10 Longest Fights In Shonen Anime, Ranked By Number Of Episodes

The term shonen often refers to anime series that are largely centered around action, adventure, and countless battle sequences. Despite all the fascinating events that take place in these anime, fights between characters are usually the most important features of the narrative.

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From the anticipation of the battle to the constant rise of adrenaline, anime fights certainly change everything for the series, no matter the circumstances. To create an iconic and grandiose scene, some fights span several episodes. Although most anime fights are relatively short, some of them can be unduly long and convoluted.

Updated on May 18th 2023 by Ajay Aravind: Shonen anime is great for many reasons, but one of the most important attractions of this genre is the fighting. Heroes, villains, and even side-characters take part in numerous battles, many of which alter the very fabric of the overarching narrative. As such, we've revamped this list of the longest anime fights with some relevant information.

10 Meruem Vs Netero (Hunter X Hunter)

3 Episodes

King Meruem and Netero have one of the most iconic fights in Hunter x Hunter. This battle is the focal plot device within the Chimera Ant Arc and initially begins in episode 122.

Episode 122	"Pose × And × Name"
Episode 125	"Great Power × And × Ultimate Power"
Episode 126	"Zero × And × Rose"

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At first, Meruem had no intention of fighting Netero until Netero bribed him with his name. So, the two decided to make a wager — if Netero willingly admitted defeat, Meruem would receive the information he desires. Their Nen preparation extends through one episode showcasing other characters, and then their fight ends within two bombastic episodes.

9 The Survey Corps Vs The Titans (Attack On Titan)

4 Episodes

Hoping to retake the lost territory, the Survey Corps return to Shiganshina to have Eren plug the hole in Wall Maria Unfortunately, they were not prepared for the enemies waiting for them on their return. This Season 3 Attack on Titan battle is a legendary rematch of sorts.

Episode 51	"Thunder Spears"
Episode 52	"Descent"
Episode 53	"Perfect Game"
Episode 54	"Hero"

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Upon arriving in Shiganshina, Eren successfully seals the wall, but tension fills the air. Armin brilliantly warns everyone that the enemies are among them. A fierce battle ignites as the Armored, Colossal, and Beast Titan make their appearances. Several intensive events follow, including a flashback that reveals the truth about what happened to Marco, and the battle concludes in four incandescent episodes.

8 Ichigo Vs Ulquiorra: Rematch (Bleach)

8 Episodes

Even though Ichigo and Ulquiorra have fought once before, their final fight takes place episode 267 of Bleach. Their respective zanpakuto continuously clash, and the battle's intensity increases as both combatants release different forms.

Episode 216	"Elite! The Four Shinigami"
Episode 226	"Fierce Fighting Concludes? Towards a New Battle!"
Episode 267	"Connected Hearts! The Left Fist of Certain Death"
Episode 268	"Hatred and Jealousy, Orihime's Dilemma"
Episode 269	"Ichigo and Uryū, Bonded Back to Back"
Episode 270	"Beginning of Despair... Ichigo, the Unreachable Blade"
Episode 271	"Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow!"
Episode 272	"Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Conclusion!"

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Ichigo is overwhelmed when Ulquiorra releases his Segunda Etapa, and is promptly killed by the Espada. However, after hearing Orihime's cry for help, Ichigo takes on a new Hollow Form. After facing this overpowered form, Ulquiorra realizes his approaching defeat and tells Ichigo to land the final blow. The battle finally ends after a duration of eight episodes.

7 Naruto Vs Pain (Naruto: Shippuden)

7 Episodes

The inevitable battle between Pain and Naruto begins in episode 163 of Naruto: Shippuden, when Naruto arrives in Sage Mode to confront Pain. The confrontation is between two shinobi who fight for peace, but with different ideas on how to achieve it. The course of the fight leads to multiple revelations, and at one point Naruto is seemingly defeated.

Episode 163	"Explode! Sage Mode"
Episode 164	"Danger! Sage Mode Limit Reached"
Episode 165	"Nine-Tails, Captured!"
Episode 166	"Confessions"
Episode 167	"Planetary Devastation"
Episode 168	"The Fourth Hokage"
Episode 169	"The Two Students"

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He finally defeats the Six Paths of Pain, but the battle isn't officially over until Naruto finds Nagato's true location. Here, Naruto listens to the story of Pain, conluding their fistfight in episode 169. One of the biggest fights of the series, this event transpires over seven episodes.

