Time skips are a powerful storytelling tool, and the most effective ones show characters returning changed – with new abilities, motivations, or even completely different personalities. Below are some great examples of how a jump forward in time revitalized a story and created new challenges, along with information about the animation studios behind these transformations.
Monkey D. Luffy
Following a two-year training period, Luffy and his crew return to Sabaody Archipelago much stronger and with a better understanding of how to reach the New World. They quickly demonstrate their improved abilities against challenging opponents, establishing a new level of power. This return also signifies a change in the story’s tone as the Straw Hats move beyond the first half of their journey. The animation studio, Toei Animation, leads the visual updates and exciting action sequences that define this next phase of the series.
Naruto Uzumaki
After two and a half years of intense training, Naruto returns to the Leaf Village noticeably more mature and skilled, eager to confront Akatsuki. He immediately reconnects with Sakura and Kakashi, leading into a rematch of the Bell Test and a mission to rescue Gaara. The series highlights Naruto’s progress through his enhanced Rasengan and smarter fighting strategies. Studio Pierrot visually emphasizes his growth with updated character designs and more dynamic action sequences.
Eren Yeager
After a four-year jump in time, we find Eren living undercover in Marley under an assumed identity, giving us a completely new viewpoint. His sudden return sparks a violent attack during a festival, dramatically shifting the power dynamics. Eren has clearly changed, bearing the scars of his past experiences and now acting with a cold, calculating strategy. While Wit Studio animated the earlier parts of the story, MAPPA is now handling the post-time skip arc with a darker visual style and redesigned characters.
Natsu Dragneel
After the events on Tenrou Island, seven years have passed. When Natsu returns, he finds the Fairy Tail guild has lost its former glory. His return sparks a comeback, and the team works hard to rebuild their reputation by taking on new jobs and competing in tournaments. The story highlights the difference between the familiar members and how the world of Fiore has changed over time. The animation studios A-1 Pictures and Bridge visually represent this time jump with more vibrant colors and improved effects.
Ichigo Kurosaki
Months after losing his powers, Ichigo returns in the Fullbring arc as an ordinary student. The story follows his efforts to help his friends despite no longer being a Shinigami, until a new type of power appears. When Ichigo regains his abilities, it changes how things worked before, affecting relationships and fighting styles. The animation studio, Pierrot, creates a contrast by starting with realistic scenes before returning to the fast-paced action fans expect.
Son Gohan
As a longtime fan, I always loved seeing Gohan grow up, and the seven-year jump to him as a teenager was fantastic. It showed him trying to juggle school in Satan City with still being a hero, which felt really relatable. The whole ‘Great Saiyaman’ arc naturally led into another World Martial Arts Tournament, and it was cool to see how family history played a role alongside new villains. What’s really clever about Dragon Ball is how it keeps switching things up between generations, but always comes back to the heart of the series – the tournaments. Toei Animation did a great job mixing in some lighter, everyday humor before throwing us right back into the intense action, which is exactly what I expect from a good Dragon Ball story.
Jotaro Kujo
Eleven years after traveling with his grandfather, Jotaro returns as an experienced marine biologist, now investigating a series of attacks by a Stand user. He steps into a supporting role, guiding Josuke, who becomes the main character. This reintroduction explores family connections and a local mystery that drives the story. The animation studio, David Production, emphasizes this shift in focus with its use of color and unique character poses.
Thorfinn
After failing to get his revenge, Thorfinn is found working as a slave on a farm, having lost both his weapons and his drive. This new life forces him to completely rethink his beliefs through difficult work and challenging relationships. This change adds a deeper moral dimension to his future struggles, something that was missing before. The first season, created by Wit Studio, sets the stage, while MAPPA’s second season beautifully portrays Thorfinn’s internal journey with realistic and subtle animation.
Asta
After six months of training, Asta comes back with improved anti-magic skills and better teamwork. The story arc focusing on the Spade Kingdom demonstrates how the squads’ training prepares them for dangerous missions like raids and rescues. We see clear improvements in the abilities of both the captains and their rivals, highlighting everyone’s growth. The animation studio, Pierrot, visually shows these upgrades with new magical effects and quicker, more dynamic action.
Gintoki Sakata
Gintoki returns to Edo after two years away, initially in disguise, to see how the city has fared without him. His reappearance brings his friends back together and sets the stage for the series’ final political conflicts. The story cleverly uses established humor to emphasize the significant changes that have occurred. Throughout these later arcs, Sunrise and Bandai Namco Pictures effectively blend comedic moments with more intense and dynamic action sequences.
Ken Kaneki
Three years after the events in Tokyo, Kaneki returns, now known as Haise Sasaki, and is training new CCG recruits. This allows for investigations and battles that echo previous conflicts, but from a different perspective. As operations become more intense, his memories and loyalties slowly begin to surface. The animation studio, Pierrot, visually refreshes the story with new character designs, color schemes, and combat strategies.
Simon
Simon’s journey takes a dramatic turn, quickly rising from a simple digger to the leader of a flourishing human civilization. He’s immediately faced with the challenges of governing and a looming threat that adds intense pressure. What once relied on quick thinking now demands strong leadership. The animation studio, Gainax, enhances the visuals with more detailed mechanical designs and a wider screen format to reflect this expanded world.
Setsuna F. Seiei
Four years after the initial events, Setsuna is back, working to reunite his former allies within Celestial Being. The world has changed – new, more dangerous threats have emerged, the technology has been upgraded, and global power dynamics have shifted, all highlighting the impact of their previous actions. Setsuna’s role has also changed; he’s no longer working alone, but now serves as a central figure supporting a team of pilots. The series visually reflects this time jump with updated Gundam designs and more complex animation.
Tanjiro Kamado
After months of hard work and training, Tanjiro is back and ready for the Entertainment District mission, now with improved skills and teamwork. The story explains his progress by introducing new breathing techniques and coordinated fighting strategies. The mission quickly puts these upgrades to the test against powerful Upper Rank demons. Ufotable visually demonstrates Tanjiro’s growth with impressive, extended action sequences and stunning visual effects.
Tsunayoshi Sawada
The story jumps forward in time, showing Tsuna and his friends in a dangerous situation where their family is about to fall apart. They find themselves in a new world with different powers and shifting loyalties, forcing them to quickly adjust. Seeing older versions of themselves reveals what their futures hold. The animation style reflects this change with a futuristic look and a cooler color palette.
Let us know in the comments which time skip reveal was your favorite and which one surprised you the most!
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2025-11-09 18:49