Anime excels in its amplified tone. Due to the intensified nature of animation, anime has the unique ability to present a story in a more extravagant and heightened style than just about any other medium. This has led to the genre having some of the most iconic and distinguished characters in modern fiction. These characters can bring a sense of power and intimidation that astound fans.

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Anime characters can strike fear into the hearts of viewers with their introduction scenes alone. Whether it is an anime about serial killers or high school athletes, these characters are badass all the same.

Updated by Alexandra Locke on December 24, 2022: There are many badass characters in anime. For several, their introductions are equally epic. Whether showing off their skills or their imposing presence, this article has been updated to add even more badass anime introductions.

15 Korosensei Takes Roll

Assassination Classroom

Koro-sensei is surrounded by greenery in Assassination Classroom.

As Assassination Classroom begins, audiences are introduced to a classroom full of somber students. But when their teacher comes in, the action begins. Each of the students leaps out of their seats, brandishing a multitude of weapons – all aimed at their golden, tentacled teacher.

Despite the threat, Korosensei remains calm and begins taking roll, but as he does, the students pounce and offer up a barrage of attacks. Korosensei easily avoids them, moving so quickly that multiple versions of him can be seen. He leisurely finishes roll as the last of the students' attacks finish. This introduction perfectly highlights Korosensei's incredible power.

14 Simon Prepares For A Fight

Gurren LagannSimon Leads The Charge In Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann begins in a bombastic way. Numerous explosions surround a giant mech-ship, as a mysterious figure stands proudly on the bow. Although viewers do not initially know who the man is, they later realize that it is a future version of the main character, Simon.

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Simon stands in defiance of the Spirals – even as danger occurs all around. The leader of Team Dai Gurren screws his face into a confident smirk, as he yells, "Who the hell do you think I am?!" Simone's introduction brilliantly displays the kind of hero he is going to be.

13 Akashi Makes Basketball Scary

Kuroko's Basketball

Seijuro Akashi in Kuroko's Basketball.

When fans consider the most badass characters, they think of villains who could destroy the world or heroes who sacrificed everything to protect it. But Kuroko's Basketball proves that being a badass is relative, as even a 15-year-old basketball player can be the epitome of terror.

Akashi is the final boss of Kuroko's Basketball and made a grand entrance when he threatens the main protagonist with a pair of scissors. Despite his short stature, Akashi proves just how intense he could be and why everyone in the story looks up to him.

12 Maka Defines The Tone Of Soul Eater

Soul Eater

maka and soul ready to fight soul eater

The protagonist of Soul Eater, Maka is introduced in the anime's very first episode. Her battle with Jack the Ripper sets a perfect tone for what Soul Eater would become. The series is an anime about supernatural battles with a strong core duo and a fantastical reinterpretation of the real world.

Maka's fighting ability is on full display in this fight, showcasing a girl with a great sense of combat, quick thinking, and even quicker feet. She still has a long way to go beyond this first episode, but fans can already tell Soul Eater's protagonist is a badass.

11 Giyu Tomioka Tries To End Nezuko Kamado

Demon Slayer

Giyu Tomioka standing in the snow in Demon Slayer.

As Tanjiro Kamado learns the horrifying truth of what has become of his sister in Demon Slayer, he struggles against Nezuko's newly acquired demon strength. Just as he sees there is still some humanity in her heart, Giyu Tomioka flies in – barely missing Nezuko with his blade and cutting Tanjiro’s hair instead.

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The ensuing standoff as Tanjiro pleads with Tomioka to spare Nezuko’s life intensifies, as the Water Hashira easily steals Nezuko from Tanjiro’s grasp – subduing her only with one hand. Though he is eventually convinced to let Nezuko go, Tomioka proves what a skilled Hashira he is in this introduction.

10 Mai & Todo Are Lovable Antagonists

Jujutsu Kaisen

aoi attacking megumi and nobara in Jujutsu Kaisen

Mai Zenin and Aoi Todo of Jujutsu Kaisen are introduced in the very same scene. Preparing for an athletic school event, the two ambushed Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki, challenging them to a fight and showcasing a clear level of the power difference between the two pairs.

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Despite how easily this could have come across as infuriating, the short battle between these four enthralls fans and draws major interest toward Mai and Todo. Instead of having villains to root against, Mai and Todo come across as charismatic badasses.

9 Nishinoya Fills Out The Karasuno Team

Haikyuu!!

Yuu Nishinoya crouching down in Haikyuu!!

Haikyuu!! has a whole arc before introducing one of its core main characters. The Karasuno team undergoes a brief training stint and a full practice game before assembling their full roster. While fans adored the anime from the start, there was a notable gap in its cast that viewers knew needed to be filled.

This came in the form of Nishinoya. Nishinoya may not be an intimidating badass, but he more than makes up for it with his ability to inspire. He is the heroic archetype of badass—a guy who everyone feels reassured by having on their side and who can carry a team with their reliable skills.

