Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked

Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked

In my humble opinion, Sailor Moon and One Punch Man stand out as the crème de la crème of anime superheroes, each embodying unique strengths that set them apart from their counterparts.


The superhero craze took over society for years with the boom of Marvel heroes in the 2000s, followed by the explosion of the MCU in the 2010s, to the rebirth of DC’s popularity through movies like The Suicide Squad and The Batman in the 2020s. But when discussing mediums that know how to do amazing superhero stories the best, anime has to be considered in the conversation. It’s commonly said that there’s a good anime for everything and that is the case with heroic endeavors. From galaxy-faring powerhouses to vigilantes with no initial powers but a strong force of will, here are the best superheroes in anime.

5 Astro Boy

The Mighty Atom

Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked

  • Name: Atomu
  • Series: Astro Boy

In a more conversational style: Astro Boy, an iconic character from the world of old-school anime and manga, has become so deeply embedded in popular culture over the years, thanks to his growing fame, that he’s often recognized even by people unfamiliar with anime – whether it’s his name or his distinctive face.

Previously serving as the head of the Science Ministry, Umataro Tenma created Astro – a robot character – as an embodiment of Tobio Tenma’s spirit. Known for his unwavering sense of justice and innate peacefulness, Astro, despite facing rejection and being sold to a robotic circus, consistently stands up for the weak and defenseless.

Upon examining Astro Boy’s skillset, it’s his immense ‘engine power’ that stands out immediately. He consistently sports an engine capable of 100,000 horsepower, and certain versions or adaptations of the character even boast a million-horsepower upgrade. Equipped with jet propulsion for flight, arm cannons, and a strong moral compass guiding him to do what’s just, Astro Boy is undoubtedly among the finest superheroes in the galaxy within the realm of anime.

4 Deku

The Top U.A. Student

Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked
  • Name: Izuku Midoriya
  • Series: My Hero Academia

An inspiring underdog story, remarkable even within the context of popular superhero narratives. Unlike most people in his society, Izuku Midoriya was not born with extraordinary superhuman powers. This was disheartening for someone as passionate about heroes and heroism as he was. Yet, he had an unquenchable fascination for these saviors, constantly jotting down notes and studying them diligently.

For many years, he was mocked for being ordinary and seemingly unproductive, but it eventually proved beneficial when the world’s top superhero recognized his hidden potential after witnessing him attempting to rescue a fellow student from a dreadful slime villain. One of the most clandestine and potent abilities in history was bestowed upon him, which he would further cultivate as Deku.

Deku isn’t considered one of the top anime superheroes solely due to his powers. While his strength, speed, energy bursts, and numerous secondary quirks are indeed impressive, it’s primarily his passionate and empathetic nature that sets him apart. Driven by a dream to become the world’s best hero, not just for All-Might’s sake but to safeguard everyone, Deku’s spirit is truly extraordinary.

3 Sailor Moon

The Girl From The Moon Kingdom

Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked
  • Name: Usagi Tsukino
  • Series: Sailor Moon

A well-known character from the past, often recognized even without watching the series, is Usagi Tsukino – a more vibrant and feminine version compared to her peers. Known as Sailor Moon, she earned the title of the Sailor Guardian of Love and Justice in the 1990s, making her one of the most iconic heroines not just from that decade, but also in the world of anime.

Sailor Moon originally comes from the mystical realm of the Moon Kingdom. After being reborn on Earth, she assumes the role as leader of the Sailor Senshi. Through various transformations, Sailor Moon wields her magical abilities, utilizing artifacts like the Moon Prism Brooch, Crisis Moon Compact, Holy Grail, Eternal Moon Article, Cutie Moon Rod, Spiral Heart Moon Rod, Crystal Star, Cosmic Heart Compact, Moon Kaleidoscope, Eternal Tiare, Moon Stick, Tiaras, Holy Moon Chalice, Moon Power Tiare, and Silver Crystal to perform a range of enchantments.

Sailor Moon possesses the ability to create light, heal, and unleash a spectrum of potent assaults, which eclipses even the most skilled energy-wielding characters from anime and fictional stories.

2 All-Might

The Symbol of Peace

Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked
  • Name: Toshinori Yagi
  • Series: My Hero Academia

In the anime “My Hero Academia,” Superman is equivalent to All-Might, who stands uncontested as the top hero of their society. Similar to Deku, a valiant young protagonist poised to assume his mantle and continue his legacy upon retirement, All-Might too was born without any superpower. However, it’s hard to imagine that when you witness him harnessing his strength in his peak form during battles.

In the realm they inhabit, The Flame-Hero Endeavor, renowned for his extraordinary skills and unwavering dedication among the superhumans, consistently trailed behind All-Might in second place. All-Might’s top position remained largely undisputed throughout his career. It wasn’t until his body began to deteriorate that any other superhero came close to matching his level of prowess.

The compelling charm, indomitable spirit, boundless vigor, and perpetual grin of All-Might truly qualify him as one of the world’s top superheroes. However, it is his powers that ultimately confirm this status. The Embodiment of Peace possesses the ability to shake the ground beneath him and fill the air around him with vibrations from his diverse, often comically heroic, brute force attacks, which usually consist of a combination of an American state’s name and the word ‘smash’.

1 One Punch Man

The Caped Baldy

Best Anime Superheroes, Ranked
  • Name: Saitama
  • Series: One Punch Man

In my gaming world, I find myself in the shoes of the almighty One Punch Man – a hero so powerful that battles are over in an instant. Yet, the thrill is gone, replaced by the monotony and solitude at the pinnacle. The classic shonen spirit of seeking stronger foes feels more like a hilarious existential dilemma now. It’s a tale about the world’s strongest being, who, ironically, yearns for a challenge to break the boredom.

As claimed by him personally, doing 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and running more than six miles daily is allegedly the key to achieving a level of power comparable to his own. Needless to say, many people find this hard to accept, as “the bald caped one” encounters a wide range of disbelief, admiration, praise, and resentment from other heroes in his universe due to his seemingly effortless strength that makes even combat lack the usual thrill. In most cases, his fights end with just a single punch.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that One Punch Man reigns supreme among anime superheroes. Though he appears ordinary in demeanor, beneath that facade lies a man with dreams as vast as the universe. He risked his life to save others and tirelessly worked to hone his skills, becoming an unparalleled hero.

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2024-10-07 05:03