You know that feeling when an anime character is about to go all out? That moment where you’re practically bouncing in your seat because you know something epic is coming? Power-ups are basically what anime does best — turning regular fights into legendary moments that stick with you forever. So here are 10 power-ups that had everyone losing their minds, from the ones that took forever to happen to the hair changes that broke Twitter.
12. Guts’ Berserker Armor (Berserk)
When Guts first donned the Berserker Armor, it wasn’t just a new outfit. It was a descent into madness. Forged by a cursed blacksmith, this armor amplifies its wearer’s strength and ferocity to monstrous levels. But at what cost? The armor doesn’t heal its wearer; instead, it forces broken bones back into place with cruel spikes and dulls the senses, making the user a berserk beast.
Guts, ever the stoic, chose this path not for glory, but for survival. Every fight in that thing is basically him rolling the dice on whether he’ll still be human when it’s over, which is equally terrifying for the audience.
11. Ichigo’s Bankai (Bleach)
Fans knew they were watching a special thing the moment Ichigo Kurosaki pulled off his Bankai in just three days — something that’s supposed to take decades to master. Tensa Zangetsu didn’t just look cool with its sleek black blade and chain; it represented Ichigo’s growth from a substitute Soul Reaper into someone who could stand toe-to-toe with captains.
The speed boost was insane, but what really sold this moment was how it perfectly captured Ichigo’s fighting style: fast, direct, and overwhelming. Plus, that black shihakushō was just a chef’s kiss.
10. Natsu’s Dragon Force (Fairy Tail)
Dragon Slayers eating their own element to power up? Cool. Dragon Slayers accessing Dragon Force naturally? Mind-blowing. When Natsu first tapped into this ultimate Dragon Slayer technique during the Tower of Heaven arc, the scales covering his body and the raw power increase had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The visual design perfectly conveyed that Natsu was tapping into something primal and dangerous, walking the line between human and dragon. It’s no wonder this became his go-to trump card for the series’ biggest fights.
9. Edward’s Philosopher’s Stone Power (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Okay, technically, Ed rejected using Philosopher’s Stones for most of the series, but when he finally used one during the final battle against Father, it was absolutely devastating. Watching the master alchemist finally have unlimited transmutation energy was like watching a master pianist finally get access to a full orchestra.
The emotional weight made it even better. After all, Ed was using the power he’d spent the entire series refusing to touch because the stakes were literally the fate of the world.
8. Mob’s 100% Explosion (Mob Psycho 100)
The entire premise of Mob Psycho 100 builds toward these moments, and they never disappoint. When Shigeo’s emotional meter hits 100% and he just… lets go, the animation goes absolutely feral. Whether it’s 100% Rage, 100% Sadness, or the legendary ???%, these power-ups are as much about emotional release as they are about psychic destruction.
Studio Bones went completely unhinged with these sequences, and fans noticed. The series holds an 8.5+ rating on most platforms, with viewers consistently praising how these moments blend incredible sakuga animation with genuine emotional storytelling. The contrast between Mob’s normally subdued personality and these explosive moments of power creates some of the most impactful scenes in anime.
7. All Might’s United States of Smash (My Hero Academia)
Even knowing All Might was at the end of his rope, watching him channel everything he had left into one final, world-shaking punch was pure emotional devastation. The United States of Smash wasn’t just a power-up; it was a goodbye letter written in pure force.
The United States of Smash is canonically described as “the most powerful technique in All Might’s vast arsenal” that concentrates all remaining One For All power into a single fist. Channel Frederator actually did the math on this attack’s destructive power in 2018, and the results were staggering. The MHA subreddit still debates whether this is the strongest single attack in anime history, and many fans argue it surpasses even some Dragon Ball moves in terms of emotional impact.
The weather changing from the sheer power, All For One’s shocked expression, and Deku’s tears made this one of the most bittersweet power moments in anime history.
6. Luffy’s Gear Fourth (One Piece)
After 600+ episodes of Gears Second and Third, fans thought they knew what to expect from Luffy’s power-ups. Then Gear Fourth dropped and threw all expectations out the window. The bounce-man form looked ridiculous and absolutely terrifying at the same time, perfectly encapsulating One Piece’s ability to be goofy and epic simultaneously.
