Few mediums can engage in action sequences and kinetic combat at the same level as anime. Anime series cover a wide range of genres, but many often exist in exaggerated worlds that turn conflicts and acts of aggression into explosive displays of power.
There’s a tendency in shonen anime to heavily indulge in combat and for characters to define themselves by the techniques they perform. Shonen series handle many different types of energy and power, which has led to a very eclectic range of signature attacks that help characters stand out even more in battle.
10 Pikachu's Thunderbolt Is An Easy Way To Make A Shocking Introduction — Pokémon
Pokémon has become one of the most popular franchises, regardless of medium — the anime series has made just as big of a mark as the video games. A lot of changes have taken place over the various Pokémon series, but one constant through them all is that Ash’s companion Pokémon is his faithful Pikachu.
Pikachu’s arsenal of abilities has improved over hundreds of episodes, but it’s hard to argue with his original and signature attack, Thunderbolt. So many Pokémon episodes are punctuated with Pikachu electrocuting an enemy, and while it’s perhaps overused, it’s always a satisfying sight.
9 Naruto's Rasenshuriken Creatively Mixes His Power With A Ninja Classic — Naruto
Naruto and its successor, Naruto: Shippuden, do an excellent job with Naruto Uzumaki's lengthy quest to become a legendary ninja. Naruto can be stubborn at times, but he's hungry for knowledge and to improve himself, and this attitude empowers him with some incredibly strong attacks and transformations.
While Naruto has plenty of options when it comes to offensive maneuvers, his Rasenshuriken is a perfect application of the ninja style and aesthetic. This move is dangerous, looks cool, and reflects the culture of the people that Naruto reveres.
8 Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho Synthesizes His Reiatsu With His Zanpakuto — Bleach
Bleach begins as a strong shonen series about powerful fighters who depend on spiritual energy, or reiatsu, to amplify their attacks. Ichigo learns a ton and experiences important transformations throughout his journey, but one of the basic attacks that he masters is Getsuga Tensho, also known as Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer.
This technique basically channels Ichigo's reiatsu through his Zanpakuto, ultimately releasing a powerful energy blast in the shape of a crescent moon. Getsuga Tensho sets the template that Ichigo continues to build upon.
7 Yusuke's Spirit Gun Quickly Solves Problems For The Spirit Detective — Yu Yu Hakusho
It’s hard to predict which moves are going to resonate with audiences — sometimes a complicated maneuver falls flat while something incredibly simple garners big results. Yu Yu Hakusho features a wide range of powerful figures with unique abilities for audiences with different tastes.
Yusuke Urameshi encounters many surprises and grows a lot as a fighter, but his signature attack throughout the entire series is the Spirit Gun that he fires from his fingers. It’s a very direct ability that doesn’t have a fancy appearance, but Yusuke makes it carry an impact every time he fires it.
6 Yuji’s Divergent Fist Does A Lot With A Little — Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen mixes dark sensibilities and horror influences into its action, leading to some very memorable cursed energy attacks from the anime’s sorcerers. Yuji Itadori becomes an unexpected prodigy in the jujutsu field. He masters many popular cursed spirit maneuvers, like Black Flash, but Divergent Fist is the first move that Yuji develops on his own.
Divergent Fist has Yuji throw a punch at his opponent, only to then channel energy through his fist and cause a second, more powerful, impact. It delivers a massive blow and looks amazing whenever Yuji puts it into play.
5 Luffy's Gum-Gum Pistol Kicks Off His Unique Devil Fruit Abilities — One Piece
One Piece has grown into one of the most influential shonen series of all time — not surprising given that the anime will soon round 1,000 episodes of adventures between Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates.
Devil Fruits affect people in many different ways: Luffy’s transformation turns him into a wildly elastic individual. He refines these skills and reaches phenomenal strength over time, but Luffy's signature attack that sets the template for everything that follows is the Gum-Gum Pistol punch. Luffy stretches his fist back to an immense length before launching it at his opponent with increased velocity.
4 Midoriya's Detroit Smash Becomes A Symbol Of Hope For The People — My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is a shonen anime with a gigantic cast of characters, all of which have unique Quirk-based superpowers. There are some extremely creative techniques and attacks present in My Hero Academia, but Izuku Midoriya’s trademark attack is an easy winner.
Midoriya idolizes the pro hero, All Might, and goes on to become his successor and inherit his Quirk, One For All. Midoriya’s Detroit Smash is a powered punch that acts as a tribute to the naming patterns behind All Might’s moves. The flashy maneuver turns into an optimistic symbol for the public.
3 Saitama's Serious Punch Unleashes The True Fury Of His Fist — One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man is the type of shonen anime that exists because audiences have become so savvy to the genre. The series is a brilliant deconstruction of shonen tropes, with a beleaguered protagonist who longs for an enemy who can withstand more than a single one of his punches.
One-Punch Man has some extremely unusual heroes and villains, and yet Saitama’s basic approach always works for him. A punch isn’t very exciting in contrast to psychic powers or energy blasts, but Saitama makes the physical contact exhilarating. Saitama almost never resorts to his Serious Punch because his Normal Punches are already explosive enough.
2 The Kamehameha Is An Iconic Classic For Goku And Friends — Dragon Ball
Anime is full of powerful energy attacks, but on some level it feels like Dragon Ball’s Kamehameha has set the modern template for other series have just lampooned. The Kamehameha is practically synonymous with parodies over the exaggerated nature of shonen anime fights.
There are moves that are more powerful and ornate (even within Dragon Ball), but the Kamehameha is just such a comforting blast of power. It’s even sweeter that the move gets passed down through Goku’s family and essentially becomes part of his legacy.
1 Tanjiro’s Dance Of The Fire God Sets Him Apart From Everyone Else — Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is one of the biggest anime series to come out in the past few years, and its recent feature film has gone on to set new box office records in Japan. The anime looks at Tanjiro’s growth as a Demon Slayer as well as his efforts to cure his sister, Nezuko, from her cursed demonic state.
The titular Demon Slayers wield different powers connected to their special blades and Tanjiro awakens the Dance of the Fire God. It’s a thrilling display that makes swift work of powerful demons and it just looks absolutely beautiful in motion.