Anime Knockout Tier List — Best Characters Ranked

Every Anime Knockout character ranked S to D tier – all 70+ fighters covered. Goku UI is still king, Tanjiro jumped to A tier after the March buff, and Krillin is still down bad. Verified against the latest patch.

Skip to: S Tier | A Tier | Full Tier Table | Beginner Picks

New to the game? Start with our Anime Knockout beginner guide or check the character unlock guide for coin farming tips. Grab all active Anime Knockout codes for free coins too.

Quick Reference Tier Table

Anime Knockout has over 70 playable characters right now. The game launched on February 7, developed by Lab Studio Games on Roblox. Below is the complete tier list at a glance based on knockback power, combo potential, ability utility, and competitive win rates. Scroll down for detailed breakdowns and ability analysis for every tier.

This ranking reflects the meta after the latest balance patch. Characters move between tiers as updates drop, so bookmark this page and check back after each patch.

S Tier — The Absolute Best Characters

The 5 best characters in Anime Knockout right now are Goku (Ultra Instinct), Saitama, Madara, Gojo, and Vegeta (SSB). These S-tier fighters have the strongest knockback values, the most reliable combo chains, and abilities that can swing entire rounds. S-tier characters maintain win rates above 60% in competitive lobbies, and Goku UI alone holds a 68% win rate across all skill levels. If you want to win consistently, these are your picks.

Goku (Ultra Instinct)

The undisputed king of Anime Knockout. Goku UI’s auto-dodge passive triggers on a cooldown and lets you phase through attacks that would catch any other character. His Kamehameha deals massive knockback that can KO opponents at 80% or higher, and his combo chains are some of the longest in the game.

Key abilities:

• Autonomous Ultra Instinct — Auto-dodge one incoming attack every 12 seconds
• Kamehameha — Long-range energy blast with devastating knockback
• Spirit Bomb — Slow but extremely powerful finisher that covers a wide area
• Instant Transmission — Teleport directly to your target for gap-closing pressure

Best combo: Light-Light-Heavy, Kamehameha, dash cancel, Light-Light, Spirit Bomb. This combo chains smoothly and can KO at 70% if every hit connects.

Goku UI costs 25,000 coins and is worth every single one. He has no meaningful weakness outside of his auto-dodge cooldown window, and even then his base moveset is cracked.

Saitama

The highest single-hit damage in the entire game. Saitama’s Serious Punch is so powerful that it can KO opponents at 50% from center stage. The trade-off is that his abilities have longer cooldowns than most S-tier characters, but when a Serious Punch connects, the round is basically over.

Key abilities:

• Serious Punch — Massive knockback punch that can KO at absurdly low percentages
• Consecutive Normal Punches — Rapid multi-hit combo starter with stacking damage
• Death Punch — Quick jab with short cooldown for neutral play
• Serious Sideways Jumps — Movement ability that also dodges attacks

Best combo: Consecutive Normal Punches into three Lights, dash cancel, Serious Punch. The setup is straightforward, but landing Serious Punch requires prediction and timing. Saitama rewards patience. Miss the Serious Punch and you are vulnerable for a full two seconds.

Madara

Madara brings the most oppressive ability kit in A-rank lobbies. His Susanoo transformation temporarily gives him a massive hitbox increase and super armor on all attacks, meaning you cannot flinch him during combos. The patch reduced Susanoo duration from 10 to 7 seconds, but it is still dominant enough to hold S tier.

Key abilities:

• Susanoo Activation — Temporary transformation with super armor and increased range
• Majestic Destroyer Flame — Wide AoE fire attack that covers platforms
• Limbo Clone — Invisible clone that attacks where Madara was standing, catching dodgers
• Tengai Shinsei — Meteor drop that covers a huge zone

Best combo: Activate Susanoo, Light-Light-Heavy into Majestic Destroyer Flame, chase with Lights. During Susanoo, you can trade hits freely because super armor absorbs the flinch.