The Haki-infused muscle balloon technique was so uniquely Luffy that it felt both surprising and inevitable. Plus, watching Doflamingo get absolutely dominated after being built up as nearly unstoppable was satisfying.
5. Saitama vs. Boros (One Punch Man)
The “Serious Punch” might seem like a joke power-up, but the implications were staggering. For 11 episodes, we watched Saitama casually one-shot everything. Then Boros pushes him to use a “serious” attack, and the resulting punch doesn’t just defeat the alien overlord; it parts the clouds and atmosphere.
One Punch Man holds a solid 9.0/10 on IMDb, with fans praising how “it still does not get boring” despite the one-punch gimmick. Critics noted that the season finale was praised for “mixing both elements of the narrative,” where Saitama makes his signature dull expression before getting serious for the first time.
The revelation that Saitama has been holding back so much that his “serious” punch can affect weather patterns retroactively made every previous fight even more impressive.
4. Gon’s Final Transformation (Hunter x Hunter)
After a ton of heartbreak and loss, Gon’s power-up against Pitou is pure emotion turned into insane strength. Fueled by rage and desperation, he sacrifices his future potential to transform into a fully grown, muscular version of himself—boosting his strength and Nen like crazy. It’s not just a power-up; it’s a risky, tragic move that burns out his Nen just to land one big hit on one of the toughest villains in the series.
The brutal animation and intense emotional weight made this moment unforgettable. Gon’s sacrifice showed fans how far he’d go for his friends, marking one of the darkest and most powerful power-ups in anime history.
3. Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra Mode (Naruto Shippuden)
After years of the Nine-Tails—the massive, fearsome fox demon sealed inside Naruto since birth— being portrayed as this uncontrollable, destructive force, watching Naruto finally master its power and team up with Kurama (the name of the Nine-Tails spirit) was incredibly satisfying. The golden chakra cloak looked amazing, but the real power-up was emotional.
Most fans had been waiting for years to see Kurama finally accept Naruto (and for Naruto to accept Kurama in return) since the demon was the very force that had shaped his entire life. The speed, strength, and sensory abilities were impressive, but the character growth was what made this transformation legendary.
2. Vegeta’s Super Saiyan Transformation (Dragon Ball Z)
Vegeta’s Super Saiyan transformation on Namek might not have been the first we saw (that honor goes to Goku), but it was arguably the most emotionally impactful. The Prince of All Saiyans finally achieving the legendary form after years of being second-best was a cathartic moment for both the character and fans.
The pure rage and satisfaction in his voice when he declared himself a Super Saiyan was perfect. Plus, watching him absolutely demolish Android 19 immediately afterward was the cherry on top.
1. Goku’s First Super Saiyan Transformation (Dragon Ball Z)
Was there ever any doubt? Goku going Super Saiyan for the first time on Namek isn’t just the greatest anime power-up. In fact, it’s one of the most iconic moments in all of entertainment. The golden hair, the crackling aura, the personality shift, and that earth-shaking power level increase created a cultural phenomenon.
The numbers don’t lie: this transformation happened in DBZ Episode 95 “Transformed at Last” (originally aired June 19, 1991), and it’s considered so legendary that the episode consistently ranks as one of the highest-rated Dragon Ball episodes ever.
The transformation has been referenced, parodied, and homaged in countless anime since. Goku’s Super Saiyan debut is one of the most iconic transformations in anime history, and it’s easy to see why. This single moment influenced an entire generation of anime creators and became the template for epic power-ups that followed.
Honorable Mentions
- Rock Lee dropping his training weights (Naruto)
- Deku’s Full Cowling (My Hero Academia)
- Yusuke’s Spirit Gun evolution (Yu Yu Hakusho)
- Ichigo’s Hollow Mask (Bleach)
- Senku’s scientific breakthroughs (Dr. Stone)
These power-up moments remind us why we love anime in the first place. They’re not just about getting stronger. They’re about characters overcoming their limits, confronting their fears, and achieving something greater than they thought possible. And honestly? We’ll never get tired of watching heroes scream their way to victory.
