Category: Anime

  • Black Clover: 8 Strongest Characters Close to God-Level, Ranked

    Black Clover: 8 Strongest Characters Close to God-Level, Ranked

    Mages rule the world in Black Clover, particularly those gifted with rare grimoires, unique magic attributes, and other extraordinary abilities. They often serve as protectors of their respective kingdoms, using their powers to defend the innocent. However, some mages are also manipulated by evil forces, leading them down a darker path.

    Among these powerful mages in Black Clover, some become so strong that they nearly reach the level of gods. Through their exceptional mastery of magic and the acquisition of absurdly powerful techniques, they can accomplish feats that rival those of Black Clover‘s divine beings.

    8

    Licht Was a Force of Nature at His Peak

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    Licht may have exited the story relatively early in Black Clover, but that didn’t stop the series from establishing him as a godlike figure. As the leader of the Elf Tribe, he possesses an immense amount of magic power and wields three of the swords that eventually become part of Asta’s arsenal. In his prime, Licht is powerful enough to take on devils single-handedly, making him an exceptionally formidable force on the battlefield.

    Even after numerous arcs, Licht remains one of the most powerful characters in Black Clover. His prime self could potentially defeat a member of the Dark Triad, given his immense magical abilities and combat experience. Unfortunately, the series never gives him the opportunity to demonstrate the full extent of his strength against these powerful enemies, leaving fans to imagine how such a battle might unfold.

    7

    Julius Novachrono Is a Master of Time and Strategy

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    Julius Novachrono’s fascination with magic knows no bounds. He is always excited to discover new magic attributes and abilities, including Asta’s unusual anti-magic, reflecting a passion for magic that few others can match. His enthusiasm and dedication make him one of the most beloved Wizard Kings in Black Clover.

    Although Julius has few battles that fully demonstrate the extent of his power, there is no doubt that he ranks among the strongest characters in the series. His Time Magic allows him to subdue opponents before they even realize what is happening, giving him a significant advantage in combat. Beyond his overwhelming abilities, Julius is also a clever strategist who can outsmart his enemies when they least expect it. Given his strength and leadership, it is no surprise that even Asta and Yuno look up to him.

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    6

    Conrad Leto Nearly Destroyed the Clover Kingdom Alone

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    Conrad Leto has every reason to want the Clover Kingdom destroyed. Driven by revenge after everything he has endured, he possesses the power and determination to bring his destructive ambitions to life. His unique Key Magic, combined with Compound Magic and the Elsdocia Sword, which contains portions of the former Wizard Kings’ power, makes him a terrifying opponent capable of laying waste to the kingdom.

    Like several former Wizard Kings, Conrad has experienced betrayal and injustice at the hands of the nobility. However, his tragic past does not justify the destruction he seeks to bring upon the Clover Kingdom. Asta ultimately stands in his way, determined to stop him and hold him accountable for his actions. Despite his defeat, Conrad remains an exceptionally powerful mage who nearly destroys the kingdom single-handedly.

    5

    Lucifero Has the Power to Plunge the Living World Into Darkness

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    The underworld has its own godlike being in Lucifero, who reigns at the top of the devil hierarchy. Residing in the lowest level of the underworld, he seeks to escape his confinement and plunge the living world into darkness. Unlike other devils who pursue their own ambitions, Lucifero is driven by pure malice, making him one of the most ruthless and manipulative antagonists in Black Clover.

    As the strongest devil, Lucifero possesses immense power and specializes in Gravity Magic, which allows him to crush weaker mages under overwhelming pressure and render them unconscious almost instantly. Defeating him requires the combined efforts of several Magic Knight captains, alongside Asta and Yuno. Lucifero is essentially a walking calamity, possessing more than enough power to turn his twisted ambitions into reality if left unchecked.

    4

    Noelle Silva Is One of the Most Improved Magic Knights

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level
    YUKI TABATA/SHUEISHA,TV TOKYO,BLACK CLOVER PROJECT

    Noelle Silva has one of the most inspiring power progressions in Black Clover, especially considering everything she has endured to earn the respect of her family and fellow Magic Knights. Much like Asta, she constantly defies her enemies’ expectations, becoming an unpredictable fighter who refuses to go down without putting up a serious fight.

    As the story progresses, Noelle surpasses many Magic Knights through her exceptional mastery of Water Magic. She even forms a temporary contract with Undine, allowing her to take on some of the most powerful Supreme Devils. Noelle’s continued growth makes her one of the most exciting characters to watch, and seeing her unlock increasingly powerful forms is a rewarding experience for fans who have followed her journey.

    3

    Yuno’s Wind Magic Makes Him Nearly Unstoppable on the Battlefield

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    Yuno has displayed exceptional magical talent since birth, particularly with Wind Magic, which reflects his natural affinity for the attribute. He is also of royal descent and the rightful heir to House Grinberryall, the royal family that ruled the Spade Kingdom before the Dark Triad seized power. Despite growing up as an orphan in Hage, Yuno never abandons his dream of becoming the next Wizard King, a goal he shares with Asta. Along the way, he also uncovers the truth about his origins and his royal family.

    On the battlefield, few opponents can match Yuno’s strength head-on. Aside from Asta, only the most powerful Magic Knight Captains and Underworld devils can push him to fight at his full potential. His final Spirit Dive with Sylph, achieved through 100% resonance, makes him an even more formidable Wind Magic user. Given his mastery of the attribute and his immense combat abilities, Yuno has a strong claim to being the greatest Wind Magic user in the series.

    2

    Asta Has Become Nearly Impossible to Counter

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    Never underestimate someone with a big dream in Black Clover, as Asta proves that determination can overcome even the greatest disadvantages. Born without magic, he relentlessly trains to achieve his goal of becoming the Wizard King, relying on anti-magic and exceptional swordsmanship to keep up with the strongest Magic Knights and villains.

    Fortunately, Asta is a shonen protagonist with seemingly limitless potential. His mastery of anti-magic allows him to neutralize, deflect, absorb, and cut through the magical attacks of nearly every opponent he faces. This makes him one of the most unpredictable Magic Knights in the series, with an arsenal that few enemies can effectively counter. As his abilities continue to evolve, even the strongest magic users struggle to find a reliable way to stop him.

    1

    Lucius Zogratis Has the Power to Rule the Entire Living World

    black clover strongest characters close to god-level

    Lucius Zogratis is one of the most fearsome villains in Black Clover, possessing enough power to overpower Asta and Yuno together. His vast magic arsenal makes him an even greater threat, combining Time Magic, Soul Magic, and Gravity Magic with nearly every other magic attribute in the series, which he later acquires through the Grimoire Towers of the Clover Kingdom.

    In other words, Lucius poses an unprecedented threat to the living world. His god-tier abilities allow him to dominate others and reshape the world according to his vision, making him a force few can hope to challenge. He is the ultimate villain Asta and Yuno must defeat together in Black Clover, and he was seemingly on the path to godhood before his eventual defeat.



    Release Date

    2017 – 2026-00-00

    Network

    TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC

    Directors

    Matsuo Asami, Rokou Ogiwara, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Akira Shimizu, Fumio Maezono, Daisuke Chiba, Toshihiro Maeya, Yoshimitsu Tsuda, Toshiaki Kanbara, Takahiro Enokida, Yasumi Mikamoto, Kenichi Maejima, Chihiro Kumano, Naoki Horiuchi, Yoshino Miwa

    Writers

    Kanichi Kato, Mio Inoue, Masanao Akahoshi, Momoko Murakami, Kunihiko Okada

    Franchise(s)

    Black Clover

    • Gakuto Kajiwara

      Asta (voice)

    • Nobunaga Shimazaki

      Yuno (voice)


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  • Naruto Creator Masashi Kishimoto Is Officially Bringing Back Minato Namikaze

    Naruto Creator Masashi Kishimoto Is Officially Bringing Back Minato Namikaze

    The creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto, has given birth to numerous incredible characters who have been immortalized over the years throughout the run of the Naruto series. These include characters like the protagonist of the series, Naruto Uzumaki, the deuteragonist Sasuke Uchiha, and many other legendary figures that exist in the world, carefully crafted by Kishimoto, such as Itachi Uchiha and, of course, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

    Minato, in particular, is a very popular character among the fans. In the global Naruto popularity poll, which was officially held 4 years ago, Minato Namikaze was crowned the winner and was the most popular character ever created by Masashi Kishimoto. For winning this popularity poll, Kishimoto released a special one-shot for Minato, bringing him back one more time.

