Unstoppable Reign: The Supreme King in Anime

In the world of anime, being a ruler holds great significance, especially when it comes to possessing extraordinary powers and abilities that surpass those in reality. This is particularly true in fantasy anime, where stories often revolve around royalty. Whether they are portrayed as heroes or villains, their actions have far-reaching consequences for the entire world, heightening the stakes significantly.

In nearly all cultures, the ruler of a region is revered as the embodiment of their values and is associated with power, glory, and intelligence. The most exceptional characters of this kind not only embody these traits but also play pivotal roles in the story due to their dynamic qualities. They can be found across various genres, including the finest isekai anime ever created, and their authority is evident in every action they take.

As the name suggests, the Ranking of Kings focuses heavily on the abilities of a region's ruler. King Bosse consistently held a prominent position in the global rankings due to his kind nature and immense strength, which earned him the love and respect of his entire kingdom. Despite Bosse's untimely death, his influence and past actions continue to impact his sons, Bojji and Daida. Bojji, who grew up small, deaf, and unable to speak, draws inspiration from his father's unwavering support as he strives to become stronger. His efforts culminate in a shocking moment in the anime, where he manages to defeat a resurrected Bosse, leaving Daida astonished. Daida, who inherited all of Bosse's strength and had always belittled his older brother, is left in awe of Bojji's achievement.

9 Charles Zi Britannia - Code Geass

Charles, with his commanding presence, effortlessly reveals the reason behind his children's behavior and the perilous nature of the Holy Britannian Empire. In a striking display, during the public funeral of his slain son, he skillfully transforms the event into a political gathering, championing his survival of the fittest ideology. Through the cultivation of his indomitable strength and authority, he successfully instills unwavering loyalty within the entire Britannian army.

However, the true extent of Charles' sinister intentions surpasses mere manipulation. Having endured a tumultuous upbringing within one of the most dysfunctional royal families in anime, he becomes resolute in his quest to reshape the world. Utilizing his Geass power, he cunningly controls and influences those who pose a threat to his grand vision, with the ultimate goal of dismantling reality itself. Charles shrewdly keeps his plans concealed until the eleventh hour, leaving Lelouch's quick thinking as the only deterrent.

8 Shouryuu - Twelve Kingdoms

Shouryuu, the kirin of the Twelve Kingdoms, stands out as a shining example of successful appointment. Having ruled over the kingdom of En for centuries, he possesses a wealth of experience that allows him to serve as a mentor to the newly crowned queen, Youko.

In his previous life on Earth, Shouryuu was a noble samurai who was well-versed in leadership. Determined not to repeat the mistakes of his past, he utilizes his skills to protect his people without causing harm. While he is not afraid to employ manipulative tactics in diplomatic situations, he always ensures that his actions serve the greater good. Whether facing human adversaries or battling against youma, Shouryuu's formidable skills alongside his kirin, Enki, make him one of the most powerful kings in the realm of anime.

7 King Cold - Dragon Ball Z

Throughout Dragon Ball Z, Frieza stands out as the dominant and menacing adversary to the Earth's heroes, while Cooler's presence is less pronounced. However, both brothers still submit to their father's authority. King Cold voluntarily relinquished his position on the throne not due to any weakness or inability to govern, but rather to conceal his actions from the family's adversaries until the opportune moment to strike.

Although Cold makes infrequent appearances, he is the mastermind behind the transformation of the Frieza Force (previously known as the Cold Force) into a formidable galactic empire. He is responsible for resurrecting his eldest son with a cybernetic body and guiding him back to Earth to seek vengeance against Goku. Possessing immense strength even without formal training, Cold does not waste time toying with his opponents. When he engages in combat, his objective is to swiftly and decisively annihilate his targets.

6 Yhwach - Bleach

The formidable final antagonist in the series Bleach, Yhwach, possesses the title of the king of all Quincies and has reached the remarkable age of 1,200 years. As the exceptional offspring of the Soul King, Yhwach once endeavored to gather an army of Quincies to challenge the world, but his ambitions were thwarted by the intervention of Soul Society. His extraordinary ability, known as The Almighty, bestows upon him a multitude of powers, ranging from manipulating the future to rendering any attack against him ineffective. Yhwach derives immense satisfaction from encountering formidable adversaries, as he possesses the capability to absorb their powers and lifespan by either physically touching them or implanting a fragment of his own soul within them. However, even if he were unable to do so, Yhwach still relishes engaging in battle due to his intense bloodlust and the sheer delight he derives from inflicting brutality. Despite Ichigo and his companions triumphing over numerous formidable foes, they find themselves incapable of directly killing Yhwach, only managing to temporarily strip him of his powers in order to seal him away.

