Anime is such a beloved storytelling medium because it can tap into seemingly endless possibilities, often culminating in explosive displays of power. There are plenty of anime that avoid intense action sequences and out-of-control combat. Alternatively, there is no shortage of series that intentionally push these elements to the extreme. There’s nothing quite like a suspenseful, surprising anime battle seen for the first time, and the kind of community it can create through this shared experience.
There’s been a tendency for these action sequences to increasingly reach greater heights and top anime’s past spectacles. Still, it’s a tricky feat to actually pull off; in a medium that’s full of hyperbolized battles that can span multiple episodes – or entire story arcs – some standout skirmishes are likely to never be topped.
Hunter X Hunter’s Battle Between Netero & Meruem Is A Brutal Battle Of Wills With A Sorrowful Sacrifice
Hunter x Hunter’s Chimera Ant arc is considered to feature some of the anime’s strongest storytelling. Gon’s fight against Neferpitou rightfully receives a lot of acclaim. Still, it can’t compare to the greater heights that are reached during Isaac Netero’s fatal feud against Meruem, the Chimera Ant King. Curiously, this battle is somewhat subdued in its use of Nen, yet it still stands out because of the contrasting philosophies of these two opponents. This fight, in many respects, boils down to humanity’s ability — or inability — to hold its own against the unknown.
Netero embodies humanity’s endless determination, pride, and empathy, whereas Meruem reflects a cold, dark existence meant to represent evolutionary perfection. The battle between these two becomes a brilliant display of strategy while also reflecting the impossible sacrifices many anime heroes must make for the greater good. There’s a brilliant sequence in which Netero attempts to overwhelm Meruem in his 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva technique. In most cases, this attack would be more than enough to get the job done, but Meruem’s perseverance highlights his unfathomable intelligence, strength, and speed.
Netero’s failure to gain the upper hand leads to a devastating final gambit in which he detonates the Poor Man’s Rose, the equivalent of a nuclear bomb, inside his heart. Netero sacrifices himself to take Meruem out with him, yet the Chimera Ant King survives this experience (although he later suffers the full consequences of this lethal level of radiation). This fight is so significant because of Netero’s tragic death and the fact that he’s pushed to such a dark, malicious place that reinforces mankind’s endless appetite for destruction, rather than the altruistic heroism that he’s previously preached.
Simon’s Fight Against The Anti-Spiral In Gurren Lagann Features Unprecedented Scale
Gainax’s Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is such a beautiful reinvention of the mecha genre, featuring some unbelievable battles that push its animation to the limit. Gainax doesn’t hold back with the fluid fight sequences and sprawling sense of scale that makes Gurren Lagann so much more than just another mecha action series. Gurren Lagann is a story about rebellion and freedom. The titular mecha symbolizes a bright future full of opportunities, whereas the Anti-Spiral embodies oppression, despair, and conformity.
The anime’s final fight between Simon and the Anti-Spiral is such a fantastic distillation of the anime’s themes. Simon’s fights in the Gurren Lagann mecha get progressively grandiose. The final fight blows all this out of proportion when the mecha’s final form becomes the size of an entire universe. This final fight has Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and the Anti-Spiral hurling galaxies at each other. It’s a scale rarely seen in anime and a challenge to comprehend fully.
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The second Gurren Lagann movie, The Lights in the Sky are Stars, presents an even crazier version of this unforgettable showdown. There are hundreds of impressive mecha battles in anime history. Gurren Lagann’s finale sets a definitive new standard that’s still a shocking tribute to excess.
Josuke & The City Of Morioh Against Yoshikage Kira Leads To A Surprising Twist Of Fate
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has made a name for itself with its exaggerated antagonists who often have overpowered, reality-breaking abilities. Unsurprisingly, this results in some satisfying showdowns that capitalize on Hirohiko Araki’s unpredictable impulses. Joseph’s battle against DIO and Giorno’s clash with Diavolo are incredibly memorable. They’re still topped by the madcap chaos and communal efforts accomplished against Yoshikage Kira in Diamond is Unbreakable. Josuke, Jotaro, and other powerful Stand users work together to prevent Kira from activating his Stand, which would trigger a time loop.
