Anime Underground

Our lists about transformations in anime, and not just relating to power! The biggest glow-ups, anime characters who lost a ton of weight, and much more.

Anime Transformations!

One of the best parts of a <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">great anime series</a> is&nbsp;getting to watch characters grow and develop into better versions of themselves. Sometimes, this growth can be pretty dramatic, to the point that the chracter is a totally different person by the series's conclusion. There's Izuku Midoriya from&nbsp;My Hero Academia, who goes from being a powerless middle schooler to a formidable&nbsp;hero (even though he still cries all the time), as well as Yona&nbsp;from&nbsp;Yona&nbsp;of the Dawn, who starts off as&nbsp;a spoiled princess but becomes a true leader who cares about her people. Many of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/my-top-10-favorite-anime-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best anime characters</a> begin as totally unlikable curmudgeons, but gradually become more endearing as they mature. Given&nbsp;<a href="/list/anime-that-went-on-for-way-too-long/taeyura" target="_blank">how long</a> some anime series go on for, it would be boring if characters' personalities remained static for dozens of episodes.&nbsp;

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16 Anime Characters Who Start Off Weak But Totally Power Up

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16 Anime Characters Who Start Off Weak But Become Super Strong

Anna Lindwasser

Lots of super interesting lists about things you didn't know about the One Piece Universe, including trivia about various types of Devil Fruit, factions in the series, and even animals!

Coolest One Piece Trivia

One Piece (TV 1999)

In the legendary pirate anime One Piece, individuals acquire extraordinary abilities by consuming Devil Fruits, which offer a wide range of powers, ranging from silly to horrifying. Because so many of these powers exist in the One Piece universe, fans constantly have hypothetical questions for Oda - fortunately for us, he responds to them and features them in the SBS column of the One Piece manga quite often.One fan had a great question for Oda - what would happen if a human ate the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-you-didnt-know-about-zoan-devil-fruit/anna-lindwasser?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Human Human Fruit</a>, the Devil Fruit that Chopper consumed? Read on for Oda's hilarious answer, in addition to other great answered Devil Fruit questions straight from the man himself!

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A 'One Piece' Fan Stumped Oda With A Devil Fruit Question And His Answer Was Hilarious


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A 'One Piece' Fan Stumped Oda With A Devil Fruit Question And His Answer Was Hilarious

A great collection of lists detailing things you didn't know about Attack on Titan, including trivia about the Survery Corps, The Warrior Unit, and more.

Attack on Titan Trivia!

Attack on Titan

Are you really an Attack on Titan fan if you haven't poured over the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/all-attack-on-titan-characters/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Attack on Titan Character</a> Encyclopedia and memorized every little detail? Of course you are! Since only the most hardcore AoT fans haven't read it, let's take a look at some really cool trivia about the Survey Corps that will likely be new to you.Released in 2017, the guidebook includes character profiles, artwork, interviews, and other interesting tidbits that can enhance your viewing experience - most of this cool Survey Corps lore comes from it. Who knows, maybe you'll even decide it's time for a rewatch after reading some of these.

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20 Things About The Survey Corps In ‘Attack on Titan’ Only Hardcore Fans Know

Our collection of lists focusing on some hyper specific anime.

Super Specific Anime

For some people, becoming a parent is a planned thing. For others, it's a complete surprise. Anime where the MC adopts a kid - often without ever intending to do so - are becoming increasingly popular in the anime world. These stories force the adult character to radically change their lives and become much more mature, and they also feature plenty of adorable parent-child moments.&nbsp;Perhaps the most famous of these anime is&nbsp;Bunny Drop,&nbsp;an anime about a 30-year-old bachelor who adopts his six-year-old aunt after her father passes away. Looking for something a little more recent? There's&nbsp;Kotaro Lives Alone,&nbsp;which is about a four-year-old who is basically adopted by a whole apartment building, and&nbsp;Spy x Family,&nbsp;which features a fake family with surprisingly real emotions.&nbsp;Buddy Daddies&nbsp;is a series similar to&nbsp;Spy x Family, where two assassins adopt a child. For more adorable <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/overprotective-anime-fathers/anna-lindwasser?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">daddy and daughter anime</a>, there’s If It's for My Daughter, I'd Even Defeat a Demon Lord.&nbsp;If you can stand the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cutest-anime-characters/anna-lindwasser">extreme cuteness</a>, queue up one of these shows. Take a look below and vote for the best series where the protagonist becomes a surprising parental guardian.