    Now, the Fourth Hokage is set to return once more, this time through a collaboration between Kishimoto’s work and Studio Pierrot. On October 10, 2026, at the New York Comic Con, Project Rasengan confirmed to us that a new project involving the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, is being planned for a release at some point in the future. Through it, we will all get another look at our beloved Yellow Flash in full action, particularly leading from the front in the Third Great Ninja War.

    Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto One Shot Manga On Minato Teased For Anime Adaptation

    On July 18, 2023, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33, Masashi Kishimoto released his Naruto Minato one-shot, which built upon the romance of Naruto and Kushina and showed us the creation of the Rasengan in the first place. This Naruto one-shot was absolutely brilliant and showed how incredible Kishimoto’s pen still was after years of being on hiatus. It is also what primarily led to many fans crying for more Naruto content from Masashi Kishimoto, which he has now successfully delivered in the form of a new manga titled Naruto: Shadow Rising.

    This new project was announced on October 10, 2026, at New York Comic Con, where the Naruto franchise unveiled Project Rasengan, a new project aimed at a full revival of the entire franchise with multiple new releases. So far, a couple of upcoming projects have been confirmed to us, such as the release of a Naruto mobile game, a TCG, an anime special, and, of course, a new manga by Masashi Kishimoto. There are other projects that will be revealed to us at Jump Festa 2027 on December 19, 2026. At the same time, more announcements will follow into 2027, all the way up to 2030, which is something that we are eagerly waiting for.

    One such project that was secretly revealed at New York Comic Con is an anime adaptation of the Minato one-shot. A sneak peek at the drafts of Studio Pierrot revealed to us that this project is currently in the works and might be in the pre-production stages. It is unclear as to when it will get its anime adaptation, but one thing that we can say with absolute certainty is that this anime adaptation is coming sooner rather than later. This means that we will get a proper look at Minato Namikaze in the Third Great Ninja War, leading from the front and earning the nickname of the Yellow Flash.

    Studio Pierrot Will Adapt Minato One Shot Before 2030

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    As mentioned earlier, we do not have a proper release date for the anime adaptation of the Minato one-shot yet. However, Project Rasengan is set to run all the way up to 2030, which means that the vast majority of the projects that they have planned for the full revival of the Naruto franchise are going to be released by then. In other words, in the next few years, this new Minato one-shot anime adaptation will have been released.

    One intriguing thing to keep in mind is that Studio Pierrot might already be working on the adaptation of this Minato one-shot. While it might not be in full-on production just yet, early production steps have already been taken. In other words, full work on this one-shot could be concluded at some point in 2027, which means that the release of the Minato one-shot could follow either in late 2027 or at some point in 2028.

    Needless to say, fans all over the world would love to see the return of Minato Namikaze to the screens once again. Minato is the legendary Fourth Hokage of Konoha, whose legacy is far greater than that of any other Hokage, especially since he is also the father of the protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki. His contribution when it comes to saving Konoha and then the ninja world in the Fourth Shinobi World War only made the fans love him more. Hopefully, we will get to see more of this legendary figure soon enough.

    More Information On Project Rasengan To Be Revealed At Jump Festa 2027

    Minato Namikaze makes a happy face.
    Image via Studio Pierrot

    The anime adaptation of the Naruto one-shot has only been briefly teased, but more information pertaining to various projects for the franchise will be revealed at Jump Festa 2027. For years, Naruto was absent from Jump Festa because this franchise was considered good as dead, but 2026 marked a stark shift in the strategy of both Masashi Kishimoto and Studio Pierrot. It has now been confirmed that Naruto is on track for a full revival, which means we will see it at Jump Festa as a part of the biggest stage where major announcements will be made, that is, Super Stage Red.

    Naruto’s stage will be held on December 19, 2026, and we will get a lot of new information pertaining to various projects, including the new manga from Masashi Kishimoto. It is also here that we will likely get our first look at the Minato one-shot anime adaptation, which hopefully follows at some point in 2027. It is also interesting to note that Minato Namikaze could potentially go on to make an appearance in the new Naruto manga as well. While it is set in the blank period after the events of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Minato could make his presence known through flashbacks, as he has done on various occasions in the past as well.







    His influence on Naruto’s life and on Konoha in general ensures plenty of opportunities for Kishimoto to bring him back in some way or form, just like Itachi Uchiha. For now, all eyes are on Jump Festa 2027, where major announcements are set to take place. We absolutely cannot wait to see all these major projects coming to life and, most importantly, the brilliant characters of Naruto, crafted by Masashi Kishimoto, on our screens once again.

    All the chapters of Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.

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  • After 4 Years, One Piece Introduces The Official God Of Destruction

    After 4 Years, One Piece Introduces The Official God Of Destruction

    Over 4 years ago, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda unveiled to us, for the very first time, the Devil Fruit awakening of Luffy’s Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, in Chapter 1044 of the series, which was officially released on August 28, 2022. Since then, Luffy, with his Nika powers, has come far and upgraded his strength tremendously. The lore pertaining to Nika has also grown richer, but the Elbaf arc has cranked things up a notch and revealed to us quite a lot of exciting developments pertaining to this Mythical God.

    For the vast majority of the Final Saga of One Piece, Nika, the Sun God, has been referred to as the Warrior of Liberation and the God of Laughter. However, One Piece chapter 1198, which was officially released on November 8, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 49, confirmed a different side of Nika to us for the very first time. Nika, after having taken over Luffy’s body, has now displayed his personality as a God of Chaos and Destruction, and this side of the Sun God is quite terrifying.

    One Piece Chapter 1198 Unveils The Dark Side Of Nika As The God Of Destruction

    Image sourced via @iamosix2 on X.

    On March 28, 2022, Eiichiro Oda released what was the most pivotal chapter when it comes to the lore pertaining to the Gods of the One Piece world in the 17th issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump of the year. In this chapter, Luffy, after having suffered a near-death situation against Kaido, awakened the powers of the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, and became the Warrior of Liberation. Luffy then tapped into Gear 5, and with this newfound transformation, he was able to overwhelm Kaido and liberate Wano in the process.

    “Possessing a body with the powers of rubber, and fighting in whatever way he fancies, bringing smiles to the faces of people, the Warrior of Liberation…also known as the Sun God, Nika!” — Elders explain Nika, One Piece Chapter #1044

    As One Piece headed into the Egghead arc, Luffy was able to overwhelm the likes of Kizaru and the Elders as well, and it was quite clear to see that his strength was absolutely incredible. Up until this point, most of us assumed that Luffy was the God of Laughter and Liberation. While that is true, there are many sides of Nika which often clash with each other based on who is telling the story. In the Elbaf arc, the Giants made it quite clear that different people see Nika in different light, and that there are many tales surrounding this legendary God. While some believe Nika to be the Warrior of Liberation and the God of Laughter, others see Nika as a God of Mischief. There are also others who see Nika as the God of Destruction, who brings about the end of the world every time he descends upon the world.

