Top 20 Anime Characters Too Powerful for Their Show

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at Anime Characters Too Powerful for The Show They're In.

“The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” (2006-09)

While they appear completely normal on the outside, the SOS Brigade is home to a time traveler, an esper and an alien. But why have they all gathered into this one school club? Well at the center of it all is the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya, who unknowingly possesses god-like abilities. This means she can alter and destroy reality at any time depending on her mood. This causes a whole lot of trouble for Kyon, who is constantly trying to satisfy her ridiculous every day whims.

“Detective Conan” (1996-)

You know, for a show about figuring out how a crime could be physically possible… Ran’s strengths aren’t exactly physically possible. Her training in the martial arts means she’s more than capable of taking care of herself whenever coming face to face with criminals. But if you’ve seen Meitantei Conan, you know that someone with a gun is often the least of their problems. Good thing Ran’s usually around to perform ridiculous feats of strength. Now if only her dad was as competent as she is…

“The Eminence in Shadow” (2022-23)

Before he even got reincarnated into another world, Cid was already a bit of a weirdo, operating as a vigilante and taking down criminals. This experience came in handy big time after he got reincarnated into another world thanks to good old reliable Truck-Kun. Due to his intense training since he was a toddler, Cid’s swordsmanship and magical abilities are unmatched. He often deals with the most powerful looking enemies in the most nonchalant way possible, defeating them with ease. And let’s not forget the guy can literally turn himself into a Nuke and emerge unscathed.

“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)

In a franchise where its power scales increase with every arc, it’s particularly funny that Super introduced a character so powerful, it’s unlikely that any other character will ever match them. Grand Zeno is the supreme ruler of all the Multiverses in Dragon Ball, and can end an entire universe on just a whim. This means some of the most powerful fighters in existence such as the Gods of Destruction cower before him, despite his child-like nature. The lives of billions are just a game to this little guy!

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

There’s a reason why he’s known as the King of Curses! Over a thousand years old, the Jujutsu-sorcerer turned curse makes his grand return to modern day Japan after Yuji costumes one of his fingers. Sukuna possesses such incredible power that he was pretty much easily able to wipe Shibuya off the map without realizing it. Even in a weakened state while possessing Yuji, other villains cower before him, knowing one wrong move could end their lives instantly. Despite all of the feats he’s displayed so far, anime viewers haven’t even begun to see what he’s capable of.

“My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered” (2024)

An Isekai protagonist with insane abilities is one of the most overdone tropes in anime, however this one takes the cake. After being transported to another world, Yogiri gains the ability to instantly kill anyone and anything he likes with just a single thought. Think “Death Note” without the need to write down anyone's name into a book, or the Death Note itself for that matter. Of course though he doesn’t need to, Yogiri can’t help but shout out “Die!” to whoever is unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it.

“Pokemon” (1997-)

Remember back in the day when you were Pokemon battling and there was always that one kid who used nothing but legendaries and ubers? Well Tobias is that annoying kid personified. Ash Ketchum was showing real promise in the Lily of the Valley Conference, making it all the way to the top four. Unfortunately for him, the writers needed a quick and easy way for him to get knocked out, so they introduced Tobias who used a Darkrai and Latios of all things. After defeating Ash and going on to win the entire tournament, he disappeared into the night never to be seen again. Let's be real, if he had turned up to the world coronation series, there’s a good chance Ash wouldn't be holding that trophy up right now!

“Shaman King” (2021-22)

Sometimes a character is so overpowered that the entire plot falls apart. That was the case with Hao in this shonen classic. Reincarnated multiple times before the series start, Hao’s main objective in his third life is to become the Shaman King and exterminate all of humanity. And he succeeds in doing that, well… partially. After the protagonists fail to defeat him, they give up and convince him to temporarily put off his genocide. Usually a villain like this is created for the heroes to eventually overcome, but in this case Hao is just way too much for anyone to handle.

“Ouran High School Host Club” (2006)

If you took one look at this little fella you’d think that butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. Well looks can be deceiving. Outside his activities as the host club’s resident cutie pie, Honey spends most of his time training in martial arts. But surely such a little guy couldn’t use said talents to take out a unit of armed guards right? Oh. Ouran may be outlandish at times, but Honey’s strength is just too staggering. Just make sure you never steal his cake… or mess with his favorite plushie.

“The Misfit of Demon King Academy” (2020-)

The title of this series is quite apt, as Anos certainly doesn't fit in this academy. Once known as the “Demon King of Tyranny,” Anos is reincarnated two thousand years later to human parents, and soon enrolls into Demon King Academy without anyone knowing his true identity. Here he finds that magic has waned drastically over the years, and that no one can compete with his incredible powers. Because of this he’s often the target of both students and teachers alike, but he confidently brushes them off like they’re nothing to him, defeating them in weird and creative ways.

