Top 10 Anime Characters Who Returned OP

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime Characters Who Returned Overpowered.

For this list, we'll be looking at the moments when anime heroes and villains underwent intense training, or life changing events, that allowed them to return stronger than they were before. Along with characters who started off weak, we'll also be considering characters who were already strong, so long as they undergo an event that makes them even more powerful.

Which anime character do you think had the biggest power up after a brief hiatus? Let us know in the comments below.

“Sengoku Basara” Franchise (2009-14)

In his first appearance, Ieyasu does not seem all that impressive compared to some of the other warrior powerhouses rampaging across feudal Japan. It isn’t until he returns in season two that he shows off his true warrior potential. Thanks to a sudden growth spurt and intense training, Ieyasu’s new appearance and strength allow him to fight alongside his cyborg general Tadakatsu and even take on the fearsome Toyotomi Hideyoshi in close quarters combat and emerge the victor. A feat that not many people can pull off and live to tell about it.

“Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash” (2021-)

Who could have predicted that a sweet kid like Hathaway could go down such a dark path? During the Second Neo Zeon War, Hathaway, who was only thirteen at the time, witnessed the loss of his love interest Quess, forcing him to take revenge on the one responsible. In the years that followed, the trauma of the war, along with witnessing just how corrupt the Earth Federation Force truly is, causes Hathaway to be consumed by revenge. Years later, Hathaway has not only become an expert fighter and Gundam pilot, he’s also become the leader of Mafty, an organization whose goal is to destroy the Federation and force humanity into space. Inspired by Char’s beliefs, Hathaway has become yet another threat to the Federation’s existence.

“Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou” (2020-21)

Even though Satoko has had a hard life, it’s hard to feel much sympathy for her as she goes from being a victim to a ruthless antagonist. After an encounter with the mysterious Eua, Satoko is given the opportunity to reach her ideal reality after being granted the power to travel through time loops. After being forced to relive some of her most painful moments, Satoko eventually steels her resolve and begins a rather violent journey to achieve her perfect reality by forcing her friend Rika to endure endless suffering. All culminating in a seemingly endless battle across many, many time loops.

“Pokémon” (1997-)

As the Champion of the Sinnoh region, Cynthia and her team have proven themselves quite formidable on the battlefield. Overtime, their teamwork and battle prowess have only gotten stronger. Upon making her return in “Pokémon Journeys,” Cynthia has reached the pinnacle of Pokémon Masters. Along with becoming one of the top eight trainers in the World Coronation Series, she also ranks at second place behind the Monarch Leon. Along with her Pokémon dream team, including her OP Garchomp which has since obtained the power of Mega Evolution. Cynthia and her team are a force to be feared, even to other Champions.

“Baki” (2018-)

When it comes to fighting, Jack is willing to destroy his own body to reach the top. In his debut, Jack’s use of medical enhancements turned him into a jacked up monster whose only desire was to seek revenge against his father, Yujiro Hanma, and claim the title of strongest. Despite his resilience, Jack was ultimately defeated by his brother Baki. Rather than give in to the despair of defeat, Jack’s loss motivates him to fix his broken body. Not only does Jack regain his physical strength, he also undergoes painful surgery, making himself both taller and stronger. With his superhuman resilience and animalistic fighting style, Jack is nothing short of a ruthless beast in human form.

“Attack on Titan” (2013-)

It’s hard to imagine that someone like Armin could grow from a terrified weakling, into a weapon of mass destruction. Unlike his friends, Erin and Mikasa, Armin’s strengths did not lie in combat and titan slaying, but rather his tactical mind. However, that all changes after Armin acquires the power of the Colossal Titan, dealing a huge blow to the nation of Marley in the process. At the slightest injury, Armin can transform into a titan with enough explosive force to decimate entire armies. It’s a good thing Armin is so kind, otherwise, the carnage left in his wake would be unimaginable.

“One Piece” (1999-)

Originally a no-name pirate hiding behind the shadow of the legendary Whitebeard, Marshall D. Teach, aka Blackbeard, bided his time before seizing an opportunity to steal immense power. From the moment he killed his comrade for the darkest of all Devil Fruits, Blackbeard quickly rose through the ranks, going from a nobody to a Warlord, and eventually to one of the Four Emperors. Now armed with the strength of two Devil Fruits, Blackbeard has become a major global threat, capable of quite literally destroying the world and plunging it into darkness.

“JoJo's Bizarre Adventure” Franchise (2012-)

This narcissist has always been rotten to the core, even before he became superhuman. Growing up, Dio was a manipulative and violent individual who resorted to every dirty trick in the book to get what he wanted. Dio’s thirst for power was so great that he abandoned his humanity to become a ruthless vampire. While his ambitions were brought to a halt by rival Jonathan Joestar, this only served to delay Dio’s plans for world conquest. Not only did Dio manage to escape from the brink of defeat twice, he also returned with a new body and a new power as well. With the power to stop time thanks to his Stand, The World, Dio’s enemies are virtually powerless to stop him.

“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)

Funny how it takes the sting of defeat to make an already terrifying monster realize their true potential. Possessing monstrous power since birth, Frieza was able to conquer and destroy countless worlds with a simple flick of his finger. It wasn’t until his defeat at the hands of the Saiyan Goku and nearly two decades in the underworld, that he decided to actually put in the effort to grow stronger. In just a few months of training, Frieza’s power rose to even greater heights, allowing him to reach a level of power that took Goku and Vegeta years to achieve. If he was actually as serious when it comes to training and honing his skills as his nemeses, Frieza could truly become unstoppable.

“The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon's Judgement” ” (2021)

Thanks to his immortality, monstrous strength and the ability to steal the power of others, Ban’s proven himself capable of taking down almost any foe. However, when the Demon King threatens his bestie Meliodas, Ban travels to the realm of Purgatory to save him. As a result, Ban spends centuries adapting to Purgatory’s lethal environment, which greatly enhances his physical and magical abilities. By the time Ban returns, he’s become strong enough to keep up with the Demon King himself, and even manages to injure him. And while Ban may no longer be immortal, his new abilities and overpowered strength make him a match for any god.