From the Bride vs. Bill to Link vs. Ganondorf, an epic final battle brings a storyline to an explosive and worthwhile conclusion, and anime final battles get just as gripping as any Hollywood scuffle or video game brawl. When staged correctly, the greatest anime final battles display the finest things the series offers – the crispest animation, the most dramatic dialogue, and the perfect atmosphere. The characters, who each honed their skills and prepared over the course of multiple episodes, now get the chance to show off their maximum capabilities.
Some anime battles play out as thrilling, large-scale conflicts, such as the epic space fight in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, where actual galaxies are used as weapons. Some conflicts take darker, moodier tones; the unsettling endings of Psycho-Pass and Devilman Crybaby stand as excellent if upsetting, examples. An especially great final anime battle might include a 2 vs. 1 anime fight, letting all your favourite characters a moment in the grand finale. However they play out, the best final anime battles offer all the suspense and action you want in a conflict.
Naruto Uzumaki Vs. Sasuke Uchiha - 'Naruto'
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha sported a rivalry since the very beginning, a rivalry that suggested to viewers the series wouldn't end without a serious showdown between the two powerhouse ninjas.
The animation and choreography combine to form fight-scene magic. In long-running anime like Naruto, this can feel hit-or-miss, yet Studio Pierrot put forth some of their finest efforts here. Viewers watch Sasuke and Naruto defend their differing worldviews while still showing a level of respect. The battle continues even after their incredible powers burn out, devolving into an exhausted fistfight atypical of Naruto's usual flashy choreography. In short, it gives the fans what they waited for as well as some surprises they never expected either.
Edward Elric Vs. Father - 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'
Father comes across as a formidable villain, but at heart, he exists as a sad, pathetic, selfish imitation of a man who amassed a terrifying amount of power beyond his ability to control. Incapable of caring for anyone but himself, Father even abuses his homunculi creations, whose existences are meant to take him to godhood. For this reason, it feels supremely satisfying to watch him lose his grip on everything he set into motion.
Although alchemy is involved in the fight, Edward Elric ultimately defeats Father with his bare hands. Edward relies on his humanity to defeat an enemy who tried to surpass the confines of earthly existence – exactly what Ed does when he tries to resurrect his mother. More than anything, this fight reaffirms the power of human resilience.
Akame Vs. Esdeath - 'Akame ga Kill!'
As the only person left standing on the empire's side, Esdeath refuses to surrender. Esdeath proves that she is truly one of the best villains in this final battle. Her only desire is to "win" and create more war. Akame decides that she must put an end to Esdeath and they battle it out in one last fight. And while Esdeath is much more skilled and powerful, Akame stabs Esdeath just at the right moment. Esdeath dies while holding Tatsumi's corpse, full of regret.
Spike Spiegel Vs. Vicious - 'Cowboy Bebop'
The fight scene works because of, rather than in spite of, its feelings of a desolate conclusion. For most of Cowboy Bebop, Spike tries to outrun his past, but through this battle with Vicious, he must confront it. Fighting Vicious and acknowledging their time together in the Red Dragon Syndicate allows Spike to finally free himself of his sordid past.
Korosensei Vs. Shinigami and Yanagisawa - 'Assassination Classroom'
Korosensei faces his former apprentice and creator in this intense, emotional battle. The stakes are high as beloved characters sacrifice themselves in order to buy Korosensei more time, and the result is a gut-wrenching finale that keeps you at the edge of your seats. While we get to see Korosensei unleash his full powers, this final battle is more noteworthy for its emotional impact. You're lying if you say that you didn't watch this finale with tears in your eyes.
Kiritsugu Emiya Vs. Kirei Kotomine - 'Fate/Zero'
Most final battles occur between rivals who faced off at least once or twice in the past. Kiritsugu Emiya and Kirei Kotomine never meet before their final battle, but they definitely consider each other formidable foes. While most of the fights in Fate/Zero involve supernatural abilities, this one is a magic-free conflict between two men in a concrete basement, where guns, swords, and fists are the weapons of choice.
The stark backdrop puts the spotlight on the duelling pair, and the dramatic camera angles and wide movements make it nearly impossible to look away.
Kallen Kōzuki Vs. Suzaku Kururugi - 'Code Geass'
The final episode of Code Geass makes for an utterly brutal ending. First comes the fight between Kallen and Suzaku. Two powerful warriors on opposing sides of Japan's fight for freedom from the Brittainian Empire, both characters lay into each other using Knightmares, a type of mech weapon. Kallen fails to kill Suzaku, who survives to go on and kill Lelouch. However, Suzaku does manage to destroy the Lancelot, a powerful mech that served as a symbol for the so-called "purity" of Suzaku's intentions, which have always been far more complex.
Deeper meanings aside, the battle also looks spectacular from an aesthetic point of view.
Jotaro Kujo Vs. Dio Brando - 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders'
Dio Brando just comes across as unbeatable. If you are able to stop time, that means your opponent will never, ever be able to lay a hand on you. But in the middle of an epic battle involving knives, bullets, and more, Jotaro Kujo suddenly awakens his own time-stopping ability, one that rivals Dio's and allows him to get the upper hand, stopping Dio from dropping an actual steamroller on him.
Right as things appear almost hopeless to Jotaro, he turns it around in a completely unexpected way. The seemingly undefeatable Dio dies, and his blood manages to revive Joseph after he suffered a serious injury in an earlier fight.
