Hunter x Hunter Creator Reveals Second Positive Update in Under a Week

Hunter x Hunter manga creator Yoshihiro Togashi has shocked franchise fans with his second drawing update in under a week, sparking optimism over the series' official return after a long hiatus.

In a post to his official X (formerly Twitter) post, Togashi revealed that he was working on page 7 of Hunter x Hunter Chapter 405, simply posting a picture of a draft manuscript without further comment. Even so, the post quickly went viral, amassing 6.7 million views and 234k likes in under 12 hours. Readers can check out the post and general reaction below.

The new post follows the May 1 update just yesterday, representing the first new Hunter x Hunter update in seven months. Togashi had revealed an image of the fifth page of Chapter 405, titled, "Moon Healing Escalation!" Given that he's now on page 7 and was comfortable posting two days in a row, many fans have voiced renewed optimism that Togashi has now found his pace. Togashi stated in March last year, "Although the production system hasn't been finalized, I'm happy that the amount of time I spend working at my desk has increased little by little."

Hunter x Hunter's Yoshihiro Togashi Is Known for Being Absent or Brief on Social Media

The massive reaction to Togashi's back-to-back post hardly comes as a surprise given his typical nature. Notably a man of few words on social media, one of 2023's biggest manga stories only came through a letter from Togashi to a Japanese idol that was read out on a talk show. He had revealed that he had multiple endings planned for Hunter x Hunter -- one of these in case he died prematurely.

Hunter x Hunter went on hiatus in Chapter 400 -- approximately a year and four months ago. VIZ licenses the manga series in North America, describing it: "Gon might be a country boy, but he has high aspirations. Despite his Aunt Mito's protests, Gon decides to follow in his father's footsteps and become a legendary Hunter. The Hunter hopefuls begin their journey by storm-tossed ship, where Gon meets Leorio and Kurapika, the only other applicants who aren't devastated by bouts of seasickness. Having survived the terrors of the high seas, Gon and his companions now have to prove their worth in a variety of tests in order to find the elusive Exam Hall. And once they get there, will they ever leave alive...?"

Source: Togashi via X (formerly Twitter)

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RETRO REVIEW: My Hero Academia Season 6 Delivers Explosive Action, Shocking Deaths & Intense Drama

By now, My Hero Academia fans watched six entire seasons' worth of material, and it's clear that this shonen anime has two kinds of seasons: setup and payoff. When My Hero Academia sets up its characters and plot threads, the story tends to drag and feels predictable. This was what held back Seasons 1, 2, and 5 which, in hindsight, were setups for Seasons 3, 4, and 6, respectively. Fortunately, seasons like the recent sixth one are worth the often meandering setup, with explosive payoffs in terms of action, drama, and Quirks.

Fans may agree that Season 5 was one of My Hero Academia's weakest outings yet and had too few plot twists, but fortunately, patient fans were rewarded with Season 6's nonstop battles, personal revelations, and intriguing character arcs from beginning to end. Remarkably, while Season 6 is comprised mostly of payoffs for what Season 5 laid the groundwork for, it also serves as setup for the upcoming Season 7, which will continue the war against the Paranormal Liberation Front. The key is that Season 6 has a robust plot of cool payoff moments that simultaneously sets up future developments. This is a fine balance that Season 5 or any of the previous seasons never achieved.

My Hero Academia Season 6 Launched the War Fans Have Been Waiting For

The Heroes and Villains’ Decisive Battle Was Better Than Fans Expected

My Hero Academia already had a few major battles between the heroes and villains. Notable clashes include All Might's team fighting the League of Villains in Kamino Ward, and the Shie Hassaikai raid where Izuku Midoriya defeated Overhaul with the aid of Eri's remarkable Rewind Quirk. But these were merely petty scuffles compared to the grand melee of Season 6. The battle for Jaku General Hospital alone is worth the constant buildup of Season 5. As promised, My Hero Academia Season 6 gathers all the Pro Heroes and nearly every hero student to confront Tomura's and Re-Destro's combined forces. The heroes' mission: capture Dr. Garaki and stop Tomura Shigaraki from realizing his potential as All For One's successor and the next Symbol of Evil.

What follows is a hard-hitting battle that delivers on all fronts. A stunning variety of Quirks are used, with some Quirks are making their battlefield debut. Some examples include the intense melee power of Mirko's Rabbit, and Hawks' Fierce Wings. Tomura Shigaraki even partly succeeds in becoming the next All For One, and he uses a variety of deadly Quirks to threaten the heroes in new ways. To make matters worse, he did all this while using his original Quirk's, Decay, recent awakening. Tomura is now a one-man army thanks to Dr. Garaki's dark science, making him a more credible threat than ever as the anime's stakes continue to rise. The best the Heroes can do is force Tomura to awaken from his medical tank early, so that he's prematurely unleashed and not fully at 100% power.

The great battle for Jaku General Hospital also delivers on a personal level, not just a shonen action level. To begin with, the #2 hero Hawks shows a brutal new side of himself, using his Fierce Wings Quirk to not just betray, but outright kill his "ally" Twice, who trusted Hawks as a fellow Paranormal Liberation Front member. Curiously, the bloody duel between Hawks and Twice partially flipped the accepted moral depictions of heroes and villains common in superhero fiction. The ostensibly heroic Hawks was now the vicious traitor, while the villainous Twice was the sympathetic underdog whom My Hero Academia fans might be rooting for deep down. The deconstruction of the simplistic binary between good and evil is a recurring theme in My Hero Academia's later arcs, and it begins with a tragic bang in Season 6.

This massive war's physical and emotional impact continues to take its toll on everyone, with several notable character injuries and even deaths. Mirko pushed herself to the extreme to take down Tomura, but sustained major injuries and lost limbs along the way. These will have any fan both admiring the rabbit-themed hero's strength, while also fearing for her life. Season 6 also boldly started killing off named Pro Heroes, with X-Less losing his life to Tomura Shigaraki as the latter awakens in the hospital's lab. Fans may not know X-Less very well, but it's still shocking to see a villain kill off a Pro Hero so easily and casually. Most of all, Season 6 kills off the beloved R-rated hero Midnight. Her demise is a heart-wrenching blow that left Classes 1-A and 1-B in tears, and fans just might cry along with them.

These made the war feel more real for characters and viewers alike, making it horribly clear that this is a proper war, and not just some heroic raid or "cops and robbers" scenario. Worse, the darkness will continue even after the battle for Jaku City concludes. What's also interesting about the great Jaku battle is that the result are ambiguous. The heroes fail to score a decisive victory, but they also didn't leave the bloody battlefield empty-handed. Both sides suffered serious losses, so there's no telling how the second battle will play out. This feels realistic, and it keeps many plot threads dangling because relatively little was settled in the fight. War is a messy affair, and My Hero Academia Season 6 made this vividly clear.

The Villains’ Jail Break Is a Cool but Slightly Development

All For One and Tomura Shigaraki’s Fight for Villainous Leadership Muddies Things a Bit

Not long after the great battle of Jaku General Hospital, the villains find a way to tilt the scales in their favor despite their heavy casualties. The maximum security prison Tartarus, which was once considered impossible to escape from, becomes the site of a major villain victory as a mass breakout unfolds. Tomura personally oversaw the breakout, slaughtering the prison's defenses as countless convicts escaped into free air, including familiar faces like Muscular and brand-new ones like Lady Nagant. Naturally, in a high-stakes war like this one, both sides will seize any advantage or resource they can find to get the edge. It just so happened that the villains did it first. This boosted the season's tension effectively, and helped prove that absolutely nothing can be taken for granted -- not even the security of the supposedly ultimate prison for super-powered villains. The prison breakout paid off in a few special ways, including setting up rematches between Izuku Midoriya (aka Deku) and Muscular, then his deadly first encounter with Lady Nagant. Both are key fights in his Dark Deku phase. The breakout also brought back the overall supervillain All For One to the scene, which is the most terrifying development.

However, it's also a bit confusing for the plot, since it's now unclear whether it's Tomura or All For One is the real supervillain who the heroes have to focus their energies on. Figuring out who is really in control of Tomura's body can be a bit confusing. Perhaps Tomura and All For One wrestling over the position as the Symbol of Evil is this season's point, since they are both selfish and ruthless monsters who want to destroy the world for their respective selfish reasons. However, this also cheapened Tomura's rise to power, since he's supposed to be All For One's successor, not his sidekick or partner. Tomura squabbling with All For One for agency instead of forging his own evil path rendered him a lackey rather than his own supervillain. Additionally, this even cheapened All Might's swan song victory over All For One back in the Kamino Ward, since everything (including his biggest triumph) was part of the villain's masterplan. Granted, it does make sense that an evil mastermind like All For One would have contingencies for his contingencies, but his planned comeback and jailbreak still tainted All Might's last hurrah. Ideally, My Hero Academia Season 7 will clear things up.

