10 Mind-Blowing Moments from Anime's Most Brilliant Characters!

From my perspective, it’s often assumed that Anime solely revolves around rapid combat sequences and magical prowess. However, this assumption falls short, as every medium has its unique quirks, and Anime is no exception. You might think that most anime centers around characters who are physically formidable or endowed with supernatural abilities. Yet, there’s a significant number of anime where the defining trait isn’t physical strength or magic but an exceptional intellect. What’s more intriguing, numerous anime cleverly intertwine these elements to illustrate how intelligence can triumph over brute force even in a battle scenario.

In anime, where supernatural elements are frequent, the medium offers an opportunity to portray intelligent characters in intricate scenarios that might seem implausible otherwise, stretching their cognitive abilities to the limit and keeping viewers engaged. Additionally, such characters serve another crucial role. They provoke us to question our assumptions about what can be achieved through careful planning and meticulousness, encouraging us to strive for a modicum of intelligence in our daily lives. Notably, these 10 brilliant anime characters exemplify this trait.

Warning: Given the Nature of This List, Major Spoilers Ahead for Each Entry!

Lelouch vi Britannia (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)

In the anime “Code Geass,” the primary character Lelouch is often recognized as one of the sharpest minds in animation, and it’s evident why that is the case. From orchestrating a rebellion against the fictitious military powerhouse Britannia to his ambitious scheme for global tranquility, Lelouch’s intellect and ingenuity are showcased throughout the series. However, his most brilliant move occurs when he faces Mao, the Geass user capable of mind-reading.

In contrast to his strength in strategic planning and foresight, Lelouch’s predilection for always anticipating potential flaws in his strategies turns out to be his greatest vulnerability. However, when Mao abducts Lelouch’s sister, Nunnally, Lelouch devises a clever response to Mao’s telepathic powers. Employing his own Geass, Lelouch erases his memory of his plans as soon as he initiates them, fooling Mao into thinking he had triumphed while it was actually Lelouch who was secretly emerging victorious.

Light Yagami (Death Note)

In a similar vein, Light Yagami shares many traits with Lelouch. He excels in all his academic pursuits and can match wits against L, the world’s foremost detective. Yet, what truly sets him apart is an instance of exceptional cunning. When he relinquishes control over the Death Note to prove his innocence (which also erases his memories as Kira from that time), he simultaneously triggers a chain of events aimed at eventually reclaiming it.

Anticipating that without his memories, he’d desire to assist L in capturing Kira, Light decides to give his Death Note to a self-centered and ambitious Shinigami, Rem, thereby creating a new Kira. Once this new Kira is apprehended, Rem returns the Death Note to him along with his memories, transforming him back into Kira once more. To demonstrate his remarkable insight, Light conceals a fragment of the Death Note inside his timepiece, believing he’d still be wearing it when he regains his memories and using it to eliminate the new Kira.

L Lawliet (Death Note)

In the crime thriller “Death Note,” detective L is renowned for his sharp intellect, showing many brilliant moments across the show’s duration. However, it’s his most cunning maneuver that truly stands out – pinpointing Kira’s location with a single broadcast. By disguising a global announcement as one that would reach every corner of the world, L instead targeted specific regions within Japan.

L manipulated suspect Lind L. Taylor into confessing on live TV, revealing his name and appearance. Kira, unable to resist the allure to eliminate him, was lured into making a fatal mistake.

When Lind L.Taylor passes away, he manages to deduce that Kira is originally from Japan’s Kanto region and surmise that he requires a name and a face in order to be killed. This was particularly remarkable given that L was confronting genuine supernatural entities. Furthermore, it marked the initial occasion when Light was outsmarted by another brilliant character within the series, had this individual not emerged, Light could have effortlessly carried on murdering without anyone discovering his true identity.

Johan Liebert (Monster)

A well-known genius and expert in manipulation, Johan, typically operates from behind the scenes. However, a glimpse into his chilling intelligence is shown when he orchestrates Detective Richard Braun’s suicide. The process begins with Johan feigning as a student seeking information for a school project, gradually disclosing details that set Richard on edge.

Though the detective presses for answers, Johan continues to stroll until they eventually reach a rooftop. It’s on this roof that Johan lets down his guard, revealing some of the beast within him. Challenging Richard about having killed a 17-year-old criminal in cold blood rather than under the influence as he had stated, Johan strikes at the heart of Richard’s character, casting doubt on whether someone like a murderer should be allowed to see his daughter. Overwhelmed by guilt, Richard finds himself crumbling. And it is later reported that this very man met his end after being offered a drink by Johan.

