Top 10 Manliest Moments in Anime
Are you man enough for this! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the top ten manliest moments in anime.
For this list, we'll be looking at the scenes in anime that can't be described in any other way except manly. As you might expect, be prepared for testosterone-fuelled spoilers down the line.
#10: Rider Charges Into Battle
“Fate/Zero” (2011-12) This Servant goes by many names; Iskander, Alexander the Great, the list goes on. What remains consistent is his drive for conquest and approaching every battle with zero fear and a hearty laugh. This includes his final moments, where he takes on the full force of the villainous Gilgamesh. Despite Rider’s overwhelming strength, he still falls short when compared to the Gates of Babylon, where he is impaled by blade after blade. He may not have won the Fourth Holy Grail War, but he certainly won’t be forgotten by us any time soon. Ride on, you beautiful, crazy bastard! E23 - The Sea at the End of the World (Rider vs Gilgamesh)
#9: All Might, Plus Ultra
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“My Hero Academia” (2016-) It was established pretty early on just how strong this hero is. With his all-powerful Quirk ‘One For All’, it looked like there was no enemy that All Might couldn’t take down. Alas, the Symbol for Peace finds himself in a tight situation when the League of Villains invades U.A High. With his strength near its limits and the rest of the students in danger, All Might has to push himself beyond what he thought capable in order to defeat the creature known as Noumu. He may have his campy moments, but in this shining moment we see that All Might’s drive for justice can overcome practically anything. E12 - All Might (All Might vs Noumu)
#8: Toguro’s Punishment
“Yu Yu Hakasho” (1992-94) This demon caused Yusuke and company no end of trouble during their time in Dark Tournament. His strength and durability were unmatched, all held behind the guise of a stoic and ruthless man. That is until we learned his backstory. After failing to protect his students in his human days, Toguro all but abandoned his humanity, hoping one day to eliminate any weakness in his soul. In the tournament’s aftermath, he chooses to accept the ultimate punishment and live through ten thousand years of torture, all to make up for his past failings – even when offered a lighter sentence. That’s some demonic manliness. E66 - Toguro's Wish (Toguro gives himself up)
#7: Manliest Hug Ever
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“Kingdom” (2012-14) You just need to take a gander at Lian Po to see that he means business. Originally a general with such reverence that he once held the rank of one of the Three Great Heavens, he was eventually sent into exile along with a small unit of fiercely loyal soldiers. Does that get him down? Hell no! As ancient China once again thrives with conflict, Lian Po wishes his soldiers good fortune before an upcoming battle. How? By giving them such manly hugs that it turns them into super soldiers of course. E56 – Clash! (Lien Po hugs everyone)
#6: Takamura vs. The Bear
“Hajime No Ippo” (2000-14) One can’t strive to become the greatest boxer in the world without expecting to take on a fair amount of tough opponents. However, we bet Takamura didn’t expect to have to trade blows with a freaking bear down the line. Cornered during his training in the mountains, the heavyweight champion has no choice but to box his way out of a literal life or death situation. And wouldn’t you know it, he punches the crap out of that bear. Earning himself a sweet scar along the way, this was yet another reminder that Takamura is a beast. E66 - Takamura's Tears (Takamura punches a bear)
#5: Zoro Takes Luffy’s Pain
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“One Piece” (1999-) His dream is to become the world’s greatest swordsman, and through his every skirmish we’ve seen him inch closer to it. But it takes a special kind of manly to cast away your dream in order to protect someone important to you. After being terribly wounded, Luffy has no defence against the powerful Kuma. In order to save his life, Zoro makes a deal. Kuma will spare Luffy’s life in exchange for every ounce of his pain - knowing such an act was practically suicide. Willing to risk certain death, Zoro accepts the torment…and somehow survives, cementing himself as the manliest straw hat hands-down. E377 – My Crewmate's Pain is My Pain, Zoro Fights Prepared to Die (Zoro takes the pain) E391 – Tyranny! The Rulers of Sabaody, The Celestial Dragons (XRef–Luffy punches a Celestial Dragon)
#4: Armstrong and Curtis vs. Sloth
“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10) Prepare yourselves people, for this might possibly be the most manliest team up in all of anime. We all know Major Armstrong is a man among men, not only for his big heart but from the sheer spectacle of his muscles. But who could match such a thing? Well, say hello to Sig Curtis. During a bloody brawl with the Homonculus Sloth, Armstrong finds an unexpected ally in Izumi Curtis’ husband. What follows is a display of manhood beyond all comprehension. Sloth really didn’t stand much of a chance here, just look at those pecks! E55 - The Adults' Way of Life (Armstrong and Curtis)
#3: Jonathan Joestar’s Death
“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-16) Having finally vanquished his nemesis Dio, all Jojo wanted was to enjoy a peaceful honeymoon with his beloved Erina. Alas, such a happy ending was not to come to pass, as in a final act of desperation Dio’s severed but still sentient head boarded the ship and tried to take JoJo’s body for himself. In order to protect his wife, JoJo decided to go down with the ship, holding onto Dio as he does. To top it off, his last living thoughts are not of hate, but of sympathy towards the man who caused him so much pain. Even in death, Jonathan Joestar was a true gentleman. E09 - The Final Hamon! (JoJo dies)
#2: Kittan’s Sacrifice
“Gurren Lagann” (2007) While he’s not exactly the pinnacle of awesomeness like his leader Kamina, Kittan Bachika holds the distinct honour of going out in the most ridiculously heroic way possible. In order to save Team Dai-Gurren from the Death Spiral Machine, Kittan engages in a one man mission he knows he’s not coming back from. On the verge of failing given the gravitational force of the machine, he unleashes his own Spiral Power, managing to break through and save his comrades, but at the cost of his own life. What a way to go. E25 - I Accept Your Last Wish! (Kittan uses Spiral Power) Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few manly honourable mentions. Guts vs 100 Soliders “Berserk” (1997) E13 - Prepared for Death Joe’s Death “Ashita no Joe” E126 – Youth is Now, Burnt Out (Joe dies) Zabuza’s Death “Naruto” (2002-07) E19 - The Demon in the Snow (Zabuza dies in battle)
#1: Enter Kenshiro
“Fist of the North Star” (1986) Do we really need to say it? It’s freaking Kenshiro! The master of Hokuto Shinken has proven time and time again to be one of the strongest anime characters ever conceived, but if you still need a demonstration, we turn your attention to this grand entrance. The man literally walks through skyscrapers like they were nothing, only to then save a child from a gang of raiders with only his bare hands. One poor soul even gets his head crushed like a melon. Did we mention that Kenshiro is a badass? Fist of the North Star. 1986 (Kenshiro walks through buildings)