Dark Deku Humanized Izuku Midoriya Like Never Before

My Hero Academia Season 6 Deconstructed Izuku Midoriya's Hero Complex

In earlier seasons, My Hero Academia made One For All a physical burden for Midoriya, since the Quirk could easily break his bones and scar his arms as he trained with its enormous power. He took these in stride, and carried on doing his best to live up to All Might's example. It's because of this that Deku was branded as something of a "Mary Sue" (i.e. an unbelievably perfect and skilled character) by My Hero Academia's biggest detractors. It was only in Season 6 when the narrative showed how much of a personal burden this legendary Quirk was. Midoriya isn't just a kid with a power he could barely control; he was also a kid with a destiny he couldn't even handle. It was incredibly easy for Midoriya to agree when All Might asked him to succeed him as the next Symbol of Peace. But as the anme progressed and as war broke out on all fronts, the emotional and mental toll of succeeding the greatest hero to ever live was too great for Midoriya. This is a vital development for My Hero Academia, and one that feels overdue.

Midoriya is a sensitive young man who is determined to protect and cheer up everyone, but he's also willing to take this mission to a self-destructive extreme. Previously, Midoriya was an inspiring hero and big brother for Eri during the Shie Hassaikai raid. But now, in the face of war and with casualties mounting, Midoriya showed a new scary side. During this arc, Midoriya ran off to face Tomura and the other major villains alone, understandably unwilling to expose his classmates and other heroes to more danger. He thinks he's being noble, but he's actually being selfish. Worse, he unintentionally insulted his classmates by all but saying that they were too weak to help him. Midoriya always had a habit of taking all the burden for himself because of his hero complex, but Dark Deku pushed his good if twisted intentions to their worst extremes. Being the Symbol of Peace isn't worth it if Midoriya discards everyone in his life and pushes himself to the breaking point. In retrospect, this makes All Might less of a hero than ever, since he burdened an innocent teenager with immense power and responsibility that he wasn't fully prepared for on any level.

The short but essential Dark Deku Arc showed Midoriya fighting both Muscular and Lady Nagant and almost losing himself to the darkness in the process, until Class 1-A caught up to him. It's a touching moment when Midoriya's classmates make a heartfelt appeal to him, pleading with him to let them fight by his side. Even Katsuki Bakugo, Midoriya's shonen-style rival and lifelong bully, sincerely apologized to help end Dark Deku and reinforce the power of friendship. After a bloodless scuffle, Midoriya concedes and snaps out of his Dark Deku mode for good. He always needed that kind of emotional support from the rest of his class, and now it's here, making Class 1-A more united than ever.

My Hero Academia Season 6 Gave the Heroes Some of Their Best Character & Emotional Development Yet

Ochaco Uraraka and the Todoroki Family Were the Biggest Standouts

To round things out on a character level, My Hero Academia Seaosn 6 also expanded the personal arcs for Ochaco Uraraka and the entire Todoroki family, with mixed to positive results. One example is when Class 1-A returned to the UA school campus, only for the refugees to push Midoriya away. They were afraid that Midoriya, who's a prime target for the villains, will attract disaster to the school. It then fell to Ochaco to change everyone's minds with nothing but her words. On the plus side, it's inspiring to see heroes fighting with their hearts, since there's more to being a hero than fists and Quirks. It also gave Ochaco a moment to shine, which was overdue for her. But then again, it was also somewhat predictable. It was obvious that Midoriya would return to school at some point, and be rejected by frightened refugees. It was also somewhat obvious that Ochaco, easily Class 1-A's kindest student and Midoriya's love interest, would be the one to appeal to the crowd's goodwill.

Meanwhile, the villain Dabi publicly outed himself as Toya Todoroki, the firstborn son of Enji and Rei Todoroki who was thought to be dead. He relished this moment, tarnishing the image of all Pro Heroes by revealing that a villain is the son of the current Number One Hero. Worse, he exposed Endeavor's history of being an abusive father and husband. Dabi's announcement had the intended effect on the Japanese populace (i.e. further shattering their faith in the heroes), but it had the biggest impact on the Todorokis themselves. Endeavor was now forced to take the next step in his long and difficult redemption. Once more, some characters and even fans are divided on whether or not Endeavor even deserves a second chance at all. For what it's worth, the Todorokis are more united than ever before, with the common goal of bringing Toya back now that they know he's alive. This fueled the character arcs for not just Endeavor, but also Rei, Shoto, Natsuo, and Fuyumi. Seeing a broken family comes back together after so many years of misery could even inspire some viewers. In some ways, Dabi's dramatic reveal may feel like a distraction or a side show in light of Dark Deku's rampage and Tomura's rise to power. However, My Hero Academia isn't just about destiny and superhero action -- it's about the people who are impacted by war, loss, Quirks, and much more.My Hero Academia needs a robust humanitarian side to make all this action worth it in the end, and Season 6 delivers, even if it is a bit messy and overstuffed at times.

My Hero Academia is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

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Government Civil Service Worker Arrested After Oshi no Ko Spoiler Assault

A Japanese government civil service worker has been arrested and may be charged by prosecutors after allegedly assaulting a man over Oshi no Ko spoilers.

Via Mainichi Shimbun, a civil service staff member working at the Kyoto District Legal Affairs Bureau was arrested on suspicion of assault after his subordinate spoiled the current events of the popular Oshi no Ko manga. The unnamed male has since been referred to prosecutors, with documents submitted to them on April 30, 2024.

Reportedly, the arrested male, aged somewhere in his 50s, had yelled at his similarly aged subordinate, "I don't want to be spoiled!" grabbing him by the chest and kicking him in the waist area. He did not suffer significant injury. Kyoto District Legal Affairs Bureau is conducting its own investigation, adding, "Due to the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting."

Leaks and Spoilers Are a Hot-Button Issue in the Manga Industry

Spoilers remain a major issue in the manga community. While arising under different circumstances, major manga publishers like Shueisha, Kodansha and more issued statements condemning early leaks of manga and its effect on fans, stating, "[we] will proactively take all possible measures to ensure that our readers can enjoy manga in an appropriate manner." This followed the arrest of two individuals in Japan, and the shutdown of several major One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen leakers immediately after.

Oshi no Ko is written by Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari. Published on Jump+ in Japan, it's one of the highest-selling manga to have debuted this decade. Yen Press licenses the story in North America, describing it: "'IN SHOW BUSINESS, LIES ARE A WEAPON.' Tensions are running high on the set of the Tokyo Blade theatrical adaptation—though not in the way anyone expected! Surprisingly, Kana and Akane are managing to keep their longstanding rivalry purely professional; in fact, the amount of talent onstage is motivating all the actors to do their very best. But there’s someone who isn’t thrilled with the direction things are headed, and she’s the one person whose opinion matters most: the original manga creator!"

Oshi no Ko Season 1 is available to stream on Prime Video and Apple TV. Oshi no Ko Season 2 will premiere on HIDIVE in July 2024, although a specific release date has not yet been provided.

Source: Mainichi Shimbun

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10 Strongest Naruto Characters Sung Jin-Woo From Solo Leveling Can Beat

Sung Jin-Woo is the main character of Solo Leveling, and when the series started, he was the weakest Hunter in the world. He was killed in a double Dungeon, but an unknown entity saved him. Sung Jin-Woo can now increase his strength by completing tasks and defeating enemies, and there is now no theoretical limit to his strength. As a result, Sung Jin-Woo can definitely defeat several characters from Naruto.

All of the Naruto characters that Sung Jin-Woo can beat are skilled ninja with unique abilities. Many of them are from the Hidden Leaf Village, but others once belonged to other villages. Several of these characters are Jonin-level, and the argument can be made that a few are Kage-level. Sung Jin-Woo can even defeat an Akatsuki member under the right circumstances.

10 Zaku Can Be Overwhelmed By Sung Jin-Woo's Skills

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 21: "Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals"

Zaku was one of the enemies introduced during the Chunin Exams. He was one of the first ninja to possess scientific body modifications. These modifications came in the form of hollow air tubes that extended through his arms. As a result, Zaku can fire pressurized air and sound from his hands.

These pressurized shots can deflect ranged attacks, and they can slow boulder-sized objects. If Sung Jin-Woo gets hit by one of these shots, he will sustain a good amount of damage. Unfortunately, Zaku's shots go in one direction. Sung Jin-Woo can avoid Zaku's attacks with Dash, and he can follow it up with a clean dagger strike. Sung Jin-Woo could also get behind Zaku and use his strength to break the modified arms - just like Sasuke did in the Forest of Death.

