When it comes to fighting, physical strength isn't the only way to win. After all, opponents come in a variety of forms, and anime protagonists need to defeat them regardless of their size, strength, or status. Many anime heroes are also humans with weaknesses and shortcomings, just like any regular person, and sometimes it's easy to forget that anime heroes also come in all shapes and sizes.
Small, weak, or limited anime heroes have to rely on a different set of skills to help them beat their foes. Most often, weak anime heroes rely more on wit, quick thinking, and expertly honed skills to come out on top.
10 Koichi's Self-Esteem Grows Along With His Stand (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable)
When Koichi Hirose is first introduced in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, he's one of the most underwhelming main characters seen in JoJo's. He's small, not too athletic, and suffers from abysmally low self-esteem despite having a good heart. Meeting Josuke Higashikata is the catalyst for Koichi's growth, and he becomes an accomplished Stand user over time. Defeating opponents like Tamami Kobayashi and Yukako Yamagishi helped Koichi's Stand, Echoes, grow stronger and gave Koichi the confidence to face off against Yoshikage Kira despite being outmatched.
9 Eren Relied On Others To Shore Up His Weaknesses & Win (Attack On Titan)
At the outset of Attack on Titan, it's clear to audiences that its protagonist isn't particularly strong or impressive. Rather, Eren Jaegar is a relatable and ordinary teenager with gigantic opponents to grapple with, naturally putting him at a disadvantage. While in training, Eren picked up some useful techniques from Annie Leonhart. Later, when he's facing off against the Armored Titan, Eren's Attack Titan is predictably getting smashed. But he remembers Annie's advice to use opponents' weight and strength against them, and Eren manages to win.
8 Shinobu Admits Her Weakness & Makes Up For It With Skill (Demon Slayer)
As the self-proclaimed weakest Hashira of the Demon Slayers Corps, Shinobu Kocho makes no attempt to appear stronger than she actually is. Instead, like many weak anime heroes, Shinobu balances out her weakness with cleverness and skill.
Shinobu is not physically strong enough to decapitate demons, which is the preferred demon-execution method in Demon Slayer. Alternatively, demons are also weak to wisteria, so she coats her unique Nichirin blade with wisteria poison and nimbly uses it like an insect's stinger to defeat her opponents.
7 Deku's Weakness Repeatedly Results In Severe Personal Harm (My Hero Academia)
Izuku "Deku" Midoriya repeatedly finds himself facing off against villains who are far stronger than he is in My Hero Academia. Being Quirkless hindered Deku's ability to grow physically strong, and he has a lot of catching up to do to match the strength needed to bear One For All. During the Forest Training Camp arc, Deku encounters Muscular, a villain whose Quirk gives him extraordinary physical strength. Although Deku's clearly outmatched, Kota Izumi ignites Deku's heroic spirit and gives him the moral support to push through and win.
6 Gohan Doesn't Realize His Strength Until He's Faced With No Other Options (Dragon Ball Z)
Being born half-human, half-Saiyan, Gohan possesses the strengths of both races – but didn't quite realize or use that strength for much of Dragon Ball Z. Gohan had the hidden strength and potential to be strong but desired no skill to use them because he's peaceful at heart. But after being faced with Cell's heartless villainy during the Cell Games, Gohan finally learns that some fights are unavoidable. With new resolve and a little help from Goku, Gohan manages to defeat Cell and protect Earth.
5 Homura Uses Her Limited Powers Cleverly To Come Out On Top (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
As Puella Magi Madoka Magica's mysterious deuteragonist, Homura Akemi's magical girl powers are purposefully kept secret until much later in the series. It's evident to audiences, however, that Homura wins all her fights, making it seem as if she's strong. In reality, Homura possesses a very limited power: time control. She makes up for her limitations by using time control wisely and keeping extensive mental notes about her opponents. Being stuck in a time loop gave her plenty of time to memorize every Witch's skill.
4 Kenshin's Body Isn't Suited To Harness The True Power Of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu (Rurouni Kenshin)
In the world of Rurouni Kenshin, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu swordsmanship is notoriously taxing on its practitioner's body. Only Hiko Seijuro, Kenshin Himura's master, is capable of wielding Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu to its fullest potential.
Kenshin left training early to help the Ishin Shishi fight during the Bakumatsu, meaning Kenshin didn't fully develop his swordsmanship. Instead, he uses a watered-down version that's still far superior to other fighting styles in the anime. Each time Kenshin uses a technique, his body sustains damage since he's not strong enough.
3 Okabe's Weakness Is Expected Considering His Enemy Is Fate Itself (Steins;Gate)
The world in Steins;Gate is essentially predetermined, certain events that happen in one worldline must happen no matter what. Only jumping to a new worldline produces a different universe where a disastrous result can be successfully avoided. Rintaro Okabe faces this exact enemy in Steins;Gate, and he's weak in comparison no matter how physically buff he could be. Refusing to give up and clinging onto hope, Okabe manages to defeat both his original worldline and SERN's insatiable urge to own time travel technology by successfully jumping to the Steins;Gate worldline.
2 Mista Relies On Quick Thinking & Dexterity Rather Than Strength (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind)
While Guido Mista isn't physically weak in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, his Stand is limited in its capabilities. No matter how physically strong Mista is, he has to fight Stands with other Stands, putting him at a slight disadvantage. Sex Pistols is a unique Stand with a lot of tactical potential, which is exactly why Mista claims his Stand is perfect for assassinations. In head-to-head battles, Mista typically sustains a lot of damage and has to rely on quick wits and dexterity to win.
1 Aizawa's Quirk Isn't Strong, But It Has Great Tactical Utility (My Hero Academia)
At first glance, Shota Aizawa's Quirk seems as if it's overpowered rather than weak. Technically, Aizawa's Erasure Quirk is very limited in its use and capabilities. If Aizawa's concentration were to break for even a moment, Erasure's effect wears off. Instead, Aizawa relies on agility and skill with his Binding Cloth fighting style to defeat villains. He can hold his own in hand-to-hand combat, but he doesn't have the raw physical power that some villains possess. It's best for him to tactically outmaneuver villains instead.