Anime has long been fascinated with extraordinary abilities, creating characters known as espers who have psychic powers. These characters, with abilities ranging from telekinesis and telepathy to more specialized powers, often play pivotal roles in series likeOne Punch Manand Mob Psycho 100.
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They captivate viewers with their power displays and character arcs, often dealing with the implications and responsibilities of having such abilities. The most compelling espers undergo impressive growth and relatability, making their journeys all the more intriguing. Let’s explore some of the best and most influential espers in anime based on their powers, significance, and impact.
10Accelerator - A Certain Magical Index
Accelerator, a character from A Certain Magical Index, is known as the most powerful esper in Academy City. His psychic ability, Vector Manipulation, allows him to control any vector he comes into contact with, including motion, heat, electricity, and even wind, making him nearly invincible in battle.
His personality initially is aloof and somewhat cruel, but after a pivotal event involving a girl named Last Order, he undergoes significant character development and demonstrates a more protective side. Over time, Accelerator struggles with his violent past and seeks redemption.
9Fumiaki Uchida - Occult Academy
Fumiaki Uchida is a central character in the anime series Occult Academy. Once a powerful esper as a child, Fumiaki’s powers diminished over time due to overuse and trauma. As an adult, he is sent back in time from a devastated 2012 to 1999 to prevent an alien invasion known as the Nostradamus Prophecy.
Initially portrayed as a cowardly and somewhat incompetent character, Fumiaki eventually regains his confidence and some of his psychic abilities, like telekinesis, as he works with Maya Kumashiro to prevent the apocalypse.
8Kaoru Akashi - Psychic Squad
Kaoru Akashi, a central character from Psychic Squad, is a Level 7 psychic, one of the highest classifications for espers in the series. Her primary ability is psychokinesis, which she can use to manipulate matter around her. This power and her inherent agility and reflexes make her an adept combatant.
Kaoru often struggles with controlling her powers, causing occasional mishaps. But as the series progresses, she continues to grow, improving her abilities and learning to harness them more effectively. Kaoru’s abilities and vibrant personality make her a memorable character.
7Kusuo Saiki - The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
Kusuo Saiki is the titular character of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. He is an incredibly powerful psychic, or esper, with many abilities, including telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, precognition, and more. Despite his remarkable powers, Saiki wants to lead a normal, quiet life, free from the complications his abilities cause.
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He uses his powers to avoid standing out, often going to great lengths to prevent people from discovering his abilities. Saiki’s character is unique in that he is overwhelmingly powerful but uses his abilities to ensure his life remains mundane.
6Sakura Kinomoto - Cardcaptor Sakura
Sakura Kinomoto is the protagonist of thewhimsical anime seriesCardcaptor Sakura. While she’s not a typical esper, her magical abilities enable her to control and manipulate the mystical Clow Cards that classify her under a similar category. She becomes a Cardcaptor after accidentally releasing the Clow Cards from their book.
Armed with her magical key that transforms into a sealing wand, Sakura embarks on a journey to recapture these cards to prevent a catastrophe. Each card confers a different ability or force, and her magical strength grows as she captures more cards.
5Tetsuo Shima - Akira
Tetsuo Shima is a character from theinfluential cyberpunk filmAkira. After a motorcycle accident, Tetsuo develops powerful psychic abilities, becoming one of the most formidable espers in anime. His powers include telekinesis, teleportation, and energy manipulation, but Tetsuo struggles to control these newfound abilities, leading to destructive and tragic consequences.
His transformation from a common member of a biker gang into an unstable superhuman challenges his relationships and destabilizes the post-apocalyptic society of Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo’s character serves as a symbol of the human cost of rapid scientific advancement.
4Lelouch Lamperouge - Code Geass
Lelouch Lamperouge, the protagonist of Code Geass, is a brilliant strategist and a skilled manipulator. He is granted the Power of the King, or Geass, by the mysterious C.C., that can command anyone to do anything he wishes - a power that works only once per person and requires direct eye contact.
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Lelouch, who goes by the alter ego Zero, uses his Geass to command loyalty, orchestrate complex plans, and maneuver on the battlefield. However, his mind control and esper powers have intense moral and strategic consequences.
3Kyōsuke Hyōbu - Unlimited Psychic Squad
Kyōsuke Hyōbu is the main character in Unlimited Psychic Squad, a spin-off of Psychic Squad. As the leader of P.A.N.D.R.A., a group of espers who seek to create a safe world for their kind, Hyōbu is one of the most powerful psychics.
He possesses multiple psychic abilities, including telekinesis, teleportation, mind control, and energy manipulation. Due to his traumatic past, Hyōbu exhibits a strong protective instinct, especially for children. His character fluctuates between a warm mentor figure and a fearsome leader, making him a compelling character.
2Tornado Of Terror - One Punch Man
Tatsumaki, also known as Tornado of Terror, is apowerful characterfrom One Punch Man. She is one of the strongest heroes in the series and is ranked second in the S-Class, the highest class of heroes. Tatsumaki is an esper with immense psychic abilities, specializing in telekinesis.
She can levitate herself and objects, create barriers, and manipulate her surroundings on a massive scale, which she uses for offense and defense. Despite her petite and youthful appearance, Tatsumaki has a sharp, fiery personality and doesn’t hesitate to assert her strength.
1Shigeo Kageyama - Mob Psycho 100
Shigeo Kageyama, also known as Mob, is the protagonist of Mob Psycho 100. He’s an incredibly powerful esper with telekinesis, energy absorption, and projection abilities. Despite his powers, Mob is a kind-hearted and socially awkward middle school student who seeks to live a normal life.
He works under a fake psychic named Reigen Arataka, who becomes his mentor. Mob’s powers grow with his emotional state and can escalate to explosive levels when he reaches 100% emotional capacity. Mob’s empathy, humility, and psychic prowess make him a fan favorite.
