Superpowers and talents being linked to a character’s eyeballs is a popular motif in Japanese anime. Shonen series, in particular, are fond of giving both heroes and villains supernatural eyes. Some anime eyes have proven to be lethal weapons over the years.
Anime characters are famed for their expressive eyes, and in some anime episodes, appearances may kill. Many anime heroes and villains have magical abilities related to their eyes, usually the ability to see things that others cannot, and their eyeballs may even cast magic spells, manipulate other people, or even glimpse the future before it happens.
Updated on May 17, 2023, by Louis Kemner: Even more anime characters with extraordinary ocular abilities have become fan favorites by this point, and keeping track of them all helps any anime fan grasp just how diverse the niche field of eye powers can truly be. We’ve updated this list with current facts to review the top ocular talents and learn why seeing truly is believing in every sense.
17 Faustian Eyes (Ciel Phantomhive, Black Butler)
While Ciel of Black Butler‘s marked eye isn’t powerful in and of itself, it’s a powerful symbol. The marked eye is proof of Ciel’s contract with the demon known as Sebastian, whose powerful abilities and charm Ciel utilizes as a means to avenge his family. Ciel keeps his eye hidden not to contain its power but to keep this contract and his true intentions secret.
According to more in-depth Black Butler lore, the Faustian pact can manifest anywhere on the body and utterly bond the human and demon together, rendering the person completely powerless to flee the demon’s grasp. In exchange, the demon agrees to never lie to a human and to follow instructions that start with the phrase “I command you.”
16 Shinigami Eyes (Ryuk, Death Note)
In the story of Death Note, the genius antihero Light Yagami decides never to accept Ryuk’s deal to get Shinigami eyes, though fans can still see the appeal. In exchange for half of one’s remaining lifespan, a human may get Shinigami eyes to see the name and lifespan of anyone whom they see.
Light did not agree to the deal, but several other characters, including his sweetheart, Misa Amane, and even his own father, Soichiro, did. Misa made that agreement twice, first with Rem, then with Ryuk, hinting that she might not have much time left to live, but it was worth it to her.
15 Glare-Glare Fruit (Viola, One Piece)
Eiichiro Oda’s Devil Fruit system has granted countless One Piece characters completely unique abilities. The Glare-Glare Fruit, for example, is possibly one of the most underrated support Devil Fruits in One Piece. The fruit offers its users an array of abilities that all revolve around the eyes.
Viola obtained the capacity to examine far objects, as well as certain telepathic inclinations and even the power to attack an enemy directly with her eyes alone after eating this Devil Fruit. When the final battle for Dressrosa began one fateful afternoon, she was extremely important to the Straw Hat pirates and their allies.
14 Stone Eyes (Evergreen, Fairy Tail)
Evergreen’s unique brand of magic in Fairy Tail is called Stone Eyes. As the name suggests, her eyes were clearly inspired by Medusa of lore’s petrification ability. The petrification effects, however, aren’t as absolute as an opponent might fear. For example, they can be bypassed simply by wearing protective glasses.
Although Evergreen rarely used her Stone Eyes talent in Fairy Tail, it had enormous potential. The most notable instance was when Evergreen turned numerous Fairy Tail guild members to stone to hold them prisoner on Laxus Dreyar’s orders.
13 The Scarlet Eyes (Kurapika Kurta, Hunter X Hunter)
Kurapika Kurta’s eyes are a potent reminder of the torment his clan, the Kurta Clan, has endured over the past years in Hunter x Hunter’s story. While the scarlet eyes do enhance Kurapika’s strength and focus once he becomes enraged, in the past, the eyes of his family were harvested as curiosities.
The Scarlet Eyes were long sought after by evil treasure seekers because of their stunning color. The Phantom Troupe organization eventually slaughtered the whole Kurta Clan to take them. Only Kurapika is still alive, his eyes blazing with rage as he strives to get revenge on his family members who were killed.
12 The Ginko Of The Tokoyami (Ginko, Mushishi)
Possibly more a curse than a blessing, Ginko of Mushishi is named after the same mushi that infected him as a child. This infection blacked out one of his eyes but gave him the ability to see mushi forever thereafter.
Unfortunately, mushi are now drawn to Ginko and his eye, so he must live a nomadic existence or risk causing trouble if he stays in one spot for too long. Most importantly, these eyeballs contribute to the story’s structure, the protagonist’s goal, and the audience’s enjoyment of a magnificent jewel of a series.
11 The Ultimate Eye (Wrath, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s Wrath, publicly known as King Bradley, is a deadly fighter who benefits greatly from having the Ultimate Eye. Through it, Bradley can foresee opponents’ movements and react accordingly. It’s almost like the Sharingan from Naruto, minus the Mangekyo part.
Wrath’s left eye contains the Ouroboros tattoo, which he keeps disguised in his daily life. He was born human, but after a gold-toothed doctor injected him with a little Philosopher’s Stone, his left eye changed into its current appearance, eternally establishing Wrath as a supernatural being of enormous power.
10 The All-Seeing Eyes Of God (Leo, Kekkai Sensen/Blood Blockade Battlefront)
Kekkai Sensen is a show that’s not afraid to be different. While the series about a band of vigilantes keeping peace in an alternative version of New York City boasts its fair share of shonen tropes, the series forges its own unique identity. New York has blended with another dimension; aliens and monsters are denizens of the city, and the characters are far from ordinary people. Among them is Leo, who boasts a pair of eyes that make him a prized target.
