15 Most Epic Anime Moments of the Century (So Far)

From last-second turnarounds to world-shaking reveals, modern anime has delivered scenes that fans still replay and analyze. These moments span action, drama, and sports, and they come from studios that defined the era with distinctive craft and production styles. You will find battles that changed power scales, plans that rewrote entire stories, and quiet scenes that landed with surprising force. Each entry notes where it happens and who animated it so you can track it down and appreciate the work behind it.

Tanjiro and Nezuko vs Rui

This fight takes place in ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ during the Mount Natagumo arc, where Tanjiro combines Water Breathing with Hinokami Kagura to sever Rui’s threads. Nezuko awakens her Blood Demon Art to support him and turn the tide. Ufotable animates the sequence with flowing sword forms and intricate thread effects that match the series’ stylized aesthetic. The scene concludes with a coordinated strike that cements the siblings as a unit within the story.

Levi vs the Beast Titan

In ‘Attack on Titan’ season three, Levi executes a surprise charge across a smoke screen to reach Zeke’s position at Shiganshina. He disables the Beast Titan with precision strikes and neutralizes nearby Titans with rapid follow-ups. Wit Studio stages the encounter with grounded maneuver gear choreography and sharp camera work that reads clearly at speed. The outcome shifts the battle’s momentum and opens a path for the Scouts to advance.

Gon’s Transformation

Gon’s choice in the Chimera Ant arc of ‘Hunter x Hunter’ triggers a Nen transformation that overrides normal limitations. He sacrifices future potential to gain enough power to confront Neferpitou immediately. Madhouse presents the change with stark lighting and heavy silhouettes that signal the cost of the decision. The event reorganizes character dynamics for the rest of the arc and establishes Nen rules with lasting consequences.

Luffy’s Gear Fifth Unleashed

During the Onigashima raid in ‘One Piece’, Luffy activates Gear Fifth after awakening his Devil Fruit. The transformation alters his body’s properties and lets him impose cartoon-like effects on the environment and opponents. Toei Animation integrates exaggerated motion and elastic impacts that align with the awakening’s mechanics. The new state expands combat options for the Wano climax and clarifies details about the fruit’s identity.

Goku’s Ultra Instinct First Awakening

In ‘Dragon Ball Super’, Goku first accesses Ultra Instinct during the Tournament of Power after surviving a Spirit Bomb rebound. The form separates instinctive defense from conscious attack to improve reaction and movement. Toei Animation highlights the shift with distinct aura treatment and restrained facial animation that differentiates it from Super Saiyan forms. The development redefines the power ladder for the tournament’s closing episodes.

Saitama vs Boros Final Exchange

The final exchange in ‘One Punch Man’ season one showcases Saitama countering Boros’s Meteoric Burst. Boros launches a planet-level attack and Saitama answers with a Serious Punch that terminates the clash. Madhouse coordinates perspective changes and debris fields to track the distance and force across the scene. The result confirms the gap between the hero and the arc’s antagonist while closing the invasion storyline.

Itachi vs Sasuke

‘Naruto Shippuden’ presents the long-anticipated fight between the Uchiha brothers at the Uchiha Hideout. The duel cycles through genjutsu, ninjutsu, and physical exchanges with a progression that reveals hidden objectives. Studio Pierrot structures the battle to expose Itachi’s condition and his plan for Sasuke at specific beats. The conclusion transfers abilities and information that drive the series into its next phase.

All Might vs All For One

In ‘My Hero Academia’, All Might faces All For One in Kamino Ward while his power fades. He switches to his left arm for a final smash that signals the end of his era as the Symbol of Peace. Bones frames the fight around evacuations, media coverage, and student positioning to show system-level stakes. The aftermath establishes new responsibilities for heroes and students across the city.

Gojo’s 0.2 Second Domain

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ depicts Gojo using a 0.2 second Unlimited Void during the Shibuya Incident to disable Cursed Spirits without harming civilians. The compressed Domain delivers overwhelming information inside a safe window. MAPPA breaks the moment into measured beats that show activation, effect, and crowd control logistics. The application demonstrates tactical Domain usage within urban constraints during a large-scale operation.

Tengen Uzui vs Gyutaro and Daki

The Entertainment District arc of ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ features Tengen coordinating with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke against the Upper Rank siblings. The fight hinges on simultaneous decapitation and bomb-assisted tempo shifts. Ufotable combines multi-layered night settings with fireworks effects that track explosive timing and blade paths. The victory resolves the district crisis and reveals the cost of prolonged battles with Upper Ranks.

Karasuno’s Match Point vs Shiratorizawa

In ‘Haikyuu!!’, Karasuno and Shiratorizawa reach a final rally that hinges on stamina and read blocking. Hinata’s approach speed and Tobio’s set selection produce the deciding quick attack. Production I.G maps rotations, serving orders, and blockers to maintain spatial clarity at the net. The win promotes Karasuno to nationals and closes the Miyagi qualifier arc.

Zero Requiem

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2’ ends with Lelouch and Suzaku executing the Zero Requiem plan during a public procession. Lelouch centralizes global hatred onto himself to allow Zero to symbolically end it. Sunrise builds the sequence around mecha positioning and crowd control to keep the focus on the transfer of power. The event resets the geopolitical order and completes the mask’s narrative function.

Simon’s Final Drill Through the Anti-Spiral

In ‘Gurren Lagann’, Team Dai-Gurren escalates the scale of combat to confront the Anti-Spiral. Simon and his allies stack combining forms to operate at a cosmological level. Gainax visualizes the escalation with tiered mecha assemblies and perspective shifts that communicate size. The conclusion resolves the Spiral Nemesis concern and brings closure to the evolution theme.

The Letter Flood

‘Violet Evergarden’ features a delivery of hundreds of letters that reach recipients during a memorial event. The sequence shows how Violet’s ghostwriting spreads messages across families and towns. Kyoto Animation grounds the moment in everyday staging with careful prop work and natural light. The scene demonstrates the service’s reach and Violet’s growth from military tool to professional writer.

Taki and Mitsuha Connect Across Time

In ‘Your Name’, Taki and Mitsuha meet at twilight on the Itomori crater rim despite being separated by time. They exchange names and attempt to anchor memory before the connection fades. CoMix Wave Films manages the convergence with location design, color timing, and a score cue that aligns with narrative beats. The moment initiates a final attempt to change the town’s fate and ties the timelines together.

Share the anime moments you would add to the list in the comments.