Anime Where The Main Character Has Hidden Power

The "Weakling" Who's Secretly OP: An Anime Trope We Love (and Maybe Roll Our Eyes At)

Okay, let's be honest. We've all seen it. The seemingly average anime protagonist. They're clumsy, maybe a bit dense, and definitely not the strongest.

But then BAM! Turns out they're hiding a power level that could shatter planets. It's the hidden power trope, and it's everywhere!

Why This Trope Hooks Us

There's something undeniably satisfying about this trope. It's wish fulfillment at its finest. Who doesn't want to secretly be super powerful?

We get to see the underdog rise. The "loser" becomes the hero. It's a classic story structure that always works.

Think about Naruto. He started as a ramen-loving prankster. Turns out, he's got a nine-tailed fox demon inside him! Talk about a power-up!

The "Obvious" Examples

Let's not forget Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach. A normal high schooler who can suddenly see ghosts? Then becomes a Soul Reaper with insane abilities? Classic hidden power.

And who could forget Son Goku? Okay, maybe it wasn't *that* hidden. But he certainly downplayed his Saiyan heritage for a while, right?

The "Unpopular" Opinion: Is It Overdone?

Here's where I might ruffle some feathers. I think... it's getting a *little* old. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it. But the predictability is starting to show.

How many times can we watch a character struggle, only to reveal some ancient, forgotten lineage or a latent ability they never knew they had?

It feels like every other anime has a protagonist who's secretly the chosen one. Or descended from gods. Or has a dormant demon living inside them.

When It Works (and When It Doesn't)

The key to making this trope work is the execution. If the reveal feels earned, and the power-up is believable within the story's rules, then it's great!

But if it's just a random, out-of-nowhere power-up to solve a plot problem? Then it feels cheap and unsatisfying. It's a deus ex machina masquerading as character development.

For example, in One Punch Man, Saitama's power is almost a parody of this trope. He's *so* strong, it's hilarious. The humor comes from the absurdity of it all.

Hidden Power with a Twist!

I appreciate when anime subverts the trope. Maybe the character *thinks* they have hidden power, but they're actually just resourceful. Or incredibly lucky.

Or maybe the power comes with a huge cost. Something that makes the character question if it's even worth it.

Ultimately, the hidden power trope can be amazing. It can create exciting stories and memorable characters. But let's hope anime creators find new and interesting ways to use it. Or maybe even retire it for a while! Just a thought.

So, what do you think? Are you tired of the hidden power trope? Or do you still get a kick out of seeing the underdog surprise everyone? Let me know!