Super Saiyan Goku set the benchmark for animated transformations. By surpassing his limits, going beyond what was thought possible, and achieving iconic new looks or flashy power-ups, Goku’s evolution into Super Saiyan became the model for transformation itself. For generations, Goku has done nothing but inspire creators and characters, sparking a series of transformations throughout anime.
Over the years, as the medium evolved, so did the way characters gained new forms, some the result of rage or sacrifice and others arising from relentless training and determination. These power-ups are more than just visual transformations as they redefine the characters themselves, making their growth monumental and leaving behind an unforgettable impression.
Deku: Full Cowl (My Hero Academia)
My Hero Academia takes place in a world where almost everyone has an ability called a Quirk. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy without a Quirk who dreams of becoming the world’s greatest hero. After a chance encounter with All Might, Japan’s number one hero, he inherits the power of One For All.
This allows him to enroll at UA High to begin his training as a pro, taking the name Deku as his official hero name. As Deku begins his journey to become the supreme hero, he and his classmates face unforeseen challenges from villains throughout the series, including the League of Villains, All For One, and the Yakuza.
During his journey, Deku learns new techniques, including the Full Cowl, a move that channels One For All throughout his body rather than concentrating it in specific limbs. This form allows him to move faster, hit harder, and overwhelm his opponents. Full Cowl gives Deku a glowing green aura with red vein-like energy lines covering his body.
Asta: demonic form (black clover)
black clover takes place in a world where magic defines many aspects of life, including social and battlefield status. The story follows two orphans, Asta and Yuno, who strive to become the Witch King, the most powerful mage in the Clover Kingdom. However, when they begin the Magic Knights exam, Asta is not given a grimoire due to his lack of magic.
Supported by his rival in not giving up, Asta soon gains a rare five-leaf grimoire that grants him the power of anti-magic. Through his physical strength, will, and determination, Asta joins the Black Bulls and begins his journey as a magical knight, training to become strong enough to pursue his dreams and protect those he cares about.
Asta’s demonic form is the result of his anti-magic, granted by the devil Liebe, to take over his body. By channeling this power, he envelops himself in dark energy, gaining speed and power, allowing him to break magic itself. The transformation gives him horns, a wing and changes one of his eyes to a dark red.
Gon: Transformation of Limitations (Hunter x Hunter)
Hunter x Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a young boy determined to find his missing father by becoming a licensed hunter, an elite adventurer skilled in combat and survival. During his journey, he meets new friends, including Killua, Kurapika and Leorio, who accompany him on his adventures, face dangerous challenges and master Nen.
Throughout Gon’s journey, he faces dangerous enemies, leading to a showdown against Neferpitou. After losing a friend, Gon is consumed by rage and grief, resulting in the Limitation Transformation, a form that sacrifices everything he could become in exchange for power, resulting in the loss of his ability to use Nen.
Denji: Chainsaw Man Form (Chainsaw Man)
Chainsaw man takes place in a world where demons, born from human fear, wreak havoc on society. The series centers on Denji, a teenager burdened by immense debt who, after an encounter with a devil, merges with his pet devil Pochita, saving his life and transforming him into a human-demon hybrid.
With nowhere else to go, he joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters, a government organization that fights and kills demons. Using his new power, activated by pulling a rope across his chest, Denji transforms into Chainsaw Man. This form allows him to transform his limbs into chainsaws, allowing him to cut down opponents with increased strength and durability.
Sailor Moon: Silver Crystal Transformation (Sailor Moon)
Sailor Moon focuses on Usagi Tsukino, an ordinary schoolgirl who discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Moon Princess Serenity and the leader of the Sailor Guardians. Tasked with defending Earth against the forces of darkness, Usagi becomes Sailor Moon, a warrior of love and justice who courageously fights against evil.