9 Shino's Insects Would Be Useless Against Sung Jin-Woo

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Shino mainly uses Kikaichu beetles during combat. These beetles can swarm an opponent will consume their chakra until they are knocked unconscious. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Shino revealed that he can also use kidaichu beetles. If these insects are placed on another host, they will rapidly grow in size while devouring the new host's chakra and body.

Sung Jin-Woo does not use chakra though, so Shino's insects would be ineffective. Shino relies on his insects, and as a result, his melee skills are a bit lacking. Sung Jin-Woo can simply dash through the insects to strike Shino. Since Sung Jin-Woo does not have chakra, Shino's insects would not be able to detect him if he uses Stealth. This means that Shino may not have time to react to Sung Jin-Woo's assassination attack.

8 Jirobu's Physical Strength Can Be Outmatched

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 68: "Zero Hour! The Konoha Crush Begins!"

As one of the Sound Four, Jirobo was considered one of Orochimaru's elite bodyguards. In terms of physical strength, he was the group's strongest member, and he could use that strength to lift massive sheets of rock. Jirobo was branded with Orochimaru's Curse Mark, and he could use the Level 2 Transformation.

This transformation gave Jirobo a demon-like appearance, and it significantly enhanced his physical strength. The original Sung Jin-Woo would die if he were hit by one of Jirobo's Level 2 punches, but the current Sung Jin-Woo is much faster. He can easily avoid Jirobo's attacks, and he can still cut Jirobo with his dagger. With enough leveling, Sung Jin-Woo can stop Jirobo's punches with his bare hand, and he can theoretically take Jirobo out with a well-placed punch of his own.

7 Kiba's Strongest Jutsu Is Basically A Weaker Version Of Cerberus

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Like other members of the Inuzuka Clan, Kiba goes into battle with his own ninja dog. He and Akamaru are inseparable, and they can fight in unison with each other. Thanks to the Beast Mimicry Technique, Akamaru can transform into Kiba, and they can perform a coordinated rotating attack that can land multiple blows.

This attack is fast, but Sung Jin-Woo should be able to dodge it with Dash. Kiba and Akamaru can also transform into a massive two-headed or three-headed dog. This transformation is actually Kiba's strongest jutsu. Sung Jin-Woo has already defeated a three-headed dog boss named Cerberus - who was immune to the Bleed and Paralyze effects of Sung Jin-Woo's dagger. Kiba's transformation is not immune to these effects, which means that Sung Jin-Woo can take it down much easier.

6 Choji's Expansion Jutsu Can Be Countered With Speed

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Choji is now the sixteenth head of the Akimichi Clan, and he has mastered the clan's secret techniques. He can use the Expansion Jutsu to enlarge specific body parts, but he can also increase his overall size until he becomes as tall as a mountain. While Choji is in his giant form, all of his physical attacks deal significantly more damage.

In some instances, Choji can convert his body's calories into chakra. This Butterfly Mode allows him to fight on par with the Gedo Statue for a short time. At first, Sung Jin-Woo might be intimidated by Choji's size, but he will quickly realize that Choji's size can be countered with speed. Sung Jin-Woo can dash around Choji's body, and slash him at the same time. Despite his size, Choji can still succumb to the Venom Fang dagger's effects, and he will eventually be immobilized. Once Choji is unable to move, Sung Jin-Woo can deliver a finishing blow.

5 Sai's Ink-Based Jutsu Is Easily Countered

First Appeared in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 21: "Return of the Kazekage"

Sai was a member of Root - a special Anbu sub-division that carried out dark missions. He was considered the strongest Root member of his generation, and Danzo believed he was skilled enough to kill someone as strong as Sasuke Uchiha. Sai possesses a unique fighting style that makes use of his artistic nature.

Thanks to the Super Beast Scroll Technique, Sai can use his chakra to bring anything he draws to life. He typically creates multiple animals that can attack his opponents. Unfortunately, these ink beasts can be destroyed if they are hit just once. At his current level, Sung Jin-Woo can neutralize Sai's main jutsu. Sai may be a skilled Anbu-level ninja, but even he cannot keep up with Sung Jin-Woo's Stealth and Dash combo. Even if Sai tries to intercept Sung Jin-Woo's attack with a kunai or sword, he will be overwhelmed by Sung Jin-Woo's superior strength.

4 Shikamaru May Be Smart But He's Not Much Of A Fighter

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Shikamaru is one of the smartest ninja in history, and he has used his intelligence to restrain or outright defeat various opponents. As a member of the Nara Clan, Shikamaru can use the Shadow Possession Justu - which allows him to merge his shadow with his target's. Even someone as strong as Sung Jin-Woo would be restrained for a time if Shikamaru successfully merges their shadows.

Shikamaru can also use his shadow to strangle Sung Jin-Woo, or he can use his shadow to impale Sung Jin-Woo multiple times. If Sung Jin-Woo uses Stealth, he should be able to avoid the Shadow Possession Jutsu. He can then use Dash to slice Shikamaru apart. Shikamaru is not much of a melee fighter, so he likely won't react in time to dodge Sung Jin-Woo's attacks.

3 Zabuza's Silent Killing Technique Can Theoretically Be Countered By Sung Jin-Woo's Skills

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 6: "A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!"

Prior to his defection, Zabuza was part of the Hidden Mist Village's legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He was actually part of the group's strongest generation. He wielded the Executioner's Blade - a large broadsword shaped like a butcher's knife. Zabuza was known as the Demon of the Hidden mist, and he mastered the Silent Killing Technique.

If it wasn't for Naruto and Sasuke's quick thinking, Zabuza would have killed Kakashi - a future Hokage. Even if Zabuza uses the Hidden Mist Jutsu, Sung Jin-Woo can negate the Silent Killing aspect by using Stealth to conceal his presence, and he can use Dash to escape the mist. He can also use his Necromancy to summon soldiers that can distract Zabuza while Stealth is active. In this instance Sung Jin-Woo could take the opportunity to deliver a silent killing blow of his own. If they engage in a clash of blades, Sung Jin-Woo's superhuman strength will give him an edge, and if he manages to nick Zabuza once, he will gain a permanent advantage.

2 Hidan Can Be Immobilized By Sung Jin-Woo's Dagger

First Appeared in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 71: "My Friend"

Hidan was part of the Akatsuki, and he was a devout follower of the Jashin religion. Thanks to the religion's forbidden techniques, he gained a form of immortality, but he also learned how to use a deadly curse. If Hidan consumes his target's blood, he will become a human voodoo doll. Hidan and his target will then share every injury that the other sustains. That being said, the voodoo doll aspect will only trigger if Hidan stands in a Jashin symbol that was placed on the ground.

If Hidan successfully activates this curse on Sung Jin-Woo, no amount of levels can save him from a pierced heart. Sung Jin-Woo is very perceptive, so he may figure out that the symbol on the ground is important. He can just fight Hidan head-on to keep him away from the symbol. Sung Jin-Woo's dagger may not be able to kill Hidan, but it can still paralyze him. If Hidan is immobilized, Sung Jin-Woo can simply remove Hidan's head, so he is no longer a threat.

1 Sakura Is One Of The Strongest Female Ninja In History

First Appeared in Naruto Episode 1: "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Sakura was trained by Kakashi and Tsunade, and she has become one of the strongest female ninja in history. She can concentrate chakra into her fists - which gives her superhuman strength. Even at his current level, Sung Jin-Woo would probably get taken out by one of Sakura's punches.

Fortunately, the Dash skill should make Sung Jin-Woo faster than Sakura. He should be able to dodge her attacks and slash at her at the same time. Sakura has mastered Mitotic Regeneration, which essentially makes her immortal for a short time. This technique would not stop her from being paralyzed by Sung Jin-Woo's dagger. If Sakura is immobilized, Sung Jin-Woo can finish her off without having to worry about her monstrous strength.

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10 Signs Dragon Ball Super Is Setting Uub Up As Goku's True Successor

Dragon Ball Super is an exceptional continuation of Akira Toriyama’s signature shonen series that’s successfully pushed the franchise to unprecedented heights. Dragon Ball Super has expanded the Dragon Ball universe in major ways, whether it’s the return of old villains, the introduction of new transformations, or a litany of celestial deities who hold dominion over the multiverse. Dragon Ball Super curiously exists within the ten-year time-jump that separates Kid Buu’s defeat and Dragon Ball Z’s Peaceful World Saga.

Dragon Ball Super, after so much content, is seemingly moving towards its natural endpoint and this has ignited a renewed interest in Uub, one of Dragon Ball’s most unusual individuals. Uub becomes a major player in Dragon Ball Z’s “End of Z” epilogue, yet he’s been unable to receive a proper showcase in Dragon Ball Super’s story. However, substantial evidence suggests that it might finally be time for Uub to get his due and step up as Goku’s successor and Dragon Ball’s next hero.