    “According to the Harley, our world has been destroyed twice in the past. And each time, the presence of the Sun God Nika is heavily tied to it. Is he the hero who appeared to save the world from disaster? Is he the God of Destruction who lays waste to it all? He appears when the world is about to undergo a major transformation.” — Elder Jarul explains the many sides of Nika, One Piece Chapter #1136

    Image by Rei Penber created using One Piece assets

    In reality, there is no singular version of Nika that stands above all. All the different versions of Nika that have been described in the story are parts of his personality, and One Piece chapter 1198, released on November 8, 2026, confirmed this. In this chapter, it was clear to see that the power of Sun God Nika had completely overwhelmed Luffy and taken over his body. This is not a surprise to any fan of the series because Eiichiro Oda had already shown us how awakened Zoan users can be taken over by the power of their Devil Fruits. The first time we saw an awakened Zoan user being taken over by their Devil Fruit power was in Impel Down. There, the Jailer Beasts were stated by Crocodile to be forcibly awakened and having lost their personalities by being overwhelmed by the will of the fruit. This chapter was released on June 1, 2009, which is 17 years ago now.

    “These are forcibly awakened Zoan Jailer Beasts. They’ve lost control of their powers.” — Crocodile explains failed awakening, Impel Down Arc

    Then, in the Egghead arc, Shaka, one of the bodies of Vegapunk, went on to say once again that Zoan Awakenings can often result in the user being completely taken over by the will of the fruit. This is exactly what is happening with Luffy now, which means that the real Sun God Nika has manifested himself in Elbaf for all to see. Based on the actions of this God, it is quite clear to see that he is not the Warrior of Liberation at this moment, but more akin to a God of Destruction, as he simply cares about chaos and destroying his enemies.

    Why Nika Fits The Personality Of The God of Destruction

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    Nika’s title as the God of Destruction makes perfect sense when it comes to the lore of the One Piece world and doesn’t necessarily conflict with him being a Warrior of Liberation. Nika historically emerged from the land of Elbaf, and it is said that long ago he even fought against the God of War of Elbaf, who could transform into the Nidhoggr. It is also said that Nika descended upon the world when oppression was at an all-time high and then clashed with the Earth God and the Serpent of Hellfire in the First World, which eventually led to the destruction of the entire world. In the Second World, Nika’s powers were bestowed upon Joy Boy, who then utilized them to fight against Imu and the other Kings of the world. While Joy Boy lost, Nika was still seen as a hero by many.

    “What happened to Luffy? He clearly turned into something and just ran off? Where did he go?” — Usopp comments on Luffy’s New Form, One Piece Chapter #1198

    Naturally, many fans might be confused about how Nika can be a hero and a God of Destruction at the same time. The answer to that question is quite simple: it is the chaotic version in which Nika goes about destroying the oppressed that makes him a God of Destruction. Every single time Nika has descended upon the planet, it has led to the end of the world, and the third time is not going to be any different.

    Sanji: Hey, Luffy! That’s…not you? Who is this guy?

    Nika: Kikikiki!

    Giants: Is that a monkey? No wait, that form is!!

    — Elbaf Giants recognize Monkey God Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1198

    Luffy, while embodying the power of Sun God Nika, is already predicted to destroy the entire world, specifically Fishman Island, as confirmed by Madame Shyarly in the Fishman Island arc of the series. As such, despite being a Warrior of Liberation and a God of Laughter, Luffy is also a God of Destruction because he is going to destroy the current world order as we see it.

    Luffy’s God of Destruction Form Will Power Him Up Vs Imu

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    Interestingly enough, One Piece chapter 1198 gave Luffy a brand-new transformation when Nika took over his body. This new form is currently out of Luffy’s control, but once he gains a proper grasp of the powers of Nika, he should be able to transform into the full beast form offered by Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.

    “He’s a Zoan type! He must’ve reached the critical stage as a Zoan!” — Scopper Gaban explains Luffy’s New Transformation, One Piece Chapter #1198







    At the same time, Luffy should also be able to enter a Mythical Zoan hybrid between his base Gear 5 form and the full Nika monkey god form. By combining these two powers, Luffy still has two more transformations in store for us. We absolutely cannot wait to see his God of Destruction powers being brought out to the fullest extent in the next couple of chapters as he takes on Nerona Imu.

    For now, One Piece is on break, and chapter 1199 is expected to be released on November 22, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump issue 51.

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  • Solo Leveling: 8 Characters Killed By Sung Jinwoo

    Solo Leveling: 8 Characters Killed By Sung Jinwoo

    Sung Jinwoo is the main character of Solo Leveling, which is why he is unquestionably the main selling point of the series. Jinwoo obtained an incredible amount of strength after surviving the Double Dungeon. Upon becoming the Player, Jinwoo understood that it was the start of a new life for him.

    He also found that he had infinite potential, meaning he could keep growing stronger forever. The easiest way to do so was by fighting powerful enemies. As a result, Jinwoo has been involved in many battles throughout the series, and a lot of the time he has had to kill his enemies.

    8

    Kim Chul

    Kim Chul was an A-rank hunter who was trapped inside a secret dungeon with Jinwoo and the others. He was extremely arrogant, and he only cared about himself. Then it became clear that they were trapped inside the gate. Kim Chul decided to take the lead and tried to shepherd everyone. Since he valued strength over everything else, those who were deemed weak were left behind, including Jinwoo.

    Kim Chul thought it was a wise move, but he unknowingly led his group to slaughter. After causing multiple deaths, he ran away in fear. Eventually, he headed back and found himself staring at Jinwoo’s party. Seeing them alive and well triggered him, and as a result, he charged with a sword, with the intention of killing them. However, Jinwoo was on the scene, and he stabbed him subsequently. The hero raised Kim Chul as a shadow soldier and called him Iron.

    7

    Hwang Dongsoo

    Hwang Dongsoo was an elitist who awakened as an S-rank Hunter. This fueled his ego, and he became even more obnoxious. Dongsoo believed that his strength gave him the right to do anything he wanted. The Hunter was partially right, as his country treated him as a valuable asset. However, he eventually moved to America, where he joined Thomas Andre’s guild.

    When Dongsoo learned about his brother’s death, he swore to exact revenge on the person responsible. So, he waited for the right moment, and eventually, he went after Yoo Jinho, who was far weaker than him. When Jinwoo came to know about Dongsoo’s actions, he beat him to a pulp and killed him.

    6

    Beru

    Image via A-1 Pictures

    Beru, also known as the Ant King, was the main antagonist of the Jeju Island raid. Minutes after being born, Beru began decimating all Hunters who had gathered on the island. His bloodshed was so immense that Hunters could sense it from far away. The Japanese Hunters, in particular, got the short end of the stick as Beru wiped out most of them, including Goto Ryuji. The Korean Hunters suffered only one casualty, as Jinwoo arrived to bail them out.

    Beru’s immense strength and speed couldn’t do anything against the hero, who was in complete control of the fight. The only time Jinwoo’s life was under threat was when he was poisoned. Beru tried to take advantage, but the System cleared all the toxins from Jinwoo’s body. Once Jinwoo regained composure, Beru didn’t stand a chance. Ultimately, Beru fell to Jinwoo and was subsequently raised as a Shadow Soldier.

    5

    Hwang Dongsuk

    Hwang Dongsuk was the younger brother of one of Korea’s most infamous hunters, Dongsoo. For this reason, he was overly confident, and he believed himself to be untouchable, which is why he often engaged in immoral activities, including killing people.

    Hwang Dongsuk would probably never have been caught if Jinwoo hadn’t joined the raid party. When Dongsuk’s team had nearly wrapped up stealing resources, they decided to kill Jinwoo and tie up all those ends. However, they had no idea that Jinwoo was in a league of his own, and in the blink of an eye, Jinwoo eradicated all the enemies, including Hwang Dongsuk.

    4

    Baruka

    solo leveling characters killed jinwoo
    Image via A-1 Pictures

    Baruka was an ice elf whom Jinwoo fought in the Red Gate Arc. He was an egotistical maniac who derived joy from killing human beings. Throughout the arc, Baruka kept boasting about how he was superior to human beings in terms of strength and how his skill was on a completely different level from theirs.

    But unlike other magical beasts, Baruka was intelligent and capable of dialogue. When he saw Jinwoo, he was instantly able to figure out that the hero was not an ordinary person. Not long afterward, the two engaged in a fight, and Jinwoo emerged as the victor. Baruka lay dead, so Jinwoo tried to use his necromancy to raise the ice elf as a shadow soldier, but it failed, robbing the hero of a potentially powerful ally.

