Top 10 One vs. Many Battles in Anime

“My Hero Academia” (2016-) Good to know that U.A High’s strictest teacher bites just as much as he barks. While he can come across as something of a sharp-tongued jerk at times, above all else the hero known as Eraserhead only cares about preparing his students for the long road ahead. When the League of Villains launch a surprise attack, he doesn’t hesitate to protect Izuku and the rest by diving headfirst into the fray. Given how his Quirk can deactivate the powers of all other super-humans around him, he managed to kick a phenomenal amount of ass all by himself…at least until Noumu shows up.

“Fate/Zero” (2011-12) Heroes of bygone ages, both larger than life, with power that could cripple nations, but only one can come out on top. In spite of their colossal egos, both of these Servants find themselves finding mutual respect for one another as Fourth Holy Grail War reaches its conclusion, culminating in a battle between their Noble Phantasms. While Rider is able to summon numerous warriors to aid him in the mother of all charges, it sadly pales before Gilgamesh’s greatest treasure; the sword known as Ea. Watching the boisterous yet endearing Rider fall at the final hurdle is still a death that gets us every time we see it.

“The End of Evangelion” (1997) While there are certainly parts of this film that are…questionable, there’s no denying that Asuka’s last stand remains one of the greatest rampages of all time. With Gendo Ikari messing everything up for humanity, its not long before the NERV facility comes under siege, with the mysterious organization even tossing in a few EVA units of their own to spice things up. The only thing standing in their way is an extremely pissed off Asuka. While she manages to slay her way through dozens of the mechanical monstrosities, she’s ultimately overwhelmed, meeting a very bloody end in the process. That looked like it hurt.

#7: Luffy vs. Fishmen

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“One Piece” (1999-) Just when you thought that the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates couldn’t have grown any stronger during that two-year training period, we seem him pull off something like this. In order to free Fishman Island from a tyrannical insurgence led by the conceited Hody Jones, the Straw Hats find themselves taking on 100,000 Fishmen, all of whom are rather eager to tear them apart. While the odds astronomically stacked against them, Luffy is able to singlehandedly cut down the enemy force without even lifting a finger, all thanks to the power of the Conqueror’s Haki. There’s nothing quite like watching 50,000 men drop like flies.

#6: Spike vs. The Red Dragon Syndicate

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“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99) All future evil organisations, please take note, the last thing you want is to have the galaxy’s slickest bounty hunter gunning for you when he’s got nothing left to lose. After finally reuniting with Julia, and subsequently having her die in his arms, Spike pretty much decides to say “screw it” and takes the battle to Vicious. Armed with nothing more than his trusty gun and a few grenades, the Space Cowboy storms the Red Dragon Syndicate’s stronghold and manages to shoot his way through a multitude of its guards, all leading up to the now iconic stand-off with his former comrade.

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14) What better introduction to the fascinating band of thieves and murderers known as the Phantom Troupe than though their most destructive member. A beast of a man who thrives on chaos, Uvogin was more than happy to take on the full force of the Mafia, including the animalistic, living weapons known as the Shadow Beasts. Surprise, surprise, he dispatches them all with ease. Even after being poisoned, torn at and even getting leeches stuffed into his body, Uvoginis able to power through it all and leave a graveyardin his wake.

“Overlord II” (2018) We all known that Ainz Ooal Gown is the most powerful thing to ever exist in this vast fantasy world, with each of his guardians at least measuring up to his strength to some extent. By those odds, there’s nothing they can’t decimate with ease. Even so, after spending time with the likes of Zaryusu and the rest of the Lizardmen, we were at hoping that they would find someway to survive the upcoming battle. Sadly, even with their best efforts combined, none are a match for Cocytus, who manages to cut them to shreds with just a few swings.

#3: Guts vs. 100 Soldiers

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“Berserk” (1997-98) Nobody puts Guts in a corner. Surrounded by the knights of Tudor, Guts has no choice but to fight his way through in order to give Casca time to escape. What follows is an almost majestic symphony of animated carnage as Guts cuts and bludgeons his way through every new enemy that gets in his way. Despise suffering all manner of wounds, the leader of the Hawk’s Raiders manages to survive the assault, leaving a hundred enemy soldiers dead and buried before the dawn breaks.

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10) You’ve got to hand it to the Fuhrer, he is a persistent bastard. While initially thought dead, King Bradley makes a not so heroic return to Central just as the rebels are on the cusp of winning. With nothing but a pair of swords and a major chip on his shoulder, the Homonculus not only manages to slice his way through the soldiers in his way, but even chases down a tank and makes short work of it. Just goes to show how far a little wrath can go.

“Naruto: Shippuden” (2007-17) Since the inception of this sequel series, we had heard no shortage of rumours regarding this legendary member of the Uchiha Clan, and yet nothing could have prepared us for when he finally made his entrance. After being brought back from the dead, Madara decides to celebrate his newfound life by utterly destroying the bulk of the Allied Shinobi Alliance. Whether he’s using his fists, activating his Susanoo or even summoning a meteor, Madara easily proved while he’s the greatest villain the series has ever known.