Top 10 Disgusting Anime Transformations
For this list, we'll be looking at the scenes in anime where a character ends up evolving into something that's the furthest thing from human, in the most repulsive manner imaginable. We'll be taking into account both voluntary and involuntary transformations, just as long as the results are stomach churning.
#10: Stabbing Solves Everything
“Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic” (2012-13)
Why is it that when it comes to dark rituals there’s always someone getting impaled? Well in this instance the candidate is the beautiful yet psychotic Dunya, who seeks to turn herself into a Dark Djinn by forcing a Dark Metal Vessel through her body. She must have some serious upper body strength and commitment, because the dainty member of Al-Thamen manages to skewered herself like a kebab, paving the way for her body to twist into a gleeful monster that you’d expect to find skulking around the bottom of a typical fantasy dungeon.
#9: Surprise! Cthulu!
“Bungo Stray Dogs” (2016-19)
Lovecraft is already an unsettling individual, even by Guild standards, however that all gets turned up to eleven when he activates his ability and, much like his namesake, becomes a creature of eldritch proportions, complete with all the tentacles and horrifying features you could imagine. He may have turned into a giant target for Chuuya’s Corruption by the end of it, but there’s no denying the sheer stature and menace Lovecraft exudes when he decides to let his inner horror out the bag. That mug is the stuff of nightmares.
#8: Koda Has Issues
“Devilman Crybaby” (2018)
Losing the love of your life while trying to keep your sexuality hidden is bound to cause some stress. Of course, when it comes to this track star, his sorrow ended up taking a more violent turn when he was turned into a demon hybrid, causing him to transform into a rampaging, boar monster with a nasty habit for goring people to death. Doesn’t help that this sudden shift comes at the most in opportune of moments, and while the rest of the innocents on that track field had it rough, you somehow have to feel sorry for Koda as well.
#7: Say Hello to My Little Friend
“Bleach” (2004-12)
Just when you thought that Aaroniero couldn’t get any uglier, he managed to pull off something like this. After his true form is exposed by Rukia, the ninth Espada decides to go all in and reveal his Ressureccion, which in this instance happens to be a giant mass of purple sludge and flesh, complete with an oh so creepy smile just to really sprinkle on the revulsion. While it didn’t end up amounting to much, it’s still the most off-putting release form out of the entire Arrancar race.
#6: Faceless
“Attack on Titan” (2013-)
Good to know that despite being a pathetic worm of a man, a horrific excuse for a father and general waste of life, Rod Reiss was at least able to give us a memorable moment when he lapped up some Titan serum and turned himself into the largest one to date. Gargantuan in size, what puts this above the rest of the abnormals that the Survey Corp have encountered is the fact that Rod ends up losing his face and most of his torso in the process, looking like a sentient, mangled corpse that towers over everything else.
#5: Envy is Always Ugly
“Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” (2009-10)
You would have thought being able to regenerate and shapeshift into anyone he chooses would be enough, but as it happens this Homonculus has one final trump card under his bandana, and that’s the handy ability to turn himself into a giant, green lizard adorned with numerous screaming faces. It’s a hideous form to behold, and one that would normally mean death for anyone caught in that gross maw of his. Unless you’re the Flame Alchemist that is, in which case it’s open season!
#4: You Deserved It!
“Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works” (2014-15)
Ever wondered what it means to become the vessel for the Holy Grail? The answer is that you get your stomach busted open, a heart forcibly shoved inside, and as a result you’re entire being morphs into a shapeless blob of flesh that only continues to expand, while you yourself write in unbearable anguish. The fact this happened to Shinji of all people is pure karma, and while we’re more than happy to put it on loop, it’s not hard to be sickened by his eventual fate. The grail is messed up…
#3: Every Guy’s Worst Nightmare
“Call Me Tonight” (1986)
Unlucky in love and life, Ryo has found himself with zero romantic prospects other than trying his luck with the ladies of the Madonna organisation. It’s not that he’s lacking in charm or anything, it’s just that he has the terrible tendency to transform into a monster whenever he gets a little too hot under the collar. Like here, when he freaked out and turned into something that can only be described as Junji Ito’s creative leftovers. Well, he’s not going to be able to return to that café anytime soon.
#2: The Curse of the Abyss
“Made in Abyss” (2017)
One of the most heart-breaking and inhume acts to ever be displayed through Anime, the way in which Mitty goes from optimistic orphan to a bloody collection of mentally broken flesh does not make for a pleasant viewing experience. Exposed to the lowest level of the abyss, all Mitty can do is wail for her friend while her skin melts off and she writhes in absolute agony for waaaaay too long. By the time the hell-ride is over, all that’s left is the groaning blob we’ve all come to adore, who we now know was deconstructed in the most painful way imaginable.
#1: Tetsuo’s End
“Akira” (1988)
While they’re will likely be plenty more gory and graphic transformations down the line, none can ever hope to capture the sheer artistry of watching Tetsuo’s body start to warp and expand into something truly terrifying. As his telekinetic abilities start to go haywire, Tetsuo quickly loses his human form, rapidly bloating into an all-encompassing mound of flesh, technology and death. Not sure what’s more shocking; his final form or the way he ended up crushing his love interest between his psychic fat flaps! This was certainly not a fun time for anyone involved.
