20 Best “Last-Stand” Moments In Anime

Some of the most gripping scenes in anime are the desperate final pushes—when characters hunker down, stake everything, and fight until there’s nothing left to give. These moments span broadcast TV series and feature films alike, from classic mecha showdowns to shōnen battles and grim historical epics. Below are twenty standout last stands, each grounded in what the show or movie actually depicts on screen—where it happens, who’s involved, and how the story frames that final line in the sand.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023) – The Survey Corps’ charge at Shiganshina

In the return-to-Shiganshina operation, the Scouts split forces to retake Wall Maria. Commander Erwin Smith leads a mounted suicide charge to draw the Beast Titan’s fire while Levi targets the nape. The episode sequence intercuts rooftop artillery, thunderspear assaults, and the Colossal Titan’s steam defense around the district. The gambit clears a path for a decisive close-quarters strike and sets up the aftermath in the basement beneath the Yeager home.

‘Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train’ (2020) – Rengoku’s stand against Akaza

The film follows Tanjiro’s group aboard the Infinity Train to protect passengers from a demon threat. After the primary conflict, Upper Rank Three Akaza appears, and Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku engages alone to prevent casualties. The battle features high-speed exchanges across the rail bed as dawn approaches. Its outcome directly influences the Corps’ morale and the series’ next narrative arc.

‘Naruto Shippūden’ (2007–2017) – Jiraiya’s final battle in Amegakure

Jiraiya infiltrates the Rain Village to confirm the identity of Pain and gather intelligence for Konoha. He summons toads, enters Sage Mode, and fights multiple Paths in the canals and corridors of Amegakure. Despite sustaining fatal injuries, he encodes crucial intel about Pain’s abilities in a message sent via Fukasaku. That information shapes Konoha’s strategy for the later invasion storyline.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010) – The Central command showdown with Father

In the series’ climax, the combined forces of State Alchemists, Briggs soldiers, and Xingese allies converge beneath Central. “Father” activates an array tied to nationwide transmutation circles, forcing the heroes into a coordinated counteroffensive. Hohenheim deploys souls within his Philosopher’s Stone to stall Father’s power, while the Elrics lead the final transmutation gambit. The confrontation resolves the Promised Day plot and the homunculi’s overarching plan.

‘Gurren Lagann’ (2007) – Team Dai-Gurren’s final fight against the Anti-Spiral

The latter half of the series shifts to a cosmic scale where Spiral Power is weaponized. Simon’s team pilots Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann through galaxy-sized combat to rescue Nia and prevent universal stasis. The final stand features drills manifesting across dimensions and a direct clash with the Anti-Spiral’s core realm. Its resolution determines the fate of spiral life and Earth’s future leadership.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996) – Unit-01’s desperate clash with Zeruel

After Tokyo-3 suffers heavy damage, Zeruel breaches the GeoFront and overwhelms multiple defenses. Shinji returns to pilot Unit-01, which depletes its battery and then reactivates in an uncontrolled state. The subsequent engagement displays an AT Field overpowering and a brutal counterstrike inside the Angel’s body. The incident escalates NERV’s reliance on Unit-01 and foreshadows later Human Instrumentality developments.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998–1999) – Spike’s raid on the Red Dragon Syndicate

The final episode follows Spike as he confronts his past with Julia and Vicious. After a firefight at Annie’s shop, he storms the Syndicate headquarters alone, ascending floor by floor. The sequence uses minimal dialogue, emphasizing small-arms exchanges, grenades, and close-quarters tactics. The rooftop encounter with Vicious brings the Syndicate power struggle to a violent conclusion.

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019–present) – Thors’ hold-the-line on the fjord

During Askeladd’s ambush, Thors fights unarmed or with blunt strikes to disable foes while safeguarding his crew. He boards the enemy ship and systematically neutralizes opponents despite missile fire from archers. The standoff ends when Thorfinn’s capture forces a surrender to save the villagers and mercenaries under his watch. The incident cements Thors’ reputation and shapes Thorfinn’s trajectory for the seasons to come.