8 Hawks Make A Speech That Changed The Entire Anime

My Hero Academia

hawks Getting ready in My Hero Academia.

One of My Hero Academia's greatest strengths is its setting. This is a world that captures fans' imaginations and excites the viewers with its complex social structures. Fans were thrilled to see the results of All Might's retirement and overjoyed to witness the new Hero ranking ceremony.

During this ceremony, fans are introduced to one of My Hero Academia's most important new characters: Hawks. Hawks has a unique philosophy in the series thus far and an even more interesting narrative role as a double agent.

7 Ira Gamagoori Is The Head Of The Discipline Committee

Kill la Kill

Ira Gamagoori yelling from Kill la Kill

As Kill la Kill begins, audiences are met with a mostly typical classroom setting until the door is forcefully kicked down by a spiked boot, revealing the imposing stature of Ira Gamagoori. The Discipline Committee Leader stalks into the room to confront a ne’er-do-well who stole one of the coveted Goku uniforms.

Although the culprit tries to run, Gamagoori remains one step ahead, tackling the student and finally releasing him of the uniform. Gamagoori kicks Kill la Kill off by displaying just part of the Student Council’s power.

6 Guts Was An Indisputable Badass

Berserk

Guts Gets Mildly Annoyed In Berserk The Prototype

Guts has had a variety of different introductions depending on the adaptation, but his most iconic and powerful occurs in the original manga. Using just four pages, Guts is introduced in the throes of romance with a beautiful woman by the moonlight.

The woman is subsequently revealed to be some sort of demonic monster and without a hint of hesitation, Guts unveils his crossbow arm and blows a hole in its head. It is an incredibly obscene introduction to both the character and the series, but it does capture a certain element of Berserk that fans find utterly badass.

5 Levi Is A Ruthless Titan Slayer

Attack On Titan

Levi Ackerman ready for battle in Attack On Titan.

Levi from Attack on Titan has a couple of brief appearances in the earlier episodes of the anime, but his first major introduction comes in the opening scene of Episode 9. Levi immediately makes his mark on viewers by showcasing just how competent a soldier he is.

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Titans are incredibly dangerous and fans had already seen the damage they could cause. When the Survey Corps and Levi march on the scene and calmly dispose of a whole gang of Titans, viewers are left with nothing but an impression of shock and awe.

4 Chrollo Was An Enigmatic Leader

Hunter X Hunter

Chrollo Lucifer fighting the Zoldycks Cropped From Hunter X Hunter

Hunter X Hunter is known for being one of the more mature and complex anime to come from Shonen Jump. Even in the world of Hunter X Hunter, Chrollo Lucilfer stands out as being particularly enigmatic. Fans were immediately drawn in by the character's design when they first meet him during the Yorknew City arc.

His role as the leader of the Phantom Troupe made a statement about his power, and his desire to plunder the entire world's mafia scene solidifies his potential as a threat. Chrollo's appeal deepens with each appearance, but even from his introductions, fans knew this character would be a badass.

3 L Outsmarted Kira In Just One Scene

Death Note

L From Death Note Sitting In Signature Position

When fans think of badass character introductions, they often think of powerful people showcasing their destructive capabilities. L from Death Note stands out among this crowd for not being a fighter at all. He has no powers and no fancy techniques — he is simply the world's greatest intellect and determined to find the culprit of the Kira murder case.

His introduction sets a perfect tone for just how smart the Death Note anime would become. Fans recognize Death Note as a game of wits between a cat and mouse, and the origin of that tone is rooted directly in L's amazing introduction.

2 White Blood Cell Destroys A Virus

Cells At Work!

White Blood Cell running toward an enemy in Cells At Work!

The human body works hard, but not as hard as the cells inside. Cells At Work! is a slice-of-life story of the various cells inside a person’s body that help it function every day. While the show mainly focuses on a spunky Red Blood Cell, the real hero is the mysterious White Blood Cell.

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When Red Blood Cell finds herself face to face with a dastardly virus, she is ultimately saved thanks to the swiftness and brutality of White Blood Cell. Although gory, White Blood Cell’s attack on the virus is heroic, and accurately displays the ruthless persistence of the White Blood Cells as they work hard to keep the body safe.

1 Madara Was A One-Man Army

Madara

Madara Uchiha looking down on enemies in Naruto,

By the time Madara was resurrected during the War arc, he had already developed a reputation as a figure of legendary proportion. His role in the history of Naruto highlights him as one of the strongest ninjas to ever live.

There was a lot of hype to live up to in bringing him back and a less-than-perfect introduction could leave fans underwhelmed. When he took his first steps and showcased such a skilled, calculated dismantling of an entire army, fans could not help but be stunned by the sheer awesomeness on display.

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