Top 10 Times Anime Mentors Were Underestimated
Top 10 Times Anime Mentors Were Underestimated
Top 10 Times Anime Heroes Were Underestimated (ft. Billy Kametz)
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Times Anime Mentors Were Underestimated. For this list, we’re going over the scenes where an anime teacher or mentor figure showed that they’ve still got the gains and means to throw down. Think we skipped over a showdown? Let us know in the comments!
#10: Izumi vs Sloth
“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10) While everyone fondly remembers this fight with the bulky Homonculus as the shining moment where Armstrong and Sig teamed up and demonstrated an unsurpassed level of manliness, we can’t forget about the Curtis Matriarch. She may be on the slender side of things, but she’s still a skilled alchemist, one who proved her strength by knocking down Sloth twice. Heck, she doesn’t even need to use alchemy in order to toss his ass around. We can see why Ed was so afraid of her.
#9: Bang vs Garou
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“One Punch Man” (2015-19) It can’t be easy having a student turn to the dark side, though in Bang’s case, it didn’t stop him from disciplining his wayward pupil in the most brutal way possible! Fresh off dispatching a group of A-Rank heroes and dealing with his own bitterness to what he believes to be a hypocritical society, Garou goes feral against his master. And gets wrecked for his troubles. Even in his twilight years, Bang’s martial arts prowess packs one hell of a wallop.
#8: Rin vs Nickel
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“The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace” (2021) If she were part of any other evil organisation in any other series, this smiling murder-happy demon would have been quite the threat. Alas, she squared up to a literal god with a zero nonsense attitude, and as such found herself getting trounced. Even with her abundance of bladed tendrils, Nickel stood very little chance against an immortal being who can casually punch through mountains, and slice off heads faster than anyone can blink. And this was Rin on easy mode.
#7: Lisa Lisa vs Wired Beck
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency” (2013) Fashion can truly be fatal, at least if you charge it with enough Hamon. On their way to combat the Pillar Men, Lisa Lisa takes on a rather spikey customer blocking her and Joseph’s path. In spite of towering over her with size and having blades protruding out of every corner of his body, Beck doesn’t exactly last very long when he gets wrapped up in Lisa Lisa’s scarf. Even if you’re a vampire on roids, there’s no coming back from Lisa Lisa’s rippling wardrobe.
#6: Gojo vs Jogo
“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-21) Gojo may be the one with the blindfold, but it’s the magma-spewing curse that turned out to be visually impaired. For all his volcanic fury and rather impressive Domain Expansion, Jogo fell foul of the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer in the world, along with his mastery over the literal manifestation of infinity. As a result, Gojo doesn’t so much best Jogo in battle of technique as he does use him as a punching bag to showcase his abilities. Copious amount of flexing to be found here.
#5: Shibukawa vs Harlon
“Baki the Grappler” (2001) Goes to show that the title for master isn’t just for decoration, especially in regard to this judo practitioner. Taking part in the Maximum Tournament, and going up against an Olympic wrestler at that, you’d think an elderly scarecrow of a man like Shibukawa would have been toast. Not so. Thanks to his immense skill when it comes to grappling, he easily dispatches a beast Harlon with only a couple of moves. Given the extent of his skillset, Harlon’s luck he didn’t get every bone twisted out of place.
#4: Roshi vs Frost
“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18) This may not have ended in a traditional victory, but it did demonstrate that despite being pushed to the side-lines, Master Roshi remains the OG anime mentor. Taking on Frost at the Tournament of Power, the creator of the Kamehameha starts to show his age as the alien from the universe next door blasts him to pieces. Still, even if he can’t kick it with his Super Saiyan student, that doesn’t make the turtle hermit a pushover, evident from when he busted out the Mafuba wave at the last minute!
#3: Saber vs Kuzuki
“Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works” (2014-15) Jeez, for her status as one of the most well-rounded, iconic Servants out of the entire chaotic iceberg of a franchise, Saber sure loses a lot. And this time she got her ass handed to her by a human. Kuzuki may have served as Shirou’s teacher for a time, but it’s fair to say he’s now known as a Master of giving out hands. He even upstaged his own Servant, delivering blow upon blow that wasted the King of Knights. Make this guy the main character!
#2: Hakarou vs Kyoya
“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” (2018-21) Turns out that not every isekai character is layered in plot armor. Seeking revenge for the massacre at Tempest, all of Rimuru’s forces bare down on the invading Kingdom of Falmuth, including the murderous humans who took great delight in slaughtering their citizens. Unfortunately for Kyoya, without his magical barrier buff, he is easily overwhelmed by a master like Hakarou. The geezer is so much the superior swordsman that he not only effortlessly ends the cocky brat, but does so in such a way that he even gives Kyoya time to reflect on his actions…when he’s nothing more than a decapitated head.
#1: Gon & Killua vs Netero
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“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14) What is it about this anime and incredibly dangerous ball games?! While we’re now aware of just how lethal Netero is, back during the Hunter Exams, he seemed like just another cheery anime old guy. At least until he challenged Gon and Killua to try and snatch a ball away from him. Where it was made clear Netero has some serious strength under that skinny frame, given how he can outmaneuver the spry, young duo, and also apparently has a stomach made out of steel.
