The Deadliest Anime Character Of All Time May Not Be Who You Think

In various genres of storytelling, there’s a wealth of formidable antagonists. These range from comic book supervillains, heavily battle-scarred fantasy warriors, to terrifying celestial monstrosities. The human mind is capable of unearthing extraordinary heroes and villains that surpass the limitations of mere mortals – even those in the realm of physical possibilities. It’s worth noting that anime often features some of the most menacing characters across all fictional realms.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been captivated by the vibrant world of anime – the animation from Japan that spans an incredible array of genres, from the mundane charm of slice-of-life stories to the chilling horror scenes, heartwarming romance, and everything in between. However, what truly sets my adrenaline pumping is the action genre, a favorite not just among gamers like me but internationally. The artistry behind these action anime series is nothing short of breathtaking, as artists skillfully employ the animated medium to portray movement and power in ways that feel almost divine, particularly when depicting the spectacular effects of formidable characters unleashing their deadly abilities on their rivals in thrilling and innovative fashion.

In a different wording: Some anime characters possess extraordinary abilities such as eliminating you with a swift pen movement, demolishing deities with a solitary blow, or tossing galaxies casually like Frisbees. However, the question remains, which character from anime, and even fiction at large, is the most lethal? If you’re interested in discovering the answer, it might not be who you expect.

Light (Death Note)

Back in the years 2006-2007, I found myself immersed in an engaging anime series titled “Death Note,” inspired by a manga of the same name. The show’s concept was reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone” with a touch of the extraordinary. As a student, I stumbled upon this peculiar notebook, its title emblazoned as “Death Note” in English – a language that has transcended borders.

At first, I was hesitant about the book’s strange powers, but curiosity got the best of me. I wrote a name in the book, and to my astonishment, it led to that person’s demise. This event brought forth a grotesque spirit known as Ryuk, a Shinigami or death god, who enlightened me about the Death Note’s rules and encouraged me to continue wielding its power.

Fortunately for Ryuk, Light is evolving into a crypto-fascist with an authoritarian bent, and he’s the son of a police officer. It’s fitting, considering his overly-simplistic perspective on crime. Using the pseudonym Kira, Light develops an inflated sense of divine power as he controls life and death with just a pen stroke. Ironically, Light overlooks the underlying societal factors that drive crime, instead choosing to kill indiscriminately to boost his self-righteousness (which eventually devolves into blatant hypocrisy as he begins killing merely to safeguard his own identity).

Certainly, Light’s lethality stems from his possession of the “Death Note,” yet he remains the primary user we encounter in the anime. In another context, one might question whether Tony Stark poses danger inherently or if it’s his armor that does. Regardless, Light has earned a spot on the list for wielding a formidable weapon and demonstrating mastery over its use.

Cioccolata and Green Day (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” is a stylishly unique anime that stands out, with its distinctive, sleekly cool design being its most recognized feature. The series originates from a manga of the same name and chronicles the Joestar family, whose names often simplify to “JoJo.” Each member experiences extraordinary adventures across different generations, as suggested by the title itself.

In the thrilling world of JoJo, we fans find a unique naming convention that pays homage to music. Characters like the series’ menacing antagonist, Dio Brando, bear names linked to heavy metal bands, in his case, reminiscent of the iconic band Dio, itself derived from rock legend Ronnie James Dio. It’s also common for characters to wield supernatural entities known as “Stands,” often sharing names with rock bands, further enhancing the musical theme that permeates this extraordinary universe.

Among the most lethal villains in “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” is a character named Cioccolata, whose extraordinary ability is a being known as “Green Day.” This moniker is borrowed from the popular ’90s punk-rock band. Unlike the band, Green Day’s power isn’t about singing or political activism. Instead, it manifests as a massive, toxic green gas that produces a deadly mold capable of rapidly rotting human flesh. In fact, this mold has been confirmed to have obliterated entire cities in the series, making Cioccolata and his Green Day Stand among the most dangerous characters not just in “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure,” but across the broader anime genre as well.

Madara (Naruto)

“Naruto” is a well-known, extended anime that initially appeared as a manga in 1999 and was subsequently transformed into an anime in 2002. The story of the manga and anime revolves around Naruto Uzumaki, our clumsy main character, who aims to become a ninja master. In the world of “Naruto,” ninjas are equipped with superpowers to aid them in combat, so most significant characters in the series possess some sort of extraordinary talent. As the story unfolds, Naruto acquires various powers, such as the Shadow Clone technique, which enables him to create copies of himself, and his Nine Tails Chakra Mode, which allows for healing and transformation into a radiant beast.

In the “Naruto” manga and anime, there are two main sections divided by a time jump. The initial anime series carries on as simply “Naruto,” while the second is named “Naruto: Shippuden.” In “Naruto: Shippuden,” Naruto along with other ninjas wage battles against numerous dangers to safeguard their village, and eventually the entire world. This includes confronting Madara, a lethal adversary who initially appeared through flashbacks in the early series, and is known for his impeccable style.

