In the world of anime, who are the strongest characters to ever grace the screen? The medium is full of iconic personalities who are watched by millions of fans. Many possess superhuman powers and phenomenal strength, giving them the ability to change the course of a battle with a single attack. Anime fans are known for their intense passion and dedication, and nowhere is this more evident than in the never-ending debate over the strongest warriors in anime history.
Of course, even the toughest of fighters have foes who can defeat them and special techniques they're vulnerable to. Nobody's unbeatable. Even so, though, some anime powerhouses are respected by series fans for their tremendous powers, special abilities and potential. Here are some of the strongest ever.
10 Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
Sasuke Uchiha is an absolute powerhouse in the anime world of Naruto. He is a powerful ninja from the Uchiha clan known for his unique Sharingan eye, which allows him to copy and use any jutsu (ninja techniques) he sees with great proficiency.
This makes him a formidable opponent in battle, as he can use his enemies' own techniques against them. Sasuke is a master of taijutsu and is highly skilled in the use of ninjutsu and genjutsu. All of this combined makes him a formidable opponent capable of fighting most characters, including Naruto himself. However, while he is a powerful and experienced fighter, he may lack the raw physical strength and unique abilities that other anime stars possess.
9 Kenshiro (Fist of the North Star)
Kenshiro, the protagonist of the popular anime and manga series Fist of the North Star, is a formidable warrior who possesses exceptional martial arts abilities. His fighting style, known as Hokuto Shinken, is a deadly and powerful technique that allows him to defeat a wide range of opponents with ease.
Kenshiro's signature talents (such as the ability to strike pressure points and cause internal damage), combined with his immense physical strength and endurance, make him a stronger opponent than Sasuke Uchiha for example. However, there are beings elsewhere in anime who are at a higher level of power.
8 Alucard (Hellsing)
Alucard is a mighty vampire from the anime and manga series Hellsing. This sharply-dressed warrior has it all: superhuman strength, speed, endurance, shapeshifting, regeneration, and the ability to control bats! He's a master marksman and swordsman and can wield any weapon with ease.
He's also immortal, which is quite the boon in any battle (obviously). The reason Alucard isn't at the top of the list is that his abilities can be a bit fickle. He's got so many forms and powers, like the Jackal form and the devastating No Life King mode, but he can't always access them. Only when he is in a state of high emotion or a dire situation (when he is fighting against powerful enemies or is protecting someone meaningful) can he unleash his full fury.
7 Giorno Giovanna (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Giorno Giovanna, a character from the popular anime and manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, is a formidable opponent and a true force to be reckoned with. He possesses a powerful Stand called Gold Experience, which is a supernatural manifestation of his fighting abilities.
However, Giorno's lack of experience also plays a role. He is a relatively new character compared to the other JoJo's veterans, who have been around for a long time and have had more time to hone their abilities and perfect their fighting styles. His lack of raw power and limited experience holds him back somewhat for some anime fans.
6 Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
Ichigo Kurosaki, a central character from the anime and manga series Bleach, is known for his immense strength and power. He is a Soul Reaper, a being tasked with fighting against evil spirits known as Hollows. One of his unique abilities is the ability to see ghosts, which gives him an edge in the battle against otherworldly enemies. He also possesses a high spiritual energy, which he uses to wield a powerful weapon called a Zanpakuto. Ichigo, He can also access his inner Hollow and become an even more powerful warrior.
Ichigo's powers are enormous, but not consistent throughout the series. He is known for having multiple forms and abilities, such as his Hollow form and his Getsuga Tensho technique. However, these abilities are not always available to him. Just as with Alucard, the lack of consistency can be a big drawback.
5 Beerus (Dragon Ball Super)
Beerus, from Dragon Ball Super, is an incredibly powerful being known as a God of Destruction. He possesses immense strength and is capable of destroying planets with ease. His strength is such that he can prevail in battle against some of the strongest characters in the series, such as Goku and Vegeta.
Despite Beerus' immense power, he's known for having quite the significant weakness: His lack of stamina. He can unleash true devastation with his special techniques, but when it comes to long fights, this takes a toll. He'll surely need a break or two. Unlike Goku, who can fight for hours on end while barely breaking a sweat, Beerus can exhaust himself quickly, so struggles to utilize his powers at their very pinnacle.
4 All Might (My Hero Academia)
All Might is a Pro Hero and one of the most acclaimed characters in My Hero Academia. He has a superhuman level of strength and speed, rendering him able to lift and move huge objects with ease. He is also known for his powerful quirk, One for All, which grants him immense strength and speed and allows him to deliver devastating blows to his opponents.
Although extremely strong, All Might's age and his past injuries also play a role in his power level. He is not as young as other characters and has sustained injuries over the course of his career as a Pro Hero. As a result, formidable as he is, he's no longer able to fulfill his true potential.
3 Whis (Dragon Ball Super)
Dragon Ball's Whis is an angelic being who is considered a powerful and formidable fighter. He is the mentor and trainer of the God of Destruction, Beerus, and as such his own capabilities are undeniable.
While Whis is a mighty, respected being in Dragon Ball Super, his lack of engagement in battle holds him back. His unique abilities are not always being tested, either, which means that his sharpness is not on the spot. Additionally, Whis is known to use his powers to resolve conflicts peacefully, which means that he is not always engaging in battles to flex his full strength and abilities.
2 Saitama (One-Punch Man)
Saitama from One-Punch Man possesses immense strength and physical capabilities. Famously, they allow him to defeat almost any opponent with just one punch, regardless of their own strength or power level. He has trained himself to an extraordinary level, making him incredibly fast, durable, and agile. He is able to endure tremendous amounts of damage in return.
Many of the elite warriors of anime boast staggering physical capabilities. The difference is Saitama's unique party trick: his physical abilities are not limited by any known laws of physics. This does mean, however, that this is precious little scope for development and potential in that regard. As such, Saitama's could be considered to be beaten out by one last iconic anime protagonist.
1 Goku (Dragon Ball)
Goku. Kakarot. This star is known for his powerful moves such as the Kamehameha and Spirit Bomb, as well as his ability to elevate himself to stronger forms such as the iconic Super Saiyan. Throughout the series, he is portrayed as a strong, determined warrior who is always willing to put himself in harm's way to protect his friends and loved ones.
He is also constantly pushing himself to become stronger and defeat his enemies, which he seems to unfailingly do (with some crucial help from friends at times). Goku is the most powerful and selfless hero who is always ready to save the day. This is not only because he has all this power, but also because his heart, his trust and resolve are equally strong. His potential is limitless, and his capacities are constantly growing. That's why many anime fans consider him the very strongest.