Anime fight scenesare some of the most beloved moments within the community. They include some of the most exciting moments in any franchise and stand as a testament to several talented animators' creative abilities. What can be a simple boxing match in real life, turns into an epic showdown of punches with dynamic camera movements that captivate viewers.
15 Anime Fights With Best Animation, Ranked
The animation in these battles is next-level!
Today we are looking at some of the best hand-to-hand fights in anime. Yes, all the characters on this list have hands for days. These are the moments when words weren’t enough and violence was the only answer.
10Ed Vs Greed (Fullmetal Alchemist 2003)
The Ultimate Armor vs The Ultimate Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Ed vs Greed Best Moments:
Many people praise “Brotherhood” for being the definitive anime version to watch, and while that is definitely true, the original FMA anime still has some well-executed moments. One of them is the climactic fight between Ed and Greed.
In the 2003 version of the anime Ed and Greed’s relationship is extremely different. Instead of enemies becoming friends, Greed acts more like an arch-nemesis mentor to Ed. This helps Ed see just how naive he really is, and in the final fight everything that their rivalry has built up to comes to a close in one beautiful fight scene.
9Achilles Vs Chiron (FateApocrypha)
Famous Student vs Famous Master
Fate/Apocrypha
Achilles vs Chiron Best Moments:
Fate is known for having flashy fight scenes. There is no shortage of servants ready to throw their weapons at anyone who dares to challenge them. That’s exactly why Achilles vs Chiron stands out from the crowd.
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For the first time in a long time, these two ditched the spears and arrows to have an old-fashioned fistfight on top of a flying plane nonetheless. A master vs his student, these two throw everything they have at each other and almost take the plane down in the process.
8Yuji Vs Choso (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Avenging Your Brother Vs Saving Your Teacher
Jujutsu Kaisen
Yuji vs Chose Best Moments:
A recent fight to take the community by storm. Jujutsu Kaisen has beenaction anime’s poster childfor the last couple of years, and fights like this are the reason why. Following Yuji and Nobara killing his two brothers at the end of season 1, Choso is out for blood (no pun intended).
Finally, in season 2 he runs into Yuji as the two begin to throw everything they have at each other. What puts this fight on this list is the choreography and the subversion of expectations from the story. Watching this for the first time, I promise you, you won’t be able to tell who is going to win.
7Luffy Vs Lucci (One Piece)
Rubber Man Vs Leopard Man
Luffy vs Lucci Best Moments:
One Piece isn’t really known for its fight scenes, but when Oda delivers, we’re in for a treat. In the dramatic climax to arguably one of the best arcs in the series, our favorite rubber boy is pushed to the absolute limit by the world’s strongest assassin.
Even with his new techniques, Luffy barely manages to hold on as these two go blow for blow. What puts this fight on the list is simply the story. The build-up to this dramatic fight is something you have to experience for yourself.
6Naruto Vs Sasuke Round 2 (Naruto)
Hard Work vs Natural Talent
Naruto vs Sasuke Best Moments:
When you think of anime rivals, two sets of characters come to mind, and Naruto vs Sasuke is one of them. The final fight of the first part of the Naruto franchise, Naruto vs Sasuke was the climactic battle the series had built up to thus far.
While most fans would put their final fight on this list instead, their second fight at the Final Valley is way more iconic and sets the tone of the entire series moving forward.
5Goku Vs Vegeta Round 2 (Dragon Ball Z)
The Low-Level Warrior vs The Prince
Dragon Ball Z
Goku vs Vegeta Best Moments:
Speaking of iconic anime rivals, Goku and Vegeta are at the top of that list. After several world-threatening events, this rematch of the century finally took place. Although unexpected on Vegeta’s part, he forced Goku’s hand by letting an evil wizard take control of his mind. It’s a lot to take in, I know.
This fight stands out because it’s the first time we see Goku and Vegeta on an even level. Between Vegeta’s epic speech about his pride and Goku reminding his rival about how much he’s changed, this fight stands as one of the highlights of the Dragon Ball franchise.
4Ouya Vs Masked Outcast (Hitori No Shita)
They Thought They Could Jump Him
Hitori no Shita: The Outcast
Ouya vs Masked Outcast Best Moments:
The story can carry a fight and take it to new heights, but so can animation. The fight between Ouya and the Masked Outcast ranks high on this list because it revolutionized anime hand-to-hand combat like never before.
Weilin Zhang became a community household name due to his work on this fight scene, and he would go on to direct other works like the famedHeavenly Delusion Opening. Needless to say, this fight influenced a lot of anime hand-to-hand combat scenes moving forward.
3Vivy Vs Yugo (Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song)
Robot Idol vs Her Biggest Hater
Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
Vivy vs Yugo Best Moments:
When a fight scene has excellent animation and a compelling story, that’s when it can truly be one of the Top 3. Vivy vs Yugo is not even the climax of the series but a midpoint where our favorite android is forced to come to terms that, no matter how many years pass, she can’t run away from her mission to save humanity.
This fight stands out because the characters' emotions shine through the choreography alone. You can see that both really believe in their convictions and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
2Shidou Vs Rokkaku (Yozakura Quartet Tsuki Ni Naku)
The Ultimate Werewolf Battle
Yozakura Quartet
Shidou vs Rokkaku Best Moments:
The king of underrated action anime, Yozakura Quartet makes it on this list with one jaw-dropping climactic fight. Our main cast is out of town and Mina is kidnapped by the rouge werewolf Yokai, Rokkaku. Now it’s up to Mina’s guardian, a fellow werewolf Yokai, to stop Rokkaku before he leaves town.
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A battle between two werewolves ensues as the whole city and the entire police force join the fray. This fight stands as one of the best hand-to-hand fights in anime because of the emotional weight of the story as well as the stellar animation from Tastunoko Productions.
1Xuan And Jing Vs Shanchu (Fog Hill Of Five Elements)
Fire Brothers Vs Crystal Demon
Fog Hill of Five Elements
Xuan And Jing Vs Shanchu Best Moments:
Fog Hill of Five Elements is a donghua (Chinese Anime) that took the community by storm with its stellar animation and otherworldly setting. The first season left a bunch of unanswered questions, but fear not, the second season provides the audience with some needed lore.
The final fight of the second season makes the first season look like child’s play as Xuan and his little brother Jing combine their martial arts skills with their fire abilities to take on one of the strongest demons we’ve seen yet. This fight is truly a spectacle, and you may have to watch it several times to catch everything the animation team put into it.
