Power in anime is a must, with the action focused on the majority of series released from season to season. The worlds created inside anime house some of the most devastatingly powerful individuals across multiple universes who deliver calamity against any who would face them. Anime is filled with ominous titles, but none hold as much weight as the moniker "The Strongest."

Kenshiro in Fist of the North Star (4)
8 Strongest Anime Characters Who Rely Purely On Physical Strength

It would be an understatement to say that these anime characters pack a punch...

Being the strongest means more than having immeasurable strength or an overpowered ability. The Strongest must be a level above everyone else in terms of strength, speed, intellect, and charisma. With so much anime, hundreds of characters have claimed the title, and many falter in the presence of true members of the pinnacle of power. Here are some of the best anime characters who represent the title of "The Strongest."

The character who best represents "The Strongest" does not have to be the most powerful person in their universe. That said, they often are.

Also, a show's popularity and quality matter to an extent, as these characters should spring to mind when somebody thinks "strongest." For example, My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me's Yogiri is arguably the strongest anime character ever, but the series is so underwhelming and polarizing that he doesn't warrant a spot in this discussion.

10 Saiki Kusuo

The Strongest Psychic Who Can Do Pretty Much Anything

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The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
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Release Date
2016 - 2018-00-00
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Streaming
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Japanese Title
Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan
Studio
J.C.Staff
Based On
Manga
Creator
Shūichi Asō
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix

In terms of the sheer range of capabilities, Saiki Kusuo is so absurdly powerful that he puts nearly every other character in this article to shame. He has clairvoyance, teleportation, electrokinesis, flight, astral projection, pyrokinesis, and about a billion other abilities that are overpowered on their own, let alone when working in tandem. He is so ridiculously strong, he needs to wear a device that greatly limits his power at all times, since letting it run freely would ruin the world. Even with this limitation, he is still capable of pulling off feats that most battle shonen protagonists could never dream of.

As The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Is a school gag comedy, Saiki's powers are mainly used for humor, and he basically never gets an opportunity to demonstrate his skills in traditional fights. Consequently, this limits his placement a bit, as the point of the anime is to show how the most OP character ever gets thrown out of whack by a group of the weirdest people in existence.

9 Yujiro Hanma

The Strongest Creature on Earth

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Baki
Baki
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Release Date
2018 - 2020-00-00
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Main Genre
Action
Creator(s)
Keisuke Itagaki
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix

In a series filled with the beefiest men to ever lift weights, Yujiro Hanma stands unchallenged as the primest slice of meat. Baki Hanma spends the entire story chasing after his (awful) father's shadow, going up against beings who would be considered the strongest in any other universe. In Baki, Yujiro's placement at the top of the food chain is beyond question, and none of the martial artists even consider challenging for his throne. He is not human, but rather an ogre who 100% lives up to that nickname.

Yujiro is so powerful that world leaders live in fear of him, as they know that he can destroy countries without breaking a sweat. He is also incredibly cruel, and he will viciously punish any signs of vulnerability. Except for maybe his (earned) arrogance, Yujiro has no weaknesses.

Technically, Yujiro reveals that he could not defeat his own father, Yuchiro; however, the latter dies long before the anime's start.

8 Sung Jinwoo

The Shadow Monarch

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Solo Leveling
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Release Date
2024 - 2025-00-00
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Seasons
1
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Creator
Chugong
Number of Episodes
25
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Solo Leveling took the anime world by storm by introducing one of the strongest main characters in recent history and bringing him and his army of shadows to life. Sung Jinwoo was an E-Rank hunter, the lowest of the low, until he was trapped inside a double dungeon and granted power.

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From the Absolute Being to Sung Jin-Woo, the Shadow Monarch, Solo Leveling has remarkably powerful characters.

Now, Sung Jinwoo grows more powerful with every battle and can harness the dead enemies he leaves behind to command as his minions. With an army of darkness and the ability to grow stronger, Sung Jinwoo radiates an aura that warns all those who may consider underestimating him. While his story is mostly done in the source material, Sung's anime journey has yet to reach its conclusion, so he still has to grow more powerful. However, even in the current timeline, he is widely stronger than pretty much all other hunters.

7 Madara Uchiha

The Ghost Of The Uchiha

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Naruto
Naruto
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Release Date
October 2, 2002
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Network
Adult Swim
Seasons
5
Studio
Pierrot
Creator
Masashi Kishimoto
Number of Episodes
220

Madara Uchiha's name is still enough to send a shiver down the spines of most ninjas, even one hundred years after his supposed death. The only rival the God of Ninja ever knew, Madara leads a campaign against the Village Hidden in the Leaves almost single-handedly.

His confident yet reserved nature hides a force of nature whose strength rivals even the most monstrous creations of the ninja world. Madara is a character who needs no introduction, as the act of taking on an entire army by himself during the Fourth Great Ninja War alone earns him a spot on this list.

6 Shanks

The Red-Haired Emperor

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One Piece
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Release Date
October 20, 1999
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Network
Fuji TV
Seasons
21
Studio
Toei Animation
Creator
Eiichiro Oda
Number of Episodes
1122
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Shanks is one of the most ominous characters in One Piece and has earned a reputation as one of the strongest characters in the entire series. His accolades have earned him the title of Sea Emperor, and he is known far and wide as a benevolent yet unstoppable force of nature.

Wherever Shanks' feet touch the ground becomes land not to tread on. Due to his peaceful nature, he is often thought of as non-combative. Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth, as with a single slash of his sword, he could cut the seas in half. As one of the few individuals to stand against Whitebeard, Shanks is not to be trifled with and holds the respect of not just his respective series but the anime community as a whole.