Throughout her journey, she learns to balance school, life, and duty as she grows from an awkward, insecure girl to a confident and powerful leader. Through the power of the Silver Crystal, she undergoes an iconic transformation into Sailor Moon, donning her Sailor Guardian uniform and gaining enhanced strength, speed, and power to purify her enemies.
Sailor Moon’s transformation is visually stunning, redefining and influencing the entire magical girl genre for generations to come. As an anime classic, Sailor Moon helped popularize the medium among Western audiences and established itself as a model of empowerment for fans around the world.
Eren: Founding Titan Form (Attack on Titan)
Attack on Titan follows Eren Yeager, a determined young man living in a world where humanity has survived behind towering walls to protect themselves from the giant man-eating Titans. After the Outer Walls and his home are destroyed, Eren joins the Survey Corps to destroy the Titans and explore the world beyond.
Alongside his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, Eren ventures beyond the walls to discover that everything is part of a larger conflict. The series is best known for its twists and turns and dark exploration of the consequences of war, power and hatred. With a mix of political intrigue and high-stakes battles, Attack on Titan a completely redefined narrative.
This is partly due to Eren’s final transformation into his Founding Titan form. Having become a massive skeletal figure, Eren has the ability to control other massive Titans, transforming him into a destructive one-man army. This form not only dramatically shifted the balance of power, but also became one of the series’ most defining moments.
Homura: Demon Form (Madoka Magical Girl)
Magical girl Madoka is a dark, psychological take on the magical girl genre. The series follows Madoka Kaname and her friends, who are given the opportunity to become magical girls thanks to a creature known as Kyubey. Among these girls is Homura Akemi, a girl determined to protect Madoka at all costs.
At the end of the series and in the film adaptation, Homura is faced with a difficult reality that she cannot accept. To rebel, Homura becomes a demonic creature by forcing Madoka to separate from her final form and absorbing the power of the Law of Cycles. In doing so, she rewrites reality and assumes a morally ambiguous role.
Gohan: Super Saiyan 2 (Dragon Ball Z)
Dragon Ball Z continues the story of Goku, a Saiyan warrior from Earth who defends his friends, the world, and the universe against ever-increasing threats. The series is known for its epic battles, transformations, and unforgettable characters. Among these characters is Gohan, Goku’s son, who is said to have the most potential out of all of them.
During one of the series’ most iconic sagas, Cell Saga, Gohan takes center stage to defeat the monstrous bio-engineered android. Up until now, Gohan was widely known for his gentle nature and latent power, making his transformation into the iconic Super Saiyan 2 one of the most memorable moments in the entire franchise.
Driven by the fear of losing his loved ones and the death of Android 16, Gohan achieves a spectacular leap in power, giving him the strength to face Perfect Cell. With enhanced strength, speed, combat skill, and durability, Gohan surpassed his limits in an unforgettable sequence, marking a major milestone in the series’ history.
Luffy: Gear 5 (One Piece)
One piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they cross the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure known as One Piece to become the Pirate King. Battling dangerous enemies and the World Government Marines, Luffy and his crew fight for freedom and against injustice.
During the Wano Country arc, Luffy achieves a new transformation, Gear 5, thanks to the awakened form of Hito Hito no Mi, model: Nika. In this form, he gains the power of absolute freedom and becomes a cartoonish, divine force. Known for its iconic appearance and seemingly limitless potential, Gear 5 is the world’s most powerful transformation. One piece.
Naruto: Nine-Tails Chakra Mode (Naruto)
Naruto follows the main character, Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who is ostracized for harboring the frightening nine-tailed fox in his body. Determined to earn the recognition and respect of his village, Naruto aims to become the Hokage, the leader of the village, pushing him to train hard alongside his teammates, peers and mentors.
Throughout the series, Naruto was shown to have difficulty controlling the Nine-Tails’ immense power until the Fourth Great Ninja War, when he forged a partnership with the demon fox, Kurama, and learned to attune with him. This leads to a powerful transformation that allows Naruto to fight on equal terms with god-like enemies.
