Battle of legends: Luffy, Naruto, or Ichigo — Who's the true King of shonen
As the manga world charges deep into 2025, fans all over the world are going crazy over the latest chapters of
One Piece
(Elbaf Arc/Gear 5),
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex
, and
Bleach
: No Breaths From Hell. All three of our heroes have hit new highs or lows in power and emotion.
Here, we are comparing Monkey D. Luffy,
Naruto
Uzumaki, and Ichigo Kurosaki across power feats, character growth, and story impact, and rank who stands tallest in May 2025's storylines.
Power Unleashed
Luffy (One Piece)
–
With the Final Saga's: Egghead Island arc, Luffy's Gear 5 (Sun-God Nika) form is in full force. Against CP0 agent Rob Lucci, Luffy easily overpowers him, even though Lucci had also awakened his powers of Devil Fruit. Luffy's 'Gomu Gomu no Dawn Rocket' attack knocks out Lucci cold — proof of just how absurd his cartoonish, god-tier powers have become. Vegapunk even refers to Luffy as a living legend. In terms of raw battle dominance, Luffy is on another level.
Naruto (Boruto: Two Blue Vortex) –
Naruto's last great feat was activating his Baryon Mode, a one time use nuclear level power that burned the life force of Naruto to defeat Isshiki Ōtsutsuki. The tradeoff? Kurama, the Nine-Tails, died, and Naruto was severely weakened. In Boruto, Naruto hasn't reappeared in combat — he's currently sealed away by Kawaki. So while his power was once divine, it's currently dormant, with no new feats to show.
Ichigo (Bleach: No Breaths From Hell) –
Ichigo steps back into battle wielding his True Bankai, a fearsome double-bladed zanpakutō. He impales Szayelaporro Granz with overwhelming force. But this Hell arc brings consequences — Ichigo's powers are destabilized by the shift in spiritual balance, and he loses access to some key abilities by the end of the chapter. He's still powerful, but not at his peak anymore.
Verdict:
Luffy's power is not just shown, it's dominant and still rising. Naruto's might is in symmetry, and Ichigo, while striking hard, exits the arc weakened. For now, Luffy leads in raw combat strength.
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Luffy's Growth –
From carefree rubber boy to future Pirate King, Luffy's growth is both emotional and strategic. He's still wild and free-spirited, but now a full-fledged Yonko (Emperor of the Sea). In Egghead, he juggles rescuing Vegapunk, protecting his crew, and confronting the World Government — all while staying true to his ideals. His charisma inspires everyone from Yamato to Crocodile.
Naruto's Journey –
Naruto's journey from outcast to Seventh Hokage is legendary. As of Boruto, he's a protector and father figure, revered across nations. His sacrifice of Kurama and his current absence shape the new generation's story. Naruto isn't just a leader — he's a symbol of peace and resilience. His legacy is so strong, even in silence, it drives the plot forward.
Ichigo's Role –
Ichigo has evolved from a moody teenager into a battle-hardened protector. In No Breaths from Hell, he fights not for glory, but for duty and loved ones. Balancing life as a husband and father with the burden of his Shinigami past, he shows maturity and emotional strength. His confrontation with Ukitake's spirit shows deep emotional evolution — a hero not just of muscle, but of soul.
Verdict:
All three have walked paths of loss, growth, and glory. Naruto stands out in terms of legacy and moral leadership, while Luffy is the most active leader on the battlefield, and Ichigo offers quiet, grounded heroism.
Crowning the King
So, who truly rules the shonen realm in 2025?
Luffy
is at the center of the Final Saga of One Piece. He's defeating awakened CP0 agents with god-like ease, leading his crew into the heart of danger, and shaking the world's foundations with Gear 5. He's not just strong — he's dominating the narrative right now.
Naruto
, while once arguably the strongest of them all, is no longer on the battlefield. His past feats still echo, but until he returns, he remains a legend in stasis.
Ichigo
has returned in dramatic fashion, but the No Breaths from Hell arc leaves him temporarily weakened. He may rise again, but today, he's recovering from soul-shattering consequences.
Credits: Aftermath by Isaiah Colbert
Final Verdict:
Luffy stands as the top shonen hero in 2025 — active, powerful, and leading the charge in real time. Naruto remains the heart and legacy of his world, and Ichigo fights on with quiet courage. But when it comes to who's truly at the top right now, the crown goes to the Sun God himself: Monkey D. Luffy.
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, and
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. And don't miss our picks for the
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,
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