1. The Void Lords

The Void Lords are cosmic entities deeply embedded within the lore of World of Warcraft. These unfathomable beings reside within the void, a dark and chaotic dimension, and their ultimate goal is to consume all of reality. To achieve this sinister aim, the Void Lords seek to corrupt and harness the power of the Old Gods, ancient and corrupted creatures that once roamed Azeroth. The relationship between the Void Lords and the Old Gods is symbiotic, as the Old Gods’ presence in Azeroth serves as a gateway for the Void’s influence.
We put them at first place because up until recently the Titans (basically the gods of the WoW universe) didn’t even notice their existence proving they are more powerful than the Titans themselves. However, so far there hasn’t been much information about them. It is expected more will be revealed in the next expansion.

2. Sargeras

Sargeras, the leader of the Burning Legion in the World of Warcraft lore, is widely regarded as the second strongest character in the game’s universe, second only to the Void Lords themselves. His immense power stems from several key factors. First, Sargeras was originally a noble and powerful Titan, one of the cosmic beings responsible for shaping and maintaining the universe. So, we can basically call him a god. Secondly, Sargeras commands the mightiest demonic army in existence, the Burning Legion. Plus, we know that he can wipe out a planet from existence with one single touch. Sargeras and Lucifer are similar in a lot of things, they’re both deities that are considered ”fallen” and are also at least lore-wise considered the masterminds behind most evil in the world.

3. The Pantheon (Aman’Thul, Eonar, Norgannon, Golganneth, Khaz’goroth, Aggramar)

In the vast and intricate universe of World of Warcraft, the Titans are ancient and awe-inspiring cosmic beings. These colossal, god-like entities are the architects of worlds, responsible for shaping and ordering the chaotic cosmos. Their unrivaled power is rooted in their unique ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality, crafting planets and imbuing them with life. The Titans are so strong because they possess an unparalleled mastery over arcane forces, allowing them to reshape entire worlds.

4. The Old Gods (C’Thun, Yogg-Saron, N’Zoth, Y’Shaarj)

In the expansive World of Warcraft universe, the Old Gods are ancient, malevolent entities. They dwell deep beneath Azeroth’s surface, spreading corruption. These beings are immensely powerful, their tendrils reaching into mortal minds, sowing madness. Their origins used to be shrouded in mystery. However, in recent lore expansions, it has been revealed that they are a creation of the void lord. Their purpose is to corrupt the Titan who is inside of a plant thus adding it to the void. Despite their confinement, they continue to manipulate events in Azeroth. The Old Gods are a source of constant dread, their dark influence a shadow that lingers over the world, making them enduring and ominous figures in Warcraft lore.

5. Elune

Elune, a revered goddess in the World of Warcraft universe, wields incredible powers. She’s known for her radiant light, healing, and life-giving abilities. So, it comes as no surprise that Elune’s divine influence empowers her followers, granting them strength and guidance. Her presence in the night sky is said to inspire hope and wonder among the night elves. However, Elune’s exact origins and nature remain mysterious. Her powers shape the destiny of Azeroth, making her a revered and potent force in the Warcraft lore.

6. Naaru

The Naaru are another celestial beings within the World of Warcraft universe. These benevolent entities actively combat the forces of darkness, offering guidance and wisdom to those who seek their aid. The Naaru’s radiant presence can purify and heal, and they’re often called upon in times of great peril. These beings are revered by the draenei, who share a close bond with them. Similar to the one of Elune and the Night Elves. Their strength derives from their ability to harness and manipulate this divine energy, allowing them to heal, purify, and combat the forces of darkness effectively. Additionally, their unwavering dedication to the cause of goodness and their commitment to fighting against the Void and the Burning Legion further amplifies their strength.

7. Medivh

Medivh is a significant character in the Warcraft universe. He is the son of Aegwynn, the Guardian of Tirisfal, and was born with innate magical talent. Medivh eventually became a Guardian himself, a position bestowed with tremendous magical power and the duty to protect Azeroth from demonic threats.

