Certain anime powers are incredibly strong, capable of destroying mountains or even reshaping the world. However, others are quite unusual, with very specific, funny, or limited applications-often serving as comic relief. Despite their quirks, these abilities are still important to the plot and frequently contribute to victory, albeit in unexpected ways. They simply achieve results without the typical displays of power and spectacle.
Here’s a look at anime characters whose powers rely a lot on unusual rules, technicalities, or limitations. For each character, we’ll explain what their ability does, how it’s shown in the anime, and the weaknesses that prevent it from being overpowered. When relevant, we’ll also show how the anime studio visually presented the ability in action, so you know what to anticipate while watching.
Minoru Mineta from ‘My Hero Academia’
Mineta’s Quirk, called Pop Off, allows him to produce sticky, purple spheres from his head. He throws these spheres to stick to surfaces and trap his opponents. Interestingly, the spheres don’t stick to him, letting him bounce on them for quick movement. However, using his Quirk too much can cause bleeding on his scalp, so he needs to carefully control how many spheres he uses in a fight or scene.
The anime frequently demonstrates how these projectiles are used for controlling the battlefield, rather than simply delivering powerful hits. Bones studio clearly animates the way the projectiles bounce, allowing viewers to easily understand how the character controls space, slows down opponents, and uses teamwork. Specifically, his sticky traps are shown creating opportunities for his teammates to attack.
Koji Koda from ‘My Hero Academia’
Koda’s Quirk is called Anivoice. It lets him talk to animals and ask them for assistance – everything from having birds guide the way through a tunnel to using insects as scouts. How well this ability works depends on the animals that are nearby, so it’s less effective in places like indoor arenas or very clean environments.
Bones uses clever visual arrangements to highlight requests for help, such as depicting them as groups forming recognizable shapes or insects moving across the screen. The series presents Anivoice as a helpful tool rather than a decisive action, ensuring the emphasis remains on strategic placement and careful preparation.
Hanta Sero from ‘My Hero Academia’
Sero’s Quirk allows him to use Tape. He shoots tape from ports on his elbows, using it to swing around, restrain others, and pull objects. The tape can stick to walls and even opponents, giving him great mobility and helping him capture them. However, the tape can be cut or burned, and how fast he can change direction depends on his tape’s range and how quickly it reels out.
The anime depicts his movements as if he’s navigating a grappling hook course, and the studio Bones leverages this to make even simple things like classroom activities and rescue training feel faster and more dynamic. A lot of his best moments involve creating opportunities for teammates or pinning enemies in place so another hero can deliver the finishing attack.
Toru Hagakure from ‘My Hero Academia’
Hagakure’s Quirk is Invisibility. Because of her power, her body is always hidden from view, allowing her to sneak up on opponents and launch surprise attacks. However, there are limitations: her clothes and equipment remain visible unless they’re made of a specific material, and she still creates noise and leaves tracks. Additionally, the way light bends around her can sometimes give away her position.
As a film buff, I’ve noticed that the way they show Bones is really clever. Instead of a fully visible character, she often appears as floating gloves or a shimmering outline – it’s a great way to keep track of what’s happening. The filmmakers use invisibility not just as a gimmick, but strategically – for things like getting the drop on enemies, scouting ahead, or creating a distraction. And it’s smart how they frequently team her up with other characters who can really take advantage when she exposes an enemy’s location. It adds a lot to the action!
Kiba Inuzuka from ‘Naruto’
Kiba fights alongside Akamaru, utilizing the Inuzuka clan’s unique beast mimicry techniques. One notable ability is Dynamic Marking, where he uses scent to tag and track opponents while spinning quickly. This technique isn’t about inflicting a lot of damage directly; instead, it’s used to locate enemies, often as a prelude to attacks like Fang Over Fang or a finishing blow.
As a total animation fan, I’ve always appreciated how Studio Pierrot handles the scent tracking in this series. They don’t just *show* Kiba sniffing around; they visualize the trails so clearly, and use really dynamic camera pushes to help *us* understand exactly how he’s pinpointing his enemies. It’s brilliantly done! What I also love is that the marking from these scents doesn’t just *end* a fight sequence – it actually sets up the next combo, making the action feel really connected and fluid. It’s not just about the impact of a single hit, but how everything flows together.
Konohamaru Sarutobi from ‘Naruto’
Konohamaru learned the Sexy Technique as a transformation trick meant to distract opponents. It’s a more advanced version of the basic Henge technique, swapping a typical disguise for something attention-grabbing to create opportunities for attack. When facing strong enemies, it works best as a quick feint, catching them by surprise.
Pierrot uses these comedic moments as brief pauses during training or fight scenes. The edits are fast-paced, the reactions are over-the-top, and then the story immediately returns to typical ninjutsu action once the joke has achieved its effect.
Jango from ‘One Piece’
Jango uses hypnosis with a swinging pendulum and verbal instructions. If people are receptive, he can lull them to sleep or even temporarily increase their strength. However, mistakes can happen, potentially hypnotizing friends or even himself. External factors like the weather, distance, and surrounding noise can disrupt the process, making precise timing and focused concentration crucial.
Toei Animation brings these scenes to life with dynamic, swirling backgrounds and focused close-ups on the pendulum, allowing viewers to see precisely when the idea takes root. This ability is strongest in busy, unpredictable environments, but becomes less effective when opponents anticipate it and deliberately avoid looking.
