Many shonen anime revolve around the unique powers that characters possess. Here are some of the best ways these shows have portrayed such power.
Highlights
- Power systems in shonen anime are key to the conflicts and battles between characters, with different motivations driving these clashes.
- Detailed power systems enhance the audience’s engagement and prevent confusion in how actions are performed.
- Shonen power systems also offer unique abilities and applications for characters, adding excitement to the series.
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In shonen anime involving supernatural abilities, there are usually clashes among characters, which are spearheaded by a number of different motivations. Most of these anime revolve around a unique fantasy world or universe with various fantasy-based factors, ranging from unrealistic fighting methods to power systems like magic.
Power systems are usually universal factors most characters within a given universe can utilize for many reasons. These systems are usually harnessed to increase battle strength and skill. From One Piece’s Haki to Jujutsu Kaisen’s Cursed Energy, there are multiple power systems amidst the shonen genre. Among these, though, which are the best and most interesting?
Updated August 30, 2023, by Emedo Ashibeze: Sometimes, power systems in different anime might seem similar, but the way they are used and their fundamental properties remain very different. For example, magic may be facilitated by spirits in one world, but in other worlds, it could be empowered through different types of energy. Additionally, powers in these systems may manifest in different ways, making for different applications and different versions unique to individual characters. Usually, the more detailed a power system, the better, as it prevents confusion regarding how certain actions are performed and keeps the audience focused and engaged. However, even if a system isn’t very detailed, it could still present a lot of excitement, depending on how fascinating it is.
20 Energy – Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho is a series created by Yoshihiro Togashi, the author of Hunter X Hunter—another series with a well-thought-out power system. It tells the story of a young boy named Yusuke Urameshi, chosen to become a spirit detective after sacrificing himself to rescue a child. This introduced him to the world of spirits and demons, consequently becoming aware of the innate power he possessed.
This power is called aura or energy and is common to every being in the series. There are also special classifications of energy, as humans wield spirit energy and demons wield demon energy. By harnessing this energy, characters are able to enhance their strength, form weapons, or even heal. It can be influenced by emotions to an extent, and its potency varies from character to character.
19 Gourmet Energy – Toriko
Toriko is a series set in a fascinating and surreal world with a landscape comprising of food and other edible items. The main focus in the world of Toriko are characters who set out to discover rare ingredients for the sake of completing delicious dishes. The titular main character, Toriko, is one such individual, and people of his type are called gourmet hunters.
Many of these gourmet hunters harness power called gourmet energy or appetite energy. This is the fundamental energy of the world, and it has varying applications. It can be used to fire concentrated beams with devastating effects, create useful weapons or utensils, and increase the strength of certain body parts
18 Trion – World Trigger
World Trigger is a series that features otherworlders known as Neighbors and tells of their attack on the human world. In order to combat these powerful adversaries, humans employ the use of triggers, advanced weapons inspired by Neighbor technology.
In order to power their respective triggers, individuals employ their innate source of energy, referred to as Trions. This allows them to wield the full power of the triggers and create an enhanced body made of trions. By doing this, a fighter is able to increase his battle power significantly, though the amount of power granted varies depending on the trion values of each individual.
17 Magical Power – Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Deadly Sins is a series that plays host to a large number of powerful characters spanning different races and backgrounds. Many of these characters employ special abilities that are generally unique to them and are empowered by magic.
This magic is formally called magical power, and almost all the prominent beings in the series possess it. The abilities granted by it are split into nine different types depending on their purpose, varying from classifications like destruction to classifications like search and enchantment. Like many other power systems, the strength of abilities granted by magical power varies from person to person, and it is one of the key factors used in determining a person’s overall power level.
16 Devils – Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is a series with an intriguing concept surrounding the existence of devils. In many series, devils are supernatural beings that exist on their own, but in the world of Chainsaw Man, they are often employed by humans to further their own agendas or dispose of other rampaging devils.
Devils are born from the fears of humans, and their strength depends on just how great the collective fear for them is. Some affiliate with humans on a contractual basis, while others simply possess the bodies of dead humans. This mixture creates a system where humans are empowered by the abilities of certain devils and can use them for different purposes.
15 Rukh – Magi
Rukh is the unique power system featured in Magi, a compelling fantasy anime with a wide variety of characters. Rukh can be likened to magic but is fundamentally different from the popular concept. It resembles a large cluster of tiny bird-like beings that exist everywhere in the world of Magi. This magical element is inherent in every creation, ranging from humans to even air.