Gojo

Gojo’s Infinity barrier is the single most annoying ability in Anime Knockout. When active, projectiles and melee attacks that hit from outside close range simply stop. Opponents have to get right in your face to deal damage, and that is exactly where Gojo wants them because his close-range combo game is elite.

Key abilities:

• Infinity — Passive barrier that blocks attacks from medium and long range
• Hollow Purple — Powerful projectile that pierces through and deals massive knockback
• Blue (Lapse) — Pulls enemies toward you, forcing them into melee range
• Red (Reversal) — Pushes enemies away with strong knockback

Best combo: Blue to pull in, Light-Light-Light-Heavy, Hollow Purple finisher. The pull-in creates guaranteed combo starters that most characters cannot match. If you enjoy the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, you should also check our Jujutsu Shenanigans tier list for another JJK-based Roblox experience.

Vegeta (SSB)

Vegeta hits harder per combo than almost anyone except Saitama. His Final Flash is a screen-spanning beam that deals enormous knockback and can catch multiple opponents at once. His mobility is excellent, and Big Bang Attack provides a reliable mid-range option when opponents try to zone you out.

Key abilities:

• Final Flash — Full-screen beam with the second highest knockback in the game
• Big Bang Attack — Mid-range energy sphere with solid knockback
• Galick Gun — Quick beam for neutral pressure and combo extensions
• Super Dash — High-speed lunge that closes distance instantly

Best combo: Super Dash in, Light-Light-Heavy, Galick Gun, dash cancel, Final Flash. This combo takes practice because Final Flash has a charge time, but the payoff is devastating.

A Tier — Extremely Strong Picks

The 6 A-tier characters in Anime Knockout are Luffy (Gear 5), Naruto (Baryon Mode), Ichigo (Bankai), Zoro (King of Hell), Tanjiro (Sun Breathing), and Sukuna. These fighters hold win rates between 52-58% and can beat S-tier picks in the right hands. Tanjiro is the biggest riser after the patch, having received a 20% knockback buff on Hinokami Kagura, jumping from B to A tier overnight. Each A-tier character has a strong kit with one or two minor weaknesses that keep them just below the absolute top.

Luffy (Gear 5)

Gear 5 Luffy is the most fun character to play in Anime Knockout. His rubbery physics let him bounce off surfaces and extend combos in ways no other character can replicate. Gum-Gum Bajrang Gun has insane knockback, but the startup animation is slow enough that skilled opponents can dodge it.

Key abilities: Bajrang Gun (massive knockback finisher), Gum-Gum Gatling (rapid multi-hit), Gum-Gum Pistol (long-range poke), Rubber Body (passive that reduces knockback taken by 15%).

Why A and not S: Bajrang Gun’s slow startup makes it punishable. Without landing the finisher, Luffy’s KO power drops significantly at lower percentages.

Naruto (Baryon Mode)

Baryon Mode Naruto trades long-term survivability for overwhelming aggression. His attacks drain the opponent’s ability cooldowns on contact, meaning the longer you fight Naruto, the fewer options you have. Rasengan’s forgiving hitbox and Shadow Clone distractions make him excellent for players still learning the game.

Key abilities: Massive Rasengan (knockback finisher), Shadow Clone Barrage (multi-hit combo tool), Baryon Drain (passive that extends enemy cooldowns on hit), Chakra Dash (fast repositioning).

Why A and not S: Baryon Mode has a timer. Once it expires, Naruto reverts to a weaker base form for the rest of the round.

Ichigo (Bankai)

Ichigo is the definition of “honest” in Anime Knockout. No gimmicks, no passive cheese, just raw speed and clean combo routes. His Getsuga Tensho is one of the fastest projectiles in the game, and his sword range gives him an edge in neutral spacing.

Key abilities: Getsuga Tensho (fast projectile), Bankai Rush (dash combo string), Gran Rey Cero (heavy energy blast), Flash Step (instant teleport dodge).

