There is a multitude of genres in anime, but by far the most notable is shonen (sometimes written as shounen). Shonen anime is characterized by action and adventure, often in conjunction with comedy. These themes are vital to any shonen anime, but the genre is best known for its fighting sequences. Popular shonen anime are regarded highly for their action-packed battle scenes. Among the most defining elements of shonen anime, fighting sequences are the countless anime powers that characters possess. These abilities are often the most memorable themes in a shonen anime.

Some of these powers are common throughout the genre, such as the ability to control ice or fire. However, a notable few are truly unique. After all, shonen anime has evolved to the point where boring powers simply won't cut it. Viewers want their favorite anime to be rife with some truly imaginative and deadly powers that can throw most foes in for a loop as they try to figure out the best way possible to deal with these powers without losing their lives in no time flat.

Updated February 11, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Anime directed toward shonen audiences end up being ridiculously popular, and the list of breakout shonen anime hits is endless. Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Hunter X Hunter are just a few of the many shows that broke new ground to become wildly popular. Most of these shonen anime feature awe-inspiring battles in which characters whip out unique powers to turn the tide of battle in a flash. This makes for an engaging watch every, time and makes it clear why more shonen anime need unique powers to entertain audiences.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

21 Ultra Instinct

Dragon Ball Super

Dragon Ball Super may have started on a shaky note, but fans were glad to see the anime pick up by the time the Tournament of Power rolled out. The animation quality was enhanced, and the storytelling pointed towards Goku unlocking a new transformation that would help him even the odds against Jiren.

Watching everyone's favorite Saiyan move heaven and earth to defeat this indomitable foe, only to fail time and again, was certainly frustrating. However, shades of a new form appeared numerous times, before a climactic clash led to Goku finally perfecting his Ultra Instinct form in a spectacular display of power. His white hair and effortless manner of fighting emulated the power of the Angels as he finally gave Jiren a taste of his own medicine, in one of the anime's most cathartic moments.

Notable Users:

• Whis
• Vados
• Goku

20 Spirit Gun

YuYu Hakusho

Yoshihiro Togashi is known by many as one of the greatest mangaka in the world. He has the rare credit of penning not one, but two of the most iconic shonen anime of all time. YuYu Hakusho may have ended on a disappointing note after the mangaka lost faith in his work, but there's no denying that Yusuke Urameshi's journey from a high school delinquent to a Spirit Detective was a joy to witness.

After obtaining potent spirit powers, Yusuke trains and hones his powers until he unlocks the ability to unleash the Spirit Gun. With this iconic move, he forms a gun with his hands before unleashing a bullet of spirit energy. This attack is powerful enough to take out most enemies in his path without breaking a sweat.

Notable Users:

• Yusuke Urameshi
• Genkai
• Rando

19 Comedian

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular shonen anime out right now, and fans can't get enough of the breakneck action in this series. After the end of the Shibuya Incident, the stage has been set for the Culling Game, where heads are bound to roll. With everyone gunning for Itadori, it's time for him to step up after defeating Mahito to show what limitless potential he has.

One of the people who gained Cursed Powers is Fumihiko Takaba, a failing comedian who gains a second wind after unveiling his Comedian ability. It's a ridiculously powerful technique, in which anything that Fumihiko deems to be funny comes to life. The technique was so overpowered that it had to be nerfed by being tied to Fumihiko's faith, with a loss of confidence dimming his power. But if he's trained to believe in himself, there's no telling what heights he can reach as a Cursed User.

Notable Users:

• Fumihiko Takaba

18 The Attack Titan's Ability

Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan has become a phenomenon for obvious reasons. Initially starting as a series documenting humanity's struggle against the Titans, it doesn't take too long for the humans of Paradis Island to figure out how the nation of Marley is torturing them for atrocities that they were never responsible for in the first place. When Eren finds out about this, his rage awakens and causes him to go down a very dark path that fans are pretty familiar with.

A huge part of what makes Attack on Titan so riveting is the powers of the Attack Titan that weren't revealed until the Final Season. Holders of the Attack Titan can peek into the memories of the past and the future, manipulating events and coercing holders into performing actions that they usually wouldn't be able to perform.

