The Ultimate Ranking of Legendary Anime Dragons: Unleashing the Most Powerful Ones!
Discover the captivating world of anime dragons! From the lovable Tohru in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid to the legendary Shenron in Dragon Ball, this list ranks the 15 best anime dragons Prepare to be enchanted by their diverse and awe-inspiring presence
Anime dragons are an integral part of the genre, renowned for their iconic status. Few mythical creatures have captured the imagination of viewers to the extent that dragons have in the realm of anime. From the inception of the medium, dragons have always held a significant place, evolving from mere fantasy elements to embody various roles in recent years.
Anime's portrayal of dragons encompasses a diverse range of narratives, showcasing their versatility. They can be formidable catalysts of destruction, wise guides accompanying heroes on their quests, or even revered deities fulfilling desires. Regardless of their function within the storyline, anime dragons never fail to leave a lasting impression, with some even earning their place among the greatest characters in anime history.
15 Tohru - Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid
14 Bahamut - Rage of Bahamut
: Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid portrays Kobayashi, an overworked office worker, who unexpectedly becomes the employer of a dragon named Tohru. Upon transforming into a human woman, albeit with horns and a tail, Tohru offers her maid services to Kobayashi. However, Tohru's mischievous nature often leads them into troublesome misadventures, making her more of a handful than a helpful companion. Despite her unconventional dragon appearance, Kobayashi stands out as one of the best characters in anime.
Inspired by a popular mobile game, Rage of Bahamut follows the thrilling journey of three courageous heroes who are determined to stop the resurrection of the all-powerful Bahamut. This legendary creature, commonly found in fantasy realms like Dungeons & Dragons and Final Fantasy, often represents a force of good. However, in the world of Mistarcia, the enormous dragon in Rage of Bahamut poses a catastrophic threat. When it comes to sheer strength, few anime dragons can rival the formidable presence of Rage of Bahamut's central antagonist.
13 Masotan - Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan
Perhaps one of the most distinctive anime dragons to ever grace the screen, Dragon Pilot's Masotan is a delightful amalgamation of a fighter jet and an endearing dragon. Serving in Japan's Air Force as an Organic Transformed Flyer, or OTF, alongside his pilot Hisone, Masotan stands out among the fantasy realm's dragon riders. Hisone's unique approach of piloting her dragon from within sets her apart from the usual riders. This captivating series, with its exceptional concept, found itself criminally underrated upon release. Masotan's dragon designs are an absolute delight, leaning more towards cuteness rather than fear-inducing appearances. While not the most intimidating dragon, Dragon Pilot's Masotan undeniably secures a spot among the most irresistible creatures.
12 War Greymon - Digimon Adventure
While some may associate War Greymon more with dinosaurs due to its evolutionary line, Digimon Adventure's War Greymon is unequivocally a dragon. The partnership between War Greymon and Tai in the original Digimon Adventure series is undeniably iconic. What truly captivates fans about this iteration of War Greymon is his transformation into a dragon, showcasing Agumon's growing strength and deepening bond with Tai. Despite not being immediately recognizable as a dragon, War Greymon remains one of anime's finest dragons, thanks to his profound character development.
11 Dragonite - Pokémon
10 Ryūkotsusei - Inuyasha
Dragonite, the new addition to Ash Ketchum's team, quickly established itself as one of his strongest Pokémon and an unforgettable character. With its warm demeanor and impressive power, Dragonite has become a beloved fan favorite. This mighty dragon remains undefeated, showcasing its remarkable prowess. Although it may not possess the wisdom to provide guidance or communicate with its Trainer, Dragonite is renowned for its exceptional intelligence, often compared to that of a human, as stated in various Pokédex entries.
Prior to the events depicted in Inuyasha, Ryūkotsusei was a formidable Daiyōkai who instilled fear across the land. Inuyasha's father, Tōga, confronted and vanquished the dragon, confining him to a dormant state. Two centuries later, Inuyasha's nemesis, Naraku, aids in the resurrection of Ryūkotsusei, leading to an intense showdown between the dragon and Inuyasha.
Ryūkotsusei, a character who personifies overconfidence, vanity, cruelty, and ruthlessness. His sole interest lies in destruction and he continuously seeks more formidable adversaries to engage with and amuse himself. Considering himself untouchable, he perceives others as inferior. In the realm of anime dragons, Ryūkotsusei stands out as one of the most unforgettable villains, perfectly embodying his fearsome reputation with an imposing and terrifying presence.
9 Kaido - One Piece
After devouring the Fish-Fish Fruit, Kaido, recognized as the mightiest being in the One Piece universe, underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, morphing into an awe-inspiring Azure Dragon with a serpentine form. As a unique fusion of man and dragon, his frame expands exponentially, enveloped in a suit of impenetrable cobalt scales. This newfound incarnation imbues Kaido with heightened perilousness, enabling him to spew scorching flames, engineer clouds for aerial navigation, expel razor-sharp blades with a single gust, and conjure thunderous bolts through his ear-piercing roar.
8 Hyōrinmaru - Bleach
Kaido exemplifies the intimidating nature of anime dragons as formidable adversaries. While already ruthless in his human form, his transformation into a dragon only intensifies his danger. Through time and practice, Kaido attains mastery over his draconic abilities, enabling him to access them effortlessly. Such is the might of Kaido's dragon form, that he has repeatedly inflicted severe injuries upon Luffy, bringing him to the brink of death.