    3

    Kargalgan

    Kargalgan was a high orc shaman who was deeply feared by his underlings as a shaman. Kargalgan had access to numerous powerful spells that could eviscerate his opponents in the blink of an eye. When the humans in the raiding party saw the shaman’s power in action, they were struck by fear; only Jinwoo was intrepid.

    Guess the anime from the emojis.




    First, he sent out the orcs to fight, but the protagonist summoned his shadows, who were able to deal with the enemies without too many problems. This prompted Kargalgan to enter the fray. But none of his magic could do the trick, as Jinwoo had a response for all of them. Ultimately, Kargalgan was beaten and turned into a shadow soldier called Tusk.

    2

    Baran

    Baran was the final boss of the Demon Castle. He was actually a copy of the monarch of the same name that was designed by the architect to test Jinwoo’s strength. Baran was aggressive, which is why he immediately attacked Jinwoo when the latter entered his vicinity. Unsurprisingly, the fight was very one-sided, and it looked like Jinwoo would meet his end. But Esil Radu created a big distraction that caught Baran’s attention, giving Jinwoo the opportunity to finish off his opponent. The hero didn’t waste any time and delivered a lethal blow to Baran.

    1

    Igris

    solo leveling characters killed jinwoo

    The red blood commander Igris was the standout enemy in the first season of Solo Leveling. As soon as the fight started, it became clear that Jinwoo was at a disadvantage. Igris had him on the ropes for a significant period, and it looked like Jinwoo wouldn’t be able to pull off a win.

    But after spending some time analyzing his opponent, the hero finally got the upper hand and managed to beat Igris. It was a hard-fought victory, so Jinwoo knew that he had to make Igris a part of his ensemble. Naturally, he used his unique power to raise Egress from the dead and turn him into a loyal shadow soldier.








    Solo Leveling


    Release Date

    2024 – 2025-00-00

    Network

    Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV

    Directors

    Tatsuya Sasaki, Toru Hamasaki

    Writers

    Shigeru Murakoshi, Shingo Irie, Fuka Ishii


    • Genta Nakamura

      Yoo Jin-ho


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  • My Hero Academia: 7 Strongest Rivals of Bakugo, Ranked

    My Hero Academia: 7 Strongest Rivals of Bakugo, Ranked

    Bakugo Katsuki has one of the best combat performances in My Hero Academia, thanks to his devastating Explosion Quirk, which has blasted numerous enemies on the battlefield. Even his classmates aren’t exempt from his explosive fighting style, as he often overwhelms them during training sessions.

    As such, it’s no surprise that Bakugo constantly attracts powerful rivals in My Hero Academia who seek to humble him and challenge his superiority in combat. From fellow heroes-in-training who share the same dream to villains who simply want to defeat him, Bakugo’s rivals are among the most powerful fighters in the series.

    7

    Kirishima Is One of the Only Classmates Bakugo Treats as an Equal

    my hero academia bakugo strongest rivals

    Eijiro Kirishima is one of Bakugo’s closest friends in Class 1-A, with the two treating each other as equals and sharing a mutual respect for their abilities. Despite their contrasting personalities, they find common ground in their ideas of manliness and eventually develop a strong brotherhood. Whenever one of them finds themselves struggling or in trouble, the other is always willing to offer support.

    Bakugo also plays a special role in Kirishima’s growth throughout the series. His words of encouragement inspire Kirishima to push beyond his limits and become a better hero and a more capable fighter, eventually leading to the development of his Ultimate Move, Unbreakable. Among Bakugo’s classmates, Kirishima is arguably the one who maintains the most consistently positive relationship with him, without any significant bad blood between them.

    6

    Bakugo and Monoma Have One of Class 1-A and 1-B’s Biggest Rivalries

    my hero academia bakugo strongest rivals

    Nearly every student in Class 1-B becomes a rival to Bakugo, and Neito Monoma is no exception. His bold and antagonistic personality constantly gets under Bakugo’s skin, as he frequently resorts to mockery, insults, and provocations to get a reaction out of him. As a result, the two rarely get along throughout most of the story.

    When it comes to their abilities, Neito doesn’t consider Bakugo’s Explosion particularly impressive, despite its tremendous destructive potential. Instead, he takes pride in his own Copy Quirk, which allows him to temporarily replicate almost any Quirk he touches. Fortunately, following the Final War, Bakugo and Neito eventually put their differences aside, developing a newfound respect for each other after everything they’ve endured.

    Find all 10 pairs

    5

    Bakugo and Shoto Never Stop Competing With Each Other

    Shoto Todoroki stares as he sweats.
    Image via Studio Bones

    Before Shoto and Bakugo can get along, the two frequently clash due to their strong and equally bold personalities. Both can come across as rude and unapproachable, with a considerable amount of pride and ego, often believing themselves to be superior to their peers at U.A. High School.

    As such, Shoto and Bakugo often find themselves facing off on the battlefield, with Shoto relying on his Half-Cold Half-Hot Quirk to overpower Bakugo’s Explosion. While Bakugo initially holds the upper hand in their confrontations, Shoto never stops refining his abilities, eventually learning to fully embrace both sides of his Quirk. By the end of the series, the two develop a solid bond, even as Shoto surpasses Bakugo in the Hero Rankings.

    4

    All Might Set the Standard Bakugo Wants to Surpass

    my hero academia bakugo strongest rivals
    Image via studio Bones.

    Bakugo holds a special place in his heart for All Might, having looked up to the Symbol of Peace as his role model for years. He deeply admires All Might, even if he rarely expresses it openly, and hopes to one day become a hero like his idol or, more impressively, surpass him. Although Bakugo never becomes All Might’s successor, he continues to rise through the ranks with his own strength and determination.

    By the end of My Hero Academia, Bakugo demonstrates just how far he has come, eventually reaching a level of strength that allows him to challenge All Might’s legacy. While he still falls short of the power wielded by All Might in his prime, Bakugo’s remarkable growth proves that he is well on his way to surpassing his childhood idol and becoming one of the world’s greatest heroes.

    3

    All For One’s Defeat Proves How Far Bakugo Has Come

    All For One prepares to use his Pure Beam attack on Dark Shadow in My Hero Academia.
    Image via Studio Bones

    All For One is an immensely powerful villain worthy of being defeated by Bakugo, who constantly seeks out increasingly formidable opponents to overcome on the battlefield. As a force of nature, All For One serves as the perfect adversary for Bakugo to test his abilities, push his body to its limits, and unlock his full potential.

    As such, it comes as no surprise that Bakugo eventually faces All For One in a one-on-one duel, going up against the villain in his prime physical form. Bakugo accomplishes the seemingly impossible by using Full Body Cluster to counter All For One’s devastating ultimate move, Omni-Factor Unleash, ultimately reducing the villain to an infant before erasing him from existence.

    2

    Bakugo and Shigaraki Have Unfinished Business

    shigaraki laughing menacingly

    Bakugo suffers a heartbreaking defeat against Shigaraki Tomura during the Final War, with the villain literally piercing his heart and bringing him to the brink of death. Even his Ultimate Move, powered by the Strafe Panzer mobile unit, proves insufficient to stop Shigaraki, who overwhelms him with superior strength, Quirk control, and versatility.

    As such, Shigaraki Tomura is arguably the one villain Bakugo would most want to defeat on his own. After all, the two still have unfinished business, especially since Izuku ultimately delivers the finishing blow against Shigaraki rather than Bakugo. Given their previous confrontation and Bakugo’s desire to overcome increasingly powerful opponents, settling the score with Shigaraki would be a fitting way for the explosive hero to prove just how far he has come.