Notable Users:

• Eren Yeager
• Grisha Yeager
• Eren Kruger

17 One For All

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia rides the superhero wave while adding its unique things to the table, making for a brilliant watch that fans just can't get enough of. The show's use of Quirks makes these Pro Heroes more fun to watch, which is why Midoriya serves as such a unique protagonist. His Quirkless background makes him a sympathetic figure until All Might chooses him as his successor, letting him inherit One for All and learn how to maximize the use of its powers.

One for All turns out to be more than just a strength-boosting Quirk. Ehis inherited power also houses the Quirks of previous holders. When Midoriya manages to channel these powers, it helps him become even more powerful and use a wealth of Quirks in succession to take out any villain standing in his tracks.

Notable Users:

• Yoichi Shigaraki
• Hikage Shinomori
• Daigoro Banjo
• En
• Nana Shimura
• Toshinori Yagi
• Izuku Midoriya

16 Book Of The End

Bleach

Bleach can be hard to follow at times, especially given how convoluted the powers of some characters can be. This makes it rather annoying to follow certain battles since both sides of the conflict can pull convenient abilities out of thin air to turn the tide of the conflict in a flash. Many times, this leads to battles that feel rather uninteresting and become a chore to watch, but a notable exception here is Tsukishima's Book of the End ability during the Fullbring arc.

While many people hate this arc for essentially being meaningless in the grand scheme of things, it does let Ichigo battle against an opponent who uses an ability called Book of the End to write themselves into the memories of their target. This allows Tsukishima to pretend like he's one of Ichigo's closest friends, discrediting him in the eyes of his companions when he tries to fight Tsukishima only to be stopped by the people he trusts the most. This psychological warfare is what makes Book of the End such a unique ability and one of the few good moments in an otherwise forgettable arc.

Notable Users:

• Shukuro Tsukishima

15 Limitless

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the biggest shonen series out right now. Fans love the dark nature of the show and the various Cursed Techniques that are revealed in the story. Itadori may not be the most interesting character around, but it's the great job done by the supporting cast that makes this show so riveting. In fact, their presence elevates Itadori as well, and no character personifies this more than Satoru Gojo.

There's a reason why all the villains in the show fear this character — he's an extremely powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer who can take out the strongest enemies without breaking a sweat. He uses the power of Limitless, an inherited Gojo family technique that manipulates space using Cursed Energy to the atomic level. This allows him to whip out extremely powerful moves without breaking a sweat.

Notable Users:

• Satoru Gojo

14 Time-Skip

Dragon Ball Super

Dragon Ball may be a legendary series, but some feel that the powers in this show can be generic at times. Everyone uses some variation of ki and charges up a ton of power before unleashing it for some serious damage. This can prove to be rather tiring after a point, which is exactly what Dragon Ball Super decided to target with the suite of new powers that it introduced.

Such is the case with Hit, a character who has quickly become one of the most beloved in the world of Dragon Ball. His Time-Skip is a unique and powerful move that allows him to essentially move when time is frozen, and land a hit on a fighter without them being able to react in time. Goku has to combine his Super Saiyan Blue powers with the Kaio-ken to finally surpass the speed of Hit's Time-Skip and overcome this powerful combatant once and for all.

Notable Users:

• Hit

13 Kanzen Saimin

Bleach

Bleach is full to the brim with some seriously impressive and unique powers. The Shinigami use both their Shikai and Bankai to great effect. In fact, some characters are so powerful that their Bankai hasn't even been revealed yet. Aizen is a great example. The traitor of Soul Society and a major antagonist for the majority of Bleach is a force to be reckoned with. His Shikai, Kyouka Suigetsu, is more than enough to take out most enemies with ease.

Any enemy who witnesses the release of this Shikai falls under the effect of Kanzen Saimin, a powerful hypnosis technique that takes over all five senses of the victim. It's an extremely powerful technique that can easily take out any opponent unlucky enough to fall under its spell. This was the power that Aizen used to help Soul Society end Yhwach's threat once and for all, at the cost of his own life.

