Power scaling has always been one of the biggest topics in the anime community. Whenever a new villain shows incredible strength, fans quickly compare them with some of the most powerful characters in anime history. As more action anime continue to raise the stakes, debates over who is truly the strongest have become more popular than ever.
Even with the rise of modern powerhouses, Goku remains one of the biggest standards for strength in anime. The Dragon Ball hero has spent decades breaking his limits, and his current Ultra Instinct form places him among the strongest characters in the franchise. With incredible speed, overwhelming power, and battle instincts that allow him to react automatically, Goku continues to be the benchmark for many anime crossover debates.
In this list, we’re comparing 15 popular new-generation anime villains against Ultra Instinct Goku based on the abilities and feats shown in their respective series. While every villain here is a major threat in their own universe, most would struggle against a Saiyan capable of fighting gods, moving at incredible speeds, and unleashing attacks powerful enough to shake entire worlds.
13. Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Ryomen Sukuna is widely regarded as the strongest and most dangerous character in Jujutsu Kaisen. Known as the King of Curses, he combines overwhelming cursed energy with exceptional combat skills and centuries of battle experience. Throughout the series, Sukuna proves that he is more than just a powerful fighter. He is a brilliant strategist who can quickly analyze his opponents and exploit even the smallest weakness.
Sukuna’s abilities make him a nightmare to face. His signature techniques, Cleave and Dismantle, can cut through enemies with incredible precision, while his mastery of cursed energy allows him to dominate most battles. He also possesses Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine, one of the most powerful domains in the series. Unlike many other domain expansions, it attacks everything within its range without creating a barrier, making it especially difficult for opponents to escape. Combined with his regeneration and adaptability, Sukuna has defeated some of the strongest sorcerers in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Even with all of these advantages, defeating Ultra Instinct Goku is a different challenge altogether. Dragon Ball characters fight on a level that far exceeds the power shown in Jujutsu Kaisen. Goku has battled enemies capable of destroying planets, galaxies, and even threatening the entire universe. His speed is so extraordinary that many opponents cannot even perceive his movements, let alone react to them.
Ultra Instinct makes Goku even more difficult to defeat. Instead of relying on conscious thought, his body automatically responds to danger, allowing him to dodge attacks with incredible accuracy. While Sukuna’s Domain Expansion and cutting techniques are devastating within the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, there is little evidence that they could overcome an opponent with Goku’s speed, durability, and overwhelming power.
12. Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Mahito is one of the most feared villains in Jujutsu Kaisen because he attacks something far more dangerous than the body. As a Curse born from humanity’s hatred and fear, he possesses the terrifying ability to manipulate souls through his cursed technique, Idle Transfiguration. With a single touch, Mahito can reshape a person’s soul, often causing fatal injuries or transforming victims into grotesque creatures. His unique power and cruel personality make him one of the series’ most unpredictable opponents.
One of Mahito’s greatest strengths is his ability to evolve during battle. Every difficult fight helps him better understand his own powers, allowing him to become stronger and more skilled in a short period of time. He can also reshape his own body for offense or defense, giving him impressive durability and making him difficult to defeat through normal attacks. Unless an opponent can directly damage his soul, Mahito is capable of recovering from injuries that would normally end a fight.
Despite these impressive abilities, facing Ultra Instinct Goku would be a completely different challenge. Mahito’s strongest technique depends on making physical contact with his opponent, and that is exactly where Goku has the advantage. Ultra Instinct allows Goku’s body to react automatically to danger without conscious thought, making him one of the hardest fighters in anime to hit. Mahito would struggle to land the touch needed for Idle Transfiguration before Goku counterattacks.
The difference in power between their worlds also plays a major role. Dragon Ball characters regularly battle at speeds and energy levels that far exceed what has been shown in Jujutsu Kaisen. Goku has survived battles against opponents capable of destroying planets and shaking entire universes, while Mahito has never faced that level of overwhelming force.
Mahito remains one of the smartest and most dangerous villains in Jujutsu Kaisen, especially against opponents who underestimate his abilities. However, against Ultra Instinct Goku, the gap in speed, power, and reaction time is simply too great. Goku would likely end the fight before Mahito could take advantage of his soul-based techniques.