The time loop and meticulous nature of all the moving pieces in this final arc feel like clockwork. Everyone is exactly where they need to be, and it’s a victory that couldn’t have been accomplished by any one hero alone. It’s a thrilling testament to teamwork. Jotaro Kujo is essential in Kira’s defeat. However, this really becomes a battle in which it feels like everyone in Morioh works together to secure this antagonistic interloper’s doom. There’s a humbling mundanity to the fact that Kira is randomly crushed by a random ambulance after Jotaro’s strike knocks him out. It’s a risky move, but one that Diamond is Unbreakable confidently achieves.
This conclusion even incorporates Reimi and Ghost Alley so that Kira doesn’t just die but experiences an eternity of pain. Diamond is Unbreakable is all about celebrating Morioh’s many odd individuals and why this place is special, all of which are beautifully emphasized in this communal tag-team effort to destroy Kira. It makes it feel like every single element in Diamond is Unbreakable has been one big karmic master plan coming together.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Yuji & Todo Give Their All Against Mahito During The Shibuya Incident’s Apex
Jujutsu Kaisen‘s success has only reached new heights with the anime’s standout third season and the thrilling events of the Culling Game tournament. MAPPA continues to top themselves when it comes to their tireless work on Jujutsu Kaisen‘s kinetic combat. The highlight of Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Shibuya Incident arc — and the second season as a whole — is the battle between Yuji, Todo, and Mahito.
There’s seamless teamwork between Yuji and Todo that brings an extra element to this battle. Todo’s Boogie Woogie disorients, while Yuji can go in to strike. Mahito is also a highly violent and dangerous individual who is like Yuji’s antithesis. It makes this battle come down to more than strength alone, evolving into a war of philosophies and beliefs. This fight also serves as a turning point for Yuji, who experiences a gamut of emotions throughout the clash and emerges a better fighter and person.
The whole Black Flash spectacle includes some of the most gorgeous visuals in the entire anime, and it’s really such a beautiful sight to behold. Jujutsu Kaisen effortlessly blends detailed martial arts with supernatural attacks, carefully brought to life through complex choreography that’s not afraid to get out of control.
Gohan’s Battle Against Cell Is The Culmination Of Hundreds Of Dragon Ball Z Episodes
Many of Goku’s biggest battles are epic altercations that could qualify as an all-time great moment in anime history. His fights against Frieza, Kid Buu, Beerus, and Jiren are all revelatory and highlight why Goku is such a great hero. However, it’s actually his son Gohan’s momentous victory over Cell that better encapsulates Dragon Ball‘s storytelling, themes, and character development. Dragon Ball Z teases Gohan’s potential from its earliest episodes. His battle against Cell is not just the culmination of all this training and development, but also a form of closure for Goku.
Gohan’s victory coincides with Goku’s death and his decision to stay behind in the afterlife now that Gohan is strong enough to protect the planet. It’s an incredibly satisfying payoff that passes the baton over to Gohan now that he’s officially surpassed his father. It’s a battle that makes as big an impact on the thematic and structural levels as it does on the choreography, attacks, and strategic elements. On this note, Gohan and Cell’s fight hits harder than any other Dragon Ball battle because Gohan is a character who doesn’t yearn for combat in the same way that Goku, Vegeta, or Piccolo do.
Gohan is pushed into this position and takes on this responsibility because no one else can. Gohan understands that taking on this burden is necessary if it means a greater sense of peace. Sometimes violence is needed for the greater good. Gohan’s Super Saiyan 2 transformation manages to trump Gohan’s initial Super Saiyan ascension and the Father-Son Kamehameha that concludes the combat is deeply heartwarming. There’s a lot more Dragon Ball that follows the Cell Saga’s conclusion, but Gohan’s triumph and everything connected to it would have been a satisfying place to end the series.