Notable Users:

• Aizen Sosuke

12 Kotodama

Black Clover

Black Clover follows the story of Asta, a young magicless orphan who dreams of becoming the next Wizard King — a powerful magic user whose authority is second to the King of the Clover Kingdom. In a world of talented magic users, there is no limit to the abilities one can possess. There are many incredible powers in Black Clover, but the most distinct is the magic attribute "Kotodama" or Word Soul Magic.

This ability has seen only a single user, the sinister devil Zagred. This versatile magic works well with Zagred's demented mind. Simply by speaking, the user of Kotodama can alter their surroundings to create physical and magical items alike. For example, Zagred can summon a mystical trident, or imitate the magic of others.

Notable Users:

• Zagred

11 Shamna's Geass

Code Geass

Code Geass is set in an alternate timeline and follows the exiled prince Lelouch vi Brittania on his quest to bring down the Holy Brittanian Empire. This alternate universe holds an otherworldly power known as "Geass" that only certain individuals possess. Though every Geass is capable of supernatural feats, the most distinct is held by the Queen and Holy Priestess of Zilkhstan, Shamna.

Shamna's Geass grants a godlike ability that can bend the rules of life, death, and the passage of time. While Shamna states that her Geass provides her with divine foresight, its effects are much different. In reality, it allows her to relay her consciousness back six hours whenever she dies. This allows Shamna to foresee and plan for upcoming events.

Notable Users:

• Shamna

10 Disaster

The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins follows a once-renowned group of powerful knights known as the Seven Deadly Sins. Nearly every knight possesses phenomenal powers akin to that of gods, or even demons. While there are many unique powers featured throughout the anime, the most creative and versatile is the ability, "Disaster."

This power is synonymous with the Fairy Kings, most notably Harlequin, the Grizzly's Sin of Sloth. Disaster has the potential to control both life and death, a fitting talent for a Fairy King. While this skill's uses are vague, it has been shown to better or worsen the natural state of a target. For instance, it can make negligible wounds severe, or hasten the growth of a tree.

Notable Users:

• Fairy King Harlequin
• Fairy King Gloxinia
• Fairy King Dahlia

9 Kagizaki

Bleach

Bleach follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a hot-headed teen with the powers of a Soul Reaper, in his quest to protect the defenseless from evil spirits. Each Soul Reaper possesses a unique set of supernatural abilities. Though there are many distinct powers in Bleach, the Kido spell, "Kagizaki," is unlike anything seen in Shonen anime.

This Kido spell has seen many users from the Shiba Clan and their allies. Kagizaki is used with the Kakaku Taiho, a massive cannon, to launch objects or people. It requires a great deal of preparation and utilizes two incantations to function properly. Kagizaki can allow for quick travel or can unleash widespread devastation upon an area.

Notable Users:

• Ganju Shiba
• Kukaku Shiba
• Koganehiko
• Shiroganehiko

8 Territory

Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail follows the adventures of various members — Natsu, Lucy, Happy, Gray, and Erza — of a guild of talented wizards. With countless distinct types of magic in Fairy Tail, it is difficult to choose one that stands out from the rest; however, the magic "Territory" is unlike any other.

This magic has only one known user, Minerva Orland, a powerful Mage regarded as the strongest member of the Sabertooth guild. Territory allows her to manipulate space to create a variety of effects. For instance, it can be used to teleport, create explosions, and alter the properties of a target.

Notable Users:

• Minerva Orland

7 All For One

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia follows the story of Deku, a Quirkless aspiring hero who obtains All Might's Quirk One For All. With such a wide array of powers displayed in the show's Quirks, it is difficult to determine the most distinct power in My Hero Academia. Even so, "All For One" surpasses the rest in terms of creativity.

There have been a few users of All For One, the most notable of whom is a villain of the same name. All For One allows the user to steal a Quirk from another individual. The user can utilize the Quirk for themselves, or distribute it among others. It can be used for powerful multi-Quirk attacks, or to create imposing multi-Quirk minions.

