5 anime characters who became gods (& 5 who were revealed as false deities)

Anime characters often navigate extraordinary journeys that lead them to godhood or expose them as false deities. From the joy-bringing Monkey D. Luffy, who embodies freedom through his transformation into the sun god Nika, to the relentless ambition of Griffith, who sacrifices everything for power, these characters reflect the complex themes of divinity and ambition.

Conversely, figures like Enel and Akihiko Kayaba manipulate their perceived power, presenting themselves as divine beings while exploiting those around them. This article explores five characters who ascended to godhood and five who were ultimately revealed as false deities, highlighting the duality of power and belief.

Monkey D. Luffy and 4 other anime characters who became gods

1) Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)

Monkey D. Luffy (Image via Toei Animation)

Luffy's transformation into a god-like figure is tied to the true nature of his Devil Fruit, the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, a mythical Zoan type connected to the Sun God Nika. Upon awakening this fruit, Luffy gains immense power (Gear 5), embodying the "trickster sun god" who symbolizes freedom and joy.

His acts of liberating oppressed peoples and defying tyrannical forces, such as his confrontation with the Celestial Dragons and defeating Kaido, align him with mythological figures like Joy Boy and Sun Wukong. The anime character's Gear 5 represents ultimate freedom, further cementing his god status.

2) Goku (Dragon Ball series)

Goku's transformation into a god-like being in Dragon Ball is marked by relentless training, teamwork, and constant growth. He trained under various masters, including Whis, King Kai, and Master Roshi, each contributing to his power. Goku first achieved Super Saiyan God through a ritual involving five Saiyans, gaining access to godly ki.

His adaptability and determination to overcome limits led him to Ultra Instinct, a pinnacle form where he moves instinctively without thought. The anime character's journey embodies a relentless pursuit of strength, pushing him beyond mortal limits to divine status through perseverance and fighting genius.

3) Kaguya Otsutsuki (Naruto series)

Kaguya Otsutsuki (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Kaguya Otsutsuki ascended to godhood after consuming the God Tree's fruit, becoming the first to wield chakra. This granted her immense power, allowing her to pacify a war-torn Earth and be revered as a goddess. As the progenitor of chakra, she influenced the development of shinobi and their abilities.

Kaguya's divine powers included interstellar travel, mind manipulation, and dimensional control. By merging with the God Tree and using the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the anime character sought absolute control over chakra and humanity. However, her sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, eventually rebelled, sealing her away and fracturing her god-like dominion.

4) Madoka Kaname (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Madoka Kaname becomes a godly figure in Puella Magi Madoka Magica through a selfless wish. Offered a contract by Kyubey to become a magical girl, she hesitates. Eventually, she wishes to erase witches before they are born across all time.

This wish transcends normal boundaries, transforming her into the "Law of Cycles," a force that purifies magical girls and prevents them from becoming witches. Existing beyond space and time, the anime character rewrites reality, saving magical girls but erasing herself from her friends' memories. Her transformation embodies themes of sacrifice, hope, and the reshaping of fate.

5) Griffith/Femto (Berserk)

Griffith's transformation into a god-like figure in Berserk is driven by his relentless ambition and manipulation by the God Hand. His dream of ruling a kingdom leads him to sacrifice the Band of the Hawk during the Eclipse, abandoning his humanity to become Femto, a member of the God Hand.

This betrayal reflects his willingness to forsake human ties for power. The God Hand exploits his desires, convincing him that his rise to godhood was destined, aligning with the concept of causality in the series. The anime character's transformation is portrayed as both a personal ambition and a fated role in a larger cosmic plan.

Enel and 4 other anime characters who were false deities

1) Enel (One Piece)

Enel from One Piece embodies the traits of a false deity, asserting himself as a god due to his immense power from the Goro Goro no Mi, which grants him control over lightning. He rules Skypiea through fear and intimidation, demanding worship and obedience.

However, his defeat by Luffy reveals his fragility, as Luffy's rubber body nullifies the anime character's attacks, exposing the limits of his perceived divinity. Enel's misguided goal of reaching the moon to create a false paradise highlights his delusions of grandeur. This contrasts with Luffy's genuine heroism, rooted in freedom and compassion, not control.

2) Akihiko Kayaba/Heathcliff (Sword Art Online)

Akihiko Kayaba/Heathcliff (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Akihiko Kayaba, also known as Heathcliff in Sword Art Online, embodies a false deity through his manipulation of life, death, and control over players. By creating a game where death is real, he assumes god-like authority over existence itself. His elitism is evident as he tests players, positioning himself as a superior, divine figure.

Through fear, he maintains control, becoming the ultimate challenge and existential threat. The anime character fosters a cult-like following, with players idolizing him as the key to their freedom. Ultimately, he offers an illusion of choice, manipulating events to ensure players confront him, reflecting his false divinity.

3) Father Cornello (Fullmetal Alchemist series)

Father Cornello (Image via Studio Bones)

Father Cornello from the Fullmetal Alchemist series exemplifies a false deity through his manipulation of faith, deceitful practices, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. He is revered by the people of Reole as a god-like figure, falsely claiming to channel the power of the sun god, Leto, and perform miracles.

Using a fake Philosopher's Stone, the anime character creates illusions of power, masking his lack of true alchemical skill. He preys on the grief and desperation of followers like Rose, promising impossible miracles, such as resurrecting the dead, to maintain control. His actions expose the predatory nature of false deities.

4) Enrico Pucci (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)

Enrico Pucci (Image via David Production)

Enrico Pucci from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure exemplifies a false deity through his manipulation of faith, corruption by evil, and self-righteousness. As a priest, he claims divine purpose but deceives and sacrifices innocents, undermining Christian values. The anime character's bond with Dio Brando leads him to abandon true faith, distorting his mission to achieve "Heaven."

Pucci justifies genocide, erasing identities to control reality and betraying the principles of free will. Even in his final moments, he sees himself as righteous, blinded by his delusions. His Stand, White Snake, embodies the duality of holiness and deception, reflecting his false godhood.

5) Arataka Reigen (Mob Psycho 100)

Arataka Reigen from Mob Psycho 100 exemplifies a false deity through his deceptive authority, exploitation of innocence, and moral ambiguity. He masquerades as a powerful psychic, running the "Spirits and Such" business while exploiting people's beliefs for personal gain. Although he mentors Mob, his self-serving motivations highlight his manipulative nature.

The anime character's charm creates an illusion of power, influencing others to view him as an authority figure despite his frequent misguided advice. Ultimately, his lack of genuine growth and ethical integrity underscores the complexity of his character, reflecting the theme that true leadership stems from genuine connection, not mere charisma.

Final thoughts

In exploring the journeys of these ten anime characters, we see a stark contrast between genuine divinity and the facade of false deities. While true gods like Luffy and Madoka embody ideals of hope and freedom, characters like Enel and Reigen reveal the dangers of manipulation and self-serving ambition masquerading as divine authority.