6 Yusuke Vs Sensui (Yu Yu Hakusho)

9 Episodes

The longest fight in Yu Yu Hakusho is between Yusuke and Sensui. Sensui makes an appearance and battles Yusuke and his friends effortlessly. Then Kuwabara is kidnapped, and after certain events that follow, Yusuke and the others finally arrive at Sensui's lair to save Kuwabara.

Episode 86	"The Difference Maker"
Episode 87	"Power Between the Teeth"
Episode 88	"The True Face of Sensui"
Episode 89	"Death of a Spirit Detective"
Episode 90	"Attempting Revenge"
Episode 91	"Waking the Lost"
Episode 92	"The Proof"
Episode 93	"Sensui's End"
Episode 94	"Topside"

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The final fight starts after everyone else present is taken to another dimension, so Yusuke must fight Sensui alone. The circumstances of the battle lead to a shocking turn of events and Yusuke's death. Then, strangely enough, the tables turn again — Yusuke resurrects in his Mazoku form, resulting in Sensui's defeat. The iconic fight has a runtime of nine episodes.

5 Tsuna Vs Xanxus (Reborn!)

9 Episodes

In the final match of the Vongola Ring Conflict, known as the Sky Ring Battle, candidates Tsunayoshi and Xanxus fight for the title Vongola Decimo in REBORN! The odds between Tsuna and Xanxus vary throughout the fight, with other affairs taking place behind the scenes.

Episode 57	"The Sky Ring Battle Begins!"
Episode 58	"Flame of Fury"
Episode 59	"Supporters"
Episode 60	"Deathperate Zero Point Breakthrough"
Episode 61	"Zero Point Breakthrough Revised"
Episode 62	"Tactics"
Episode 63	"Freezing Flame"
Episode 64	"The Truth Behind The Rage"
Episode 65	"Conclusion!"

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Thanks to the help of the Varia members, Xanxus receives the Vongola Rings. However, the rings reject Xanxus and he angrily tries to eliminate anyone in his way. In the end, however, Xanxus and the other members of Varia are eliminated instead. The Sky Ring Battle ends with Tsuna officially inheriting the Vongola Decimo successor title.

4 Luffy Vs Doflamingo (One Piece)

10 Episodes

Luffy officially prepares for his lengthy battle with Doflamingo in episode 721 of One Piece. At first, it is a tag team fight with Luffy and Law versus Doflamingo and Trebol. But after Trebol's defeat, Luffy manages to escape with Law, albeit with Doflamingo treading behind them.

Episode 721	"Law Dies! Luffy's Raging Onslaught!"
Episode 722	"A Blade of Tenacity! The Gamma Knife Counterattack!"
Episode 723	"A Collision of Haki! Luffy vs. Doflamingo!"
Episode 724	"Unassailable! The Stunning Secret of Trebol!"
Episode 725	"Anger Erupts! I Will Take Everything upon Myself!"
Episode 726	"Fourth Gear! The Phenomenal Bounce-man!"
Episode 727	"A Massive Counterattack! Doflamingo's Awakening!"
Episode 728	"Luffy! An All-Out Leo Bazooka!"
Episode 732	"Dead or Alive! A Fateful Countdown!"
Episode 733	"Attack on a Celestial! Luffy's King Kong Gun of Anger!"

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Luffy leaves Law in the hands of Robin and the others and resumes his fight with Doflamingo. Luffy activates Gear Four against Doflamingo, and the fight grows more intense. Luffy is at an advantage with Gear Four, but needs ten minutes to recuperate after it wears off. Luffy recovers after three episodes and strikes the final blow, earning victory by the end of episode 733.

3 Gohan Vs Cell (Dragon Ball Z)

11 Episodes

This eleven-episode fight begins when Gohan battles Cell during Dragon Ball Z's Cell Games Saga. The beginning of this battle marks the ignition point of one of the most legendary moments in the series. Gohan feels that it is unnecessary to fight and asks Cell to stop the violence, but Cell refuses and threatens the Earth, so Gohan now has no other option but to fight.

Episode 181	"Faith in a Boy"
Episode 182	"Gohan's Desperate Plea"
Episode 183	"Android Explosion"
Episode 184	"Cell Juniors Attack!"
Episode 185	"The Unleashing"
Episode 186	"The Unstoppable Gohan"
Episode 187	"Cell's Mighty Breakdown"
Episode 188	"A Hero's Farewell"
Episode 189	Cell Returns!"
Episode 190	"The Horror Won't End"
Episode 191	"Save the World"

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Desperately wanting Gohan to release his full potential, Cell finally pushes him to the edge, and Gohan transforms into Super Saiyan 2. Cell is even more desperate and a sacrifice occurs, but to no avail. With the help of the other Z fighters, not to mention the bond between father and son, Goku and Gohan finally defeat Cell. The initial fight begins in episode 181 and the battle's conclusion is in episode 191.

