10 Most Overpowered Anime Characters, Ranked

The anime industry features a wide range of genres, yet many series are often compared through the lens of power scaling and the strength of their characters. Most of these figures tend to originate from the Shonen genre, as Shonen stories usually revolve around characters growing stronger. However, this is not a strict rule, as many overpowered characters have also emerged from other distinct genres.

There is an abundance of overpowered anime characters, often portrayed on a god-like level. For this list, however, we will be excluding such figures, like Zeno from the Dragon Ball universe, whose power feels unearned. Instead, we have highlighted 10 overpowered anime characters who stand out with their own unique tone and distinct presence.

10) Monkey D. Luffy

There is no doubt that with the introduction of Gear 5, Luffy has become not only one of the strongest characters in One Piece but also one of the most formidable figures in the entire anime industry. His Gear 5 transformation stands out as one of the most outrageous abilities recently introduced in any Shonen series. While on the surface it might seem that Gear 5 simply makes him more rubbery, the true nature of this form lies in its almost materialistic ability.

In Gear 5, Luffy can conjure and manipulate virtually anything, from manifesting glasses out of thin air to grabbing lightning itself. The essence of Gear 5 is its power to bring Luffy’s imagination to life, allowing him to manifest whatever he envisions. Because of this, and considering the potential for him to grow even stronger, Luffy unquestionably deserves a spot on this list and may, in the future, become even more ridiculously powerful.

9) Saitama

Saitama from One-Punch Man, created by One, needs no introduction as an overpowered anime character. With the concept of defeating his enemies with a single punch, Saitama is essentially a parody character, and fans often argue that he could defeat any other character on this list with just one strike.

The reason Saitama, a mere human, became so strong is just as absurd as his one-punch ability. This is why, even though Saitama is undeniably overpowered, he doesn’t rank much higher on this list because his backstory is not as compelling as others. Still, it is the ridiculous intent behind his character that earns him a well-deserved place here.

8) Meruem

Meruem is the final antagonist of the Hunter x Hunter anime, featured in the series’s last arc, the Chimera Ant arc. Born of the Chimera Ant Queen, Meruem was destined to rule the world and remains one of the strongest characters in the series to date. From his birth, he was portrayed as a being with infinite potential, capable of growing stronger by consuming anything he devoured.

In addition, his superior intellect allowed him to adapt to any situation, and as an Emitter Nen user from birth, Meruem was physically unmatched. If not for Netero’s suicidal attack, Meruem could have continued to evolve and possibly avoided death altogether. However, it was likely his connection with Komugi that led him to accept his fate, as otherwise his potential seemed almost limitless.

7) Natsuke Hirose

Natsuke Hirose is an entry anime fans might not have expected to see, but the ability she possesses is truly worth crediting. Natsuke comes from MAPPA’s original anime Zenshu, released earlier this year in 2025. As the female lead, she stands out with an almost omnipotent level of power that is uniquely distinctive. Burnt out from working on a new project in real life, Natsuke is transported into one of her own animated works.

With her deep knowledge of both the inside and outside of her creations, Natsuke’s ability as an “animator”, the power to draw things into existence, elevates her to another level entirely. After all, who could be more powerful than the creator of the anime itself? Just as intriguing as Natsuke’s ability is, the anime itself is compelling and well-structured, built around the many elements of an overpowered protagonist.

6) Shigeo Kageyama

Shigeo Kageyama from Mob Psycho, better known as Mob, is the second overpowered character in this list, created by the same author, One. What makes Mob stand out as a stronger, overpowered anime character than Saitama is how his entire existence feels deeply compelling and serves as the heart of the series. On the surface, Mob appears to be nothing more than a high schooler trying to live an ordinary teenage life while harboring a simple crush.

In reality, however, he is an esper with psychic powers that have no limits. During his internship, he helps exorcise cursed spirits with his abilities, but when he loses control of his emotions, his psychic power escalates to an almost omnipotent level. No one in Mob Psycho comes close to Mob’s strength, and if he were to face any other characters on this list, he would surely put up a fight and might even win.

5) Gojo Satoru

Jujutsu Kaisen, one of Shonen Jump’s most distinctive and darkest series, has produced not only an overpowered anime character in Gojo Satoru but also one of the most popular anime characters of all time. His fan following is unparalleled, with reports of fans even holding a funeral after his death, a testament to how deeply Gojo touched the hearts of viewers.

He is simply referred to as the “Strongest” in Jujutsu Kaisen, and from the day he was born, the balance of cursed energy in the world shifted. While fans may argue that Sukuna is stronger, Gojo has the advantage of overwhelming power despite having only 30 years of life experience compared to Sukuna’s millennium. Gojo is clearly one of the most overpowered anime characters of all time, as his entire presence embodies strength and nothing else.

4) Rimuru Tempest

The Isekai genre in anime is one of the most popular, and it often introduces overpowered characters with unparalleled abilities. While there are many such characters, Rimuru Tempest from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime stands out as one of the most distinctive. It is the premise itself that makes Rimuru such a fascinating overpowered character.

Before being reborn into a magical realm, Rimuru was an average salaryman in Japan. His reincarnation into a new world serves as a beacon of fantasy for those with similar experiences. Starting out as a slime, Rimuru gains the ability to copy anything he devours and sets out on a journey to essentially build his own empire. With the main ability that is immeasurable, Rimuru stands out as a character with infinite potential.

3) Goku

This list would be incomplete without mentioning the Dragon Ball franchise and its main character, Son Goku, a Saiyan who lives and dies for fighting. While there are characters in the series far stronger than Goku, the hero’s journey of constantly overcoming adversaries and achieving new forms has become a symbol of never giving up for fans.

It is plausible that without Goku’s transformations, the Shonen genre’s formula of depicting a character’s growth through physical change would not exist. But it isn’t just the cultural impact that places Goku so high; it is also his feats, such as defeating threats like Kid Buu, who had the power to eradicate entire planets, and becoming the strongest fighter in the Tournament of Power with Ultra Instinct. Goku has undoubtedly become one of the most overpowered anime characters and will go down in history as such.

2) Frieren

The titular protagonist of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is easily one of the most overpowered mage characters ever featured in anime. What makes Frieren stand out from the rest is her existence spanning more than half a millennium. The short-statured mage is essentially a vessel of knowledge accumulated over five centuries, and without the fear of death as an Elf, Frieren continues to grow even stronger.

In the first season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, the series highlights how time is essential to gaining knowledge and, by extension, strength. This theme lies at the heart of the story, embodied perfectly by Frieren. It is evident that the series’s central message is that experience and knowledge are the most overpowered aspects of life, making Frieren’s place on this list particularly special.

1) Sung Jinwoo

The reason Sung Jinwoo is at the top of this list is because of the recent wave of popularity he helped generate for Solo Leveling and manhwa. It is undeniable that Solo Leveling has become a new-gen anime with an impact possibly comparable to what Dragon Ball achieved for the medium. While Goku helped shape Dragon Ball and anime into what they are today, Sung Jinwoo is doing the same for the manhwa industry.

However, it isn’t just the cultural impact of Solo Leveling that places Jinwoo at the top, but it is also how he became the most overpowered character in the series. With the system’s ability, Jinwoo can level up infinitely, and controlling a powerful army is only one of the hundreds of abilities he possesses. The main reason Jinwoo stands out as the best new-gen overpowered anime character, though, is how he embodies the journey of an ordinary person rising from zero to hero, a story that has deeply resonated with the audience.

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