Zoro (King of Hell)

Three-sword style gives Zoro some of the widest hitboxes in the game. His attacks cover huge arcs, making him excellent at catching dodge-happy opponents. Ashura transformation temporarily triples his sword count and damage output, creating a terrifying burst window.

Key abilities: Ashura (temporary transformation with triple damage), Dragon Twister (wide AoE spin), King of Hell: Three Sword Serpent (multi-hit combo finisher), Oni Giri (quick triple slash).

Tanjiro (Sun Breathing)

Tanjiro received a significant buff in the patch. Sun Breathing stance now chains faster and the knockback on Hinokami Kagura was increased by 20%. He went from mid B-tier to solid A-tier overnight. His combo flow is intuitive and his ability cooldowns are the shortest among A-tier fighters.

Key abilities: Hinokami Kagura (enhanced slash with fire damage), Water Breathing First Form (quick gap closer), Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance (multi-hit chain), Transparent World (brief dodge window).

Sukuna

Sukuna is a high-damage brawler in Anime Knockout who plays like a slower, harder-hitting version of Gojo. His Cleave and Dismantle slashes cover different angles — horizontal and diagonal respectively — forcing opponents to guess which direction the attack comes from. Malevolent Shrine is his ultimate ability that creates a persistent damage zone punishing anyone who stays within its 15-stud radius for more than 1 second. Sukuna’s Domain Expansion provides brief invincibility and a burst of damage that can KO opponents above 90%. His main weakness is slow movement speed, making him vulnerable to hit-and-run tactics from faster characters like Levi and Killua.

Key abilities: Cleave (horizontal slash with 8s cooldown), Dismantle (diagonal slash with 6s cooldown), Malevolent Shrine (zone control ultimate with 25s cooldown), Domain Expansion (brief invincibility and damage burst with 30s cooldown).

B Tier — Solid and Reliable

The 9 B-tier characters are Sasuke (Rinnegan), Levi, Gon, All Might, Frieza (Golden), Escanor, Itachi, Killua, and Erza. These fighters maintain win rates between 46-52% and work well in most situations. B-tier characters lack the oppressive tools of higher tiers, but a skilled player can absolutely climb ranked lobbies with any of them. Levi is the standout here as the fastest character in the entire game, and Gon’s Jajanken Rock hits harder than every ability except Saitama’s Serious Punch.

Sasuke (Rinnegan)

Sasuke’s Amenotejikara swap is one of the most stylish moves in the game, letting you switch places with your opponent to set up combos or escape death. Chidori is a reliable finisher and Susanoo Arrow has insane range. The problem is his combo starters are predictable and experienced players can read his approach.

Levi

The fastest character in Anime Knockout. Levi’s ODM Gear movement is unmatched, letting him zip around the arena and attack from unexpected angles. His damage per hit is lower than most, so he needs to land more attacks to score KOs, but his speed makes him incredibly hard to pin down.

Gon

Jajanken Rock is one of the hardest-hitting single abilities in the game, second only to Saitama’s Serious Punch. The charge time balances it. Gon’s Nen enhancement gives his basic attacks solid range, and his combo game is straightforward. A rock-solid (literally) pick for players who like commitment reads.

All Might

United States of Smash is a devastating KO move with super armor during startup. All Might plays like a heavyweight brawler: slow but incredibly powerful. His weakness is mobility. Characters like Levi and Luffy can dance around him all day if they play patiently.

Frieza (Golden)

Golden Frieza is the best zoning character in Anime Knockout with the highest projectile output of any fighter. Death Beams fire rapidly with only a 3-second cooldown between volleys, Supernova covers a massive 20-stud radius area, and his unique float ability gives him aerial control that most characters cannot contest. Frieza’s float lasts 5 seconds and lets him dodge ground-based attacks while firing projectiles downward. He struggles in close quarters because his melee attacks have below-average knockback, but if you maintain spacing at 15+ studs, Frieza controls the pace of every fight. Golden Frieza costs 8,000 coins to unlock and is one of the best value picks in the game for players who prefer ranged combat.