10 Super's Narrative Is Inching Closer To The 28th World Martial Arts Tournament

The Arrival of Dragon Ball Z's Peaceful World Saga Is Imminent

Dragon Ball Super is a proper sequel to Dragon Ball Z, but one of the oddest things about the series is that it still technically takes place before the very end of its predecessor. A ten-year time-skip takes place before Dragon Ball Z’s conclusion, which has become a convenient position to chronologically place Dragon Ball Super. A lot has happened in Dragon Ball Super, but it’s still yet to pass the point in Dragon Ball Z’s timeline when the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament begins. That being said, the conclusion of Super’s Super Hero Saga means that Z’s Peaceful World Saga is only a few months—or possibly even weeks—away and its arrival is imminent.

Dragon Ball Super has gradually connected dots in this department, whether it’s Goten and Trunks’ appearance matching their “End of Z” counterparts or Pan’s development as a martial artist. Dragon Ball Super, for years, has been content to ignore this looming event, but it finally seems ready to head into the 28th World Tournament and everything that comes along with it, including Uub. It’s for this reason that Uub’s time in the spotlight and his upcoming training under Goku will be prominent in Dragon Ball Super’s upcoming story arcs.

9 Uub Has Already Proven His Value By Donating Energy To Goku

Uub is now Essential to the Story & Its Heroes

Dragon Ball Super has largely had its hands tied when it comes to its incorporation of Uub so that the series doesn’t break the franchise’s established timeline. However, the manga has already teased Uub’s significance in a very big way during its Moro Saga. Goku and company have still yet to meet Uub, but the young boy makes a crucial energy donation during the climax of Goku and Vegeta’s final battle against Planet-Eater Moro.

Uub’s additional energy becomes the essential ingredient for the heroes’ victory, even if they don’t fully understand where it came from. This minor Uub cameo is an important reminder to audiences that he’s still out there, growing stronger, even if he’s not yet a main character. Goku’s inevitable meeting with Uub will likely cause him to recognize his energy signature and that he was responsible for their previous victory. Uub’s cooperation in the past is destined to expedite his training with Goku once the Saiyan understands Uub’s potential.

8 Uub Could Train Alongside Pan

Pan is Goku's Granddaughter & Has Incredible Strength

One of the biggest breakthroughs to come out of Dragon Ball Super’s Super Hero Saga—both in its feature film and manga adaptation—is Pan’s incredible strength. Pan is currently only three years old, but she’s already mastered flight and proves that she’s able to hold her own against various Red Ribbon soldiers. Pan even lands a few hits on Goku when he picks her up from kindergarten. Dragon Ball Super is full of adult characters, most of whom are out of Uub’s league.

That being said, Pan seems like she would be the perfect sparring partner for Uub to practice with and train alongside. Piccolo has proven to be an exceptional mentor for Pan and he’s likely to be even better in this department now following his Orange Piccolo upgrade. Pan’s growing potential means that it’s the perfect time to bring Uub into the picture and present them as equals. These two can work together, or they can be separately trained by Piccolo and Goku, in order to see who’s superior.

7 Goku Is Potentially Getting Ready To Exit The Series As A God Of Destruction Or Angel

Goku's Angel Status Would Keep Him Around in a Limited Way

Dragon Ball Super hasn’t been exactly clear regarding what lies ahead for Goku and Vegeta. However, Beerus has mentioned that he’s looking for a new God of Destruction candidate and the same thing could be true for Whis and a fresh-faced Angel. Goku has been reluctant to take Beerus up on his God of Destruction offer, but he might see more value in following in Whis’ footsteps, especially since his Ultra Instinct transformation is an Angel’s natural state. A future where Goku exits Dragon Ball Super to properly ascend to God of Destruction or Angel status would be a strong opportunity for Uub to step up as his successor.

Goku might be too busy with his new deity duties and Uub would be expected to keep the Earth safe in his absence. Alternatively, Goku’s Angel status could mean that he doesn’t fully exit the series, but is just prohibited from intervening in the universe’s matters. Beerus and Whis are still quite present, but they’re unable to get directly involved with any villainous matters. This would be a smart way to keep Goku around, but in a capacity where he needs to rely upon Uub.

6 Uub’s Prominence Is A Smart Way To Give Majin Buu Something To Do

Uub Has Been Largely Neglected in Dragon Ball Super

Uub is a character who’s largely gone neglected in Dragon Ball Super and the same is true for Majin Buu, albeit not as egregiously. Dragon Ball Super has struggled to figure out Buu’s role in a post-Kid Buu world. He’s been set up for success in several tournaments, only for Dragon Ball Super to later change its mind. Buu seems to be too powerful to be a steady ally and main character in Dragon Ball Super, but his absence has become increasingly frustrating. Dragon Ball GT resolves this ambivalence by having Uub and Buu fuse together into Majuub.

There’s no confirmation that the same trajectory is possible in Dragon Ball Super, but it’d be an effective way to solve both of these problems. Uub’s reunion with Buu would help the character grow stronger and gain new abilities, while it simultaneously allows Buu to go out in a heroic manner instead of perpetually sleeping through major events. Uub and Buu’s fusion could even occur after the culmination of Goku and Uub’s training, so that it’s treated like a reward for his impressive efforts.

5 Dragon Ball's Core Cast Have Already Reached Their Peak Power

Uub Becoming Goku's Successor Makes Total Sense

Uub may have previously felt like an awkward character to incorporate into the franchise. However, Dragon Ball Super has now reached a point where it feels like all of its core cast have gone as far as they can go. Transformations like Ultra Instinct, Gohan Beast, Ultra Ego, and Orange Piccolo will be tough for these characters to surpass and doing so would even diminish these accomplishments. Dragon Ball Super, now more than ever, feels like it’s reached its natural end point for characters like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo.

Uub stepping up as Goku’s successor suddenly makes a lot more sense because he’s a fresh character who’s yet to realize his full potential. Uub’s place in the spotlight gives Dragon Ball Super the opportunity to celebrate someone new without its other characters needing to regress in the process. It’s a solution where everybody gets to grow.

4 Uub Would Be A Great Soft Reboot After Black Frieza's Defeat

Dragon Ball Super Has Many Hanging Plot Threads

One of Dragon Ball Super’s biggest hanging plot threads is the inevitable return of Black Frieza. Frieza makes a bold return during the Granolah the Survivor Saga’s conclusion, where he reveals a deadly new transformation that’s the result of a decade of dedicated training. Black Frieza would be a fitting final antagonist for Dragon Ball Super’s core characters. Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and even Broly all have legitimate grudges against the tyrant and have been uniquely wrong by him.

Black Frieza’s defeat by Goku and company could effectively conclude Super’s core story and then bravely move forward into fresh territory that makes Uub its new protagonist and Goku’s successor. Dragon Ball Super could also introduce Uub as the final necessary ingredient that the heroes require in order to defeat Black Frieza as the series then carries over with him as the lead. It’s even possible that Goku is forced to sacrifice himself against Black Frieza and Uub is the one who carries on his legacy.

3 Super Saiyan Transformations Have Been Less Important & Uub Doesn't Fit This Old Formula

Dragon Ball Super Has a New Normal When it Comes to Transformations

Super Saiyan transformations were Dragon Ball’s easiest way to demonstrate who’s the most powerful in not just Dragon Ball Z, but also the first-half of Dragon Ball Super. There have been slightly diminishing returns in this department and there are only so many places that these transformations can be pushed before they start to feel like ridiculous parodies of themselves. Dragon Ball Super has recently embraced character-specific transformations where everyone has a unique form that’s comparable in strength.

Uub, as a human, would have been destined to fall behind if Dragon Ball were sticking to its old Super Saiyan formula. However, Dragon Ball Super’s new normal means that it wouldn’t be odd if Uub were to stumble upon his own transformation during his training with Goku. Alternatively, it’s also possible that Goku could teach Uub how to tap into Ultra Instinct strength, since it’s a transformation that's possible for humans to attain. Uub, at such a young age, is a blank state who would have a clear head that would be ideal for Ultra Instinct’s principles.

2 Dragon Ball DAIMA Is Testing The Waters For A Younger Generation Of Heroes

Dragon Ball DAIMA is Set to Premiere Fall of 2024

Dragon Ball Super’s anime has been finished since 2018, but audiences have eagerly anticipated Dragon Ball DAIMA’s upcoming 2024 release. Dragon Ball DAIMA’s broader details remain a mystery, but one element that’s prominently been shown off is that Goku and Dragon Ball’s core cast of characters all get magically de-aged to children. There’s no indication that Uub will be present in Dragon Ball DAIMA.

