The medium of anime is full to the brim with excellent power fantasies, amazing romances, brilliant stories, and everything else along the same lines. The sheer imagination that goes into some of the tales depicted in anime shows why they're the perfect thing to get immersed in for the long haul. Several shows have utilized the strengths of this medium to great effect.
That being said, a lot of anime use the bonds and friendships that the main characters have formed along the way to combat massive threats and save the world time and time again. This is a trope that is especially notable in shonen anime, although it rears its head in other genres as well. Keeping this in mind, here are the most notable anime around that used the power of friendship to win their battles.
10 Fairy Tail
The first anime that comes to mind when talking about the power of friendship has to be Fairy Tail. After all, the powers in this show are governed by the intense feelings that people experience and how they fuel their abilities.
So, this proves why Natsu gets a massive burst of power every time one of his friends is injured. Some people might be slightly tired of this trope, but viewers who are able to look past this cliché will enjoy Fairy Tail quite a bit indeed.
9 Yu-Gi-Oh!
The Yu-Gi-Oh! anime has gone through some major changes, but many fans remember the simpler times of its beginning arcs. This was the time when friendship and bonds were prioritized quite a bit in the anime.
The power of friendship is strong enough to accomplish a bunch of bizarre things in the anime early on. It really shows why so many people got hooked on this show in its initial stages.
8 Naruto
Naruto is one of the most popular and beloved anime of all time, with the universe still going strong in the form of a Boruto anime that is pretty great in its own right. The protagonist of this series shows time and time again why friends are important for anyone to make it big in life.
In fact, he uses these bonds of friendship to show his adversaries that they're going down a dark path. The fact that he's able to talk down two immensely powerful antagonists in the form of Pain and Obito shows just how effective his Talk no Jutsu really is!
7 One Piece
"Nakama" is a word that people would've heard time and time again in One Piece. It's a word that Luffy absolutely loves to use, mainly because it shows the trust he has for his friends.
It's these bonds that convince people to join the Straw Hat Pirates and work under the charming presence of Luffy. The main character of this series might be slightly goofy, but it's his magnetic personality that forms the beating heart of One Piece.
6 Dragon Ball
It was only a given for one of the most legendary shonen anime of all time to feature the bonds of friendship in a notable manner. Dragon Ball is a work of art, with Goku and the rest of the Z Warriors banding together to battle against seemingly insurmountable odds to come out victorious time and time again.
The concept of friendship is touched upon quite a bit in the series, with Goku attaining his legendary Super Saiyan transformation after witnessing the death of his best friend Krillin. Dragon Ball Super also leans heavily on this trope, with Jiren ultimately losing his battle because he chose to walk the path of power alone, instead of with other people.
5 My Hero Academia
Another excellent anime that deserves all the praise in the world is My Hero Academia. This show is an international phenomenon, and fans can't wait to see how this series evolves over time.
Both the villains and heroes of this series use the bonds they share with each other to grow powerful over time. This was especially prevalent in the latest season, and it's exciting to see what later arcs have in store!
4 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Speaking of brilliant anime, it would be impossible to not mention the brilliance of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The show is perhaps the most touching and impactful application of the power of friendship in any anime,
After encountering The Truth at the end of the anime, Edward Elric is given the choice of either walking away or gaining Alphonse's body back... at the cost of losing the ability to perform Alchemy. After looking back on the friendships he's made throughout the course of his adventure, Edward agrees to sacrifice his abilities for the greater good.
3 Sailor Moon
Given how wholesome Sailor Moon is, it's only a given that the power of friendship is especially important in this series. It allows the lead characters to fight against massive threats and surpass massive hurdles.
Friendship itself serves as a major source of power, with many battles in the show being won through acts of forgiveness. It's a simple and effective way to show just how important the bonds of friendship really are.
2 Duel Masters
Duel Masters is another great anime that popularized its card game quite a bit. At the heart of this show is Shobu, a headstrong — if slightly clichéd — protagonist.
His friends help raise his spirits and improve his starting deck, allowing him to battle powerful opponents and come out victorious. It's a simple yet effective application of this trope.
1 Demon Slayer
Given how dark Demon Slayer can get at times, the show definitely needs the brightness of friendship to push this darkness away. For the most part, this is reflected in the amazing teamwork of powerful Demon Slayers and the belief Tanjiro has in his comrades.
Of course, the power of friendship is yet to save the day in Demon Slayer... but an exception can be made for this glorious anime. After all, it's only a given that this series is building up to the central conflict of power versus friendship, which will be an absolute joy to watch.