5 All Might

The Symbol Of Peace

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My Hero Academia
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Release Date
2016 - 2025-00-00
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Seasons
8
Studio
Bones
Creator
Kōhei Horikoshi
Number of Episodes
159

My Hero Academia adapted the style of Western comics and delivered one of the best superheroes ever created, one who emanates a powerful aura of assurance, nobility, and strength. All Might started as a Quirkless young man with dreams of making an impact in the world and changing it for the better. He was gifted One For All by Nana Shimura and became the greatest hero the world has ever known, All Might.

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During his career, All Might prided himself on being the one to cull the storm by simply appearing on the front line. With only the image of his back, All Might brought peace to a warring nation, and he undoubtedly deserves the title of The Strongest.

4 Isaac Netero

The Master Of Nene That Stands Above

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Hunter x Hunter
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TV-14
Animation
Action & Adventure
Comedy
Fantasy
Science-Fiction
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Release Date
2011 - 2014
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Streaming
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Seasons
4
Studio
Madhouse
Creator
Yoshihiro Togashi
Number of Episodes
148

The world of Hunter x Hunter is filled with powerful individuals who control paranormal abilities that greatly vary from person to person. With the right training and proper direction, Hunters can become unimaginably powerful and achieve levels rivaling godhood.

That was the path for Issac Netero, the Chairman of the Hunters' Association. Having forged his body in an exceptional example of power and strength, Netero achieved a level of power that placed him atop a pedestal, overseeing the entire world, and rivaled by no one in terms of skill, dedication, or prowess.

3 Benimaru

The King Of Destruction

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Fire Force
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Release Date
July 5, 2019
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Seasons
3
Studio
David Production
Creator(s)
Atsushi Ohkubo

Fire Force is a supernatural anime set in a world where everyday citizens could be victims of spontaneous combustion, which causes them to turn into demon-like beasts called Infernals. Infernals plague the world as fiery monsters who wreak havoc wherever they go.

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To combat these beasts, the Fire Force was created, consisting of normal and abnormal individuals. One such individual is Benimaru Shinmon, Captain of the Seventh Fire Force Company. As a dual pyrotechnic, Benimaru can both produce and manipulate fire, and he does so masterfully. With hard work and dedication, Benimaru shaped his body into the perfect weapon with enough strength and power to end any battle with a single strike. Benimaru's attitude matches his level of power as his eyes hold wisdom and confidence behind them.

2 Satoru Gojo

The Lone Honored One

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Jujutsu Kaisen
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Release Date
October 3, 2020
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Seasons
1
Studio
MAPPA
Creator
Gege Akutami
Number of Episodes
47

One of the finest examples of the strongest is Satoru Gojo, and there is no argument about his standing in Jujutsu Kaisen. As a born prodigy gifted with the Limitless technique and the Six-Eyes, Satoru Gojo's birth ushered in an era of peace, as no curse or curse user could stand against him.

Satoru only grew more powerful with age and soon became the unrivaled honored one who knew no equal and stood at the pinnacle of Jujutsu Sorcery. Gojo made even the most formidable curses in history look like a child fighting against a giant with minimal use of his power.

1 Saitama

The One Punch God

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One-Punch Man
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Release Date
October 5, 2015
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Seasons
3
Studio
Madhouse, J.C.Staff
Creator(s)
Yusuke Murata
Number of Episodes
36

One-Punch Man is a beloved series set in a world involving professional heroes. These heroes fight against monsters that sprout up all across the country and save the day. Saitma was an average man who, through "diligent training," turned himself into the strongest hero in the universe.

With nothing but physical strength, speed, and determination, Saitama ends every fight with a single punch, and he must continue to hold back lest he break the world apart. Saitama has demonstrated the ability to completely obliterate opponents with the slightest effort and the absolute minimum amount of strength.

Honorable Mentions

Anime is absolutely packed with strong beings who can destroy mountains or jump over buildings. While the above powerhouses embody the "strongest" more completely than the rest, the following characters could also claim that title.

  • Accelerator (A Certain Magical Index/A Certain Scientific Railgun) – The strongest Esper, Accelerator is initially far more powerful than anybody else; even after his power is reduced significantly, he is still stronger than nearly anybody else.
  • Ainz (Overlord) – Isekai anime has such an overabundance of overpowered protagonists that they kind of cancel each other out. That said, Ainz is probably the strongest.
  • Anos Voldigoad (The Misfit of Demon King Academy) – Anos is overpowered enough to make other OP characters seem weak. If it were not for the underwhelming sequels, he might have been included.
  • Broly (Dragon Ball)Dragon Ball is surprisingly hard to pick a candidate, as there are too many who kind of fit. Once upon a time, Goku was regarded as the definitive "strong anime character," but that reputation has faded in recent years. Lore-wise, Zeno is definitely the strongest Dragon Ball character, but he is a relatively minor figure in the story. Ultimately, Broly is the best pick due to his "Legendary Super Saiyan" status, but his aura was hurt by multiple losses.
  • Koro-sensei (Assassination Classroom) – This quirky octopus basically holds the entire world hostage for a year, and he only lets go when he is good and ready.
  • Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama (Mob Psycho 100) – Mob was mostly left out because One-Punch Man's Saitama was already part of the main list.
  • Yogiri Takatou (My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me) – I mean, I still have to include Yogiri since he can kill anybody with a single thought. Hell, his power is not even limited to living objects.
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