Animeis known for its overpowered, flashy characters. With multiple final forms and ever-evolving ultimate attacks, these heroes always seem to rise to the challenge, no matter how impossible it may seem.
In a genre where power is everything, losing that strength can be a turning point, not just for the story, but for the character’s entire identity. Whether it’s the result of a noble sacrifice, a self-imposed seal, a tragic accident, or the harsh consequences of wielding too much power, many iconic characters have faced the ultimate price: losing the abilities that once defined them.
10Pikachu
Pokemon
The electric mouse Pikachu is the iconic face ofPokemonand Ash Ketchum’s loyal partner throughout his journey. Known for his powerful electric attacks, Pikachu has dominated countless battles over the years. However, in a surprising twist at the start of theBlack & White anime series, Pikachu suffers a shocking defeat at the hands of Trip’s Snivy.
The reason? Pikachu mysteriously loses the ability to use his electric moves. Thankfully, the issue is short-lived. It’s soon revealed that the Legendary Pokemon Zekrom interfered, temporarily neutralizing Pikachu’s electricity… a rare setback for the dynamic duo.
9Inuyasha
InuYasha
Despite being a half-demon,Inuyashais one of the most formidable warriors in feudal Japan. Alongside his immense strength and superhuman abilities, he wields the Tessaiga, a powerful sword forged from the fang of his demon father. This legendary weapon grants him the ability to unleash devastating attacks, allowing Inuyasha to stand his ground against even the most dangerous foes.
As he journeys across the land with his companions to recover the scattered shards of the Shikon Jewel and end Naraku’s reign of terror, Inuyasha proves time and again that his hybrid nature is no weakness. However, there is one night each month when he becomes fully human, stripped of his demon powers under the new moon. Though temporary, this transformation leaves him incredibly vulnerable, and any enemy aware of this secret could easily use it to their advantage.
8Ichigo Kurosaki
Bleach
Ichigo Kurosaki, the son of a Shinigami, was born with exceptional spiritual power. After officially becoming a Shinigami himself, his abilities continued to grow, granting him access to an impressive range of techniques and transformations. However, everything changedduring his climactic battleagainst the overwhelmingly powerful Sosuke Aizen.
To stand a chance, Ichigo tapped into the Final Getsuga Tensho, a devastating technique that unleashed his ultimate form, Mugetsu. While this transformation gave Ichigo the strength he needed to finally defeat Aizen, it came at a steep cost: using the Final Getsuga Tensho meant sacrificing all of his Shinigami powers. In gaining the power to protect everyone, Ichigo lost the very strength that had allowed him to fight.
7Kazuma Kuwabara
YuYu Hakusho
Kazuma Kuwabara starts as Yusuke Urameshi’s rival but quicklygrows into one of his closest and most loyal friends. Gifted with an unusually strong sense of Spiritual Awareness and Strength, Kuwabara can sense ghosts, youkai, and other supernatural beings. This power fuels his signature weapon: the Spirit Sword, which he can shape and extend to suit his needs in combat.
Kuwabara does not lose his powers in the Netflix live-action adaptation, just in the manga and anime.
During the Dark Tournament Saga, Kuwabara is pitted against Risho, the formidable leader of Team Masho. However, a brutal beating in an earlier match leaves Kuwabara severely weakened. His spiritual energy is entirely focused on keeping him alive, rendering him unable to summon his Spirit Sword or rely on his sixth sense.
With nothing left to lose, he launches a desperate kamikaze attack, substituting his spiritual power for his life energy. But just as death seems inevitable, Kuwabara spots Yukina in the audience. Her presence inspires a surge of adrenaline that reignites his fighting spirit.
6All Might
My Hero Academia
At the start of My Hero Academia, All Might stands as the world’s No. 1 Pro Hero, known far and wide for his incredible physical strength and unwavering smile. However, behind his larger-than-life persona lies a carefully guarded secret: hispower comes from One For All, a unique Quirk that accumulates and amplifies strength with each user it’s passed down to.
