Not to be outdone by Western creations, anime has its fair share of gifted folks who use their electricity for good or evil — or even something in between. So who are these literally electrifying characters? From a familiar yellow creature with a lightning-shaped tail, to a skateboarding young assassin, check out some of the more iconic electrifying anime characters below.
20. Hajime Nagumo
Anime: Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou was one of the more typical isekai anime in 2019, but at least it had Hajime Nagumo at the helm. This MC has one of the starkest changes. From a meek and ordinary-looking teenager, Hajime developed white hair, the red Demon Eye, and red veins — indicating his transformation into a terrifying and powerful entity. He was belittled (and betrayed) by his classmates. But he survived his descent into the abyss. You could say he conquered darkness itself and was rewarded with insane abilities that could easily brutalize his classmates (and anyone who gets in his way). Hajime’s powers are bountiful, but his Lightning Field alone can deter opponents. If there’s conductive material around, he can easily cover the area with deadly lightning. Plus his lighting resistance prevents enemies from pulling the same tricks on him.
19. Diablo
Anime: How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Moving from one white-haired demonic MC to another, here’s someone literally named Diablo. At first it was just his intimidatingly strong MMORPG character who had that name. But then he got isekai-ed into the video game: Two fantasy girls (part of his harem, of course) summoned him into their world. But to their surprise, the erroneous invocation led to them becoming his slaves instead. Thus begins his journey in a new world as Rem and Shera hope to break free from the spell of slavery. Speaking of spells, Takuma Sakamoto’s Diablo is a Level 150 sorcerer who excels in all forms of elemental magic. From the Lightning Bullet and Lightning Arrow, to Lightning Sphere and Lightning Storm, he won’t run out of electric spells anytime soon. Yet it’s his Apocalypse Abyss that enemies should fear most: It takes a while to cast, but it creates thirteen points – where earth, fire, wind, and water magic violently converge. With his Apocalypse Abyss spell, the area is wrapped in lightning, and ordinary objects turn into dust in an instant. Plus all elemental magic turns into a lightning-infused elemental tornado, obliterating everything in its path.
18. Luck Voltia
Anime: Black Clover This seemingly nonchalant guy (whose clothes look big on him) has a problem with smiling all the time. You could say it’s a curse, especially when his cheerful expression remains even when his enemy is on the verge of death. His mom was one of many who disliked his ever-present smile – and his excitement over fighting and causing trouble doesn’t help. Still, you can’t deny that Luck Voltia is a capable fighter. This Magic Knight has access to both Lightning Magic and the more powerful True Lightning Magic. And when he uses his Creation Magic, he can showcase his physical combat skills while wielding items made from lightning. Luck continues to chase the thrill of deadly fighting – but he’s at least learned the value of teamwork.
17. Kurumi Nonaka
Anime: The Testament of Sister New Devil Starting as a supporting character who’s tasked to beat Mio Naruse in the main series, Kurumi Nonaka got her well-deserved break, as she became one of the MCs in the Shinmai Maou no Testament Burst sequel. Kurumi’s not exactly a loli — but she’s not tall either. And given her slightly small stature, it sometimes amazes people when they see her feminine figure. But don’t let her appearance fool you: Kurumi values her identity as a Hero – especially when it comes to safeguarding her onee-san Yuki. As an element master, she can wield wind, water, and lightning magic. If you threaten her sister (or Basara) Kurumi won’t think twice about unleashing balls of lightning. Plus, Kurumi’s one of the best girls in Basara’s harem.
16. Tora
Anime: Ushio to Tora This MAPPA and Studio VOLM adaptation began in 2015. Yet, in a good way, Ushio to Tora felt like a show from decades past – most likely because the manga source material began in 1990. Tora is the powerful youkai that Ushio set free, in order to save him and his friends from another youkai. He would have slain the kind-hearted kid after being liberated, but Ushio had the Beast Spear to defend himself. And so began their unusual partnership, working together to vanquish looming threats from the supernatural realm. Is Tora terrifying? Definitely. He had demonic speed and strength to complement his elemental powers. Specifically, he can create fire, deadly gales, and humongous lightning storms whenever he pleases. He always said he’ll eventually devour Ushio, but Tora genuinely cared for him. Plus the modern world offered him tasty burgers after being imprisoned in a temple basement for 500 years.