    1

    Bakugo Always Wanted to Surpass Izuku

    my hero academia bakugo strongest rivals

    It’s never Izuku’s intention to rival Bakugo in My Hero Academia, but the explosive hero’s constant provocations, mockery, and projection of his own insecurities eventually push Izuku to strive to keep up with him. All Izuku ever wants is to restore their childhood friendship, lend Bakugo a helping hand, and maintain the close bond they once shared.

    However, Izuku’s inheritance of the One For All Quirk only intensifies Bakugo’s frustrations, especially upon realizing that he wasn’t chosen as All Might’s successor. With One For All at his disposal, Izuku gradually surpasses Bakugo in power, speed, and overall combat abilities, pushing the Quirk to new heights. Despite his lingering resentment, Bakugo eventually acknowledges Izuku’s remarkable growth and the incredible potential of his inherited power.



    Release Date

    2016 – 2026-00-00

    Network

    TBS, MBS, Nippon TV

    Directors

    Shouji Ikeno, Tsuyoshi Tobita, Ikuro Sato, Takudai Kakuchi, Masashi Abe, Tetsuya Miyanishi, Kazuma Komatsu, Yoshifumi Sasahara, Masayuki Otsuki, Daisuke Tsukushi, Takayuki Yamamoto, Yohei Fukui, Takuro Tsukada, Masatoyo Takada, Naomi Nakayama, Sayaka Morikawa, Takanori Yano

    • Daiki Yamashita

      Izuku Midoriya (voice)

    • Kaito Ishikawa

      Manga Fukidashi (voice)


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  • Boruto: 7 Strongest Versions of Naruto Uzumaki, Ranked

    Boruto: 7 Strongest Versions of Naruto Uzumaki, Ranked

    Naruto Uzumaki serves as the shinobi world’s last line of defense in Boruto until the next generation of ninja receives multiple power-ups that turn the situation upside down. Now, Naruto is far from being the strongest ninja, as the sequel has gradually reduced his role to that of a supporting character in his son’s story.

    Even so, Naruto remains a top-tier shinobi who has demonstrated phenomenal power in Boruto. From defeating modified cyborgs to facing absurdly powerful alien threats, Naruto delivers exceptional combat performances as an active fighter. That said, these powerful versions of the Seventh Hokage still deserve respect and admiration.

    7

    Adult Naruto Uses His Prosthetic Arm to Shut Down Boruto’s Rasengan

    boruto strongest versions of naruto uzumaki

    In Boruto Episode 181, Naruto Uzumaki finally fulfills his promise to spar with Boruto during the Chunin Exams, testing his newly developed prosthetic arm. The device possesses an incomplete ability to absorb and release ninjutsu, similar to Momoshiki Otsutsuki’s signature power. Unfortunately for Boruto, Naruto uses this new weapon to demonstrate just how much he still has to learn.

    Even in his base adult form, Naruto effortlessly extinguishes Boruto’s Rasengan attacks, leaving his son struggling to find an opening. Boruto then attempts to use Shadow Clones as decoys to catch Naruto off guard and land a direct Rasengan, but the Hokage continues neutralizing his attacks with ease. Before their sparring match concludes, Naruto demonstrates another impressive feat by unleashing a massive Earth Release wall to block Boruto’s combined Water and Lightning Release attack.

    6

    Base Naruto Easily Defeats Boruto Despite His Karma

    boruto strongest versions of naruto uzumaki

    Boruto’s next sparring session with Base Adult Naruto in Episode 196 does not go well for the young ninja, as the Seventh Hokage comfortably counters all his attacks, even after Boruto’s Karma activates in response to Kawaki’s mark. Nevertheless, Naruto gladly acknowledges his son’s improvement, complimenting him on becoming a smarter fighter since their previous match.

    However, Boruto is still nowhere near surpassing his father. Naruto effortlessly reads his movements and counters each of his attacks, leaving him with little room to fight back. Even after Boruto activates his Karma and unleashes Thunderclap Arrow, Naruto only needs a single Shadow Clone to shield himself from the attack before ultimately defeating his son.

    Find all 10 pairs

    5

    Chunin Exams’ Naruto Takes Momoshiki’s Deadliest Attack to Save Konoha

    Naruto Uzumaki smiles in his Kurama form.
    Image via studio Pierrot.

    As the Seventh Hokage, Naruto bears the responsibility of protecting Konoha and its people from extraterrestrial threats like Momoshiki Otsutsuki. During the Chunin Exams, Naruto refuses to back down against the powerful alien, who can absorb and redirect almost any ninjutsu, making him an even greater threat than Kaguya Otsutsuki.

    To counter Momoshiki’s overwhelming abilities, Naruto combines Kurama with Sasuke’s Susanoo, creating a powerful defensive avatar capable of withstanding the alien’s attacks. However, when Momoshiki unleashes a devastating black sphere attack that threatens to cause widespread destruction in Konoha, Naruto takes the full brunt of the assault to minimize the damage and protect everyone. Despite enduring the massive impact, he eventually allows Momoshiki to capture him rather than risk the safety of the village.

    4

    Naruto Gives Boruto the Power to Finish Momoshiki in Another Dimension

    boruto strongest versions of naruto uzumaki

    In another dimension, Naruto has the freedom to unleash his full power against Momoshiki Otsutsuki without worrying about collateral damage to Konoha. Although the alien manages to absorb half of Kurama’s chakra, Naruto still keeps up with his overwhelming abilities, especially with Sasuke fighting alongside him.

    Together, the two powerful shinobi manage to weaken Momoshiki even after he consumes Kinshiki and gains an enormous boost in strength. However, Momoshiki eventually turns the tables after absorbing chakra from Katasuke’s Kote and consuming several chakra pills, allowing him to overpower both Naruto and Sasuke. Even then, Naruto makes another significant contribution to the battle by lending his remaining chakra to Boruto, helping him create the Parent and Child Rasengan that ultimately delivers the finishing blow against the alien.

    3

    Naruto’s Six Paths Sage Mode Overpowers Delta Despite Her Deadly Abilities

    boruto strongest versions of naruto uzumaki

    At one point in Boruto, Naruto Uzumaki activates Six Paths Sage Mode to confront Delta, a cyborg affiliated with the now-defunct Kara organization. Despite Delta possessing monstrous abilities, Naruto proves to be the far greater threat, using his rapid healing factor to recover from her attacks while keeping up with her in taijutsu and unleashing devastating Rasengan techniques.

    Delta only manages to land significant blows by targeting Naruto’s children, forcing him to divide his attention between protecting them and fighting her. Even then, her destructive energy beams prove insufficient to take him down, as Naruto manages to disperse a point-blank attack with his Big Ball Rasengan. Ultimately, Naruto finishes the battle with his Super Ultra Big Ball Rasengan, although he deliberately holds back its full power to avoid killing Delta.

    2

    Full-Powered Naruto Nearly Breaks Jigen’s Body

    Naruto and Sasuke stare down Jigen with their Tailed Beast Mode and Susanoo in Boruto
    Image via Studio Pierrot

    Naruto’s first encounter with Jigen ends in a devastating defeat, as Isshiki Otsutsuki’s vessel easily overwhelms the Seventh Hokage despite his use of full power. With Karma and the combined abilities of Daikokuten and Sukunahikona, Jigen proves to be an overwhelmingly difficult opponent for Naruto to handle. Nevertheless, Naruto puts up a formidable fight, pushing Jigen’s body to its limits and eventually causing the vessel to crack under the strain.

    During their battle in another dimension, Naruto works alongside Sasuke to analyze Jigen’s attack patterns and find openings in his seemingly unpredictable fighting style. The two manage to force Jigen onto the defensive for a while, but their advantage disappears once he unleashes his full power. Naruto is eventually impaled, restrained, and sealed inside a massive kettle-like container. With the remaining strength at his disposal, however, he creates shadow clones to help Sasuke escape, ensuring that at least one of them can return to protect the village.

    1

    Baryon Mode Lets Naruto Land Devastating Blows on Isshiki Otsutsuki

    naruto in boruto baryon mode
    Image via Pierrot.

