15 Anime Transformations That Look Absolutely Ridiculous

Anime transformations are meant to be impressive displays of a character growing stronger. Fans anticipate seeing cool new designs and powerful effects that show a major shift in a fight. But sometimes, creators take risks and produce transformations that are strange or funny instead. These unusual forms are memorable because they break the typical mold of looking awesome, opting for something completely ridiculous.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

During the fight against Neferpitou, Gon Freecss pushes his body to its absolute limit, undergoing a drastic and frightening change. He instantly ages himself to adulthood, but at the cost of his own life force. This causes him to gain an enormous amount of muscle, ripping his clothes apart. The most visually striking part of this transformation is his hair, which shoots upwards, becoming a rigid, several-meter-tall black spike.

‘Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena’ (1999)

The film’s most striking and unusual imagery appears in the final scenes. Instead of becoming a traditional hero or princess, Utena Tenjou unexpectedly transforms into a shiny pink sports car. This allows Anthy Himemiya to drive her away from the school and into the outside world. The moment a girl literally changes into a car is still considered one of the most puzzling and memorable scenes in anime.

‘Magical Girl Ore’ (2018)

This show playfully makes fun of the ‘magical girl’ genre by twisting the usual transformation scenes. The main character, Saki Uno, learns that love gives her strength. However, instead of becoming a typical, frilly-dressed heroine when she transforms to fight demons, she turns into a very muscular man in a cute dress. This funny contrast between her powerful physique and delicate outfit is a running joke throughout the series.

‘Dragon Ball Super’ (2015–2018)

Brianne de Chateau fights in the Tournament of Power as a representative of Universe 2. She transforms into Ribrianne, a magical girl form designed to share love with opponents. Ribrianne’s appearance is quite different from the other fighters – she’s round and puffy, resembling a large Teletubby with antennae, while most characters are sleek and muscular.

‘Sarazanmai’ (2019)

Three middle schoolers are magically turned into kappa, which are small, round water creatures with beak-like mouths, by a kappa prince. As kappa, the boys have to perform a complicated song and dance – complete with neon lights and acrobatic moves – to purify zombies. The final step involves removing a special organ from the zombies, and the whole process looks very unusual to anyone who doesn’t know what’s happening.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)

Charlotte Chuhlhourne is a warrior who fights for Barragan during the battle in fake Karakura Town. He dramatically reveals his powerful, transformed state, called Reina de Rosas. This transformation gives him a surprising look: a white ballerina tutu, large, strong wings, and a tiara. While Charlotte intends to be intimidating, his over-the-top appearance and attacks mostly just confuse his opponent, Yumichika.

‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)

Monkey D. Luffy’s Gear 4 allows him to dramatically inflate his muscles and reinforce them with Haki. A specific version, Tankman, requires him to eat a lot beforehand. This transforms him into a huge, round shape with his arms and legs pulled in close. Though it’s a strong defense, it resembles an oversized, bouncing bowling ball during fights.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Rod Reiss tries to become a Titan by consuming spinal fluid in the crystal cavern, but the way he does it causes a horribly deformed transformation. He becomes a massive creature too large for his own limbs, and collapses, dragging his face along the ground as he tries to move. This causes terrible injuries, ripping open his face and exposing his insides in a disturbing and strangely comical scene.

‘Pokemon’ (1997–Present)

Mega Evolution often gives Pokémon a fiercer, more powerful appearance during battles. In the case of Mega Slowbro, its defense dramatically increases as the Shellder on its tail grows to completely envelop its body. This causes the Pokémon to awkwardly balance on the tip of its tail, appearing confused and trapped inside the incredibly strong shell. It’s a strange transformation that looks less like a typical evolution and more like the Pokémon is being consumed by its own shell.

‘Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!’ (2015)

This show has a funny twist: teenage boys suddenly transform into magical princes! They yell romantic lines and strike poses, and bright lights change their school clothes into elaborate princely outfits complete with capes and heart-shaped decorations. The humor comes from how ridiculous it is to see these boys dressed in such over-the-top, traditionally feminine magical gear.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ (2012–2013)

Kars successfully becomes the Ultimate Lifeform by harnessing the power of the Red Stone of Aja. This gives him the incredible ability to change parts of his body into the DNA of any animal. The result is bizarre and terrifying – he can sprout squirrel heads from his hands or transform his feathers into piranhas. The chaotic combination of animal parts appearing on his body is a visually disturbing and biologically impossible sight.

‘Digimon Adventure 02’ (2000–2001)

Shakkoumon is created when Angemon and Ankylomon combine their DNA to Digivolve. While many fans hoped for a strong, armored angel, the result was a Digimon that looks more like a large, old teapot. Though inspired by ancient Dogu figurines, Shakkoumon appears rigid and clumsy when compared to Angemon and Ankylomon. Its emotionless face and round body contribute to its reputation as one of the least favorite Digimon designs.

‘Akikan!’ (2009)

I recently discovered this incredibly quirky anime, and the basic idea is just wild! It’s about soda cans – seriously, cans – that transform into fighting girls. The main character accidentally brings one to life, a cute girl named Melon who used to be a melon soda can. These girls then battle it out, and the whole point seems to be figuring out if steel or aluminum is the better material. Honestly, even for anime, the idea of cans turning into people is pretty out there, but it’s strangely captivating!

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Mizuki appears early on as a villain and comes back later with a powerful, cursed mark. When activated, he transforms into a tiger-human hybrid, but the design isn’t very intimidating. He’s large and awkwardly built, with a human face and a body covered in stripes and bulging muscles. Instead of looking scary, his transformation appears more like a poorly made costume compared to other characters with cursed seals.

‘Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo’ (2003–2005)

This show relies heavily on strange, unexpected humor and situations that don’t make sense. The main character frequently turns into random things – like a tank or a car – during fights. His teammates combine with each other in ways that create odd, unsettling creatures. These changes aren’t meant to make anyone stronger, but to disorient both the opponents and the viewers.

Tell us which anime transformation you think is the most ridiculous in the comments.

2025-11-24 18:20