15. Rin Azuma
Anime: Isekai Cheat Magician 16-year-old Rin Azuma remains a likable and upstanding female MC. Granted, the way she’s transported into the fantasy world is generic in this era of isekai. Together with her childhood friend (and crush) Taichi, Rin embarks on a journey equipped with excellent magical abilities. In video game terms, she got a free level-boost item. But Rin takes things further: Instead of merely relying on her surprisingly outstanding magical level, she utilizes the scientific concepts she learned in school to generate more complex and powerful spells. As the first Quad Magician in Isekai Cheat Magician, she can manipulate wind, water, earth, and fire. Part of her wind element is lightning, and Rin can cast thunder, lightning beams, and wield a lightning sword. The series is light and predictable in many ways. But it’s hard not to be attached to Rin. She’s a good girl exploring a magical world and improving her abilities, while also developing romantic feelings for a boy.
14. Akeno Himejima
Anime: High School DxD Like Shinmai Maou no Testament, the High School DxD franchise is home to an amazing harem. Unlike Kurumi Nonaka, however, Akeno Himejima was one of the MCs from the get-go. Featuring incredibly long hair and a well-endowed figure, Akeno has no problems with charming Issei. Yet her seemingly perfect feminine personality hides her dark past. Akeno hates herself for being a Fall Angel, and it’s why she distanced herself from her father Baraqiel. Thankfully, Issei helped her rekindle connections with her father and come to terms with her mom’s passing. But while Akeno can now be more of a masochistic woman to Issei, her sadistic side will always be there for her foes. With her Lightning Demonic Power and Holy Lightning, she can overwhelm opponents with paralyzing lightning bolts and massive lightning strikes.
13. Gilthunder
Anime: The Seven Deadly Sins Also known as Little Gil, this salmon-haired Holy Knight has the conventionally handsome face and tall physique to be the hero of a fantasy realm under attack — but he’s only a supporting character in the series. Still, Gilthunder has the fighting will and combat prowess to match Meliodas. His long sword is infused with lightning magic, which amplifies his offensive and defensive potential. And he’s one of Brittania’s most fearsome fighters who can single-handedly take down armies. But what I love most about Gilthunder is his long shared history with not only Meliodas, but even Howzer and Elizabeth Liones (and Veronica). He’s a good kid, merely forced to loathe his dear friends because of his circumstances.
12. Laxus Dreyar
Anime: Fairy Tail The high-ranking mighty blond mage of Fairy Tail has an issue that affects some people from prominent or prestigious families in real life. You see, Laxus Dreyar’s grandfather is Makarov Dreyar, the guild master of the titular guild. Due to this, he started thinking that he was only known because of his family name. In turn, he yearned to prove his worth. From a humble kid, Laxus became a boastful man who ridiculed others he deemed weak. He’s masterful in Lightning Magic, and this only made him further believe in his superiority. Laxus could generate lightning and electricity with ease – and he could modify its distance, area of effect, and intensity. Not to mention this S-Class Mage can transform himself into deadly and ultra-speedy lightning. But on the bright side, he’s since reverted to his gentler self (after a tumultuous battle). Laxus is doing what he can to pay for his crimes and keep the Thunder God Tribe in the guild. Perhaps this selfless attitude is how he can forge his own legacy.
11. Lambo
Anime: Katekyo Hitman Reborn! This 5-year-old (yes, he’s that young) hitman from Bovino Famiglia has the appearance of a baby human cow. Lambo was supposed to take down Reborn when he moved to Japan. But he was too weak to do so — and this was even after he used the Ten Year Bazooka to transform into 15-year-old Lambo. Soon Lambo becomes part of the Sawada residence, to the dismay of Tsuna and Reborn, among others. I know that he’s somewhat treated as the annoying childish animal mascot of this 203-episode shounen series, but he’s not without appeal. His present and 15-year-old self can’t completely control the electricity stored in their horns, but it’s a sight to behold whenever he becomes nervous enough to unleash his power. And while the rare 25-year-old Lambo only appears briefly, his presence adds so much value to Lambo.
