(Last Updated On: January 1, 2023)

Anime is full of inspiring stories about characters who start off as underdogs, but through sheer force of will and determination, they are able to rise to the top and become some of the most powerful characters in their respective series. These characters often have to overcome numerous challenges and obstacles in order to reach their full potential, and their journeys are truly inspiring to watch. Whether it’s through hard work, determination, or a little bit of luck, these characters always manage to rise to the top and prove that no obstacle is too great for them to overcome.

In this list, we’ll be counting down the top 15 underdogs anime MCs who ended up becoming overpowered. These are characters who started off with little to no power or standing, but through their own effort and the help of their friends and allies, they were able to achieve greatness and become some of the most formidable forces in their worlds. So without further ado, let’s get started with our list of the top 15 underdogs anime MCs who ended up becoming overpowered.

15. Noelle (Black Clover)

In the world of Black Clover, Born into a royal family, Noelle is expected to be a powerful mage from the moment she manifests her powers. But Noelle struggles to control her abilities, leading her to believe that she is weak and untalented.

For most of her life, Noelle lives in the shadows of her more powerful siblings, resigned to a life of mediocrity. But when she is recruited into the Black Bulls, a group of misfits and outcasts, she finds the support and guidance she needs to unlock her true potential.

Through hard work and determination, Noelle transforms herself from a timid and insecure mage into a powerful and confident hero, able to stand up to even her strongest siblings and protect her loved ones. She proves that even the most unlikely underdogs can rise to greatness when given the chance.

14. Amano Yukiteru (The Future Diary)

In the world of Mirai Nikki, Amano Yukiteru has no fighting ability and tends to cry at the slightest scratch. He is constantly rescued by his pink-haired, knife-wielding girlfriend, Yuno, in almost every fight.

Despite his initial weakness, Yukiteru proves to be more resilient than anyone expects. He manages to survive encounters with dangerous enemies like a terrorist bomber and a murderous five-year-old, thanks in part to his quick thinking and ability to run away when necessary.

As the other diary owners in the survival game show off their fighting skills and tactical prowess, Yukiteru defies expectations by surviving to the bitter end. Despite possessing all the traits of the first victim in a horror movie, he manages to rise above his limitations and prove that even the most unlikely underdogs can succeed. The Future Diary is one of best psychological thriller anime.

13. Makunouchi Ippo (Hajime no Ippo)

In the world of Hajime no Ippo, Ippo Makunouchi is the ultimate underdog MC. He may not be the biggest, strongest, or most skilled boxer, but what he lacks in physical abilities, he more than makes up for with heart and determination.

Ippo’s journey begins when he discovers boxing as a way to stand up to his bully. From there, he sets his sights on becoming the best boxer he can be, despite the odds stacked against him. He is constantly fighting opponents who seem stronger than him, and yet he never lets that discourage him.

The beauty of being an underdog is the satisfaction of proving the haters wrong. Ippo is a testament to this, as he continually defies expectations and rises to victory, even against seemingly insurmountable odds. If you love rooting for the little guy and watching them stand tall, Hajime no Ippo is the perfect anime for you.

12. Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul)

Ken Kaneki’s transformation from a timid bookworm to a formidable ghoul is a dramatic one, fueled by desperation and a desire to survive. At the start of the series, Kaneki is a shy and reserved college student with no combat experience. However, after a chance encounter with the ghoul Rize, Kaneki finds himself imbued with her powers and forced to adapt to a world where he is preyed upon by other ghouls.

Despite his initial reluctance to embrace his new identity, Kaneki’s will to live drives him to hone his skills and become a formidable fighter. He is pushed to his limits time and time again, suffering brutal beatings at the hands of stronger ghouls until he finally reaches his breaking point while being tortured by the sadistic Jason of the 13th Ward. It is in this moment of crisis that Kaneki truly transforms, harnessing the full extent of his kagune and unleashing a level of ferocity that even he never knew he was capable of.

Through his journey, Kaneki learns to embrace his true self and becomes a force to be reckoned with in the world of Tokyo Ghoul. So, his transformation not only affects his physical capabilities, but also his mentality and how he views the world around him.

11. Fuka Reventon (Vivid Strike!)

The story of Vivid Strike! follows the journey of Fuka Reventon, a determined young girl who sets out to become a top-tier martial artist. Armed with her magical girl device, Fuka embarks on a journey of self-improvement, training tirelessly with the help of her mentor, Einhard.

