In the vibrant world of anime, the spotlight doesn’t just shine on the young, brash protagonists who typically grace our screens. A special breed of characters, formidable older men, often command the stage with their awe-inspiring capabilities and wisdom, forged in countless battles. These old men are powerhouses, standing out as some of the strongest fighters in their distinct universes.
This piece pays tribute to those venerable characters who’ve weathered life’s storms to emerge stronger. They serve as poignant reminders that growing old isn’t a setback but a badge of survival and resilience in an anime world fraught with danger.
10 Hiruzen Sarutobi (Naruto)
In an era when many shinobi succumbed to the hazards of their treacherous line of work, one man, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, emerged as a beacon of perseverance and grit. Few Naruto characters rival him in this regard.
Despite the toll of time, Sarutobi was hailed as the God of Shinobi, a title paying tribute to his extraordinary abilities and combat acumen. His wisdom and might garnered him the esteem not just of his village but across all five Great Shinobi Nations. Sarutobi’s adeptness at all five basic chakra nature transformations, coupled with his command over a wide array of jutsu, signified his profound understanding and mastery of the ninja arts.
9 Kaku Kaioh (Baki)
The Supreme Grandmaster of Chinese Kenpo and the Kaiou of all Kaious, Kaku Kaioh has dedicated more than a hundred years to his martial arts, establishing him as one of the fiercest warriors in Baki.
Despite being the oldest character in the series, Kaku Kaioh’s age is by no means a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it symbolizes decades of relentless discipline, rigorous training, and the honing of his technique. His prowess in combat, wisdom, and physical strength, even at the ripe old age of over 140, is nothing less than extraordinary.
8 Makarov Dreyar (Fairy Tail)
As the third and longest-serving Guild Master of Fairy Tail, Makarov Dreyar commands both respect and authority. Despite his small stature and seemingly jovial demeanor, Makarov is a wizard of immense power, easily one of the strongest within the intriguing Fairy Tail universe.
His strongest and most iconic ability is Fairy Law, a powerful spell that differentiates between friend and foe, inflicting heavy damage on those Makarov recognizes as enemies in his heart. Makarov’s tenacity, combined with his magical prowess and the influence he wields within and outside his guild, truly justify his place in this list.
7 Silver Fang/Bang (One-Punch Man)
Embodying the essence of martial prowess and sheer physical power, Bang, also known as Silver Fang, is a character who packs a serious punch in the One-Punch Man universe. As the founder of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, Bang’s proficiency in hand-to-hand combat is unparalleled, earning him the ranking of third among the top S-Class heroes.
With his age clocking over 80, Bang’s power and agility remain absolutely exceptional. His rigorous training has allowed him to maintain his peak physical condition, exhibiting speed, reflexes, and strength that can easily rival (and often surpass) those of much younger heroes.
6 Zeno Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter)
Zeno Zoldyck of the infamous Zoldyck family of assassins isn’t just an elderly gentleman. This grandfatherly figure, with his silvery hair and calm demeanor, carries the weight of decades of experience as a top-tier assassin in Hunter x Hunter.
His primary strength lies in his unparalleled mastery of Nen. His expertise in the Transmutation and Emission types of Nen enables him to shape his aura into a dragon, an awe-inspiring manifestation of his immense power. This combination of battle-hardened experience, Nen mastery, and the sheer awe-inspiring ability of riding a dragon forged from his own life energy earns him the sixth spot.
5 Monkey D. Garp (One Piece)
Despite his somewhat goofy demeanor, Garp is renowned for his extraordinary physical strength, which is highlighted by his epithet: The Fist. His raw power is such that he is known to have cornered the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, multiple times. This feat alone that speaks volumes about his combat prowess.
What sets Garp’s strength apart is that he’s carved his legendary stature not through the use of a Devil Fruit but purely on his Haki and his innate physical power. This fact stands as a true testament to his raw, untamed abilities, as so many of One Piece’s most extraordinary powers would be nothing without these incredible Fruit.
4 Master Roshi (Dragon Ball)
Known as the Turtle Hermit, Master Roshi is one of the most powerful characters in the Dragon Ball series. Despite his often comical demeanor, Master Roshi’s power is not to be underestimated. His strength and speed are exceptional, often surprising those who judge him by his age and appearance. Roshi’s ability to transform into a muscular, powerful version of himself, known as his Max Power form, further showcases his remarkable strength.
Moreover, he is the creator of the Kamehameha, one of the most renowned attacks in the series. The fact that he tutored Goku, who later ascends to become one of the universe’s mightiest warriors, is all the legacy this legend needs.
3 Isaac Netero (Hunter x Hunter)
In the world of Hunter x Hunter, few characters emanate the sheer power and authority of Isaac Netero. As the former Chairman of the Hunters Association, Netero is a man whose reflexes and physical power were honed through decades of rigorous training and countless battles.
Netero’s combat prowess is breathtaking, with his ability to punch faster than the speed of sound serving as a testament to his physical capabilities. His strength is magnified by his control over Nen, with his most iconic technique being the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva. This ability allows Netero to summon a gigantic statue that mimics his movements, delivering devastating attacks to his opponents. He boasts not only raw power, but unique abilities outside that too.
2 Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto (Bleach)
Brandishing the scorching fury of Ryūjin Jakka, the eldest and most formidable fire-type Zanpakutō, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto is a true force of nature within Bleach. As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto’s supremacy is beyond dispute, and his combat skills are unrivaled.
The power encapsulated within Yamamoto’s Zanpakutō, in both Shikai and Bankai forms, is indicative of his vast strength. His Shikai has the capacity to reduce everything and anything it swings at to ashes, while his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, harnesses the heat of the sun itself, capable of burning his adversaries out of existence.
1 Whitebeard/Edward Newgate (One Piece)
At the pinnacle of the list, it’s none other than the Strongest Man in the World, Edward Newgate (better known as Whitebeard). Whitebeard’s strength is the stuff of legends. His power was so immense that he stood as the sole pirate capable of matching the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, in battle. His remarkable physical prowess, fused with his mastery over the Gura Gura no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit granting him the ability to instigate earthquakes and tsunamis, renders him an indomitable force of nature.
Whitebeard’s legendary might, the profound influence he held, and his enduring legacy as the “Strongest Man in the World” unequivocally secure his place at the very top of the pile.
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