10. Denki Kaminari
Anime: My Hero Academia Otherwise known as Chargebolt, the sociable Denki Kaminari is one of those classmates you have in real life who keeps everyone glued. It doesn’t matter if you’re someone as ill-tempered as Bakugo, he’ll love your company. Denki doesn’t have excellent (or decent) academic grades, but you’ll be surprised at his insightfulness in subjects like art and literature. Furthermore, his rash or less favorable actions don’t harbor deceitful objectives. In contrast, Denki will stand up for his classmates if anyone ridicules them. If he’s highly apprehensive in combat when his classmates are around, it’s because he doesn’t want them to be hurt by his Quirk. Speaking of his Quirk, Denki’s Electrification can severely paralyze daring to touch any part of his body. And if Denki wants, he can release a ton of electricity all at once, traveling everywhere and electrifying anyone in range. His power can reach over a million volts – but he’ll humorously end up giggling non-stop for about an hour.
9. Ash’s Pikachu
Anime: Pokémon If there’s one furry creature that belongs on this list, it’s Ash’s Pikachu. Having been around since 1997, Pikachu is not only the most famous Pokémon in the long-running series, but also one of anime’s most recognizable characters ever. Pikachu’s electric attacks like Thunderbolt and Thunder Shock are known all around the world. He backs these elemental skills with superb agility, impressive physical attacks (given his size), and he can also lead other Pokémon if Ash isn’t present. But more than his proven greatness in battle, fans admire Pikachu for his friendly personality and how he and Ash have overcome so much together – defeating a ton of trainers over the years while learning from their losses. Ash and Pikachu are the best of friends. And Pokémon will continue to be a worldwide phenomenon with them around.
8. Enel
Anime: One Piece What can you do against the God of Skypiea? To be fair, Enel isn’t a literal divine, omniscient, and omnipotent being. He only thinks he’s an actual god, which is why his devout followers are known as God’s Army. In truth, he’s just a very tall man (he’s nearly 9 feet tall) from Birka who received lightning powers from the Goro Goro no Mi. This devil fruit gave Enel supreme control of lightning: He can strike foes with up to 200,000,000 volts of lightning. That’s overkill, but that’s exactly what he needs as the so-called God of Skypiea. Furthermore, Enel can turn himself into lightning, possessing its insane speed and damage capabilities. Hedonistic and arrogant, he’s a tyrant who rightfully got matched with Luffy. Enel’s practically invincible against others – but the MC’s rubber body was the perfect answer against him.
7. Makoto Kino
Anime: Sailor Moon Back in the 1990s, the world was going crazy for the likes of Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys. In the same vein, anime fans had their own popular girl group. This was the Sailor Guardians, one of whom is Sailor Jupiter. Otherwise known as Makoto Kino, she was both the tallest and most physically built in the group – which made people think she was a delinquent. In reality, she was just like other girls in her class: Makoto had traditionally feminine traits such as liking gardening, baking, reading romance, and the color pink. And you have to admire her self-sufficiency. Yes, she was forced to be more independent because of a tragic incident. But it’s inspiring to see her provide the safety and love that life temporarily took away from her at a young age. With her Thunder and Lightning Antenna equipped in her tiara, Sailor Jupiter can cast powerful skills such as Jupiter Thunder Hurricane and Supreme Thunder to keep her friends and the public safe from evil.
6. Ginji Amano
Anime: GetBackers The anime wasn’t a complete and faithful adaptation of the manga, but GetBackers is still a fun time when you have Ginji and Ban leading the fray. Formerly known as the Lightning Emperor, Ginji was once the figurehead of the VOLTS gang in Infinity Fortress. No one dared to challenge his position for a good reason. But that was the past. In the present, Ginji embraces a more cheerful and bright demeanor as Ban’s friend and work partner — and who hilariously has no sense of direction. So why was he the Lightning Emperor? Ginji harnesses the same ferocious lightning that envelops the Infinity Fortress. He can produce lightning bolts with ease, and he can even manipulate other people’s minds by controlling electromagnetic waves. Given his abilities, it’s a good thing that he’s now on the side of justice.
