Top 10 Anime Main Character Transformations of All Time

An anime is entertaining for several reasons, with transformations being one such reason. Transformation can be triggered through different emotions, like rage in Son Goku’s instance and enjoyment in Monkey D. Luffy’s scenario. There have been multiple transformations, but it is only the main characters who have gotten the fans excited the most.

Streaming sites have been crashed, tears have been shed, broken things out of excitement, etc., all results of popular anime Main Character transformations. Also, a transformation is a crucial part of the narrative and the character’s growth, both mentally and physically. With that thought, here are the top transformations undergone by anime protagonists.

1. Son Goku – Super Saiyan Transformation

• Anime: Dragon Ball Z

The Super Saiyan transformation is by far the most iconic in anime history. Son Goku went to Namek, fought multiple of Frieza’s underlings, and finally came face-to-face with him. Even after using Kaioken 20 times, he was still unable to defeat Frieza. The antagonist had already defeated Vegeta. To Goku’s horror, Frieza killed Krillin brutally. It filled Goku with a surge of rage, and he could not control himself.

During that time, his uncontrollable urge to defeat Frieza led him to break his limits and become a Super Saiyan. Super Saiyan was a lore in the Saiyan race, but Goku’s transformation made it a reality. The constant roar of rage and agony, the yellow spiked hair, the yellow aura, and Goku’s cold gaze made the transformation even more iconic. In that stage, he literally toyed with Frieza and crushed him. While the Super Saiyan remains a legendary transformation, the franchise has gifted other popular transformations, such as Super Saiyan 3, Super Saiyan 4, and, most importantly, Ultra Instinct.

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2. Naruto Uzumaki – Baryon Mode

• Anime: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Naruto Uzumaki is one of the most beloved main characters ever. He has gone through multiple transformations like the Sage Mode, Kyuubi Mode, and Sage of Six Path Mode, but none of them are as iconic as the Baryon Mode. When Isshiki Otsutsuki was winning against Sasuke Uchiha and him, Naruto decided to use the Baryon Mode as a last-ditch effort.

The transformation caused Naruto’s whiskers to turn bold and dark, and a dark line around his eyes. His eyes changed to Kyuubi mode, and unlike a normal Kyuubi mode, there was no covering of his entire body with bright yellow chakra. It was only the nine tails that protruded out of his body. Through this transformation, he not only overcame the vast differences in power but also made Isshiki feel fear. Isshiki could barely stand against him, and with every punch landing on him, his lifespan was getting reduced. Unknown to Naruto, the Baryon Mode uses Kurama’s life force to form, and after it, Kurama vanished into thin air.

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3. Monkey D. Luffy – Gear 5 Transformation

• Anime: One Piece

Monkey D. Luffy’s antics are famous throughout the anime-verse. Thanks to his Devil Fruit, the Gomu Gomu no Mi (Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika), his body showcases the properties of rubber. Luffy has gone through multiple transformations and sub-transformations, including Gear Second, Gear 3, Gear 4: Snakeman, Gear 4: Tankman, etc., but none of them were strong enough to defeat Kaido. However, it was not until Gear 5 transformation that Luffy overcame Kaido.

Gear 5 Transformation is the most bizarre transformation ever. He awakened the true form of his Devil Fruit and gained the ability to change the properties of his surroundings along with his body. He became a clown who made others laugh. He could establish whatever he felt like, starting with catching lightning, to overturn the land as a carpet. Through Gear 5, Luffy learned to levitate in the air. Also, when combined with Haki, he could literally destroy islands with punches.

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4. Ichigo Kurosaki – Mugetsu Transformation

• Anime: Bleach

Similar to all of his Big Three counterparts, Bleach‘s Ichigo Kurosaki has also gone through multiple transformations. From using his Bankai for the first time to becoming a Vasto Lorde, Ichigo has a wide array of transformations. However, his most legendary transformation remains the Mugetsu transformation. It was when Sosuke Aizen fused with the Hogyoku and attained strength far greater than imaginable that Ichigo used his ultimate form.

Thanks to his father, Ichigo was able to train and attain the form. He reached such a level that his spiritual energy could no longer be felt. Under the Mugetsu transformation, his body and mouth were covered with a bandage, with only his left hand being an exception. His hair grew to knee length, and he wore a long and black, skirt-like dress. Ichigo held his sword in his right hand, which constantly emitted a black aura. The only downside of Mugetsu was that he could only use it once, and then he would lose his spiritual energy forever. He did use it against Aizen to save the three worlds.

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5. Gon Freecs – Adult Gon Transformation

• Anime: Hunter x Hunter

Gon Freecs is one of the youngest shonen protagonists to have an iconic transformation. Throughout the series, he only had one transformation, and that too during the last arc. During the beginning of the Chimera Ant arc, Neferpitou killed Kite in front of Gon. Since Kite was his mentor, the situation left a deep impact on him emotionally. Even though there were stronger opponents, he set his eyes on Neferpitou and was hell-bent on revenge.

