Top 20 Contenders for the Title of the Ultimate Anime Powerhouse, Ranked

The title of Strongest Anime Character is often given to main characters with immense powers, such as Naruto, Luffy, and Ichigo from the popular Big Three series. Antagonists like Kaguya Otsutsuki, Sukuna, and Muzan are also celebrated for their formidable strength, adding to their widespread appeal among fans. Additionally, supporting characters like Gojo and Koro Sensei are highly praised for their extraordinary abilities and important roles in shaping the main characters.

Disclaimer: The ranking in this article is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer.

Goku, Luffy, and 18 other popular candidates deserving of the Strongest Anime Character title

20) Zeno (Dragon Ball Super)

Grand Zeno, also called the Omni-King, is widely regarded as the most dominant figure in the Dragon Ball series. As the supreme ruler of the multiverse, he wields unmatched power and can effortlessly erase anything from existence. According to Whis, Zeno once destroyed six universes because he felt there were too many. With his immense strength, Zeno is a strong contender for the title of the most powerful anime character.

That said, despite holding immense power, his position on the list is influenced by his lack of popularity compared to the other contenders.

19) Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)

Rimuru, the protagonist of the isekai anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, defies expectations as a seemingly insignificant slime monster to become one of the most formidable characters in the series.

After being reincarnated into a new world, Rimuru gains unmatched strength and incredible skills. His superior intellect, along with these abilities, allows him to establish the Jura Tempest Federation and rise to the status of a "True Demon Lord." Despite his overwhelming strength, Rimuru's friendly personality has made him a beloved character among fans, solidifying his place as a top contender for the title of the strongest anime character.

18) Saiki Kusuo (The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.)

Saiki Kusuo (Image via J.C.Staff, Egg Firm)

Saiki Kusuo, the protagonist of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, is known for his extensive and overpowering psychic abilities, including clairvoyance, electrokinesis, levitation, hypnosis, invisibility, mind control, telekinesis, telepathy, and teleportation, among others. Alongside these powers, Kusuo also possesses super strength and remarkable intelligence, setting him apart from others.

Despite his extraordinary capabilities, Saiki often tries to avoid drawing attention to himself. However, he is widely popular among anime enthusiasts, solidifying his position as one of the strongest anime characters.

17) Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins)

Meliodas, known as the Dragon's Sin of Wrath, leads the Seven Deadly Sins and was once the feared leader of the Ten Commandments, a group of the 10 strongest demons in the series. This shonen protagonist possesses impressive abilities such as the Love commandment power and the Full Counter attack, which allows him to nullify and reflect any attacks. In addition, Meliodas is able to endure the harsh conditions of Purgatory.

Being the immortal son of the Demon King, he eventually gains the powers of the Demon King himself, surpassing even his father. With his formidable abilities, Meliodas undoubtedly deserves the title of the strongest anime character.

16) Koro Sensei (Assassination Classroom)

Koro Sensei is a candidate for the strongest anime character title (Image via Lerche)

Koro Sensei, the octopus-like teacher from Assassination Classroom, was once a mere human but became one of the most powerful anime characters through experimentation. With the ability to move at the speed of Mach 20, withstand any weapon, and regenerate rapidly, he gained a reputation as a formidable and beloved antihero among fans.

15) Kaguya Otsutsuki (Naruto)

Kaguya, a holder of the strongest anime character title (Image via Pierrot)

Kaguya Otsutsuki, the notorious final villain and most powerful character in Naruto Shippuden, is an alien from a celestial clan. After consuming the Divine Tree's chakra fruit, she achieved god-like status and became the strongest being on Earth. As the original chakra bearer and ninjutsu wielder, Kaguya is the progenitor of the present-day shinobi society.

Using her Infinite Tsukuyomi, she ensnared people in a false paradise of dreams, draining their chakra. This formidable Otsutsuki has the ability to open portals to other dimensions and even destroy entire planets. Immortal and indestructible, she could only be sealed away, solidifying her claim as the strongest anime character.

14) Rocks D. Xebec (One Piece)

Rocks, a bearer of the strongest anime character title (Image via Toei Animation)

Rocks D. Xebec, also known as Rocks, was undoubtedly the most powerful Pirate of his generation in the One Piece series. His pirate crew included some of the strongest characters in the One Piece universe, such as Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and others. As the leader of these formidable characters, Rocks demonstrated monstrous strength, earning him the title of the strongest anime character. His power was so great that it took the combined might of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and the Marine's Monkey D. Garp to defeat him.

13) Giorno Giovanna (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Giorno, a popular anime character (Image via David Production)

Giorno Giovanna, the main character in the fifth JoJo series, wields the powerful Stand known as Gold Experience Requiem, which is considered the strongest Stand in the series. In addition to its immense physical strength, this Stand has the unique ability to create life, including both plants and animals. Its enhanced power, Return To Zero, allows it to reverse any actions, and its Death Loop can trap someone in a continuous cycle of death. As the son of the main antagonist, Dio, Giorno Giovanna is one of the most formidable characters in the show. With his extraordinary Stand abilities, he proves himself to be one of the strongest anime characters.