5. Killua Zoldyck
Anime: Hunter x Hunter Even if you’ve only seen the 1999 version of Hunter x Hunter, you’ll agree that Killua Zoldyck is top-tier. And how could he not be so beloved? Aside from being the heir of the feared family of assassins, Killua is a Hunter and the best friend of Gon Freecs. He’s young, but has the killer instincts of older and more experienced individuals — and he has a custom yo-yo as a weapon. Granted, he’s highly skilled because of his torturous training. It’s why Killua can tolerate electric shocks – and why his Nen transmutation has the identity of electricity. The pain he experienced under the watch of his family eventually led to him developing his Whirlwind and Speed of Lightning, enhancing his reaction speed and overall physical prowess using electric aura. Yet despite his traumatic training, he could still behave in childlike and childish ways. And with the help of Gon, Killua learned to be more humble and caring, especially toward his dear (and first true) friend.
4. Sasuke Uchiha
Anime: Naruto Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki have one of the most legendary rivalries and friendships in anime. His thirst for power and desire to murder his own brother (since Itachi killed the rest of their clan) were among the hottest topics among anime fans in the 2000s. No one fully expected him to side with even Orochimaru and the Akatsuki just so he could reach his goal. Of course, times have changed for the better since then. While he’s not often around in Konoha, Sasuke is happily married to Sakura, and he’s trying to be a good father to Sarada. What hasn’t changed, however, are his ultra-powerful skills. Sasuke is fantastic with fire-type moves, but you can’t deny his master of Lightning Release. Kakashi gave him the Chidori, and he improved upon this skill, developing ninjutsu such as Chidori Current and Chidori Senbon. Lastly, he can even increase his speed using Lightning Release and endow the Sword of Kusanagi with lightning to amplify its sharpness.
3. Hei
Anime: Darker than Black Hei will always be one of my favorite characters, even if Darker than Black will never have a third season. Humorously known as “Chinese electric Batman” by fans of the series, Hei is a hybrid entity. Unlike other contractors, he doesn’t have a remuneration because he inherited his power from Bai, his younger sister. As the so-called Black Reaper or BK-201, he can manipulate electricity and release it through conductive materials. Hei has remarkable control of his power — and his knife and metal wire ensure that his power can reach much longer distances. Similarly, Hei’s trench coat is bulletproof and conductive. But he’s in this spot because of his long struggles and his path to redemption. Hei struggles with his identity but chooses to persevere. He had a bright future with Yin, but now has to get her back (and no one even really knows what’s going on). Moreover, he must come to terms with his past and stay alive from all the organizations out to get him. BK-201 doesn’t always win. He turned to alcoholism, hopelessness, and aggressiveness when he lost Yin. But the second season proved that there’s always a chance at redemption.
2. Kakashi Hatake
Anime: Naruto Sasuke may have developed Kakashi’s Chidori further, but I find the latter more compelling as a character. Kakashi’s life is fraught with hardship and regret: His mother died at a young age while his father committed suicide. He was a highly promising ninja, but his strict adherence to rules sometimes made it hard for others. Even worse, the fate of both his teammates (Obito and Rin) made him feel deeply guilty and alone in his adult years. Thankfully Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura slowly but surely improved Kakashi’s mindset. He was key to their growth both as individuals and as a team. And while Kakashi’s often solitary, he’ll be there whenever Konoha needs him. After all, he’s an amazing leader, strategist, and combatant. With Lightning Release (among other nature transformations), he can cast Chidori, Lightning Release, and Purple Electricity, the latter being a mighty technique he developed during his time as the Sixth Hokage. Kakashi is acclaimed for many things, but characters and Naruto fans alike will cherish him most as the leader (and teacher) of Team 7.
1. Mikoto Misaka
Anime: A Certain Scientific Railgun Taking the top spot is the “One True Biri-Biri” and MC of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Misaka Mikoto. As the strongest Electomaster of Academy City, this esper’s lightning abilities are unparalleled. Aside from producing and controlling electricity, Mikoto can increase its voltage to one billion — that’s five times the maximum capacity of One Piece’s Enel. That insane output alone makes her the champion of this list. But it turns out that Mikoto is also an extremely appealing MC. I love that she usually only uses coins for her Railgun, which says a lot about how much her skill can transform even tiny metal objects into deadly projectiles. And while this former child prodigy is seen as a refined young lady, Mikoto is actually a fiery tsundere who can be childish and insecure (especially if it’s about her bust size). She loves cute things, including Gekota the frog mascot. Last but not the least, Mikoto remains humble despite her outstanding abilities. She values hard work, has no problems befriending espers in different levels, and she’s a natural leader who will always fight for justice.
