Weakest Anime Character Who Became The Strongest

An underdog story is hard to hate. Anime understands this narrative better than most mediums, consistently delivering protagonists who start from weak or even pathetic beginnings before rising to incredible strengths.

These transformations feel so compelling precisely because they tap into our own hopes of overcoming limitations and achieving greatness despite the odds. Finding strength during weakness is the beauty of human nature, but when cranked to the max, it’s just a fantastic dose of dopamine.

The weakest-to-strongest character anime balances satisfying power progression with meaningful character development, showing protagonists who grow not just in strength but in wisdom, confidence, and purpose.

8 My Hero Academia

Born Powerless in a Super World

In a society where 80% of people possess supernatural “Quirks,” Izuku Midoriya was born without any power whatsoever. Despite this crushing disadvantage, Deku never abandons his dream of becoming a hero like his idol All Might, meticulously studying other heroes and their abilities from the sidelines.

Everything changes when All Might recognizes Deku’s heroic spirit and chooses him to inherit One For All, an immensely powerful Quirk that stockpiles power. Initially, Deku can’t control this overwhelming ability, shattering his own bones whenever he uses it.

Through some soul-crushing training, mentorship from pro heroes, and countless battles against villains, he gradually masters increasing percentages of his power.

Deku essentially goes from a bullied, powerless kid who could only take notes on heroes to becoming one of the strongest students at UA High.

7 Solo Leveling

The World’s Weakest Hunter

Sung Jinwoo starts as the definition of rock bottom in the hunter world – an E-rank barely capable of surviving the easiest dungeons. Constantly risking his life for minimal rewards to pay his mother’s medical bills, he’s mockingly called “the world’s weakest hunter” by his peers who see him as nothing but a liability.

After nearly dying in a mysterious double dungeon, Jinwoo receives the unheard-of opportunity to become a “Player” with a game-like system that allows him to level up through quests and monster hunting.

Starting with basic abilities, he grows exponentially stronger through grinding and strategic use of his system, eventually gaining the ability to summon an army of shadow soldiers from defeated enemies.

Watching him methodically climb from struggling against the weakest monsters to single-handedly taking down nation-level threats, all while maintaining the determined mindset that helped him survive his weakest days is a treat worth consuming.

6 Black Clover

Magic-less in a Kingdom of Mages

Asta is born without any magical ability in a world where magic is everything. While others effortlessly manifest magical powers, he can’t produce even the tiniest spark.

Despite this seemingly insurmountable disadvantage, Asta compensates through sheer physical training, performing thousands of push-ups daily while maintaining his dream of becoming the Wizard King.

His fortunes change when he receives a five-leaf clover grimoire containing Anti-Magic swords capable of nullifying magical attacks. What initially appears to be useless turns out to be a rare ability specifically effective against the magic-saturated world around him.

Through intense physical training to wield his heavy swords and countless battles alongside the Black Bulls, Asta gradually masters his demonic power.

5 Naruto

The Village Outcast

Naruto Uzumaki begins as a troublemaking orphan shunned by his entire village for unknowingly containing the Nine-Tailed Fox demon that once attacked their home. Academically at the bottom of his class and struggling with even basic ninja techniques, Naruto compensates with boundless determination and his signature catchphrase: “I’ll never give up! You better believe it! (dattebayo)“

Starting with just the Shadow Clone Jutsu and minimal chakra control, Naruto’s growth stems from multiple sources: rigorous training under mentors like Jiraiya, forming deep bonds with teammates, and gradually learning to harness the Nine-Tails’ immense power.

His rivalry with the naturally gifted Sasuke pushes him to develop techniques like the Rasengan and eventually master Sage Mode.

4 Gurren Lagann

The Digger Who Pierced the Heavens

Simon starts as a timid young digger living in an underground village, overshadowed by his charismatic “blood brother” Kamina who constantly pushes him to believe in himself. With little confidence and seemingly fit only for digging tunnels, Simon initially relies entirely on Kamina for direction and courage.

Everything changes when Simon discovers the Core Drill and the small mecha Lagann hidden underground. After Kamina’s shocking death, Simon falls into deep depression before emerging with newfound resolve and leadership abilities.

He masters Spiral Power, the energy of evolution and fighting spirit, to pilot increasingly powerful mechs against escalating threats.

3 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

From Lowest Monster to Demon Lord

After dying in our world, Satoru Mikami reincarnates as a slime, considered one of the weakest monsters in his new fantasy world. Initially blind and deaf with only the ability to absorb objects, he seems destined for an unremarkable existence in a dangerous world.

His luck shifts when he obtains the unique skills “Predator” and “Great Sage,” allowing him to analyze and absorb the abilities of anything he consumes.

After befriending the powerful dragon Veldora, Rimuru rapidly accumulates an impressive array of skills while building a nation from scratch through diplomatic genius and rational thinking.

2 The Rising of the Shield Hero

From Hero to Villain and Back

Summoned to another world as the Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani immediately faces a devastating setback when his companion betrays him, falsely accuses him of assault, and steals all his possessions.

Left penniless, friendless, maidenless and unable to wield any offensive weapons, he becomes bitter and distrustful while being reviled throughout the kingdom.

Forced to survive through unconventional means, Naofumi focuses on defensive capabilities, crafting, alchemy, and working with slave companions like Raphtalia and Filo.

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He unlocks numerous shield forms with different abilities and eventually masters the dangerous Curse Series fueled by his rage and sense of injustice.

1 Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

Class Weakling to Dimensional Terror

High school student Hajime Nagumo enters a fantasy world alongside his classmates but receives only the weak “Synergist” transmutation skill while others gain powerful combat abilities. Already bullied and an outcast, his situation worsens when a jealous classmate’s betrayal causes him to fall into a monster-filled abyss.

Losing an arm and nearly dying, Hajime abandons his gentle nature to survive by any means necessary. That means even consuming monsters to gain their powers. Through this brutal process, he transforms from the class weakling into a white-haired, red-eyed gunslinger with overwhelming abilities and a ruthless mindset.

Accompanied by vampire princess Yue and eventually others, Hajime essentially transforms from the weakest link to the only beacon of hope in an otherwise unfair power-ruled world.

Arifureta: From Commonplace To World’s Strongest

Release Date

July 8, 2019

Network

AT-X

Directors

Kazuya Fujishiro, Natsumi Yasue, Takao Kato, Ryo Miyata, Masayuki Iimura, Satomi Nakamura, Taiji Kawanishi, Shintaro Itoga, Motoki Nakanishi

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  Toshinari Fukamachi

  Hajime Nagumo (voice)

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  Yuuki Kuwahara

  Yue (voice)

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  Minami Takahashi

  Shea Haulia (voice)

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  Yoko Hikasa

  Tio Klarus (voice)