11. Shigaraki Tomura (My Hero Academia)
By the Final War arc, Shigaraki Tomura has become the strongest villain in My Hero Academia and one of the most dangerous characters in modern shonen anime. After inheriting All For One’s powers, he gains access to an incredible collection of Quirks alongside his already terrifying Decay ability. This transformation turns him into a nearly unstoppable force capable of overwhelming even the world’s greatest heroes.
What makes Shigaraki so dangerous is the variety of abilities at his disposal. His Decay Quirk can destroy almost anything with a single touch, while his enhanced strength, speed, durability, and powerful regeneration allow him to keep fighting through attacks that would defeat most opponents. He can also adapt to different situations by using multiple Quirks together, making him an unpredictable enemy who is difficult to counter.
Even with these incredible abilities, defeating Ultra Instinct Goku is a completely different challenge. Dragon Ball operates on a much higher power scale than My Hero Academia. Goku has fought opponents capable of destroying planets, stars, and even threatening entire universes. His speed alone is far beyond anything Shigaraki has faced, making it extremely difficult for the villain to land the physical contact needed for Decay to work.
Ultra Instinct gives Goku another major advantage. Instead of relying on conscious thought, his body reacts automatically to incoming attacks, allowing him to dodge with incredible precision. Since Shigaraki’s strongest ability depends on touching his opponent, landing a hit against Ultra Instinct Goku would be incredibly unlikely.
Shigaraki would certainly push Goku to stay alert with his healing factor and wide range of Quirks, but the difference in speed, destructive power, and combat experience is simply too large. While Shigaraki stands at the top of My Hero Academia’s power hierarchy, he lacks the raw power needed to seriously threaten one of Dragon Ball’s strongest warriors. In the end, Goku’s overwhelming abilities would likely secure a decisive victory.
10. Rien From Hell’s Paradise
Rien stands as one of the most powerful characters in Hell’s Paradise, serving as the leader of the mysterious Lord Tensen. With centuries of experience and incredible mastery over Tao, she possesses abilities that make her almost impossible to defeat within her own world. Her regeneration, intelligence, and terrifying Kishikai transformation allow her to survive battles that would end almost anyone else’s life.
Much of Rien’s strength comes from patience and experience rather than overwhelming destructive power. She carefully studies her opponents, adapts to changing situations, and uses Tao to recover from devastating injuries. Throughout the series, these abilities make her an incredibly difficult enemy for Gabimaru and the rest of the cast to overcome.
Against Ultra Instinct Goku, however, those advantages become much less effective. Goku has spent his entire life fighting stronger opponents and constantly improving during battle. His combat instincts allow him to react almost instantly, making it extremely difficult for slower techniques or carefully planned attacks to connect.
Rien’s greatest weapon is her ability to outlast enemies through regeneration, but regeneration only matters if the fight continues long enough. Goku’s attacks have reached a level capable of overwhelming opponents with godlike durability. A single well-placed strike or energy attack could deliver more damage than Rien has ever been shown surviving.
9. Innocent Zero From Mashle: Magic and Muscles
As the final villain of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Innocent Zero possesses some of the most dangerous magical abilities in his universe. His mastery of dark magic, powerful transformations, and time-based techniques makes him an overwhelming threat to nearly everyone he encounters. His goal and immense magical strength establish him as the greatest challenge Mash Burnedead must overcome.
One of Innocent Zero’s most frightening abilities is his control over time. He can manipulate battles in ways that ordinary opponents cannot predict, while his magic allows him to weaken enemies and gain advantages during combat. Combined with his enormous magical reserves, he becomes one of the strongest characters in the series.
Even so, magic alone would not guarantee success against Ultra Instinct Goku. Throughout Dragon Ball, Goku has repeatedly faced opponents with unusual powers, unpredictable techniques, and abilities designed to overcome raw strength. His greatest advantage has never been brute force alone but his ability to quickly understand an opponent’s fighting style and adapt during battle.
