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Does 'Power of Friendship' Ruin Anime or Make It Better?

Ah, the good old "Power of Friendship." That whole thing that suddenly shifts the outcome of a fight giving our good old character some absurd will to fight, ohh and let’s not forget the sudden awakening at the last second. We’ve all seen it heck, we’ve all rolled our eyes at it. But is the Power of Friendship a lazy storytelling crutch, or is it an integral part of what makes anime so enjoyable?

The Case Against the Power of Friendship

Let’s be real. Sometimes, anime takes this concept way too far. You’re telling me that a scrawny teenager who just got his butt handed to him five minutes ago can suddenly win because he “believes in his friends”? Ohh come on.

Take Fairy Tail, for example. Great show, fun characters, but the Power of Friendship is basically a cheat code. Natsu should have died at least twelve times, but nope! Because he’s fighting for his friends, he unlocks a whole new level of strength and turns the tide of battle. Convenient, right?

And then there’s Naruto. We love Naruto right, but let’s not pretend like “talk-no-jutsu” isn’t a thing. This guy literally convinced people with decades of trauma and murder under their belts to switch sides just by talking about friendship. Sasuke? Redeemed. Obito? Redeemed. Nagato? Redeemed. Who needs therapy when you can just listen to Naruto give a motivational speech?

Why the Power of Friendship Actually Works

But before we throw the whole trope in the trash, let’s admit something: anime wouldn’t be the same without it. Why? Because deep down, we all want to believe that friendship is powerful enough to change lives. It taps into something universal, our desire to connect, to belong, to fight for something greater than ourselves.

Take One Piece, for example. Luffy’s crew isn’t just a bunch of power houses; they’re a family. When Luffy punches a celestial dragon or stands up to Big Mom, it’s not just for himself, it’s for his friends. And honestly, seeing them rally around each other is one of the most emotionally satisfying things in anime.

Or look at Hunter x Hunter. Gon and Killua’s friendship isn’t about making each other stronger in battle, it’s about pushing each other to grow as people. When Killua steps aside in the Chimera Ant arc because he realizes he’s holding Gon back? That hurts, man. That’s real friendship, and it makes the story way more impactful.

So, Does It Ruin Anime?

Not necessarily. It depends on how it’s executed. When done lazily (cough Fairy Tail cough), it can feel like a cheap excuse to avoid real consequences. But when done well, it can be the emotional backbone of a story.

Let’s face it, anime is a world where people can shoot energy blasts from their hands, summon giant mechs, and turn into demons. Is the Power of Friendship really the most unrealistic thing?

At the end of the day, we watch anime for the emotions, the hype, and yes, even the cheesy moments. So whether you love it or hate it, the Power of Friendship isn’t going anywhere. And honestly? Maybe that’s a good thing.

What do you think? Do you love the Power of Friendship, or do you think it ruins anime? 

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