12) Shigeo Kageyama (Mob Psycho 100)

A holder of the strongest anime character title, Mob (Image via Bones)

Shigeo Kageyama, also known as Mob, is widely regarded as one of the strongest anime characters. As the socially awkward protagonist of Mob Psycho 100, he displays a wide range of psychic abilities including telekinesis, psychic energy absorption and transference, and chlorokinesis.

Despite his immense strength, Mob's pure and innocent personality has endeared him to fans, making him a worthy contender for the title of strongest anime character. His formidable esper powers are intricately linked to his emotions and mental state.

At his maximum potential, he becomes an unstoppable force. Under extreme stress and overwhelmed by negative emotions, he can enter the ???% state – a terrifying level that causes massive destruction and poses a threat to his surroundings and those close to him.

11) Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)

Muzan, a character known for holding the title of the strongest anime character (Image via Ufotable)

Muzan Kibutsuji, the ultimate antagonist in the beloved shonen series Demon Slayer, is recognized as the most powerful demon in the anime's universe. Notably resembling the iconic pop figure Michael Jackson, this progenitor of all demons has garnered significant popularity in the anime world, solidifying his position as one of the strongest anime characters in existence.

10) Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Apart from his enormous physical strength, the Demon King also boasts remarkable speed, exceptional intellect, a multitude of superior demonic abilities, and unparalleled regeneration. Even when confronted with the collective might of all demon slayers, they barely succeed in overcoming him, leading to numerous casualties and irreversible harm.

A widely beloved anime figure, Sukuna (Image via MAPPA)

Ryomen Sukuna, known as the King of Curses, is the primary antagonist and often considered the most powerful character in Jujutsu Kaisen. His immense strength is showcased in the recently released second season of the anime.

Sukuna, a powerful villain in a popular manga series, defeated the strongest sorcerer of the current jujutsu era, Satoru Gojo, and emerged victorious. The series' storyline had previously shown that during his human days in the golden age of jujutsu, all sorcerers had gathered to confront him, but were unsuccessful.

Sukuna has gained immense popularity among anime enthusiasts for his unmatched strength, making him a top contender for the title of the strongest anime character. As the King of Curses, he holds a prominent place in one of the most acclaimed series of recent times.

9) Madara Uchiha (Naruto)

Madara Uchiha, a legendary character from the Naruto series, was widely recognized as the most powerful Uchiha in history. His very name struck fear into the hearts of all shinobi. This formidable villain consistently demonstrated his strength, rightfully earning the title of the strongest anime character.

In addition to his exceptional skills as a shinobi, Madara possessed remarkable intelligence, foresight, and manipulative abilities. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, the reanimated Madara effortlessly defeated all Five Kages, singlehandedly altering the course of the war. As the only ninja to fully unlock the Rinnegan, his Susanoo had the power to decimate entire armies.

Even Might Guy's Eighth Inner Gate form and a powered-up Naruto-Sasuke duo proved insufficient against Madara's overwhelming might.

8) Gol D. Roger (One Piece)

The image above showcases Gold Roger, the legendary Pirate King featured in One Piece, which serves as a driving force for the storyline. As the leader of the formidable Roger Pirates, he plays a pivotal role as one of the most influential and powerful characters in the series.

Roger demonstrated his formidable abilities when he rivalled the formidable Marine, Monkey D. Garp, and the renowned Whitebeard, who is acknowledged as the strongest man in the One Piece world. His strength was also on display during his confrontation with the powerful Rocks D. Xebec, confirming his rightful claim to the title of the strongest anime character.

7) Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

There's no doubt that Eren Yeager reigns as the most formidable figure in Attack on Titan. While Founder Ymir wielded great power, Eren's ability to free her and clever deployment of her abilities established his unmatched dominance.

The protagonist's transformation into a villain resulted in the Rumbling, which wiped out 80% of the world's population in just four days. Despite his immense popularity and display of power, he is considered deserving of the title of the strongest anime character. Faced with Eren's unstoppable force, former enemies were forced to unite in order to stop him and his Rumbling. The Marleyan Warriors joined forces with their former foes, the Eldian Scout Regiment, and narrowly managed to defeat Eren, ultimately saving only 20% of humanity.

6) Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

Ichigo, a popular anime character (Image via Pierrot)

Ichigo Kurosaki, the central character of Bleach and one of the Big Three series, is widely recognized as one of the most beloved shonen protagonists in the anime community. With unmatched spiritual energy and awareness, Ichigo is known for his exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills and formidable strength.

