Summary
In shonen anime involving supernatural abilities, there are usually clashes among characters, which are spearheaded by a number of different motivations. Most of these anime revolve around a unique fantasy world or universe with various fantasy-based factors, ranging from unrealistic fighting methods topower systems like magic.
Power systems are usually universal factors most characters within a given universe can utilize for many reasons. These systems are usually harnessed to increase battle strength and skill. FromOne Piece’sHaki toJujutsu Kaisen’sCursed Energy, there are multiple power systems amidst the shonen genre. Among these, though, which are the best and most interesting?
Updated November 15, by Emedo Destiny:It might be a fair assessment to say that power systems in anime are just confirmations of the limitlessness of human imagination. Like how the plot, characters and setting are essential to any piece of literature, so also is how a power system is critical to any shounen and action anime. For some, the systems are detachable from the characterization and not all-encompassing over the story. However, some others are foundational to their stories, tied into the fabric of the characters and the world that encapsulates the story, making them indispensable. This is essentially an update of the best power systems in Shonen anime.
Bungo Stray Dogsis a series created and written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa. It is set in a world where supernatural abilities are the norm. However, these abilities have a unique tweak because the series’ ability system is based on real-life literary works and references.
Even more unusual, the characters are named after the authors of the literary work or reference they use. While the system seems relatively simple on the surface, each ability has its complex mechanisms, which typically are only known by its users, giving the series a relatively varied appeal.
The famous 2010s seriesTokyo Ghoul, written and illustrated by Sui Ishida, is set in a gory world where man-eating ghouls are at war with humans. Both sides reach a nexus point where an unlikely encounter creates a half-human, half-ghoul.
The series’ power system is based on a particular body part created by the ghouls, called a kagune, which functions as their weapon. Interestingly, the kagune works as a weapon for both opposing forces, as the organization created to exterminate the ghouls, the CCG, also uses these Kagune to develop weapons that only kill ghouls, called qinques. The system’s best features are its simplicity in appearance and operating mechanisms, besides its being a biologically cohesive power system.
Many things are good aboutHell’s Paradiseas an anime, and one of those good things is the power system in place, which is called Tao. In the series, Tao is essentially the life force energy in all organisms, which can be manipulated or manifested by those who master it.
Tao hinges majorly on a concept called Yin-Yang, which is when a person’s spirit is balanced by following a process called the Middle Way. The selling point of the series power system is its simplicity of understanding, which makes it very effective once mastered.
Mob Psycho 100’s world-building does enough of a job to show just how good the power system in the series is. Moreover, both in the series are intertwined with one another as psychokinesis, which is the power system used in the series, is a by-product of the nature of the characters.
In the series, humans are primarily espers, who, at the least, are capable of psychokinesis and can see spirits. The level of a person’s psychokinesis is determined by their innate level as an esper. An example is Shigeo Kageyama, who isthe series’ most powerful esper. The best part of the system is how it highlights the characters' creative imagination in using their power.
Matsumoto Naoya wrote and illustrated the apocalyptic monster action seriesKaiju No.8, which features a world trying to prevent its extermination at the hands of dangerous monsters called Kaijus. The series’ power system hinges wholly on the kaiju, which can be made into weapons according to their power levels.
For Kaijus, their power levels are determined by a measurement process called a Fortitude level, which is then responsible for their classification as either a Yoju, the weakest of the species, or an Identified Kaiju, the strongest of the species. Therefore, a specialized Kaiju weapon can only be as strong as the type of Kiaju it is made from, which makes the system rather simplistic but creative.
is a seriescreated by Yoshihiro Togashi, the author ofHunter X Hunter—another series with a well-thought-out power system. It tells the story of a young boy named Yusuke Urameshi, chosen to become a spirit detective after sacrificing himself to rescue a child. This introduced him to the world of spirits and demons, consequently becoming aware of the innate power he possessed.
This power is called aura or energy and is common to every being in the series. There are also special classifications of energy, as humans wield spirit energy and demons wield demon energy. By harnessing this energy, characters are able to enhance their strength, form weapons, or even heal. It can be influenced by emotions to an extent, and its potency varies from character to character.
is a series set in a fascinating and surreal world with a landscapecomprising of foodand other edible items. The main focus in the world ofTorikoare characters who set out to discover rare ingredients for the sake of completing delicious dishes. The titular main character, Toriko, is one such individual, and people of his type are called gourmet hunters.
Many of these gourmet hunters harness power called gourmet energy or appetite energy. This is the fundamental energy of the world, and it has varying applications. It can be used to fire concentrated beams with devastating effects, create useful weapons or utensils, and increase the strength of certain body parts
is a series that features otherworlders known as Neighbors and tells oftheir attack on the human world. In order to combat these powerful adversaries, humans employ the use of triggers, advanced weapons inspired by Neighbor technology.
In order to power their respective triggers, individuals employ their innate source of energy, referred to as Trions. This allows them to wield the full power of the triggers and create an enhanced body made of trions. By doing this, a fighter is able to increase his battle power significantly, though the amount of power granted varies depending on the trion values of each individual.
is a series that plays host to a large number of powerful characters spanning different races and backgrounds. Many of these characters employ special abilities that are generally unique to them and are empowered by magic.
This magic is formally called magical power, and almost all theprominent beings in the seriespossess it. The abilities granted by it are split into nine different types depending on their purpose, varying from classifications like destruction to classifications like search and enchantment. Like many other power systems, the strength of abilities granted by magical power varies from person to person, and it is one of the key factors used in determining a person’s overall power level.
is a series with an intriguing concept surrounding the existence of devils. In many series, devils are supernatural beings that exist on their own, but in the world ofChainsaw Man, they are often employed by humans to further their own agendas or dispose of other rampaging devils.
Devils are born from the fears of humans, andtheir strength depends onjust how great the collective fear for them is. Some affiliate with humans on a contractual basis, while others simply possess the bodies of dead humans. This mixture creates a system where humans are empowered by the abilities of certain devils and can use them for different purposes.
