In anime, characters can unlock a tremendous amount of power in various ways: through training, through sacrifice, through discovery, or even through sheer luck and circumstance. Yet even the most powerful characters—who might appear to be undefeatable—usually have at least one weakness or downside that makes them vulnerable to their enemies. Here are some of the strongest anime characters we’ve ever seen. You might call them broken, overpowered, or unfair!
12. Meruem (Hunter X Hunter)
The King of the Chimera Ants, Meruem is an organism capable of human speech and possesses a high IQ. He also exhibits a tremendous amount of power that can kill someone using raw force alone. His Royal Guards were already deadly beings, but he climbed the hierarchy and ascended as soon as he was born. He defeated Chairman Isaac Netero alone, forcing the latter to use a trump card that sacrifices his life as his last resort.
11. Yujiro “The Ogre” Hanma (Baki)
Yujiro is the father of the protagonist in the Baki anime series. He’s called “The Ogre” because of his brute strength, and a demon-like face forms on his back when he’s dead serious about a fight. He’s a brutal fighter who shows no mercy to his opponents, as depicted when he ripped off the face of the great martial artist Sea King Ryu and tossed it up like a wet towel. In another fight in the same tournament, he had a bit of a hard time against the 140-year-old Sea Emperor, but he clearly demonstrated how far ahead he was when he used the elderly’s great technique Shaorii against him.
10. Biscuit “Mr. Unchained” Oliva (Baki)
Next to The Ogre, another terrifying character from the Baki anime series is Biscuit Oliva, also known as “Mr. Unchained.” He’s an American prisoner who can move in and out of any high-profile prison because nobody can really stop him. Biscuit Oliva is so strong that the country’s army couldn’t handle him, so they enrolled him as a mercenary—essentially turning him into a useful weapon—to capture criminals who are at large in exchange for an extravagant life in prison.
9. Seijuro Akashi (Kuroko’s Basketball)
Every Generation of Miracles member was terrifying in their own field and gameplay, but Seijuro Akashi tops them all. With his Emperor’s Eye, he can see ahead of every movement on the court, making his passes, steals, and shots impossible to block. He has the respect of all his teammates, which makes him even more badass. He also has a signature move, Ankle Break, which makes his opponents drop or kneel in front of him in submission.
8. Beerus (Dragon Ball Super)
Beerus is the God of Destruction of Universe 7. He’s so strong that even Goku and Vegeta in their full-power modes weren’t powerful enough to satisfy the God’s desire for entertainment. The God of Destruction may not appear very hostile by appearances, but when it comes to battle, Beerus must not be underestimated. He’s earned his title as God of Destruction, and he even makes the wish-fulfilling dragon Shenron tremble before him.
7. Whitebeard (One Piece)
As one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, Edward “Whitebeard” Newgate is a fearsome pirate who roams the sea with the crew whom he calls family. What makes Whitebeard such a troublesome character is that he has the Gura Gura no Mi devil fruit power, which can cause quakes and tremors to form anywhere he casts his skill. He’s also on par with the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, causing eruptions every time they clash. Another thing that makes him powerful is his so-called family who respect him so much that they’re willing to give their lives for him. If the Marines and Admirals hadn’t played dirty, he could’ve wiped out the entire Marineford and saved Ace without casualties.
6. Uchiha Madara (Naruto Shippuden)
Uchiha Madara, the God of Shinobi, gained immense power that was almost on the level of the Sage of Six Paths. Between his Sharingan/Rinnegan and battle experience, the Allied Shinobi Forces and the most powerful ninjas in the world—the Five Kages—were no match for him. They couldn’t even harm him. His only equal was Senju Hashirama, his life-long rival. Yet, even though was such a formidable nemesis, he was also exploited and unknowingly became the puppet of an ancient evil.
5. Mereoleona Vermillion (Black Clover)
Mereoleona is the sister of Fuegoleon, the captain of the Crimson Lion Squad of the Clover Kingdom’s Magic Knights. She has the power to make even other captains silent in front of her. Her discipline and training were brutal, but it proved to be effective as far as growth and improvement, as shown when she brought her squad along with Asta, Noel, Yami, and the Blue Rose’s captain Charlotte.
4. Saitama (One Punch Man)
When talking about anime characters who have tremendous power, we can’t forget about Saitama. His power-packed punch, which is his signature move, can defeat almost any powerful enemy in a single hit. He can eliminate a Sea King, a giant, and a humongous centipede (that many heroes tried but failed to defeat) with just an epic entrance and a single punch. And yet, he doesn’t take credit for most of his feats.
3. Momonga (Overlord)
Momonga, who took on the name Ainz Ooal Gown, is a powerful mage with tons of high-tier magic spells at his disposal. He can summon undead warriors, flesh-eating monsters, and even stop time and cast a spell that instantly kills a target. He also has powerful servants under him who will do everything to serve their master, even if it costs them their life.
2. Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
Who would have thought a mere slime could become a powerful being on par with a demon lord? Rimuru Tempest, the leader of the Jura Tempest Federation, not only gained power to become equal to a demon lord—he actually managed to become a demon lord in the end. With his ability called Predator, he can consume anything and use their ability as his own. He also gains various immunities against elements and spells, which makes him a formidable enemy and a great ally.
1. Omni King Zeno (Dragon Ball Super)
In Dragon Ball Super, there’s only one other king who’s feared even by Beerus the God of Destruction and his counterparts. Omni King Zeno is the ruler of the multiverse, which includes all of its living beings, gods, and angels. This cute little being can annihilate an entire universe in an instant if he chooses to. After the Future Trunks Saga, this fearsome king met his future self, whom Goku desperately called upon for aid against Zamasu. During the Tournament of Power, both Omni Kings (of Present and Future) destroy any defeated universe with zero remorse. That just shows how powerful they are even in front of gods, the Kais, and other powerful representatives of various universes. Read next: The coolest anime weapons ever