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16 Anime Where The Protagonist Unexpectedly Becomes A Parental Substitute

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Our collection of lists covering the youngest anime characters.

Anime Kids

Getting transformed into a small child used to be more of a fanfiction trope than a thing you'd actually see in anime. These days, it's increasingly common to see a protagonist who is an adult trapped in the body of a child.&nbsp;Sometimes, characters inhabit their own childhood selves, like when the main protagonist in&nbsp;Tokyo Revengers, Takemichi Hanagaki,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-time-travel-anime-2021/anna-lindwasser">travels backwards</a> to his middle school self.&nbsp;At other times, they're&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-reincarnation-anime/ranker-anime">reincarnated</a> into an entirely different person, like when Dr. Goro Amemiya is reborn as the child of an idol, Ai Hoshino, in&nbsp;Oshi no Ko.&nbsp;Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok is about a powerful god who is turned into a little boy and sent to another world.Which character changes in the most interesting way? Take a look at the series below and vote for the best series where the adult MC turns into a child.

15 Anime Where The Adult Protagonist Turns Into A Child

Lists about the most compelling fan theories in One Piece, as well as astute fan observations about various things from the One Piece community that might just blow your mind. 

One Piece Fan Theories!

As one of the longest-running anime series, One Piece has gained notoriety for its amazing storytelling and characters, cementing itself as arguably the greatest <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">anime of all time</a>. Of course, that doesn't mean the series is safe from hot takes - many One Piece fans have controversial opinions about characters, story arcs, and much more. Who is to say these thoughts are completely unfounded when the series belongs to the fans as much as it does the creator?

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One Piece Fans Share Their Controversial Opinions That Might Get Them in Trouble

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Our collection of My Hero Academia lists full of fun facts that are Plus Ultra!

MHA: Things You Didn't Know

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The villains in My Hero Academia, like Tomura Shigaraki and Dabi, are intriguing because their complex backstories provide insight into how societal failures and personal trauma can shape individuals into antagonists, challenging the binary notions of good and evil. Their distinct personalities and motivations, coupled with their unique quirks, create a dynamic opposition to the heroes, driving the narrative forward with intense moral and physical confrontations.With that being said, there's a lot to know about MHA's villains, and unless you're a mega hardcore fan you've undoubtedly missed some really interesting lore details and behind the scenes trivia. Using info from Horikoshi himself, here are some interesting things you might not have known about My Hero Academia's <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-villain-actors-of-all-time/orrin-grey?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">cast of villains</a>.&nbsp;

17 Things Only Hardcore Fans Know About 'My Hero Academia' Villains

Lists about the manga, anime, and real life trading card series, casting spells and dueling monsters since 1996.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

For an anime that's supposed to be for kids, the Yu-Gi-Oh! fan theories that are floating around out there are surprisingly deep, and sometimes even dark. Since there are so many mysteries when it comes to the shows lore, particularly around the Egyptian Gods, let's explore some of the coolest theories and lore speculation that still have us feeling like there's something to be solved, even today in 2025!Is Exodia the Abrahamic God? Were the Toon Monsters created specifically to counter the god cards? Read on for some of the coolest headcanons and theories about Yu-Gi-Oh! that might just inspire you to go back and rewatch the anime.

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The 14 Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Theories We're Still Thinking About In 2025

Zack Howe

Our collection of One Punch Man lists, including things you didn't know about the series, the strongest S-Class heroes, and more!

