Top 20 Zero to Hero Anime Characters

“Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest” (2019-22)

It’s kind of right there in the title, isn’t it? Hajime and several of his classmates are summoned to another world to save it. Unlike most of them, his skills are seemingly weak. But, after being betrayed and left for dead, Hajime eats powerful monsters and becomes incredibly overpowered as a result of mutation. Not only is he superhumanly strong, fast, and otherwise physically gifted, Hajime’s seemingly useless skill “Synergist” also lets him craft techno-magical weapons that can obliterate entire armies! Sure, the dude just wants to go home, but we almost pity the scumbags standing in his way.

“Yu-Gi-Oh! GX” (2004-08)

Shou Marufuji, or Syrus Truesdale if you’re a dub watcher, is the best friend of protagonist Jaden Yuki. Much less confident than his friend, Syrus struggles with self-doubt, stemming from issues with his older brother.. However, over the course of the series, Syrus gradually becomes a more confident card game duelist, standing up to his brother and becoming more successful. Despite still getting dunked on occasionally, his dub version does gain arguably one of the strongest powers a fictional character can have - the ability to break the 4th wall!

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#18: Ken Kaneki

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Top 10 Zero to Hero Anime Characters

“Tokyo Ghoul” (2014-18)

The protagonist of this dark urban fantasy series, Kaneki, is just an average college student…at first. However, after being attacked by a ghoul and receiving an organ transplant from his attacker, Kaneki becomes half-ghoul himself. Kaneki is initially unable to control his new powers, or associated hunger for human flesh. But Kaneki eventually, after some literal torture, develops both a more intense drive and better control over his powerful abilities. Kaneki’s half-ghoul nature makes him as strong or stronger than many full ghouls, which he often uses to great effect against them, as he fights for the things and people most important to him.

“Black Clover” (2017-21)

Given that he was born without magic in a world full of it, Asta is initially looked down on by society at large. But the spunky, young, aspiring Wizard King obtains a power that makes him nigh-unbeatable - anti-magic. By drawing several swords from his grimoire, Asta can negate, absorb, and/or destroy basically every type of magic. Oh, and did we mention that he can also fuse with the demon that acts as the source of his anti-magic, further increasing its power and his own? All these powers, combined with his never-say-die attitude, and Asta has a serious shot at fulfilling his dream. Plus, not gonna lie - the dude’s jacked!

“Ranking of Kings” (2021-)

The most precious of cinnamon rolls, Bojji is a young prince with a lot stacked against him. He’s deaf and mute, which makes many look down on him due to his difficulties communicating. Plus, it’s kind of hard for anyone to live up to his literal giant of a father. However, Bojji may not be strong, but he’s incredibly fast. And once he finds a teacher to help bring out his inner strengths, Bojji quickly becomes one of the strongest in the land! His speed and pinpoint accurate attacks on his opponents’ weaknesses prove a deadly combination! Upon returning to his kingdom, Bojji proves that he’s not only adorable, he’s also a force to be reckoned with and more than worthy of his father’s throne!

“Solo Leveling” (2024-)

Hunters are awakened humans that specialize in defeating monsters in portals that appear in modern day Earth. And Sung Jinwoo is renowned as perhaps the weakest Hunter of all. However, while in a strange dungeon, Jinwoo’s party is almost completely wiped out, and through a strange ritual, he’s able to awaken a unique ability - leveling up. Through a video game-like interface, Jinwoo is able to increase his strength by defeating monsters and completing specific “quests.” Fans of the manhwa can tell you that Jinwoo soon comes to “overshadow” every other hunter out there, becoming so powerful that he can take on armies and veritable gods solo. Let the monarch arise!

“One Piece” (1999-)

When Monkey D. Luffy first meets Koby, the pink-haired young man is the browbeaten chore boy of a tyrannical pirate, Alvida. However, the future Pirate King inspires Koby to not only stand up to Alvida, but also pursue his dream of becoming a Marine. This may put them on opposite sides, but they still remain friends. Through intense training with Luffy’s grandpa Garp, Koby becomes a strong and speedy fighter. He’s no match for Luffy (yet) but still, it’s impressive growth - in more ways than one! Talk about a growth spurt! Regardless, Koby is now seen as a promising Marine, rising through the ranks and willing to stand up to his superiors and pirates alike!

“Vinland Saga” (2019-)

In the beginning of this epic Viking tale, Thorfinn is just a kid. The death of his father Thors motivates Thorfinn to become stronger and to achieve revenge. To that end, he joins the mercenary band of Askeladd, his father’s killer, in the hopes of avenging him. Thorfinn becomes a capable and deadly fighter, able to take on men much stronger and more experienced than he is. However, as skilled as he is, Thorfinn’s vengeance doesn’t go to plan and he’s sold into slavery. While working towards his freedom, Thorfinn comes to realize that sometimes choosing not to fight can be the most heroic thing. Thorfinn is a great example of a weak-to-strong journey twice over, becoming strong in body and then in spirit.

“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” (2018-)

As any old-school RPG fan will tell you, slimes are the weakest monsters. So when the newly minted Rimuru Tempest is reborn as a slime, you’d think he’d be weak. And he is, kind of, at first. However, because he’s reincarnated with several overpowered skills, including the ability to absorb other beings and a virtual assistant in his brain, Rimuru quickly becomes a powerhouse with a bevy of abilities and a cute human form to boot. The nicest slime around can defeat powerful opponents like demon lords and invading armies who don’t know not to mess with him and his nation of monsters. And that’s all before becoming a demon lord himself!