Ultra Instinct also creates a major problem for Innocent Zero. Since Goku’s body reacts automatically, he spends less time thinking and more time avoiding attacks through pure instinct. That makes landing complicated magical techniques significantly more difficult than against ordinary fighters.
The difference in destructive capability is another deciding factor. Innocent Zero is one of the strongest magic users in Mashle, but Dragon Ball battles regularly involve attacks capable of threatening entire planets and beyond. Goku has fought opponents with divine levels of power and continued growing stronger after each challenge.
Innocent Zero deserves recognition as one of modern anime’s most memorable magic-based villains. His intelligence and unique abilities make him a formidable opponent within his own universe. However, when compared with Ultra Instinct Goku, the gap in power becomes too large to overcome. Goku’s speed, experience, and overwhelming strength would likely secure victory before Innocent Zero could fully exploit his magical advantages.
8. The Ant King From Solo Leveling
The Ant King is one of the most memorable villains in Solo Leveling, completely changing the direction of the Jeju Island arc with his overwhelming strength. The monster quickly establishes itself as a terrifying threat by defeating several elite S-Rank Hunters with ease, proving that humanity’s strongest fighters are powerless against it. His appearance marks one of the series’ biggest turning points.
The Ant King’s greatest strengths are his incredible speed, physical power, and ability to evolve during battle. His sharp instincts allow him to quickly understand opponents, while his poison and Gluttony ability make him even more dangerous over time. Every victory gives him opportunities to become stronger, making prolonged fights increasingly risky.
These abilities are devastating inside the Solo Leveling universe, but Ultra Instinct Goku exists on a much higher level of combat. Goku has spent decades battling enemies capable of destroying planets, stars, and entire universes. Compared with those opponents, the Ant King’s physical attacks simply do not reach the same scale.
Speed is often considered one of the Ant King’s greatest weapons, yet it becomes far less effective against Ultra Instinct. Goku’s body automatically reacts to incoming attacks, allowing him to evade opponents without conscious effort. Even if the Ant King attempted to overwhelm him with relentless attacks, connecting consistently would be extremely unlikely.
The Ant King’s evolution ability also requires time to become effective. Against Goku, that time may never exist. A decisive attack delivered early in the battle could end the fight before the monster has any opportunity to adapt or grow stronger.
7. Turbo Granny and the Kur From Dandadan
Dandadan introduces many unusual enemies, but few are as memorable as Turbo Granny and the alien race known as the Kur. These villains showcase the series’ creative blend of supernatural horror, science fiction, and comedy, making every confrontation feel unpredictable. Rather than relying only on physical strength, they challenge the heroes through strange abilities, curses, and advanced technology.
Turbo Granny quickly became one of the series’ most recognizable characters because of her supernatural speed and dangerous curse. Her possession abilities create unique problems that cannot simply be solved through brute force. Instead, defeating her requires intelligence, teamwork, and understanding how her powers actually work.
The Kur represents a different type of threat. Their advanced alien technology, powerful armor, and military tactics allow them to challenge the protagonists on a much larger scale. They bring futuristic weapons and overwhelming force that raise the stakes considerably compared with earlier supernatural encounters.
Despite their creativity, both villains face a major disadvantage against Ultra Instinct Goku. Dragon Ball battles revolve around overwhelming energy, extraordinary durability, and speed that exceeds normal comprehension. Goku has repeatedly fought beings capable of threatening entire worlds, giving him experience against opponents far stronger than conventional monsters or alien soldiers.
Ultra Instinct would also reduce the effectiveness of surprise attacks and unusual fighting styles. Whether facing curses, advanced weapons, or close-range assaults, Goku’s body reacts instinctively before his opponent can gain an advantage. Combined with his devastating ki attacks, this makes him extremely difficult to overwhelm.
6. Reze From Chainsaw Man
Reze is one of the most dangerous and unforgettable villains in Chainsaw Man. Introduced as the Bomb Devil Hybrid, she initially appears friendly and kind before revealing herself as a highly trained assassin. Her combination of explosive Devil powers, exceptional combat skills, and tactical intelligence makes her one of Denji’s toughest opponents. She is fast, ruthless, and capable of causing widespread destruction with explosions powerful enough to devastate large areas.
