Power in anime can at times come with a price far heavier than physical strength or magical skill. Characters who possess innate abilities or achieve extraordinary heights may find that these powers come with consequences that affect their lives in immense ways. The cost they pay can range anywhere from isolation to existential torment, all stemming from their power.
The impact of these abilities seeps into every corner of their lives, influencing relationships, motivations, and the paths they must walk. The power they hold can force transformation and sacrifice, and it comes with great internal struggle, showcasing how power can carry weight and come at a high price.
Key Insights
- Power’s Cost: Characters often face significant personal sacrifices due to their abilities.
- Isolation Impact: Many characters experience profound loneliness as a result of their powers.
- Existential Struggles: The burden of power leads to deep internal conflicts and dissatisfaction.
- Transformation Necessity: Characters must adapt to the consequences of their powers, often leading to personal growth or tragedy.
Saitama (One-Punch Man)
Saitama is the central character of One-Punch Man. Despite his plain appearance and seemingly ordinary demeanor, he possesses unparalleled strength that makes him virtually invincible. Every battle he takes part in requires nothing more than a single punch to defeat any opponent, regardless of its size, skill, or resilience.
Iconically, this ultimate ability is something that doesn’t bring Saitama pride or triumph; instead, it becomes a source of frustration and emptiness. He no longer experiences true excitement, fear, or even a sense of accomplishment for any battle. Every encounter becomes predictable and every victory effortless, leaving him trapped in a cycle of existential boredom.
Kyo Sohma (Fruits Basket)
Kyo Sohma is the hot-headed male lead of Fruits Basket, a teenager who is burdened with a family curse that transforms him into a cat when he’s hugged by the opposite sex. As the ostracized Zodiac Cat, he is also cursed with another grotesque, foul-smelling transformation that is triggered when he doesn’t wear his Juzu bead bracelet.
His curse is the worst out of the Sohma family, forcing him into a life of isolation and confinement. Kyo develops a deep-seated sense of self-loathing, unworthiness, and a powerful fear of rejection. While his curse is ultimately broken and he builds a life of happiness, his early years were marked by suffering.
Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)
Lelouch vi Britannia is the protagonist of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion and a former prince of the Holy Britannian Empire. He stands out as a brilliant strategist who is driven to create a world free of tyranny so that his sister, Nunnally, can live a safe and peaceful life.
After gaining an ability known as Geass, a power that allows him to command absolute obedience from anyone he makes eye contact with, Lelouch is given the tools he needs to take on Britannia and achieve his goals. He assumes the identity of the masked vigilante and leader of the Black Knights, Zero.
However, the cost of his power increases the deeper he gets. As the only one capable of controlling others with a gaze, Lelouch becomes burdened by immense responsibility. When his power grows, he learns that he must be careful with his words or he might command someone to do something he doesn’t truly want.
Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
Eren Yeager is the protagonist of Attack on Titan, beginning his story as a passionate and determined young man driven to destroy the giant man-eating Titans that plague his world. Along with his friends Armin Arlert and Mikasa Ackerman, he joins the Scout Regiment only to later discover that he has the power to transform into a titan himself.
Over time, he gains access to the Founding Titan, which allows him to manipulate other Titans and influence memories. The power of the Founding Titan becomes an immense burden, pushing Eren down a path of destruction and forcing him to make seemingly impossible decisions. His power comes at a high personal cost, leading to isolation and sacrifice.
Yuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Yuji Itadori is the main character of Jujutsu Kaisen, starting as an ordinary high school student. However, after swallowing one of Ryomen Sukuna’s fingers—a powerful cursed object—he gains immense cursed energy and becomes Sukuna’s vessel.
The price for this power is significant as Sukuna can use Yuji’s body as his own whenever he wishes. This places Yuji at great risk emotionally and physically during battles where Sukuna takes control. The Shibuya Incident weighs heavily on Yuji’s conscience as he grapples with this duality.
Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
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Naruto Uzumaki is the titular character from both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. An orphaned ninja ostracized by his village for harboring the Nine-Tails Fox within him faces rejection throughout childhood but never gives up on becoming Hokage—the leader respected by all in Konoha.
The Nine-Tails grants Naruto enhanced strength but at an immense personal cost—his early life marked by fear and isolation shapes him profoundly. As Naruto grows stronger, he struggles with controlling its chakra while fearing losing himself to its destructive influence.
Tomura Shigaraki (My Hero Academia)
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Tomura Shigaraki leads the League of Villains in My Hero Academia. His quirk Decay has caused him unimaginable suffering due to trauma from abandonment during childhood which fuels his desire to dismantle hero society.
The nature of Shigaraki’s quirk brings great suffering as it manifested violently—leaving him orphaned until All For One took him in as his successor during formative years fueling hatred further.
Sailor Saturn (Sailor Moon)
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Sailor Saturn—Hotaru Tomoe—is one of the Outer Senshi in Sailor Moon. A quiet girl harboring incredible latent power destined for destruction yet rebirth makes her one of Sailor Guardians’ most powerful members.
This profound power isolates her greatly while tying her existence closely with death—she must practice extreme restraint to prevent tragedy due to her overwhelming abilities.
Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
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Homura Akemi appears stoic yet fiercely devoted in her role within Puella Magi Madoka Magica. She manipulates time using her powers while enduring pain from repeated failures through resets aimed at saving her friends—leading her down paths filled with sacrifice ultimately resulting in doom.
Natsuki Subaru is central character from Re: Zero. Transported into fantasy world without innate magical abilities yet possesses Return by Death—a unique ability allowing resurrection after dying offers strategic advantages but at unbearable costs through trauma experienced each time before revival leading Subaru towards isolation due inability share this burden with others…