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#11: Armin Arlert

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“Attack on Titan” (2013-23)

As a kid, Armin always needed help from his friends to defend himself. And as a fresh recruit in humanity’s fight against Titans, that much doesn’t change at first - Armin is nearly Titan food! Yet, Armin soon proves his skills in other areas. In addition to learning to stand up for himself and his friends, Armin possesses a keen mind with an eye for details. His insight proves invaluable on many occasions, either devising battle plans or uncovering vital information. Armin even adds brawn to his impressive brains, after he acquires Titan abilities himself. And he proves “colossally” effective on the battlefield!

“Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” (2006-07)

He may be a little on the whiny side, but when this guy sets his mind to something, you had better have your guard up. Originally nothing more than a punching bag, Kenichi’s determination to save those in need eventually earned him the attention of the beautiful yet skilled Miu, who led him to the Ryozanpaku Dojo. From that point on, Kenichi became the ultimate disciple, learning several martial arts styles and going onto become quite the talented fighter. Don’t judge this guy by his build, he’ll knock you flat before you know it. Respectfully, of course.

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#9: Shu Ouma

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“Guilty Crown” (2011-12)

Let’s be honest, if you had someone like Inori as a love interest, you’d come out of your shell as well. Burdened by a less than pleasant past, Shu was as aloof as they came, that is until Inori entered his life and gained the ability known as the “Power of the King”. By accessing the Void within a person, Shu became a one-man army and a great addition to the resistance group known as Funeral Parlour. Sure, he mostly joined up because he had the hots for Inori, but hey, if it means he fights for a good cause, why not? Hooray for puberty!

“Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?” (2015)

We’ve all been there. One day you’re just this nerdy kid who dreams of being an adventurer, and then next thing you know you’re diving into dungeons, slaying monsters and earning the affections of goddesses. Ah to be young. While he started out as just a novice, Bell’s uncanny ability to earn the loyalty and affection of others soon propelled him forward as a warrior worthy of recognition. He’s so humble that he even turns down the advances of the pint-sized beauty that is Hestia. Hey Bell, being a gentleman is all well and good, but if a goddess wants to give you some divine attention you’d best heed it!

“Reborn!” (2006-10)

He’s easily startled, barely has any friends, and has no talents to speak of. Sounds like the perfect candidate for the next leader of a mafia family! Yes, Tsuna may have started the series with no qualities whatsoever, but as time we went on, we saw that what he lacked in intellect and raw strength he made up for with an overwhelming heart. With the world’s greatest home tutor Reborn by his side, Tsuna is soon able to harness the power of his “Dying Will Mode” and become a figure the Vongola Familia can look up to. Try making fun of him after seeing him bust out that X Burner of his.

“Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-“ (2016-21)

Out of everyone on this list, Subaru might just have the worst of it. Sure, he doesn’t exactly have a dark and tragic past, but he is however the only one of them to die. A lot. After being transported into a fantasy world brimming with elves, magic and murder, our unlucky hero discovers that every time he’s killed, he travels back in time. Despite meeting multiple, gruesome ends, Subaru still somehow finds a way to turn this into a strength. Yeah, he didn’t get with Rem at the end, but anyone who can keep coming back after so many horrific ordeals certainly deserves our respect!

“Little Witch Academia” (2017)

She comes from a humble background and has very little talent for magic, yet still winds up attending a school for witches. Does this deter her? Of course not! This little lady is one of the most determined characters in recent memory, propelled forward by her dream of becoming a great witch like her hero Shiny Chariot. With an unshakeable belief in how magic should be used to spread joy, despite many originally viewing her as the worst witch, Akko turned out to be a beacon of hope that all could aspire to. Even if she still has trouble flying a broom.

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#4: Saitama

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“One Punch Man” (2015-19)

You could make the argument that Saitama has always been the strongest hero and was never once a zero, but that’s not exactly true. As we saw in a brief flashback, before he was a caped crusader (and bald) Saitama was a run of the mill worker who hated his mundane life so much he didn’t care if a supervillain crushed him. After a sudden change of heart, he “somehow” gained his unstoppable strength, becoming the one person capable of stopping threats that could annihilate Earth. Despite the fact all other heroes still regard him as the lowest of the low.

“Hajime no Ippo” (2000-14)

What does it mean to be strong? As a perpetual victim who could never muster the courage to stand up for himself, Ippo is the last person you would expect to become the Japanese featherweight boxing champion! After finding a passion in the sport, Ippo soon finds himself with a shot at the big leagues thanks to his unyielding fighting spirit as well as packing one hell of a swing. He can take a beating like no-one’s business and dish out a blow that can cripple champions. Just so happens he’s also the nicest guy you’ll ever meet as well.

“My Hero Academia” (2016-)

All Izuku has ever wanted was to become a superhero. Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t got any powers. Ridiculed and bullied for being Quirkless, Izuku refuses to give up on his dream of becoming like his idol; the hero known as All Might. After a run in with said hero, Izuku finally gets his chance when All Might recognises that he does indeed possess the qualities of a hero, making him a worthy candidate to pass down his Quirk to. Now imbued with the power of One for All, Izuku has gone on to become such a force for good that even Superman would be proud!

“Gurren Lagann” (2007)

While he certainly has spirit, in the beginning Simon was most definitely overshadowed by his big bro. That’s no fault on Simon’s part, ANY anime character would be dwarfed when stood next to the pinnacle of manliness that is Kamina! However, following on from his bro’s tragic death, Simon went through one hell of a transformation. Stepping up to lead Team Dai-Gurren against the threat of Lordgenome and the Anti-Spiral, by the time he makes the transition from kid to adult, Simon is the shining star of human hope. Who else do you know that can go from pipsqueak all the way to piloting a mecha the size of a galaxy?

Is there a zero-to-hero anime character with zero presence on our list? Let us know in the comments!