What makes Reze especially dangerous is how well she combines raw power with strategy. She doesn’t simply overwhelm her enemies through force. Instead, she studies their weaknesses, creates opportunities to strike, and uses her mobility to stay one step ahead. Her explosive abilities also allow her to attack from multiple directions, making her extremely difficult for ordinary fighters to counter.
Despite these impressive strengths, Ultra Instinct Goku operates on a completely different level. Dragon Ball characters have been fighting opponents capable of destroying planets and entire worlds for many years. Compared to those battles, Reze’s destructive power simply does not reach the same scale. Even if her explosions could threaten buildings or cities, Goku has repeatedly survived attacks far beyond that level.
Reze deserves her reputation as one of Chainsaw Man’s strongest antagonists because of her intelligence, versatility, and relentless fighting style. Against most anime characters, she would be a terrifying opponent. However, when facing Ultra Instinct Goku, the enormous difference in durability, speed, and power would almost certainly decide the battle in Goku’s favor before Reze could fully capitalize on her explosive abilities.
5. Yoru From Chainsaw Man
Among the Four Horsemen Devils, Yoru, the War Devil, stands out as one of the most fascinating antagonists in Chainsaw Man. As the embodiment of war itself, she has abilities that are tied to humanity’s fear of conflict, allowing her to transform objects and people into powerful weapons. This unique power makes her one of the most unpredictable characters in the series and a major threat within the Chainsaw Man universe.
Unlike villains who rely purely on physical strength, Yoru becomes stronger through the emotional and symbolic value attached to her weapons. The greater the sacrifice or personal attachment involved, the more powerful the weapon she creates. This unusual fighting style separates her from traditional battle-focused antagonists and adds psychological depth to every confrontation.
However, these abilities become much less effective when compared with Ultra Instinct Goku. Dragon Ball’s power system revolves around overwhelming energy, incredible physical durability, and combat speed that reaches godlike levels. Goku has repeatedly fought enemies capable of threatening entire universes, giving him experience far beyond anything demonstrated in Chainsaw Man.
Ultra Instinct also minimizes many of Yoru’s advantages. Since Goku reacts automatically to incoming attacks, he gives opponents very little opportunity to execute complicated techniques or carefully planned strategies. His speed alone would likely prevent Yoru from creating the kind of opening she usually relies on during battle.
Durability is another major difference. Even if Yoru managed to create an exceptionally powerful weapon, Goku has endured attacks from beings far stronger than anything shown in Chainsaw Man. His physical resilience has continued increasing throughout Dragon Ball Super, making it extremely difficult for opponents with lower destructive output to cause meaningful damage.
4. Kaiju No. 9 From Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 9 is the mastermind behind many of the disasters in Kaiju No. 8 and easily ranks among the strongest villains in the series. Unlike ordinary Kaiju that rely only on brute strength, Kaiju No. 9 combines intelligence, adaptability, and terrifying regenerative abilities. Its ability to evolve by absorbing other creatures makes it increasingly dangerous as battles continue, forcing the Defense Force to constantly develop new strategies.
Kaiju No. 9 can change its appearance, manipulate its body, create devastating attacks, and continue fighting even after suffering massive injuries. This combination makes it one of the most difficult enemies for humanity to eliminate. Every battle against it feels unpredictable because it constantly develops new ways to overwhelm its opponents.
Even with those advantages, Ultra Instinct Goku would present a challenge unlike anything Kaiju No. 9 has ever faced. Dragon Ball characters regularly fight at speeds that far exceed normal perception, while Goku’s automatic reactions make it almost impossible to surprise him during combat. Kaiju No. 9’s adaptive nature would struggle to keep pace with an opponent who can end battles almost instantly.
Raw destructive power also heavily favors Goku. Kaiju No. 9 threatens cities and military forces, but Goku has repeatedly battled enemies capable of destroying planets and beyond. The scale of Dragon Ball combat places its strongest fighters far above the level seen in Kaiju No. 8.