However, a Dragon Ball series that celebrates young heroes could be a covert way of testing the waters for a version of Dragon Ball Super that’s led by Uub. DAIMA’s success would prove that this dynamic and demographic can work. Dragon Ball Super can easily recreate this with Uub-centric adventures after Goku has passed the boy the torch. Uub’s protagonist status is much easier to accept after Dragon Ball DAIMA comes along.

1 Toyotarou Has Indicated He's Interested In Adapting Dragon Ball GT Material

Dragon Ball GT Can be Redeemed & Gain the Respect it Deserves

Akira Toriyama tragically and unexpectedly passed away not long after the Dragon Ball Super manga’s completion of its Super Hero Saga. It’s unclear what lies ahead for the series’ future, but it’s been implied that Toyotarou will pick up from where Toriyama left off and do his best to continue the Dragon Ball story as respectfully and faithfully as possible. Toyotarou has previously revealed that he’s a fan of certain villains and concepts that came out of Toei’s Dragon Ball GT sequel anime.

Toyotarou now has the freedom to explore these ideas, albeit with better characters and context than what was originally present in Dragon Ball GT. Uub is a big part of Dragon Ball GT’s stories and if Toyotarou explores these plotlines, then it makes a lot of sense for Uub to be a prominent character. Toyotarou could retroactively redeem Dragon Ball GT’s controversial reputation and use Uub’s training under Goku as the connective tissue that bridges together these two series.

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10 Hopeless Dragon Ball Fights the Heroes Would Have Lost Without Goku

The Dragon Ball universe would have been destroyed many times over by now if it weren't for the intervention of its greatest hero, Goku. Goku has saved the world, the galaxy, and the multiverse more times than fans would like to count, and, much to the villains' dismay, he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. While the planet Earth is home to a number of powerful heroes in Dragon Ball, there were just some battles they would never have had a chance at winning without Goku around.

It's not just the fact that Goku is often the strongest of the Z Fighters that makes him save the day. After all, many of Dragon Ball's greatest villains were even more powerful than Goku himself. Winning those kinds of hopeless battles is about more than pure strength, and Goku has a unique ability to reach deep within himself and find a way to overcome the forces of evil.

10 Vegeta, Gohan and Krillin Stood No Chance Against the Ginyu Force

Dragon Ball Z

The fight against the Ginyu Force was so hopeless that it even caused villains and heroes to join forces. Vegeta was mostly a villain throughout the earliest parts of the Namek Saga, but the threat of the Ginyu Force caused him to rethink his allegiances. By teaming up with Krillin and Gohan, Vegeta sought to give himself a chance of survival, but even then, he always had hope that Kakkarot might show up to give them the added help of an extra ally.

Before Goku showed up, both Krillin and Vegeta were badly beaten by Recoome, and Gohan was left barely clinging to life. While Vegeta knew that Goku helping them fight would increase the group's chance of survival, he had no idea just how powerful Goku had become after training in 100x gravity throughout the entirety of his trip to Namek. Goku was essentially an entirely different person, able to defeat the remaining members of the Ginyu Force single-handedly.

9 Nappa Nearly Killed All the Z Fighters By Himself

Dragon Ball Z

Vegeta and Nappa were the strongest fighters ever shown in the series up to the Saiyan Saga, but that was no surprise. Raditz had long since warned them that Vegeta and Nappa were both far stronger than he was, and that left the Z Fighters with a year to train in preparation for the saiyans' arrival. With Goku having died in the fight against Raditz, the fate of the world was left in the hands of the Earth's remaining warriors, but they weren't enough.

Gohan grew a lot during his survival training with Piccolo, but it paled in comparison to the lifetime of experience Nappa and Vegeta had as saiyan warriors. If Goku never came to their rescue, Nappa would have killed all the Z Fighters by himself, without Vegeta even having to lift a finger. As it stood, the only two fighters left alive by the time Goku made it to the battlefield were Gohan and Krillin: Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Tien and Piccolo were all killed by Nappa and the Saibamen.

8 Vegeta Underestimated the Power of Goku's Friendships

Dragon Ball Z

Without Goku, the Earth would have been entirely at Vegeta's mercy. The Z Fighters stood absolutely zero chance of defeating Vegeta, even if they had all the other warriors who were there at the start before Nappa significantly thinned their numbers. The one wild card was Gohan, who put up a decent fight against Vegeta, but even then, Vegeta never had to use his full strength to defeat him.

The only reason Vegeta was defeated was because he was forced to use his Oozaru form to defeat Goku, which inadvertently brought out Gohan's Oozaru form as well. Had Vegeta never fought Goku, he would have never created a false moon to force out his Great Ape transformation, and Gohan’s own Oozaru would never have led to Vegeta's downfall. Ironically, if Goku weren't there at the end, Vegeta would certainly have been killed, because it was only Goku's act of mercy which prevented Krillin from ending Vegeta's life right then.

7 King Piccolo Conquered the World in Goku's Absence

Dragon Ball Z

King Piccolo took hope away from the heroes in every way imaginable. Not only did he kill many of Goku's friends, but he even killed Shenron after making his own wish so that none of them could be wished back to life. Piccolo then went on to conquer the entire world, taking over as King of the World and plunging the entire planet into chaos.

All the strongest fighters in the World attempted to defeat Piccolo, but none were successful. From Krillin, to Master Roshi, to Chiaotzu, many of Goku’s closest friends were killed by Piccolo and his minions, and with relative ease at that. Goku was the only one who could stand against King Piccolo, which was part of the reason he attempted to ensure that Goku was dead upon their first meeting. Unfortunately for Piccolo, Goku was a boy who was accustomed to preforming miraculous deeds, so it wasn’t long before he faced down Piccolo once again, even stronger than ever.

6 Moro Would Have Eaten The Entire Earth if Goku Hadn't Stopped Him

Dragon Ball Super

Not only was the heroes' fight against Moro hopeless without Goku, but on more than one occasion, it was still hopeless even with him on their side. Moro even defeated both Goku and Vegeta in their first meeting, and ate innumerable planets while Goku trained with Merus to get strong enough to beat him.

Goku's mastery over Ultra Instinct gave him the edge against Moro, because even after Moro absorbed Merus' UI technique, he was unable to control God Ki in the same way that Goku was. Still, it was the combined efforts of all the Z Fighters that led to Moro's demise, not just Goku. If anything, Vegeta was the real MVP of the fight against Moro, because without him, Moro would have been able to infinitely absorb the life out of all the Z Fighters before Goku even got a chance to fight back. The rest of the Z Fighter's chances of winning against Moro would have been hopeless without Goku in the end, but Goku could never have done it by himself either.

5 Frieza Never Respected Anyone Until he Met Goku

Dragon Ball Z

Goku's fight with Frieza is arguably anime's greatest, and a big reason for that is how terrifying a threat Frieza was. Frieza was destroying planets long before he set foot on Namek, and he would have continued to do so without restraint if it hadn’t been for Goku showing up. In fact, the Earth would likely have been next on Frieza's list, as the saiyans were already sent there to scout it out for the Frieza Force long before Frieza was ever mentioned by name in the series.

Before Goku arrived on Planet Namek, the chance at Gohan, Krillin, Piccolo and Vegeta surviving the fight against Frieza was essentially zero. By the time Frieza powered up to his Final Form, he was able to easily torture and kill Vegeta, and all the other Z Fighters could do was watch in horror. Without Goku, Frieza would have easily defeated the rest of the heroes, and then gone on to conquer innumerable other planets, including Earth.

4 Jiren's Only Match in the Multiverse was Goku

Dragon Ball Super

Android 17 ended up being the last fighter standing in the Tournament of Power, but he could never have done it alone. Jiren's power was so vast that most fighters in the TOP refused to even challenge him throughout the majority of the tournament. The only fighter who could match, let alone surpass Jiren, was Ultra Instinct Goku. Even in Goku's case, though, because he could only retain the Ultra Instinct form for a limited time, he was unable to deal the finishing blow.

It took the combined effort of Goku, Frieza and 17 together to hold Jiren off, and that was only after Jiren was considerably weakened from a long, grueling fight against numerous opponents. Goku's fight with Jiren in particular, though, wore Universe 11's most powerful warrior down to such a point that Goku's teammates were able to push him back onto his heels, and eventually overcome him through sheer force of will. Without Goku there to do the leg-work, there would have been no one in the multiverse able to even make Jiren break a sweat.

3 Goku Outlived Raditz Because He Had Something He Was Willing to Die For

Dragon Ball Z

When Raditz first appeared before the Z Fighters at Kami House, even Goku was helpless to stop him. After Gohan was kidnapped, though, Goku would do everything in his power to defeat his brother, even if it meant he had to die trying. Goku and Piccolo's combined battle prowess still wasn't enough to bring Raditz down.

