Anime rivalries entrance fans with continuous tension. Their ongoing struggles to best each other drive many anime stories. In some anime rivalries, however, one party always outsmarts the other. Try as they might, the losing side can never seem to eclipse their rival.
The characters who constantly outsmart their enemies always know their opponents' next move. Whether the winning side is incredibly intelligent or just perceptive, they have a plan in place to take their rivals down once more. Anime has branded itself on tried and true rules, and these characters continuously outsmarting their opposition is one of the many anime constants.
Warning: Spoilers for The Promised Neverland.
10 Ash Ketchum (Pokémon)
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Ash Ketchum isn't particularly intelligent, but when faced with Team Rocket, he easily sees his way out of any situation they throw at him. No matter what Team Rocket does, Ash uses his extensive knowledge of his Pokémon and their types to send Team Rocket packing.
Ash usually has Pikachu strike the trio with his Thunderbolt attack, which often gets the job done. However, on rare occasions when Team Rocket gives him the slip, he and his friends easily outsmart Jessie, James, and Meowth. Team Rocket isn't the most shining gem on the crown of their company, but being bested by a ten-year-old proves how quick on his feet the young man really is.
9 Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
Senku Ishigami is uniquely qualified to wake up thousands of years after his own time to a much more primitive environment. His obsession with all things scientific allows him to not only survive his harsh environment but thrive in it. His scientific mind also aids in deftly evading his enemies.
While most of his opponents attempt to use brute force to defeat him, Senku works smarter. He uses his intelligence to create situations that skew toward his advantage. Even in times when he is the clear underdog, Senku devises detailed plans to ensure that the Kingdom of Science will continue to prosper.
8 Norman (The Promised Neverland)
Norman is arguably the smartest child at Grace Field House. Although Ray gives him a run for his money, Norman tends to read people more easily and takes more proactive action. This is particularly true after he and Emma discover the truth of their home.
Unfortunately, Norman is chosen to be adopted next, which they now know means certain death. Norman is transferred to an experimental site instead and manages to plan an escape inside closed walls. He even takes his fellow experiments with him. Norman is a brilliant boy who uses whatever he can to get the upper hand no matter how bleak the situation.
7 DIO Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
DIO Brando has been manipulative and self-serving since he began living with the Joestars. Despite their kindness in taking him in, DIO seeks to tear down his foster brother Jonathan at every turn, even stealing a kiss from the girl Jonathan has been pining after. However, things come to a literal head at the end of the first season when DIO and Jonathan have their final fight.
Jonathan uses everything he has, but when he thinks DIO is dead, he perishes himself. Unfortunately, DIO survives and attaches his severed head to Jonathan's body to continue living on and tormenting each new generation of Joestars. DIO manages to survive three generations of Joestars before Jotaro Kujo finally defeats the sadistic villain.
6 All For One (My Hero Academia)
All For One has the unique ability to take someone's Quirk and add it to his own stockpile. He even figures out how to give some Quirks away to his subordinates. With this power, All For One managed to evade capture for decades until an epic battle against All Might. Unfortunately, the battle left All Might badly injured, making his effectiveness as a hero start to dwindle.
Meanwhile, All For One lurked in the shadows, gaining strength with every passing year. Though he is once again defeated by All Might and captured, it seems to all be working according to his plan. He even gets let out of jail by the time the sixth season rolls around. All For One has a lot more in store for the heroes of Japan. He has survived and fought for such a long time that he seems to be ready for every movement going forward.
5 Zeke Yeager (Attack On Titan)
Zeke Yeager is the oldest Titan Warrior on Marley's side and has been a constant supporter of their ideology. His Beast Titan form is one of the strongest and most terrifying, and he uses all of his skills to his great advantage. For example, he uses thrown boulders as his main form of attack, because he is adept at pitching baseballs.
Just when the Scouts (especially Levi) seem to get a handle on him, Zeke manages to weasel out of their grasp to continue to fight for another day. Zeke is concretely set in his ideals, and will stop at nothing to ensure that his idea of the perfect Eldian life comes to fruition, even if it means climbing inside another Titan to survive.
4 Light Yagami (Death Note)
Light Yagami is so intelligent that he manages to trip up the world-famous detective, L. Light works as Kira for quite a while, honing his craft until he becomes the perfect assassin.
Light is so evasive that task forces are called in to deal with the situation. Light deftly avoids capture for the longest time, simply because he uses logic and reasoning to methodically kill people he believes should be dead. Light's immense invincibility is great enough that an otherworldly being has to take Light out for good.
3 Sora & Shiro (No Game No Life)
Sora and Shiro are a package deal when it comes to most competitions. The brother and sister pair are so intelligent and so in sync that nothing gets past their notice. Both Sora and Shiro are indescribably perceptive and quickly pick up on games and rules that they've never encountered before.
Sora and Shiro use their vast knowledge of gaming to easily move through the ranks to become the king and queen of Immanity. There is no game that they can't win, even against the toughest opponents. The pair never fails to outsmart their enemies, no matter the situation.
2 Korosensei (Assassination Classroom)
Korosensei is a genetic experiment gone awry. Although he was already an elusive character before he was transformed, Korosensei becomes practically unstoppable once his transformation is complete.
There are a few ways to end Korosensei's life, but he manages to evade or survive every attack thrown his way. Whether it's his incredible speed or his extensive knowledge of his opponent, Korosensei outsmarts every enemy until the end, when he chooses to let his students finally take his life.
1 Kiyotaka Ayanokoji (Classroom of the Elite)
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is one of the smartest students at The Advanced Nurturing High School. Yet, he lurks in the shadows, waiting to strike.
Ayanokoji always seems to know what's going on, even if he doesn't have the full picture. He is unbelievably discerning, picking up on things at which most people wouldn't think to look twice. Ayanokoji also defends his classmates, because he knows their good grace will benefit him in the long run. Ayanokoji has a secret agenda, and he isn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way of achieving his goal.