One Puuuunchh!!!

One Punch Man

In the insane world of One Punch Man, explosive battles and powerful characters are the norm. However, sometimes the transition from manga to anime can lead to creative misinterpretations. One such case occurs during Tatsumaki's battle with the formidable Ancient King. In the anime adaptation, fans watched in awe as Tatsumaki summoned a massive meteor to crush her opponent. This dramatic scene, however, was the result of a misunderstanding by the animation team regarding the original intentions of ONE, the creator of One Punch Man.Read on to learn what exactly happened in this scene and why, along with some other fun trivia about S-Class heroes in OPM.

This Fight Scene In 'One Punch Man' Was Totally Misunderstood by the Animators

This Fight Scene In 'One Punch Man' Was Misunderstood by the Animators

In a world where people with superpowers known as "Quirks"  are the norm, Izuku Mirdoriya dreams of becoming a Hero, even though he doesn't have a Quirk of his own. One day, he meets All Might, the greatest Hero of all, who finally gives him one...

My Hero Academia

With My Hero Academia entering the final season in 2025, it's pretty fun to look back on all the fan theories that we once believed about the series. Some of them weren't ridiculous at all - take Hagakure being the UA traitor for example - but others are sort of silly in hindsight.Here are the 13 most popular (and now debunked) My Hero Academia fan theories that can now be ranked by how plausible they were in the first place.

Remembering 13 Debunked ‘My Hero Academia’ Fan Theories We Once Believed

13 Popular ‘My Hero Academia’ Fan Theories That Eventually Got Debunked

While we still haven't gotten a Yu Yu Hakusho&nbsp;reboot (although we did get a live <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-netflix-original-action-movies/ranker-streaming?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">action on Netflix</a>), there are still new fans coming to the series every day, even in 2025. Whether you look at it with fond nostalgia or just recently realized how cool it is, there are plenty of obscure Yu Yu Hakusho lore and behind the scenes trivia you likely haven't heard yet.For example, did you know Hiei was only intended to be a one-appearance villain? His massive popularity with the fan base at the time is what helped cement him as one of the show's main characters. Read on for some more really cool trivia about Yu Yu Hakusho characters and the anime itself - they might even inspire you to go back and rewatch the show if its been a while.

20 Things Only Hardcore Fans Know About 'Yu Yu Hakusho' Lore

Our collection of My Hero Academia lists ranking all about the quirks shown throughout the franchise.

MHA: Quirk Ranking

Having a quirk sounds fun, right? Well what if using that quirk came with the potential of gravely injuring yourself? Many quirks in the superhero anime My Hero Academia have terrible drawbacks that can harm the user in different ways. These drawbacks often manifest as physical strain, injury, or mental fatigue when the quirk is overused or poorly controlled. If you don't believe us, just ask Eri.From villain quirks like Cremation to hero quirks like Permeation, these are the My Hero Academia quirks that have the most drawbacks for the person using them.

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15 Destructive Quirks That Damage Their Own User In 'My Hero Academia'

Interesting things you might not know about the Straw Hat Pirates, including inside info from Oda himself... a list for each member! 

Straw Hat Pirates Trivia!

You know Sanji is the Straw Hat Pirate's cook. but how much do you really know about him? Here are a few quick tidbits you might not know, especially if you're a newer fan coming to the fandom through the Netflix live action adaptation.&nbsp;Eiichiro Oda originally considered naming him Naruto, but dropped the idea upon learning that a manga with that name was about to be published...perhaps you've read it? Oda also thought about portraying Sanji as a gunslinger, but eventually decided to change the design - the original sketch is included in the list so you can see what Oda had envisioned for the Straw Hat's cook.Read on for some Sanji Vinsmoke lore that only the biggest One Piece fans are already aware of.

