Attack names in anime have a very special significance as they tend to announce an incoming strike with the utmost sincerity. They have been in place for quite some time and their relevance has exceeded their application and have cultural and annotative symbols instead.
While we look at the top 5 most iconic attack names in anime, we must also understand that the views and rankings are subject to interpretation and one’s views might vary given the spectrum of attack names one has been exposed to and the emotional connection it managed to establish over the course of time.
Top 5 most iconic attack names in anime (ranked)
5. Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol (One Piece)
Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol is not as powerful as a lot of other attacks in One Piece, but it definitely remains one of the most iconic in the series.
- It is basically Luffy’s signature attack and it is when he throws a punch at his opponent with devastating and obliterating force.
- Luffy uses his natural elasticity to launch an attack and it is highly effective as showcased in the series.
It remains one of the most iconic attack names in anime due to its relevance for the fandom and the way it has been intrinsically connected with Luffy’s journey.
4. Rasengan (Naruto)
- Rasengan is, among all others, Naruto’s most iconic attack name.
- The pure buildup of energy when this attack name is yelled brings shivers down the spine.
- Naruto’s father, the fourth Hokage Minato, was the person who invented it and Naruto was the one who mastered this technique.
- It has been used and developed over time, but one could use it like Naruto did.
- Naruto made use of the Rasengan to shape some of his most powerful moves.
- He combined it with Kurama’s chakra to further elevate the devastating effect of this attack.
But, above all, it is the pure emotional value that this attack name holds with Naruto’s growth in the anime and his eventual discoveries of truth and power. It is therefore one of the most iconic attack names for any anime fan out there!
3. Hinokami Kagura (Demon Slayer)
- Hinokami Kagura is the Sun Breathing Dance performed by Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer.
- It is an ancient dance form that was passed onto him through lineage and it remains a part of a rich and elemental heritage.
- It is the accumulation of the body’s energy into envisioning a calm yet explosive form of energy output.
Hinokami Kagura remains an iconic attack name in anime due to its relevance in Demon Slayer. It connected Tanjiro with his past and with his ancestors, and above all, it connected him to the origin of the breathing forms.
It is the basis of all ritualistic breathing forms and its mastery has been deemed next to impossible. However, when Tanjiro yells this attack name before exploding into a flaming phoenix, it is enough for the viewer to sit back and merge with the cushions in a warmth that strongly emanates from the show.
2. Spirit Bomb (Dragon Ball Z)
- Spirit Bomb in Dragon Ball Z is undoubtedly the strongest attack there is.
- Among all the other ki attacks, this stands as the absolute destroyer of all, and Goku manages to accumulate this by creating a massive ball of energy.
- This ball is thrown at the enemy and it mercilessly obliterates everything in its way, much like Gojo Satoru’s Cursed Technique Reversal: Purple in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Spirit Bomb is undoubtedly the most powerful attack on this list, however, it has been successful only once. Villains like Jiren were able to survive this attack. However, Kid Buu was fully vaporized in this attack. The only downside to this attack is the time it takes to build, but apart from that, it remains one of the most iconic and amusing concepts from Dragon Ball Z.
1. Ryoiki Tenkai (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Ryoiki Tenkai or Domain Expansion in Jujutsu Kaisen is undoubtedly the most iconic attack name in the animeverse at present.
- It is a form of attack that expands the domain of the user and gives him invincibility and a considerable upper hand against the opponent.
- But, the most iconic thing about this attack name is the way it is chanted. It is filled with depth and a lot of weight, which not only moves the viewer but also engages them in a speechless conversation with the plot.
Most sorcerers and curse users in Jujutsu Kaisen can use this technique, however, Gojo Satoru and Sukuna hold the strongest forms of Domain Expansions. Gojo’s Unlimited Void is undoubtedly the most effective and the most devastating form of attack there is in Jujutsu Kaisen. But to truly understand the essence of this attack name, all you need to do is watch the anime and start chanting ‘Ryoiki Tenkai’ with a cacophonous voice in your idle seconds.
Conclusion
The top 5 most iconic attack names in anime are a list that has been put together after taking into consideration various reviews and fan theories, including conversations on various platforms regarding the same.
While views might vary and are absolutely subject to change, it has to be kept in mind that it is not the ranking or the order or the inclusion of various attack names, but the entire theory of using attack names in anime in the first place, which is in itself an absolutely beautiful phenomenon. For more updates, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter at Spiel Anime.