Throughout the series, he has consistently showcased his superior strength, intellect, durability, speed, and reflexes. In addition to his mastery of swordsmanship, Ichigo possesses a wide array of shinigami abilities, including Shunpo, Zanpakuto, Bankai, special Bankai, Hollowfication, and Quincy abilities.

With this wide array of powerful skills, Ichigo undeniably earns the title of one of the strongest anime characters.

5) Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Satoru Gojo, despite not being the primary focus of Jujutsu Kaisen, has undeniably achieved greater fame than both the protagonist and Gojo's student, Yuji Itadori.

Being the most powerful jujutsu sorcerer of this era, Gojo's incredible abilities led Mangaka Gege Akutami to temporarily seal him away, taking him out of the story. This decision allowed other characters to take center stage.

Even Sukuna had to take over Megumi Fushiguro's body and use his Ten Shadows Cursed Technique and the powerful shikigami, Divine General Mahoraga, to overpower and defeat Satoru Gojo's Six Eyes and Limitless Cursed Techniques. This special-grade sorcerer unquestionably earns the title of the strongest anime character.

4) Saitama (One Punch Man)

Saitama, the central character of One Punch Man, is undeniably deserving of the title of the strongest anime character. His unmatched power is exemplified by the very name of the series, as he effortlessly takes down any adversary with just one punch.

His overwhelming strength has caused him to become bored with the lack of challenge in battles. Aside from his incredible physical prowess, Saitama also boasts a superhuman physique, exceptional speed, and heightened reflexes. Saitama's renown goes beyond just being an unbeatable force, as his comedic personality has also endeared him to the anime community.

3) Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

Starting off as a mere hero for amusement, he later transformed into one of the most formidable and influential characters in the series, possibly rivaling the likes of powerful figures such as Goku, Mob, or Kusuo.

Naruto Uzumaki, the beloved protagonist of the Naruto series, has captured the hearts of anime fans worldwide. As the host of the powerful nine-tailed fox, Kurama, Naruto is born with an impressive chakra reserve. Initially posing challenges, Naruto ultimately forms a deep bond with Kurama, leading to a significant increase in his abilities.

Throughout the series, Naruto has consistently demonstrated his incredible strength. In Naruto Shippuden, he confronted the formidable Kaguya Otsutsuki and held his own using the Six Path Sage Mode Senjutsu, and he emerged triumphant against Sasuke with the Ashura Kurama Mode. Furthermore, in Boruto, he tapped into the formidable power of the suicidal Baryon Mode, overpowering even the formidable Isshiki Otsutsuki. His unwavering determination and extraordinary strength make him a top candidate for the title of the strongest anime character.

2) Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Luffy, the protagonist of the popular anime One Piece and one of the Big Three, is a well-known figure in the anime community. He gained the ability to stretch his rubbery body at will after consuming the Gomu Gomu no Mi, a Paramecia-type devil fruit.

After a dramatic showdown with Kaido where he appeared to meet his end, Luffy undergoes his devil fruit awakening and unlocks Gear 5. This new form grants him access to the powers of the Sun God Nika, allowing him to turn his imagination into reality. This is demonstrated as he transforms his surroundings into rubber during the battle against Kaido in Gear 5.

This newfound ability establishes Gear 5 Luffy as a formidable force deserving of the title of the strongest anime character.

1) Son Goku (Dragon Ball Z)

The debate among anime fans rages on about whether Goku or Saitama is the strongest anime character, but Goku's widespread popularity earns him the top spot on this list. As the central character of the Dragon Ball series, he is a leading contender for the title.

This Saiyan, who was raised on Earth, is considered one of the mightiest mortal fighters across multiple universes. He has a wide range of abilities at his disposal, including extraordinary physical attributes like super strength, speed, agility, heightened senses, quick reflexes, enduring stamina, and rapid healing. On top of that, he also possesses various psychic powers such as Ultra Instinct, telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation.

Furthermore, Goku is skilled in the art of martial arts, proficient in executing rapid combinations of attacks, and is proficient in various Ki techniques, with his famous Kamehameha and KaioKen being prominent among them.

The exclusion of well-known characters from series such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece may raise questions for some. However, this list aims to encompass characters from a wide range of shows rather than focusing solely on a select few. By taking this approach, the list can offer a more expansive representation of potential contenders for the title of strongest anime character, recognizing the many powerful figures across the anime universe.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am fascinated by the concept of ranking the strongest anime characters. The article presents a diverse list of contenders, each with their own unique abilities and powers. It's exciting to see characters from different anime series come together in this way, allowing fans to compare and debate their strengths.

While the ranking is subjective, I appreciate the inclusion of both popular and lesser-known characters. It's great to see that the article acknowledges the strength and popularity of characters like Grand Zeno, Rimuru, Saiki Kusuo, Meliodas, and Koro Sensei. These characters represent a wide range of anime genres and styles, showcasing the diversity and creativity of the medium.