It was only when Goku resolved to sacrifice himself that he and Piccolo had any hope of defeating Raditz. Unlike most other times when Goku saved the World, it wasn't Goku's physical power that allowed him to overcome Raditz. Instead, it was Goku's strength of will that was far superior to Raditz's own. Whereas Raditz even succumbed to begging for his life, Goku gladly told Piccolo to kill him, because he valued something greater than his own life. In the end, Raditz has still never come back to life in the series, while Goku has lived and died innumerable times since.

2 Majin Buu Would Have Destroyed the Entire Universe

Dragon Ball Z

Goku tried desperately to stay out of the fight with Majin Buu. He did everything he could to help guide the next generation and try to leave it in the hands of the other warriors of Earth, but it was no use. Majin Buu was simply too powerful, and he was far more clever than he first appeared.

Gohan had more than enough power to defeat Buu after unlocking his Ultimate Gohan form. However, Buu was able to trick Gohan, Gotenks and Piccolo into being absorbed by him, adding all of their powers to his own. At that point, Goku had no choice but to step in, as the entire Universe would have easily been destroyed, and even the Other World was at risk of being obliterated by Buu's hand.

1 Beerus Only Allowed the Earthlings to Survive Thanks to the Super Saiyan God

Dragon Ball Super

The most hopeless fight that Goku singlehandedly turned around in the entire series was undeniably the initial introduction of Beerus. When Beerus first arrived on Earth, his entire reason for doing so was to find the fabled Super Saiyan God, which would inevitably be Goku. Before Goku showed up, Beerus easily made his way through the entire group of the Z Fighters in what could hardly be considered a fight at all. Beerus never even utilized his full strength, and could have easily destroyed the entire planet Earth and everyone on it if he let out a strong sigh.

In the end, it was Goku who impressed Beerus with his potential enough to change his mind about destroying the Earth. Even with Goku there, though, there was never a chance at victory. Goku was always bound to lose, but he was still the only person on Earth who could give Beerus a good enough fight to make him reconsider whether he would destroy the planet.

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Bleach Power Levels, Explained

One of the most popular shonen anime and manga franchises in the early to mid 2000s was Tite Kubo's Bleach. A contemporary of Naruto and One Piece, the series was a supernatural action hit that in many ways laid the foundation for the current success of the "dark trio of shonen." Like most battle shonen franchises, it features a robust system of power levels and abilities tied to the how the characters progress.

The shinigami in Bleach have a variety of powers and rankings, not to mention different roles. All of these elements determine their progression and how their abilities develop, giving the series a bit more internal logical than the power levels seen in other anime and manga. Much of this is also derived from how much inherent spiritual energy their bodies possess, putting certain characters at a distinct advantage starting out.

What are Shinigami In Bleach?

Translated from Japanese as "death gods" and referred to as "Soul Reapers" in the original English localization of the series, Shinigami are the main beings in Bleach. These are beings who contend with the world of the supernatural and guide souls in one way or another. They guide "Pluses" (lost souls) to their final resting place, all the whole fighting off and purifying Hollows in the mortal plane. These monstrous creatures are also born from human souls, but when they can't cross over, they become untenable beasts that can't be defeated through conventional means. Many Shinigami are born within the confines of the Soul Society, which is why they possess their many supernatural abilities.

The powers of Shinigami and their ties to the paranormal allow them to make a living taking down Hollows and similar threats. To this end, they also work for groups such as Gotei 13. Beyond simply battling, there are also more administrative aspects to the roles of Shinigami. For instance, they have to balance the souls being ferried from one world to the next. They also undergo extensive training to master their powers, with the Shinōreijutsuin training the three parts of the Soul Society military.

What Are The Shinihami's Powers In Bleach?

Compared to normal humans, the Shinigami in Bleach have a variety of incredible abilities. One of the most noteworthy of these is extreme longevity and slow aging, with the Shinigami Rukia Kuchiki looking like a teenager around the same age as Bleach protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, despite her being over 100 years old. Even after they've become visibly elderly, Shinigami still perform at their physical peak. Physically, they're also more robust than humans, with Shinigami being able to withstand physical attacks that would effortlessly kill mere mortals.

While they can still definitely be killed, these beings are able to come back and recover from the most egregious and hard-hitting wounds. In fact, decapitation seems to be the only surefire way to take them out, with even a barrage of stabs, slices, and strikes not being enough to kill most of them. Shinigami also wield Zanpakuto, which are powerful swords that are tied to the user's soul.

This is reflected in their shape, which matches the wielder's own soul and spirit. These blades are some of the only weapons that can be successfully used against Hollows, making them vitally important. Low-levels Shinigami or those who don't yet belong to an organization have Asauchi, which are nameless Zanpakuto that can become anything as they're used by their wielders.

Spending every waking moment with these nameless blades, learning its name and outright speaking to them is part of how a Shinigami imprints their soul on the weapon. This is what forges them into exclusive blades, and Shinigami will actually have to mentally contend with their sword in order to learn new abilities tied to it.

Reiryoku Determines the Power of a Shinigami in Bleach

The basic determining factor for power in the Bleach universe is Reiryoku, or Spiritual Energy. This is the culmination of both willpower and spiritual sensitivity, with higher amounts of this energy source affording individuals with incredible powers. For humans, this mainly manifests in the ability to perceive otherworldly beings such as Hollows and Shinigami. Likewise, those with more Spiritual Energy can also sense others like themselves, which is how Shinigami can track down Hollows.

Since emitting Reiryoku is a natural phenomenon, one talent that more powerful individuals practise is the ability to suppress their energy or amplify readings for various reasons. The level of their energy also determines their ranking within the Soul Society, namely when it comes to taking down Hollows. The main ways in which Shinigami increase their power and hone their skills in using Reiryoku is to attend the aforementioned Shinōreijutsuin, a.k.a. the Shinigami Academy. There, they'll receive a normal education alongside specialized Shinigami training.

The most crucial task is bonding with their personal Zanpakutō, and doing so, they can gain two new forms (Shikai and Bankai) for the weapon. The final form of their weapon is gained by the user suppressing and materializing their Zanpakutō spirit, in doing so making themselves and the weapon stronger. Even once this is achieved, however, it still requires a great deal of practice, and Shinigami can look forward to at least 10 years of training before they truly master the Bankai level.

This makes Bleach one of the few shonen worlds in which true, pure training is the main way in which power is increased, with maximizing Reiatsu (the force that Reiryoku creates) being integral to this. Even then, there seems to be a general plateau of power that varies with the individual, with some people (namely the supremely-powerful Shinigami Aizen) simply born with a massive amount of power. Of course, this is for Shinigami, with other groups attaining more power by other means.

In the case of Hollows, they can get more powerful by consuming each other. For this reason, many are attracted to each other through the promise of power. With the Quincy, they're largely the same as Shinigami, though their training and methods can differ quite a bit. Nevertheless, the best way to increase Reiatsu and general power levels in Bleach is for an individual to have a physically traumatic, near-death experience.

This was seen with Ichigo's development after a battle with Byakuya, and it showcases how pushing one's body to the limit in an extreme way is perhaps the only way to attain more strength. It's a power level system that's arguably more honest than those seen in other anime, as it promises power to those who train, while also admitting that certain things are out of reach. Thankfully for Shinigami, they have decades, if not centuries, to train, so there's no excuse for a low power level.

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10 One Piece Strongest Characters In The Egghead Arc, Ranked

The power ceiling in One Piece has been rising with every arc and it's starting to get truly out of control. With the current Egghead Arc being the first chapter in the Final Saga, all the strongest characters in the setting have seemingly been revealed – and everyone's gearing up for what's sure to be a bombastic grand finale, Luffy most of all.

The Egghead Arc is the beginning of the end for One Piece, and it's brought many of the strongest characters in the series together at long last. With longtime villains like Kaido and Big Mom having already been defeated, and allies like Trafalgar Law and Eustass Kid meeting their matches, One Piece's strongest characters are starting to thin out. But the most powerful have already left their mark on the franchise and aren't going down without a fight.

10 Dracule Mihawk is the Powerhouse of the Cross Guild

A former Warlord of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk has been the strongest swordsman in the world since the beginning of One Piece, and is yet to be surpassed. Mihawk possesses no Devil Fruit powers, instead relying on his extremely powerful Haki and his sword, Yoru, which is one of only twelve in the world with a Supreme Grade ranking.

