In the anime universe, some characters unlock powers that completely change the way they fight. For many shonen heroes, their first transformation is the moment when fans realize they are far more powerful than they first appeared.
These transformations have given some of shonen’s biggest protagonists a huge advantage. With that said, here are the 10 first official transformations ranked by strength, not necessarily at their peak but rather when they first appeared, and how much they changed the fight.
10. Denji’s Chainsaw Form Makes Him A Brutal Fighter
Denji as Chainsaw Man. | Credit: MAPPA
Denji does not get his power through years of training or some secret technique. In Chainsaw Man Episode 1, he makes a contract with Pochita after the Zombie Devil kills him. Pochita becomes his heart, allowing Denji to pull the cord on his chest and turn into Chainsaw Man.
The transformation is simple, but it is incredibly effective. Chainsaws come out of Denji’s head and arms, giving him brutal cutting power, while his new body can take serious damage and recover from it. However, his first form does not have the same level of power as most of the transformations above it, which puts him at No. 10.
9. Eren’s Attack Titan Gives Him Massive Strength
Eren Yeager in his Attack Titan form. | Credit: Wit Studio
Eren’s first Titan transformation is one of the biggest turning points in Attack on Titan. During the Battle of Trost, Eren is swallowed by a Titan and appears to be dead. However, he soon emerges as the Attack Titan and begins fighting the other Titans.
What makes this form so useful is its raw physical power. Eren can punch other Titans, survive huge amounts of damage, and heal his injuries through Titan regeneration. Still, compared with the forms ranked higher, the Attack Titan’s first showing feels more like raw strength than a complete power upgrade.
8. Luffy’s Gear 2 Makes His Speed And Power Explode
Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Luffy‘s Gear 2 is not a transformation like the iconic Gear 5, but it is such an important power-up that it deserves a place here. He first uses it against Blueno during the Enies Lobby Arc of One Piece.
Luffy uses his rubber body to increase the speed of his blood flow, which makes him much faster and stronger. His movements become so quick that he can keep up with CP9’s high-speed techniques. Gear 2 ranks above Eren’s first form because Luffy gets a much more useful boost for a one-on-one fight.
7. Natsu’s Dragon Force Turns Him Into A True Dragon Slayer
Natsu from Fairy Tail. | Credit: A-1 Pictures and Satelight
Natsu’s Dragon Force is one of the first times Fairy Tail shows just how dangerous a Dragon Slayer can become. Natsu first enters this state during the Tower of Heaven Arc while fighting Jellal.
The best thing about Dragon Force is that it does not just make Natsu look stronger. His attacks become far more powerful, and he can push through enemies who were previously giving him trouble. It ranks above Gear 2 because its boost is much more focused on destructive power, making Natsu a bigger threat once he enters the form.
6. Asta’s Black Form Gives Him The Power To Cancel Magic
Black Asta from a still. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
Asta’s Black Form is the moment when his Anti-Magic becomes even more dangerous. During his fight with Ladros in the Witches’ Forest Arc, Asta’s Anti-Magic starts covering his body and gives him a black wing and horn.
This form is especially useful because Asta does not need to overpower magic with more magic. He can simply cancel it. That gives him a huge advantage against magic users and makes his sword attacks even more dangerous. Black Asta ranks above Natsu’s Dragon Force because of how useful Anti-Magic is in a world where almost everyone relies on magic.
5. Ichigo’s Hollow Mask Makes Him A Much Deadlier Fighter
Ichigo Kurosaki from a still. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
Ichigo’s Hollow power is one of the earliest signs that there is much more to him than being a normal Soul Reaper. The Hollow mask gives Ichigo a huge boost and makes his fighting style much more aggressive.
It also adds another dangerous power that he has to learn to control. Unlike Luffy’s Gear 2, which mainly improves speed and physical ability, Ichigo’s Hollow power adds another layer to his already strong combat skills. That is why it takes the No. 5 spot.
4. Yuji’s One-Finger Sukuna Power Gives Him A Huge Boost
Yuji swallowing one of Sukuna’s cursed fingers. | Credit: MAPPA
Yuji’s first experience with Sukuna’s power happens in Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 1. After swallowing one of Sukuna’s fingers to save Megumi and the others, Yuji becomes the vessel of the King of Curses. Sukuna then takes control of Yuji’s body.
Even with only one finger, Sukuna is already frightening. He easily overwhelms the curse that Yuji was struggling against and shows the huge difference between Yuji’s normal strength and Sukuna’s cursed power. This puts him above Ichigo’s early Hollow power because Sukuna’s presence gives Yuji access to a much more dangerous level of cursed energy.
3. Naruto’s One-Tail Form Brings Out His Wild Side
Naruto’s One-Tail form is one of the first times the Nine-Tails’ power completely changes the way he fights. During his battle with Sasuke at the Valley of the End in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, Naruto becomes overwhelmed by his emotions and allows more of Kurama’s chakra to come out.
The change is impossible to miss. Naruto becomes faster, stronger, and far more aggressive, while the chakra around his body gives him greater protection. The One-Tail form ranks above Yuji’s one-finger Sukuna power because it gives Naruto a more complete physical transformation and a major boost in both offense and defense.
2. Meliodas’ Demon Mark Unleashes His Dark Power
Meliodas from The Seven Deadly Sins. | Credit: A-1 Pictures
Meliodas looks like a relaxed and friendly captain at first, but the Demon Mark shows that he is hiding something much darker. His Demon power begins appearing early in The Seven Deadly Sins, and it becomes a major part of his battles as the series moves forward.
The Demon Mark gives Meliodas a huge boost in strength and makes his already dangerous attacks even more powerful. That gives him an edge over Naruto’s One-Tail form and makes his first major power-up feel far more dangerous in a direct fight.
1. Goku’s Great Ape Form Gives Him A Huge Power Boost
Goku from a still. | Credit: Toei Animation
Goku’s first transformation gives him one of the biggest simple power boosts on this list. In the original Dragon Ball, Goku transforms into the Great Ape after looking at the full moon during the Emperor Pilaf Saga.
The change is massive. Goku becomes a giant creature with enormous strength and goes on a rampage at Pilaf’s Castle. That makes Goku’s first transformation far more overwhelming than the other entries here and earns it the No. 1 spot.
Now the big question: Which of these first transformations do you think is the strongest? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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