Escanor, Itachi, Killua, Erza

These four characters round out B tier with strong but situational kits that reward specific playstyles. Escanor hits like a truck during his “The One” transformation, which lasts 6 seconds and boosts all knockback values by 40%, making him temporarily S-tier before reverting to average stats. Itachi’s Tsukuyomi stun sets up guaranteed free combos but is limited to single use per round with a 45-second cooldown, meaning you must make it count. Killua’s Godspeed transformation gives him Levi-level speed for 8 seconds, allowing him to overwhelm slower opponents with rapid attack chains. Erza’s armor swap mechanic provides the most versatility in B tier — her 4 armor sets each counter different playstyles — but requires deep matchup knowledge to use effectively. All four cost between 5,000 and 10,000 coins to unlock.

C Tier — Average Performers

The 11 C-tier characters in Anime Knockout are Deku, Rock Lee, Gaara, Zenitsu, Todoroki, Piccolo, Bakugo, Hinata, Gohan, Trunks, and Android 18. These fighters have win rates between 40-46% and are playable in casual lobbies but struggle against optimized opponents in ranked. Each C-tier character has at least one clear weakness — whether it is low knockback power, one-dimensional movesets, or predictable combo routes — that limits their competitive ceiling.

Deku — Full Cowling gives decent mobility but his attacks lack the knockback punch to close rounds. Rock Lee — Eight Gates is a powerful temporary buff, but outside of it, Lee feels barebones. Gaara — Sand Shield provides great defense but his offensive tools are sluggish. Zenitsu — Thunder Clap and Flash is one of the fastest attacks in the game, but Zenitsu only has one real move, making him one-dimensional. Todoroki — Fire and ice versatility sounds great on paper but neither element individually matches what focused characters offer.

Piccolo fills a niche with Special Beam Cannon’s armor pierce, but it is too slow to land consistently. Bakugo has explosive damage but short range. Hinata and Gohan are budget versions of better characters. Trunks and Android 18 have functional kits that never excel at anything specific.

D Tier — Needs a Buff

The 8 D-tier characters are Sakura, Krillin, Yamcha, Mineta, Konohamaru, Usopp, Mr. Satan, and Chopper. These fighters have win rates below 40% and genuinely struggle to win against anyone playing a competent higher-tier pick. Krillin holds the lowest win rate in the game at approximately 32%.

Krillin has the worst knockback ratios in the game. Solar Flare is his only standout tool, and it is avoidable on reaction. Yamcha is essentially a joke character whose Wolf Fang Fist looks cool but deals below-average damage. Sakura has healing, but in a KO-based game, healing is almost useless compared to raw knockback power. Mr. Satan relies on comedic timing and surprise factor, which stops working after one round.

Mineta, Konohamaru, Usopp, and Chopper fill out the bottom. They have functional abilities but nothing that competes with the depth and power of characters in higher tiers. If you enjoy them, by all means play them in casual lobbies. Just know you are playing on hard mode. For another perspective on character rankings across Roblox games, see our Blox Fruits tier list which uses a similar methodology.

Best Characters for Beginners

If you just started Anime Knockout, do not chase the expensive legendary characters immediately. These beginner-friendly picks are cheap to unlock and teach you the fundamentals.

Naruto (Base) costs only 1,000 coins and has a straightforward kit. Rasengan’s hitbox is huge, Shadow Clones distract enemies while you learn spacing, and his combo routes are intuitive. You will outgrow him eventually, but he teaches every core mechanic.

Luffy (Base) is another strong starter at 1,500 coins. Gum-Gum Pistol has the longest range among starter characters, and Rubber Body’s knockback reduction gives you more room to make mistakes without dying.

All Might at 3,000 coins plays simply: get close, hit hard, use Smash to KO. His heavy-hitting style is satisfying and his super armor on key moves lets you trade even when your timing is off.