Unlike most Quirks in the series, One For All is transferable, growing stronger with every successor. When All Might chooses to pass the torch to Izuku Midoriya, he not only entrusts the future of hero society to a quirkless teenager with potential, he also accepts the end of his era, giving up the power that defined him to make way for the next generation.
5Naruto Uzumaki
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Naruto Uzumaki spent over 500 episodes between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden honing his skills, overcoming unimaginable odds, and working toward his lifelong dream of becoming the strongest shinobi and the Hokage of Konoha. For long-time fans, watching him finally achieve that goal, embracing his role as a leader and protector in the spin-off series Boruto, was incredibly satisfying.
That sense of fulfillment only deepened as Naruto continued to prove himselfas the strongest Hokage, especially during high-stakes battles. However, his fight against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki marked a turning point. In a moment of ultimate sacrifice, Naruto chose to unleash Baryon Mode, a powerful transformation that came at a devastating cost: the death of Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Beast who had been both his burden and his greatest source of strength.
4Chrollo Lucilfer
Hunter X Hunter
Chrollo Lucilfer is the enigmaticfounder and leader of the Phantom Troupe, a notorious group of criminals each carrying Class-A bounties. As a major antagonist in Hunter x Hunter, Chrollo is a deadly force, especially due to his Nen ability, Skill Hunter, which allows him to steal and use the abilities of others.
With an arsenal of stolen Nen abilities at his disposal, Chrollo is an unpredictable and dangerous foe. However, his momentum comes to a halt when Kurapika, driven by vengeance for the slaughter of his clan, ensnares Chrollo with his Judgment Chain. The chain pierces Chrollo’s heart and seals his Nen abilities, effectively neutralizing him and giving the Phantom Troupe one of its rare defeats.
3Sherria Blendy
Fairy Tail
Sherria Blendy is a powerful Sky God Slayer and a proud member of Lamia Scale. Gifted with incredible magical talent, she wields the “sky’s ultimate Magic,” a form of God Slayer Magic said to surpass even Sky Dragon Slayer Magic in strength. Though first introduced as a rival during the Grand Magic Games arc, Sherria quickly forms a close bond with Wendy.
Their friendship is put to the test during the Alvarez Empire arc, when they face off against Dimaria Yesta. Despite their combined strength, Sherria and Wendy find themselves outmatched. At a desperate moment, Ultear offers them a way to turn the tide: by activating Third Origin, a hidden reserve of power that grants overwhelming magic in exchange for the user’s ability to ever use magic again. Without hesitation, Sherria chooses to protect Wendy, sacrificing her future as a wizard in a moment of selfless bravery that defines her character.
2Ryuko Matoi
Kill La Kill
Driven by the mystery of her father’s murder, Ryuko Matoi transfers to Honnouji Academy, a dystopian high school used as a proving ground for Life Fiber experiments, sentient clothing that grants wearers incredible powers. Armed with a scissor blade and her father’s final creation, a Kamui named Senketsu, Ryuko wages war against the academy’s system to uncover the truth.
Senketsu is more than just battle gear; he becomes Ryuko’s closest friend and unwavering partner. Together, they face impossible odds until the climactic showdown against Ragyo Kiryuin and the Primordial Life Fiber: an alien force threatening to consume humanity. Though victorious, Senketsu sacrifices himself to save Ryuko, using the last of his power to return her safely to Earth.
1Edward Elric
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
As children, Edward and Alphonse Elric suffered a devastating accident after attempting forbidden alchemy to resurrect their late mother. The transmutation went wrong; Edward lost an arm and a leg, while Alphonse lost his entire body. In a desperate act, Edward managed to bind Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor, saving his brother’s life at great personal cost.
In the final episode, Edward is faced with one last chance to save Alphonse and reclaim what they lost. However, it comes at a steep price: his alchemic abilities. Choosing love and family over power, Edward makes the ultimate sacrifice. He gives up alchemy and steps away from thelife of a State Alchemist, finally earning the peace he long sought as he begins a new chapter surrounded by those he fought to protect.