Kelly Funk from ‘One Piece’
Okay, so I’m a huge fan of Kelly Funk and his Devil Fruit power! He ate the Jacket Jacket Fruit, which is seriously cool. Basically, he transforms into a jacket – yeah, a literal jacket – and someone has to *wear* him. But here’s the thing: when someone’s wearing him, he can control their body and even combine his strength with theirs! It’s amazing, but it does have a weakness. He needs someone willing to wear him, or someone strong enough that he can just *force* it, and he’s pretty vulnerable while he’s looking for a host. It’s a really interesting ability, though – definitely one of the more unique ones I’ve seen!
In many of its scenes, Toei Animation uses a fast-paced transition-a quick cut accompanied by a snapping sound-to reveal a new character’s outline, immediately showing who has the upper hand. This makes the technique less about a powerful attack and more of a strategic maneuver, relying on character placement and agreement rather than simply being a direct offensive move.
Don Kanonji from ‘Bleach’
Don Kanonji’s spiritual abilities center around a fundamental spirit energy attack and dramatic performances. While his techniques can affect weaker Hollows and lost spirits, he hasn’t received official Shinigami training and isn’t very effective in combat against more powerful enemies. He relies on ritual theatrics to amplify his limited power.
Studio Pierrot employs vibrant visuals and emphasizes audience responses to highlight the performative aspects of the battles, but keeps the focus away from the large-scale sword fights themselves. These scenes demonstrate the contrast between spectacle and actual combat skill, while still showing his genuine willingness to assist others.
Joseph Joestar from ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’
Joseph Joestar’s Stand is called Hermit Purple. It appears as spectral, thorny vines that can be used to tie things up or swing around. Interestingly, it can also create spirit photographs by destroying a camera or television, allowing Joseph to uncover hidden information. The vines themselves don’t have a long reach or much power when striking, so Joseph often depends on his clever strategies and knowledge of Hamon, especially in the beginning of the story.
David Production portrays spirit photography using flickering, distorted frames and static, and renders the vines with crisp, defined lines that coil around or pull, instead of breaking through. The visual style emphasizes the Stand’s function as a means of gathering information and controlling opponents, rather than delivering a forceful attack.
Mumen Rider from ‘One Punch Man’
Mumen Rider isn’t gifted with any superpowers. Instead, he uses a bicycle, safety equipment, and a firm commitment to doing what’s right. He fights using simple throws and a special tackling move that relies on speed and force. When facing powerful monsters, he works to save people and buy time until stronger heroes can arrive.
The first season, created by Madhouse, uses realistic movement and stable camera angles to present the story. The second season, handled by J.C.Staff, maintains this down-to-earth approach. The story consistently emphasizes how communities react and try to gain time, instead of focusing on causing destruction.
Mr. Satan from ‘Dragon Ball’
Mr. Satan, also called Hercule, is a highly skilled martial artist at the human level and is known for his showmanship. He stays on top by using props, getting publicity, and taking advantage of opportune moments. When powerful ki battles break out, he acts as a spokesperson for the public and provides small but helpful support.
Toei Animation provides him with a wide range of expressions and shows the reactions of the crowds, emphasizing the grand scale of everything happening around him. The fighting isn’t just about powerful attacks; it puts him in situations where convincing others and keeping spirits high are even more important than energy beams and explosions.
Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki from ‘Fairy Tail’
Ichiya utilizes Perfume Magic, a technique that uses fragrant mixtures to apply both helpful buffs and hindering debuffs. These effects can range from boosting speed or resilience to inflicting dizziness. However, success relies on effectively delivering the scent to the target and having the appropriate perfume bottle readily available. External factors like wind or distance can easily disrupt the application.
A-1 Pictures showcases the perfumes with noticeable vapor trails and fast-appearing labels, allowing you to quickly understand their effect in the heat of battle. This magic is most effective when used to support Blue Pegasus teams and isn’t typically a decisive finishing blow on its own.
Reigen Arataka from ‘Mob Psycho 100’
Reigen advertises his exorcism services using fabricated techniques, such as Salt Splash and Self Defense Rush. These ‘techniques’ are simply everyday actions presented with a lot of confidence, and he primarily uses talking and strategic timing until Mob gets involved. Sometimes, he briefly gains an advantage by channeling energy through Mob’s assistance.
Bones handles these moments with quick, funny edits and clear audio, making even simple scenes feel polished and intentional. The film deliberately highlights the difference between *how* things are shown and *what* actually happens, and the director makes this contrast very clear and easy to understand.
Sailor Chibi Moon from ‘Sailor Moon’
Chibi Moon’s signature attack is called Pink Sugar Heart Attack. It fires a series of heart-shaped blasts, but initially, these can be unpredictable and sometimes even miss. The attack usually causes a brief stun, rather than a lot of damage. While later versions are more dependable, the original is well-known for being unreliable.
Toei Animation brings action to life with vibrant effects and a clear pace, making it easy to follow when attacks hit or miss. Each move isn’t just a strike, but a strategic opening, allowing other Sailor Guardians to deliver a more powerful finishing blow.
Share your picks in the comments and tell us which unusual abilities you think belong on this list.
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2025-10-03 11:48