Notable Users:

• All For One
• Nine
• Tomura Shigaraki

6 Sharingan

Naruto

Naruto follows the story of the title character, a hotheaded young ninja holding the spirit of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Many ninjas in Naruto possess phenomenal Jutsu that allows them to perform otherworldly feats. While most Jutsus are incredible in their own right, few compare to those provided by Kekkei Genkai, a genetic anomaly that grants unique abilities. Of these, the most distinct is the "Sharingan" of the Uchiha Clan.

This Kekkei Genkai is synonymous with the Uchiha Clan, but it has been used by outsiders too. The Sharingan provides a variety of otherworldly abilities typically revolving around enhanced perception. It has been shown to bend minds, alter reality, and copy others' Jutsu. For instance, the Sharingan can be used to impose powerful Genjustsu on targets.

Notable Users:

• Kakashi Hatake
• Itachi Uchiha
• Sasuke Uchiha

5 Crazy Slots

Hunter X Hunter

Hunter X Hunter follows a young boy named Gon Freecss on his quest to find his father, who he discovers to be a world-renowned Hunter. In Hunter X Hunter, many use Nen, the technique of controlling one's aura, to perform incredible feats. Those who learn to control their auras are known as Nen-users and possess incredible abilities. Of the countless powers in Hunter X Hunter, few compare to the Nen ability "Crazy Slots."

This unique power has only one user, Kite, a Hunter, and a student of the legendary Ging Freecss. Crazy Slots is an unpredictable yet powerful Nen ability. It allows its user to conjure immensely powerful weapons at random, which cannot be switched until used. There are nine weapons available; however, only a scythe, a carbine, and a mace have made an appearance.

Notable Users:

• Kite

4 Invisible Eye Blast

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball follows Goku on his journey to become stronger and test his might against powerful foes. In Dragon Ball, the extraterrestrial Saiyan race possesses otherworldly abilities. Through intense training and determination, Saiyans can further enhance their powers and unlock remarkable skills. Of these incredible abilities, the most distinct and epic is "Invisible Eye Blast."

Nearly any fighter can learn this power; however, its most memorable and capable users are Shin and Jiren. While Invisible Eye Blast is weak in comparison to other powers, it can be used for various purposes. It is chiefly used to destroy objects, ruin terrain, and disorientate unsuspecting foes. Some, however, can use Invisible Eye Bast to deflect attacks and even counterattack.

Notable Users:

• Goku
• Shin
• Jiren

3 Baby Face

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure tells the story of the Joestars, a family gifted with incredible powers and the responsibility of fending off supernatural foes. In JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, many individuals can summon psychic entities known as Stands. These beings hold otherworldly abilities that are often peculiar, but none are as strange as the Stand "Baby Face."

This Stand belongs to Melone, a renowned member of a hitman group known as La Squadra Esecuzioni. The "Baby Face" Stand possesses the unique ability to create a second Stand that is capable of development. It does this by harnessing DNA samples and using them to generate a "Junior." This second stand can develop and grow, becoming a capable and self-sufficient fighter.

Notable Users:

• Melone

2 Hakoware

Hunter X Hunter

Hunter X Hunter is full of unusual yet immensely powerful abilities such as "Crazy Slots." However, the Nen Ability known as Hakoware is especially perplexing. It utilizes a system that implements an underlying factor into fights. Thus, making battles a much more meticulous and costly interaction.

The sole user of Hakoware is none other than Knuckle Bine, a Beast Hunter pugilist with a soft side. Hakoware introduces an indestructible mascot known as the "Amortizing Power Redirector" (A.P.R.) into battles. The A.P.R. allows Knuckle's aura to be lent or returned, creating a pool of power for opponents to draw upon. While enemies can bolster their capabilities, should they borrow too much aura, they will become "bankrupt." Thus, transforming A.P.R. into the "Individual Ren Suppressor" (I.R.S.). This newly transformed mascot ends the battle and prevents the opponent from using Nen for 30 days.

Notable Users:

• Knuckle Bine