By Tom Bowen
Updated
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Please verify your email address.
You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.
Manage Your List
Follow
Followed
Follow with Notifications
Follow
Unfollow
Link copied to clipboard
Dragon Ball
Related
10 Best Villains Turned Heroes In Anime, Ranked
The 12 Best Anime Series For People Who Don’t Like Anime
10 Best Post-Apocalyptic Shonen Anime, Ranked
Over the past few decades, an unfathomable number of hours have been spent trying to determine who is the strongest anime character of all time. There are countless candidates to choose from, making it a very difficult question to answer. In fact, given that many have access to their own unique powers and abilities, some will argue that there is no definitive answer. These people may well be right, but that hasn't stopped others from trying to find one.
✕ Remove Ads
Related
10 Best Villains Turned Heroes In Anime, Ranked
Anime is full of villains who end up having a change of heart. These villain to hero stories stood out above the rest.
When attempting to come to a definitive conclusion, there are many variables that need to be taken into account. Obviously, the most important of these is how strong the characters are, though things like durability, fighting style, and special skills also need to be factored in. The strongest anime characters score highly in each of these categories and have typically proven themselves in battle time and time again.
Updated September 14, 2022, by Tom Bowen: The ongoing discourse surrounding the strongest anime character of all time is unlikely to ever end, with fans of certain series adamant that their respective characters deserve to be on the podium. Short of throwing them all into a ring together to duke it out ala Jump Force, though, it's difficult to see how a truly definitive conclusion could ever be reached. Even so, the highly subjective nature of ranking the strongest anime characters of all time certainly isn't going to stop people from trying: us included!
✕ Remove Ads
22 Denji
Origin: Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man
Action
Supernatural
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Release Date
- October 12, 2022
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Hulu
After fusing with Pochita (a weakened version of the chainsaw devil), Denji gains the ability to transform into the titular chainsaw man by pulling a ripcord on his chest. He uses these powers to great effect, taking on a wide range of devils and other antagonistic characters throughout the course of the popular anime and manga series.
Maybe I became a devil hunter for a really shallow reason, but I'm willing to die to keep living like this. - Denji
✕ Remove Ads
There's perhaps an argument to be made that Makima is the most powerful character in Chainsaw Man, but when it comes to strength and fighting ability, the chainsaw devil just about has the edge. His ability to erase other devils from existence is pretty useful too and has helped him to overcome some seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Chainsaw man transformation, supernatural strength and durability, erasing devils |
21 Gilgamesh
Origin: Fate/Stay Night
Fate/Zero
Action
Fantasy
- Studio
- Ufotable
- Release Date
- October 1, 2011
- Number of Episodes
- 25
Gilgamesh is one of the best anime villains of all time, not to mention one of the strongest. He boasts a wide variety of useful combat skills and abilities, allowing him to take on the most powerful anime characters without ever breaking a sweat. Like many of his peers, he has superhuman strength and speed, as well as supernatural luck. Just for good measure, he can also fly.
✕ Remove Ads
A soul naturally seeks pleasure, consciously or not. - Gilgamesh
One of the things that makes Gilgamesh such an excellent villain is his incredible charisma, which makes him difficult to dislike despite being a recurring antagonist during several of the Fate series. Granted, there are certainly more ruthless anime villains throughout the franchise, but none are as memorable as Gilgamesh, nor are any quite as powerful.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Alive | Supernatural strength, destroying entire reality |
20 Ryuko Matoi
Origin: Kill la Kill
✕ Remove Ads
Kill la Kill
Action
Comedy
- Studio
- Trigger
- Release Date
- October 4, 2013
- Number of Episodes
- 24
After merging with a mysterious garment made out of Life Fibers, Kill la Kill protagonist Ryuko Matoi finds that her combat abilities have been greatly enhanced. While wearing the sentient sailor uniform, Ryuko's appearance changes too, with her hair eventually becoming blonde like something out of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise.
To hell with your opinion. I'll take my own Path no matter what anyone else says. – Ryūko Matoi
Together with the former's trusty red Scissor Blade, Ryuko and Senketsu take down countless powerful foes at the Honnouji Academy as Ryuko attempts to find out the truth about her father's murder. Senketsu can absorb the Life Fibers of other sentient uniforms too, meaning that Ryuko becomes exponentially stronger with each passing volume of the show.
