Top 10 Lamest Powers in Anime

“Ultimate Muscle” (2002-06) Admittedly for this series you already have to have a high tolerance for wacky, over the top techniques. But even this is just pushing it. During a set of wrestling matches against the DMP, our cowardly protagonist Kid Muscle finds himself up against the Pumpinator. Granted this was just coming off a fight against a living cell-phone, so we were eager for something a little more grounded or at least more badass. That’s when he unleashed his transformation, turning himself into the most deadly weapon imaginable…a shoe. To be fair his dad turned into a foot so I guess this is a level up.

#9: Soma Energy

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“The Qwaser of Stigmata” (2010-11) Alright, chances are if you’ve heard of this series you know where this is going. For those who don’t…take a seat. Now, there’s these things called Qwasers and they have the unique ability to manipulate elements and deal devastating damage. But, as we all know, there is no such thing as self-sustaining energy so these individuals must draw Soma energy from the best possible source. Breasts. Any questions? Too bad we’re moving on.

“A Certain Magical Index/A Certain Scientific Railgun” (2008-11) Not everyone is able to stand at the top - same goes for the espers of Academy City. In spite of the existence of such powerhouses like Misaka Mikoto and Accelerator, it’s not fair to completely disregard other espers and their abilities just because they are at a lower level. Unless your name is Uiharu Kazari. As a Level 1 esper, whose ability of Thermal Hand allows her to do exactly what you would think, and conserve an object’s heat in her hand. Incredible.

#7: Gas-Butt Triple Ecstasy

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“Fairy Tail” (2009-16) Oh come on Fairy Tail! Even by your standards this is pushing things too far. As a trio of thieves who keep running into Natsu and the gang, the Jiggle Butt Gang’s main method of offense involves using their…jiggly butts. And what better way of incorporating their backsides than to release an all-powerful fart that has the power to break windows. Granted this isn’t the only series that shows characters utilizing the power of farts, this one left a particular bad taste in our mouths.

“Digimon” series (1999-) It’s fair to say that there has never been a more useless Digimon in the entire franchise than this ugly bundle of sentient slime. For starters, this thing is actually a Champion Level Digimon; meaning that supposedly it’s at the same level as beasts like Greymon and Garurumon. If that wasn’t disappointing enough, the only techniques it seems to have under its non-existent belt is flinging its own digital feces. Well isn’t that lovely.

“Manyuu Hikenchou” (2011) In a rather perverted take on ancient Japan, we’re introduced to our heroine Chifusa, a ninja who seeks to learn the mystical art of the breast flow. What sort of deadly technique is that, you may ask? Why, it’s the power to absorb the breast sizes of other equally endowed women and add them to her own. Aside from being just being a shallow excuse for even more excessive cleavage, surely having a chest that big would be a liability for a ninja.

“Ranma ½” (1989-92) It may make up the crux of the series, but in all honesty Ranma’s gender-swap predicament is more of a gag than a useful ability. Due to a misfortune as a child, the presence of cold or hot water transforms him to either a male or female. Aside from a lot of embarrassment and an avenue for social commentary, this really doesn’t do much. Due to his awkwardness translating across both sexes, you can hardly call it a disguise. But hey, at least it’s makes for a great show.

“My Hero Academia” (2016-) Beam-based projectiles are something of an art in anime. We have had so many iconic lasers, bursts, blasts and all other manner of destructive lightshows that in order to impress, one has to put a good twist on it. Shooting one from your bellybutton is not a good twist. As the Quirk of wannabe hero Yuga Aoyama, he uses it as both a means of transport as well as a weapon. It might have more merit to it if it didn’t cause Yuga to get a stomach-ache after each use…

#2: Bad Puns

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“The Law of Ueki” (2005-06) You would think if you signed up to compete in a tournament to earn a shot at becoming the next deity you would want to come armed with a lot of firepower, supernatural or otherwise. Instead there’s this member of Team Grano. Despite putting up a mysterious, brooding front and even speaking in haiku, Munin’s actual ability as a power-user is far from awesome. If he makes his opponent laugh at one of his bad puns, then said pun comes to life.

“Hamatora: The Animation” (2014-15) Even excusing just how gross and ridiculous the concept is, as a superpower it also fails on every single level. While investigating an infidelity case, the Hamatora agency find themselves encountering a Minimum Holder named Hasuda, who has the power to seduce. You’d think this would theoretically make him a deadly opponent, until you find out that the seduction comes from a bodily fluid, and that it only affects men. As you might expect, he doesn’t stand much of a chance when facing against a strong gal like Hajime.