5 Meruem - Hunter X Hunter

Humans are not the sole beings who have reason to fear a cruel and heartless ruler. In the world of Hunter x Hunter, the Chimera Ants have established a hierarchy based on royalty. The Queen is responsible for laying the eggs, which eventually give rise to soldiers, a Royal Guard, and ultimately, a King. Amongst the Chimera Ants, Meruem stands as the most formidable and awe-inspiring figure. From his very inception, he displayed a ruthless determination, even at the expense of his own mother's life. Soon after his birth, he callously took the life of one of his loyal soldiers, highlighting his inherently terrifying nature. Meruem's reign as one of the most terrifying characters in Hunter x Hunter is characterized by his unwavering dominance and his eventual transformation, which enables him to develop a sense of empathy towards others. Possessing immense strength, incredible speed, and an uncanny ability to quickly grasp various skills ranging from games to combat, Meruem strikes fear into the hearts of all who encounter him. Engaging in battle with him is an unthinkable prospect for most due to his sheer power. However, it is revealed that the only way to bring about his demise is through radiation poisoning, an opportunity that arises from the nuclear explosion he miraculously survives.

4 King Bradley - Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Installed as the dictator of Amestris, Bradley assumes the role of a stern yet reasonable authority figure to his people. However, his true nature is revealed as he utilizes his power to massacre the inhabitants of neighboring countries, furthering Father's destructive plans. As the Homunculus Wrath the Furious, Bradley thrives on combat and is renowned as one of the most formidable adversaries in the anime. His relentless fighting style, enhanced by extensive training and the Philosopher's Stone within him, epitomizes the violence that permeates Amestris. Only when confronted by Ling Yao and Scar does it become apparent that he lacks the ability to regenerate from a core like his siblings.

3 Jaden Yuki - Yu-Gi-Oh! GX

Nobody would suspect that Jaden from Yu-Gi-Oh GX harbors a hidden dark side. However, in the Dimension World, it is revealed that he had a completely different persona in his previous life. Jaden is actually the modern reincarnation of the Supreme King, an oppressive ruler who commanded armies and used defeated duelists to enhance his deck. When Jaden is overtaken by the Supreme King's personality, his cheerful and energetic demeanor is replaced by a cold and stoic demeanor, bringing back his conquering nature. Dueling against him becomes terrifying, as his opponents are not only defeated by his ruthless playing style and powerful monsters, but also by the overwhelming aura of evil that surrounds him.

2 Sinbad - Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic

Feared and respected throughout the world of Magi, the High King of the Seven Seas holds a special place in the hearts of his subjects in Sindria. Among all the adventurers, Sinbad stands alone as the only individual to have successfully conquered seven treacherous dungeons, surpassing even his closest rival, Kouen, who managed to clear three. Sinbad's mastery over his numerous Djinn powers makes him a formidable opponent in battle, instilling fear in anyone who dares to challenge him. Despite his good intentions, Sinbad has experienced immense tragedy and has been forced to make difficult decisions for the sake of his people. This has honed his cunning to a dangerous level, where his strategic prowess often surpasses his raw strength. Sinbad is not above resorting to underhanded tactics to achieve his goals, regardless of the harm caused to others. In the final arc of the manga, he achieves global domination and commands unwavering loyalty from his subjects. However, this newfound power and control may not necessarily be a positive development.

1 Gilgamesh - Fate Series

Archer may not possess the traits of kindness or being the best king, as those titles belong to his adversaries, Saber and Rider. However, his prowess in terms of strength remains unparalleled. In his past life, he was known as Gilgamesh, the renowned king of Babylon, and his god-like arrogance still persists. He dismisses the concept of equality and openly regards anyone who is not himself as a worthless mongrel, including his formidable and regal rivals in the Holy Grail Wars.

Moreover, attempting to defeat him is an arduous task. Armed with one of the most formidable swords in the realm of anime, alongside numerous other Noble Phantasms, Gilgamesh proves to be an incredibly challenging opponent in battle. Furthermore, he constantly seeks worthy adversaries, becoming infuriated when most of his enemies fail to meet his expectations. At times, his arrogance leads to his own downfall, as he intentionally holds back his full strength.

In the realm of anime, the fantasy genre has captured the hearts of many, and as a result, numerous kings have emerged as prominent figures within this medium. These anime kings embody diverse value systems, each presenting their own unique interpretation. Regardless of their moral alignment, these kings wield powers that mirror the ideals upheld by their subjects. Their commanding presence instills a sense of respect among their followers, making them formidable leaders. Delving deeper, the most formidable anime kings serve as a captivating exploration into the multifaceted nature of power.