Hyōrinmaru, the embodiment of Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Zanpakutō, is a beloved character in the world of Bleach anime. In Hitsugaya's early years, Hyōrinmaru frequently appeared in his dreams as an awe-inspiring ice dragon with a serpentine form. However, during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Hitsugaya loses his Bankai and connection with Hyōrinmaru. But once he regains his powers, Hyōrinmaru returns to him, displaying its immense strength and intimidating presence. While anime dragons are often portrayed as impressive beings, Hyōrinmaru surpasses them all with its majestic wings, powerful legs, and substantial physique. Its presence is simply unparalleled, making it a formidable force to be reckoned with.
7 Igneel - Fairy Tail
Known as the Fire Dragon King, Igneel serves as the foster father of Natsu Dragneel, embodying qualities of love, protection, and care as a parental figure despite his departure. Following the devastating effects of Acnologia's Dragon Slaying Magic, Igneel is severely injured and chooses to preserve himself by entrusting his soul within Natsu. This selfless act initiates a profound and intricate transformation within Igneel, where he evolves from an arrogant dragon, nonchalant towards humanity and their existence, to developing a deep understanding and compassion for humans through his experiences with Natsu. This growth in empathy leads the dragon Metalicana to label Igneel as the dragon who holds the utmost affection for humans among all others. Consequently, Igneel exemplifies the quintessential accomplice archetype frequently encountered in anime dragons, assuming the role of a devoted mentor and guide to the story's protagonist.
6 Blue Dragon - Blue Dragon
Based on the popular 2066 video game, Blue Dragon recounts the adventures of Shu, a young protagonist blessed with the extraordinary ability to transform his shadow into an awe-inspiring monster. As a Shadow Wielder, Shu's formidable creature takes the form of the renowned Blue Dragon. Initially, their dynamic is fraught with tension, as the beast stubbornly refuses to comply with Shu's directives. Furthermore, he constantly belittles the boy and despite eventually finding a way to collaborate harmoniously, Blue Dragon remains highly critical of Shu's choices and actions.
5 Fredrika - Chaika: The Coffin Princess
Blue Dragon displays a haughty and self-centered nature, along with a cold demeanor that occasionally borders on cruelty. However, amidst these unfavorable traits, he does exhibit genuine concern for Shu's welfare. Unlike some other anime dragons, Blue Dragon doesn't automatically adopt an adversarial stance towards human protagonists simply because he perceives them as lesser beings. It is worth noting that dragons often possess extraordinary abilities, which far surpass the capabilities of most humans.
Throughout the events of Chaika: The Coffin Princess, Fredrika appears sporadically in varying forms. Rather than maintaining a consistent appearance, she constantly changes her form. During the war, she would transform into a white-horned dragon and effortlessly resume this form whenever it was time to engage in combat. Despite her intelligence, Fredrika embodies the true nature of a predator, taking pleasure in hunting her prey, particularly during battle. In the realm of anime, dragons are commonly regarded as formidable creatures, even when they fight alongside the protagonists. These majestic creatures command respect and frequently serve as valiant warriors on the battlefield or terrifying adversaries capable of annihilating entire armies.
4 Acnologia - Fairy Tail
Acnologia, the antagonist of the Fairy Tail anime, is a Dragon Slayer of immense power. He possesses the ability to transform into a dragon by absorbing the blood of the dragons he has slain. Despite once having a close bond with these creatures, Acnologia gradually develops a deep resentment towards them following the murder of his family.
In both his human and dragon forms, Acnologia is bloodthirsty and ruthless. With a profound hatred and disdain for both humans and dragons, he is relentless in his pursuit to eradicate every last dragon. Within the realm of anime dragons, Acnologia has earned himself a reputation as the epitome of evil and cruelty, known for his insatiable thirst for blood.
3 Blue-Eyes White Dragon - Yu-Gi-Oh!
2 Haku - Spirited Away
The iconic monster, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, is undeniably one of Yu-Gi-Oh's most powerful creatures, and for good reason. Its association with the beloved character Kaiba and its crucial role in numerous battles throughout the series make Blue-Eyes highly regarded. However, what sets Blue-Eyes apart is its ability to adapt and evolve, making it an intriguing dragon. From the awe-inspiring Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to the visually stunning Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, few anime dragons can match the astonishing range of variations that Blue-Eyes possesses. This distinguishing feature instantly places it among the absolute best in the world of anime.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, Spirited Away revolves around the journey of Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who finds herself transported to the realm of Kami. After a wicked witch named Yubaba transforms her parents into swine, Chihiro embarks on a quest to rescue them and find her way back to the human world. A standout character in this enchanting tale is Haku. Initially appearing as a young boy, Haku is actually a mystical river spirit trapped in the guise of a white dragon. Bound by Yubaba's magic, Haku loses his true identity and becomes unable to leave the spirit realm. Renowned as one of the most iconic anime dragons in history, Haku possesses an indelible presence that is integral to the narrative, embodying the essence of what it means to be an anime dragon.
1 Shenron - Dragon Ball
Shenron, the legendary dragon summoned by the Dragon Balls, is widely regarded as the most iconic anime dragon. With his majestic presence and serpentine, floating green form, Shenron possesses the ability to grant three wishes to those who collect all seven Dragon Balls. In the world of Dragon Ball, Shenron stands out as one of the most intelligent characters, yet remains unbiased in his granting of wishes, whether they are deemed "good" or "bad." While he typically maintains a stoic demeanor, there are moments when he displays a hint of desperation, particularly when faced with frivolous wishes. One notable instance is when he reprimands Yamcha for wishing for a necklace.
Dragons have long been a staple in fantastical stories, and anime is no exception. Although the portrayal of dragons in anime can be diverse, they universally command reverence and evoke a sense of awe. When anime accurately portrays the essence of dragons, it exemplifies their mythical status and helps viewers comprehend why these creatures have fascinated various cultures. The finest anime dragons symbolize the enduring allure and captivating nature of this legendary beast, captivating the imaginations of countless individuals.
