Beyond the stunning visuals and enchanting displays, anime is known primarily for featuring larger than life characters. Whether they are heroes or villains, these characters possess an incredible skill set and are basically undefeatable. While they have the responsibility of carrying an entire show with their limitless power, for every rockstar protagonist, there is a side character that is more nuanced than powerful. A character’s weakness sometimes allows them to elevate the show in unexpected ways.
A weak character faces shortcomings and makes mistakes, and it is more hilarious than annoying. Their dependence on others to save the day creates an opportunity for more grounded connection between characters. So, even these overlooked characters need to be celebrated. Because in a way, their weaknesses made them more memorable and their lack of contribution to a show helped the protagonists look just a little bit better. Be prepared to look beyond raw power because these anime weaklings bring a dash of charm, humor and heart to the genre.
15 Minoru Mineta – My Hero Academia
For a show that relies heavily on its characters’ strengths, where teenagers develop superpowers called “Quirks,” it is interesting how a weak link fits just right in. My Hero Academia may be a story about good vs. evil when you boil it down, but Minoru Mineta makes it fun. His Quirk is called Pop-Off, which allows him to pop round ball-like objects from the top of his head. Their only usefulness is that they grow back almost instantly and have a high stick consistency. But Minoru’s nature is that of a pervert and a coward, which not only weakens his potential but also breaks up intense moments of action and drama. As a sidekick, he may be of some value, but strength-wise, Minoru is known to freeze up.
14 Mumen Rider – One Punch Man
With the title itself, One Punch Man reveals how the anime is about a superhero so powerful he can defeat his enemy with one single blow. However standard, the premise mocks anime tropes centered around overpowered characters. Caught in the middle of it all is Mumen Rider, a weak cyclist and C-class member of the Heroes Association. Mumen does indulge in battle and fight crime, but with determination, not physical strength. His traits include a moral compass pointing towards the right side, being inspirational and kind. Regardless of not having any superpower besides being an ace cyclist, he has cruised through odds that were heavily stacked against him and tried saving lives when he could.
13 Mr. Satan – Dragon Ball Z
A favorite among fans of anime, Dragon Ball Z follows the spectacular clashes between the Z warriors, led by Goku, and the other threats across the universe. Mr. Satan is a total buffoon. Even though he’s stronger than most earthlings, when compared to the powers, wit, and strengths of the Saiyans, he is dust. As a frail, aging former martial artist and the Protector of Earth, Mr. Satan often inserts himself into battles and claims credit for all the work that Goku or Gohan do. But all that does is add valuable comic relief, warmth and humor to a series filled with high-stakes fights. The only time his weakness mirrored an untapped potential was when he succeeded in becoming friends with a major antagonist of the show.
12 Honoka Takamiya – Witch Craft Works
Set against the backdrop of Tongetsu Academy, a workshop for witches, Witch Craft Works follows Kagari Ayaka, a seemingly normal girl, the school’s prettiest, who hides immense magical powers. Seated next to her is a second-year student Takamiya Honoka, who lacks any abilities whatsoever.
In fact, Honoka ends up risking his life every time he even tries to talk to Ayaka because she has an entire fanclub ready to beat up anyone who even takes a whiff. The only reason he even survives amongst fiercely powerful witches is because Anaka secretly protects him. Later in the show, we find out that Honoka carries within himself a power even he’s unaware of.
11 Takemichi Hanagaki – Tokyo Revengers
Main characters in anime are supposed to be far from weak. But Tokyo Revengers subverts that idea and thrusts into a thick plot of deceit, time travel, and jaw-dropping action, a 26-year-old freeter named Takemichi Hanagaki. His aim? To save his middle school girlfriend from being killed by traveling back in time and joining a gang. In the beginning, Takemichi’s weakness and perpetually frightened nature calls nothing but doom upon his half-hearted efforts. But what’s worse is that he does not even possess a mental fortitude or determination to fight. He ends up facing a disturbingly high number of beatings in his quest for changing the future. Overall, Takemichi is nowhere close to a strong protagonist – physically or emotionally.
10 Dimple – Mob Psycho 100
Despite featuring a lot of action and comedy, and containing good battle sequences and a phenomenal soundtrack, Mob Psycho 100 remains an under-watched anime of recent times. It follows a boy, Seigeo Kageyama, also known as Mob, who possesses an extrasensory perception (esper). While he tries very hard to keep a lid on his powers and to control his emotions, the perilous situations he gets into do not help his case. Dimple is a ghost of an upper-class evil spirit that latches onto Mob for protection. He was defeated once by Mob himself, which weakened his powers and left him with nothing to do but to follow Mob as a companion. When Mob is busy fighting enemies, Dimple simply makes sarcastic comments from the sidelines, which makes up for his lack of strengths.
9 Hawk – The Seven Deadly Sins
This character-driven anime centers around a group of knights who were once disbanded after being framed for treason. Along with Elizabeth, the princess of Britannia, they set foot to claim their ranks from tyrants. Hawk is a talking pig who accidentally joins the group of warriors as a companion to Meliodas. He is not a knight himself, but he takes on the challenges thrown at him with enthusiasm – only to fail miserably. He does have a few strengths – an amazing nose that he uses to sniff enemies from afar and the ability to absorb the powers of any magical thing he consumes. However, Hawk remains a weak character in The Seven Deadly Sins because he cannot put any of these powers to practical use at the time of a physical combat.
