T5W#507-Top 5 Candidates for an Anime Thunderbolts Team

This Friday, Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe concludes (movie wise anyway, I think Ironheart’s the official last part of Phase 5) with the introduction of the Thunderbolts. In Marvel Comics, the Thunderbolts are sort of the answer to DC’s Task Force X: a group of imprisoned supervillains sent out on Black Ops assignments for the promise of a reduced sentence.  And like the Avengers, they’re usually a mix of super powered individuals and above average soldiers and assassins.  Naturally, Anime has an overabundance of these kinds of villains and anti heroes perfect for assembling such a team.  On today’s Top 5 Wednesday, I’m sharing my picks for the Top 5 Candidates for an Anime Thunderbolts Team (and honestly it’s probably a better balanced team than what they came up with for the movie but who knows I may eat those words after I actually watch it, we’ll see).

 
#5-Akane Tsunemori (Psycho Pass)

In recent years in Marvel Comics, the Thunderbolts have had a hero as team leader or supervisor to keep them in line, like Hawkeye or in the case of the MCU Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier.  What Akane lacks in Superpowers she makes up for with two things: Strategy and the ability to work with Criminals.  Her investigative mind is one of the best in all of Psycho Pass and she uses this to coordinate her team of Enforcers to track down and either subdue or eliminate latent criminals.  Akane’s dealt with the worst of the worst, making her an ideal leader for a Thunderbolts team.

#4-Priss Asagiri (Bubblegum Crisis)

The Knight Sabers might look like sexy bad asses in mech suits fighting against monstrous Cyborgs…and they are.  But many forget that these four femme fatales are heavily armed and oufitted mercenaries for hire.  While the Thunderbolts lack an Iron Man equivalent (theyre actually seriously underpowered compared to any team of actual Avengers), their Anime dream team could have Priss Asagiri fill that role.  Her Hard Suit can dish out and take a beating and keep coming back for more.  Plus Priss has access to several attachments like her motorcycle to give her suit a power boost.  Also, being a beloved punk rocker means Priss could make for a sexy infiltrator as well.  A lady of many, many talents with looks to boot.
 

#3-Revy (Black Lagoon)

This bad girl screams Thunderbolts candidate.  Brought up from a rough childhood and ending up in the lawless island of Roanapur, Revy is the ultimate survivor with the skills to go with it.  With her signature Cutlass Pistols, Revy can rain down Hell with an endless supply of bullets against dozens of enemies at a time.  Hardly restricted to her trusted weapons, Revy is an expert with just about any gun you can hand her.  Many might underestimate her for her drop dead flawless legs and stand out tattoos but once you get her in a killing mood, it’s hard to pull her out of it.  The woman of your dreams who may be the last thing you ever see if you piss her off.

 
#2-Vicious (Cowboy Bebop)

As a top Enforcer for the Red Dragon Syndicate, Vicious is as ruthless and cold blooded as they come.  He leads his men with brooding menace, rarely cracking a smile unless he’s really in the mood.  Vicious is also known for his own signature weapon, a razor sharp Katana.  Forgoing his line of works usual penchant for Guns, Vicious likes getting up close and personal and drawing as much blood as possible with his blade.  It’s hard to tell what he’s thinking at a glance but rest assured, it’s never anything good.  Heck chances are he could be a wild card that could betray his Thunderbolts team at any given moment.
 

#1-Alucard (Hellsing)

Alright, lets be real for a moment: Alucard is so vastly overpowered he maybe shouldn’t be on a Thunderbolts team.  Given what he is and his power set, Alucard could wipe everyone and everything out if he wanted to.  Thankfully, Alucard doesn’t go into full Armageddon Mode (aka Restraint Level 0) unless it’s basically the end of days.  Otherwise, the bad ass trenchcoat sporting Vampire Hunter would rather let his hands or his sick dual guns do all the work.  Alucard’s also got a strong sense of honor along with his wild card nature and could be persuaded to join a team should he find whoever is leading it worthy enough.  Really, Alucard is a last resort and deterrent to keep the rest of the team in line.  You never know when he’ll get hungry and much on a trigger happy teammate for a snack.