The most important thing for new players is learning the knockback system. Watch your percentage, play defensively when it gets high, and save your KO moves for when the opponent is above 80%. Character choice matters less than game sense at lower skill levels. For detailed character breakdowns, see our best characters guide.

Advanced Tips and Combo Strategy

Once you have the basics down, these techniques separate good players from great ones. We cover every character’s optimal routes in our best combos guide.

Dash canceling is the most important advanced mechanic. After landing an ability, tap dash to cancel the recovery animation and immediately continue attacking. Every top player uses this to extend combos beyond what the normal attack chain allows. Practice dash canceling with your main until it becomes muscle memory.

Directional influence matters more than most players realize. When you are being combo’d, you can hold a direction to slightly alter your trajectory. This can mean the difference between getting KO’d off the side of the map or surviving by a pixel. Always hold toward the stage when at high percentages.

Edge guarding is how you turn a 60% knockback into a KO. When an opponent is launched off stage, position yourself at the edge and use a projectile or quick attack to catch their recovery. Gojo’s Red, Frieza’s Death Beam, and Ichigo’s Getsuga Tensho are the best edge guarding tools in the game.

Cooldown tracking separates average players from elite ones. Every character’s abilities have fixed cooldowns. Once your opponent uses their big move, you have a window to punish. This is especially important against Saitama (Serious Punch has a long cooldown), Madara (Susanoo downtime), and Naruto (Baryon Mode expiration). Attack aggressively during their vulnerability windows and play safe when their abilities are available.

Team composition matters in squad modes. Pair a zoner like Frieza with a rushdown character like Levi. One player controls space while the other applies close-range pressure. S-tier characters are strong individually, but coordinated team play with A or B-tier fighters can absolutely dismantle solo-queue lobbies.

Meta Analysis and Recent Changes

Anime Knockout launched on February 7,, and the developers at Lab Studio Games have already pushed several balance patches. Here is how the meta has evolved.

Launch meta: Madara and Saitama dominated. Madara’s Susanoo lasted a full 10 seconds and had no counterplay outside of running away. Saitama’s Serious Punch hitbox was even larger than it is now. Early lobbies were brutal for anyone not running one of these two.

Mid-February patch: Goku UI was added to the roster and immediately became the most picked character. His auto-dodge passive felt broken at launch because it had an 8-second cooldown (now 12 seconds). Madara’s Susanoo received its first duration nerf from 10 to 8 seconds.

Late February patch: Major buffs to underperforming characters. Levi got an ODM Gear speed increase, Killua’s Godspeed duration was extended, and several C-tier characters received knockback buffs on their finisher moves.

Early patch (current): Tanjiro’s Sun Breathing received a significant buff that pushed him from B to A tier. Madara’s Susanoo was nerfed again to 7 seconds. Goku UI’s auto-dodge cooldown increased from 10 to 12 seconds. The overall effect is a healthier meta where more characters are viable at competitive levels.

The game is still young and the meta will keep shifting as Lab Studio Games continues to add characters and adjust balance. We will update this tier list after every major patch, so bookmark this page and check back regularly. For more Roblox PvP rankings, check our tier lists hub for every major game.

How We Rank Characters

Transparency matters. Here is the methodology behind this tier list.

Every character is evaluated across four criteria:

• Knockback Power: How effectively can this character score KOs? Characters with high knockback on their key moves rank higher because the entire game revolves around knocking opponents off stage.
• Combo Potential: Can this character chain attacks reliably? Consistent combo routes mean more damage per opening, which means faster KOs.
• Ability Utility: How useful are the character’s abilities in neutral play, defense, and recovery? Passive abilities like Goku UI’s auto-dodge and Gojo’s Infinity provide constant value.
• Win Rate and Community Consensus: We factor in community tier list data from TierMaker rankings and competitive player feedback to validate our assessments.

