Top 10 Anime Final Battles
When all is said and done, its time for fists to close the story. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 Anime Final Battles.
For this list, we're looking at the concluding battles that got our hearts racing.
We're only considering anime battles that took place at the very end of a series' run. This means that final battles from arcs, like luffy vs. Rob Lucci or Goku vs. Freiza, will not be considered.
Naturally there will be a whole load'a spoilers, so you've been warned...
#10: Kiritsugu Emiya vs. Kirei Kotomine
“Fate/Zero” (2011-12) Usually when rivals have their final showdown, they’ve already had a few battles. However, this climactic fight is unique simply because it is the first and last time Kiritsugu and Kirei meet, and they’re both keenly aware of just how deadly the other is. With no super powered servants to get in the way, it’s just two men in a concrete basement with guns and knives. Kiritsugu manages to pull off a surprise victory but he’ll soon find that it may not have been worth it....
#9: Akira Fudo vs. Ryo Asuka
Top 10 Akira Toriyama Creations
“Devilman Crybaby” (2017) Once best friends, now the main obstacle standing in front of each other’s goals. Following the heartbreaking penultimate episode, in which the person Akira loves most was brutally murdered, the stage was set for one of the biggest blood feuds in history. Akira versus Ryo. Devilman versus Satan. Though their battle takes central stage, it’s the ensuing chaos around them between the demonic legions, the Devilmen, and the last of humanity’s numbers that makes this battle so epic. Alas, when the dust settles we learn that bloodshed truly wasn’t the ending these two wanted…
#8: Yugi Moto vs. Pharaoh Atem
Every Yugi Duel Ranked (Yugioh)
“Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters” (2000-04) They say that you are your own worst enemy and that couldn’t be truer for this final duel in Yu-Gi-Oh! There can’t be a bigger challenge than overcoming an opponent that knows every move you’re going to make. Though luckily for Yugi, he knows Atem just as well resulting in a duel with no tricks, no cheats or gimmicks, and no Exodias. It’s just a battle of wits between a kid and his Egyptian pharaoh friend, and one of the fairest duels in the series. Like all feel-good stories, Yugi overcomes his companion in the end and gives him a tearful farewell.
#7: Amuro Ray vs. Char Aznable
“Mobile Suit Gundam” (1979-80) The Gundam series is no stranger when it comes to rival battles. However, Char and Amuro stand out not just because of how many times they clash over the series but the unrelenting pace of their final battle in the anime. As the Battle of A Baoa Qu reaches its climax, the two rivals engage in a fierce mecha battle with both performing at their peak ability. However, they decide to up-the-ante and end their rivalry with a sword fight in zero-gravity. Though they both manage to walk away from the fight alive, it is not without some permanent scars.
#6: Spike Spiegel vs. Vicious
Anime Duel: Spike Spiegel Vs Vash The Stampede
“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99) One of the classic finales in anime, Spike and Vicious’ duel is short but very, very sweet. Former comrades in the Red Dragon crime syndicate, the two share a bitter rivalry over their differing opinions on who should become the new head of the syndicate as Spike’s calm and lazy attitude doesn’t really gel with Vicious’ cold sadism. Spike is not only heavily injured from the start but he also only has a pistol which puts him at a disadvantage in close-quarters. Alas, the space cowboy comes out on top… barely.
#5: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Sasuke Uchiha
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“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-17) The end of the Naruto series and an emotional fight for the fans, these two ninja really know how to go out with a bang. Friends and rivals since their younger days as ninja-in-training, it was inevitable that even after defeating all the enemies in their path that that Naruto and Sasuke would face off one final time. It’s one intense fight too with both of them bringing out all their signature techniques and moves that they’ve honed over the course of the series. The final clash costs them each an arm but makes their bond even stronger.
#4: Goku vs. Kid Buu
Top 10 Kid Goku Fights
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96) There have been many big-bads over the course of Dragon Ball Z. However, none of which were close to the nightmare that is Kid Buu. Every other antagonist at least had some goal in mind such as conquering a planet or winning a tournament, but Kid Buu was just chaos incarnate; a being bent on nothing but the destruction of life. Goku wouldn’t even stand a chance if it weren’t for Vegeta, Majin Buu and, yes Hercule, backing him up. They barely eke out a win with the super spirit bomb which completely obliterates Kid Buu, making him one of the only villains killed by Goku in the entire series.
#3: Jotaru Kujo vs. Dio Brando
“Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders” (2014-15) Using time-stop in a fight is almost like cheating, and Dio is the king of it. His stand, The World, can stop time for a full 5 seconds, which more than enough to take down both Kakyoin and Grandpa Joseph. The final battle is pretty one-sided with Dio stopping time to inflict heavy damage on Jotaro at every turn. However, the stylish delinquent manages to turn the tables by pushing his Star Platinum to the limit and trapping Dio in; you guessed it, an even stronger time-stop and destroys The World, defeating the villain for good.
#2: Team Dai-Gurren vs. Anti-Spiral
Top 10 Anime Team Battles
“Gurren Lagann” (2007) If this list were based solely on the scale of the fights, then this clash of the titans would take the number one spot for sure. Gurren Lagann is a series known for constantly outdoing itself when it comes to battles and it culminates in two gigantic mecha fighting in space. Seriously these two are so massive that the galaxies around them are used both as shields and as weapons. The momentum in this fight is hyper-charged, with characters coming in to help in any way they can, and if the final clash doesn’t get you on your feet screaming then we don’t know what will.
#1: Everyone vs. Father
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“Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10) Nothing quite gets us cheering like characters coming together to take down a seemingly invincible foe. Father not only hits like a truck but he can deflect alchemy, bullets and bombs like they’re nothing. Even with the combined efforts of several alchemists, the army and some returning foes, he barely takes any damage. However, just when things are looking grim, Greed sacrifices himself to give Ed an opening to deliver a well-deserved, rage fuelled beat down. For a finale, this fight has it all and is a great send off to an overall fantastic series.