This element is controlled by the magicians in Magi, who manipulate Rukh to create powerful spells. One prolific user in the series is Aladdin, known to be loved by “Rukh” and capable of controlling it on a large scale.
14 Pyrokinesis – Fire Force
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Anime characters using fire powers is a common occurrence in the shonen genre; however, none of them handles the element of fire like Fire Force. The anime revolves around the concept of fire using pyrokinetics. The world of Fire Force was born as a result of the Great Cataclysm that destroyed the old world, creating infernals and pyrokinetics in the process.
The pyrokinetics are flame-manipulating individuals that wield flames in different ways depending on their categorization, which are either second-generation pyrokinetics, third-generation pyrokinetics or hybrids. Above all are the Adolla users, who possess otherworldly abilities that sometimes allow them to bend the concept of space and time.
13 Grimoire/Magic – Black Clover
Grimoires are magical tools used by the characters of Black Clover to manipulate mana/magic. The Grimoire is a special book that enables users to cast magical spells, ranging from offensive attacks to healing-oriented spells. Grimoires are used by mages in Black Clover, who are often members of the Magic Knights.
A mage can only use one grimoire in his lifetime, so every mage has to increase their mana manipulation skills to unlock powerful spells in their grimoire. Although there are exceptions to these rules, considering Asta and Yuno, the series’ main characters. Regardless, these rules remain fundamental to the concept of magic & grimoires in Black Clover.
12 Alchemy – Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is one of the greatest shonen classics following the story’s amazing themes and well-crafted power system. Alchemy is a remarkable power system closely associated with science. Essentially, it involves the manipulation of matter by alchemists. The whole process of matter manipulation is referred to as Transmutation.
The concept of alchemy is by far one of the most dangerous power systems in the shonen genre. It exacts a high price on unsuspecting users and is a delicate art that can only be implemented successfully by users with a deep understanding of the process.
11 Power Of The Titans – Attack On Titan
Undoubtedly, Attack on Titan has grown to be one of the most popular shonen anime of the decade. Looking at the story’s themes and plot development throughout the four seasons, it is easy to see why it is considered a gem in the shonen world. The power of the titans is the main power system in the series.
Although the default titans are mindless creatures with the aim of consuming humans, the titan shifters are of a special category. The Nine Titans are titan shifters with special abilities and traits, all traced to the bloodline of Ymir, the Founding Titan. Although using the power comes with great risks, it is a formidable asset in the war-torn world of Attack on Titan.
10 Servants – Fate
The Fate series presents a world involving different classes of mages battling for one purpose: The Holy Grail. To win the Holy Grail War, each contestant has to summon a Servant, who they can manipulate to perform their bidding using command spells. These servants can be very powerful, depending on the class.
Servants in Fate are grouped into Knight classes, Calvary classes, and Extra classes. Knight classes consist of saber, Lancer, and Archers, while Calvary Classes include Assassin, Berserker, Rider, and Caster. Lastly, the “Extra” class consists of rare types of servants that are generally powerful. They include Ruler, Moon Cancer, and Pretender Ego, among others.
9 Ki – Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is a leading anime within the shonen genre. Due to the complex power scaling of Dragon Ball, viewers tend to forget that the underlying power source in the show is Ki. “Ki” is the energy within the characters that they can harness and manipulate for different reasons.
Generally, Ki increases the fighting abilities of the user, and Ki manipulation experts can emit beams, blades and other powerful attacks.Dragon Ball’s Ki can’t be ranked high as a power system since the anime barely capitalizes on the concept.
8 Breathing Forms – Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer added a unique power system to the shonen anime franchise. In the Demon Slayer universe, characters wield blades while adopting different forms. Season 2 of the anime revealed the apex breathing form to be the Sun Breathing Style, since every other breathing form can be traced back to it.
Breathing forms in Demon Slayer are remarkably diverse. For instance, Rengoku’s fire breathing style and Tomioka’s Water Style are inherited from previous Breath User masters. However, deviant, self-made styles such as Inosuke’s Beast Breathing and Obanai’s Snake breathing form also exist.
7 Cursed Energy – Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen’s power system is as malevolent as it sounds. Cursed energy emanates from negative emotions, such as anger and bitterness, so every human in Jujutsu Kaisen has a certain amount of cursed energy. However, when a person’s Cursed Energy exceeds a certain level, they can see curses themselves, which are the manifestations of Cursed Energy.
