7 Anime Characters Who Could Beat Thanos

Anime often features characters with power levels far exceeding anything seen in Marvel movies. Even with all the Infinity Stones, Thanos is powerful, but anime consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s considered possible much further.

Anime frequently features incredibly powerful beings who can create, change, or even destroy entire universes casually. This is what makes anime power systems so captivating – they often go far beyond anything seen in even the most expansive stories like Marvel, which usually follow a logical cause and effect. While a villain like Thanos aims for balance through destruction, following a somewhat understandable plan, anime often throws the idea of ‘balance’ out the window altogether.

7. Truth (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

Truth isn’t a being, but rather a fundamental principle: everything comes with a cost. In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, when someone attempts the forbidden act of human transmutation, they face this principle. Truth enforces the rules of existence, and if those rules are broken, it will correct the imbalance by taking something of equal value. It’s a power that even someone like Thanos wouldn’t be able to overcome – Truth could simply erase his knowledge or abilities, just as it took Edward Elric’s leg or stripped Father of his power.

6. Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass)

Lelouch vi Britannia, the main character in Code Geass, is a fascinating and complicated figure in the world of anime. He begins the story as a prince who was exiled from the Britannian Empire, driven by a desire for revenge against the empire that harmed his family and the world. What makes Lelouch unique is his special ability, called Geass, which lets him force anyone who meets his gaze to obey any single order. Beyond this power, Lelouch is a skilled military commander who pilots advanced robots known as “Knightmares.” He’s also a master manipulator, capable of controlling nations and even the people closest to him, both allies and enemies.

Lelouch’s most celebrated accomplishment, the “Zero Requiem,” is a complex and risky plan that confirms his status as a brilliant anime strategist. In a battle against Thanos, Lelouch’s Geass would be his greatest weapon. If Thanos didn’t know about the Geass, Lelouch could use Thanos’s pride against him, tricking him into making eye contact. A single command – like “Surrender” or “Destroy the Infinity Gauntlet” – could immediately win the fight. The Geass works by directly controlling the mind, bypassing any physical or cosmic protection Thanos might have. While it wouldn’t be simple, and success isn’t certain, Lelouch’s ability to understand and outsmart opponents means he’s uniquely capable of defeating even a seemingly invincible tyrant like Thanos.

5. Ryuk (Death Note)

In the anime and manga Death Note, Ryuk is a god of death who drops a magical notebook—the Death Note—into the human world simply because he’s bored. This notebook can kill anyone whose name is written inside. If Ryuk knew Thanos’ name and appearance, he could instantly kill the powerful villain by writing it down. The Death Note works by ending a person’s life, and it doesn’t matter how strong or invulnerable someone is—even something as powerful as the Infinity Gauntlet, which lets Thanos control reality, time, and space, couldn’t save him. That’s because everyone, no matter how powerful, has a limited lifespan.

4. Zeno (Dragon Ball Super)

Zeno, also known as the Omni-King, rules everything in the Dragon Ball multiverse. Even though he looks small and acts like a child, he’s the most powerful being in the entire series. He doesn’t fight like characters such as Goku and Vegeta, but his limitless power puts him far above everyone else. He once destroyed six universes just because he was bored, shrinking the multiverse from eighteen to twelve. Even a powerful weapon like Thanos’ Gauntlet probably wouldn’t affect him, as he exists on a plane of reality beyond its reach.

3. Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Madoka Kaname, the main character in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, begins as a typical girl living in a world where magical girls fight witches to safeguard people. However, her story culminates in her becoming a godlike being with control over the very rules of the universe. Unlike many heroes, Madoka doesn’t enjoy fighting and would first attempt to talk to someone like Thanos, hoping to appeal to his sense of goodness. If that failed and Thanos persisted in causing destruction, Madoka’s immense power would render his actions futile.

2. Goku (Dragon Ball)

Son Goku, the main character in the Dragon Ball series, is a hugely popular and incredibly strong anime hero. Originally born as a Saiyan warrior, Goku has dedicated his life to martial arts, always striving to become stronger and defending Earth from all kinds of dangers. When it comes to pure strength, Goku could defeat Thanos without the Infinity Gauntlet. He’s demonstrated the ability to destroy planets with ease, fight beings who shake entire universes, and survive attacks that tear through dimensions.

While Thanos is incredibly powerful, he’d be no match for someone who casually fights gods. Goku is unbelievably strong, but he could be vulnerable to mind control or other non-physical attacks. If Goku couldn’t destroy the Infinity Gauntlet or defeat Thanos quickly, he’d be in danger. However, Goku is always learning and improving. If he had enough time to figure out Thanos’s abilities, he’d eventually find a way to overcome them – he’s broken through every barrier he’s ever faced.

1. Saitama (One Punch Man)

Saitama is a hilarious take on the typical superhero. He’s just an average guy who, through surprisingly simple daily workouts – 100 push-ups, sit-ups, and squats, plus a 6-mile run – somehow became unbelievably powerful. He’s so strong that even Thanos wouldn’t stand a chance; Saitama could defeat him before Thanos could even finish talking!

Even with the Infinity Gauntlet, it’s unclear if the power of the Stones would matter against Saitama. The core idea behind One Punch Man is that Saitama defies all logic and typical storytelling. While Thanos is a skilled strategist, his overconfidence and habit of underestimating others often lead to his downfall. Thanos might believe he’s winning, but Saitama could defeat him with a single punch in an instant.

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2025-11-11 01:11