Shikamaru Nara (Naruto)

In Naruto’s universe, there are potent, lethal Jutsu abilities. However, what can you employ against an adversary who is fundamentally indestructible? It’s in such situations that Shikamaru proves his mettle. Often perceived as a lazy genius, Shikamaru demonstrated his value following the demise of his teacher Asuma. He outsmarted the immortal Hidan, exacting revenge on his behalf.

Initially, Shikamaru employs his Shadow Mimic Ability to guide Hidan a distance from their companion, Kakuzu. However, as they arrive at the Nara Woods, Shikamaru loses grip on this skill, enabling Hidan to assault him and appear to cause injury.

Yet, as Hidan initiates his deadly ritual, it’s revealed that the blood isn’t Shikamaru’s but Kakuzu’s instead. In a clever ploy, the Nara clan heir tricks Hidan into attacking his own teammate. Then, using his Shadow Technique and explosive tags, he shatters Hidan’s body into fragments and buries him.

Armin Arlert (Attack on Titan)

In the struggle against Titans, Armin Arlert’s intelligence and keen eyes are consistently highlighted as a key human advantage. However, his most remarkable moment comes when he uncovers the true identity of the Female Titan. Suspicious after being attacked but not killed by the Female Titan, Armin eventually makes this groundbreaking discovery.

In my excitement, I couldn’t help but use Eren’s nickname when I revealed that the Female Titan was the one who took down “the suicidal maniac.” It seemed like the Titan recognized the moniker, leading Armin to deduce that it must have been someone from our 104th trainee squad. Remarkably, his keen eye caught Annie swapping Marco’s gear for her own during the inspection of the captured Titans earlier. This insight allowed him to piece together that the Female Titan was none other than Annie!

Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

As a fervent fan, let me share my admiration for Edward Elric, whose bold demeanor and knack for tackling challenges physically are just a fraction of his brilliance. This young alchemist, as demonstrated throughout the anime, is nothing short of a prodigy in the art of alchemy – a fact that’s amply proven on numerous occasions. One such instance that stands out in my memory is when Edward, Ling, and Envy found themselves in an extraordinary predicament: trapped within the stomach of the Homunculus Gluttony. This harrowing ordeal served as yet another testament to Edward’s remarkable ingenuity and resourcefulness.

In simpler terms, let’s call this artificial barrier between truth and their world “Gluttony’s barrier.” This obstacle stands firm, offering no escape route. However, our character Ed invents a daring plan, employing an altered depiction of Xerxes’ Human Transmutation mural to create a real Gate of Truth. By undergoing a grueling process that involves reshaping his physical form and essence as the transmutation, he incurs a heavy cost using pieces of Envy’s Philosopher’s Stone.

Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)

A masterful strategist and skilled deceiver, Aizen managed to keep the Soul Society in the dark for more than a century while serving as Shinji Hirako’s Vice Captain. Utilizing his Zanpakuto’s illusory powers, he tricked Shinji into thinking he was always present when he was actually absent, conducting unscrupulous experiments instead. Furthermore, Aizen manipulated his own captain and others into becoming Visoreds, with the intention of killing them if not for Kisuke Urahara’s timely intervention.

Witnessing a disruption in his plans, Aizen effortlessly shifted direction, ensuring that it was Kisuke who faced the blame for the incident. Even though Kisuke knew the truth, Aizen cleverly manipulated his Zanpakuto to deceive Soul Society into believing Kisuke was at fault. As a result, Kisuke was exiled, suffering the consequences of Aizen’s actions.

Bulma (Dragon Ball)

In terms of engineering prowess, Bulma’s intelligence borders on being supernatural. She’s the one who creates the majority of the technology that enables the main characters to triumph in critical battles such as the Saiyan Battle Armour and Super Dragon Radar. Yet, her most brilliant achievement is arguably the creation of a Time Machine, an invention that challenges the very laws of the universe.

In an alternate scenario, it’s revealed that the invention was actually created by a future version of Bulma, rather than the one portrayed in the series we’re familiar with. However, our Bulma tries to replicate this invention using instructions from her future self, coming very close to success. The only obstacle preventing her is the intervention of Beerus and Whis.

Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)

In a remarkable twist of fate, the world of Senku Ishigami – a prodigious scholar versed in all things science – is transformed to stone. Yet, even amidst these extraordinary circumstances, he miraculously preserves his awareness by meticulously counting every second during his petrified state. Staggeringly, this mental endurance lasts an astonishing 3,700 years.

Once freed from his stony confinement, he embarked on rebuilding civilization. With meager resources at hand, he ingeniously crafted tools and devices. One of his most renowned accomplishments was the swift development of a de-petrification elixir upon his awakening, aimed at healing those still turned to stone.

2025-01-26 17:12

10 Mind-Blowing Moments from Anime’s Most Brilliant Characters!