Animehas no shortage of overpowered legends, mysterious loners, and “final boss” energy characters, but not all of them live up to the hype. Sometimes, a character arrives cloaked in reputation, surrounded by lore, or simply with too much fan anticipation to match their actual impact. And when the dust settles, fans are left wondering and thinking “wait, that’s it?”
Whether it’s a character hyped up by in-universe characters, promotional material, or the fanbase itself, some anime “powerhouses” have more bark than bite.These are not necessarily bad characters, but characters who were frauds in the best way possible.They tricked fans, and maybe that was the point.
10Star and Stripe
From My Hero Academia by Bones; Based on the Manga by Kohei Horikoshi
Introduced as the strongest hero in the United States, Star and Stripe arrives inMy Hero Academiawith a design so commanding and a Quirk so broken that fans instantly assumed she’d change the tide of the series. “New Order” allowed her to rewrite reality under specific rules, an ability that screamed endgame-level threat.
But her fight against Shigaraki ended almost as quickly as it began.Despite her incredible power, she’s used largely as a narrative device to set up the villain’s evolution.She sacrifices herself early on, barely scratching the surface of her potential. It’s a shame, because her buildup promised so much more than her brief, tragic exit delivered.
9Monaka
From Dragon Ball Super by Toei Animation; Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama
Monaka was a hilarious gag character… if fans were in on the joke. Unfortunately, manyDragon Ball Superfans weren’t, at least not at first. Beerus built Monaka up as the strongest warrior he’d ever encountered, stronger than Goku, even. With such buildup, fans braced themselves for a wild reveal.
Instead, Monaka was a complete fraud, a deliveryman with no real power. Beerus invented the myth to motivate Goku and Vegeta to get stronger.In a series filled with literal gods and universe-busting power scaling, Monaka is both a punchline and a reminder that hype doesn’t always equal power.Still, some fans hoped he’d surprise us. He never did.
8Pannacotta Fugo
From JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind by David Production; Based on the Manga by Hirohiko Araki
Pannacotta Fugo hadone of the most terrifying Stands inJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurewith Purple Haze. Its ability to unleash a flesh-eating virus gave it lethal potential, and fans expected Fugo to be a vital player in Team Bucciarati’s rise against Passione. He seemed too dangerous to ignore.
Then he was gone.Fugo bows out of the story halfway through the season, refusing to go against the organization.While it made for a realistic character moment, his absence from the remainder of the arc made all his earlier setup feel pointless. He never gets his big fight, and the anime sidelines him into obscurity.
7Gaara
From Naruto and Boruto by Pierrot; Based on the Manga by Masashi Kishimoto
Gaara’s early arc inNarutois nothing short of legendary. As a cold-blooded killer with a tragic backstory, he stole the spotlight during the Chunin Exams andgave Naruto one of his most emotionally charged battles. Fans expected him to remain a core figure in the shinobi world.
Then cameShippudenandBoruto, where Gaara gradually faded into the backdrop.As Kazekage, he holds a prestigious title, but he rarely takes meaningful action in the grand scheme of the plot. His early ferocity and edge give way to bureaucratic passivity, and his narrative importance dwindles with each arc.
6Yuki Tsukumo
From Jujutsu Kaisen by MAPPA; Based on the Manga by Gege Akutami
From the moment she’s first mentioned, Yuki Tsukumo is treated as an elite sorcerer andone of only a few Special Grades in theJujutsu Kaisenuniverse. With her cool demeanor and unexplained aura, fans speculated she’d be pivotal to the battles against Kenjaku or Sukuna.
For someone built up as Gojo’s peer, Yuki’s performance couldn’t have been more underwhelming.
But when she finally enters the battlefield, her moment is brief and, ultimately, futile.She loses in a disappointingly straightforward way, and fans learn more about her ideals than we see of her actual power.For someone built up as Gojo’s peer, Yuki’s performance couldn’t have been more underwhelming.
From Chainsaw Man by MAPPA; Based on the Manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Power is an undeniably entertaining presence inChainsaw Man.Her loudmouth personality, chaotic energy, and fierce loyalty to Denji make her one of the most beloved characters in the series.But when it comes to her actual combat achievements, the record is surprisingly thin.
She talks a big game, often proclaiming herself the greatest of all devils. Yet her victories are rare, and most of her significant moments come from running, hiding, or causing problems rather than solving them. Her emotional arc is brilliant, but as a fighter, Power is more noise than impact.
4Historia Reiss/Krista Lenz
From Attack on Titan by Wit Studio & MAPPA; Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama
WhenAttack on Titanfirst introduced Krista Lenz, she seemed like a kind-hearted background character.Then the twist came, and she was Historia Reiss, heir to the throne and central to the larger conflict involving the Titans.Her transformation promised a powerful new direction.
But post-coronation, Historia all but vanishes. She plays a passive role in the final seasons, contributing little to the war or its resolution. Despite being queen of the last human settlement, her political and personal power barely registers. She went from symbol of change to symbol of irrelevance.
3Van Hohenheim
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood by Bones; Based on the Manga by Hiromu Arakawa
Van Hohenheim is the mysterious, long-lost father of the Elric brothers, and seemingly the key to defeating Father, the ultimate villain. His mysterious backstory and near-immortal body suggest he’s playing 4D chess while everyone elsestruggles with pawns inFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
In reality, Hohenheim does contribute to the final fight, but not in the way fans hoped.He doesn’t outsmart Father, doesn’t take the final blow, and doesn’t have a lasting emotional payoff with his sons.His big plan works, but mostly in the background. As far as “ancient beings of untold power” go, he’s more support than savior.
2Usopp
One Piece by Toei Animation; Based on the Manga by Eiichiro Oda
Usopp is a fan favorite for good reason. He’s relatable, cowardly, and comedically honest about his shortcomings.But somewhere along the way,One Pieceturned him into “God Usopp,” a title even he didn’t see coming.Suddenly, people started thinking he was some kind of legend.
Other Straw Hats get serious growth and power-ups; Usopp remains a trickster with great speeches and terrible aim.
And while the joke is intentional, the gap between Usopp’s reputation and actual ability only grows with time. He has had his brave moments, sure, but he’s rarely decisive in major arcs. Other Straw Hats get serious growth and power-ups; Usopp remains a trickster with great speeches and terrible aim.
1Sung Jinwoo
Solo Leveling by A-1 Pictures; Based on the Web Novel by Chugong
On paper, Sung Jinwoo is the ultimate underdog-turned-god. He starts out as the weakest hunter in existence, then gains a system that turns him into an unstoppable force. But that power curve isn’t gradual, it’s vertical. Almost overnight, he becomes invincible, robbing the story of tension.
Despite looking cool and delivering flashy battles,Sung Jinwoo rarely faces threats that feel genuine.His dominance is the entire point, yes, but it also makes him one of the most lopsided protagonists in modern anime. For all his glory, there’s little struggle, and without struggle, power starts to feel empty.