Goku Vs. Kid Buu - 'Dragon Ball Z'
When it comes to fighting scenes, Dragon Ball Z offers some of the very best, meaning the final battle between Goku and Kid Buu was destined for greatness from the beginning. Kid Buu ranks among the most powerful foes Goku and friends ever face; with no particular goal in mind, Buus simply exists as a vessel of chaos and destruction. Goku can't take him on alone, needing help from Vegeta and Mr Satan to finish him.
After much struggle, the group utterly destroys Kid Buu using a massive spirit bomb, making Kid Buu one of the only villains Goku actually kills. The battle caps off with Goku and Vegeta acknowledging they actually make a good team – a poignant end for two former enemies.
Team Dai-Gurren Vs. The Anti-Spirals - 'Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann'
Few fights take place on a grander scale than the final battle between Team Dai-Gurren and the Anti-Spirals. The two opposing factions take their fight into outer space, using entire galaxies as shields and weapons. The energy and passion of this high stakes battle over the fate of humanity feel nearly impossible to avoid getting swept up in.
Ultimately, Team Dai-Gurren wins, freeing them to live and thrive on the surface of the Earth, no longer relegated to the stifling underground world they began the series in.
Reigen Arataka And A Bunch Of Kids Vs. Claw - 'Mob Psycho 100'
After Reigen Arataka infiltrates Claw headquarters to rescue a group of kidnapped children, it becomes time for a showdown between the psychic children and their captors. While it's exciting to watch the kids hold their own, Mob Psycho 100 kicks it up a notch when Reigen enters the fray.
Up until now, Reigen only pretended to possess psychic abilities in order to extort money from people. In the final battle against Claw's leader, he doesn't suddenly awaken any powers but is temporarily infused with Mob's, allowing him to utterly destroy Ishiguro. This is satisfying to watch not only because it makes for a badass fight, but because Reigen actually displays integrity for once. Before Mob lends him his powers, Reigen still intends to fight anyway, on the grounds that he's an adult and his job is to protect children, even psychic children better equipped to fight than he is.
Yusuke Vs. Yomi - 'Yu Yu Hakusho'
Yusuke's last fight is an unconventional one for a shonen anime, but that's what makes it so great. While Yomi comes out as the victor, viewers realize that it doesn't matter who the strongest fighter is. Yusuke is no longer motivated to fight for power or strength which makes Yomi infuriated. Instead, he discovers that true power comes from protecting his friends. Yusuke has come a long way since the beginning of the series as he's finally found his place in the world. He doesn't win the fight but he manages to weaken Yomi enough so that he can't fight in the tournament. It's a poetic and fitting conclusion for an amazing series.
Vash Vs. Knives - 'Trigun'
In this fated battle, the two brothers finally confront each other. It starts off as a classic gunfight and then turns into an explosive battle with Vash using his Cross Gun. This particular fight holds a lot of emotional weight for both the characters as they represent opposing ideas of peace and war. And while the ending is ambiguous as to what happens to Knives, it's a fitting conclusion as Vash stands over his brother claiming that he will survive.
Ryuko Matoi And Satsuki Kiryūin Vs. Ragyō Kiryūin - 'Kill La Kill'
The final battle of Kill la Kill features just about everything you could possibly want from a boss fight – a ridiculously overpowered villain, major revelations about a character's past, and the entire cast taking off all of their clothes at the battle's conclusion. Yeah, that really happens. Though certainly cathartic and hilarious, Kill la Kill's wild ending makes sense in context and underscores the show's themes of freedom from societal norms.
If you really want to know, the final battle consists of Kill la Kill against the concept of convention; needless to say, the show decimates its opponent.
Shinya Kogami Vs. Shogo Makishima - 'Psycho-Pass'
Shinya Kogami wants revenge on Shogo Makishima. Not only does he have a long list of brutal murders under his belt, but Makishima also killed Kogami's partner back during the duo's detective days. So when Kogami finally tracks Makishima down, he arrives fully prepared to kill him.
The ensuing battle, which features both gun-fighting and hand-to-hand combat, showcases a moral fight as well as a physical one. Akane Tsunemori, the protagonist, tries to persuade Kogami not to kill Makishima because she believes in Kogami's benevolence, and that good people obey the law in order to create a just society. She believes this despite knowing full well the laws of her country are cruel and unjust. When Kogami exacts his vengeance and kills Makishima, Tsunemori ends up disappointed, a discontent made worse by Kogami's own admiration of Tsunemori.
Akira Fudo Vs. Ryo Asuka - 'Devilman Crybaby'
Akira Fudo and Ryo Asuka lived as best friends for years, but their dramatically opposing goals make any future friendship, much less compromise, impossible. As the human manifestation of Satan, Ryo wants to destroy humanity, something Akira tries desperately to prevent. Their final battle gets emotionally intense, both characters devastated that their friendship must end in violence.
Accompanying the main battle, a clash between marauding devils and what's left of humankind also runs alongside Akira and Ryo's own brawl. When Akira finally dies, the genocidal Ryo becomes blindsided by the loss of his friend, a loss felt quite poignantly as angels descend to Earth to bring about its destruction.
Maka Vs. Asura - 'Soul Eater'
Maka finds the courage to face Asura on her own when her friends are injured. This is the first time she uses her most powerful technique, Kishin Hunter, to defeat Asura. But it doesn't work as he claims he is not truly evil. For the remainder of the fight, Asura has the upper hand until Black Star, Kid and Soul encourage Maka to keep fighting. She realizes bravery is the only way to defeat him and lands a solid punch to his face, ending his reign once and for all.
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