However, Medivh’s life took a dark turn when he was cursed by the dark titan Sargeras while still in his mother’s womb. This curse granted him vast knowledge but also led to his corruption and madness. Under Sargeras’s influence, Medivh opened the Dark Portal, allowing the orcish Horde to invade Azeroth, an event that triggered the First War.

8. Kil’jaeden/Archimonde

Kil’jaeden, a cunning and manipulative eredar, wields potent demonic magic, and he plays a key role in the Burning Legion’s relentless crusade to destroy worlds. Archimonde, on the other hand, is a colossal and fearsome eredar who leads the Legion’s armies with an iron fist. Both are architects of chaos and destruction, driven by a relentless desire to spread the corruption of the Burning Legion across the universe. Their immense power, strategic brilliance, and ruthless determination make them formidable adversaries in the ongoing battle for Azeroth’s survival.

9. Queen Azshara

Azshara was once the queen of the night elves. Her beauty was legendary, and her reign marked an era of prosperity in the ancient city of Zin-Azshari. Azshara’s thirst for power, however, led her down a treacherous path as she became enamored with dark forces. Particularly, her obsession with the Old Gods. It led to the catastrophic Sundering, which shattered the world of Azeroth. Transformed into a powerful naga sorceress, Azshara continues to scheme and plot, seeking to reclaim her lost glory and unleash unspeakable horrors upon the world. Her charisma, mastery of arcane magic, and ruthless ambition make her a captivating yet dangerous figure in the Warcraft lore.

10. Cenarius

Cenarius is a demigod who has a deep connection to nature and the Emerald Dream. As the son of the moon goddess Elune and the forest lord Malorne, Cenarius possesses a unique blend of celestial and natural powers. His presence in Azeroth brings life and vitality to the land, and he serves as a guardian of the natural world. Cenarius plays a crucial role in teaching and guiding mortal races, particularly night elves and tauren, in the ways of druidism and respecting the balance of nature. With his antlered crown and immense strength, Cenarius embodies the harmony between the mortal realm and the wilds.

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From Darkseid to Superman, to the mischievous Mr. MXYZPTLK to the Czarnian Bastich himself, The Main Man, Lobo! The DC universe is crammed with beings who possess god-like powers, heck some of them actually are gods.

This is a subject we are revisiting, as we have examined it in a tad more detail in a previous article. However, this time around, we will be concentrating our focus on the DC character who came out top of this list of the 6 most powerful beings in the DC cosmos.

While others are veritable gods, he is the god. The reason the DC Universe exists in the first place, apart from the artists and writers of course Mr. Let There Be Light himself, The Presence (known, on this side of existence, as God.)

Origins of The Presence

According to the DC narrative, The Presence is the all-powerful being who began it all. Modeled after The God of the Abrahamic religions, reigning over a hodgepodge of pantheons derived from various religions, and mythologies, The Presence, also known as The Voice, first made appearance on DC pages in 1940 in the original The Spectre comic.

However, according to the DC narrative (which borrows heavily from the Christian Bible), in the beginning, was The Presence and only The Presence. As The Voice, he created the word, along with the DC Multiverse which contained heaven and Earth.

He then created the first order of beings, The Celestials. Among whom was The First Of The Fallen (Satan) who was meant to embody The Presence’s consciousness. After which, he created other beings, deities, and demons who would go on to rule their own sections of the multiverse.

Plans Go Awry

That didn’t happen, as his creations had wills of their own. The First Of The Fallen goes and decides that God is mad, and is banished to Hell. A Guardian that The Presence had created, Kronus, then went rogue, and looked back in time and witnessed something he probably shouldn’t have. A). A secret manifestation of The Presence, known as The Hand, who shaped the Multiverse, and B). The creation of a female who was a companion to Adam She rebelled against The Presence and found herself being banished to hell.