As a gamer, I can attest that Madara is no ordinary character in this universe. His power rivals that of a deity, with an impressive blend of formidable combat skills and a vast arsenal of magical abilities. From regeneration to superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes, his powers are almost endless. To top it off, he’s incredibly smart, making him a grandmaster of manipulation and strategy. In a world where magic ninjas with over-the-top powers run rampant, Madara stands out as one of the most overpowered among them, which makes him a truly deadly adversary.

Akira (Akira)

1988’s groundbreaking cyberpunk anime film “Akira,” created by Katsuhiro Otomo and adapted from his own 1982 manga, is often hailed not only as one of the best Japanese animation movies ever made, but also as one of the greatest animated films globally. Furthermore, it’s credited for playing a significant role in popularizing anime in the U.S, with earlier imports like “Astro Boy” and “Speed Racer” from the 1960s having been dubbed, syndicated, and primarily shown on Saturday morning kids’ TV.

As a passionate fan, let me express that Akira didn’t just demonstrate the uniqueness of Japanese animation; it also served as a game-changer, challenging the longstanding belief that animation is solely for kids or must adhere to Disney’s formula. Pioneers like 1981’s Heavy Metal and Ralph Bakshi’s works were right there alongside Akira, proving that animation can be mature, gritty, and thought-provoking too. This misconception still lingers today.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my perspective on the iconic anime “Akira.” This groundbreaking masterpiece is set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo of 2019, a city that was devastated by the explosive powers of a psychic child named Akira, many years prior. Fast forward to the storyline, and we follow a rebellious teenage biker named Tetsuo, who gets apprehended by the government for his own latent psychic prowess. Their aim? To exploit his abilities for military purposes.

However, as the experiments escalate, Tetsuo transforms into a dangerous being himself. In his quest for power and understanding, he unearths Akira’s remains. The movie concludes with a chilling twist: Akira, even in death, demonstrates his immense power by resurrecting momentarily and creating a new universe, simultaneously transporting Tetsuo to another plane of existence while destroying Tokyo once more – solidifying Akira’s status as one of the deadliest characters in anime history.

Tomura Shigaraki (My Hero Academia)

In “My Hero Academia,” the story takes place within a world where an astounding 80% of its inhabitants possess extraordinary abilities known as “Quirks.” These Quirks encompass abilities that are typically expected such as super-strength, invulnerability, and flight, or more unconventional ones like launching sticky purple projectiles, verbally manifesting onomatopoeias into physical forms, and assuming human-animal hybrid shapes. Interestingly, this last one shares similarities with certain characters in superhero comic books.

As a hardcore gamer, let me tell you about some characters in this game that are downright lethal. Take Stain for example, if he manages to draw blood from you, he can render you immobile. Then there’s Meat, a supervillain who wields super strength and uses it to kill without discrimination. And don’t forget about All-Might when he was at his peak. He might as well be Superman minus the flying ability, but with all that power, if he ever goes rogue, he could cause a lot of damage.

Without a doubt, the greatest force in the world of “My Hero Academia” seems to be wielded by the main antagonist, Tomura Shigaraki. His unique ability, called Decay, has a chilling effect: anything he touches disintegrates into dust. As his power grows, he can even cause buildings and entire cities to crumble at will. To make matters worse, he leads the League of Villains and is the apprentice of All-for-One, one of the most terrifying villains in anime history, who gained power when people started developing Quirks many generations ago (though the exact timeline is debated among fans). What makes Shigaraki even more dangerous is that he’s been genetically modified to make his Decay ability even more lethal.

Saitama (One-Punch Man)

The lesser-known fact about “One-Punch Man” is that it started as a humorous web-comic penned by an artist known as “One,” which eventually morphed into a manga and an anime. These adaptations serve as a witty critique of the Shonen genre, often referred to as “boy’s comics.” This style predominantly revolves around action and martial arts, though it may still include elements of romance, albeit less frequently. The Shonen genre is best represented by the famous “Dragon Ball” series and other shows inspired by “Dragon Ball.

The series “One-Punch Man” humorously critiques the Shonen genre’s common focus on excessive power displays, leading to predictable storytelling when characters become excessively powerful. The protagonist, Saitama, embodies this concept with his name itself hinting at his extraordinary abilities. With a single punch, he can annihilate any foe—from ordinary humans to monsters, demons, kaiju, and even gods. His renowned one-punch move reduces adversaries to nothing more than a spectacular explosion.

Much humor arises from the excessive boasting of villains following their destruction of numerous heroes, only for them to be swiftly defeated by Saitama with just one punch. Interestingly, Saitama is frustrated that his battles lack intensity since he effortlessly defeats every adversary he encounters, regardless of their strength or power. He yearns for a worthy opponent, yet continues to eliminate any foe who crosses his path.