✕ Remove Ads
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Deceased | Supernatural strength, Regeneration, Life Fiber infusion |
19 Toriko
Origin: Toriko
Toriko
Action-Adventure
Comedy
Fantasy
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Release Date
- April 3, 2011
- Number of Episodes
- 147
A lot of anime characters draw their strength from magical powers or abilities, but that's not really the case with Toriko. Affectionately nicknamed the glutton due to his love of food, Toriko epitomizes the concept of brute strength, with his high-calorie diet helping to transform him into one of the hardest-hitting anime characters around.
There’s no time like the present. Anytime after is the wrong time! – Toriko
✕ Remove Ads
As a Gourmet Hunter, Toriko's main aim is to discover ingredients, but that's not to say that there aren't still fight scenes in the Toriko anime and manga series. It's here that the titular character is able to show his true strength and his appetite for destruction, with some of his signature abilities capable of disintegrating enemies in an instant.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Supernatural strength, Smell, Life Erase, Knocking |
18 Aang
Origin: Avatar: The Last Airbender
✕ Remove Ads
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Animation
Action
Adventure
- Studio
- Nickelodeon Animation Studio
- Release Date
- February 21, 2005
- Number of Episodes
- 61
Avatar: The Last Airbender introduces several powerful Avatars, but none are quite on the same level as Aang. He begins the series as an inexperienced and goofy young child but gradually grows into one of the most powerful anime characters in existence, with his mastery over the four bending arts playing a big part in that.
If you want to be a bender, you have to let go of fear. - Aang
Throughout the course of the series, Aang proves himself in battle on countless occasions, with his ability to learn from each encounter helping him to grow stronger each time. This culminates with his victory over Ozai, the Phoenix King, during which, Aang uses energy bending to end the fight without a single casualty.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Bending, Airbending. Waterbending, Earthbending, Firebending, Energybending |
✕ Remove Ads
17 Eren Yeager
Origin: Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan
Action
Drama
Fantasy
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Release Date
- April 7, 2013
- Number of Episodes
- 94 (Or 87 + 2 Specials)
Though Eren is far from useless while in his human form, it's not until he transforms that he really becomes deadly. The ability to mutate into an unstoppable fifteen-foot Titan is an incredibly useful one to have up one's sleeve, and it's one that comes to his rescue time and time again throughout Attack on Titan.
If We Kill The Enemy... Will We Finally Be Free? - Eren
✕ Remove Ads
Due to his sheer size alone, few anime characters could ever really hope to bring him down, while the list of those who could survive his sheer strength is perhaps shorter still. He also carries the Founding Titan power within him, which allows him to control other Titans after coming into contact with someone who has royal blood coursing through their veins.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist/Antagonist | Deceased | Attack Titan form, Founding Titan form, Pure Titan form |
16 Satoru Gojo
Origin: Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen
Action
Supernatural
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Number of Episodes
- 47
Jujutsu Kaisen is home to many of the strongest anime characters of all time, but Satoru Gojo is the pick of the bunch here. Being the first person in the Gojo family to inherit both the Six Eyes and Limitless techniques in more than four centuries, he's a formidable fighter who is capable of manipulating and distorting reality at will.
✕ Remove Ads
I'm For Real Real. - Gojo
Though for a while it was thought that Satoru's abilities were on par with another sorcerer named Suguru, the latter later admitted that Satoru's abilities had far eclipsed his own, with Satoru supposedly able to wipe out all of humanity by himself if he really wanted to. He really is that powerful, as evidenced by his screen time in the show.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Black Flash, Infinity, Limitless, Reverse Curse Technique, Immense strength, speed, endurance |
15 All Might
Origin: My Hero Academia
✕ Remove Ads
My Hero Academia (2016)
Action
Superhero
- Studio
- Bones
- Release Date
- April 3, 2016
- Number of Episodes
- 159
There are plenty of powerful heroes and villains in My Hero Academia, though, with the exception of perhaps All For One and Izuku Midoriya, few can come close to matching All Might. The former number one pro hero was unfathomably powerful thanks to his One For All quirk, which granted him superhuman powers and made him more or less invulnerable thanks to the seemingly limitless supply of strength and speed that it granted.
Just Believe In Yourself And You Can Become A Hero. - All Might
Unlike a lot of fictional heroes, All Might knew when to call it quits, with Earth's former protector bowing out of the hero game after defeating All For One in Episode 50 of the anime. Even after relinquishing ownership of his Quirk, however, he remains an important part of the series, not only as a source of wisdom and strength for Izuku, but also as a symbol of peace and harmony throughout the world.