Regeneration is often Kaiju No. 9’s greatest advantage, yet regeneration becomes less useful against attacks powerful enough to completely overwhelm the target before recovery is possible. Goku’s strongest techniques possess enough energy to finish battles before prolonged adaptation becomes a factor.
3. Muzan Kibutsuji From Demon Slayer
As the creator of every demon in Demon Slayer, Muzan Kibutsuji is one of the most feared villains in modern anime. His incredible regeneration, immense physical strength, and ability to survive injuries that would instantly kill others make him nearly impossible to defeat. Throughout the series, the Demon Slayer Corps sacrifices almost everything to finally bring him down.
Muzan’s greatest strength is his ability to survive. Even after suffering severe damage, he can regenerate almost instantly while continuing to attack without slowing down. His body constantly adapts during battle, making it extremely difficult for opponents to exploit weaknesses. Combined with centuries of experience, he becomes a terrifying enemy for even the strongest Hashira.
Against Ultra Instinct Goku, however, those strengths lose much of their impact. Dragon Ball operates on an entirely different level of power. Goku has faced opponents whose attacks threaten planets, galaxies, and entire universes. Compared with those enemies, Muzan’s physical attacks simply do not possess enough destructive force.
Muzan’s regeneration also becomes much less valuable against overwhelming energy attacks. Dragon Ball techniques are capable of releasing enormous amounts of destructive force in a single instant, leaving little opportunity for recovery.
There is no doubt that Muzan is one of the greatest villains in Demon Slayer. His intelligence, adaptability, and terrifying presence helped create one of the series’ most memorable final battles. Even so, Ultra Instinct Goku exists on a completely different power scale. The enormous differences in strength, speed, durability, and energy output make this one of the clearest matchups on the list.
2. Akemura Soga From Kagurabachi
Akemura Soga has quickly established himself as one of the most intimidating villains in Kagurabachi. Known for his exceptional swordsmanship and deadly techniques, he combines incredible precision with supernatural abilities that allow him to drain life from opponents during combat. His calm personality and overwhelming skill make every appearance feel dangerous, earning him a reputation as one of the strongest characters in the series.
Unlike many action anime villains who rely on overwhelming force, Soga focuses on precision and efficiency. Every movement serves a purpose, allowing him to exploit weaknesses with remarkable accuracy. His mastery of the sword makes him especially dangerous in close combat, where even experienced fighters struggle to survive.
These abilities make Soga a major threat inside Kagurabachi, but Ultra Instinct Goku presents a completely different challenge. Close-range combat is one of Goku’s greatest strengths, especially after mastering Ultra Instinct. His body reacts independently, allowing him to avoid attacks before he consciously recognizes the danger.
Soga’s life-draining techniques would also require him to remain close enough to maintain pressure during battle. That becomes extremely difficult against an opponent who can instantly create distance, attack from range using powerful energy blasts, or overwhelm enemies with incredible speed before they have time to react.
1. All For One From My Hero Academia
Few villains have shaped their series as completely as All For One has in My Hero Academia. As the mastermind behind countless tragedies, he possesses the unique ability to steal and combine Quirks, allowing him to build an enormous collection of powers over many decades. His intelligence, planning, and overwhelming versatility make him one of the greatest supervillains in modern anime.
During the Final War, All For One demonstrates just how dangerous he truly is. He unleashes devastating attacks, survives incredible punishment, and repeatedly overwhelms the strongest Pro Heroes. His combination of offensive and defensive Quirks allows him to adapt to almost any situation, making him an exceptionally difficult opponent to defeat.
Even so, Ultra Instinct Goku exists on a far greater level of combat. Dragon Ball’s strongest fighters regularly battle beings capable of destroying planets, stars, and entire universes. While All For One is incredibly powerful within My Hero Academia, his greatest feats remain significantly below the scale of Dragon Ball’s highest-level conflicts.
Another important difference is speed. Goku’s automatic reactions under Ultra Instinct allow him to evade attacks almost effortlessly. Even with dozens of different Quirks at his disposal, All For One would struggle to land meaningful hits against an opponent who moves and reacts faster than nearly any character in anime
