10 Anime Plot Twists You Can See Coming From Episode One

Anime writers often rely on foreshadowing and established tropes to build their narratives. These storytelling devices can sometimes make major reveals apparent to the audience long before the characters figure them out. Astute viewers can pick up on visual cues and dialogue hints that give away the ending or character secrets during the pilot episode. The following series feature plot twists that were heavily anticipated by fans from the very start.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Naruto Uzumaki is introduced as an orphan who is ostracized by his village for containing the Nine-Tailed Fox. The opening scenes establish that the Fourth Hokage sacrificed his life to seal the beast and save the village. Characters constantly remark on the physical resemblance between Naruto and the late leader. Fans quickly deduced that the hero was the son of the Fourth Hokage long before the official reveal. The connection seemed inevitable given the standard tropes of shonen storytelling regarding lineage and destiny.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–)

Izuku Midoriya is born without powers in a world where nearly everyone has a distinct Quirk. He idolizes the number one hero All Might who secretly suffers from a debilitating injury that limits his hero work. The pilot episode establishes that One For All is a transferable power that can be passed down to a successor. It became immediately obvious that All Might would choose the quirkless but heroic Izuku to inherit his abilities. The story depends entirely on this transfer of power to facilitate Izuku’s journey into academia.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Eren Yeager vows to exterminate all Titans after witnessing the destruction of his hometown and the death of his mother. The series establishes that Titans eat humans without needing sustenance and that their origins are unknown. Viewers immediately suspected that the Titans were actually transformed humans or that the main character possessed Titan powers. This theory solidified when Eren survives being swallowed whole during the Battle of Trost District. The eventual confirmation that humans can shift into Titans felt like a natural progression of the established lore.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012)

Ichigo Kurosaki is a teenager who can see ghosts and accidentally absorbs the powers of a Soul Reaper named Rukia. His father Isshin Kurosaki appears to be a goofy eccentric who attacks his son for comedic effect. The sheer physical strength and spiritual awareness displayed by Isshin hinted at a hidden past involving the supernatural. It came as little surprise to the audience when the story later revealed he was a former captain of the Soul Reapers. This twist aligned perfectly with the hereditary nature of spiritual pressure in the series.

‘Your Lie in April’ (2014–2015)

Kosei Arima is a piano prodigy who lost his ability to play after the death of his abusive mother. He meets a free-spirited violinist named Kaori Miyazono who helps him return to the music world. The series frequently shows Kaori taking medication and visiting the hospital while brushing off concerns about her health. Her eventual death is foreshadowed so heavily through visual cues and dialogue that the audience prepares for tragedy from the start. The narrative structure makes it evident that her purpose is to inspire Kosei before her inevitable departure.

‘Kill la Kill’ (2013–2014)

Ryuko Matoi transfers to Honnoji Academy searching for the owner of the other half of her Scissor Blade. She immediately clashes with Satsuki Kiryuin who rules the school with an iron fist and seemingly serves as the main antagonist. The intensity of their rivalry and the focus on their family histories hinted that they were actually related. Most action series follow a pattern where the initial rival becomes a crucial ally against a greater threat. The revelation that Satsuki is Ryuko’s sister and that they share a mother was a logical step for the plot.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt human transmutation to resurrect their mother and pay a heavy physical price. The series repeatedly emphasizes the Law of Equivalent Exchange which states that something of equal value must be lost to gain anything. Viewers quickly surmised that the legendary Philosopher’s Stone would require a horrific cost like human lives rather than simple materials. The dark tone of the government conspiracy subplot supported the theory that the stone was created through mass murder. The eventual reveal confirmed the grim reality that the brothers had unknowingly suspected all along.

‘Blue Exorcist’ (2011)

Rin Okumura discovers he possesses incredible strength and emits blue flames that identify him as the spawn of Satan. The entire premise of the show revolves around his heritage and his desire to become an exorcist to defeat his biological father. The title itself and the opening sequence make his demonic lineage clear from the very beginning. There is no attempt to hide the fact that Rin is the son of the devil despite the characters treating it as a secret. The tension comes from how others react to this truth rather than the mystery of his parentage.

‘Assassination Classroom’ (2015–2016)

A powerful yellow creature destroys most of the moon and threatens to do the same to Earth unless a class of misfits can kill him. This teacher known as Koro-sensei displays an unshakeable dedication to the well-being and education of his students. The audience easily inferred that he was originally a human who had been experimented on rather than a naturally born monster. His tragic backstory explains his motivation to teach and his specific request to be killed by Class 3-E. The emotional climax validates the suspicion that he was never a true villain.

‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ (2011)

Madoka Kaname is offered a wish by a cute creature named Kyubey in exchange for becoming a magical girl. The visuals occasionally shift into surreal and disturbing imagery that contrasts sharply with the typical magical girl aesthetic. Genre savvy viewers recognized that the deal was too good to be true and that Kyubey had sinister ulterior motives. The creature lacks emotion and treats the girls like disposable resources for gathering energy. The eventual twist regarding the true nature of witches and soul gems was anticipated by those paying attention to the dark atmosphere.

Tell us which other anime plot twists you successfully predicted right from the start in the comments.