✕ Remove Ads
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Superhuman strength, speed, endurance, One For All |
14 Kageyama Shigeo
Origin: Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100
Action
Comedy
Supernatural
- Studio
- Bones
- Release Date
- July 12, 2016
- Number of Episodes
- 37
Sometimes, big things come in small packages, as evidenced by Mob Psycho 100's Kageyama Shigeo, who usually just goes by "Mob" for short. Unlike Eren, who draws much of his power from his vast size after transforming, Mob's strength is instead derived directly through his thoughts. This may not sound all that impressive on paper, but when his abilities are fully unleashed upon the world, they hit much harder than any titan ever could.
I know. I knew it long ago. My mentor’s true identity… is a good person. - Mob
✕ Remove Ads
Unfortunately, Mob is yet to learn how to fully control his powers, instead choosing to shackle them in order to avoid causing accidental damage. They're still able to escape from time to time when Mob loses control over his emotions though, ensuring that neither he nor those around him can ever truly let their guard down. His true power really is that terrifying, and he's absolutely right to be so afraid of it.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Godly psychic powers |
13 Naruto Uzumaki
Origin: Naruto
✕ Remove Ads
Naruto
Animation
Action
Adventure
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Release Date
- October 2, 2002
- Number of Episodes
- 220
Naruto may not be as strong as some of the other popular anime protagonists that are out there, but what he lacks in raw strength, he more than makes up for with technique and confidence. The once narcissistic ninja's control over the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox makes him a real force to be reckoned with, as too does Sage Mode.
Hard work is worthless for those that don't believe in themselves. - Naruto Uzumaki
Being able to create gigantic Chakra creatures often comes in handy, particularly as he's able to use and combine every element while doing so. The Hero of the Hidden Leaf won a World War almost single-handedly with these abilities, which just goes to show how powerful he really is within the confines of the Naruto universe.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Sage Mode, Jinchuriki transformation, Senjutsu,Six Paths Senjutsu |
✕ Remove Ads
12 Alucard
Origin: Hellsing
Hellsing Ultimate
Action
Supernatural
Fantasy
- Studio
- Satelight, Madhouse, Graphinica
- Release Date
- February 10, 2006
- Number of Episodes
- 10
Thanks to his impressive collection of souls, Alucard is more or less invincible at the beginning of Hellsing. By the series' conclusion, however, he exists both everywhere and nowhere, making it downright impossible to kill him. This, of course, does not bode well for those who end up on the wrong side of him, which, for most people, tends to be his only side.
Related
The 12 Best Anime Series For People Who Don’t Like Anime
Not everyone likes the over-the-top antics depicted in many modern anime shows. Luckily, for those who don't, there are plenty of viable alternatives.
I'll send you to Hell so you can lick Satan's ass - Alucard
✕ Remove Ads
Alucard is an unstoppable killer with a wide array of abilities at his disposal. His superhuman speed and strength allow him to tear through enemies with his bare hands, while also making it incredibly difficult for his victims to retaliate. He's every bit as deadly with weapons, too, with his trusty pair of handguns having dispatched their fair share of souls over the years.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Immense strength, speed, endurance, soul absorption, Hematophagy, Aestivation, Hemokinesis |
11 Yhwach
Origin: Bleach
Bleach
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Release Date
- October 5, 2004
- Number of Episodes
- 392
Being the Son of the Soul King, Yhwach was blessed with a number of unique powers, most notably the ability to distribute parts of his soul to other living beings simply by touching them. By doing so, he was able to have people cultivate new powers and abilities for him, which he was then able to reclaim and use against his enemies.
✕ Remove Ads
My name is Ywach. The one who shall take everything from you - Yhwach
Though Ichigo is ultimately able to get the better of Yhwach, this is down to the hero being smarter than the villain, not stronger. Had Yhwach simply finished his rival off when he had the chance, he would no doubt have been able to bring an end to existence and its endless cycle of life and death. With The Almighty — a power that allows its wielder to rewrite the future — at his disposal, there may well be a version of reality in which he did just that.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Deceased | Soul Distribution Power, Soul Absorption, Power Bestowal, Sleep-Induced Power Swapping, The Almighty, Reishi Manipulation |
✕ Remove Ads
10 Kaguya Otsutsuki
Origin: Naruto
Naruto
Animation
Action
Adventure
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Release Date
- October 2, 2002
- Number of Episodes
- 220
Naruto has come up against some powerful villains over the years, but none quite as deadly as the Rabbit Goddess, Kaguya. After consuming the fruit of the God Tree and then later merging with the God Tree itself, she became the Ten-Tails, granting her a wide array of powers that make her nigh-on unstoppable in battle.
