10 Greatest Anime Where the Underdog Hero Becomes Overpowered

While the abundance of power fantasies and isekai featuring characters who become unstoppable upon arriving in other worlds makes it easy to find underrated heroes who exceed expectations, the best underdog stories are almost always those rich in nuance that showcase the characters' gradual growth. With heroes battling against fate that was initially imposed upon them and their limitations to become true powerhouses, the best anime about underdogs are rewarding to watch from beginning to end.

Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

The pinnacle of shōnen anime about a weak protagonist trying to reinvent himself, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple stars a fragile, bullied boy whose refuge was primarily his countless self-help books. This comedy-heavy anime sees Kenichi grow stronger and more confident while teetering on the brink of life and death, trained by eccentric masters, each crazier than the last and with skills that defy common sense.

Kenichi demonstrates that anything is possible with determination, training to superhuman limits, gradually perfecting himself in different martial arts disciplines and facing new rivals. But the main thing is that he learns to stop running away and gain the mental strength to face each challenge. Hilariously funny, faithful to its original manga, and full of the spirit of early 2000s shōnen anime, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple may have slightly outdated animation, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining.

Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?

Also known as DanMachi, this fantasy anime features a weak protagonist who works hard and becomes powerful quickly. Although Bell Cranel has exceptional growth, he had to start from the very bottom. Lacking any special talent and with parents who weren't particularly skilled in combat, he faced opponents far superior to him. One of the first feats that demonstrates Bell's potential is that, despite having only been an adventurer for a short time, he quickly rose through the ranks by defeating a minotaur.

Bell is pure and hardworking and has some superpowered abilities up his sleeve, but what makes it a delight for viewers to watch him level up is that his entire journey revolves around becoming stronger in order to reach his beloved. DanMachi presents grand epic adventures filled with breathtaking action and moments that make you emotionally connect with the characters, making it perfect for those looking for a non-isekai fantasy and who enjoy watching charming girls.

Kaiju No. 8

Kaiju No. 8 combines the thrill of fighting Godzilla-like creatures with an underdog protagonist aiming to fulfill his dream. The anime follows Kafka Hibino, a man past his thirties who ends up cleaning the wreckage of giant monsters after repeatedly failing to join the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. Forget about reuniting with his childhood friend; Kafka couldn't even stand on the starting line.

Kafka is just average, nothing like a classic shōnen protagonist, and more of a comic relief until he becomes a hybrid between kaiju and human. Although he hides and struggles to control his power, Kafka gradually works his way toward achieving his goal, fighting increasingly dangerous creatures and delivering in Kaiju No. 8 an incredibly uplifting journey. Full of highly skilled characters, mysterious villains, and large-scale battles that keep you on the edge of your seat, Kaiju No. 8 is one of the best new-gen anime for action lovers.

Ranking of Kings

In Ranking of Kings, prince Bojji is a kind-hearted boy with a hearing impairment who is constantly subjected to ridicule, which he pretends not to notice. Despite having a giant father, Bojji is small in stature and weak. But even despite his terrible environment and every handicap, Bojji perseveres unwaveringly.

Beyond gaining physical strength, Bojji trains relentlessly to perfect a unique, precise, and effective fighting style, leveraging his extraordinary reflexes and discovering within himself the ability to connect with others and earn their respect. Like Bojji, Ranking of Kings is an anime that subverts all preconceived notions, a profound and inspiring story about family, overcoming weakness, and what it means to be "strong," which has become a true masterpiece in recent years.

Solo Leveling

Considered by many fans to be the quintessential underdog anime, Solo Leveling is all about Sung Jinwoo's rise from zero to hero. And while it might feel a bit too fast, it's impossible not to love it in every way. Nicknamed the "World's Weakest Hunter," Jinwoo risked his life to take down even the most inferior goblins, but he did it to financially support his family.

