Many anime shows feature fantastical power sets, but series like One Piece and Dragon Ball Z offer richer, more exciting systems than the rest.

With the growing popularity of Shounen Anime, fans have seen a multitude of power systems that fuel the exciting fights, adventures, and journeys that the characters embark on. From feats such as granting users the ability to control matter or become essentially superhuman, fans have long debated which of these power systems are the best.

While basing them off power alone would be no simple task, it's more reasonable to debate which are the most creative, useful, and match the best with the themes and characters of their respective franchises.

10 Bending (Avatar: The Last Airbender/Avatar: The Legend Of Korra)

While the debate on whether or not Avatar: The Last Airbender and Avatar: The Legend of Korra should have the title of 'anime' will go on until the end of time, what fans can't dispute is that seeing all of the creative and interesting ways characters use the manipulation of water earth, fire, and air is always fun to watch.

Although bending may initially come off as more one-dimensional than other anime power systems, fans have seen bending take on many other forms such as metal, lightning, and even blood to add more diversity to the show.

9 Ki (Dragon Ball Z)

Perhaps the most powerful power system in all of anime, Ki is the energy source characters in the Dragon Ball franchise use to perform superhuman feats, fly, and even shoot plasma from their bodies.

Even though it's a part of one of the most popular anime of all time, Ki is a power source that is barely explored throughout the anime and acts more as a word characters associate with their power. Though some fans wish that it was better explained, the sheer power that Ki enables its users is something that can't be denied.

8 Breathing Styles (Demon Slayer)

While it may seem silly to those not familiar with Demon Slayer, Breathing Styles give normal humans the ability to slay powerful demons. Modeled after elements, animals, and celestial bodies, the 14 different breathing styles offer multiple powers and abilities.

Seeing the different styles of breathing and how they relate to a character's fighting style and personality proved to be one of the most unique power systems, and is definitely a contributor to the massive popularity of Demon Slayer.

7 Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

The power system with the most strict and detailed rules, Fullmetal Alchemist sees its characters follow the principle of Equivalent Exchange, which states that in order to gain something, something of equal value must be used.

Seeing the many different unique ways characters use this power system, from combining living creatures to controlling different elements, make the concept of alchemy something that fans love to explore and is more rewarding as it is further understood. As users are only limited by  their creativity, this makes for one of the best power systems in anime.

6 Quirks (My Hero Academia)

With its interesting premise and story, My Hero Academia employs Quirks to give its characters almost any power fans could think of. What makes Quirks such an interesting power system is that they often represent wacky, unique, and extremely powerful traits not often seen in superhero media, like the ability to shoot out tape or create a headphone jack from one's ear.

The diversity of the Quirk system has led to many creative and standout fight scenes. While it is one of the more interesting concepts, there are no extra layers or levels to quirks, which makes this power system solid, but not one of the best.

5 Spiritual Pressure (Bleach)

As a standout amongst "The Big Three" in anime, it's no surprise that Bleach's power system is a fan-favorite. The main characters in Bleach, called soul reapers, use spiritual pressure, giving them many abilities. One of these is Shikai (release) and Zanpakuto (sword) which transforms the user's sword.

What makes Spiritual Pressure one of the best power systems in anime is that it gives each soul reaper a unique sword with its own special release, leading to very creative fight sequences.

4 Haki & Devil Fruits (One Piece)

Having multiple power systems, One Piece is one of the most beloved anime of all time. Devil Fruit is a special fruit that, when consumed, gives the user an ability ranging from elemental abilities to animal-like attributes specific to the nature of the fruit.

Haki is a power source that comes from the user's spiritual energy that takes on three forms: Armament (strengthening of the user's physical prowess), Observational (the ability to predict an opponent's moves, and Conqueror (allowing the user to overpower an opponent's will). Some characters in One Piece can combine Haki and Devil Fruits to perform a wide array of attacks, defenses, and transformations, making this power system one of anime's best.

3 Cursed Energy (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Living up to its malicious name, Cursed Energy is the power system of Jujutsu Kaisen. Feeding off of one's negative emotions, large amounts of cursed energy allow a person to perform cursed techniques that are unique to the individual and even amplify their physical power.

What makes cursed energy different than most power systems in anime is that a character's strength is dependent on how they utilize their cursed energy instead of the amount of cursed energy one has. This results in a system that values intelligence over brute force.

2 Chakra (Naruto/Naruto: Shippuden)

The iconic fuel of the Naruto franchise, Chakra allows shinobi to have greatly enhanced speed and strength while also enabling them to perform jutsu, which are divided into Taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat), Genjutsu (sensory illusions that entrap opponents), and Ninjutsu (chakra using techniques that have a wide range of abilities).

If this wasn't already enough, shinobi can manipulate their chakra nature (elemental abilities) and chakra form (shape of the technique) to perform a vast combination of attacks, defenses, and in some cases summon powerful battle avatars. With all of the creative, different, and impressive ways it can be used, there's no doubt that chakra is one of the best anime power systems.

1 Nen (Hunter X Hunter)

One well-developed and complex power system is Nen from Hunter X Hunter. To put it simply, Nen is the manipulation of one's life energy (aura) across six different Nen types along with a multitude of techniques in which Nen can be used.

What elevates this power system from great to the best is that it is highly complex, has attention to detail, and presents a reasonable limit for each Nen user that is based on the set of rules that the power system follows. This upper limit stops powers from becoming all-powerful solutions to any given problem.

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