The problem with power scaling: Why anime fights often stop making sense

Whether you’re a seasoned anime fan or new to the scene, there’s one debate you’ll see everywhere: “Who would win in a fight?” From Goku vs Saitama to Naruto vs Ichigo, fans love to compare characters across series, arcs, and universes. It’s fun—until it isn’t.

That’s because anime battles, especially in shonen or action-heavy series, often face a fundamental storytelling issue: power scaling.

Power scaling refers to how characters’ abilities grow and how those growths are measured relative to each other. Ideally, it maintains internal logic—so we understand why Character A can beat Character B after training or unlocking a new form. But in practice? It’s rarely that consistent.

Many anime start strong, with clear systems in place. Think Hunter x Hunter’s Nen, Naruto’s chakra, or My Hero Academia’s quirks. These mechanics give the audience an anchor, rules to follow, and progression to cheer for. But as stories grow in scale and intensity, the power levels often spiral into chaotic territory. Suddenly, enemies are planet-busters. Side characters vanish. Techniques are forgotten. And the logic breaks.

Why does this happen?

The answer lies in a complex mix of narrative ambition, fan service, market pressure, and the simple challenge of writing long-form battle arcs that escalate over hundreds of episodes or chapters. Creators are expected to deliver bigger, flashier fights—but those fights don’t always fit into the world they’ve built. Instead of consistent growth, we get plot-driven power—where whoever needs to win, does.

This article unpacks why power scaling issues arise, which anime suffer most (or least) from them, and how some series manage to keep it believable. We’ll also explore:

• Examples of fights that broke scaling rules

• The role of hype vs logic in battle scenes

• Why fan expectations shape power structures

• Whether “power creep” is inevitable in long-running anime

Ultimately, anime power scaling isn’t just about numbers or feats—it’s about trust. When scaling makes sense, we believe in the world. When it doesn’t, even the flashiest fight can fall flat.

What Is Power Scaling, and Why Does It Matter?

Power scaling is the relative measurement of strength between characters in a story. It helps answer: who’s stronger, faster, more durable, and why?

In well-structured anime, power scaling gives viewers:

• A framework to follow battles logically

• Clear stakes in conflicts

• Payoff for character growth and training

For instance, when Goku goes from Kaio-ken to Super Saiyan to Ultra Instinct, we understand each form as a step above the last. When Deku learns to control One For All, the scaling feels earned. These systems keep fans invested because they create narrative tension and satisfaction.

But when fights ignore those rules—when a character suddenly defeats a stronger opponent with no explanation—it breaks immersion.

Where It Goes Wrong: Inconsistency and “Plot Armor”

One of the biggest culprits in bad power scaling is inconsistency. Let’s look at some key examples:

• Naruto: By the Boruto era, power levels make less sense. Characters like Sakura are shown to have god-tier strength but often take a backseat. New characters use scientific ninja tools to bypass years of training, undermining earlier systems.

• Dragon Ball Super: Power jumps become exponential and confusing. How does Krillin spar with Goku in one arc, then get flicked away by low-tier enemies in another? Is Goku “planet-level” or “universe-level”? The answer shifts depending on the fight.

• Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War arc reintroduces power-ups and bankai forms that break earlier ceilings. Characters die, return, and surpass old limits with little logic.

This inconsistency is often due to plot armor—a narrative device where a character survives or wins simply because the story needs them to. While every protagonist benefits from it occasionally, overreliance ruins tension.

Power Creep: The Escalation Problem

Power creep happens when characters must constantly get stronger to keep the audience excited. The result? Massive inflation.

What starts as hand-to-hand combat evolves into multiversal battles. Abilities lose meaning because everyone is “the strongest.” Emotional impact fades, and earlier fights seem laughable.

Examples:

• Fairy Tail’s constant friendship-powered wins.

• Seven Deadly Sins escalating from sword fights to battles involving literal gods.

• Black Clover introducing new magic rules mid-fight to justify victories.

Power creep can be thrilling at first—but unsustainable in the long run.

When Power Scaling Works

Not all anime fail at power scaling. Some manage it incredibly well:

• Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed techniques have clear rules. Power boosts come at personal costs—like Domain Expansion requiring immense skill and risk.

• Hunter x Hunter: Nen has strict limitations. Battles are less about raw strength and more about strategy, creativity, and compatibility.

• Mob Psycho 100: Despite Mob’s immense power, the focus remains on emotional growth and restraint. His abilities aren’t used to solve every problem, which keeps scaling in check.

These series succeed because they prioritize logic, consequences, and character over spectacle.

Fan Expectations and Hype Culture

The pressure to keep fights exciting often drives inconsistent scaling. Audiences want jaw-dropping moments, viral scenes, and “power reveals.” This has led to:

• New forms every arc (Gear 5 Luffy, Ultra Ego Vegeta)

• Fanservice matchups that override logic

• Power systems that evolve too fast to follow

Studios cater to the hype, but at a cost—complex worldbuilding gets sacrificed for short-term excitement.

Can Power Scaling Be Fixed?

Absolutely—but it requires restraint, planning, and bold storytelling. Here’s how:

1. Define the power system early—and stick to it.

2. Set consequences for using high-level abilities.

3. Reward creativity and strategy over brute strength.

4. Limit sudden jumps—explain new powers clearly.

5. Value emotional stakes more than destruction scale.

When creators follow these principles, anime fights become more satisfying—because we believe the journey, not just the explosion.

Conclusion: Logic, Hype, and the Battle for Balance

Anime battles are about more than strength—they’re about storytelling. Power scaling should enhance character arcs, not override them. When done right, it builds tension, stakes, and satisfaction. When done wrong, it leads to confusion, disappointment, and narrative breakdown.

So next time you’re debating who would win—Goku, Naruto, or Saitama—ask yourself: does the fight make sense in their world, or is it just for the hype?

Power doesn’t need to be cosmic to matter. Sometimes, the most powerful moments are grounded in rules, risks, and real emotion.