15 Things Only Diehard Fans Know About Sanji In 'One Piece'

In the world of manga, mutual respect between creators often transcends the boundaries of competition, as exemplified by Masashi Kishimoto’s admiration for One Piece’s beloved reindeer, Tony Tony Chopper. Despite the rivalry between their flagship series in Shonen Jump, Kishimoto, the mastermind behind Naruto, has expressed heartfelt appreciation for Chopper, particularly highlighting the depth of his backstory and the emotional weight of his origins. In a revealing joint interview with One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, Kishimoto muses on Chopper's dual nature; his cute exterior juxtaposed with his monstrous potential.Read on to hear what Kishimoto said about Chopper, as well as some other interesting things you might not know about the Straw Hat Pirates' medical doctor.

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This Famous Manga Creator Is Obsessed With Tony Chopper: Here's Why

This Famous Manga Creator Is Obsessed With Tony Chopper

In Dragon Ball Z, the Z-Fighters, also known as the Earth’s Special Forces or the Dragon Team, are a group of warriors who band together to protect Earth and its inhabitants from various threats. In other words, they're all the good guys from the show, including Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo and the like.Whether you're a newer DBZ fan who is coming to the show after watching Dragon Ball DAIMA, or an OG fan who grew up watching the anime on Toonami in the late '90s, here are some really fun lore details and behind the scene facts about the Z-Fighters.

20 Random Things Only Diehard 'DBZ' Fans Know About The Z-Fighters

Ready for a laugh? Here's a collection of My Hero Academia lists that are filled with endless memes to give you a good chuckle!

My Hero Academia Memes!

What can you say about these twisted My Hero Academia memes except we should be concerned for whoever made them? While that might be just a bit exaggerated, these really are some savage memes that we actually feel just a bit guilty for laughing at. However, when you have jokes about Todoroki recoiling when someone uses the phrase “spill the tea” you just sort of have to laugh at how dark and funny that is.With Season 8 being My Hero Academia's conclusion in 2025, let's send the show off with some hearty laughs about its characters that maybe border a little bit on being over the line (but in the &nbsp;best way possible).

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20 Savage 'My Hero Academia' Memes We Feel Guilty For Laughing At

Taylor Park

Anime Underground lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Anime Underground lists on Ranker

Anime Underground lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Anime Underground lists and rankings.

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Looking for the best anime per genre? This is your guide to the best anime shows in almost every genre - everything from horror and mecha, to yuri and harem. =^‥^= 

The Best Anime of Every Genre

Teens

Among the many different types out there, shounen&nbsp;(or "shōnen")&nbsp;is one of the most popular&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-all-anime-genres-ranked/anna-lindwasser?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">genres of Japanese anime</a> and manga. It is&nbsp;geared toward&nbsp;teenage boys and usually features a male protagonist who embarks on an adventure filled with challenges. The truth is, the world could always use more shounen animes because it is usually filled with several positive themes,&nbsp;such as believing in yourself and hard work paying off. The genre often crosses over with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-fantasy-anime-v1/ranker-anime">fantasy</a> and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-action-anime/ranker-anime">action anime</a>, even with some comedy elements here and there, and does not often focus too heavily on romance. Looking for the ultimate list of the best shounen <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">anime of all time</a>? Look no further!&nbsp;Whether you're a seasoned anime fan or just getting into it, this ranked collection of awesome action-packed, coming-of-age titles has plenty of examples sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. For those looking to dive into the world of ninjas, Naruto is often ranked among the greatest and most successful anime in general, a must-watch classic following the titular character as he trains to become the strongest ninja in his village. If you're a fan of epic battles and power-ups, Dragon Ball Z is another iconic series that should be on your watchlist. Join Goku and his friends as they defend Earth, fighting powerful foes and exploring the depths of the universe.If you're in the mood for a modern twist on the shounen genre, My Hero Academia is a perfect choice. Set in a world where almost everyone has superpowers, follow the story of Izuku Midoriya as he dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without powers. And for those who really love a darker, more mature storyline, Attack on Titan is a gripping tale of survival in a world overrun by giant human-eating creatures. Some of these series are ongoing and still airing, while others are completed and ready to binge in full; similarly, some are fairly short (think Death Note) while others are long running (like One Piece) and may be more of a trek to complete.&nbsp;Below, you’ll find tons of great recommendations of popular shounen anime, with pictures and descriptions for easy reference.&nbsp;Vote up the best shonen <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">anime to watch</a>, and add your favorite shounen anime you've watched that is missing from the list. And don't forget to check out some of the other top series that have captured the hearts of anime fans around the world. Happy watching!

