Plot twists in anime can make or break the experience, rewarding a person's investment by letting them enjoy some riveting developments. Usually, these plot twists are foreshadowed in clever ways, managing to both take viewers by surprise and leave them in awe of the events that have transpired.
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However, in other instances, some plot twists are so obvious that most people will have figured out this information long before the reveal happens. Thankfully, the obviousness of these twists doesn't take anything away from the show, barring a few exceptions.
Minato Is Naruto's Father
Their Hair Color Was A Dead Giveaway
Naruto
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Showrunner
- Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto, being an orphan who had to shape his own destiny, made his fight against Neji so riveting, which is why some people may not like his fate as a child destined to follow in the footsteps of Ashura after being born to two powerful parents. Still, that takes nothing away from the epic moment when the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, is revealed to be his father.
His blonde, spiky hair was a dead giveaway, and it didn't help that he was constantly compared to the Fourth during the show. Despite the obviousness of this plot twist, fans still love seeing father and son finally interact after being separated for what feels like a criminally long time.
Dabi Is Toya Todoroki
His Fiery Powers Made It Easy To Connect The Dots
My Hero Academia
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- TBS, MBS, Nippon TV
From the very moment Dabi revealed his flame powers, fans always assumed that he had a relation to Endeavor. The fact that he abused his children and indirectly caused one of them to die was another hint that fans picked up on in no time.
The only way this obvious plot twist could've been hidden is by coloring Dabi's hair black, leading to a reveal where his hair whitens and he's revealed to be Toya Todoroki. It may be obvious, but this moment capped off the amazing Paranormal Liberation War arc and set the stage for a showdown between two of Endeavor's children.
Annie Is The Female Titan
The Titan Looked Way Too Similar To Her
Attack On Titan
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- 2013 - 2023-00-00
Annie Leonhart is one of the best characters in Attack on Titan, serving as one of the first traitors to be revealed at the end of the first season. However, fans who looked at the Female Titan's facial features found it easy to make this connection.
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By the time the Survey Corps figured out the identity of this assailant, fans were already awaiting the amazing clash between Eren and Annie in their Titan forms. It made for a great ending to Season 1 and built up a ton of intrigue for the events that would follow.
Tobi Is Obito
Saying The Name Over And Over Again Gives Viewers An Obvious Clue
Attack On Titan
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- 2013 - 2023-00-00
Tobi seems like a goofball, only for him to turn into one of the most interesting characters in the show after he becomes the leader of the Akatsuki and shows off his impressive powers. While he may call himself Madara Uchiha during this period, various hints allude to his actual identity.
The conveniently placed flashback introduces Obito, and fans who repeated Tobi's name over and over again uncovered this connection in no time. As convenient as this plot twist may seem, it makes Naruto's War arc more interesting before things truly go off the deep end.
Light Finally Getting Caught
No Way He Was Going To Get Away With It A Second Time
Death Note
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- October 4, 2006
The battle of wits between Light and L was a treat to witness, and fans were left guessing till the very end about who'd survive and who wouldn't. Ultimately, by manipulating Rem's feelings, Light was able to take L out and end the biggest threat to his ambitions as Kira. In comparison, the show's second arc isn't all that great, especially with Near being the L from Wish that no one could warm to.
However, by the time Light's identity was revealed to the Japanese Task Force, Light assumed that he had come out victorious. However, it was clear that he wasn't going to get away with this a second time, with Near's besting of Light being both predictable and frustrating in equal measure as one of the best mystery anime of all time ended with Light's demise.
The Reveal Of Gaku Yashiro As The Serial Killer
A Plot Twist Many People Aren't Fans Of In Erased
Erased
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- 2016 - 2016
A time-travelling mystery that becomes intensely riveting in no time, there's one part of Erased that fans are quite divided about. While trying to uncover the machinations of a serial killer, there's one particular character whose reveal as the main villain is so obvious that it's impossible for anyone not to foresee this plot twist.
Some people argue that Gaku Yashiro's reveal was intentionally orchestrated, while others felt that the story went for a toss after this so-called "plot twist". Either way, most people agree that this serial killer's reveal is one of the most predictable plot twists in anime history.
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