Although everything changes for Jinwoo after a near-death experience that lets him gain experience and level up, the most exhilarating thing for viewers is watching him strive to challenge every quest and dungeon boss. With some jaw-dropping action sequences, slowly unfolding mysteries, and the satisfaction of watching a character become a true powerhouse to unimaginable levels, it's easy to see why Solo Leveling has become one of the most popular anime in recent years.

My Hero Academia

Being born without a quirk made it virtually impossible for Izuku Midoriya to become a pro hero. Although his heart and motivation impress his idol, All Might, who names him his successor, Izuku is initially far from being a worthy vessel. Achieving impressive feats in a vast universe of superheroes, My Hero Academia shows Izuku's growth from a shy and timid boy to a hero who carries the fate of the world on his shoulders.

Izuku went from suffering multiple fractures from a simple blow to fighting villains with almost invincible quirks. My Hero Academia not only features intense fights, great character development, and villains better constructed than the heroes themselves, but it is also a story capable of connecting with viewers and making them want to watch it until the end.

World Trigger

World Trigger is not only one of the most criminally underrated shōnen anime, but it also showcases the opposite extreme of a powerful protagonist. Both Osamu Mikumo and Yuma Kuga are the protagonists of the series, but they couldn't be more different. While Yuma is capable of taking down Marmods by himself from the beginning, Osamu's trion capacity is the lowest among all combatants.

Although Osamu improves, he never gets a major power-up. Instead, he finds his true strength in his overwhelming analytical skills, becoming an exceptional support player, as humanity cannot win without strategy. Distinguished by its extraordinary team battles, the anime achieves a perfect balance, avoiding characters who can single-handedly defeat everyone in an overly epic fashion and making World Trigger a refreshing shōnen anime that deserves more attention.

Black Clover

In Black Clover, Asta is an orphan in a society where social class is everything, and to top it all off, he lacks any kind of magic. Although he tries to overcome this by building up muscle, Asta's true talent lies in his determination to prove everyone wrong. Asta acquires a special grimoire, but it's useless if he doesn't put in the effort. He also fights tooth and nail to avoid falling behind his rival, who is blessed with the greatest mana imaginable.

The best part of Black Clover is that Asta isn't the only underestimated hero; everyone in his squad, the Black Bulls, is also an outcast. As a result, the anime is full of moments that demonstrate the importance of hard work over natural talent or lineage. Black Clover is full of humor, the best supporting characters who steal the show, strategic tag teams, and battles that are a visual delight and have turned it into a fan-favorite shōnen.

Gurren Lagann

An anime that leaves no one indifferent, Gurren Lagann goes from a small scale, following a boy in an underground village, to battles against all-powerful cosmic entities. Deservedly re-recognized as a legendary mecha anime, Gurren Lagann follows Simon in the most epic coming-of-age story possible that proves the extent of human capacity to persevere despite challenges.

Besides having glorious animation that continues to amaze despite the passage of years, the charm of Gurren Lagann lies in its characters who are not only charismatic but also have transcendent narrative arcs with unforgettable moments. Witnessing Simon's growth and the message embodied in Gurren Lagann of believing in oneself is one of the most exhilarating journeys to be found in anime.

Naruto

Although many viewers have mixed feelings about its final arc, there's little debate that Naruto boasts one of the best underdog characters in anime. An ostracized orphan boy with the goal of becoming the most prominent figure in his village in order to be accepted, the story of Masashi Kishimoto created a generation of fans eager to see Naruto Uzumaki achieve his dream.

Naruto does many things well as an anime, having a complex power system, villains with profound philosophies, and questions inherent in human behavior and destiny. Furthermore, it showcases the importance of personal growth and overcoming tragedy. This has made for an unparalleled experience, witnessing Naruto master his inner power to become one of the strongest anime characters, appearing on most power-scaling lists. Thus, Naruto isn't only among the most inspiring stories but is worthy of a place among the most important shōnen anime in history.