Not all anime heroes are created equal. Most of them have inherent powers that they develop over time. But others only gain their magical powers later in their lives. No matter how they receive their abilities, these anime characters had to go through some difficult trials (and traumas in some cases) to finally gain their magical powers.
To borrow a phrase from the Harry Potter franchise, the best anime characters who start out as Muggles but gain magical abilities later are some of the best characters, period. In a lot of cases, they have to work twice as hard to gain their powers, to go through something unspeakable. However, once they are on the other side, they are as powerful (if not more so) than any of the other magic users in their franchise. No matter their origins, these characters have proven themselves excellent magic users.
Related
10 Fantasy Anime That Have Even Better Politics Than Game of Thrones
Westeros politics have dominated HBO with House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, but anime offers equally compelling content.
10
Lelouch Lamperouge Makes a Deal With a Witch
Stream Code Geass on Crunchyroll
Lelouch Lamperouge is a prince of Britannia until he is ousted. Seeking revenge, he makes a contract with a witch named C.C. and receives a Geass. The Geass manifests differently for everyone. Lelouch’s Geass allows him to force others into complete obedience.
Lelouch uses the Geass to guide the rebellious Black Knights and even takes on the moniker, Zero. Lelouch eventually misuses his powers in destructive ways, even though it was not inherently his. Lelouch is simply a normal 17-year-old aristocrat who gains power in desperation and anger. It is through this combination of magic and emotions that Lelouch becomes the initial driving force for the rebellion in Code Geass.
9
Edward Elric Studies Hard to Learn Alchemy
Stream Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Crunchyroll
Edward Elric wasn’t always the great alchemist he is at the beginning of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He used to be just a regular kid. However, due to his father’s interest and his own curiosity, Edward taught himself all there is to know about alchemy. After his mother’s death, he and his brother Alphonse even train with one of the best alchemists around, Izumi Curtis.
Related
Most Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Fans Missed 1 of the Absolute Best Stories in the Franchise
One of the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVAs focuses on the sacrifice of the alchemist Judo, and the truth of his successful human transmutation.
Edward eventually becomes one of the best alchemists in Amestris; he doesn’t even have to use a transmutation circle to cast. Ed’s powers are eventually taken away in exchange for Alphonse’s return from the Truth. However, Ed’s time with alchemy is certain to go down in the Amestrian history books for all the battles he won when he was only 15 years old.
8
Eren Yeager Eats His Dad
Stream Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll
Eren Yeager, though he is an Eldian with the inherent power to turn into a Titan, is just a normal boy at first. Despite his ancestral ability, the only remarkable thing about him is his propensity for rage and violence. Sadly, he doesn’t remain a normal child for long when his father activates Eren’s Titan form. Eren then eats his father to gain the Attack Titan and Founding Titan’s powers.
As the Attack Titan, Eren can (eventually) transform at will into a raging brawl-centric giant. As the Founding Titan, he can control all other Titans. This eventually becomes a problem — especially once he activates The Rumbling. No one would have known that an angry boy from Shinganshina would grow up to be the most reviled character in Attack on Titan.
7
Denji Fuses With Pochita
Stream Chainsaw Man on Crunchyroll
Denji was a young man down on his luck. He begins living in a shack at the start of Chainsaw Man, but eventually gets an apartment thanks to Makima. His only friend is the strangely adorable dog demon named Pochita. Unfortunately, when he is attacked by the mob his father owed money to, Denji has no choice but to fuse with Pochita to become Chainsaw Man.
With his new powers, he can transform into a Devil/human hybrid with two chainsaws for arms and one chainsaw protruding from his head. He now makes it his job to take down Devils for the Public Safety Division. Despite where he may have come from, Denji now has the power to take down his attackers for good.
6
Akira Fudo Gets Possessed By a Demon
Stream Devilman Crybaby on Netflix
Akira Fudo is a relatively normal teenager until he and his friend, Ryo Asuka try to expose the existence of Demons. Unfortunately, this backfires, and Akira becomes one of these hellish beasts. Though a Demon named Amon tries to take over his body, Akira resists and becomes a Devilman.
Related
10 Dark Manga Scenes That Were Impossible to Adapt in the Anime
Anime adaptations of dark manga aren’t rare, but some scenes were too dark even for some series.
In his new form, Akira has increased speed and strength. His jaw is particularly powerful and can tear through enemies easily. He also gains wings and heightened hearing. He is overall a much more powerful being in his Devilman form. Some of these qualities transferred to him as a human too. Devilman Crybaby ends in tragedy, but, for a time, a lonely teen was among one of the strongest beings in the world.
