Anime is chockfull of boisterous superheroes, many of whom are known far and wide throughout their respective series. However, for every well-known hero, there exists one who operates from the shadows, bound by secrecy or obligation to hide their identity behind an alter ego. These alter egos often become more than just a way to remain anonymous, they become symbols of their impact on the people around them.

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As characters like Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne have proven in other mediums, alter egos can be a great way to represent the duality of a character. While there are countless examples of this in different anime series, a few are particularly worthy of praise.

10 Toshinori Yagi Defines Heroism As All Might

My Hero Academia

all might video message

My Hero Academia's narrative revolves around professional hero work, so alter egos are a common sight throughout the series. Although characters like Deku and Bakugo have started to develop their own reputations as heroes, no character's legacy even comes close to rivaling that of the eternal Number One Hero, All Might.

For most of My Hero Academia, All Might hides his real name, Toshinori Yagi, and face from the public. However, even after his identity is revealed, his red, white, and blue appearance remains a symbol of the heroic cause.

9 Master Roshi Enters The World Martial Arts Tournament As Jackie Chun

Dragon Ball

Jackie-Chun-And-Son-Goku-In-Dragon-Ball-1

Long before Goku achieved his status as the Legendary Super Saiyan, his goal was to win the World Martial Arts Tournament. During Dragon Ball's Tournament Saga, the young Saiyan finally enters. Unfortunately for him, Master Roshi joined the tournament under the alias "Jackie Chun" - a clear allusion to the real-life actor Jackie Chan.

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While donning this fun moniker, Master Roshi carves through the competition, eventually facing off against Goku in the finals. After a grueling battle, Roshi defeats his pupil, teaching him a valuable lesson about the need for constant improvement.

8 Lelouch Lamperouge Sparks A Rebellion As Zero

Code Geass

lelouch lamperouge zero vigilante code geass

Code Geass' name still commands respect over 15 years after its initial release, due in no small part to the presence of its enthralling main character, Lelouch Lamperouge. Lelouch is an exiled prince of the Britannia Empire, sent to grow up in Japan while the Britannia Empire oppresses its people.

In an attempt to usurp the Empire's hold over Japan, the show's protagonist dons the masked alter ego Zero. As Zero, Lelouch leads the Black Knights resistance, using his mystique and supernatural power, Geass, to accomplish his goals.

7 Usagi Tsukino Fights Against The Forces Of Evil As Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon

Usagi transformed in Sailor Moon.

Magical girl anime has a tendency to utilize the alter ego trope, a trend that can likely be attributed on some level to the worldwide success of Sailor Moon. After befriending a magical black cat, Sailor Moon's main character, Usagi Tsukino, awakens her superhero powers, transforming into the hero known as Sailor Moon.

With the help of the rest of the Sailor Guardians, Sailor Moon fights against the various forces of evil that threaten her planet. Their schoolgirl outfits have retained their charm for several generations, easily slotting them among the most well-known alter egos in anime history.

6 Gohan Continues Protecting Earth As The Great Saiyaman

Dragon Ball Z

The landscape of Dragon Ball Z looks much different after the defeat of Cell than it did at the beginning of the series. After a few years pass, Goku is still dead, Gohan remains the strongest of the Z Fighters, and Earth hasn't faced a major threat in several years.

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Although Gohan doesn't fight a cosmic-level threat during this period, he stays busy by working as the Great Saiyaman, a street-level superhero who helps the citizens of Earth. His goofy poses and over-the-top hero voice are beloved staples worthy of his underrated costume design.

5 Saitama Makes Short Work Of Villains As One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man

Saitama delivering a punch in One-Punch Man.

The anime medium is saturated with superhero-centric content, yet, among a sea of shonen series with overpowered protagonists, One-Punch Man has no problem separating itself from the pack. Its protagonist, Saitama, and his superhero alter ego, One-Punch Man, serve as the perfect accent to the series' satirical tone.

On any other character, Saitama's yellow jumpsuit would look ridiculous. However, thanks to his aloof demeanor and overwhelming strength, it somehow fits perfectly with the rest of his aesthetic.

4 Kirigaya Kazuto Masters Multiple VR Games As Kirito

Sword Art Online

Kirito Wins The Duel In Sword Art Online

As fans of the Sword Art Online franchise are no doubt familiar, screen names are a common feature of most gaming services/platforms. In the case of the Sword Art Online's main character, Kirigaya Kazuto, he chooses to go by the name Kirito when playing the series' various virtual-reality video games.

Kirigaya is a master video game player, so his abilities when donning his Kirito alter ego are incredible. He saves countless characters' lives throughout Sword Art Online and its various spin-offs, spreading his online username far and wide in the process.

3 Usopp Rejoins The Straw Hat Pirates As Sogeking

One Piece

sogeking one piece

Usopp provides plenty of moments of levity throughout the course of One Piece, but during the Water 7 Saga, his narrative takes a much darker tone. He and his captain, Monkey D. Luffy, become embroiled in a conflict over the fate of their ship, prompting the sniper to leave the Straw Hat Pirates' crew.

Due to Usopp's connection with his allies, he is unable to leave their side for long, quickly joining their forces once again as the masked Sniper King, also known as Sogeking. While fighting the World Government under this guise, Usopp reflects on his role in the crew and eventually figures out how to go about joining their ranks once again.

2 Masaya Aoyama Demonstrates Chivalry As The Blue Knight

Tokyo Mew Mew

Blue Knight, the hidden alter ego of Masaya Aoyama in Tokyo Mew Mew

In the Tokyo Mew Mew series, Japan is facing an alien threat known as the Chimera Animas, a parasitic alien race that infects animals and transforms them into dangerous monsters. The show's protagonist, Ichigo Momomiya, fights against these forces, and on multiple occasions, she is saved by a mysterious and powerful character known as the Blue Knight.

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The Blue Knight sports elf-like ears and blonde hair, which helps hide the fact that the character is actually the alter ego of Masaya Aoyama, Ichigo's significant other. Although the Blue Knight and Masaya are both unaware of the other's existence, the former manifested from Masaya's feelings for Ichigo, proving his love for the show's protagonist.

1 Light Yagami Reforms The World As Kira

Death Note

Death Note Light Yagami

Death Note's protagonist, Light Yagami, receives a powerful tool when it finds the Death Note, a notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written within. However, in order to continue using the item as much as he wants, Light must hide his identity, performing his atrocious actions from deep within the shadows.

As a result of his actions, the public begins to label his mysterious string of killings as the work of "Kira," a mysterious new god. Although Kira's status as an alter ego is debatable, the fact that Light hides behind its label and manipulates its image separate from his own more than qualifies it as such.

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