All chakra belongs to me - Kaguya Otsutsuki
✕ Remove Ads
Though Kaguya initially uses these abilities to protect her former clan and her sons, she's eventually consumed by the power, much like the Chakra fruit was once consumed by her. After her heart has been lost to darkness, she uses her ability to read and manipulate minds almost exclusively for immoral acts, causing untold pain and destruction.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Deceased | Byakugan, Rinne Sharingan, Kekkei Mōra, Ninjutsu, Tailed Beast Transformation |
9 Muzan Kibutsuji
Origin: Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer
Action
Adventure
- Studio
- ufotable
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Number of Episodes
- 63
Given his status as the leader of the Twelve Kizuki, not to mention King of the demons, Muzan Kibutsuji's reputation for chaos and carnage is already fairly well established at this point in the Demon Slayer anime. Even if it weren't, though, his ability to control anyone with his demonic blood coursing through their veins almost makes it a moot point. He has an unstoppable army of demons right at his fingertips, and, unlike a regular army, there's zero chance of a mutiny.
✕ Remove Ads
I haven't got any punishments. I have been forgiven for killing hundreds of thousands of humans. I haven't seen God or Buddha for a thousand years. - Muzan
Muzan's an incredibly accomplished fighter in his own right though, with his superhuman strength allowing him to tear through the Hashira ranks with relative ease. Even if one of them did somehow manage to get close enough to catch him off guard, his immortality and Biokinetic abilities serve as the ultimate safety net. It's not like the Hashira can just wait him out either, as, just for good measure, Muzan also possesses eternal youth.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Deceased | Biological Absorption, Nigh-Absolute Regeneration, Blood Memory Transfer, Demon Manipulation, Telepathy |
✕ Remove Ads
8 Griffith
Origin: Berserk
Berserk
Fantasy
Action
- Studio
- OLM Team Iguchi
- Release Date
- October 8, 1997
- Number of Episodes
- 25
There's not all that much to choose from between Griffith and Guts, though the former just about edges out his former friend due to the drastic lengths that he goes to in order to secure power. That he's willing to sacrifice his friends and comrades to become Femto demonstrates a level of ruthlessness seldom seen in anime and helps to cement Griffith's place as one of Berserk's best and most complex characters.
All that awaits the weak is death. - Griffith
✕ Remove Ads
Griffith's actions at the Tower of Rebirth don't just provide a shocking and memorable setpiece moment. They're also symbolic of the character shedding away the last of his humanity and, with it, some of the major weaknesses that so often go hand in hand with caring about other people. Granted, Guts' love for Casca and his friends does, at times, make him stronger, but the anger that Griffith is able to evoke by targeting these people perfectly highlights the double-edged nature of love.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Alive | Communing, Spatial Manipulation, Causal Awareness, Nigh-Absoluteness, Morality Transcendence |
7 Tetsuo Shima
Origin: Akira
✕ Remove Ads
Akira
Animation
Action
Drama
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Release Date
- July 16, 1988
- Number of Episodes
- N/A
Tetsuo serves as the main antagonist in Akira, despite having once been the hero's best friend. His psychic power, once fully awakened, proves to be far too much for him to be able to control, leading to a series of psychic explosions that threaten to destroy the entire universe. Thankfully, he's pulled into an alternate dimension by Akira before catastrophe can strike.
Related
10 Best Post-Apocalyptic Shonen Anime, Ranked
The post-apocalyptic setting is perfect for shonen anime. These are some of the best series for fans of the shonen genre to watch.
I want him more than dead, I'll split his freaking head open! - Tetsuo
What makes Tetsuo so frightening is that he never really comes close to harnessing the full potential of his psychic power, at least not in a form that he's able to control, anyway. Were he ever able to fully master his abilities, there's really no telling what he could achieve, nor who he could beat in battle if push came to shove.