Ideally, Jujutsu sorcerers, who are responsible for eliminating these curses, possess a large amount of cursed energy, which they can manipulate to different extents using cursed techniques – techniques created for curses erasure. These range from innate techniques to extension and maximum techniques.
6 Stands – JoJo Bizarre Adventures
Jojo Bizarre Adventures uses an interesting power system with limitless potential. A stand is the external manifestation of one’s life energy, and is an entity that can perform superhuman feats. Stand users control these stands to do their bidding, which can be good or evil, depending on the user’s intention. Occasionally, Stands are representations of one’s fighting spirit.
Each Stand is in no way similar to each other. For instance, one Stand can exhibit extraordinary strength, while another may have a more complex ability. An example is Kujo Jotaro’s stand, Platinum, which can stop time temporarily.
5 Quirks – My Hero Academia
In all of shonen, My Hero Academia’s “Quirks” is one of the most diverse power systems. In this hero-villain anime, Quirks are innate superhuman abilities. Some individuals with powerful quirks aspire to become heroes that can guarantee the public’s safety, mostly against villains – individuals who choose to use their Quirks to commit heinous acts.
Generally, Quirks manifest from birth, but in rare cases, they can be transferred – a case depicted by the show’s protagonist, Midoriya Izuku, and one of the apex villains in the show, All for One. Some quirks can be powerful, like Deku’s One for All, while some can be weak but effective, like Mineta’s Pop Off.
4 Nen – Hunter x Hunter
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Nen is introduced in Hunter x Hunter anime after the first few arcs. Like Ki, Nen is a form of life energy mostly harnessed by Hunters when they embark on expeditions. Due to the danger the ability can pose in the wrong hands, it is kept a secret from society.
Before one can unlock their Nen ability, they must first undergo intense training to discover their Nen Specialty. There are six types of Nen: Manipulation, Transmission, Conjuration, Enhancement, Specialization and Transmutation. Generally, Nen users can use only one type, but it is possible to use different classes. Pitou and Ging Freecs are prime examples.
3 Spiritual Pressure – Bleach
Spiritual Pressure, referred to as “Reiatsu,” is the signature power system of Bleach. The Bleach universe features the Shinigami, Quincys, Fullbringers, and other classes. However, the Shinigami is the main focal point of the show, and individuals in this class possess Spiritual Pressure, which is the basis of their abilities.
One of these abilities is Shikai, the first or second upgraded form a Zanpaktou can change into. However, the Shinigami’s supreme power lies in their Bankai, the final release of the Zanpaktou, which is incredibly powerful. To unlock Bankai, a Shinigami needs to materialize and effectively dominate their Zanpaktou spirit after they have been summoned to the physical world.
2 Chakra – Naruto & Boruto
Chakra is the core essence of Naruto and Boruto. Naruto features a world of ninjas that constantly engage in battles as a result of trans-generational malice between different clans. In such skirmishes, these ninjas, referred to as “Shinobis,” perform jutsu-based attacks that utilize Chakra.
The origin of Chakra was shrouded in mystery until the Fourth Great Ninja War, where it was revealed that Chakra was initially foreign energy that was brought to the world by Kaguya, an alien, after she consumed the Chakra Fruit. Generally, Chakra can be manipulated by ninjas to produce basic forms of ninjutsu, genjutsu and chakra-enhanced taijutsu techniques. However, it can also support advanced techniques like the Uchiha’s Susanoo.
1 Devil Fruit & Haki – One Piece
One Piece has a vast power system featuring double power sources that are separate, unlinked entities. Unlike Naruto’s Chakra-Jutsu connection, Haki and Devil Fruits work independently, but can be used together to achieve a higher power output. Devil Fruit is a unique fruit that, when eaten, empowers the user with unique abilities similar to the fruit’s nature. Devil fruits are classified into three types: Zoan, Paramecia, and Logia. The fruit types differ in the abilities they offer, which can range from animal-based features to elemental ones like ice and fire.
On the other hand, Haki is also a distinct power source. This unique power that allows users to utilize their spiritual energy for different reasons. Haki has different forms: Observation Haki, Armament, and Conqueror’s Haki. Observation Haki serves as a sixth sense that predicts the opponent’s moves, Armament Haki strengthens the user physically, and Conqueror’s Haki allows users to overpower the will of others. Even though Haki and Devil Fruit are different power systems in One Piece, some characters can use Haki in conjunction with Devil Fruit abilities. The main character, Luffy, is a classic example.
Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime
