Shine in anime is a hallmark of the genre, offering viewers the chance to witness not only physical transformations, but profound mental and emotional changes as well.
While many characters evolve throughout the series, some undergo changes so remarkable that they leave an indelible impact on audiences’ hearts.
In this article, we’ll highlight 11 of the most unforgettable performances in anime history. From characters blossoming with splendid beauty to those who rise from the depths of weakness to become a peerless force
11. Alvida
Alvida, originally introduced as a minor villain in the iconic anime series “One Piece,” undergoes one of the most dramatic periods of transformation in anime history. When we first met her, she was the round-faced and freckled captain of a small crew.
Known for her irritable personality, she is not a formidable enemy. In fact, Luffy, the main character of the series, defeated her easily.
Fast forward a few episodes and Alvida reappears, almost unrecognizable. The freckles and extra pounds were gone; In their place is a beautiful and strong woman.
This incredible transformation is the result of eating the Smooth Devil Fruit. This miracle fruit not only enhances her appearance, but also grants her an extraordinary ability: she becomes invulnerable because every attack simply slips from her smooth skin.
10. Izumi Miyamura
Izumi Miyamura, the male protagonist of “Horimiya,” offers a unique take on anime’s typical brilliance. Unlike most characters that evolve over multiple episodes or seasons, Miyamura’s transformation is revealed in the very first episode, leaving fans both shocked and curious.
At first, Miyamura appeared to be a quiet introvert, wearing glasses and barely interacting with people. his classmates. Despite his nerdy appearance, he has difficulty studying and is largely looked down upon by his peers. But when the school day ends, a different side of Miyamura emerges.
Stepping out of the school gate, Miyamura took off his glasses and let down his hair, revealing a completely different personality. Adorned with piercings and tattoos, and wearing a long-sleeved shirt that reveals the tattoos on his arms, he looks more like a rock star than a high school student.
9. Yuuri Katsuki
Yuuri Katsuki, the central character of the groundbreaking anime series “Yuri on Ice,” undergoes a transformation that involves internal growth as well as physical change.
Initially, Yuuri is portrayed as a talented but lacking in confidence figure skater. His weight and ability to withstand pressure have kept him from reaching his full potential in the world of skating.
However, everything changes when he comes across Viktor Nikiforov, a world famous figure skater. Inspired by Viktor, Yuuri began to see failure not as a setback but as a stepping stone to success.
This new perspective has boosted his confidence and the change is palpable. Not only has he become more fit and poised, but he has also risen to become one of the top figure skaters in the world.
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8. Reminder Argentum
Prompto Argentum, a key character in the “Final Fantasy XV” universe, exemplifies the transformative power of self-improvement. When we first meet him, he is a somewhat insecure person, especially regarding his appearance.
He serves as a member of Noctis’ Royal Guard, an elite group tasked with protecting Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum, the protagonist. This guard is more than just a security detail; they are also close friends and confidants of the prince, making their roles both personal and crucial to the plot.
Despite his prestigious position, Ruo felt unworthy compared to his stronger and more confident friends in the bodyguard. However, he doesn’t let his insecurities define him. With dedication and hard work, he began his journey of self-improvement that included a strict diet and exercise regimen.
The results were astonishing. Not only has he become healthier, but he has also gained the confidence to face his fears head-on.
7. Kae Serinuma
Kae Serinuma, the central character in the anime series “Kiss Him, Not Me!”, offers a unique perspective on the shining anime style. She is a fujoshi, a term in anime culture for a female fan of BL (Boys Love).
Initially, Kae was portrayed as a chubby girl enamored with her BL comics, going even further than fantasizing about her male classmates in romantic situations.
However, a pivotal moment occurred when her favorite character in the BL series passed away. Distraught, Kae retreats to her room and disconnects from the world. When she finally emerged a week later, she had undergone an incredible transformation.
Now she’s traditionally slim and attractive, but what makes her radiant look unique is that her core identity remains unchanged. She’s still a BL-loving fujoshi, proving that physical changes don’t necessarily change who you really are.
6. Masamune Makabe
Masamune Makabe, the main character in “Masamune-kun’s Revenge,” takes the concept of shine to a whole new level. His transformation is fueled by a desire to take revenge on his childhood sweetheart, Aki, who not only rejected him but cruelly nicknamed him “Piggy.”
Initially, we meet Masamune as a confident but chubby boy. not afraid to express his feelings, despite being extremely afraid of spiders.