“Golden Kamuy” (2018-)

Don’t let the block on his head fool you, this guy is a beast, even in a series that features the most vicious of criminals, giant wolves and a guy called Sugimoto the Immortal. Out of all the Abashiri Convicts, this is definitely the one you’d want to stay clear of, since he can box bears with ease, never gives up the chase, relishes in a good beatdown and has an unbridled lust for women. There’s truly nothing subtle about Ushiyama, so it’s kind of shocking he hasn’t managed to grab all that Ainu gold for himself and set himself up a nice little settlement of his own, complete with harems and death matches galore!

“Durarara!!” (2010-16)

First things first, this guy should have been the title character. You all know it’s true! Shizuo may have been slightly lacking when it came to forward thinking, but as for pure style and raw strength this dude was top tier. Basically a walking hurricane, watching him beat down thugs and other unfortunates was always entertaining. But let’s be honest, even in a series with headless reapers and psychotic information brokers, Shizuo was always in a class of his own. Izaya may have been able to outwit him, but there was no one who could ever hope to match his punching power.

“Vinland Saga” (2019)

The fact Thorfinn managed to survive his encounter with this monstrous Viking is a miracle onto itself. The Dannish forces may not be lacking for ferocity and savage skill with an axe, but Thorkell the Tall is practically mythological as far as strength goes. With a happy go lucky attitude and an incessant eagerness to throw himself into the next fight, every battle is a playground for this guy, one he always leaves littered with body parts. Seriously, when he’s not cleaving through trees like a demonic lumberjack he’s turning enemy soldiers into mulch!

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)

This guy was so ridiculous that the author Togashi was forced to put an end to him in an underhanded way via poison. That being said, everything leading up to his passing cemented him as a killing machine of such high calibur that even at full force we’re still not sure if Gon would have been able to tango with him and live. He was able to brush off practically everything that Netero threw at him, and considering the fact it was Netero doing the throwing, that speaks volumes. Anyone who can casually withstand something like the Zero Hand is fighting well-below his station.

“How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?” (2019)

He’s the sportive trainer who’s easy on the eyes and all too eager to help this year’s waifus get themselves into better shape. Sounds like he fits perfectly into the formula, right? Well as it happens beneath that tracksuit lurks so many muscles that it defies comprehension. We wouldn’t mind so much if not for the fact this is a series that portrays realistic ways for viewers to get healthier and exercise safely. Hard to focus on said lessons when Machio’s outrageous pecks are filling up the screen. Just look at those things!

“Bungo Stray Dogs” (2016-19)

That’s right, even in a series where one guy can transform into a tiger hybrid and another has a demon living in his edgelord jacket, Port Mafia’s favourite pretty boy still stands above them all as the strongest of the bunch, all thanks to his ability to manipulate gravity, coupled with the fact he’s got an in-built rage mode that truly pushes him towards the boundaries of OP. If not for his own desires to work as an enforcer of Ougi’s will, the man formerly known as the God of Fire could have easily crushed the entire city under his boots ages ago. He knocked out Cthulu for god’s sake!

“Dr. Stone” (2019)

Don’t get us wrong we love a guy who punch the hell out of lions as much as the next person, but in a series where science and all of its facets are the central focus, having someone with inhuman strength is just a tad on the…fantastical side, wouldn’t you say? Of course, Tsukasa and Senku’s clash is the embodiment of brawn against brain, an ideological war over the concept of might makes right, and as such comes across as a truly compelling premise. Still, the guy woke up after being turned to stone for several millennia and was instinctively able to take down a pack of lions! He’s one step away from being a JoJo character!

“Baki the Grappler” (2001)

When everyone around you has muscles for days and enough martial arts prowess to reduce people’s bones to powder, it takes a special kind of monster to stand above the rest. Then you’ve got Yujiro, a man so dangerous that he’s practically a nuclear deterrent. A man who can easily kill with you a hug. A man who once stopped an earthquake just by punching the ground. Yeah, he did that. He’s beyond the pale of human ability, capable of crushing any man, weapon or beast that comes his way. We’re still debating if he’s part Saiyan or something!

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind” (2018-19)

Oh Araki, you really got yourself into a bind with this didn’t you? Whatever was envisioned for this member of Bucciarati’s crew didn’t end up amounting to much, since he was introduced with a Stand that up until the reveal of Gold Experience Requiem, was one of the deadliest psychic projections to ever hop out of an angry Italian’s psyche. Purple Haze’s smog reduced anyone it touched to a bubbling ooze, friend, foe and user alike. Something so uncontrollable equipped with an insta-kill smoke machine hidden in its knuckles turned out to be something of a narrative wrench in the works – thus it along with Fugo were dropped at the halfway point. Arrivederci.

“One-Punch Man” (2015-)

While his overwhelming strength is tied to the core of the series, it’s pretty much common knowledge by this point that Saitama is undefeatable. With but a single blow, he can crush galactic tyrants, supervillains and even demon centipedes spawned from your worst nightmares. It certainly makes for good commentary and entertaining viewing, but it’s clear that unless Blast turns out to be just as strong as they claim, no one is even going to come close to measuring up to the world’s strongest caped badly.

Are there any powerful anime characters we missed out on? Let us know in the comments below!