Rebellion against The Presence

The Presence then took the form of The Presence, speaking to his creation, only in voice, which led many to doubt his judgment. Samael then decided that all of creation should write their own destiny, and not follow God’s plan. He then leads a rebellion against The Presence.

The Archangel, Michael, and his cohorts eventually defeat Samael. He and his fellow rebels are thrown into hell. The Presence, believing that Samael would do better being away from him, gives him command of hell (knowing what that would lead to.) Samael assumes the name Lucifer and goes on to ruin humanity’s relationship with The Presence.

Ultimately, the fall of humanity was also part of The Presence’s plan, as he desired all of creation to write their own destinies. To choose for themselves, what is right, and what is wrong. The story that plays out throughout all the comics in the DC Universe is The Presence’s plan, in motion. If that isn’t power, we don’t know what is.

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Omni Man’s first appearance was in issue 1 of Invincible. Nolan Grayson is the husband to Debrah Grayson and father to Mark Grayson who would go on to become Invincible. The entire planet is aware that Omni Man is their most powerful superhero. Sometimes, he is a member of Guardians of the Globe. They are a team that closely resembles the Justice League.

Origin of the legendary Omni Man

Nolan Grayson aka Omni man is an alien. A member of the viltrumite race who came from the planet Viltrum. As Nolan’s son Mark approaches his 18th birthday, Nolan plans on to start training Mark who is half-alien and half earthling. He told Mark all about his life and the Viltrumite people. Viltrumites stationed Nolan on Earth where he met Mark’s mother and became Earth’s greatest champion.

Viltrumites

They are a benevolent race of beings who evolved through a form of Darwinism. After breeding the strongest of their people, they go out to the stars and begin to defend the universe for other weaker planets. Viltrumites also live to be 1000s of years old and their speed and strength are one of the highest in the universe. Additionally, they get more powerful as they age. So it is rare for a young Viltrumite to be stronger than a more mature or even elderly one.

Biggest early twist of the Invincible show

Omni Man is not exactly who he says he is. One day he summons the entire guardians of the globe team to their main base where he systematically dismantles all of them. He kills all of them easily. After slaughtering the entire team, he makes the rest of the planet believe that an unknown enemy attacked them. The remaining superheroes are obviously shocked to learn of their passing. Especially Mark, who looked up to the team and wanted to be a part of it one day. One of the team members, Immortal, survived. Well not exactly survived. He was resurrected by the Mauler twins so they can use him for manipulation.

Omni Man is a horrible father (SURPRISE!)

Nolan had to admit to Mark about killing the Guardians of the Globe. Then he went on to explain the truth about the Viltrumite people and their empire. Omni Man’s true purpose on earth was to conquer it. Mark’s shocked when learning all of this. He refuses to help his dad in his quest and then Omni Man attacks him. The fight is brutal and Nolan drastically overpowers him. After beating him nearly to death he leaves Earth.

In many other instances, Omni man completely destroyed his son. He knocked him through a mountain, punched him so hard he broke a mountain, knocked him through a cruise liner, destroyed a whole metropolitan city with him, and murdered an entire train of people with his head. One time when he knocked out Mark’s teeth in a fight, it made him have flashbacks of when Mark was a kid missing his front teeth. That flashback is the only reason Nolan didn’t kill his son.

Possibly one of the best villains ever made

Often switching back and forth between being a hero and a villain, Omni man is definitely one of the most interesting characters ever written. Being very similar to Superman’s powers he is the strongest hero on Earth. With a hate-love relationship with his son, it keeps the viewer waiting to see how Nolan and Mark will end up. Amazon confirmed that there will be a second and third season of Invincible, but the release date has not yet been confirmed.

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Religion in Japan and its media

The media often uses mentions of Japanese religion and folklore as metaphors. In many famous animated feature films, series, and comics, elements are drawn from Shintoism and Buddhism play an important role in the main story.