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The Best Shounen Anime Of All Time

The 50+ Best Shounen Anime Of All Time, Ranked By Fans

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Boys, boys, boys! Our ranked lists relating to anime boys and men, including the hottest anime boys, the best dressed men in anime, and more.

All About Anime Boys

Anime draws viewers in with its captivating visuals, and the cutest characters created can be just as enticing. These men&nbsp;may be artificial, but our feelings for them are certainly not. Some are monsters, some are mannerly, and some occupy the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/middle-of-the-road-bands-and-musicians/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">middle of the road</a>. Just like us, these cute anime guys are created, or drawn,&nbsp;imperfectly, and that&nbsp;makes them all the more compelling. Take a look below and vote for the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hot-anime-guys-and-boys/ranker-anime?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">hottest anime guys</a> of all time.

100+ Anime Boys You Definitely Crushed On

100+ Anime Boys You Definitely Crushed On, Ranked By Fans

Mick Jacobs

Our collection of lists all about anime music.

Anime Music

Be honest - you’ve jammed out to “Unravel” by TK, the famous opening of&nbsp;Tokyo Ghoul&nbsp;that’s pretty much every anime fan’s number one. Awesome anime intros are often just as important as the series themselves. All those visual cues help viewers remember where the show is in terms of character development and storyline. This means a lot of anime intros change from season to season - not just visually, but musically, too.But what makes a good anime intro? Is it the songs? The visuals? Perhaps the perfect intro is a reflection of the feeling you get from watching the show. The&nbsp;Demon Slayer&nbsp;intro “Gurenge” by LiSA is a certified bop, making it one of the most popular anime intros in recent years.&nbsp;Attack on Titan and Haikyuu!!&nbsp;are just two examples of anime series who always deliver great opening intros.The&nbsp;Naruto&nbsp;soundtrack isn’t just timeless - all of the intros over the years are anime OP masterpieces.It's almost impossible to say that one single anime intro is the best of all time, but one of these openings has to be #1. Vote below on this comprehensive <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">list of anime</a> intros, including everything from&nbsp;Naruto and&nbsp;One Piece to&nbsp;Attack on Titan and&nbsp;Cowboy Bebop to get your favorite to the top.If you enjoy&nbsp;Tokyo Ghoul check out the best&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ken-kaneki-quotes/ranker-anime">Ken Kaneki quotes.</a>

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The 100+ Best Anime Intros Of All Time

The 100+ Best Anime Intros and Opening Themes of All Time, Ranked

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Lists that rank the best anime by studios, producers, and artists.

Anime Creators

If you grew up reading manga, you probably have some copies of Shonen Jump laying around your house. That being said, what is the best Shonen Jump <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">anime of all time</a>? Some of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-popular-anime-today/ranker-anime?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous anime</a> of all time was once published in Shonen Jump, such as One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Gintama, and so many more massive shows. Shonen Jump anime series are usually long running, with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-anime-like-one-piece/ranker-anime?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">shows like One Piece</a> running close to 1,000 episodes at this point. The American version of Shonen Jump (based on Japan's Weekly Shonen&nbsp;Jump)&nbsp;is no longer in circulation, but we can still rank our favorite anime series from the publication.Vote for the best Shonen Jump anime of all time, regardless of how you felt about the manga. If one of your favorite Jump anime isn't here, add it to the list!