As Fuka grows in strength and skill, she finds herself drawn into a fierce rivalry with her old friend, Rinne, who has become a formidable fighter in her own right. Though Rinne has a head start on Fuka, with years of training under her belt, Fuka refuses to back down. She pushes herself to her limits and beyond, driven by her desire to prove herself as the best.

In the end, Fuka’s hard work and determination pay off, as she emerges victorious in a climactic showdown with Rinne. So, her transformation from a freelancer to a top-tier martial artist is a testament to her indomitable spirit and unshakeable resolve.

10. Yato (Noragami)

Yato a humble delivery god without a shrine or followers, he is willing to do anything for a few yen, even if it means performing menial tasks for others. Without a weapon of his own, he seems like little match for the other deities who inhabit the shrines built by humans.

But as we come to learn more about Yato’s past, it becomes clear that he is much more powerful than he appears. A former war god who renounced his title, Yato possesses formidable combat skills that allow him to go toe-to-toe with even the most powerful deities.

Through his friendships with Hiyori and Yukine, Yato finds the strength and purpose he needs to rise above his humble beginnings and become a true hero. Despite his struggles and setbacks, he proves that even the most unlikely underdogs can rise to greatness.

9. Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

In the world of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy is a true underdog hero. Despite his eventual victory over the powerful Captain of the Beast Pirates, Kaido, there was a time when nobody expected him to even come close to the level of the world’s strongest pirates.

Growing up in the quiet, peaceful town of Foosha Village, Luffy seemed destined for a life of mediocrity. It was only through the influence of the kind-hearted Red-Haired Shanks and his consumption of the Gomu Gomu no Mi Devil Fruit that he was able to set out on the path to greatness.

Through sheer determination and a refusal to give up, Luffy rises above his humble beginnings and becomes a true icon, inspiring underdogs everywhere to chase their dreams and never let their limitations hold them back.

8. Agatsuma Zenitsu (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)

When we first meet Agatsuma Zenitsu, he seems like the unlikeliest of heroes. Cowardly and prone to panic, he seems ill-suited for the dangerous work of a demon slayer. But as it turns out, Zenitsu is hiding a powerful secret: when he is pushed to his limits and succumbs to fear, he awakens as a lightning-fast warrior, capable of decimating his enemies with his powerful Thunder Breathing style.

Despite his initial reputation as a coward, Zenitsu proves that he is capable of great bravery and selflessness. In a later battle, he takes a beating protecting Nezuko, showing that his love and loyalty to those he cares about outweighs his own fears.

Through his determination and his willingness to protect those he loves, Zenitsu becomes a true underdog hero, rising above his own limitations and proving that anyone can be a hero, no matter how unlikely they may seem.

7. Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)

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Naruto Uzumaki is a classic example of the ultimate underdog. When we first meet him, he is a young ninja-in-training with no connections, no family, and no special abilities to speak of. He is constantly overshadowed by his rival, Sasuke Uchiha, a prodigiously talented ninja with a bright future ahead of him.

But Naruto refuses to let these setbacks hold him back. Through hard work, determination, and the help of some truly great mentors, he gradually learns to tap into the power of the Kyuubi, a legendary demon fox sealed within him. As he grows in strength and skill, Naruto becomes one of the most powerful ninjas in the Hidden Leaf Village, eventually earning the title of Hokage, the leader of his village.

Through sheer force of will and a never-give-up attitude, Naruto proves that even the most unlikely underdogs can rise to greatness.

6. Kenichi Shirahama (History’s Greatest Disciple Kenichi)

Kenichi is the ultimate underdog story. A protagonist with no natural talent or abilities, he relies solely on hard work and determination to succeed. But even as he achieves impossible feats of strength and skill, his masters never let him forget that he is not “talented” in the traditional sense.

Despite this constant reminder of his limitations, Kenichi never gives up. He keeps training, keeps fighting, and keeps proving his doubters wrong. Over time, he becomes one of the strongest young martial artists in the series, even though he started off as a bit of a pushover.

Through sheer force of will and a never-give-up attitude, Kenichi becomes a true inspiration for underdogs everywhere, showing that with enough hard work and determination, anyone can rise to greatness.

