The Best Anime Battle Scenes In History

For many people, Dragonball Z is the first anime they were ever exposed to. It’s a massive worldwide phenomenon that has only gotten bigger over time, and Goku is just as recognizable as other icons like Mario, Mickey Mouse, and more. So, it’s only fitting that one of the anime’s most iconic battles lands on this list.

The Goky vs. Frieza fight in Dragonball Z set the tone for the epic nature of the series, along with its penchant for having fights go on a little bit longer than they might need to. But you’re so emotionally invested in the fight that you don’t care. Frieza is the perfect detestable villain and his immense challenge for Goku makes for an extremely entertaining battle.

But this particular anime battle becomes transcendent for introducing one of the most iconic anime transformations of all time – when Goku turns Super Saiyan. Before, in the series, the transformation was said to be the stuff of myth or legend, and then Krillin is mortally wounded, causing our hero to take things to the next level. It’s a moment no anime fan can forget.

When Cowboy Bebop introduces Spike Spiegel, he comes across as an ultra-cool and savvy bounty hunter who doesn’t have a care in the world other than getting his next meal and some cash. Of course, that aloof outer demeanor hides a past that he tries to leave behind but can’t, as we learn throughout the series. His past continually haunts him in the form of the villainous and malicious Vicious. 

In fact, one of the few times you see Spike absolutely drop his casual demeanor and replace it with a more (ahem) vicious attitude is when some random thug accidentally mistakes him for Vicious, causing Spike to go into a rage. Spike and Vicious’ antagonistic relationship ends in an all-time great clash at the end of the series, which we won’t spoil here. Suffice it to say, the gorgeous animation, Spike’s character arc, the music, and just about every element combine to make this one of the best anime battles ever. 

Some of the greatest anime battles of all time come from tournament arcs, where numerous characters in the series compete against each other in battle to win some competition or tournament. Naruto is no exception, with the Rock Lee and Gaara face-off standing out as one of the all-time greatest fights in a series full of them.

Sure, you could easily put Naruto vs. Sasuke (both times), Kakashi vs. Obito, Madara vs. pretty much everyone, or even Naruto vs. Pain here, but for many people, Rock Lee and Gaara got them fully invested in this seminal shonen anime.

It’s truly hard to beat this classic anime battle, which hits all the right notes that you want out of a one vs. one fight. You have the Bruce Lee-inspired Taijutsu user going up against the mysterious emo-looking kid who everyone seems (rightfully) afraid of.

Just when you think one has the upper hand, the other one will pull out some new technique, keeping you guessing as to who will be the victor. If you haven’t fully bought in when Lee takes off his leg weights, then this series isn’t for you.

My Hero Academia has shown time and time again that its iconic anime battles can hang with the best of the classics. Plenty of battles from the series could have landed on this list, but All Might vs. All for One is truly a fight for the ages. It’s a battle building up throughout the entire series as fans waited to see these two long-time enemies finally come to blows in a one-on-one battle.

The results did not disappoint; we saw All Might give his all against a seemingly unstoppable foe. The United States of Smash was an instantly iconic moment in anime history that was only made better when a bruised and battered All Might (in his weakened form) pointed to the camera to say, “You’re next.”

Everyone in the MHA world thought that it was a call to all the heroes, but we viewers knew he was speaking directly to Deku to finally pass the One for All torch in earnest.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime that often tops people’s all-time best anime lists (some even have it in the number one slot), so it’s no surprise that it has some of the best anime battles out there. From a story, character, and thematic perspective, there is perhaps no greater fight in the series than the one between protagonist Edward Elric and the main series antagonist, Father.

Like the rest of the series, the fight is a visual feast, but it truly stands out for its thematic resonance and the way it brings Edward and Alphonse’s journey to an extremely satisfying close.

Anime battles often have high stakes, and the world’s fate is at hand in this fight. Without spoiling anything, this fight truly leaves no stone unturned, and it provides one of the best endings to one of the best animes out there. Who could ask for more than that when it comes to all-time great battles?