Epic battles are a pillar of most anime and a key component of a great anime. A fight in an anime must be impactful, emotional, and carry significant weight for viewers and fans to be enthralled by the story beneath the flashy sequences and bright colors.
The most important aspect of a good deal of anime is the final battle, the climax of an arcing story that fans have been waiting for since the beginning. A good final battle is incredibly difficult to capture, but a perfect one is near impossible. Here are some of the best final battles in anime that come as close as possible to perfection.
Vash Vs. Knives
Brothers Meet On The Battlefield After A Journey Full Of Hardships
The original Trigun was a cinematic masterpiece that many die-hard fans still celebrate today, even after the action-packed reboot was released, with a sequel on the way. The tragic journey of Vash the Stampede, who tried to avoid violence at all costs but was ultimately consumed by it, left a deep impression on fans during the early 2000s. The series reaches its climax when Vash must confront his brother once and for all. Knives and his hatred for humanity versus Vash and his love for the miracle of life erupt in a hail of bullets, with both shooters being equally matched. The tension and pacing of the fight are still some of the best ever on screen, and the pay-off, while a bit cliché, holds true to Vash's character.
Trigun
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1998 - 1998
- Directors
- Satoshi Nishimura
- Writers
- Yôsuke Kuroda
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Kenshin Vs. Shishio
The Two Most Skilled Swordsmen Meet On The Battlefield
Rurouni Kenshin is a classic series that holds significant weight in the international anime community. An intense and drama-filled tale of the final days of the samurai, focusing on the most dangerous man with a sword. Kneshin Himura had long tried to put his violent past behind him, but a series of unfortunate events led him to face off against Shishio Makoto, a manslayer just like himself. The two master swordsman, scarred by their previous battles, exchanged a single blow, and in an instant, it was over. The build-up to these moments carried so much weight that the tension echoed off the screen and influenced all the fight scenes that followed.
Rurouni Kenshin
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1996 - 1998-00-00
- Studio
- Studio Gallop, Studio Deen
- Creator
- Nobuhiro Watsuki
- Number of Episodes
- 95
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
Naruto Vs. Sasuke: The Final Battle
The Rivalry Of The Two Greatest Ninjas Of The Modern Age Comes To A Close
Naruto held its position as one of the big three due to its compelling story, well-developed characters, and impressive fight animation. Spanning well over five hundred episodes, Naruto's final arcs blew away all expectations as Madara Uchiha stood center stage against the entire ninja world. However, after the dust had settled, there was still one order of business to be dealt with. Sasuke would not back down from his ideals, and Naruto was not going to allow him to engulf himself in darkness. In a final showdown between the two, the future of the ninja world was riding on the victor. With gorgeous symbolism and breathtaking quality, the last fight between Naruto and Sasuke will always be among the greatest.
Naruto
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2002 - 2007-00-00
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Number of Episodes
- 220
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Amazon Freevee, Hulu, Hoopla, Pluto TV, Tubi
Humanity vs. Father
The Entire World Hangs In The Balance As Everyday People Fight A God
Father in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood was a phenomenal villain, portraying an incredibly "God-Like" antagonist, and the effort it would take to take him down was genuinely remarkable. The lead-up to the final fight was brilliantly paced, with the Elrics' connection to Father, and the way Alchemy wove the story together was as memorable as the fight itself. When Father finally stepped out of the shadows, all of humanity stood against him, erasing the imaginary lines in the sand and uniting against a common foe. The sacrifices made in the final episode were the perfect icing on the cake that was the Climax of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2009 - 2010
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Bones
- Creator
- Hiromu Arakawa
- Number of Episodes
- 64
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
The Scouts Vs. Eren Jaeger
The Scout Regiment Takes On One Of Their Own
Attack on Titan may be one of the most phenomenal stories ever brought to life, which took readers on an emotionally charged journey of loss, war, and hate. Eren Jaeger began as a young boy seeking revenge on the monsters he didn't understand for the death of his mother.
By the end of the series, Eren was an unrecognizable young man, and the story had twisted and turned into a Gordian Knot. However, the final arc of the series was an action-packed tear-jerker that pitted comrades against comrades, as Eren had become the villain of his own story and sought to end the prejudice against Eldians once and for all.
Attack On Titan
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2023-00-00
- Studio
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
- Creator
- Hajime Isayama
- Number of Episodes
- 94
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim
Afro Vs. Justice
The Battle Of The Headbands Comes To An End
Afro Samurai is a highly underrated anime series that blends cultures to create a magnificent example of creativity and storytelling. Afro Samurai takes viewers on a tale of vengeance as a lone swordsman cuts his way to the top to slay the man responsible for murdering his father.
In a world dominated by ranking, Afro dons the number two headband while Justice, the object of his desire, wears the number one. When the two warriors finally clash, there is a swift exchange between bullets and blades. The imagery and dynamic art style add impact and weight to every motion. The final blow is a satisfying payoff to a violent and brutal adventure.
Afro Samurai
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2007 - 2007
- Network
- Spike
- Showrunner
- Takashi Okazaki, Fuminori Kizaki
- Studio
- Gonzo
- Number of Episodes
- 5
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Creator(s)
- Takashi Okazaki
Simon Vs. The Anti-Spiral
Proof That Belief Can Lead To The Heavens
One of the most beloved anime of all time, with one of the most magnificent final battles of all time, is undoubtedly Gurren Lagann. From beginning to end, Gurren Lagann delivered laughs, cries, and awe with incredible storytelling and expansive action and drama. Simon's long path to his goal of facing the Anti-Spiral was a magical adventure, matching Goku's first spirit bomb or Ash finally becoming a Pokémon Master. In one of the most stunning sequences, Simon's heart and passion exchanged blows with a god in a brilliant, but highly underrated, final fight.
Gurren Lagann
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2007 - 2007
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Gainax
- Number of Episodes
- 27
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu
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