Whether it’s because the cost of using them is so great, like the ‘United States of Smash’ by All Might, or because the attack is too epic to be used repeatedly (or to be animated again, honestly), like the ‘Zero Hand’ by Netero, some anime moves are a rare treat, only seen once and making the audience feel privileged to have witnessed them.
Let’s take a look at some of the greatest anime attacks used only once that fans know the true loss of never getting to experience again.
10Uryu’s Letzt Still (Bleach)
Quincy: Letzt Stil is an obsolete technique that is a double-edged sword because no human body can handle the immense power it provides. It’s a surge of power, intense and urgent, but fleeting after which practitioners will have their Quincy powers sealed. Quincy: Letzt Stil is only used as a last resort because even though it is possible to regain Quincy’s powers afterward, the process is not just difficult, but exceedingly dangerous. Uryu Ishida gains a more battle-ready form of the standard Quincy attire, and a blue, flame-like object resembling a quiver of pure Reiryoku forms on Uryu’s right shoulder. It collects large amounts of Reishi from its surroundings and stores the energy for Uryu.
9Sasuke’s Indra’s Arrow (Naruto: Shipudden)
Indra’s Arrow, a technique named after one of Sasuke’s ancestors, Indra Ōtsutsuki, is his ultimate attack. After absorbing chakra from all nine-tailed beasts and using his Complete Body — Susanoo as a vessel, Sasuke crafts a longbow and arrow that crackle with lightning-natured chakra, a sight to behold. It proved to be extremely powerful, able to match Naruto Uzumaki’s Six Paths: Ultra-Big Ball Rasenshuriken despite Lightning Release’s inferiority to Wind Release. Despite the intense power of Indra’s Arrow, it’s not Sasuke’s finishing move in his final fight against Naruto. Surprisingly, it’s Chidori, one of the first moves he ever learned, that plays a pivotal role in the battle.
8Sailor Saturn’s Silence Glaive Surprise (Sailor Moon)
To win against Queen Nehellenia, Sailor Saturn, also known as Hotaru, unleashes the full power of her Silence Glaive’s ultimate attack, Silence Glaive Surprise . This insanely powerful energy attack is capable of demolishing an entire castle before it’s even fully locked and loaded. The full impact of this catastrophic event is still a matter of speculation, as Chibiusa’s intervention prevented Hotaru from fully executing it. Had she not intervened, the attack’s potential devastation could have been overwhelming, and Hotaru’s survival uncertain.
7Kurama’s Tree of Depravity (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Kurama encounters Elder Toguro right after having being forced to take the life of a child in a fight and he was at his lowest. Using the Tree of Depravity, Kurama can regenerate eternally as a parasite in Makihara’s body, and hence live forever, which makes this attack especially terrible. Kurama summons the Tree of Depravity, which consumes the life of its victim and causes them to experience constant hallucinations. Because Elder Toguro is technically immortal, his anguish will never stop and continue to go on forever. Torture at its worst.
6Ace’s Flame Emperor (One Piece)
Flame Emperor is Ace’s most incredible attack. Using his Flame-Flame Fruit, Ace can create a large, spiraling fireball resembling the sun and hurl it at his opponent to obliterate them. This was first (and only) seen being used during the final moments of Ace’s and Blackbeard’s battle. The clash of Flame Emperor and Blackbeard’s darkness covered most of the island they were on, the forces visible from far away It was an impressive display of strength, but unfortunately, not enough to take down Blackbeard and his Dark-Dark Fruit.
5Might Guy’s Eighth Inner Gate (Naruto)
Might Guy isn’t the only one who has opened all Eight Gates, but he does it just once and is one of the rare few to survive. The Eight Gates , a series of barriers that limit a person’s full potential, when removed, enhance strength but at a great cost to the body. The Eighth Gate provides access to Night Guy, a banned Taijutsu technique, but can also lead to complete destruction. Might Guy only uses the Eighth Gate once during a final battle with Madara. Thanks to Naruto’s Yin-Yang Release, he survives, but his leg suffers a lasting injury. As a result, he began using a wheelchair. You win some, you lose some.
4All Might’s United States of Smash (My Hero Academia)
The United States of Smash is All Might’s most powerful technique. It’s similar to his other attacks in that it’s a power-packed punch with a lot of energy behind it, but the energy levels are off the charts. He was able to smash All For One into the ground with it, despite the fact that his quirk had mostly been transferred to Deku, and his terrible injuries made any fighting difficult. This is most likely not the first time All Might has used the attack, but it is the only time we saw it in all of its majesty. (Just imagine how insane this attack in All Might’s prime would have been.)
3Tanjiro’s Hinokami Kagura: Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance (Demon Slayer)
The Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance is not just another Sun Breathing move in Tanjiro’s arsenal. It’s a game-changer. This move, which allows him to unleash a single continuous attack and fittingly enough, this attack takes the form of a flame-covered dragon that has the ability to decapitate multiple enemies in one go, which is what Tanjiro used to defeat Upper Moon Five, Hantengu.
2Netero’s Zero Hand (Hunter x Hunter)
Netero’s dedication was unparalleled as he meditated for several days to use Zero Hand against Mereum. Finally, he mustered the spiritual power to summon a bodhisattva, concentrating every last drop of aura he had into its mouth for a dramatic blast attack. Zero Hand hurt Mereum a thousand times more than any of Netero’s previous attacks. Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough to defeat the King of Chimera Ants.
1Ichigo’s Mugetsu (Bleach)
Using Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō, Ichigo achieves the Getsuga form, a transformation that not only drastically changes his appearance but also enhances his abilities. This form allows him to use Mugetsu, a powerful technique. When using Mugetsu, Ichigo can create a big black Reiatsu blade that can deal major damage.
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