The worldwide growth of anime has finally made it clear to many that the art form is more than just fighting and cool moments. Some of the most popular titles come from other genres, like drama, romance, and horror. However, it's undeniable that anime has a knack for pumping its audience up. Whether it be cathartic moments during a battle, an emotional scene just before the start of one, or a flashback that gives a character the strength they need, anime just seems suited for hype moments.

There have been countless shows with epic scenes throughout the decades that have pumped viewers up, and many have made those viewers into lifelong anime fans. However, when taking matters like context, popularity, surprise factor, and influence into , some moments are simply better than others.

10 Erwin's Final Speech

Attack on Titan, Animated by Wit Studio and MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama

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Attack On Titan
Release Date
2013 - 2023
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Matthew Mercer
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Josh Grelle

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Seasons
4
Creator
Hajime Isayama

Just as Attack on Titan's secrets were unraveling, and the world was well acquainted with the horrors associated with the Titans, the iconic anime series gave fans one of its best overall moments during its third season. In the face of certain death at the hands of the Beast Titan, Commander Erwin Smith gave an incredible and inspiring speech that united his troops and sent them into battle with bravery.

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10 Most Heartbreaking Moments In Anime

Most anime are known for their lighthearted plots or epic battle scenes, but these 10 series served up some seriously emotional gut punches.

The scene is packed with emotion and likely to cause some goosebumps, as Attack on Titan's masterful score backs Erwin's powerful words. The series is filled with death around every corner, yet the brave commander reminded his troops that their lives mattered even after charging to their ends.

9 Mob vs. Koyama

Mob Psycho 100, Animated by Bones, Based on the Manga by One

Mob Psycho 100

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Mob Psycho 100
Release Date
2016 - 2022
Directors
Yuzuru Tachikawa, Takahiro Hasui
Writers
Hiroshi Seko

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
BUY

Creator(s)
ONE

Mob Psycho 100 laid much of the groundwork for what shōnen has become today, turning much of its focus away from the enemies its titular protagonist must fight, and instead looking inward to who he is as a person. However, that doesn't mean the series lacks in the action department, often delivering some of the most visually impressive fight scenes in anime. And one stands above the rest.

After taking a beating in an alleyway from the aggressive and downright evil Koyama, Mob finally allows himself to reach 100% and unleashes his full power. What follows is an absolute beatdown, and Mob's quiet fury only adds to the excitement of the moment. As soon as he asked if Koyama could feel his animosity, there was no chance that Mob would lose.

8 Gojo vs. Toji Round Two

Jujutsu Kaisen, Animated by MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Gege Akutami

Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Poster

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Jujutsu Kaisen
Release Date
October 3, 2020
Directors
Sunghoo Park, Shōta Goshozono
Writers
Hiroshi Seko
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Junya Enoki
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Yuma Uchida

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Seasons
2

There are few more popular characters in anime at the moment than Satoru Gojo. Jujutsu Kaisen has established itself as one of the leaders of the current generation of shōnen anime, and it has all the fights and hype moments to keep its throne largely uncontested. One of its very best comes during the highly acclaimed second season, when Gojo uses Purple for the first time.

The scene became something of a phenomenon after premiering, causing fans to recreate the moment on social media, while using its audio for various memes and compilations. Gojo's nonchalant floating and calm narration about the technique, along with the piano theme underneath, makes for one of the most memorable moments not just in the series, but in recent anime history.

7 Luffy's Gear 5 Debut

One Piece, Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Eiichiro Oda

0388694_poster_w780.jpg

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One Piece
Release Date
October 20, 1999
Network
Fuji TV
Directors
Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Mayumi Tanaka
    Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Kazuya Nakai
    Roronoa Zoro (voice)

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
BUY

Creator(s)
Eiichiro Oda
Seasons
21

For One Piece to remain as popular as it has over the course of 1,000-plus episodes, it would need to come with moments that fire up fans, and there certainly is no shortage of them. Luffy's latest power-up is also his most ridiculous, and its introduction into the series is one of One Piece's finest moments. During the fight with Kaido, he takes quite the hit, causing Luffy to go down seemingly for the count.

Just then, the Drums of Liberation are heard, and the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates begins laughing, before rising in confusion, ready for battle once more in his all-new Gear 5 form. The actual abilities of Gear 5 come with a cartoonish fighting style and sound effects, yet Luffy is the strongest he's ever been while in the white-haired state, and its debut has never failed to hype up the fan base.

6 Goku Masters Ultra Instinct

Dragon Ball Super, Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou

Dragon Ball Super Poster

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Dragon Ball Super
Release Date
2015 - 2018-00-00
Showrunner
Tatsuya Nagamine
Directors
Tatsuya Nagamine
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Sean Schemmel
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Jason Douglas

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Number of Episodes
131
Story By
Akira Toriyama

Dragon Ball has built its reputation on four decades of hype moments, and one of its best came from a more recent entry into the franchise, Dragon Ball Super. Though Goku used Ultra Instinct several times throughout the Tournament of Power, he could never get it quite right, lacking the total focus he needed. However, with his back firmly against the wall in the battle with Jiren, he finally reached Ultra Instinct's full power.

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Dragon Ball is known for its big fights, leading to some incredibly shocking moments that shook every fan to their core.

Moving so fast that he was able to catch Jiren's attack and appear behind him without his foe noticing, the silver hair and glow of Ultra Instinct was revealed, and Goku was able to finally get the upper hand in battle for the first time. The iconic trumpets accompanying the technique, as well as his total domination of Jiren, make Ultra Instinct's first perfected appearance one of Dragon Ball's best moments.