    In a desperate attempt to defeat Isshiki Otsutsuki during Boruto‘s Kawaki Arc, Naruto activates Baryon Mode, a powerful transformation that consumes both his and Kurama’s chakra to generate an entirely new form of energy. This game-changing form pushes Naruto’s combat abilities to unprecedented levels, allowing him to briefly surpass Isshiki’s godlike strength.

    While Baryon Mode is active, Naruto can relentlessly pressure and overwhelm an opponent as powerful as Isshiki, landing devastating physical blows and Rasengan attacks with little opportunity for the villain to retaliate. Had Naruto been able to maintain this transformation for longer, he might have defeated Isshiki once and for all. However, doing so would still come at the ultimate cost of losing Kurama, whose life force fuels Baryon Mode.



    Release Date

    April 5, 2017

    Network

    TV Tokyo




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  • One Piece Creator Oda Unveils Luffy’s New Monkey God Wukong Form

    One Piece Creator Oda Unveils Luffy’s New Monkey God Wukong Form

    Following the incredible Conqueror’s Haki awakening of Sanji in the previous chapter of the series, One Piece chapter 1198 officially shook the very foundations of the series as it significantly strengthened the protagonist of the series, Monkey D. Luffy, and unleashed a brand-new transformation of his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.

    Luffy first awakened the power of Sun God Nika in One Piece chapter 1044, which was released on March 28, 2022, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 17. Now, four years later, One Piece has officially granted Luffy a new transformation, turning him into a Monkey God and strengthening him tremendously as he faces off against the King of the World, Nerona Imu.

    One Piece Chapter 1198 Unveils Luffy’s Monkey God Nika Form

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    Monkey D. Luffy has always been heavily reliant on new transformations. He tapped into his first transformation, officially known as Gear Second, in Chapter 387 of the series, which was officially released on October 31, 2005. In the same Enies Lobby arc, Luffy also tapped into Gear Third before unleashing Gear Four in the Dressrosa arc, in Chapter 783, released on April 13, 2015, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 20.

    Nearly 7 years after that, Oda gave Luffy his ultimate Devil Fruit awakening through Gear 5, and now, almost 5 years after that, One Piece is giving Luffy yet another transformation and turning him into the Monkey God. Luffy gaining a new transformation in the battle against Imu was a strong possibility. This was largely because Gear 5 proved to be way too weak for Luffy to face off against the King of the World, Nerona Imu. As such, he needed something significantly stronger, and Haki upgrades alone couldn’t cut it because, in order for Luffy’s Supreme King Haki to improve, he first needed to strengthen himself physically.

    “Though you can control the Color of the Supreme King, you can’t train it to be stronger directly. It is the embodiment of the spirit of the user. The only way to make it stronger is for the user to grow stronger.” — Silvers Rayleigh explains Supreme King Haki growth, One Piece Chapter #597

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    In other words, the only way Luffy could have grown stronger in this arc was through a new Devil Fruit transformation, and that is precisely what Eiichiro Oda has done. With the release of One Piece chapter 1198, Oda has officially given Luffy a new Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, transformation and turned him into the Monkey God.

    Sanji: Hey, Luffy! That’s…not you? Who is this guy?

    Nika: Kikikiki!

    Giants: Is that a monkey? No wait, that form is!!

    — Elbaf Giants recognize Monkey God Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1198

    This transformation is akin to Luffy’s Full Zoan form, and it has now been revealed to us that Nika, unlike what many believed, is actually a monkey god with distinct monkey-like features, including a large tail, a swirly body, and a monkey-like face. Luffy also features sharp fangs in this new form, which paints him quite similar to a massive, powerful ape. That is something that solidifies his new powerful transformation as he is set to clash against Nerona Imu in a cataclysmic battle in Elbaf.

    Luffy’s New Zoan Transformation Power Him Up Further

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    Luffy’s Gear 5 is an incredibly powerful transformation, and there is no denying that. The Sun God Nika form allowed him to fight on even footing against someone as strong as Kaido and overwhelm and defeat him in combat. It also allowed him to fight against Kizaru and overwhelm him in the Egghead arc, as well as overpower the likes of the Five Elders. But against Nerona Imu, Gear 5 proved to be insufficient. In One Piece chapter 1188, released officially on July 13, 2026, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33, Luffy lost to Nerona Imu despite utilizing Gear 5 and being at full strength. What’s worse, had it not been for Scopper Gaban, Luffy would have died in this battle right there and then. As such, he needed a new form.

    “Of course I know that thou art not Joy Boy! Joy Boy was not this weak!!” — Imu beats Luffy, One Piece Chapter #1188

    Luffy’s new Monkey God form, which Oda revealed in chapter 1198, powers him up significantly. This god form of his showed him easily ripping Zaza to shreds, and from here on out, he will most certainly turn his eyes to Nerona Imu, the King of the World. With his newfound power, Luffy’s Haki will automatically be upgraded to a new level, and above all, the full power of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, will be displayed for the very first time to us. In hindsight, Luffy’s Gear 4, which entirely focused many of its attacks on the theme of King Kong, was a massive hint by Eiichiro Oda towards his true Monkey God Zoan transformation.

    “What happened to Luffy? He clearly turned into something and just ran off? Where did he go?” — Usopp comments on Luffy’s New Form, One Piece Chapter #1198

    Monkey God Luffy vs Demon God Imu Is On The Way

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    With the release of One Piece chapter 1198, the series is headed on a 2-week-long break once again. However, as it returns, Eiichiro Oda will officially reveal to us Luffy Vs Imu. This time around, Luffy will not use Gear 5 against Imu, but his full Zoan form, known as the Monkey God form. At this point, this new God form could also be what eventually becomes Gear 6 once under control, but for now, it has no official name. Regardless, Luffy, in his new Monkey God form, is set to clash against Nerona Imu and push him back in Elbaf.

    “I’m hitting my limit. I never expected to use this much power in Elbaf. If I don’t return to the Holy Land soon, Mu’s life is in a lot of danger!” — Nerona Imu explains his nerf, One Piece Chapter #1198

    In chapter 1198, Imu specifically made it clear that he was close to hitting his limit and could even perish in Elbaf if he spent too long in the country. In other words, Oda is already establishing significant nerfs for Nerona Imu so that it becomes possible for Luffy to push back the King of the World and send him to Marijoa once again. By powering up Luffy with a new monkey form and weakening Imu drastically, it has now become a possibility for Luffy to win this battle in Elbaf, or at the very least push it to a stalemate.







    Clearly, the Elbaf arc is moving towards its end at a blazing fast speed, and Luffy Vs Imu is going to explode over the next couple of chapters. With the conclusion of this battle, the Elbaf arc will head into its epilogue, where exciting new lore reveals will be made, particularly about the ancient technology that is still being hidden in the country somewhere. All things considered, Luffy Vs Imu is now getting more exciting, and we absolutely cannot wait to see what Eiichiro Oda has in store for us.

    All chapters of One Piece by creator Eiichiro Oda are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media

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  • My Hero Academia Officially Announces The Death Of The Symbol of Peace

    My Hero Academia Officially Announces The Death Of The Symbol of Peace

    When My Hero Academia began, Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of the series, established a Symbol of Peace for Japanese society, and this individual was none other than the greatest Hero to ever exist — All Might. All Might stood as Japan’s Number One Hero for decades, and his strength was unrivaled, even by powerful villains like All For One. Under All Might, the crime rate in Japan fell below 6%, and he completely revolutionized the entire country, which is why he was honored as the Symbol of Peace all over the country.

    However, the My Hero Academia world has changed drastically ever since. The series eventually released its final volume on December 4, 2024, featuring content up to chapter 431. In the epilogue of the series, it is clear to see that Japan has announced the death of the Symbol of Peace and that in the new era, this Symbol simply doesn’t exist. There are a multitude of Heroes working together, but there is still room for someone to rise and claim the position of the Symbol of Peace later down the line, as My Hero Academia could potentially be expanded as a story.

