Top 10 Times Cocky Anime Characters Got Destroyed
For this list, we'll be looking at the times ignorant and pompous anime characters ended up eating a heaping helping of humble pie, to the point where their pride was entirely shattered. Prepare yourself for all manner oh so satisfying spoilers down the line.
#10: Saddler
“How Not to Summon a Demon Lord” (2018)
Nothing sprouts a god complex quite like organised religion in a fantasy setting. As a paladin with way too much time and ego on his hands, Saddler set himself up to be a douche from the moment he proclaimed his weak-tier magic to be God’s reward for his faith. He might have gotten away with it too, until he made one fatal flaw; he messed with Diablo’s harem! By threatening Rem, he had pretty much sealed his fate. He’s lucky that he only got away with being turned to stone.
#9: Yuya Fungami
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable” (2016)
A gang member who thought going fast meant he could get away with anything; it wasn’t long before his thuggish actions and vicious Stand soon earned him the ire of Josuke. While he certainly knew how to talk the talk and was constantly surrounded by an entourage of lovely ladies, the power of Highway Star couldn’t prevent him from receiving a much-deserved pummelling. Guess not even a guy like Fungami is quick enough to avoid a fist from Crazy Diamond at close range.
#8: Seto Kaiba
“Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” (2000-04)
The world of children’s card games is a cutthroat business, where losing a single duel can lead to a lifetime of defeat, failure and trauma. Just ask Kaiba. When we met this millionaire duellist, he thought himself unbeatable, to the point where if he didn’t get his own way, he would tear his opponents cards in half. Either way, after goading Yugi into a duel by Blue Eyes White Dragon-ing the hell out of his Grandpa, Kaiba ends up getting a harsh dose of reality when faced with the might of Exodia. He suffers such a monumental defeat that it ends up kicking him into the role of an anti-hero.
#7: Bellamy
“One Piece” (1999-)
Note to all future pirates; never talk shit about dreams when around Luffy, you will end up getting punched so hard that your face will be left with the imprint of his fist. Bellamy found this out the hard way when he began to talk crap about the existence of Skypiea as well as the age of dreams in general. While the Straw Hat Captain might have been happy to take a punch earlier when he was running his mouth, this proved to be a bridge too far, leading to him delivering one of the series’ greatest punches.
#6: Gary Oak
“Pokémon” (1997-)
This brat was owed a Poke-beatdown ever since he uttered the phrase “smell you later.” As Pallet Town’s other wannabe Pokemon Master, we all expected the likes of Ash to be the one to teach Gary some manners. As it happens, that honour went to Mewtwo. Back when he was kicking it back as Giovanni’s secret weapon, the ultimate psychic type managed to take apart the entirety of Gary’s team like they were nothing, putting the fear of God into him in the process.
#5: Erya Uzruth
“Overlord III” (2018)
While all of the thieves that entered Nazarick ended up meeting fates we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies, we can’t say that there many tears shed when this guy kicked the bucket. While arrogant in his abilities much like the other adventurers, Uzruth set himself apart due to the posse of slave elves he kept around him, abusing them whenever the mood took him. Unfortunately, for him, no amount of elven magic was going to save him from getting his arms and head crushed by a giant hamster.
#4: Roto
“Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94)
Anything goes in the Dark Tournament, including blackmailing your opponent by having your minions threaten his human mother. The demon Roto believed that this little set up would earn him victory against the likes of Kurama, and for a while it did, making the fox stand still while he carved up his beautiful face. Alas, Kurama isn’t one to just wait around nor take kindly to anyone making moves on his mama, leading to him giving Roto a smell of the Death Plant.
#3: Oberon
“Sword Art Online” (2012)
Given how this not so benevolent fairy king spent his days making inappropriate moves on Asuna, we were more than ready to see him get wrecked by Kirito in both Alfheim Online and in the real world. After managing to overcome his magic, Kirito was finally able to grant Oberon the painful game over he deserved, only to then conclude their battle in a parking lot, where he ended up smashing the lecherous creep into a car. Now that’s a platinum trophy worth grinding for!
#2: Cheetu
“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)
There was no shortage of Chimera Ants that deserved to get their skulls caved in, but this poor misguided kitty took things to a whole other level. Infinitely proud of his killing abilities, he decided to literally saunter over to Zeno Freakin’ Zoldyck and boast about how cool his attack was. While we have no doubt Zeno could have turned him into a pelt, there’s no topping the priceless reaction when Silva fell out of the sky and smashed Cheetu’s cranium like a blue melon.
#1: Light Yagami
“Death Note” (2006-07)
He might have played the long game and managed to skilfully think his way out of some no-win situations, but the God of the New World just couldn’t deliver on that final hurdle. So convinced of the justice he had accomplished, as well as his divine intellect, Light was all to happy to confess his true identity just when he thought he had the last of his enemies ensnared… Only for it to totally backfire. Just like that, Light’s whole world crumbled, ending with him becoming just another victim of the Death Note’s powers. You reap what you sow Kira.
