Top 10 Anime Scenes That Lived Up to the Hype

“Solo Leveling” (2024-)

The debut season of this much talked about anime has plenty of hype moments, yet fans of the webtoon kept new ones wondering by referencing the same word - “arise.” In the finale, Sung Jinwoo faces an army of knights summoned by mages. After a tough battle, and gaming the system a little, Jinwoo is given the opportunity to become a necromancer. He’s not thrilled at first, but after reflecting on his battle, he realizes the advantages. As the newly minted “shadow monarch,” Jinwoo revives the foes he previously fought with the phrase - “arise.” The glow of the shadow soldiers and the glow in Jinwoo’s eyes is probably reflected in our own! This is just impossibly cool!

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019-)

The confrontation between the original demon and the Demon Slayer Corps’ leader was always going to be epic, but we didn’t know just how much until it happened! Muzan arrives at the Ubuyashiki compound to find it unguarded. The ever-stylish demon has a conversation with Kagaya, head of the family that has pursued him for 1000 years. Sickly Kagaya’s every word is riveting, as he reveals their relation to Muzan, as well as his musings on eternity, and why Muzan will never be victorious. Most shocking of all though is when Kagaya triggers a massive explosion, sacrificing he and his family’s lives to strike a devastating blow against Muzan! From start to finish, this scene never lets up with its animation or its stakes!

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

There are hints that Megumi’s final shikigami is dangerous, yet when the sorcerer unleashes the uncontrollable familiar, no one is prepared for the havoc that ensues. Thankfully(?) Mahoraga’s opponent turns out to be Sukuna while he’s briefly in control of Yuji’s body. Sukuna’s infinite slashes are matched by Mahoraga’s boundless ability to adapt. Their clash is so colossal, it devastates most of Shibuya (well, the parts that are left after Sukuna’s last fight, anyway). The animation is frantic and at times hard to follow throughout, yet we can’t look away! It’s only by using his Domain Expansion and a flaming arrow that the shikigami is finally destroyed.

“Baki Hanma” (2021-23)

For much of the “Baki” franchise, the eponymous young fighter has one goal - surpass his overwhelmingly powerful father. And when a fight breaks out over dinner between Baki and the world’s strongest creature, it does not disappoint! Baki and Yuujirou’s battle is one part familial spat, another part brawl, and full of the utter insanity that characterizes most of the franchise. Baki pulls out wild move after wild move, which includes imitating dinosaurs and cockroaches, while Yuujirou treats his son like nunchucks! And all the while, the whole world, including a caveman and a ghost, are witness to their impromptu match! The fight is simultaneously “Baki” at its most epic, heartwarming, and bizarre!

“JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean” (2021-22)

If there’s one thing that “JoJo” fans love to do (besides make memes), it’s hype up “JoJo.” One thing that was consistently mentioned online prior to “Stone Ocean” was the stand of Enrico Pucci - Made in Heaven. And the plan concocted by the priest (and the late Dio) does not disappoint! Made in Heaven’s time acceleration powers allow Pucci and every non-living thing to move through time faster, allowing him to take down not only Jotaro, but also his daughter Jolyne! But killing multiple “JoJo” protagonists isn’t even the craziest part - Made in Heaven moves time ahead so fast it resets the entire universe!

“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-17)

For most of the second part of “Naruto,” we’re told of the incredible power of Madara, the legendary head of the Uchiha clan. An impersonator using his name is enough to start a war! But when the real deal is resurrected in that conflict, he lives up to the legend! Madara spends an entire episode flexing on an entire army! He punks them at hand-to-hand combat! He matches their jutsus with powerful ones that it takes dozens to stop! To top it all off, Madara summons a meteor that their strongest ninjas barely stop - and then has the audacity to ask what they’ll do about the second one! This is how you hype up a villain!

“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)

The “Dragon Ball” franchise is known for its hype, but it reached a new peak with Goku’s battle with Jiren. Streaming sites all over the world crashed as fans tried to watch this much anticipated episode. And it was worth the wait! Goku finally lands a blow on Jiren, lighting up the arena with his powerful ki. And as Jiren tries to finish things in one attack, Goku catches it! His silvery new form has the Gods of Destruction standing in amazement and honor! Beerus and Whis confirm that Goku has fully mastered a power first displayed by the latter - Ultra Instinct! If scouters could measure hype levels, everyone’s would’ve been considerably higher than 9000 before shattering!

“Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War” (2022-)

Fans of “Bleach” have waited nearly 2 decades to see the leader of Soul Society debut his Bankai. As the strongest Shinigami, surely Yamamoto’s had to be impressive right? Well, it certainly brings the heat, in every sense of the word! The entirety of Soul Society is drained of moisture by the fire of Zanka no Tachi. A single touch of the blade is enough to obliterate anything it touches and a huge swath around it! As if that wasn’t metal enough, its fire is so hot it becomes impossible to touch Yamamoto, and he can summon the skeletons of all those killed by his flames! The badass abilities combined with the jaw dropping animation make this ability reveal straight fire!

“One Piece” (1999-)

Even the “One Piece” manga breaks the internet regularly, so fans were aware of Gear 5th even before it debuted in the anime. Still, even manga fans weren’t prepared for how off-the-wall it ended up being once it was animated! After coming back from the brink of death, Monkey D. Luffy becomes truly free, with his rubber powers becoming more like rubber hose animation! With his new Gear 5th form, Luffy takes the Emperor Kaido to task in outrageous fashion, throwing him around, rebounding his attacks, and turning the world around him into even more of a cartoon! It’s simultaneously hilarious and hype!

“Attack on Titan” (2013-23)

Throughout this show’s final season, characters allude to a hypothetical doomsday scenario in which the titans inside the walls of Paradis reviving and trampling the world beneath their feet - “the Rumbling.” Unfortunately, the world couldn’t leave the Eldians alone, and one of them, Eren Jaeger, is pushed far enough that he makes it a reality. While “hype” is not exactly what we’d call the genocide of 80% of the world’s population, the Rumbling is certainly every bit as horrific as it was built up to be. The scenes of ordinary people crushed beneath the uncaring feet of massive titans are absolutely haunting and unforgettable.


Is there an anime scene that delivered on a promise that we forgot to deliver on ourselves? Arise - and hype up your favorites in the comments!