Are you a fan of shounen anime and manga? Then you must know that the most thrilling moments are always the devastating incidents that trigger the heroes to take action. These incidents usually start from the main antagonists of the series, and they define the entire story arc, promote character development, and make the viewers question the boundaries between heroes and villains.
However, some incidents are referred to as disasters instead of tragedies. Although they may not seem like they’re destroying the whole world, many of them have slow and lasting domino effects that contribute to the downfall of the entire society. Some happen in an instant, and the series is never the same again. These incidents eventually shape the entire story of the series.
So, what are the most devastating incidents in anime and manga? Here are the top 5 according to CBR.
Warning: Spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan!
10. Dio Takes Over Jonathan’s Body — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Dio will do anything to make Jonathan Joestar’s life miserable in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Even after obtaining immortality, Dio still wants more from Jonathan. When Jonathan dies on the ship, Dio hijacks his body. This incident shapes the entire path of the series until the end of Stone Ocean. Dio’s influence is felt throughout parts 2 to 6—from Joseph’s battle against the Pillar Man and Stone Mask to Pucci’s plan to reach the vampire’s heaven. Dio’s influence even spreads to the town of Morioh because Okuyasu’s father is disabled due to one of his brain implants.
9. All Might’s Retirement — My Hero Academia
The Symbol of Peace in My Hero Academia, All Might, is forced to retire after his injuries start to affect him during his fight against All for One. After that, there is no pillar of heroism in society, and the public loses peace of mind. Endeavor, the former No. 2 hero, emerges into the spotlight and has big shoes to fill. Although his heroic record is clean, the public does not trust his cold personality and quick temper. All Might always smiled and was ready to help anyone in need. Endeavor did save many lives, but he has a very fiery temper that is not ready to be accepted by society.
8. The Fall of Wall Maria — Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is defined by a chain of devastating events. The series starts with a dark note, becomes a black hole of destruction, gloom, and mass destruction in the end. The plot of the series starts after the Colossal Titan destroys Wall Maria and destroys Shiganshina. Eren sees his mother die before his eyes, and he cannot do anything to stop it. Everyone watches as there is so much bloodshed and destruction. But they can’t do anything to stop it. Although this incident eventually makes the heroes stronger, they realize that friends are actually their biggest enemies.
7. Namekian Genocide — Dragon Ball
Frieza from Dragon Ball has done many cruel things. That includes torture, destroying the Earth, killing anyone who disagrees with him, and several genocides over the years. But one of the worst is the Namekian genocide. Unlike the Saiyans, the Namekians are an incredibly peaceful race. But Frieza couldn’t just leave them alone because he wanted immortality. He not only killed most of the Namekians but also destroyed their planet. Although the Dragon Balls are used to restore most of their physical damage, the Namekians still suffer from emotional scars.
6. Uchiha Clan Massacre — Naruto
The Uchiha Clan massacre is one of the cruelest incidents in Naruto. Fans were led to believe that Itachi was a feelingless and cold-blooded murderer who killed all of his family members for no reason. The incident also changed Sasuke’s life, leading him down the path of revenge and hatred. Although Itachi’s true intention was later revealed, the tragedy is not reduced. Itachi became a criminal to maintain the peace of Konoha and make sure Sasuke becomes a great ninja. But his sacrifice did not compensate for the lost lives and psychological scars that Sasuke suffered. Some fans believe that the massacre could have been prevented with proper intervention.
There you have it! These devastating incidents in anime and manga leave an everlasting impression on the viewers and shape the course of the entire series.
