boost crit chance or attack speed.

⭐ Tailed Beast Vessel (inspired by Naruto – Kurama Mode)

• Type: AoE Nuke / Charge Mechanic
• Why It’s A-Tier: Slow startup, but once powered up, delivers screen-clearing damage.
• Best Mode: Infinite, Bosses
• Synergy: Speed-up units or supports who reduce charge time.

🔹 B-Tier: Solid Role-Fillers

These units can still carry if well-upgraded but need good support or specific matchups to shine.

⭐ Speed Blade (inspired by Ichigo – Bleach)

• Type: Fast AoE / Hybrid
• Why It’s B-Tier: Decent damage and solid AoE, but lacks utility or scaling found in higher tiers.
• Best Mode: Story, Normal Trials
• Synergy: Buffers to boost lackluster stats.

⭐ Gravity Warrior (inspired by Gajeel – Fairy Tail)

• Type: Crowd Control / Utility
• Why It’s B-Tier: Unique gravity pull ability can reposition mobs, but has a long cooldown and average damage.
• Best Mode: Challenge, Defense
• Synergy: High AoE burst units to capitalize on mob grouping.

⭐ Cursed Swordsman (inspired by Yami – Black Clover)

• Type: Melee Burst
• Why It’s B-Tier: High burst damage, but single-target focused and falls off in later waves.
• Best Mode: Boss Rush
• Synergy: Pairs well with AoE-heavy teams to handle mobs.

🔸 C-Tier and Below: Outclassed or Niche Units

These characters can be fun, especially for early game or theme teams, but don’t scale well into late-game content.

⭐ Leaf Whirlwind (inspired by Rock Lee – Naruto)

• Type: Melee / Speed
• Why It’s C-Tier: High initial speed but low damage scaling. Outpaced by most other DPS units.
• Best Mode: Beginner Story
• Synergy: Speed buffers or taunt units.

⭐ Spirit Slinger (inspired by Yusuke – YYH)

• Type: Ranged / AoE
• Why It’s C-Tier: Decent AoE but outdated stats. Easily replaced by newer banner units.
• Best Mode: Early Infinite
• Synergy: Works with general AoE buffers but lacks punch.

🛠️ Best Units by Role

🔸 Best AoE DPS: Flame Dragon King, Crimson King

🔸 Best Boss Killer: Time Reaper, Katana Devil

🔸 Best Support/CC: Ice Admiral, Time Reaper

🔸 Best Beginner Unit: Speed Blade, Lightning Swordsman

🔸 Best Infinite Carry: Berserker Hero, Crimson King

🔸 Best Trials Team Core: Time Reaper + Ice Admiral + Katana Devil

💡 Tips for Building Your Team

• Balance Your Team: Include at least one AoE, one boss killer, and one CC unit.
• Upgrade Strategically: Focus on evolving S- and A-tier units first.
• Utilize Synergies: Pair burn with freeze, crit with stun, etc.
• Save Gems for Limited Banners: The most broken units usually come from time-limited events.
• Experiment with Trials: Some lower-tier units shine in specific Trial challenges.

Final Thoughts

The Anime Defenders meta continues to shift with every major update, but building a strong team starts with knowing which units hold up across all game modes. Whether you’re pushing for Infinite wave 100+ or looking to sweep the next Trial challenge, focus your roster around S- and A-tier units like Flame Dragon King, Time Reaper, and Crimson King for maximum efficiency.

While any unit can work with enough investment and support, sticking to this Anime Defenders Tier List will give you the edge needed to lead your anime dream team to victory—one wave at a time.