Top 10 Anime Fights That Raised The Bar

“My Hero Academia” (2016-)

Easily the highlight of this show’s Sports Festival arc, this match sees protagonist Izuku “Deku” Midoriya face off against the icy, and fiery, Shoto Todoroki. Deku still lacks control of his overwhelming power, but he manages to keep Todoroki’s blasts of ice at bay through powerful finger flicks. Throughout the fight, Todoroki grapples with using the fire side of his Quirk, since it reminds him of his terrible father. But through Deku’s heartfelt words of encouragement, Todoroki is reminded that his power is his own. The powerful emotions on display, as well as the spectacularly animated climax, makes this an incredibly moving battle. It’s both a match between two aspiring heroes and Deku saving Todoroki from his own past.

“Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94)

Speaking of tournament fights, Yusuke’s rematch with Toguro in the Dark Tournament is another all-timer! Toguro seeks to not only defeat Yusuke, but to overcome him at his best. To bring out Yusuke’s anger, Toguro kills audience members, including, seemingly, Yusuke’s friend Kuwabara. Both combatants go past their limits, leading to a final confrontation that sees Toguro take Yusuke’s last attack head on. Toguro’s own exhausting power and Yusuke’s attack prove too much for the muscle-bound antagonist and he perishes. Along with being a peak of early ‘90s animation, this fight is as much a battle of ideals as it is of overwhelming brawn, since each fighter also contends with their own personal demons.

“Ranking of Kings” (2021-)

Despite its storybook artstyle, “Ranking of Kings” has some incredible fight scenes! The climactic battle sees Bojji confront his father, Bosse, who has possessed the body of his younger son, Daida. To save his brother, Bojji, who has been constantly underestimated due to his weak constitution and deaf/mute condition, duels his overpowered father. Rather than Bosse in Daida’s body, we instead see Bojji fight Bosse in his dad’s previous giant form. The fluidity and clarity of the animation as Bojji runs along the castle walls and battlements is incredible! Additionally, it’s rewarding to see Bojji’s speedy swordplay cut down Bosse’s overwhelming power. This battle is a culmination of the story up to this point and is a step up for the already impressive animation.

“One Punch Man” (2015-)

When alien conqueror Boros arrives on Earth seeking a worthy opponent, it’s up to hero-for-fun Saitama to stop him! This fight brings the hype from beginning to end! The animators had an absolute field day illustrating the incredible speed both combatants move at, as well as the massive destruction they cause. Not only that, but the theme song even plays during the fight! However, even Boros kicking Saitama to the moon (literally) isn’t enough to stop the unassuming protagonist, especially once he throws a Serious Punch! For as heartpoundingly epic as the fight is though, it has an air of melancholy. While Boros found a fight to make him feel a rush again, Saitama is still looking for his own. It gives us one though!

“Rurouni Kenshin” (1996-98)

In this duel, former assassin Kenshin Himura and his successor Makoto Shishio face off with the future of Japan on the line. Shishio’s fiery swordsmanship and ability to see through Kenshin’s techniques proves nearly overwhelming to Kenshin, as well as his friends when they step in. But ultimately, Kenshin’s void technique, as well as Shishio’s own body’s combustion, puts an end to his opponent. The fights in “Rurouni Kenshin” are fantastic throughout, but the stakes, passion, and quality of the animation in this battle stand head and shoulders above the rest of them.

“Fate/Apocrypha” (2017)

Fights in the “Fate” franchise always go for broke and this one is no exception! Sieg faces off against Karna with each throwing their Noble Phantasms at each other like they’re doomsday weapons! Some last-minute assistance from Rider gives Sieg the opening he needs to defeat Karna once and for all. This titanic battle reshapes the landscape, and the mindblowing imagery throughout is so incredibly animated that we’re surprised it didn’t bankrupt the studio! It may not be the holy grail of our list, but this battle in the Greater Grail War is still something special!

“Naruto: Shippuden” (2007-17)

Fights between rivals are kind of the bread-and-butter of the “Naruto” franchise. But during the war arc, the revelation that Obito, Kakashi’s old friend and rival, has been pulling the strings behind the scenes leads to a confrontation between them. There’s very little flashy jutsus, but this fight between childhood friends is absolutely incredible! The choreography is very grounded and remarkably fluid, with several lingering shots showcasing extended exchanges between the two combatants. Meanwhile, the somber music and cuts to a friendly fight they had in the past makes this a hard-hitting and emotional battle. Not only is their fight set in another dimension, but it also reaches a new dimension of quality!

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

This series rarely lets up with its fights, but this brawl is a new high! Protagonist Yuji Itadori is confronted by Choso in a subway station, with his foe hoping to kill Yuji in revenge for the death of his brothers. Yuji is on the backfoot for much of the fight, since Choso’s blood control abilities give him the advantage from a distance. But, by bringing him into a bathroom with sprinklers going off, Yuji is able to bring things into closer quarters. The animation and creative choreography hit like a Black Flash from Yuji! The fight even pays tribute to an exceptional movie fight (where’re “The Raid 2” fans?). Yuji’s fight with Choso is as mind-blowing to us as its conclusion is for Choso!

“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)

The Tournament of Power offers plenty of hype throughout, but the main event is definitely Goku’s fight with Jiren. Goku unleashes his silvery new Ultra Instinct transformation against the prideful Pride Trooper, finally putting Universe 11’s ace on the backfoot. While their match is interrupted and both fight other opponents in-between, they eventually clash once more, with Goku improving on Ultra Instinct to make it even cooler! The unadulterated hype is brought to even higher levels, with a rocking soundtrack and assistance from former foes like Android 17 and Frieza. This fight is pure, hotblooded action from start to finish and had fans cheering the world over when it debuted!

“One Piece” (1999-)

The future Pirate King says it himself - this is peak! Monkey D. Luffy’s rooftop battle with the Emperor Kaido spans many episodes, and there are so many highlights! The animation is next level throughout, with Luffy’s Gear Fourth transformations walloping the dragon man plenty of times. The duo even splits the sky with their mighty blows! But when Luffy awakens his inner joy, boy is it something else entirely! See what we did there? Luffy going Gear Fifth broke the internet, as his “Looney Tunes”-esque form manages to seamlessly blend comedy with hype action! Grabbing lightning? He can do that! Surviving hits by deforming his face? That too! Freeing Wano Country from Kaido’s regime with one cartoonishly large punch? You’re damn right! “One Peak!”

Is there a mindblowing anime fight you can’t believe we forgot? Unleash the might of your immeasurable, awesome comments down below! Okay?