Top 10 Anime Fights of 2021

“Baki Hanma” (2021)

Because why wouldn’t this series have a brawl set in a prison between a mountain of muscle and the iconic Cuban revolutionary. Even with Baki on the side-lines, the Pride of America taking on Che freaking Guevara proved itself a brutal slugfest. While Guevara’s sea shanties and impromptu tattoos allowed him to bring Olivia down a peg, it wasn’t nearly enough to finish him off completely. Nobody gets back up after being on the receiving end of the Unchained’s fist

“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” Season Two (2021)

Ain’t payback a bitch? After making his ascension to Demon Lord, the sentient slime decided it was time to take down the conniving Clayman who orchestrated the ruin of his nation and slaughter of its citizens. In spite of Clayman’s various servants and final form, it pales to what Rimuru is capable of, now that all his stats are maxed. His Beelzebub ability is so broken that it not only swallows all the mad clown’s techniques, but also his entire body. By this point it’s not so much a fight as it is a buffet.

“Higurashi: When They Cry – Sotsu” (2021)

Yeah…turns out in one of these infinite time-loops, the two cherub sized girls sort of, kind of, became Super Saiyans. And it was shockingly awesome. Ascending to the form of goddesses, Rika and Satoko’s friendship is thrown away in exchange for a magical duel to their death. It’s equal parts unexpected, crazy and epic as the two attempt to permanently erase one another from the endless cycle of respawns. Remember when this show was about a yandere girl with a cleaver?

“My Hero Academia” Season Five (2021)

Stepping out of the shadow of All for One, the once juvenile leader of the League of Villains swapped out the hand fetish for a new lease on life…one that happened to involve the collapse and destruction of everything. Taking on the commander of the Meta Liberation Army, Shigaraki’s evolving Quirk proved itself to be so potent that even after hulking and iron-manning up, Re-Destro is still crushed under the weight of his newfound freedom. The only thing more painful than getting his legs torn apart was how he became such a
Shigaraki simp in the process!

“Attack on Titan” The Final Season (2021)

They declared war, Eren answered. Laying waste to every Marlian in sight, the Attack Titan’s rampage of revenge prompts the reveal of the long-awaited and vicious War Hammer Titan; a creature capable of summoning and crafting matter into all manner of weaponry, including spears, swords, spikes and even crossbows. While her assault certainly leaves Eren skewered, it’s not enough to stop him from turning the tide. Cutting her off from the source of her strength, Marley’s secret weapon is swiftly reduced to a blood smoothie…

“One Piece” (1999-)

What better prelude to the 1000th episode of this acclaimed anime than having three of its most popular characters utterly wrecking an entire ship and its crew. Taking on a swarm of Kaido’s henchmen, the three Supernovas leap into action, showing off just how far their Devil Fruit powers have come. Between Luffy’s various gear changes, Kid’s magnetism and Law’s broken Room, the three utterly wipe out the Beast Pirates, and leave their ship as smoulders on the sea. They don’t call them the Worst Generation for nothing.

“Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai” (2020-)

Father/son duels don’t come more dangerous than this. Refusing to follow in the footsteps of his dear old dad, Dai takes on the full might of Baran in his Dragonoid form in a true clash of Dragon Knights. One of the most extensive brawls in the series to date, the bout pushes Dai like never before, having to go against a monster whose mastery of the Dragon Quest surpasses his own. But like any good boss fight, it’s all about choosing the right weapon for the job and spamming that ultimate skill like no tomorrow. He may not have bested Baran, but it’s fair to say Dai showed his old man he’s worthy of his heritage.

“Black Clover” (2017-)

Another year, another Black Clover entry, and this one might just hit harder than all the rest. Taking on the insufferable yet demonstrably powerful Dante of the Dark Triad, Captain Yami and Asta partner up in a desperate effort to beat the literal devil out of him. On one side you have Yami being an absolute chad with his dark magic, and on the other you have Asta sacrificing his own arm just for the chance at a kill shot. Needless to say, the two Black Bulls pull off the impossible and cut through Dante’s colossal, regenerative frame. We also may or may not have shed a tear when Yami gave his sword to Asta.

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

When MAPPA goes hard, they go HARD. Exquisitely animated, this tag team fight-fest against the Forest Curse stands as the current pinnacle of what this shonen maelstrom has to offer in terms of pure hype. With the likes of Hanami and her control of plant life tearing up the jujutsu sorcerer schools, it falls to the two best friendos to bring out the weed killer. Hard to tell what’s more awesome here: the banter, the Boogie Woogie, the Black Flashes or the cinematic quality of the choreography, as Yuji and Todo demonstrate that, yes, you can indeed kick nature in the face!

Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honourable mentions!

Rin vs. Nickel
“The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace” (2021)

Rudeus vs. Gallus
“Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” (2021)

Mac vs. Liu
“Megalo Box 2: Nomad” (2021)

Godzilla vs. Jet Jaguar
“Godzilla: Singular Point” (2021)

Apeas vs. Bebin
“Ranking of Kings” (2021)

“Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” (2017-)

Step aside Boruto, because your father has officially stolen the spotlight, and he’s never giving it back. Even with his already absurd collection of jutsus, sage mode and control over a Tailed Beast, Naruto’s awakening of Baryon Mode proved to put them all to shame. By burning through his and Kurama’s life force, the Hokage entered a state that even turned the strongest of the Ōtsutsuki clan into a rag doll. Even with his own ridiculous skills, Isshiki isn’t a match for something that can diminish your existence just by touching you!