No single criterion determines placement. A character can have the strongest single move in the game (Saitama’s Serious Punch) but still rank below a character with a more complete overall kit (Goku UI). The overall package matters most.

We update this tier list with every balance patch. If you disagree with a placement, the meta might have shifted since our last update, or you might be onto something we missed. The Anime Knockout competitive scene is still forming, and community input helps refine these rankings. Drop your feedback and check our tier lists hub to see rankings for other Roblox PvP games.

More Tier Lists You’ll Love

If you’re into anime fighting games on Roblox, you’ll probably want to check these out too:

• Jujutsu Shenanigans Tier List - Every character ranked with combo guides and Domain Expansion tips
• Sorcerer Incremental Tier List - All spells ranked S to D for the fastest progression
• AniPixels Tier List - Best units ranked for this pixel-art anime battler
• Type Soul Bankai & Schrift Tier List - Every Bankai, Schrift, and Resurreccion ranked
• Roblox Rivals Tier List - Best weapons and characters for the FPS meta

FAQ

Who is the best character in Anime Knockout right now? Goku (Ultra Instinct) is the best character in Anime Knockout as of. His auto-dodge passive, devastating Kamehameha, and insane combo chains make him nearly untouchable in skilled hands. Saitama is a close second with the highest single-hit damage in the game.

Is Anime Knockout pay to win? No. Every character in Anime Knockout can be unlocked through gameplay by earning coins from matches. Premium characters cost more coins and take longer to grind, but none of them are locked behind a paywall. Skill and matchup knowledge matter far more than your roster size.

What is the best combo in Anime Knockout? The strongest combo in Anime Knockout is Goku UI’s Light-Light-Heavy into Kamehameha, followed by a dash cancel into Spirit Bomb finisher. For non-S-tier characters, the universal bread-and-butter is three Light attacks into your character’s signature ability, then dash cancel to extend.

Which character is best for beginners in Anime Knockout? Naruto is the best beginner character. His Rasengan has a forgiving hitbox, Shadow Clone creates distractions that buy you time, and his combo routes are simple to learn. Luffy is another great starter thanks to Gum-Gum Pistol’s long range and the rubbery dodge passive.

How many characters are in Anime Knockout? Anime Knockout has over 70 playable characters as of, with new additions arriving in almost every update. Characters are inspired by popular anime series including Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Punch Man, Demon Slayer, and more.

Did the update change the Anime Knockout meta? Yes. The early patch rebalanced several characters, buffing underperformers like Tanjiro and nerfing overtuned picks like Madara’s Susanoo duration. Goku UI remained on top, but the gap between S and A tier has narrowed significantly, making more characters competitively viable.

What is the worst character in Anime Knockout? Krillin is widely considered the weakest character. His low knockback power, small hitbox on Destructo Disc, and lack of a reliable combo finisher put him at the bottom. That said, Krillin’s Solar Flare stun can still catch opponents off guard in casual matches.

How does the knockback system work in Anime Knockout? Anime Knockout uses a percentage-based knockback system. As you take damage, your knockback percentage increases, and hits send you further. At high percentages, even a light attack can launch you off the map. Managing your percentage by playing defensively when it gets high is a core survival skill.

Can you play Anime Knockout on mobile? Yes. Anime Knockout is available on all Roblox platforms including PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Meta Quest. The controls are adapted for touchscreen with on-screen buttons for attacks and abilities. Mobile players can be competitive, though PC players generally have faster inputs.

Are there any free codes for Anime Knockout? Yes! The developers regularly release codes that give free coins, gems, and other rewards. Redeeming codes is the fastest way to unlock new characters without grinding. Check our Anime Knockout codes page for all currently active codes updated daily.

How do you unlock characters in Anime Knockout? Characters are unlocked by spending coins earned from matches. Common characters cost 500 to 2,000 coins, while legendary characters like Goku UI and Saitama cost 15,000 to 25,000 coins. You earn roughly 100 to 300 coins per match depending on your placement, so legendary unlocks take focused grinding.