Summary
Anime often leans on familiar tropes and stereotypes, like that of the classic plot twist. Some of the better storytellers in anime skillfully subvert these expectations, sometimes completely blindsiding the audience with a revelation. They use these twists to add a spice to the story, keeping things engaging with a big reveal.
Plot twists might not always be crucial to the story, but are fantastic for adding surprising moments that keep readers or watchers hooked. Whether it is something tragic or something that completely defies expectations, a well-executed plot twist leaves everyone in disbelief. The more unexpected and beautiful the surprise, the more unforgettable the story becomes for you as a viewer.
10Rei Ayanami’s Identity - Neon Genesis Evangelion
Rei Was A Clone Made Out Of Gendo’s Despair
Neon Genesis Evangelionhassuch a complex plot that upon its completion, many of us were puzzledand sought detailed explanations to understand what actually happened. One of its most twisted revelations comes from the introverted pilot of Evangelion Unit 00, Rei Ayanami.
During a flashback episode, we learn about the backstory of NERV and several other characters, including a young Rei, who looks just like Gendo’s late wife, Yui. There are also multiple other Reis at the dummy plug plants, implying that Rei was a clone that Gendo created after his wife’s death, based on her appearance.
9The Truth Of The Philosopher’s Stone - Full Metal Alchemist
The Philosopher’s Stone Fed On Human Souls
From the beginning of the seriesFull Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Edward and Alphonse Elric seek to restore their body parts lost in an attempt to resurrect their mother’s body when they were young.
They discover that a Philosopher’s Stone can defy alchemy’s rules, giving them hope to restore themselves. After their research, they uncover a grim truth, to create the stone, one must commit multiple human sacrifices. Although there were signs earlier, the shocking truth eventually revealed the horrifying cost they must pay to restore their bodies, one that no one should pay.
8Koro-Sensei & The Moon - Assassination Classroom
Koro Wasn’t The Monster Everyone Thought He was
Assassination Classroom introduced us to Class 3-E and their ever-smiling teacher, Koro Sensei, who tasks them with the mission of killing him before the end of their term to prevent the destruction of Earth.
The students decide they must be the ones to kill their tentacled teacher after learning he had already destroyed the moon and threatened to do the same to Earth if not stopped. But, later in the series, it becomes evident that Koro Sensei wasn’t responsible for the moon’s destruction. It was an experiment gone wrong that caused the explosion, and yet he took the blame to motivate his students.
7Unexpected Death Of Ace - One Piece
Ace Sacrifices Himself To Save Luffy
One Piecealways portrayed a close bond between Ace and Luffy, so his death hits especially hard, becoming one of the most emotional moments in the series. During his duel with Teach on Banaro Island, Ace is captured by the Marines and sentenced to death.
Luffy and his allies, in a desperate attempt, try to save him, but as they are escaping with regained hope, Admiral Akainu provokes Ace into a fight, ultimately overpowering him and turning his attention to Luffy. Seeing this, Ace sacrifices himself in a brotherly act to protect Luffy from certain death.
6The Death Of L - Death Note
Light Made The Shinigami Kill L
Death Notefollows the story of Light Yagami, who discovers a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. However, what begins as a chance to rid the world of evil, turns into his tool to achieve absolute power.
As Light Yagami continues his killing spree, he is rivaled by a detective known only as L. The intense cat-and-mouse chase between the duo becomes the highlight of the show. But when L finally uncovers the identity of this mysterious killer, it’s too late. Light manipulates a Shinigami to write L’s name in his notebook, eventually killing his arch-rival.
5The Truth About Reiner And Bertholdt - Attack On Titan
Friends And Comrades Of The Survey Corps Were Titans
Attack on Titancontained many shocking developments over the course of four seasons, but the way that the series dropped the truth about Reiner and Bertholdt has to be the most casually extreme reveal of all time.
During Season Two, Reiner reveals to Eren that he is the Armored Titan and that Bertholdt is the Colossal Titan, inviting Eren to join their cause. The way he speaks feels like a joke, but as the tension mounts and his expressions change, it becomes clear that he is actually telling the truth, and everyone is left stunned as both Reiner and Bertholdt reveal their Titan forms.
4Aizen’s Unexpected Betrayal - Bleach
Aizen Orchestrated His Own Death
Aizen’s betrayal of the Soul Society inBleachwas one of the biggest betrayals ever seen in Shōnen anime. Initially appearing as a wise and honorable captain of the 5th Division, the anime presented him as the character everyone loved, only for him to be mysteriously murdered.
Following his death, everyone starts to suspect Ichigo and his friends for his murder. Later, it’s revealed that Aizen planned his fake death, to completely dismantle the Soul Society’s order and eliminate the Soul King.
3Lelouch’s Death - Code Geass
Zero Is Actually A Persona Of Lelouch Himself
Code Geass is an anime full of political intrigue and manipulation, with the series' biggest twist coming when the true identity of Lelouch is revealed. Throughout the series, Lelouch is portrayed as a rebel, working to free Japan by bringing down his father, the Emperor of Britannia.
When Lelouch finally ascends to the throne, he reveals his plan to rule the world as a dictator but is executed by Zero. In a jaw-dropping revelation,we find out that Lelouch orchestrated his own death at the hands of Zero, his masked alter ego, as part of his plan to unite the world in peace.
2Grisha’s Memories - Attack On Titan
Eren Was Playing Chess While Everyone Else Was Playing Checkers
Attack on Titanintroduced Eren Yeager,a character who cooked up a secret plan and plot twist so mind-bogglingthat it left everyone rethinking everything they’d seen in the anime. The Yeager brothers, Zeke and Eren always had a difference of opinion over the use of the Founding Titan’s powers.
Zeke believed that Eren was brainwashed by their father, Grisha, into having the same extremist views regarding the Eldians and Marleyans. But as it so happens, Zeke slowly realizes that Grisha isn’t the same terrible father to Eren as he was to Zeke. Instead, Eren was the one who used the Attack Titan’s power to manipulate their father into killing the Reiss family.
1Itachi’s Sacrifice - Naruto
Itachi Murdered His Entire Clan For The Greater Good
Everyone knew that Itachi and Sasuke UchihafromNarutowere destined to face each other at some point in the series. Since the first episode, Sasuke’s main driving force was to avenge his clan by killing his brother Itachi.
Finally, it happened in an epic brother-versus-brother duel, and Sasuke took his revenge, and just when it seemed that Itachi’s storyline was complete, the creators shocked everyone by revealing Itachi’s true motivations. Sasuke discovers that in the past, the Uchiha clan was planning a coup against the leadership of the Leaf Village and Itachi was ordered to eliminate his own clan to prevent a civil war leading to more bloodshed, which he did while secretly protecting Sasuke and the Village.
