Top 10 Best Anime Villain Transformation Scenes

“Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94)

The Younger Toguro brother’s powers have a particular gimmick - he releases a certain percentage of his demonic energy to increase his muscle mass and power. Naturally, it’s only a matter of time before he releases 100%, and he does so in the Dark Tournament against Yusuke. He begins by unleashing a column of purple energy as he starts transforming. Just touching the waves that come off him causes audience members to crumble into nothing! Then, Toguro’s body contorts grotesquely as his muscles and body increase in size. Built like a monstrous American football player, including the shoulder pads, Toguro’s 100% form is 1000% terrifying!

“One Punch Man” (2015-)

After the hero Saitama busts his way through alien conqueror Boros’ ship, he’s greeted by the cyclopean villain himself. Boros explains that much like Saitama himself, he hungers for a challenging opponent that can make him feel alive again. However, Saitama is unimpressed with Boros attacking Earth, calling him lower than telemarketers - ouch. Surprisingly, Boros survives one of Saitama’s punches and it only broke the armor holding in his power. A nonplussed Saitama watches as Boros glows and transforms into his true form. The stellar animation and epic background choir contrasted with Saitama’s thoroughly unimpressed reactions help make this scene one that both parodies and celebrates the typical transformation scene.

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

In the culmination of his centuries-long plan, Father the homunculus uses a gigantic alchemical circle to sacrifice the 50 million souls of Amestris. And what he uses those souls as fuel for is truly wild! Opening an enormous metaphysical gate on the surface of the world, a gigantic Father bursts out of it and reaches for a gate formed on the moon, which contains Truth a.k.a. God. He then proceeds to devour and absorb God. This titanic event is punctuated by the reveal of Father’s new, youthful human form. In addition to being forever young, Father can now turn all alchemy on and off and form a mini sun in his hand! It’s a mind-bending scene with a truly epic scale.

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-)

Joseph Joestar thinks he’s cornered Kars the Pillar Man at last. However, after his…ahem…German allies use their ultraviolet lights at the ancient vampiric villain, Kars reveals that their illumination has powered up the Red Stone of Aja embedded in his Stone Mask. The resulting transformation exudes a brilliant rainbow of light and turns his skin transparent, among other psychedelic effects. When the mask breaks away all looks bleak for the world. Kars is the ultimate being - no longer weak to Hamon, capable of…uh, squirrel generation…he even basks in the sunlight and displays his fabulous mane of hair! Life truly reaches its peak with Kars.

“Naruto: Shippuden” (2007-17)

Madara is among the most overpowered anime villains out there. The guy takes down many of the strongest ninjas in the world during the final war, including protagonists like Naruto and Sasuke. Leaving the latter stabbed and seemingly dead on the ground, Madara walks away and casually absorbs the chakra of all 9 Tailed Beasts. And somehow, his power goes from broken to something further beyond that. Now the Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, Madara obtains a form as powerful as it is pale. Along with white hair and a coat that’s as much of a flex as he is, the Uchiha clan founder is surrounded by shapeshifting chakra balls that act as weapons and an ultimate defense. Oh, and he can fly too.

“Bleach” (2004-12)

In their final battle, Ulquiorra proves far stronger than Ichigo to begin with. The Espada may be “only” numero cuatro, but Ichigo remains on the backfoot. However, the deadpan villain is irked that Ichigo still believes he can win. To rid his foe of this illusion, Ulquiorra reveals an unprecedented second release for his Resurrección. The overwhelming spiritual pressure he exudes terrifies everyone who feels it. The demonic, bat-like transformation proves so formidable that Ichigo’s continued resistance earns the hero a hole in the chest. It’s certainly hard to have hope when your chest cavity has a new cavity.

“Berserk” (1997-98)

The entire Eclipse sequence is infamous among anime circles. Griffith and the Band of the Falcon are transported to a nightmarish dimension. There, demons known as the God Hand declare that Griffith is destined to become one of them, with a sacrifice. Griffith offers up his comrades. As all but Guts and Casca are killed in various horrific ways, Griffith’s body is remade as he witnesses their suffering from afar. Eventually, he emerges as Femto. Resembling a sort of purple hybrid between a knight and a bat, Femto immediately proves how evil he is to Guts, committing unspeakable acts on Casca and forcing his former friend to watch. We’ll never forget this transformation - nor will Guts.

“Attack on Titan” (2013-23)

There are many Titan transformations in this incredible series, but this moment looms large. While atop one of the massive walls surrounding the protagonists’ home, Reiner casually reveals to Eren that he and Bertholdt are the Armored and Colossal Titans respectively. As he moves to capture Eren, Mikasa attacks both of them, prompting them to transform, with both Titans forming rapidly atop the wall. As they seize captives, Eren transforms as well, stung by their betrayal. The gradual build-up of the scene is a masterclass, shifting from quiet tension to glorious bombast. And it’s all underscored by some truly epic visuals and music. Eren may be furious, but we absolutely adore this scene.

“One Piece” (1999-)

As one of the Four Emperors, Kaido’s strength is a given. However, his Devil Fruit powers are only revealed when he decides to pay his subordinates a visit, hoping that they’ll bring that annoying brat Straw Hat Luffy to him. And he does so in style, transforming into his enormous Eastern dragon form and descending from the clouds above like a living natural disaster. As if that wasn’t intimidating enough, Kaido follows up his debut by obliterating an entire castle with his Blast Breath. He has certainly earned his reputation as “the world’s strongest creature.”

“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96)

The “Dragon Ball” franchise has transformations, both heroic and villainous, throughout. Yet if we had to pick the best of the bad guys, it’s gotta’ be Perfect Cell. Semi-Perfect Cell at last corners and absorbs Android 18. Light pours out from every pore in Cell’s body. A shield of light and lightning surrounds him. His eyes flash and sharpen. The power he releases is so tremendous that it can be seen from space! The green glow finally fades to reveal the handsome, winged bug man within. We really couldn’t have chosen any other villain transformation. Much like the fighters who immediately attempt to fight Cell, no one else stands a chance. After all - he’s perfect.

Is there an anime antagonist form debut we forgot? Reveal the final form of your favorites in the comments! Okay?