8 Magikarp – Pokémon
One of the oldest, most successful anime that won international recognition for being so awesome, Pokémon centers on a boy, Ash Ketchum, who collects and pits pocket monsters against one another in spectacular fashion. While Arceus, Mewtwo, Zyagarde, and Lugia are among the most powerful Pokémon, the series has a few weaklings too. Magikarp is a weak fish Pokémon with large, orange scales, empty eyes, and a wide mouth. The Magikarp is pretty much useless in battle because even when the action gets intense, all he does is flop around on his belly. Even the fans deem the fish as a hopeless one. Although, Magikarp does eventually evolve into the mighty Gyarados, becoming the underdog with gifts nobody paid attention to.
7 Yamcha – Dragon Ball Z
In the original Dragon Ball series that came out in 1986, Yamcha was a fearsome adversary who eventually became an ally to Son Goku. His strength was unparalleled against that of his friends. However, in Dragon Ball Z, where cosmic warriors clashed in glorious battles, and new, stronger characters joined, Yamcha was but a fading memory seen for comic relief.
He would always end up losing a battle with foes way stronger than him despite his continuous efforts. His role was to demonstrate the strength of those he fought, which, if you think about it, is important also. But even as the weakest fighter, Yamcha never once abandoned his friends. His presence throughout the series was that of a loyal companion willing to stand next to his powerful friends.
6 Buggy The Clown – One Piece
Following the hilariously incredible adventures of a Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, One Piece is an anime about the long quest of becoming King of the Pirates and finding a great treasure left behind by Gold Roger. Buggy the Star Clown is a lanky, blue-haired pirate and the captain of the Buggy Pirates. Resembling a clown both in looks and mannerisms, Buggy relies on lame tricks that cause more harm than good. He might be an antagonist in the series, but his futile scenes and ridiculous attempts at churning trouble often brings a much needed element of humor during intense, nail-biting adventures. He also consumed the Devil Fruit like Luffy, but its effect on Buggy remained lackluster compared to other users.
5 Udon Ise – Naruto
Naruto Uzumaki is a troublesome young ninja on a quest to become the Hokage, the village leader. But along his way, he encounters several friends and foes, and even trains very thoroughly. Udon Ise is a character in Naruto who aspires to become a ninja regardless of lacking any natural talent. As a child, Udon was easy-going and quiet, and he grew up to be worse and easily overlooked. He did become the leader of Team 5 but in the entire Naruto canon, his relentless failure at learning techniques and even the most basic ninjutsu practices really slowed down the team and affected the dynamic between its members. Being physically weak, it was often his well-meaning and dedicated nature that saved him.
4 Ichiya – Fairy Tail
Perfectly combining elements of action, comedy, and coming-of-age, Fairy Tail follows two wizards, Lucy, a celestial wizard, and Natsu, a dragon slayer wizard, who accidentally become friends, then embark on various missions along with others from their guild. Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki, is an eccentric, flamboyant perfume enthusiast and leader of The Trimes who often takes the assistance of his teammates. Even though he is considered an “ace” among the wizards of the Blue Pegasus Guild, he is annoying and ineffective. Much like his power, that allows him to infuse scents into his opponents and bring about changes in them. Now, how really would that help in combat?
3 Oolong – Dragon Ball Z
Oolong is another character in Dragon Ball Z that is far less strong than the rest of the cosmic warriors. He is a shapeshifting pig who often depends on others to protect him. Oolong lacks physical prowess in that he would never be able to defeat an opponent in a one-on-one battle. In fact, even if it were a game of pure wits and intelligence, Oolong would still not stand a chance against many characters in the series. Though cowardly and greedy, Oolong’s antics prove a necessary amount of laughs while the story arcs advance into tense directions. His constant flirting, almost never engaging in fights, taking the backseat are manners that poke fun at the usual machismo seen in battle anime. His presence only highlights the fact that even those seen as weak can bring joy.
2 Yukiteru Amano – Future Diary
Delivering on what it promises, Future Diary is an anime that blends fantasy, action, time travel, and a flush of romance with a story that centers around Yukiteru Amano, a shy and lonely high school student who is so obsessed with his cell phone that he keeps a daily note of everything he does by writing it down. When he stumbles upon a diary that can predict the future, he does not realize that he may be entering a battle with several others for godlike control of the universe.
But Yukiteru does not have much going for him and is the weakest and dumbest among all Future Diary holders. His inaction allows others to manipulate his power for evil. His only hope to stay alive? Yuno Gasai, another Future Diary holder who is completely obsessed with Yukiteru and will go out of her way to protect him.
1 Kon – Bleach
Ichigo Kurosaki is the main character of Bleach, a breathtaking anime that follows souls becoming Soul Reapers and battling spiritual monsters. Amidst that many formidable characters in the series is a less scary, somewhat meek character named Kon. Kon is a stuffed lion that comes to life but remains trapped in toy form. Being a Modified Soul and not possessing any strengths whatsoever, Kon is relegated to a mere factor of comic relief. That said, Kon does have a cocky side to him because in his own eyes, he is invincible, the King Of New York. Ultimately, his presence is like an indestructible smile because Ichigo is usually seen torturing him.
Comments
Post a Comment