Most audiences may recognize some of the storytelling mediums. However, other metaphors designed to connect with Japanese audiences can fly over the minds of audiences that have grown up in other cultures. You can find subtle religious hints in your favorite anime; Perhaps the protagonists visit the shrine on New Year’s Day, obtain charms or amulets, or offer incense to the deceased.

Difference between the portrayal of western and eastern religions in manga/anime

An interesting occurrence is that the majority of slice-of-life manga/anime often has elements of Shinto religion incorporated. Examples of that are a New Years’ episode where characters go to a shrine and pay respects to the local gods. However, dark and mysterious anime such as Hellsing or Neon Genesis Evangelion have plenty of Christian symbolism within them.

Western religions, particularly Christianity, are used for a sense of exoticness. Evangelion relied heavily on it because the Japanese audience wouldn’t be too familiar with certain terms such as the Dead sea scrolls. Another way Christianity is incorporated is because of the sentiment of absolute evil and absolute good. That sentiment doesn’t exist in the Japanese variations of Buddhism and Shintoism. Anime and manga do tend to make ideas thematic and religion is subjected to this process more often than anything else.

Portrayal of Church

Even the most religious places aren’t safe from evil. Corrupted Church is often perceived worse than a simple supervillain or League of Evil, because when even the holy priests turn to the dark side, what hope is there for humanity. In anime and manga, the Corrupt Church trope can be seen in many of them. Fullmetal Alchemist shows the Letoist church led by Father Cornelio. He is a pastor who uses the philosopher’s stone ring to create “miracles’ ‘ and induce Leo’s citizens to believe in a fabricated religion So that he can use them as soldiers to help him take over the Nation.

The Wall cult of Attack on Titan started as a group of zealots who worshipped the walls as a gift from god. After the fall of the wall, Maria gained rapid influence. One of the most dominant ones is the corrupt Church in the Fate series, where particularly the entire anime revolves around it. These are just one of the many examples.

Religion shown in Western Comics

A popular theory is that Superman is actually a re-written Moses. In the Superman comics, you have a story where his parents put an alien baby on a shuttle. They sent him to the land where he grew up, named Clark Kent. In the myth of Moses, his parents put him in a basket and then he became the liberator of his people. Superman, later, is named Kal-El, which is Hebrew and means “voice of God”. Superman is often portrayed as an image of Jesus as well. If you watch the trailer for the Batman vs Superman movie, there will be a picture of a superman statue with “false god” written on it, and Superman in the sky with the sun setting. He is just a shadow, giving people an angel-like or Christ image.

In addition to the mythical and sometimes even saviour image of Superman, religion, and comics are intertwined in different ways in several different titles, subtle or more obvious. For example, the superhero Thor himself is a god. If we even go beyond the characters, some comics try to address the meaning of religion, such as the popular series “Evil Men and Gods”, which compares celebrities to reincarnated ancient gods.

Catholic symbolism

Even Western comics rely on Christian symbolism, just in more of a friendlier manner than the Japanese manga. In the comics or recent Netflix series Daredevil, Matt Murdoch’s Catholic faith is part of the story. Sometimes he struggled with faith, sometimes he trusted it, but no matter what, he often appeared in the church. The most recent arc in the comic tells the entire story from Daredevil’s perspective. An interesting one from the confessional, telling the events to the priest. In this regard, the image of Catholicism often appears traditional churches, clerical costumes, and statues of saints.

A topic that has been a discussion by Batman fans is Batman’s religion. His parents’ graves have crosses on them, and he was a holder of the Holy Grail for a while. So, it is speculated that he might be Catholic. Throughout entertainment, the Knights Templars and The Holy Grail have been often covered in both eastern and western media. The Fate franchise features the Holy Grail in all of the shows and novels.

Why is Japan much more critical of the Church in comparison to the West?

It is no secret that the Church has done some shady stuff in the past. While Japanese society is extremely secularised and Christians make 1% of their population, they don’t have to fear losing sales because of the critical viewpoint of the Church. With the West, that is not the case. In the USA Christians make up 65% of the population as of 2020. It would simply be too risky to criticize it.

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