Anything can happen in anime – even shape-shifting. The ability to transform one’s body into something else is a power people can only dream of, but in anime, several iconic characters are blessed (or cursed?) with that gift.
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Of course, not everyone’s shape-shifting is the same. Some can only turn into animals, while others can transform into any object or creature their heart desires. Others can transform whenever they want, while others have their transformation thrust upon them unwillingly. Some shape-shifters have become remembered as iconic figures in anime, and it’s no surprise why; who wouldn’t want to change into something else once in a while?
10
Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle)
The Handsome Sorcerer Jenkin
Howl is an extremely talented wizard, and we see several instances of his shape-shifting in Howl’s Moving Castle. In the movie, he transforms into a cat and a dog. However, his most iconic transformation is when he turns into a bird-like beast.
In Howl’s Moving Castle, Howl is seen transforming into a creature with black feathers. Initially, his body is covered in feathers, but his head remains in its human form. However, when he loses his sense of self, his feathers cover his face, making him look like a demon. This shows how important his sanity is to his transformations.
9
Tamaki Amajiki (My Hero Academia)
The Bizarre Diet Hero
There are many shapeshifters in My Hero Academia, but none as unique as Tamaki Amajiki. Tamaki Amajiki is a student from U.A. Academy who grew up to be a Pro-Hero. His Quirk, Manifest, allows him to manifest the physical characteristics of things he has eaten. For example, if he eats crab, he can transform his fingers into crab claws. The more he eats one thing, the stronger the manifestation becomes.
Initially, only able to manifest as one thing at a time, Tamaki ends up learning how to use multiple manifestations at once, as well as how to control the size and features needed to take down enemies. However, once his stomach has fully digested whatever he ate, he loses the ability to manifest it.
8
Atsuhi Nakajima (Bungou Stray Dogs)
The Beast Beneath The Moonlight
Atsuhi Nakajima was born with the Ability called Beast Beneath the Moonlight, but he didn’t discover his powers until he turned 18 years old. His ability allows him to turn into a large white tiger.
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Initially, he had no control over his transformations since he was unaware he was an Ability user. However, after being taken in by Yokohama’s Armed Detective Agency, he learns to control his Ability and uses it to get the advantage in a fight.
7
Tony Tony Chopper (One Piece)
The Shape-Shifting Reindeer
There are several shape-shifters in One Piece, but Tony Tony Chopper is arguably a crowd favorite. He was initially an ordinary reindeer before eating the Hito Hito no Mi Devil Fruit, which allowed him to take various forms (also known as Points).
Tony Tony Chopper has five Points he can transform into: Brain Point (his default form), Walk Point (a reindeer), Heavy Point (human transformation), Guard Point (a furball with legs and his chibi head), and Monster Point (a large, reindeer-like monster).
6
The Zodiac Family (Fruits Basket)
A Generational Curse
In Fruits Basket, the Zodiac family is composed of members of the Sohma Clan, and they are afflicted with a curse. They are possessed by animal spirits from the Zodiac and are forcibly transformed into their animal form if hugged by a member of the opposite sex. They can also transform if under immense pressure or are too exhausted to maintain their human form.
The members of the Zodiac family do not want the curse, but the way they handle it varies from person to person. The way they are treated by Akito, the head of the Sohma clan, also depends on the Zodiac animal they possess. For example, Kyo, who has the Cat spirit, is treated with resentment and disrespect due to his Zodiac animal.
5
Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
The Doomsday Titan
Attack on Titan has several characters with the ability to transform into Titans, but none are as legendary as the show’s main character, Eren Yeager. Throughout the series, Eren possessed the power of not one, not two, but three Titans.
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Similar to others who possess the Titan power, Eren must cause harm to himself to trigger his transformation. Eren harnessing his shape-shifting abilities, drastically changes his character—from wanting to eliminate all Titans, his goal shifts to freeing his homeland from the humanity that lives across the sea.
4
Hana’s Children (Wolf Children Ame and Yuki)
Two Sides Of Being A Werewolf
Wolf Children Ame and Yuki provides a unique look at being a single parent. Hana falls in love with a werewolf and has two children with him (eldest Yuki and youngest Ame). When he dies, Hana has to navigate raising half-werewolf children with different needs, in a world that doesn’t accept who they are.
Throughout the movie, we see how Ame and Yuki react to their identity. Yuki embraces her human side and chooses to only show her werewolf traits to someone she fully loves and trusts, or if she needs to protect herself. Ame, on the other hand, sees himself as a werewolf and decides to live his life in the forest as an animal.
3
Haku (Spirited Away)
The River God Dragon
As the River God of the Kohaku River, Haku can take on the form of an Asian dragon and fly in this form. When in his dragon form, Haku has a white scaly body with a teal and mint green mane. However, in his human form, he has dark hair and slanted, green eyes.
Besides shape-shifting, Haku has other powers, such as telekinesis, spell-casting, invisibility, and telepathy. Though his home on the Kohaku River has been destroyed, he is still able to utilize his powers, though at different degrees of effectiveness.
2
Goku (Dragon Ball)
Turning Into A Rampaging Ape
As a Saiyan, Goku has several interesting powers, such as super strength and martial arts. However, one of his unique abilities is his ability to transform into a Great Ape. As the Great Ape, Goku’s already tremendous strength is heightened, and he grows to be roughly 25–30 feet tall.
Goku is not the only character in Dragon Ball who can transform into a Great Ape; in fact, any Saiyan with a tail can do so. However, watching Goku transform from a friendly, smiley individual to a rampaging ape shows the duality of his character and his abilities.
1
Ditto (Pokémon)
The Ultimate Pokémon Impostor
Unlike other Pokémon, which evolve into different Pokémon, Ditto can shape-shift into anything. He is not limited to just transforming into other Pokémons; he can transform into humans and objects, too. However, Ditto’s eyes and smiley face will replace the face of whatever he turns into.
Due to its ability to transform into anything, Dittos can befriend any Pokémon or any human. However, Dittos do not get along with each other, as they often try (and fail) to transform into their kind. Besides using its transformation powers in combat, Dittos can also use its powers to protect itself from danger. For example, they can turn into a rock to prevent being attacked at night. They can even sleep in their transformed form!
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