Not all techniques, skills, jutsus, and powers are based on the stereotypical fire, water, wind, and earth attributes. Not all involve violence, destruction, or death. Some of the most memorable abilities are actually quite simple, but can be used in creative ways. Here are some of the most unique abilities and powers featured in anime series and why they’re actually pretty cool.
14. Regeneration Minimum (Hamatora)
Art was believed to be just an ordinary man, at least until he was killed and returned to life with his Regeneration Minimum, an ability that was triggered by his death. The Ajins of the series Ajin: Demi-Human also possess the same type of ability, in which they return to life after being “reset” and restoring any lost limbs or broken body parts.
13. Power of Absolute Obedience (Code Geass)
Lelouch vi Brittania was given a Geass called “Power of Absolute Obedience” that allows him to command any person who makes direct eye contact with him—but he can’t order the same person twice. He uses this Geass in many surprising ways throughout the series. There are other Geass that may seem more useful and more powerful than Lelouch’s—like Charles’ which enables him to alter memories—but the “Power of Absolute Obedience” is unique in its power, which can even command someone to continue living.
12. Word Soul Magic (Black Clover)
Unlike other magic attributes, Kotodama (Word Soul) Magic can influence anything and anyone within range using just speech or words. One can send someone flying by just saying “fall back” or summon an endless rain of blades onto a target by saying “storm of blades,” as if commanding one’s area of influence. The only known user of Kotodama Magic in the Black Clover series is Zagred, the devil who uses elves and humans for his evil desires.
11. Love (My Hero Academia)
Manami Aiba’s “Love” Quirk is an enhancement-type ability. Sounds a bit simple, right? What makes this Quirk special is that it works in tandem with her feelings: the deeper her love and affection are for a person, the stronger that person can be (as boosted by the Quirk).
10. Crazy Slots (Hunter X Hunter)
Kite’s Crazy Slots ability takes the form of a head of a clown when activated, and will turn into a weapon depending on the number given by the roulette. Kite has no control over what weapon will come out. This imposed restriction on the Crazy Slots ability increases the power of the individual weapons. Ging also noted that Crazy Slots has a number that comes out when Kite has a strong will to live, allowing him to get reincarnated as a Chimera Ant after being defeated by Pitou.
9. Emperor Time (Hunter X Hunter)
Kurapika’s Emperor Time can only be used when his eyes turn scarlet, giving him a power boost and changing him from a Conjurer into a Specialist type. Unlike most typical Enhancer Nen abilities, it enhances other Nen types and makes the user able to use the full potential of other Nen types besides their innate type. When used with his Nen Chains (which are already powerful due to the Restrictions on them), he can be the worst opponent—even for a monster like Uvogin of the Phantom Troupe.
8. Reanimation Jutsu (Naruto)
The Naruto series is filled with different kinds of abilities that are based on the four elements of nature, but the Reanimation Jutsu looks more like witchcraft and dark magic than any normal ninja skill. As long as you have genetic material, this technique can summon the soul of a dead person and bind that soul to a living sacrifice, effectively bringing them back to life. What makes this unique compared to most reanimation spells is that it can’t be undone unless released by the caster, so the reanimated person will continue remaining in the world even if the caster dies. Furthermore, reanimated bodies cannot die. Even if they’re broken to pieces, they will regenerate. The only way to defeat a reanimated person is to seal their soul away for good.
7. Body Replacement Jutsu (Naruto)
The Body Replacement Jutsu (also called the Substitution Jutsu) is the most traditional ninja-like ability in the Naruto series. The concept is simple: you can instantly switch places with an inanimate object, even if you’re trapped or tied up. It’s mainly featured in the earlier parts of the series, making it underrated compared to other jutsus.
6. Conqueror’s Haki (One Piece)
Who would have thought that intimidation has a higher form? The Conqueror’s Haki works by overpowering another’s willpower, knocking them unconscious if they aren’t strong enough. Unlike the other two forms of Haki, this one can’t be attained through sheer training. The Conqueror’s Haki is innate to a few select individuals who are said to have the qualities of a king. Some of the known users include Shanks, Luffy, Katakuri, Bullet, and Rayleigh. Rimuru’s Merciless in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime works in a similar way to Conqueror’s Haki: anyone who loses their will to fight in front of the caster will automatically die.
5. Predator (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
Luckily, despite being a mere slime, Rimuru Tempest acquired a skill that made him one of the strongest creatures in their world: the Predator technique, which allows him to consume anything and use its properties—including magical attributes and immunities. In addition to the things he ate to gain powers, he also has Veldora inside his stomach, giving him an immense boost in power and properties. He can also use the skills of whatever he consumes, making him one of the most overpowered anime characters.
4. One For All (My Hero Academia)
At first glance, One For All seems to be a simple enhancement ability that multiplies the user’s force a hundredfold or even a thousandfold, such that a single punch can be overwhelming to throw. But over the course of My Hero Academia, we learn that there’s more to this Quirk than first meets the eye. One For All is an ability that can be passed down to another, and embedded within the ability are all the consciousnesses of its previous wielders as well as their Quirk factors. This allows Izuku Midoriya, the current wielder, to deliver destructive blows while having access to Blackwhip, the fifth wielder’s Quirk.
3. No Longer Human (Bungo Stray Dogs)
In a world full of battles that involve special powers, a technique that can nullify any power is most powerful of them all. In Bungo Stray Dogs, Osamu Dazai uses his No Longer Human ability to negate people’s abilities and stop deadly clashes. Many anime series feature abilities of similar concept, like Shota Aizawa’s Erase (My Hero Academia) and Asta’s Anti-Magic (Black Clover).
2. Hakoware (Hunter X Hunter)
Of all the Nen abilities featured in the Hunter X Hunter series, Knuckle’s Hakoware is one of the most complex in terms of application. It operates like a bank or lending company, but uses Nen instead of money. With every hit, the counter of the Aura Power Redirector (APR) adds interest. If he gets hit, interest is subtracted. The APR then turns into Individual Ren Suppressor (IRS) when certain conditions are met, which renders the target unable to use Nen for 30 days.
1. Sharingan (Naruto)
The Sharingan is perhaps the most unique aspect of both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden to this day. It’s one of those things that kept fans hooked for years, pulling them along with its mysteries—not to mention awesome characters like Kakashi and Itachi. Early in the series, the Sharingan was only an enhancement of vision and reflexes, allowing the user to copy another’s jutsus. Later on, it became more complex: able to alter reality with Izanagi, create a spiritual avatar with Susano, or trap someone in an endless illusion with Tsukuyomi. Going even further, the Sharingan can potentially be awakened into the Rinnegan, which is a far more superior eye with godly abilities: wipe out entire landscapes with Shinra Tensei or even call forth meteors from outer space with Tengai Shinsei. Read next: The best anime families, clans, and bloodlines
