Power-ups are some of the most critical moments inanime. Besides raising a character’s strength, a power-up can revamp the story, reveal or infuse character depth; they change how viewers understand prior context and make predictions of what’s to come. Overall, great power-ups does more than raise the battle stakes or provide amazing visuals.
Power-ups are a staple in fantasy anime; it’s rare for one to truly surprise. However, in spite of the medium’s predispositions, these moments overdelivered on both thrill and relevance. These transformations nudged characters into uncharted territory, making their underlying story more appealing; they create excitement and drive conversations and engagement among fans and geek culture enthusiasts.
Gon’s Adult Transformation (Hunter × Hunter)
Gon transforms into a full-grown powerhouse towards theChimera Ant arc’s ending. After discovering Kite’s fate, he’s pushed to his emotional limit, blaming himself and Pitou, until he makes a desperate vow to “use everything,” and suddenly, he’s not 12 years old anymore.
He transforms into a muscular adult, with strength and speed enhanced to god-tier levels due to the life-threatening amount of Nen he sacrifices. In this form, he finishes Pitou off and is unbothered when Pitou takes off his arm.
Even though Gon’s display of power is iconic, it shows the downside of Gon’s resolve. Growing naturally, Gon could have still attained that level of strength. Instead, he buried his potential for one moment of glory.
Ichigo’s Bankai Reveal (Bleach)
One of thegreatest moments inBleachcame during Ichigo’s fight against Byakuya. Initially, Ichigo’s on the losing end, receiving Senbonzakura Kageyoshi’s blade petals, and Byakuya is confident that Ichigo doesn’t stand a chance. Eventually, Ichigo announces that he’s gotten his Bankai. To Byakuya’s surprise, Ichigo’s appearance changes, and he reveals Tensa Zangetsu, which grants him extreme strength and speed.
He begins dodging the blade petals with ease and slicing through them, even with Byakuya speeding up his attack. Ichigo flips the fight in such a flashy way, moving quickly from outmatched to untouchable and proving exactly why he’s one of the best soul reapers in the world ofBleach.
Simon’s Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (Gurren Lagann)
When Simon and the Dai-Gurren team are up against the Anti-Spirals, whose aim is to destroy Spiral life, Simon and the team merge all of their Spiral Power tocreate a colossal mech. The team pilots together: Simon and Nia stay in the head, Viral stays in the torso, and Yoko stays in the shin.
Simon calls it the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, and it draws power from each of their skills and determination to win, making it invincible. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann dodges an Anti-Spiral Infinity Big Bang Storm and charges deeper into the fight. The power upgrade shines mainly because of the team’s unity and drive.
Edward Elric Sacrificing His Gate (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Edward’s sacrifice inFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhoodis both surprising and moving. A failed transmutation destroys his brother, Alphonse’s, body, and Edward takes it upon himself to restore him to a normal state. After thinking through it and denying Hohenheim’s desire to offer his life for Alphonse, Edward decides to meet with Truth one last time.
He offers his Gate, which connects him to alchemical power, even though it means never being able to perform alchemy again. While on the surface, this moment doesn’t come with the traditional flash of a power-up, Edward sacrificing his Gate to bring his brother back is what made him victorious from Truth’s perspective.
Meliodas Assault Mode (Seven Deadly Sins)
Meliodas’ Assault Mode gave viewers a deeper dive into who he is. When Meliodas escapes Melascula’s Cocoon of Darkness, cloaked in shadow, it feels more like a revelation than a rescue. He unleashes his full demonic power, stabbing Escanor with ruthless strength.
His transformation makes it easy to believe he was once the leader of the Ten Commandments. He goes from a calm captain to a terror, and everyone, even Melascula, mentally resigns to fate. Meliodas’ Assault Mode reveals his true potential as a demon and how dangerous he can get if he releases his sealed power and loses emotional control.
Deku’s Full Cowl 100% (My Hero Academia)
Deku’s attempts to protect Eri from Overhaul pay off in this unforgettable My Hero Academia moment. When Overhaul fuses with Rikiya to become a massive beast, Eri’s quirk activates, and she undoes the injuries Deku suffered before that moment. Deku then takeshis quirk, One for All, up to full capacity, exceeding the limits that existed before.
His strength and speed increase, so he’s stronger and faster than Overhaul. Deku overpowers Overhaul, determined to save Eri no matter what. The moment gives a glimpse into what Deku could become when he masters his quirk: a determined hero with the skills to face any opponent.
Naruto’s Sage of Six Paths Mode (Naruto: Shippuden)
Naruto’s Sage of Six Paths Mode is one of the moments when his journey from little ninja to protector seems to come full circle. Meeting Hagoromo reframes Naruto’s struggle and reveals generations of a cycle connecting him to Sasuke. After this, he inherits power from Hagomoro, marked with chakra and extreme strength to use against Madara.
The Sage of Six Paths Mode enhances his chakra mastery and grants him control over nature. It also makes him far more sensitive to the Limbo world, which is usually impossible to sense. When he combines it with the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, he’s even faster and more dangerous.
Eren’s Founding Titan reveal (Attack on Titan)
From its inception,Attack on Titanraises questions about freedom and power, and what role history has to play. These elements are always high in tension, similar to the moment where Eren uses the power of the Founding Titan. He meets Ymir in the Paths and gets her to trust him.
When he re-emerges, viewers meet the Founding Titan in full power. It’s not shown fully, but the skeletal outline is terrifying enough. What’s more impressive is how Eren immediately begins leading the rest of the titans to end the rest of the world. The moment is a result of both strategy and power, fueled by Eren’s bitterness and resolve.
Goku’s Ultra Instinct (Dragon Ball Super)
Goku’s first signs of Ultra Instinct come before the big reveal, in the form of brief moments of unconscious movements. Eventually, when he’s losing to Jiren in the Tournament of Power, Goku has to dig deep into his strength and fight back.
At that moment, he finally perfects Ultra Instinct. His hair becomes silver, his eyes glow, and he begins moving without thinking, as though he’s fought this battle before and memorized every possible move. He catches Jiren’s ki blast, then creates his attacks. His power shocks and inspires those watching. He easily overpowers Jiren, who, just moments before, had seemed unbeatable.
Luffy’s Gear 5 Awakening (One Piece)
On the surface, Luffy’s rubbery body seems incomparable to the powers wielded by other powerfulOne Piececharacters. Luffy’s strength has always come from his resilience and willingness to fight oppression.
In the Wano arc, when Luffy is losing to Kaidou, everyone thinks it’s over for him. However, this moment only serves as a bedrock for the character’s inherent powers: he transforms by awakening his Mythical Zoan.
The consequence of this evolution is seemingly incomprehensible. He’s so powerful that he turns everything into rubber, fighting Kaidou as though it’s only a fun game. In this state, Luffy is basically untouchable, and it’s exciting to see how quickly he turned a near loss around.