5 Naruto Arrives to Fight Pain

Naruto: Shippuden, Animated by Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto Shippuden TV Series Poster

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Naruto: Shippuden
Release Date
2007 - 2017
Network
Adult Swim
Directors
Hayato Date, Masaaki Kumagai, Yasuaki Kurotsu, Osamu Kobayashi, Chiaki Kon
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Junko Takeuchi
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Kazuhiko Inoue

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Seasons
19
Story By
Masashi Kishimoto

Naruto is one of the most beloved anime franchises of all-time, and packs in countless classic moments, like Rock Lee dropping his weights and revealing his strength. None, however, are better than Naruto's arrival to fight Pain. Knowing that he would have a challenge ahead of him, the series' protagonist went to Mount Myoboku to train.

In the time he was away, Pain laid waste to a section of Hidden Leaf, and wasn't exactly ready to stop his path of destruction. However, Naruto returned standing atop of Gamakichi with a perfected Sage Mode, ready to confront Pain. Many believe the moment to be one of anime's greatest entrances to date, and the fight that followed isn't any slouch either.

4 Tanjiro vs. Rui

Demon Slayer, Animated by Ufotable, Based on the Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge

Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Release Date
April 6, 2019
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Natsuki Hanae
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Zach Aguilar

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Seasons
5

Demon Slayer, like Jujutsu Kaisen, is one of the leaders of the current generation of shōnen anime. Debuting in 2019, the series gained quite a following over the course of its first season, but one of Tanjiro's best overall moments instantly shot its popularity skyward on a trajectory that shows little sign of any downturn.

Episode #19, "Hinokami", features high-quality visuals that were the first glimpse of things to come for the franchise, and a climactic finish to the battle between Tanjiro and Rui. With a broken blade and Nezuko in grave danger, Tanjiro charges forward and debuts his Hinokami Kagura, all while an emotional song plays underneath. Episode #19 became the talk of the anime community for some time following its release, and caused countless viewers to become diehard fans.

3 Gon's Rage

Hunter x Hunter, Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Yoshihiro Togashi

Hunter x Hunter (2011)

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Hunter x Hunter
TV-14
Animation
Action & Adventure
Comedy
Fantasy
Science-Fiction
Release Date
2011 - 2014
Directors
Hiroshi Kôjina
Writers
Atsushi Maekawa, Tsutomu Kamishiro
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Issei Futamata
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Megumi Han

WHERE TO WATCH

Creator(s)
Yoshihiro Togashi
Seasons
4

Despite a complicated history of anime adaptations and a manga release schedule plagued by the health problems of its creator, Hunter x Hunter is one of the most popular titles to come out of Weekly Shōnen Jump over the past 30 years. And the one moment that fans consistently discuss is Gon giving everything out of rage for more power.

After realizing Neferpitou had killed Kite, Hunter x Hunter's protagonist made a contract that saw him give up a significant portion of his lifespan for the power to defeat her. The score, combined with Gon's relative silence and intimidating appearance, makes for one of anime's greatest moments, and one that packs emotion alongside hype.

2 Luffy Gives His Hat to Nami and the Walk to Arlong Park

One Piece, Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Eiichiro Oda

0388694_poster_w780.jpg

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One Piece
Release Date
October 20, 1999
Network
Fuji TV
Directors
Hiroaki Miyamoto, Konosuke Uda, Junji Shimizu, Satoshi Itō, Munehisa Sakai, Katsumi Tokoro, Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshihiro Ueda, Kenichi Takeshita, Yoko Ikeda, Ryota Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kakudou, Takahiro Imamura, Toshihiro Maeya, Yûji Endô, Nozomu Shishido, Hidehiko Kadota, Sumio Watanabe, Harume Kosaka, Yasuhiro Tanabe, Yukihiko Nakao, Keisuke Onishi, Junichi Fujise, Hiroyuki Satou
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Mayumi Tanaka
    Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Kazuya Nakai
    Roronoa Zoro (voice)

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming
BUY

Creator(s)
Eiichiro Oda
Seasons
21

One Piece is one of the most popular anime and manga franchises on the planet, and fans will typically point to one of its darkest scenes as the moment that truly hooked them in. As Nami breaks down and repeatedly stabs at the tattoo on her arm, Luffy stands behind her and endures her harsh words. Finally, she asks him for help, and that's all Luffy needs to hear.

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10 Biggest One Piece Moments That Changed The Series Forever

Over its 25 years of serialization One Piece has featured many moments that have changed the course of the series. These are the ten most important.

The shot of his eyes darkened by the shadow of his hat has become iconic, and he trusts Nami with his most prized possession, before he and the Straw Hats take the walk to Arlong. The moment is the perfect encapsulation of Luffy as a character, and combines all the emotion of Nami's tragic backstory with the hype of knowing Luffy is about to get to work. No matter how many times the moment has been remade or adapted, nothing can quite capture the effect of the anime's original portrayal.

1 Goku Becomes a Super Saiyan

Dragon Ball Z, Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Akira Toriyama

Dragon Ball Z (1989)

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Dragon Ball Z
TV-PG
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
Comedy
Super Power
Fantasy
Martial Arts
Shounen
Release Date
1989 - 1996
Directors
Daisuke Nishio
Writers
Akira Toriyama, Takao Koyama
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Masako Nozawa
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Ryou Horikawa

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Creator(s)
Akira Toriyama

Super Saiyan is likely the most important transformation in anime and manga history. From the moment it appeared, shōnen was never the same again, as seemingly every protagonist began unlocking flashy new forms. Often imitated and rarely replicated, Goku's initial transformation is Dragon Ball's greatest moment, and one that brought the hero's struggle between his human upbringing and Saiyan nature to its natural climax.

After several episodes of Frieza's evil actions on Namek and the death of his best friend, Goku achieved the mythical Super Saiyan form and turned the battle entirely on its head. There likely won't be another transformation like Super Saiyan, and its influence will forever be felt in shōnen anime.