5. Midoriya Izuku (Deku) (My Hero Academia)

Midoriya Izuku, also known as Deku, is the epitome of the classic underdog story. Born without a Quirk, a special power that is a defining trait of the vast majority of people in his world, he is resigned to a life of normalcy and mediocrity. But everything changes when he is given the chance to inherit the power of the world’s greatest hero, All Might.

At first, Midoriya struggles to control his newfound abilities, lagging far behind his peers who have had their Quirks since birth. But he doesn’t let this discourage him. Driven by a fierce determination to live up to his mentor’s legacy and protect those he cares about, Midoriya pushes himself to the limit, training tirelessly and enduring countless setbacks and injuries in order to become the hero he knows he can be.

Against all odds, Midoriya proves that hard work and perseverance can overcome any obstacle. With his unwavering spirit and his refusal to give up, he inspires underdogs everywhere to chase their dreams and never give up on themselves.

4. Shouyou Hinata (Haikyuu!!)

Hinata may not have the height or the experience of his fellow volleyball players, but that doesn’t stop him from giving it his all on the court. As an aspiring athlete inspired by the legendary “Little Ace,” Hinata is determined to make a name for himself in the world of volleyball, despite the many challenges he faces.

But it’s not just his skills on the court that help Hinata rise to the top. Through his relationship with his rival and teammate Tobio Kageyama, Hinata learns to work as part of a team and to trust in the strength of his comrades. Together, they form a formidable duo that takes the world of volleyball by storm.

In the high-stakes world of sports anime, where every point counts and the roar of the crowd can be heard for miles, Hinata proves that even the smallest underdogs can make a big impact. With his unrelenting spirit and his willingness to never give up, he becomes a true champion on the court.

3. Yusuke Urameshi (YuYu Hakusho)

Yusuke Urameshi was just a simple street punk, with no real direction in life and no sense of purpose. But when he is given a second chance at life as a Spirit Detective, everything changes. Suddenly thrust into a world filled with powerful enemies and unimaginable challenges, Yusuke finds himself constantly facing off against opponents who have been honing their skills for decades.

But despite the odds stacked against him, Yusuke refuses to back down. With his innate fighting spirit and a determination to succeed, he takes on each challenge head-on, taking down powerful enemies one by one. By the end of the series, Yusuke has become a formidable force to be reckoned with, even giving a potential demon king a run for his money in a grueling battle that lasts for days. In the end, Yusuke proves that even the biggest underdogs can rise to greatness with hard work, determination, and a never-give-up attitude.

2. Haruyuki Arita (Accel World)

In a world where physical strength and appearance are often prized above all else, Haruyuki stands out as an unlikely hero. As an overweight, bullied middle schooler, he is used to being the target of ridicule and rejection. But despite the harsh treatment he receives, Haruyuki never lets it get him down.

Together with his ally and mentor, Kuroyukihime, he sets out on a quest to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Brain Burst program and its enigmatic creator. Along the way, he proves that true strength comes from within, conquering tough opponents and winning the affection of his senior despite the doubts of others. With a kind heart and indomitable spirit, Haruyuki shows that it’s not muscles or looks that make a hero, but the strength of one’s character.

1. Asta (Black Clover)

Asta may have started off as an unlikely candidate for greatness, with no magical powers to speak of and a dream of becoming the Wizard King that seemed impossible to achieve. But Asta refused to let his lack of magical abilities hold him back. With hard work, determination, and the power of anti-magic on his side, he set out to become the strongest mage in the Clover Kingdom.

At first, Asta’s anti-magic power seemed like a liability, with its limits clear against even the most powerful mages. But as he learned to harness and control this unique ability, Asta began to soar to new heights of strength and power. In just a year, he transformed from a scrappy, magic-less outsider into one of the most formidable mages in the kingdom, proving that with enough grit and determination, anyone can rise to greatness.

In the world of anime, the journey of the underdog is a common and beloved theme. Whether it’s the chubby and bullied Haruyuki, the Quirk-less Midoriya Izuku, or the timid and insecure Noelle Silva, these characters all share one thing in common: they start off as underdogs, but through hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, they rise to greatness and prove their worth.

These 15 anime protagonists are some of the best examples of the underdog journey. They may have started out as weak, inexperienced, or overlooked, but they never let that stop them. They pushed themselves to be better and overcome their limitations, and in the end, they became some of the most powerful and respected characters in their respective series.

So if you’re feeling down or like you’re not good enough, remember these anime underdogs and their journey to greatness. With enough hard work and determination, you too can overcome the odds and prove your worth.