When the two finally met, Gon could not keep himself under control, and his rage engulfed him. He used all of his Nen and transformed into an adult version. His hair had grown, and his aura was unmatched. Even Neferpitou was afraid of it. The antagonist tried to finish him quickly, but their efforts were in vain. Gon quickly overpowered and beheaded Pitou within seconds. Since Gon used all of his Nen for a single purpose, he was reduced to a skeleton, with only a black mass covering him in place of his flesh.

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Also Check: Overpowered Anime Characters Who Make Even the Strongest Look Weak

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6. Eren Yeager – Titan Transformation

• Anime: Attack on Titan

Eren Yeager is one of the modern era’s greats when it comes to protagonists. While the Attack on Titan anime was filled with Titan transformations, Eren’s final transformation remains iconic nonetheless. When Gabi shot Eren’s neck, he was beheaded. However, Eren had the Founding Titan’s DNA in him, which came out from his neck and joined with his head. The centipede-looking creature caused Eren to transform into a massive titan. He summoned the Colossal Titans on whom the walls were built, and started the Rumbling.

Even with multiple Colossal Titans by his side, Eren’s Titan was towering over them. It was a bizarre-looking Titan, with the Attack Titan’s face and the rest of the body made of skeletons. The transformation was so fearsome that it destroyed 80% of humanity through his control over the Colossal Titans. People were killed, civilizations were crushed, but there was no stopping the Rumbling. The Rumbling had a major impact on the plot, helping Eren become one of the greatest characters ever.

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7. Asta – Devil Union Form

• Anime: Black Clover

In a world where magic is everything, Asta is born without any magical power. Thanks to his having no magic, he gained the ability to use Anti-Magic, an ability that cancels out other magic. Throughout the plot, Asta unearths multiple things about Anti-Magic, with the most crucial thing being that the Anti-Magic belongs to a Demon named Liebe. Practicing with Liebe and exploring its powers, they form a bond, allowing Asta to use Anti-Magic more freely. When the final antagonist, Lucius Zogratis, appeared, he transformed into his Demon form, otherwise known as Demon Union Form.

Asta completely disregarded his human look, grew horns, claws, wings, and demon markings on his face and neck. His anti-magic swords change properties. The Demon-Destroyer sword gained the ability to erase magic, and the Demon-Slayer sword turned into a whip. Asta’s physical abilities grew massively and became powerful than most of the Magic-knights. He was able to face Lucius face-to-face and defeat his underlings.

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8. Akira Fudo – Devilman Transformation

• Anime: Devilman Crybaby

Akira Fudo is a pure-hearted individual who is always helpful to his friends. Unlike other mentions on this listicle, Akira did not go through a transformation after an emotional turmoil. Rather, his friend, Ryo Asuka, orchestrated a situation where a ritual was performed on Akira at the Black Sabbath to fuse him with a demon named Amon. It was done so that he could face the other demons, who threatened humanity.

Due to Akira’s pure soul, he was able to maintain his consciousness while having a devil’s body. After his Devilman transformation, his skin became bluish gray, large wings sprouted from his back, he developed sharp claws, grew a lot of fur, with a thin tail. He gains great strength in this form and is able to defeat devils quite easily. As a result of his Devilman transformation, his human self was also affected. He became leaner, with a sturdy figure and messy hair.

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9. Ken Kaneki – Ghoul Transformation

• Anime: Tokyo Ghoul

Ken Kaneki underwent surgery, and his internal organs were replaced with those of a female ghoul. Due to the surgery, Kaneki started lusting for human flesh, and it became difficult for him to control. Unfortunately, he was not a ghoul by birth, so he was kidnapped by another ghoul and experimented on. He tortured the protagonist until Kaneki developed a twisted personality. It led to him embracing his ghoul-self and transforming into a one-eyed Ghoul, the strongest of them.

The ghoul transformation caused his hair to go all-white, his nails to become black, and tentacles were come out of his back. Most importantly, since he was the one-eyed ghoul, only his left eye turned black with a scarlet pupil. Before he was measly human, but after his transformation, he toyed with the strongest of the ghouls and led an army of them. Ken Kaneki soon became one of the most fearsome individuals in the Tokyo Ghoul universe.

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10. Shigeo Kageyama – ???%

• Anime: Mob Psycho 100

Shigeo Kageyama, popularly known as Mob, is the protagonist of Mob Psycho 100. He possesses great psychic abilities and can perform multiple tasks like telekinesis, astral projection, telepathy, etc. However, he needs to keep a check on his mental health, as he might transform into an unconscious self where it is impossible to control. When he is under extreme stress, Mob transforms into the ???% stage.

The ???% transformation is stronger than the 100% transformation. His physical vessel is destroyed, and he attains limitless psychic abilities. Mob’s appearance completely changes as his eyes become red, and his entire body becomes white. There are a few black zig-zag lines on his face. His mouth and shirt buttons are slightly visible through the shades of the place. In this stage, he releases an unlimited aura, causing explosions far beyond imagination. The ???% transformation has one major downside. Since Mob loses control, and it takes place in an unconscious self, his actions are purely based on instincts. There is a risk of hurting his close ones, for which he will be filled with regret later.

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Also Read: 12 Villain Groups in Anime That Shook Their Worlds

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Most of the above-mentioned anime series are available to watch on Crunchyroll.