    Kohei Horikoshi Fails To Replace All Might As The Symbol of Peace For Japan

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    When My Hero Academia began, Kohei Horikoshi made it quite clear that his intention was to see Izuku Midoriya reach the very pinnacle as a Hero and replace All Might. At the beginning, Izuku saw All Might as his idol and wanted to replicate him. It was also mentioned at the very beginning of the story that what we were witnessing was a story of how Izuku became the Greatest Hero of all time.

    However, things changed drastically as the story continued. Instead of it being a story of how Izuku became the Greatest Hero, it ended up becoming a story of how all of Class 1-A ended up becoming the greatest of heroes of all time. In essence, Izuku’s dream was diluted by the time the story reached its end. To make things worse, he was never able to replicate All Might by becoming the Symbol of Peace either.

    “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it all. But as long as I can inspire others, then I’d say this is still the tale of how we became great Heroes. All of us, for all time…this is actually the tale of how we’ll keep reaching out to help at all times” — Izuku Midoriya changes his goal, My Hero Academia Chapter #430

    Image created by the author Rei Penber using official assets.

    This is because Izuku, while accomplishing the goal of becoming one of the greatest Heroes, lost the powers of One For All. In My Hero Academia Chapter 430. This was confirmed to us after the 8-year time skip, when he was seen working at UA as a teacher instead of a Pro Hero. Thankfully, Izuku Midoriya was gifted new Hero Armor, which allowed him to become a Pro Hero once again, but his strength is most certainly not enough to make him a Symbol of Peace. In other words, Izuku Midoriya failed to replicate what All Might did as an adult and cannot stand as the Symbol of Peace in Japan.

    “I wanted to give you a special gift. The data from my fight against All For One opened up room for crazy possibilities. Technology has continued to evolve alongside Quirks. Take this to heart, kid. This too is a power you’ve earned, fair and square.” — All Might gives Deku his Armor, My Hero Academia Chapter #430

    Why Mirio Togata Cannot Replicate All Might

    In the current world order of My Hero Academia, Japan’s new Number One is none other than Mirio Togata, also known as Lemillion. It goes without saying that he is incredibly powerful. Even when he was a student in UA, it was clear to see that he was the man closest to All Might, and this was directly mentioned by Shota Aizawa himself. Naturally, this person is incredibly strong and possibly even stronger than Endeavor was as the Number One Hero, so over the years, his strength is bound to have grown even further, but that does not make him a replacement for All Might.

    As has been made repeatedly clear by Kohei Horikoshi throughout the run of My Hero Academia, All Might was a freak of nature and one whose strength could only be replicated by Izuku Midoriya when wielding One For All. But Izuku’s One For All is no longer in existence. As such, All Might’s feats cannot be replicated by anyone, which, in other words, means that the Japanese Hero Society does not have a Symbol of Peace, even though Midoriya exists.

    It must also be said that not having a Symbol of Peace in itself is not a bad thing. When All Might existed as the Symbol of Peace, the Japanese Hero Society was overly reliant on him. This is why cracks started to appear when All Might’s era ended, and the others were not able to replicate what he did. The current Hero Society is far more balanced. Mirio Togata, Shoto Todoroki, Izuku Midoriya, Bakugo Katsuki, and Mt. Lady, alongside many others, all share relative levels of strength. As such, there is no need for one person to stand atop all and shoulder all the burden all by themselves. This burden is now shared among the Pro Heroes, which some may argue is a better way to go about things.

    Izuku Midoriya Could Become The Symbol of Peace In The Future

    Image by Rei Penber created using My Hero Academia assets

    Regardless of Japan not having a proper Symbol of Peace right now, it must be said that My Hero Academia is far from truly ending. Even though the manga and the anime have wrapped up, the world of My Hero Academia continues to expand. This was proven to us on August 2, 2026, when Crunchyroll released the special OVA titled I Am a Hero Too. In this episode, it was revealed that Heroes continue to make progress. Izuku Midoriya, the protagonist of the series, had risen to the rank of Number 4 hero in Japan, with Katsuki Bakugo right behind him in Number 5. Over the next year, their progression will continue, and given that they are far from even reaching their primes as Pro Heroes, we will see them attain higher levels of strength in the future.

    “The Number 4 Hero, Deku, rocketed up the Hero Charts with unprecedented hype! Feeling inspired, huh? The Great Explosive Murder God Dynamite is making an impressive leap to No. 5.” — Official Hero Rank Announcement for Izuku Midoriya, My Hero Academia One-Shot







    If My Hero Academia is expanded upon by Kohei Horikoshi, which at this point is increasingly likely, then it is entirely possible for the protagonist to rise even further up the ranks and establish himself as the Symbol of Peace. For what it’s worth, it was stated in the last chapter of My Hero Academia that technology has come a long way in the 8-year timeskip. Izuku’s hero armor replicates all the powers of the One For All and even allows him to combine different vestige abilities. If this hero armor truly is as great as it is made out to be and fully replicates the powers of One For All, then there is no reason for Izuku not to stand tall at the end of it all as Japan’s true strongest and the next Symbol of Peace.

    All chapters of Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.

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  • Black Clover: All Strongest Element Spirits In The Series, Ranked

    Black Clover: All Strongest Element Spirits In The Series, Ranked

    Magic is one of the most important things in Black Clover, and it is produced with what is called “mana.” Magic is used by all the mages, and each of them is unique and powerful in their own right. Magic can range from basic elemental ones to overpowered ones, which can change the course of battle. Magic is as powerful as the mage that uses it. Then there is the spirit magic, which is when an elemental spirit that chooses its host and grants them the ability to summon them into battle.

    This is one of the rarest forms of magic, and it makes the mage more dangerous in combat. There are four great elemental spirits that have been introduced in the series. Each of them has proven their worth and given the fans something to talk about. With that in mind, here are the strongest spirits ranked from weakest to strongest.

    4

    Gnome

    Host: FeremenaMagic Affinity: Earth MagicIntroduction: Chapter 382

    Gnome, upon his introduction, carried a heavy weight of expectations from the fans. It is because before Gnome, the spirits that were shown proved their worth of being worthy of the title of ancient spirit. But it turned out to be the most bland spirit in the series, which was a major disappointment for many fans. Its introduction was brief, and its host, Feremena, had the potential to be one of the stars of the story but unfortunately did not show any unique magic of Gnome. Its powers give its host a large mana pool like other spirits, and its magic is related to earth magic, which enhances the host’s control over ground itself. This gives Feremena the ability to defend from attacks. It makes her good for defensive purposes, but that’s all what Gnome was able to achieve in the series. It isn’t the full representation of its powers, but nevertheless, it is weaker when compared to other spirits in the series.

    3

    Salamander

    Host: Fuegoleon VermillionMagic Affinity: Fire MagicIntroduction: Chapter 51

    Salamander’s introduction was during the encounter with the midnight sun, where it showed its destructive powers to everyone. It was on Fana, who was its host, and she showed the fans that its powers weren’t to be taken lightly. Salamander is a fire spirit who increases the fire magic of its host tremendously, and on top of this, its very own attacks are some of the most powerful fire-based magic attacks in the series. It changed hosts, and Fuegoleon became the new one, and this duo didn’t disappoint one bit. They rushed into battle and were so destructive that only a handful of enemies were able to match them. With Salamander’s powers, Fuegoleon was able to defeat Moris, who was the host of Asmodeus. Unfortunately, they didn’t reach the level of the last two spirits, which is why it sits at this spot.

    2

    Undine

    black clover strongest ancient characters

    Host: Princess LolopechkaMagic Affinity: Water MagicIntroduction: Chapter 224

    Undine was introduced right before the time skip as a very powerful spirit that resided within the Heart Kingdom. She has been alive way before the kingdom even existed, and its host is none other than Princess Lolopechka. She has absolute control over water magic, and she has used it quite effectively. She, along with Lolopechka, created a barrier that could sense anyone within its range, and what’s more mind-blowing is that it could cover the entire Heart Kingdom.

