Top 10 Instant Karma Anime Moments

“GATE” (2015-16)

You might think you’re untouchable, you might think that because you’re a prince that taking hostages from another world is perfectly within your right. Then the Japanese Special Defence Force comes knocking on your door, and it all blows up in your face. This is exactly what befell Prince Zolzal when the JSDF came to his fathers palace and discovered he had taken some of their citizens as slaves. In response, he not only has his guards shot down, but gets his face pummelled in until it swells like a balloon.

“Fire Force” (2019-20)

Being a secret servant of the Evangelist was already a big faux pas on Rekka’s part, since he betrayed everything he had stood for as a Fire Soldier. Though where he really stepped in it was when he cracked down on Tamaki; the one person who looked up to him more than anyone, as well as a candidate for best girl. Such a brutal fashion warranted divine retribution, though in place of anything angelic, it came in the form of Shinra descending from the sky and delivering a demonic dropkick right to Rekka’s starry eyed face.

“Baki” (2018-20)

If you want to try and pick a fight with a monster like Baki, best you just go up and ask. At least then you have a chance of walking away. Threatening his love interest will only ever result in your immediate destruction. Even if you’re a death row inmate. Cornering Kozue in her room, Sirkovsky threatens to kill her and her mother should she make a sound. He likely wasn’t aware she had Baki on speed dial, since with a single cry, he arrives on the scene to deliver one hell of a mauling.

“Naruto: Shippuden” (2007-17)

Got to hand it to the wily old coot, he put up an impressive fight for a man in his twilight years. With the battle against Sasuke leaving him spent and most of his stolen Shanrigan rendered useless, Danzo’s only recourse is to take a hostage. Using Karin as a human meat shield, he thinks to gain the upper hand and escape with his life. Unluckily for him, Sasuke was currently going through his “I don’t give a crap” phase, and blasts a lightning bolt through the both of them.

“The Rising of the Shield Hero” (2019-)

Fitting that a man who spent his entire life enslaving and abusing demi-humans would be done in by a monster of his own making. Faced with the man who imprisoned her and her friends, Raphtalia is finally given the chance for revenge against Rabier, but instead chooses to spare him. In his panic and humiliation, the slave-owner summons an uncontrollable monster known as the Tyrant Dragon Rex, thinking it will easily devour Naofumi and his party. Not that he would ever get to see the outcome, since the deadly dino immediately crushed him under foot.

“Highschool of the Dead” (2010)

Zombie apocalypses bring out the best and the worst in everybody, with this being a clear example of the latter. In spite of proclaiming their dedication to each other as best friends moments prior, the undead outbreak causes Misuzu and Toshimi’s friendship to dissolve rather quickly. Namely when one of them gets dragged into a flesh-eating horde, and the other decides now would be a good time to unfriend. Not that it did her much good, since it only preserved her own life by an extra couple of seconds.

“ReLIFE” (2016-18)

This is why you should only ever tease your friends' failures after you’ve proven yourself, otherwise you’ll end up looking like a complete tool. After his pal Oga fails badly during the national fitness test’s handball toss, Kaizaki is quick to tease him. Alas, once it comes time for him to show off his stuff, he greatly overestimates himself and ends up doing even worse. Modesty kids, it matters.

“Berserk” (1997-98)

As if something as puny as a wooden door was going to stand between Guts and vengeance. After infiltrating the prison where Griffith is being kept, the remnants of the Band of the Hawk are horrified to discover their leader has been left crippled from years of torture. That’s when the jailer makes the foolish decision to try and trap them in with Griffith, while also boasting about how fun it was to break him down. Guts doesn’t take too kindly to this and responds in turn.

“One Piece” (1999-)

You can’t choose your family, but you sure as hell can overwhelm them with Haki until their souls get fried. Enraged that his sister would interrupt his battle with Luffy, Katakuri does the honourable thing and injures himself so the fight would be more even. This is made all the more painful with Flampe not hesitating to ridicule her brother for his appearance, displaying her utter shallowness. Not that she’s laughing for long after both Luffy and Katakuri hit her with a double dose of Conquerors Haki. How do you like that?!

“Attack on Titan” (2013-)

Hey, anyone who talks trash about Sasha deserves what they get. Exposed as a traitor in league with the Jaegerists, Greiz wasted no time in letting Niccolo know exactly what he thought of his infatuation with Sasha. Considering that Sasha’s body was barely in the ground following on from her death in Marley, his insults cut especially deep. Thankfully, while she is a Zeke-obsessed madwoman, Yelena is very strict when it comes to being respectful, hence her decision to permanently fire Greiz from her unit. Via a bullet.