Top 10 Best Rival Fights in Anime
A rival can bring out the best in someone…or in this case the worst.
Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we are counting down our picks for the top ten best rival fights in anime.
For this list, we'll be looking at the battles in anime that take place between two characters that are considered to be rivals. As such, fights between Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando don't count due the latter going from rival to full on antagonist pretty much from the get-go. Finally, be on the lookout for a few spoilers down the line.
#10: Deku vs. Kacchan
“My Hero Academia” (2016) Despite being below him in seemingly every rank, Bakugou has always had it in for Midoriya. Whether its burning his books or showing him up, Kacchan has made our hero’s life a living hell. But all this changes as the two participate in a battle class at UA academy and Deku, now possessing the power of one-for-all, brings the fight to the not-so-heroic hot head. It’s short lived and more than open for a second round but you can’t help but cheer as Midoriya finally steps up to his bully and rival.
#9: Natsu vs. Gray
Top 10 Fairy Tail Fights (Ft. Todd Haberkorn - Voice of Natsu!)
“Fairy Tail” (2009-16) Its fire going up against ice as these two members of the Fairy Tail Guild decide to let their magic do the talking for them. After Gray’s seeming act of betrayal by joining the likes of Daphne, a creator of artificial dragons, he engages Natsu in an elemental brawl that has Dragon Slayer Magic tested against Ice-Make Magic. Despite taking place in an filler arc, we’ll take any excuse to see these two throw their entire arsenals at each other, all the while questioning if the topless mage has gone to the dark side.
#8: Masamune vs. Yukimura
“Sengoku Basara” (2009-10) They may eventually form an alliance to take on the likes of Oda Nobunaga, but that doesn’t mean these two warriors can’t cross blades beforehand. They’re both cocky, hot-blooded warriors who will do anything for the glory of their respective clans, and when you toss in the fact their sword-skills border on the ridiculous, it puts a pretty wild twist on the famed samurai duels of feudal Japan. With Masamune’s six swords and Yukimura’s twin lances they manages to cause quite the ruckus.
#7: Sei and Reiji vs. Tatsuya
Another Top 10 Rival Fights in Anime
“Gundam Build Fighters” (2013-14) In a world where battling with mobile suit models has become the new craze, the timid but gifted engineer Sei finally gets his chance to shine as a Gunpla builder along with his companion Reiji. All through their journey to become number one, they’ve found themselves halted by the prestigious and equally skilled Tatsuya Yuuki. As their duels continue to escalate all throughout the series, They meet in an incredible final battle which pushes them too their limits…too bad it got cut short.
#6: Gintoki vs. Takasugi
“Gintama” (2006-) While most of the time he’s tacking hilarious freelance jobs, never forget that Gintoki Sakata is secretly an unrepentant badass with that wooden sword of his. The greatest example of this is when he engages his former comrade turned assassin Takasugi Shinsaku in a battle of both pure ferocity. Not only can both of these talented swordsmen deal out all sorts of damage but they can take an insurmountable amount of pain to go with it. While most would have died from such horrific wounds, these two just keep on going.
#5: Ash vs. Gary
Top 10 Anime Fights of 2022
“Pokemon” (1997-) After a childhood of having to chase his shadow, Ash manages to settle the score with Gary in a six on six Pokemon battle in order to prove who really is Pallet Town’s best. With such iconic moments such as Charizard against Blastoise, this one easily bests the feud with Paul. Ash may not have won many championships in his day but at least he can take comfort in knowing he managed to defeat his old rival. Smell ya later Gary.
#4: Izaya vs. Shizuo
“Durarara!!” (2010-16) In a city filled with everything from gangs to a headless motorcyclist, the biggest feud comes from this sadistic information broker and the man who’s so strong that he literally can punch the clothes off of people. There’s nothing subtle about their brand of rivalry but boy is fun to watch these two go for each other’s throats. Explosive, filled with animosity and by far the highlight of this series, all we can say is we’re glad they have all their attention focused on each other and not us.
#3: Yugi vs. Kaiba
Every Yugi Duel Ranked (Yugioh)
“Yu-Gi-Oh!” (2000-04) Funny how such fierce competition can come from a children’s card game, but then again this is the son of a bitch that tore your grandpa’s favourite card! In an effort to finally dethrone the King of Games, Kaiba creates the Battle City Tournament with plans to not only defeat Yugi but also snag his rarest card in the process. Taking place in a virtual coliseum, this duel shows these two long-term rivals playing at their best, Egyptian God Cards and random past-life hallucinations included.
#2: Goku vs. Vegeta
Top 10 Kid Goku Fights
“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96) It was a long time coming, but these two rivals finally got their second round during the World Tournament saga. Initially reluctant to meet the now “majin” saiyan prince, Goku chooses to do what he must under the threat of hundreds dead civilians. What comes next is a clash even more colossal than their first one, complete with Super Saiyan power ups, ki blasts and plenty of screaming. Though the two seemed to ease things out towards the end, one things for certain – a bitter saiyan isn’t to be trusted. Before we reveal out number one pick, here are few honourable mentions. Ryuko vs. Satsuki “Kill la Kill” (2013-14) Inuyasha vs. Koga “Inuyasha” (2000-10) Mob vs. Teruki “Mob Psycho 100” (2016)
#1: Naruto vs. Sasuke
Top 10 Naruto and Sasuke Team-Up Fights
“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-) The original battle between these two was a desperate struggle born from their different paths, now in the sequel series we get to see these two battle once again. Following the end of the Great Ninja War, Naruto and Sasuke reignite their feud at the Valley of the End. Naruto uses the full extent of Nine Tailed Fox’s power, Sasuke shows us just how deadly the Sharingan can be, eventually leading to such calamity that the two literally cause a thunderstorm. All of this culminates in brutal yet deeply emotional fistfight. Brutal.