    She can monitor anyone that is within her range, and this makes her excellent at gathering information. In terms of battle, Undine was capable of fighting two Devils at the same time, and they were at her mercy. Furthermore, when Nolle became her temporary host, she used the Sage Saint, which is a power that can destroy Devil powers without any issue.

    1

    Sylph (Bell)

    black clover strongest wind magic users

    Host: Yuno GrinberryallMagic Affinity: Wind MagicIntroduction: Chapter 20

    Bell is the first of the four great spirits that were introduced in the series. From the beginning, Bell was obsessed with Yuno and stayed by his side till the end of the series. During this time, they accumulated a lot of feats, which didn’t go unnoticed. Their resume consists of quite powerful opponents like Devils and mages. Their strength grew with each battle and, step by step, reached the pinnacle of what a spirit and their host achieve together. They can use Spirit Drive, which gives Yuno’s magic powers and speed a tremendous boost. On top of this is Saint Sage form, which allowed them to be capable of defeating Supreme Devil. Furthermore, in the final battle it was Bell’s powers that helped Asta in beating Lucius Zogratis. All these feats make Bell the strongest spirit in the Black Clover series by a huge margin.









    Release Date

    2017 – 2026-00-00

    Network

    TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC

    Directors

    Matsuo Asami, Rokou Ogiwara, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Akira Shimizu, Fumio Maezono, Daisuke Chiba, Toshihiro Maeya, Yoshimitsu Tsuda, Toshiaki Kanbara, Takahiro Enokida, Yasumi Mikamoto, Kenichi Maejima, Chihiro Kumano, Naoki Horiuchi, Yoshino Miwa

    Writers

    Kanichi Kato, Mio Inoue, Masanao Akahoshi, Momoko Murakami, Kunihiko Okada

    Franchise(s)

    Black Clover

    • Gakuto Kajiwara

      Asta (voice)

    • Nobunaga Shimazaki

      Yuno (voice)


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  • Solo Leveling Officially Welcomes Its Next Protagonist After Jinwoo

    Solo Leveling Officially Welcomes Its Next Protagonist After Jinwoo

    Most fans of Solo Leveling only know of one main character when it comes to the IP, that being Sung Jinwoo, the one who started it all when he acquired the power of the System in the Double Dungeon after facing his death. By becoming the potential vessel of Ashborn, Jinwoo went on to unlock incredible powers that allowed him to level up and continuously grow in strength. Jinwoo himself had an incredible run in the original Solo Leveling novel and manhwa, but this beloved main character then took on other important tasks and let the next generation shine by handing the torch over to his own son, Sung Suho.

    As such, Sung Jinwoo has been replaced by the new Solo Leveling protagonist in the sequel series, and that’s none other than Sung Suho, the character who drives forward the story of Ragnarok. Solo Leveling Ragnarok had been on hiatus for two years on Tapas for its full English release. However, on August 12, 2026, the series finally made a comeback, giving fans a proper look at the grand return of Suho in the most exciting stretch of the story, which covers the final arcs as the true sequel to Jinwoo’s adventure.

    Sung Suho Makes His Return in Solo Leveling Novel After A Two Year Hiatus

    Image by Rei Penber created using Solo Leveling assets

    When one thinks of Solo Leveling, most fans’ minds immediately jump to Sung Jinwoo. After all, he is the original protagonist of this story that initially had a humble beginning in 2016 when South Korean creator Chugong first released it. Since then, Solo Leveling has developed tremendously, and Jinwoo’s own story has already ended in the novel in 2018 and in the manhwa in 2021. This left the door wide open for a sequel to commence and drive the story from where Chugong left off, and that’s where Solo Leveling Ragnarok comes into play. Ragnarok is a sequel to Chugong’s original story, written by Daul. In this sequel, we follow the story of Sung Suho instead of Jinwoo. Sung Suho was born through the marriage of Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, and his own journey has been a fan favorite for readers deep in Solo Leveling lore.

    Technically, Solo Leveling Ragnarok was serialized between April 10, 2023, and July 23, 2025. In South Korea, the story has already been fully completed and compiled. But the same can’t be said about the English release of the novel. For the longest time, the full story of Solo Leveling Ragnarok was inaccessible to the fans. That is because Solo Leveling Ragnarok was published on Tapas, but for some reason, the platform dropped the story at chapter 318 back in 2024.

    For reference, Solo Leveling Ragnarok has 375 chapters in total, meaning that 57 chapters have been missing for two years. Luckily for fans, on August 12, 2026, Tapas announced their latest progress on the story of Solo Leveling Ragnarok and confirmed that they are working on adding all the chapters and completing the collection. For fans who want to follow this new protagonist and catch up with his own unique and captivating story, this is the perfect time to give the manhwa a try.

    Sung Suho’s Role in the Final Stretch of Solo Leveling Ragnarok

    Image by Rei Penber created using Solo Leveling assets

    Sung Suho’s story previously ended with the release of Chapter 318 back in 2024. Because of that, some fans never got to experience the full Solo Leveling Ragnarok story, and that is definitely unfortunate, as Chapter 318 is where the real story starts. Technically, creator Daul considers the first 318 chapters as just the prologue, and not the true story. In that sense, Sung Suho’s story doesn’t truly begin until chapter 319 and follows through until the end with chapter 375. With only 318 chapters, fans have only been left with crumbs when it comes to the full experience of Solo Leveling Ragnarok.

    For those who want to experience the story, the first 318 chapters of Solo Leveling Ragnarok are an extended prologue that shows us Sung Jinwoo’s marriage to Cha and the birth of their son, Sung Suho. We also get to see Sung Suho’s awakening to the powers of his System, and we also get introduced to the main antagonists of the series.

    Image by Rei Penber created using Solo Leveling assets

    Previously in Solo Leveling, the main enemies were the Monarchs; however, the threat in Solo Leveling Ragnarok is even bigger as we get introduced to the Outer Gods of the world. With all that in mind, the next 57 chapters are where the true action is. Chapter 319 of Solo Leveling Ragnarok marks the true beginning of Suho’s story, as this is where the stakes increase and the real adventure kicks off. Shortly after chapter 318, Daul will introduce the concept of Towers of Trials. In simple terms, these towers can be considered Ragnarok’s version of Dungeons in Solo Leveling Ragnarok, except that they allow others to grow stronger by clearing them.

    By clearing these trials, one can acquire massive power-ups, as seen with Thomas. Following that, we will also get to know about the World Tree, where souls go to be recycled and purified. There, Sung Suho will engage in one of the most exciting battles in the franchise against the giant Nidhoggr before acquiring it as his own shadow. Finally, by the end of Solo Leveling Ragnarok, we will get to see the rise of a new generation of Monarchs to replace the foes that Sung Jinwoo previously killed during the 27-Year Monarch War. With these new Monarchs, Sung Suho is able to push back against the Itarim or the Outer Gods and finally achieve world peace once more. Sung Suho will show his might in the next chapters and in a battle against a world-ending threat, proving himself as a worthwhile protagonist.

    Sung Suho’s Next Return To Be Seen With Solo Leveling Ragnarok Season 3

    Image by GameRant

    Fans of Solo Leveling Ragnarok are extremely excited to know that they will finally be able to fully read and explore the world of Solo Leveling through Daul’s continuation of Chugong’s World. However, while many fans love to read the novels, the Manhwa remains the preferred form of entertainment for Solo Leveling and its sequel. The original Solo Leveling story has already concluded as a manhwa, but Solo Leveling Ragnarok is still far from over. The Ragnarok manhwa wrapped up its first and second seasons, and only recently announced its return with the third season, which dropped on November 5, 2026.







    Solo Leveling Ragnarok entered a hiatus due to the military enlistment of its main artist Jin. Because of that, we now have a new artist named Sanjimseung, who is illustrating the story in full force in its third manhwa season. Needless to say, this new adventure has already been amazing, and even though Jinwoo isn’t present in it, we’re loving the new arc driven by the new protagonist, Sung Suho.

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