Alongside Crocodile, Mihawk publicly serves under Buggy the Clown, an Emperor of the Sea, while they secretly operate as the true leaders of the military organization. Although Mihawk once served as a rival to an Emperor, Red-Hair Shanks, he now effectively acts as one, positioning him on the same level of power as Big Mom and Kaido.

9 Monkey D. Garp May Have Met His End

Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the "Hero of the Marines", was once a peer of Gol D. Roger, but his best days are long behind him. While he remains one of the strongest fighters in One Piece, his age and inner turmoil have prevented him from keeping up with younger characters who hold greater will and conviction. Throughout his career, Garp has repeatedly been offered the position of Admiral, with him only remaining a Vice Admiral by choice.

Despite not possessing a Devil Fruit power, his Haki alone made him a legend among his peers, and his fists are feared by pirates across the sea. Garp is one of only a handful of individuals in One Piece to possess the incredible power of infusing Conqueror's Haki into his attacks. In the Egghead Arc, however, age has finally caught up to Garp. Attacked by the Blackbeard Pirates in an assault spearheaded by Kuzan, Garp falls to the man he once trained, but not without putting up an impressive fight. Whether or not Garp survived this encounter remains to be seen.

8 Admiral Kizaru Has Finally Been Outclassed

Admiral Kizaru has one of the most impressive introductions in One Piece. Arriving on the Sabaody Archipelago in the arc named after it, he defeates four of the eleven Supernovas with great style, fights Silvers Rayleigh without much effort, and nearly kills the Straw Hat Pirates. Kizaru is as powerful as ever in the Egghead Arc, but he's no longer the threat he once was. Wielding the power of the Pika Pika no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit, Kizaru is untouchable by those without Haki.

His mastery over light and ability to move at the speed of light make him unstoppable even against most who do. Kizaru is a Marine Admiral, signifying him as one of the strongest fighters in the organization. However, his lack of candidacy for the position of Fleet Admiral indicates his power to be beneath that of Sakazuki and Kuzan's. In the Egghead Arc, Kizaru once again confronts the Straw Hat Pirates, but this encounter doesn't go anything like the one on Sabaody Archipelago. Now armed with Gear 5 and infused with Conqueror's Haki, where Luffy was once helpless against Kizaru, he now defeats him with ease.

7 The Five Elders Are the Main Antagonists of the Egghead Arc

For much of One Piece, The Five Elders (also known as the Gorōsei) were presented as the leaders of The World Government, leaving fans to theorize for decades over how their power compares to the Admirals who serve them. With them finally stepping into the spotlight as the main villains of the Egghead Arc, their power is finally on display – and it's terrifying.

Jaygarcia Saturn, Marcus Mars, Topman Warcury, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, and Shepherd Ju Peter have all eaten Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruits and awakened their full power. Each of them can transform into a different giant-sized yōkai, and can regenerate endlessly while in these forms. Luffy even theorizes during their fight that they may be immortal. The Elders are also all Haki masters, with Topman even possessing Conqueror's Haki. All together, their power is more than enough to challenge Gear 5 Luffy.

6 Imu Could Be The Main Villain of One Piece

Little remains known about Imu. The shadow ruler of The World Government, this mysterious figure holds authority over the Five Elders and the Admirals, implying their power to be on par with the very strongest in the world and making their clash with Luffy inevitable.

Imu can transform into a gargantuan, shadowy beast. In this form, Imu proves resistant to the attacks of Sabo, the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, and is able to injure him as well. They no doubt have more tricks up their sleeve, but as of the Egghead Arc, Imu hasn't gotten the chance to display their true strength.

5 Kuzan Defeated Monkey D. Garp

Kuzan is an enigmatic antagonist in One Piece whose loyalties have never been completely clear. Whether he's fighting for the Marines as an Admiral or for Blackbeard as one of his Ten Titanic Captains, he's always standing shoulder to shoulder with the strongest characters in the series. Kuzan ate the Hie Hie no Mi, one of the most desired Logia-type Devil Fruits, as the ice powers it grants negate the weakness all Devil Fruit eaters share: water.

A master of his Fruit's power and of Haki, Kuzan fought Sakazuki for ten days in an attempt to claim the title of Marine Fleet Admiral, before eventually losing. In the Egghead Arc, Kuzan attacks the man who trained him, Vice Admiral Garp, alongside several other Titanic Captains serving under Blackbeard. With the assistance of his crewmates, Kuzan puts Garp down while hardly using his Devil Fruit powers, potentially killing him.

4 Sakazuki Remains a Looming Threat

The Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Sakazuki has proven himself to be the strongest member of the organization since the Marineford Arc, wherein he killed Portgas D. Ace, and enabled Blackbeard to kill Whitebeard. Having defeated Kuzan to claim his current position, Sakazuki has all the power he needs to enforce his brand of Absolute Justice. Sakazuki ate the Magu Magu no Mi, a Logia-type Devil Fruit that grants him control over magma.

Combined with his Haki, this power allowed him to stand toe to toe with Whitebeard, the former strongest man in the world, and to kill one of his commanders with a single blow. While Sakazuki is yet to step into action in the Egghead Arc, there is no reason to believe Kuzan has surpassed him. As a potential candidate to be Luffy's final opponent in the series, fans should expect to see him match the power of Gear 5.

3 Monkey D. Luffy is Close to Becoming King of the Pirates

Coming off the heels of his climactic battle with Kaido, the Egghead Arc has shown just how powerful Monkey D. Luffy has become. With Future Sight, infused Conqueror's Haki, and Gear 5, Luffy has gone from a rubber boy in a barrel to a force of nature worthy of the title of Emperor. Luffy ate the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit that transforms its user into the Sun God, Nika.

Having awakened the fruit's full power, Luffy can fully manipulate his body and the environment around him as he sees fit, shifting them to his will. As Luffy himself puts it, he has the power to do whatever he wants. In the Egghead Arc, Luffy defeats two of his strongest past opponents, Rob Lucci and Admiral Kizaru, without significant difficulty and he's currently engaged in combat with The Five Elders.

2 Shanks is the Last Remaining Emperor of the Previous Generation

Shanks is Luffy's hero and inspiration, and has been the bar that Luffy must meet if he's ever to become King of the Pirates. While his peers Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom have all fallen, Shanks is only now taking an active role in One Piece, and the limits of his power are only beginning to be explored. Shanks has not eaten any Devil Fruit, instead fighting purely with his sword and Haki.

A veteran pirate and Emperor of the Sea, Shanks is a master of Armament and Observation Haki, and is one of the few to possess infused Conqueror's Haki. In the past, Shanks clashed with Whitebeard and served as a rival to Mihawk. In the Egghead Arc, Shanks shows that he possesses Future Sight, can use Conqueror's Haki from miles away, and can defeat two of the strongest members of The Worst Generation, Eustass Kid and Killer, with a single Divine Departure attack.

1 Marshall D. Teach Seems Unstoppable

Better known as Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach is one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, and Luffy's greatest rival to become King of the Pirates. Wielding the power of both the Gura Gura no Mi and the Yami Yami no Mi, Blackbeard possesses more raw strength than any other One Piece character.

Between his two Devil Fruit powers, Blackbeard can create earthquakes capable of destroying the world and unleash blasts of darkness that negate all other Devil Fruit abilities. Blackbeard is also skilled in Armament and Observation Haki, and has been able to walk off nearly all attacks thrown at him. In the Egghead Arc, Blackbeard defeats Boa Hancock, a former Warlord of the Sea. He also defeats one of Luffy's strongest allies, Trafalgar Law, just after Law struck down Big Mom, an Emperor. As powerful as Gear 5 is, Luffy may need one more power-up to defeat Blackbeard.

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America's First and Only Official One Piece Café Gets Early Look at Themed Menu and Food

Fans have now received an early preview of Toei Animation's first and currently only official U.S.-based One Piece café, with the menu and much of the delicious food on full display, along with pricing for the merchandise also sold at the location.

Following the announcement of the first-ever official U.S. One Piece café in Las Vegas, Toei Animation has now opened the official site, revealing the first visuals and menu. While the merchandise page is currently empty, images from fans who have attended the restaurant have revealed Luffy plushies, Zoro keyrings, One Piece lanyards and many more items. Readers can check out the images, featuring a gorgeous selection of food and drinks, below.

Located at 5600 Spring Mountain Rd. Ste. A, Las Vegas, NV 89146, the One Piece café is described: "Prepare to set sail on a gastronomic voyage like no other at the first-ever official One Piece-themed cafe in the U.S. Dive into a world where food meets adventure, and every meal is a celebration of friendship, flavor, and the spirit of the Grand Line."