Simon the Digger (Gurren Lagann)

In the anime series “Gurren Lagann,” which originally aired in 2007 and was based on a manga from the same year, Simon, our main character, is a digger. Living in an underground society following a catastrophic alien invasion that destroyed much of the planet, Simon’s life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a mech called “Gurren Lagann.” Using this powerful machine, Simon embarks on a journey to defend Earth from extraterrestrial threats.

Following this, the program carries on in a manner reminiscent of a somewhat conventional yet vividly animated mecha anime, until the finale when Simon controls a mech colossal compared to the entire universe, known as the Super Tengen Toppa Guren Lagann (STTGL). Eventually, he gains the ability to hurl galaxies at his adversaries like discuses.

It’s evident that hurling galaxies is incredibly destructive. Among the characters on this list, only a few possess powers as devastating as this, capable of causing widespread destruction on a cosmic level. Unlike Light and the Death Note, the galaxy-flinging mech from “Gurren Lagann” is directly linked to Simon’s fighting spirit, making him the primary controller of this immense power. To clarify, when Simon fights in the series, it occurs within an unpopulated alternate dimension; however, his power and potential danger remain undiminished.

Grand Zeno, the Omni-King (Dragon Ball Super)

In the world of “Dragon Ball,” Goku and Vegeta are undoubtedly popular favorites due to their tough personas. However, despite their prominence, they aren’t the most powerful beings in the series. Interestingly, the title of most powerful character might belong to Grand Zeno, the Omni-King, who made his debut in “Dragon Ball Super.

In essence, while many viewers consider “Dragon Ball Super” as a genuine successor to “Dragon Ball GT”, there’s ongoing debate among fans about the canonical status of “GT”. This is due to the fact that the original creator of “Dragon Ball”, Akira Toriyama, had left the franchise after “DBZ”, and “GT” was produced by Toei studios without his direct involvement (except for some consultation). Later on, Toriyama re-entered the series with “Dragon Ball Super”, introducing plotlines that contradict certain aspects of the “GT” storyline.

In essence, “Dragon Ball: Super” employs an engaging narrative framework, primarily revolving around a multiverse setting. Here, characters from diverse “Dragon Ball” realms engage in battles against each other. Introduced as the supreme ruler of all these universes is Grand Zeno, a powerful deity who stands out among the mightiest figures within the “Dragon Ball” cosmos and beyond. An intriguing detail reveals that this omnipotent being demolished several universes in a fit of anger, resulting in a death toll so enormous that it necessitates scientific notation to compute accurately.

Usagi Tsukino, aka Sailor Moon (Sailor Moon)

In a series like “Sailor Moon,” known for its adorable magical girls, one might not initially associate the main character Usagi Tsukino (a.k.a Sailor Moon) with the term “deadly.” However, in the context of her role, she indeed embodies this quality. The use of “deadly” here raises a question: are we referring to the number of lives lost or is it more about the potential for causing severe harm? For example, John Wick may be considered less deadly if he’s currently retired and not actively engaging in violence, but his skills and abilities still pose a significant threat.

It’s indeed a thought-provoking question, as Sailor Moon possesses immense destructive power among the top anime characters ever created. However, much like a retired action hero such as John Wick, Sailor Moon generally does not actively use these capabilities.

In 1991, “Sailor Moon” first appeared as a manga created by Naoko Takeuchi. The following year, it was transformed into an anime that spanned numerous seasons and spawned numerous spin-offs. Initially, Usagi Tsukino is depicted as an ordinary, somewhat clumsy high school student. Yet, she receives her Sailor Moon powers from a talking black cat named Luna. Throughout the series, Usagi encounters other Sailor Scouts like popular character Sailor Mercury. Eventually, Usagi’s cosmic abilities grow to the point where she can obliterate entire dimensions. In the manga, her power is suggested as almost divine, a hint that is present in the anime as well.

Yogiri Takatou (Instant Death)

Currently, we’ve arrived at arguably the most lethal anime character: Yogiri Takatou from “My Ability Makes Instant Death Inevitable, No One in This Alternate World Can Compete!” The title, although lengthy (often shortened to simply “Instant Death”), effectively encapsulates the essence.

In the animated series, Yogiri is a lethargic student with a dry wit and a penchant for getting lost in fantastical realms while attempting to return home. Along his journey, he encounters new allies, faces adversaries, and engages in battles. Interestingly, as suggested by the title, Yogiri’s ability is unique – just by thinking about it, anyone he targets meets an immediate demise. This includes not only ordinary humans but also formidable creatures such as monsters, demons, celestial beings, and even gods. In fact, there’s no power more powerful than his. Even the invincible Saitama needs to physically touch his enemies before killing them with his signature one punch; however, Yogiri merely has to focus his thoughts.

In the magical realm of Yogiri, it’s fortunate for its inhabitants that he isn’t prone to violence, as he strives to refrain from taking lives except in situations where it’s unavoidable, typically when his or his companions’ lives are at stake. Over the course of the series, we learn that Yogiri is a terrifying eldritch entity, adding another layer to his character.

2025-03-30 19:32