The 20 Best Fighting Anime to Watch Ranked

What are the best fighting anime to watch?

The action sequences in shonen and seinen anime are some of the most exciting of any medium.

However, not every series is able to stand the test of time, and fighting series have become absolutely iconic.

Today we’re taking a look at the best fighting anime shows that you can watch right now.

The 20 Best Fighting Anime to Watch Ranked

To create this list, we rounded up the highest-rated shonen and seinen anime series from reputable sources across the web.

This way, you can easily discover what shows are worth watching and where your favorites rank in popularity!

If you’re ready for action, here’s our list of the 20 best fighting anime to watch:

20. Megalo Box

This action anime has some seriously impressive fighting scenes, and it follows the story of an up-and-coming boxer from the slums.

Under the name Joe, he enters the Megalonia boxing tournament, the biggest international boxing event in the world.

Joe may be an underdog, but he has a wicked right hook, and he is able to rock anyone who steps in the ring with him.

While the action is strong throughout this series, the story is also highly engaging, and by the end, you will really be on the edge of your seat!

19. Fate/Zero

This anime tells the story of seven mages trying to win the legendary Holy Grail, which is said to be able to grant any wish.

With such a valuable item on the line, you can bet that the fights are incredible, and each one is as entertaining as it is gorgeously animated.

Moreover, it is easy to become enthralled by the machinations of each character, as no one in this show is one-dimensional.

If you are even remotely a fan of action anime, Fate/Zero is a show that you can’t afford to miss out on!

18. Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail is an iconic anime with one of the best red-haired anime girls and tons of action to go around.

While the main character, Lucy Heartfilia, is incredibly engaging, this show is filled with memorable characters for viewers to invest in.

Together, Lucy and her friends go on numerous adventures to help keep the world safe from evil and dark magic.

The perfect blend of fantasy and action, Fairy Tail has a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy, and it is definitely worth adding to your watch list.

17. Soul Eater

Soul Eater is a classic shonen, and the story focuses on Maka Albarn trying to turn her partner, Soul Eater, into a proper Death Scythe.

However, the pair are tasked with tracking down 99 evil spirits and a witch to achieve their goal, but they aren’t the only ones attempting the feat.

This action anime has some of the best fight scenes that are brought to life thanks to its amazing animation.

While the finale let some fans down due to the show ending before the manga, there are petitions to reboot the series to do it justice.

Although nothing concrete has been confirmed, it is very possible we could see the series return in the near future.

16. The Seven Deadly Sins

As one of the best action anime series of all time, Seven Deadly Sins is filled with fight scenes that are absolutely jaw-dropping.

The series itself follows a group of knights that are wrongfully accused of plotting a coup and reunited years later to clear their names.

They now must root out the actual conspirators in order to get justice for themselves and solve the conspiracy.

Each character has their own unique identity and powers, making them feel well-written and multi-faceted.

They are also beautifully designed and stand out in every fight scene, thanks to the high-quality animation.

15. Samurai Champloo

This anime doesn’t just have a unique art style, but it has an incredible story and some of the most amazing fight sequences in anime history.

Samurai Champloo revolves around Fuu Kasumi, who is searching for a mysterious samurai who smells like sunflowers.

She enlists the help of samurai Jin and swordsman Mugen to help her, though they start out hardly being able to stand one another.

Throughout the series, numerous fighting styles are expertly animated alongside one hell of a great hip-hop soundtrack.

It really is an epic masterpiece and one of the best fighting anime series of all time that is a must-watch for any fan of the genre.

14. Dragon Ball Z

Of course, Dragon Ball Z comes in as one of the best fighting anime shows, and it is one that every anime fan knows.

Not only has it produced the best Dragon Ball Z characters, who have become icons in their own right, but the fight scenes in this anime are insane!

Seriously, the fights in this show are so epic that they sometimes have entire episodes dedicated to them alone.

Everything is over the top in this anime, and if you love hardcore action and fights that level mountains, this is the series for you.

13. Vinland Saga

The Vinland Saga is all about Vikings, and we know how legendary they are for their battle prowess!

While this show does a great job showing off epic historical battles, it also does a great job bringing to life Old Norse culture.

The characters in this show are willing to put everything on the line, including their honor, especially since losing a battle could mean losing their lands and their families.

For fans of history and action, the Vinland Saga is a must-watch, and it does a great job of keeping you engaged from the very start.

12. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is thrilling, creepy, and packed with action. It does a great job of unsettling you yet keeps you coming back for more.

This anime revolves around Ken Kaneki and his life as a semi-ghoul. In this universe, ghouls are beings that feed on human flesh to stay alive.

After his transformation, the drama kicks off, and we’re treated to watching Ken learn to deal with his terrifying duality.

There is also no shortage of intense fight scenes between ghouls and the CCG, a counter-ghoul agency that tries to keep them in check.

11. My Hero Academia

This superhero shonen has become one of the most popular series of all time, and it doesn’t leave fans wanting for action.

With six seasons released so far and the final seventh season likely to be confirmed soon, this anime definitely isn’t lacking content.

Revolving around Izuku Midoriya and various other high school students with ‘quirks,’ this show is all about learning how to be a hero.

With so many characters sporting incredible powers, you can imagine how insane some of the fights can get in this action series.