Leo is the host of the Gods’ All-Seeing Eyes, which allow him to see hidden truths and sometimes even glimpses of the past and future, as well as see through the eyes of others. The All-Seeing Eyes can also be used to project hallucinations and false visions into the eyes of others, which can have disastrous consequences.
9 Erasure Quirk (Shota Aizawa, My Hero Academia)
Erasure is an eye-based Quirk in My Hero Academia that allows the Pro Hero Shota Aizawa/Eraserhead to temporarily cancel the Quirk of a target on his field of vision. Though incapable of directly dealing damage to the said target, the effects are still profound and almost godly in most scenarios.
Aizawa supplements the usage of his Quirk with advanced martial skills for maximum efficiency. After tedious trial and error, Aizawa eventually used this Quirk to help him become one of the most formidable heroes in MHA and is an excellent, if reluctant, teacher as well at U.A.
8 Byakugan (Neji Hyuga, Naruto)
Byakugan is an eye technique that is exclusive to members of the Hyuga Clan in Naruto. The term “Byakugan” roughly translates to the all-seeing eye. Members of the Hyuga Clan are able to see across vast distances and sometimes see right through walls and objects, though the Byakugan is also useful up close.
In physical combat, Hyuga ninjas like Neji Hyuga may use the Byakugan to see the chakra points of their opponents and hit them with pinpoint accuracy. Naruto fans witnessed this firsthand during the Chunin Exam arc, when Neji attacked all of Naruto’s chakra spots one after the other.
7 Geass (Lelouch Lamperouge, Code Geass)
Code Geass is a famous science fiction anime that mostly focuses on politics and futuristic warfare, though the series still has room for fantasy-style elements. One of them is protagonist Lelouch Lamperouge’s signature ability, the Geass, which appears in his left eye.
Geass grants Lelouch the ability to control people’s minds, but only once certain conditions are met. Eventually, Lelouch uses this ability to subjugate his enemies and establish himself as a supreme leader. Aside from that Geass, Lelouch can also use his formidable intellect to stay ahead of his enemies and advance his plans.
6 Sharingan (Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto)
Sharingan is the Uchiha Clan’s signature eye. Unlike the Byakugan, which exists only in one state, the Sharingan can evolve into a wide variety of forms based on the user’s individual experiences. For example, Sasuke’s relationship with the Sharingan will be different from that of his brother.
While most Uchiha Clan members only awaken the basic form of Sharingan once in their lives, the Mangekyo Sharingan and Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan are exceptional cases that are only awakened a few times during Naruto.
5 Foresight Quirk (Sir Nighteye, My Hero Academia)
Sir Nighteye is a sharply-dressed Pro Hero who bears the Quirk Foresight, a powerful and unique ability by any measure. Using Foresight allows Sir Nighteye can see the future as though watching reels of film, typically through the eyes of a target he’s made physical and eye contact with.
While Nighteye’s talent in My Hero Academia has limitations, such as only being able to use it once per day, the visions he sees are always completely true. This implies he sees the future as a scary, immovable object, and he must contend with it before the end.
4 Rinnegan (Nagato, Naruto)
The Rinnegan could be considered an eye that holds the power of the gods. This eye is the very definition of overpowered, and it seems almost unfair even in a series where many villains feel way too stacked. Even a taboo like the revival of the dead is nothing but a hitch for the Rinnegan.
The Rinnegan is the ultimate of strength and rarity in Naruto’s expansive universe. Only a famous villain like Pain can bring out the best in the Rinnegan, however other characters like Sasuke and Madara Uchiha have been known to employ it as well.
3 Six Eyes (Satoru Gojo, Jujutsu Kaisen)
Jujutsu Kaisen features the popular hero Satoru Gojo, who is an exorcist and inheritor of the Six Eyes. The Six Eyes allowed Gojo to utilize his Limitless technique to its fullest extent. While this may sound like babble to those unfamiliar with the show, this is actually a stunning ability since it allows him to redefine reality.
Gojo can twist time and space inside the constraints of a pocket world by using his eyes to redefine reality. Gojo handles this immense power masterfully, and he will almost certainly never face an opponent who can outwit the power of those omniscient eyes.
2 Koketsu Arrow (Yahaba, Demon Slayer)
In Demon Slayer‘s first season, protagonist Tanjiro Kamado and his sister Nezuko had a 2v2 battle against the aggressive, ball-throwing demon Susamaru and her partner, Yahaba. The latter never opens his eyes, but he does use special eyes on his palms to fight.
Yahaba is known as the Arrow Demon because his irises are shaped like arrows. Yahaba can use this blood demon art to fling objects and people around with magical arrows. He can use this to interrupt his opponents’ movements, for example, or to bolster Susamaru’s own style.
1 Brujeria (Zommari Rureaux, Bleach)
Bleach‘s combat system supports an astonishing variety of powers, including the eye-based power of Zommaru Rureaux, the 7th Espada. In his one and only fight, Zommari first demonstrated his extreme speed with the Gemelos Sonido move, then released his zanpakuto, Brujeria.
In his freed form, Zommari may use his charmed eyes to control everything he sees, such as the enemy’s limbs and legs or even their skull. However, Zommari lost this encounter because he became sloppy and was unable to handle the millions of petal blades from Captain Kuchiki’s bankai.
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