‘Bleach’ (2004–2012) – Ichigo’s Final Getsuga Tenshō against Aizen

As Aizen advances on Karakura Town, the Gotei 13 and Visoreds fail to halt his evolution. Ichigo undergoes training in the Dangai to obtain a one-use technique that sacrifices his Shinigami powers. In the ensuing confrontation, Mugetsu nullifies Aizen’s advantage and ends the battle. The cost to Ichigo resets the status quo before later story arcs.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–present) – Nanami’s last stand in Shibuya

The Shibuya Incident arc traps civilians and sorcerers within veils while special grade threats roam the area. Nanami, already wounded from earlier encounters, continues evacuations and engages transfigured humans. His sequence culminates with Mahito’s attack, which triggers Yuji Itadori’s immediate pursuit. The events mark a turning point in the arc’s casualty toll and Itadori’s subsequent battles.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014) – Netero versus Meruem at the palace

The infiltration of the Chimera Ant King’s palace splits the Hunters into squads across different floors. Chairman Netero isolates Meruem in a sealed arena to prevent collateral damage. He deploys the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva technique in rapid succession before resorting to a failsafe tied to his heart. The detonation and its aftermath redirect the arc to the Royal Guards and the King’s changing perspective.

‘Berserk’ (1997–1998) – Guts’ fight through the Eclipse

The Band of the Hawk is transported to a sacrificial plane during the Eclipse ceremony. Apostles converge as Griffith’s transformation proceeds, and Guts battles to reach Casca amid overwhelming numbers. The depiction includes maimings, restraints, and the appearance of the God Hand presiding over the ritual. Survivors emerge marked, setting up the post–Golden Age storyline.

‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989–1996) – Vegeta’s sacrifice against Majin Buu

With Earth threatened, Vegeta incapacitates Goku and resolves to face Buu alone. He triggers a self-destruction technique after a prolonged melee to disintegrate the opponent and protect his family. The blast devastates the area but fails to permanently end Buu due to regeneration. The act nevertheless shifts character dynamics leading into the fusion and Kid Buu phases.

‘Fate/Zero’ (2011–2012) – Rider’s last charge at the Ionian Hetairoi’s end

The Fourth Holy Grail War brings Servants into modern Fuyuki with Masters vying for the Grail. Iskandar confronts Archer on a nighttime highway and deploys his Reality Marble to summon the Hetairoi. Gilgamesh counters, forcing Rider into a final cavalry charge that breaks against Ea’s power. The defeat ends one contender’s campaign and clarifies the late-game matchups.

‘Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul’ (2020) – Bondrewd’s relentless exchange at Idofront

The film continues the descent as Riko, Reg, and Nanachi reach the Fifth Layer facility. Bondrewd wields relics and body modification to return repeatedly after apparent defeat. The battle spans subterranean corridors, the Zoaholic system, and an arena ringed by Umbra Hands. The confrontation’s resolution equips the trio to continue downward while closing Nanachi’s backstory loop.

‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2014) – Night Raid’s capital assault

As the Revolutionary Army advances, Night Raid targets the Prime Minister’s regime in the imperial capital. Members engage in separate duels against Jaegers and imperial assets across plazas and ramparts. The Emperor activates the Shikoutazer, prompting the final engagements that decide control of the city. The aftermath reshapes the political order depicted in the series.

‘One Piece’ (1999–present) – Oden’s hour of legends in Wano

In the Wano flashback, Kozuki Oden shields his retainers during a public execution sequence. He holds them above boiling oil while standing within the cauldron to fulfill a time limit. The event ends with the Nine Red Scabbards’ escape and Oden’s death, catalyzing the future rebellion. The account is relayed during the Wano Country arc through testimony and records.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–present) – All Might’s final battle in Kamino Ward

The League of Villains’ activities draw Pro Heroes to a rescue and suppression operation. All Might confronts All For One amid collapsed buildings while evacuations proceed. He expends the remnants of One For All in a prolonged exchange that forces a finishing blow. Public broadcasts capture the outcome, leading to a change in hero society’s leadership structure.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ (2012–present) – Caesar Zeppeli’s last ripple against Wamuu

During the battle against the Pillar Men, Caesar separates from Joseph and Lisa Lisa to confront Wamuu in a fortified hotel. He uses Ripple-infused bubbles to breach defenses and gain the antidote ring. The fight ends with Caesar’s final move creating a blood-written message and passing the ring to Joseph. The party discovers the scene and retrieves the antidote for the next confrontation.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion’ (1997) – Asuka’s EVA-02 stand against the JSSDF and MP Evas

Following a JSSDF assault on NERV, Asuka reactivates EVA-02 beneath a lake and reenters combat. She dismantles conventional forces before engaging the Mass Production Evangelions deployed with Dummy Plugs. A limited power supply and the Lance of Longinus replicas turn the tide in a brutal aerial sequence. The battle’s end precipitates the Human Instrumentality Project’s final phase.

Share your favorite last-stand moments in the comments and tell us which scenes we should revisit next!