✕ Remove Ads
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Deceased | Enhanced strength, durability, regeneration, Psychokinesis, Psionic flight, Matter manipulation, Big Bang creation |
6 Kaido
Origin: One Piece
One Piece
Action
Adventure
Comedy
Fantasy
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Release Date
- October 20, 1999
- Number of Episodes
- 1116+
Despite being the series' main protagonist, Luffy is not even close to being the strongest One Piece character when he and Kato first face off. There are plenty of others like Rocks D. Xebec, Big Mom, and Akainu who at least deserve to be a part of that conversation, though the true bearer of the title is likely to be Kaido, depending on who exactly one asks.
The land of Wano belongs to me! Worororo! - Kaidou
✕ Remove Ads
There are multiple reasons why people always bet on Kaido, with his ability to transform into a giant dragon being pretty high up on the list. He's also able to use all three forms of Haki to a high level and has proven himself against some of the series' toughest characters, including Big Mom. Granted, Luffy is eventually able to get the better of him, but it takes him many years to do so, not to mention a little bit of luck.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Antagonist | Deceased | Superhuman Strength, Speed, dexterity, Aerokinesis, Electrokinesis, Pyrokinesis, Azure Dragon, Busoshoku Haki, Kenbunshoku Haki |
5 Monkey D. Luffy
Origin: One Piece
✕ Remove Ads
One Piece
Action
Adventure
Comedy
Fantasy
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Release Date
- October 20, 1999
- Number of Episodes
- 1116+
Much like with Goku in Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise, for as long as One Piece remains unfinished, new and stronger threats will continue to come out of the woodwork. However, at this point, it seems fairly obvious that Luffy will rise to all of these new challenges, growing stronger and unlocking new forms to overcome even the fiercest of foes.
Power isn't determined by your size, but by the size of your heart and dreams. - Monkey D. Luffy
As of the time of writing, it could perhaps be argued that characters like Shanks, Blackbeard, and Imu would all still take Luffy in a fight. However, thanks to the power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, that Luffy will eventually overcome these foes and anyone else who comes between him and his dream of becoming the Pirate King is now somewhat inevitable.
✕ Remove Ads
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Superhuman Strength, Speed, and Durability. Stretchable limbs |
4 Anos Voldigoad
Origin: The Misfit of Demon King Academy
The Misfit of Demon King Academy
Adventure
Fantasy
Romance
- Studio
- Silver Link
- Release Date
- July 4, 2020
- Number of Episodes
- 25
The Misfit of Demon King Academy anime may be fairly new when compared to some of the other popular anime series that have made their way west, but its main protagonist Anos has existed for more than 2,000 years. He's a reincarnation of the first and most powerful Demon King, which brings with it quite a few useful combat-related perks and benefits.
Whether it is providence, fate, or miracle, before my eyes, it simply prostrates and vanishes. - Anos
✕ Remove Ads
As well as being ridiculously fast and unfathomably strong, Anos also has access to a wide array of Magic, including the ability to destroy the indestructible just by looking at it. He's also able to wield the magic sword of the founder, Venuzdonoa, which was created using the body of the original God of Destruction. Much like Anos' magical eyes, the blade can destroy just about anything.
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Source of Destruction, Immense Strength, Speed, High Intelligence & Spell Theory Knowledge |
3 Giorno Giovanna
Origin: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
✕ Remove Ads
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
Action
Fantasy
- Studio
- David Production
- Release Date
- October 6, 2012
- Number of Episodes
- 190
Some may argue that Jotaro Kujo is the strongest character in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and while the Stardust Crusaders protagonist is certainly powerful, he's really no match for the Part 5 protagonist, Giorno Giovanna. The latter's Gold Experience Requiem Stand is just far too powerful, putting every other stand — including Star Power — to shame.
This is resolve! It is to carve out your destined path through the darkened wastes - Giorno
GER is able to revert actions and can be triggered in a setting in which time no longer exists. It's also able to operate independently of Giorno, meaning that even if somebody were able to fatally wound him in battle, his stand would instantly bring him back to life. As a result, he's pretty much immortal and has the kind of firepower needed to really make that count.
✕ Remove Ads
Type | Status | Strongest Abilities |
---|---|---|
Protagonist | Alive | Gold Experience, Gold Experience Requiem |
- Anime
- Dragon Ball
- One Punch Man
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Please verify your email address.
You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.
Manage Your List
Follow
Followed
Follow with Notifications
Follow
Unfollow