5
Okarun Becomes Possessed By an Old Woman’s Spirit
Stream Dandadan on Crunchyroll
Ken “Okarun” Takakura is heavily into conspiracy theories and aliens. Therefore, he never thought he would see a yokai before ever meeting an alien. On a dare from his new friend, Momo Ayase, Okarun enters an abandoned tunnel at night and comes face to face with a yokai they affectionately name, Turbo Granny.
Turbo Granny possesses Okarun and tries to kill him, but Okarun manages to stick it out. They eventually separate the two souls, but a part of Turbo Granny remains inside Okarun. As such, Okarun can transform from his human self into a dark, gloomy yokai. As a yokai, Okarun gains exorbitant speed and outstanding strength. Though he is still getting used to his powers, fans know that Okarun will not disappoint them as he begins his heroic journey to protect humanity from malevolent forces.
Dandadan
- Release Date
-
September 13, 2024
4
Nezuko Kamado Becomes a Demon
Stream Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll
Nezuko Kamado is a humble girl living in Edo Period Japan. Along with her extensive family, she lives in the mountains, gathering and selling charcoal to the nearest village. It’s a simple life until it is all taken away from her one night. While her older brother, Tanjiro is out selling his wares, a Demon named Muzan Kibutsuji attacks the Kamados. He kills four of the children and their mother, but he bites Nezuko and leaves her alive.
Unfortunately, the bite changes Nezuko. No longer is she a normal human, but a Demon. In her new form, Nezuko eventually learns to perform her Blood Demon Art. This gives her the ability to light her own blood with pink flames that are harmful to other demons. Nezuko can also change sizes, control her blood, and can even withstand sunlight (unlike other demons). Though she faced immense tragedy, Nezuko also received substantial power.
3
Madoka Kaname Becomes a Magical Girl to Make a Wish
Stream Puella Magi Madoka Magica on Crunchyroll
Madoka Kaname is a shy middle schooler who longs to be as confident as her mother. She seemingly gets her chance when she and her friends come across an adorable telepathic creature. The creature says that he is called Kyubey, and he will grant any wish they want, as long as they become Magical Girls.
Though the girls think for a while, they all ultimately join Kyuubei. Madoka — like the rest — is given abilities like magic and enhanced fighting skills. Little does she know that by defeating the “witches”, she is helping Kyubey destroy the universe. Had Madoka not accepted Kyubey’s offer, there is no telling the kind of destruction he would have wreaked.
2
Usagi Tsukino Is the Reincarnation of Royalty
Stream Sailor Moon on Hulu
Usagi Tsukino believes herself to be an average teenage girl. She goes to school, procrastinates on her homework, and loves to have fun. However, when she finds a black cat with a crescent moon symbol on her forehead, her world turns upside down.
Related
Sailor Moon: The Seven Great Monsters & the Rainbow Crystals, Explained
A guide to the Seven Rainbow Crystals, the Seven Great Youma, and Zoisite’s use of the Black Crystal in Sailor Moon’s Dark Kingdom arc.
Usagi discovers that she isn’t only a human, but a reincarnation of a lunar princess, Princess Serenity. With the help of some magical objects and her cat, Luna’s knowledge, Usagi transforms into Sailor Moon to protect the people of Earth from galactic forces. At her heart, Usagi is a regular teenager, but her newfound powers elevate her to the regal status she represents.
Sailor Moon
- Release Date
-
March 7, 1992
- Directors
-
Junichi Sato, Kunihiko Ikuhara
1
Yuji Itadori Eats a Dead Finger
Stream Jujutsu Kaisen on Crunchyroll
Yuji Itadori is an average middle school student when he first comes face to face with a Cursed Spirit. When the Cursed Spirit begins attacking his friends, Yuji immediately leaps into action — without having any powers. It’s only when he sees a decrepit finger flying through the air — and he eats it — that he gains incredible power.
Now that he is possessed by the owner of the finger (a Cursed Spirit named Ryoumen Sukuna), Yuji has awesome strength and enhanced durability. He even gains the Cursed Techniques, Divergent Fist and Black Flash. Yuji may have only had his powers for a little while, but he is already one of the strongest Cursed Technique users in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Jujutsu Kaisen
- Release Date
-
October 3, 2020
- Directors
-
Sunghoo Park, Shōta Goshozono