10. Bleach

Bleach is all about Ichigo Kurosaki and his journey as a Soul Reaper who must guide the newly deceased to the afterlife.

As a soul reaper, Ichigo is well-trained for combat and wields a Zanpakuto with its own unique powers.

His main goal is to protect the world from Hollows, corrupt spirits that feed on human souls, which leads to some pretty intense battles.

Action aside, the writing in Bleach is also insanely good, and it’s hard not to become invested after the very first episode.

9. Naruto

When anime fans think of fighting, Naruto is likely one of the first series that comes to mind.

This series is all about martial arts, and it follows the best Naruto characters as they defend their villages and master their skills.

Every character in the show is more than capable of holding their own, and some battles, like the ones between Naruto and Sasuke, are legendary.

Naruto remains one of the best fighting anime series in history, and it is something you shouldn’t pass up if you’re looking for action.

8. Eden’s Zero

Centered around a young boy, Shiki, who spent his childhood on a planet full of robots, Eden’s Zero is a space opera for the ages.

As Shiki and his friend Rebecca travel out into the galaxy, they add new members to their crew and make a couple of powerful enemies.

Despite his young age, Shiki wields powerful gravity-based powers, and he isn’t afraid to use them on anyone who tries to hurt his friends.

The fight scenes in Eden’s Zero are beautifully animated, and it definitely doesn’t leave viewers unsatisfied.

7. One Piece

The most successful manga and anime from Shonen Jump, One Piece, is universally popular with fans across the world.

This anime follows Luffy’s journey to becoming the King of the Pirates by finding the legendary One Piece treasure.

However, in order to achieve his goals, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates faces numerous intense fights with incredibly powerful characters.

Plus, thanks to the powers some characters have acquired from eating devil fruit, some of the battles can get extremely interesting!

6. Fullmetal Alchemist

While trying to track down the Philosopher’s Stone, Edward and Alphonse meet many other alchemists who want nothing more than to end their search.

Fortunately, the pair are incredibly powerful and use their understanding of alchemy to engage in some pretty awesome battles.

Because of the magical elements of the show, every fight scene is unique, exciting, and interesting to watch.

Although most anime fans have watched this series at one point or another, if you haven’t, you’re missing out on some superb action.

5. Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan is known for having two things; having one of the best black-haired anime girls, Mikasa, and huge, action-packed fight scenes.

This series isn’t messing around when it comes to the horrors of battle, especially given that humanity is literally fighting against towering, disfigured titans.

There is really something to be said about the animation in this anime, as it perfectly captures every moment of the life-or-death skirmishes.

As for our heroes, Erin, Mikasa, and Armin undergo some intense training to become fighters capable of protecting humanity from the horrors that lie outside the city walls.

4. One Punch Man

What happens when you’re a hero for fun that can one punch any monster in your way? Well, if your Saitama, you become depressed.

After having reached a level of power that few could dream of, all Saitama wants now is a fight that can actually give him a challenge.

Despite being able to one-punch any foe, this anime is anything but boring, and it features many incredible fight scenes.

Between Saitama’s training match with Genos and his epic battle with Boros, One Punch Man doesn’t hold back when it comes to over-the-top fights.

3. Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer has been one of the most popular anime series in the past decade, and it features some brutally intense fight scenes.

In this series, the Demon Slayer Corps are constantly fighting Muzan Kibutsuji and his demon army that seeks to devastate the world.

Every season is packed with action, and there is never a dull moment to be found as something is always kicking off.

What’s more is that the whole series is beautifully animated by Ufotable, which really helps take everything to the next level.

2. Yu Yu Hakusho

 Yu Yu Hakusho is hailed as one of the best fighting anime series of all time, and it follows the story of Yusuke Urameshi.

After becoming a Spirit Detective, Yusuke dedicates his time to training and bashing in the heads of anything that threatens humanity.

Aside from the amazing combat, this anime also boasts some of the best character development in any anime genre.

While the series first premiered in 1992, it remains a must-watch for any fan of fighting anime.

1. Hunter X Hunter

Taking our number one spot is Hunter X Hunter, an anime that absolutely pushes its characters to their limits on a regular basis.

This series revolves around a young boy who sets out to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a renowned hunter.

As Gon gets progressively stronger throughout the series, the fights ramp up and become truly magnificent.

However, because this anime moves so fast, you really have to pay attention if you watch it because it throws a lot at you at once!

Summary

There you have it! The best fighting anime shows that you can watch right now!

Each of these series boasts the most impressive battle sequences we’ve ever seen, and they definitely will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you haven’t yet watched any of the anime on this list, make sure to check them out because they really are amazing.

Here’s a quick recap of the 20 best fighting anime to watch:

1. Hunter X Hunter
2. Yu Yu Hakusho
3. Demon Slayer
4. One Punch Man
5. Attack On Titan
6. Fullmetal Alchemist
7. One Piece
8. Eden’s Zero
9. Naruto
10. Bleach
11. My Hero Academia
12. Tokyo Ghoul
13. Vinland Saga
14. Dragon Ball Z
15. Samurai Champloo
16. The Seven Deadly Sins
17. Soul Eater
18. Fairy Tail
19. Fate/Zero
20. Megalo Box

What’s your favorite fighting anime? Let us know in a comment!