However, the feeling of rejection pushed him to take action. After years of dieting and physical training, Masamune reappeared as a handsome and athletic young man. His new appearance makes many people look and admire, especially from the opposite sex.
Interestingly, however, his fear of spiders remains the same, adding another layer of vulnerability to his otherwise polite personality.
5. Koby
Koby, a major supporting character in the long-running anime series “One Piece,” exemplifies the epitome of bright-upward light. When we first meet him, he’s a timid and submissive member of a pirate crew led by the ruthless Alvida (who, interestingly, also makes our list for shining her own).
Koby dreams of joining this pirate crew. Navy but hid this wish due to his circumstances. His life takes a different turn when he accidentally meets Luffy, the main character of the series. With Luffy’s encouragement, Koby mustered up the courage to join the Marines.
Under the guidance of a Marine captain and later Navy Hero Garp, Koby underwent rigorous training. Over the years, he transformed into a strong, confident individual, eventually rising to the rank of Vice Admiral of the Navy.
His journey from a meek pirate subordinate to a high-ranking Navy official is one of his journeys. The most impressive changes in the story.
4. Eren Yeager
Eren Yeager, the central character in the critically acclaimed anime series “Attack on Titan,” undergoes one of the most complex and dark transformations in anime history.
Initially, Eren is a hot-tempered and emotional young man, driven by a desire for revenge against the Titans—huge humanoid creatures that ate his mother. Despite gaining the power to transform himself into a Titan, Eren remains frustrated and often feels helpless.
However, as the series progresses, Eren’s perspective undergoes a complete change. After turning rogue and witnessing the harsh reality of the world outside his country, he evolves into a cold and calculating individual.
His focus shifted from just destroying the Titans to taking revenge on the entire world for the suffering caused to his people. This transformation is not only physical but also deeply psychological, making Eren a multi-dimensional character with a radiance that is both disturbing and captivating.
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3. Izumi Shinichi
Izumi Shinichi, the main character of the anime series “Parasyte: The Maxim,” undergoes both a physical and psychological transformation. Initially, Shinichi is portrayed as a shy and vulnerable young man who lacks the strength or courage to stand up for himself.
He’s not a candidate for heroism, especially when Earth is invaded by mind-controlling parasites.
However, Shinichi’s life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes the host of one of these parasites, named Migi. Unlike most hosts, Shinichi retains consciousness and forms a symbiotic relationship with Migi.
As they coexist, Shinichi undergoes significant changes. His eyesight improved, eliminating the need for glasses, and his physique became more robust. But this transformation comes at a price: influenced by Migi’s predatory nature, Shinichi develops a ruthless personality.
2. Ken Kaneki
Ken Kaneki, the central character in the dark fantasy anime “Tokyo Ghoul,” undergoes one of the most haunting transformations in animation. Initially, Kaneki is a gentle and bookish young man with little experience in relationships.
His naivety causes him to fall into the clutches of Rize, a vampire who preys on humans. Just as she was about to eat him, a horrific accident killed Rize and her organs were transplanted into Kaneki, turning him into a half-vampire.
As Kaneki struggles with his new identity, his personality changes completely. The once kind and caring man has become increasingly detached and emotionless, a change accelerated by the brutal world he lives in.
After a pivotal battle with another villain, Kaneki fully accepts his vampire nature, marking the completion of his unsettling transformation.
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1. Levi Ackermann
Levi, a supporting character in “Attack on Titan,” has achieved a level of popularity that rivals and some say surpasses that of the series’ main characters. As captain of the Survey Corps—the military unit tasked with fighting the Titans—Levi is renowned as humanity’s most powerful titan assassin. But his journey to this valuable position was fraught with difficulties.
Levi’s past story is equally grim. Found half-dead in the room with his deceased mother, he was adopted by Uncle Kenny, who did his best to raise him under challenging circumstances. Kenny imparted important survival skills to Levi, setting the stage for his future transformation.
It wasn’t until Levi met Erwin Smith and joined the Reconnaissance Corps that his true potential was realized. Through rigorous training, he evolved from a scrappy survivor into a formidable soldier. His transformation is so profound that even the mightiest Titans fear him.
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And there you have it: Top 11 characters with the strongest shine in Anime. These transformations not only captivate audiences, but also add layers of complexity to each character, making them unforgettable icons in the anime world. Let us know in the comments what you think about this list.
If you enjoyed getting to know these amazingly bright lights then you’ll also love our article on The 20 Most Hated Anime Characters of All Time, Ranked.