McDonald's, KFC and Kura Sushi Join the Recent Flood of Anime Food Collaborations

The One Piece café joins fellow Toei Animation anime Dragon Ball Z in receiving food tie-ins this spring. American sushi chain Kura Revolving Sushi Bar launches its "Dragon Ball Super Bikkura Pon Collaboration" nationwide across over 60 locations, with limited-time collectibles including a special t-shirt, acrylic stand keychains, foam sticker three-piece sets and more. Toei Animation's properties are joined by other notable anime food collabs, including the Detective Conan x McDonald's limited-time menu items and the Forger Family meal sets, which see Spy x Family team up with KFC. Readers can also check out CBR's exclusive interview with Acky Bright, whose recent collaboration with Studio Pierrot and McDonald's celebration anime longstanding relationship with food.

Crunchyroll streams the entire One Piece anime, describing the series: "Monkey. D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become the king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line and beyond, this is one captain who'll never give up until he's claimed the greatest treasure on Earth: the Legendary One Piece!"

Source: One Piece Café official website

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Every Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Story Arc (So Far)

One of the most popular and acclaimed works currently serialized in Shonen Jump, the dark fantasy Jujutsu Kaisen took the shonen community by storm. The series’ fast-paced, thrilling storytelling, incredible cast of characters, and mind-blowing action earned JJK a place among the genre’s modern classics. Despite only debuting in 2018, JJK has reached astonishing levels of popularity, which in no small part can be attributed to the series’ stellar anime adaptation. Produced by studio MAPPA, the Jujutsu Kaisen anime premiered in 2020 and currently consists of two seasons, with the third in the works, and a prequel movie.

While staying admirably close to the manga, the anime elevated its source material through brilliant animation and impeccable sound design, introducing an entirely new community of fans to the captivating world of Jujutsu Kaisen. The second season of the anime ended on one of the series’ highest notes - the eminent Shibuya Incident arc. Seventh, in the total of eleven story arcs JJK currently consists of, the Shibuya plot wraps up what many consider the first major act of the series. With the manga rapidly approaching its conclusion and the anime preparing to enter the new chapter of the JJK plot - the Culling Game - there’s no better time to look back on all the prominent storylines already covered by the adaptation and compare them to the source material.

7 The Cursed Child Arc Excels At Adding More Depth To the Main Story

Known to the anime-only fans as Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the prequel story to the main JJK series, the Cursed Child arc shifts focus to Yuji’s future upperclassman, Yuta Okkotsu, and his introduction to the world of sorcery. However, JJK0 wasn’t originally designed as a prequel. The Cursed Child arc, then titled Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School, was Gege Akutami’s prototype for what would later become Jujutsu Kaisen, published in Jump Giga in April 2017. The manga was a hit, leading to Jujutsu Kaisen appearing on the pages of Shonen Jump a year later.

As the anime adaptation of JJK0 came out after the main series, its framing changed from a prologue to a prequel. The movie introduces fans to a new protagonist whose journey from a timid teenager unable to control his special grade powers to a capable, righteous sorcerer is exhilarating to watch. At the same time, JJK0 fleshes out the expansive world of Jujutsu Kaisen, showcasing previously unknown depths of characters anime fans have already grown to love.

6 The Fearsome Womb Arc Is an Incredible Introduction To the World of Curses

The first arc of Jujutsu Kaisen’s main storyline, the Fearsome Womb does wonders at captivating fans with the unfamiliar, exciting world of jujutsu sorcery. JJK’s opener doesn’t bore fans with useless exposition, jumping straight to the action from the first episodes. At the same time, it handles introducing the main concepts of the series, like curses and cursed techniques, excellently by showcasing them in motion during Sukuna’s awakening. All of the elements of JJK fans grew to adore, such as over-the-top action, memorable heroes, and a world seeping with hidden threats, are already present in the first arc.

Yet, compared to the later storylines, the Fearsome Womb is where the anime makes the most changes to the source material. Namely, the context in which Yuji eats Sukuna’s finger is altered. While in the manga, Yuji makes a spontaneous decision to consume the object to knowingly gain cursed energy, the anime sees him eat the finger in a moment of desperation as he is about to be swallowed by a curse himself.

5 The Vs. Mahito Arc Highlights Jujutsu Kaisen’s Emotional Depth

The arc that really sets Jujutsu Kaisen’s plot in motion, Vs. Mahito follows the strife between Yuji and his newly appointed mentor, Nanami Kento, and an emerging threat that will haunt the protagonist for many arcs to come, the disaster curse Mahito. The anime’s second arc also establishes one of the series’ notorious merits - the poignancy of JJK’s emotional storytelling - through the tragedy of Junpei, a lone boy Yuji befriends before promptly losing to Mahito’s corruption.

While Vs. Mahito might be one of JJK’s most mysterious arcs, as a lot of it revolves around figuring out the new antagonist’s powers and affiliations, it also has plenty of incredible, explosive action. Here, the anime truly begins improving on the manga, expanding such iconic fight scenes as Nanami’s first battle against Mahito and adding dynamic camera movements to make combat more lively.

4 The Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc Brings the Series Back To Its Shonen Roots

As Yuji rejoins his friends at Jujutsu High, a new chapter in his adventures begins with the start of the Kyoto Goodwill Event, a highly regarded arc that introduces many new characters and unexpected opponents. By the time of the third arc, the anime has already started to follow the manga almost exactly, with the only changes to the source material coming in the form of elevated fight scenes. A tournament-like arc with an added dangerous twist of the disaster curses imposing on the competition between Tokyo Jujutsu High and its Kyoto counterpart, the Kyoto Goodwill Event is celebrated as the highlight of the anime’s first season.

A relatively lighthearted arc by JJK’s standards, it gives plenty of time for the character development to shine. From the remarkable introduction of the fan-favorite Aoi Todo to the mind-blowing showcasing of Satoru Gojo’s strongest move, Hollow Purple, the Kyoto Goodwill Event arc has tons of unforgettable moments that the anime made even more spectacular than the original manga.

3 The Death Painting Arc Sets the Scene Up for the Second Season Perfectly

Considered by many a rather forgettable storyline, the Death Painting arc is short yet packed with valuable information. Following the main trio on an investigation into a series of disappearances occurring at Megumi’s old school, JJK’s fourth arc introduces the heroes to an entirely new kind of foe - the enigmatic Death Painting Wombs. Anime watchers mostly remember this arc thanks to the iconic fight scene between the Death Paintings and Yuji and Nobara.

However, for manga readers, the Death Painting storyline also included the last moment of peace the main characters got before the devastating events of the Shibuya Incident. The cutesy episode that sees Nobara and Megumi attempt to reconnect Yuji with Yuko, his old classmate who had a crush on the hero, is a part of the Death Painting arc in the manga. Yet, the anime’s choice to move this story to the start of the Shibuya Incident gave fans a nice opportunity to enjoy their favorite characters in a carefree environment before things got too heated.

2 The Hidden Inventory / Premature Death Arc Is One of The Best Flashback Arcs in Modern Shonen

An unexpected yet welcomed deviation from the main story, the Hidden Inventory / Premature Death arc takes the viewers back to Satoru Gojo’s youth. In the manga, the arc is simply titled Gojo’s Past. Framed within a plot of Gojo and his former best friend, Suguru Geto, undertaking a mission to escort the new Star Plasma Vessel, Riko Amanai, to Jujutsu High, the arc provides much-needed context into Gojo’s path to becoming the strongest and his complicated relationship with Suguru.

The first arc of the anime’s second season sets the bar high, featuring some of the most emotionally tense moments in the entire series. Through the experimental use of sound and brilliant, high-quality animation, iconic scenes like Gojo’s awakening and Riko’s murder were elevated to new peaks. Highlighting all the improvements the anime made with its second installment, including more creative direction and updated character designs, Hidden Inventory prepares the viewers for the considerably darker tone of the following Shibuya Incident arc.

1 The Shibuya Incident Arc Showcases Jujutsu Kaisen at Its Best

The famed Shibuya Incident arc is rightfully considered one of the best storylines in Jujutsu Kaisen, if not in all of modern shonen, by both manga readers and anime watchers. A hectic, devastating unraveling of a mission gone terribly wrong, the Shibuya Incident sees its heroes fall victim to Kenjaku’s master plan, leading to catastrophic circumstances. The anime’s treatment of the source material proves to be particularly stellar during this cathartic arc.

One of the most visually breathtaking events in shonen history, the Shibuya Incident transforms the manga’s somewhat rough combat scenes into masterful feats of animation, with the Sukuna vs. Mahoraga fight standing out as particularly well-executed. Moreover, the anime took some welcome creative liberties by adding new scenes, like Todo’s ridiculous yet terrific magical girl attack, and expanding existing sequences, such as Yuji’s final hunt for Mahito. The Shibuya Incident arc will go down in history as an exhilarating ride from start to finish, and one of the shonen anime’s most impactful storylines.

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