Many anime characters strive to achieve one goal: to become the top expert in their field. This often leads them to encounter seasoned veterans who are willing to guide and mentor them, forming a student-teacher dynamic.
Although these relationships are enjoyable to observe, they typically progress into something deeper. This is often the case in anime, where the characters involved tend to surpass their mentors.
These moments are also incredibly thrilling to observe, as they give fans the chance to see their beloved anime characters achieve a level they had longed to see them reach. Therefore, in this list, we will highlight some of the anime characters who have surpassed their mentors.
Please note: This article may contain spoilers from certain manga titles.
Top 9 Anime Characters Who Have Surpassed Their Teachers
Naruto Uzumaki: The Ultimate Ninja
Despite having multiple teachers, Naruto Uzumaki’s longest-standing mentor was Jiraiya. Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannins, took on the role of Naruto’s master immediately after he passed the Chunnin exam finals.
Despite struggling at first to follow Jiraiya’s teachings, Naruto eventually surpassed his master after Jiraiya’s death. In addition to mastering the Toad Sage Mode, Naruto gained control over Kurama and was able to enter Kurama Chakra Mode. As time went on, Naruto continued to advance and surpassed his late master in many new stages.
All Might
Despite being the strongest hero in the My Hero Academia universe for a significant period of time, All Might did not possess his immense strength from the start. He attained his powerful abilities after inheriting the One For All Quirk from his mentor, Nana Shimura.
Nana Shimura then took on the role of All Might’s mentor, imparting upon him the fundamental principles of One For All. In due time, All Might surpassed his teacher, proving himself to be even more formidable than she was in her prime as a wielder of One For All.
Boruto Uzumaki’s Adventures
Despite Sasuke Uchiha being Boruto Uzumaki’s primary mentor in the series, he also receives guidance from Konohamaru Sarutobi. After failing to impress Sasuke with a Rasengan, Boruto resorts to using ninja tools to cheat. However, he eventually learns to train with integrity and develop his strength naturally.
As time went on, Boruto was mentored by Sasuke Uchiha and acquired all of his master’s knowledge. Furthermore, Boruto mastered additional jutsu such as the Flying Raijin Jutsu and Rasengan Uzumaki, ultimately surpassing his other teacher Komohamaru in strength.
Son Goku
Throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, Son Goku is depicted as an anime character who has a passion for fighting and constantly seeks to improve his strength. In pursuit of this, he has been guided and mentored by various teachers who have played a crucial role in his growth and development.
Despite not having surpassed his current teacher Whis yet in the manga series, Goku has already surpassed his previous teachers – Grandpa Gohan, Master Roshi, Korin, Mr. Popo, Kami, and King Kai. Each of these teachers played a crucial role in teaching Goku the fundamentals of martial arts, which led to his transformation into a more advanced Saiyan being.
5) Character Profile: Son Gohan
Despite being a character in the Dragon Ball franchise, Son Gohan initially had no desire to engage in combat. However, the loss of his father resulted in Piccolo, a former adversary, taking on the role of Gohan’s mentor in order to prepare him for the impending battles against the Saiyan enemies, specifically Vegeta and Nappa.
Over the years, Gohan faced numerous powerful adversaries and achieved Super Saiyan transformations through his father Goku’s guidance. Despite this, he ceased his training entirely after defeating Majin Buu, leading to Piccolo’s intervention to help him regain his strength.
Izuku Midoriya
Like All Might, Izuku Midoriya is an anime character who gained strength through inheriting his master’s powers in a peculiar ritual. Through this power transfer, Deku was able to acquire a quirk and compete alongside his fellow hero students.
Despite facing initial difficulties in his training due to his lack of muscle, Izuku Midoriya gradually adapted to his inherited quirk, One For All. Over time, he surpassed his teacher, All Might, and became capable of utilizing the quirks of the previous One For All users, a feat that had not been accomplished before.
Character Profile: Yuji Itadori
Yuji Itadori may have started off as a humble anime character, lacking an innate cursed technique. However, he was able to surpass his teacher and ultimately became a powerful sorcerer, capable of facing off against the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna.
As shown in the manga, Yuji’s mentor was actually Atsuya Kusakabe, who taught him the fundamentals of Cursed Energy Manipulation, Barriers, and Simple Domain. After mastering these skills, Yuji also acquired Cursed Techniques – Blood Manipulation and Shrine. Furthermore, he has now mastered the use of Domain Expansion. With these enhancements, Yuji has surpassed his teacher by far.
Tanjiro Kamado
In the beginning of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro Kamado was initially portrayed as a regular anime character driven by a desire to avenge his family’s death, but lacked the ability to do so. He then sought guidance from Sakonji Urokodaki, a former Water Hashira, to become his student.
Despite facing difficulties at the beginning, Tanjiro quickly excelled in Water Breathing and eventually mastered Sun Breathing. It can be asserted that Tanjiro surpassed his mentor, Urokodaki, as he was able to defeat Upper Moon Demons, a feat that Urokodaki was unable to accomplish.
Rudeus Greyrat
Rudeus Greyrat was a character from an isekai anime with great potential as a mage. As a result, his parents enlisted the help of Roxy Migurdia, a skilled Migurd Mage, to serve as their son’s tutor in magic.
Initially, Rudeus Greyrat faced difficulties with magic spells, as anticipated. However, he quickly mastered them and displayed exceptional proficiency. This was due to his ability to cast spells without the use of a chant, unlike Roxy, indicating his superior natural aptitude. With time, Rudeus grew into a formidable mage, surpassing even his mentor.
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