2 Goku Vs Frieza (Dragon Ball Z)

19 Episodes

One of the ultimate battles of the Dragon Ball Z series begins with Goku versus Frieza in episode 87. The fight is high-octane, with both sides powering up to defeat the other. Frieza has the advantage and seemingly believes that Goku is surrendering. However, in actuality, Goku is about to use a trump card.

Episode 87	"The Ultimate Battle"
Episode 88	"Clash of the Super Powers"
Episode 89	"Frieza's Boast"
Episode 90	"Bold and Fearless"
Episode 91	"Embodiment of Fire"
Episode 92	"Trump Card"
Episode 93	"Keep the Chance Alive!!"
Episode 94	"Power of the Spirit"
Episode 95	"Transformed at Last"
Episode 96	"Explosion of Anger"
Episode 97	"Namek's Destruction?"
Episode 98	"A Final Attack"
Episode 99	"Approaching Destruction"
Episode 100	"Gohan Returns"
Episode 101	"The Last Wish"
Episode 102	"Duel on a Vanishing Planet"
Episode 103	"Pathos of Frieza"
Episode 104	"Frieza Defeated!!"
Episode 105	"Mighty Blast of Rage"

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While Goku is charging the Spirit Bomb, Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin transfer energy to Goku and hold Frieza off. Goku finishes the attack, and he and the others are confident in Frieza's death. Unfortunately, Frieza lives and commits more evil, angering Goku and causing him to go Super Saiyan. With Namek on the verge of eradication, Goku seizes his victory from the jaws of defeat.

1 Luffy Vs Katakuri (One Piece)

21 Episodes

Luffy steps in to fight Katakuri in the One Piece's 851st episode Luffy is overwhelmed by Katakuri as they fight, and Katakuri continues to have the upper hand until Luffy figures out how to beat him and activates Gear Four. Unfortunately, Luffy's turn with the advantage doesn't last long as Katakuri regains composure and Gear Four wears off.

Episode 851	"The Man with a Bounty of Billion! The Strongest Sweet General, Katakuri!"
Episode 852	"A Hard Battle Starts! Luffy vs. Katakuri!"
Episode 853	"The Green Room! An Invincible Helmsman, Jimbei!"
Episode 854	"The Threat of the Mole! Luffy's Silent Fight!"
Episode 855	"The End of the Deadly Battle?! Katakuri's Awakening in Anger!"
Episode 856	"The Forbidden Secret! Katakuri's Merienda!"
Episode 857	"Luffy Fights Back! The Invincible Katakuri's Weak Point!"
Episode 858	"Another Crisis! Gear Four vs. Unstoppable Donuts!"
Episode 859	"The Rebellious Daughter, Chiffon! Sanji's Big Plan for Transporting the Cake!"
Episode 860	"A Man's Way of Life! Bege and Luffy's Determination as Captains!"
Episode 861	"The Cake Sank?! Sanji and Bege's Getaway Battle!"
Episode 862	"Sulong! Carrot's Big Mystic Transformation!"
Episode 863	"Break Through! The Straw Hat's Mighty Sea Battle!"
Episode 864	"Finally, The Clash! The Emperor of the Sea vs. the Straw Hats!"
Episode 865	"Dark King's Direct Precepts! The Battle Against Katakuri Turns Around!"
Episode 866	"Finally He Returns! Sanji, the Man Who'll Stop the Emperor of the Sea!"
Episode 867	"Lurking in the Darkness! An Assassin Targeting Luffy!"
Episode 868	"One Man's Determination! Katakuri's Deadly Big Fight!"
Episode 869	"Wake Up! The Color of Observation Able to Top The Strongest!"
Episode 870	"A Fist of Divine Speed! Another Gear Four Application Activated!"
Episode 871	"Finally, It's Over! The Climax of the Intense Fight against Katakuri!"

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Luffy retreats using Brûlée, escaping the Mirro-World to buy some time to recover. Despite running into other foes, Luffy finally revives and resumes his fight with Katakuri between episodes 858 to 861. Initially, Luffy struggles with his new approach to defeat Katakuri, but ultimately defeats him. This fight concludes in episode 871.

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