Last Stands are always fascinating to witness, with some fights leaving fans emotional when the protagonists sacrifice themselves for the greater good. In their last battles, there often arrive instances when many anime characters push their limits against evil forces, but overwhelming odds sometimes lead to self-sacrifice, like the tragic ends of characters such as Issac Netero and Kyojuro Rengoku.
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The bottom line is that, in modern anime,many iconic last stands demonstrate protagonists refusing to surrender, even when outnumbered and ultimately defeated. This resilience, projected by characters like Whitebeard, adds a touch of heroism to the show’s narrative. There are other moments when heroes make desperate last attempts for a better future, as seen by Erwin Smith. The list below captures such iconic moments that most consider to be the best final stands ever.
10Joey Vs. Marik (Yu-Gi-Oh)
Marik Defeats Joey In A Close Contest
What makes Joey’s Last Stand Special?
Based on the original manga, the Japanese animated series Yu-Gi-Oh features a world filled with monsters competing against one another by engaging in duels using decks of magical cards. One such iconic duel occurs during the Battle City arc, when Joey Wheeler goes one-on-one against Yami Marik,who holds The Winged Dragon of Ra, one of the most powerful Egyptian God Cards.
During the duel, Marik plays ruthlessly. However, Joey defends himself in every possible way, knowing that he might lose his soul to the shadow realm if he surrenders. In the end, Joey, despite putting up a fight and even coming close to defeating Marik, drained all his energy and passed out before the match finished.
Release Date
Where To Watch
June 19, 2025
Crunchyroll
9Asuka Vs. EVA Series (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Unit 02 Resists Against EVA
Neon Genesis Evangelion
What makes Asuka’s Last Stand Special?
Neon Genesis Evangelion takes place in a post-apocalyptic settingwhere Earth is under a constant threat from monstrous beings called Evangelions. To resist their evil, NERV, a paramilitary organization, becomes humanity’s defense.
In the animated film NGE: End of Evangelion, a whole series of mass-production EVAs, armed with duplicates of the Lance of Longinus, plans to wipe out the NERV facility. Asuka Langley Soryu, the pilot of Evangelion Unit-02, steps in to rescue those within. Despite Asuka and Unit 02 putting up an effective defense, they are ultimately defeated when one of the EVAs launches a high-speed Lance, piercing through their synchronized armor.
1997, August 20
8Kamina Vs. General Thymilph (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Kamina And Simon Unite To Form The Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann
What makes Kamina’s Last Stand Special?
To finally break free from the subterranean existence of the Beastmen forces, Kamina and members of his Team Gurren attempt to capture a fortress belonging to Thymilph during the show’s eighth episode. As the battle starts, Kamina boldly displays his fearless nature, refusing to yield even against Thymilph’s Dai-Gunzan.
Despite his efforts, Kamina is left gravely injured when Thymilph stabs him through the chest and fires a beam towards him. The battle ends, as Simon and Kamina manage to come up with their remaining strength and combine their mechs to deliver the Giga Drill Break to kill Thymilph. However, this victory comes at the cost of Kamina’s life, as he continues bleeding until it’s too late.
June 17, 2025
7Jiraiya Vs. Pain (Naruto Shippuden)
The Pervy Sage Fell Short Against Pain
Naruto: Shippuden
What makes Jiraiya’s Last Stand Special?
Jiraiya is one of the most iconic characters in Naruto, a master of ninja arts, who attains the status of the legendary Sannin. During the events of Naruto Shippuden, when the Hidden Leaf Village faces a threat from an evil terrorist organization, Akatsuki, Jiraiya digs into their history to uncover theidentity of their leader, Pain, leading to a fierce battle between them.
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During this fight, Jiraiya’s expertise is greatly put to the test. With the Rinnegan and command over six bodies, Pain overwhelms Jiraiya’s legendary abilities. The battle reaches its end, revealing Pain’s identity as Jiraiya’s ex-student, Yahiko. Jiraiya is then met with a tragic end as his arm is severed entrusting Naruto with the future, as his throat is crushed by Pain’s chakra.
June 29, 2025
6Rengoku Vs. Azaka (Demon Slayer)
The Flame Hashira Sacrifices Himself To Save Everyone
Demon Slayer
What makes Rengoku’s Last Stand Special?
During the Mugen Train arc, the Demon Slayer Corps, including Kyojuro Rengoku, board the Infinity Train to confront a lower moon demon who’s eventually defeated. Out of nowhere, Akaza, one of the upper moon demons appears, and targets Rengoku,leading to a fierce battle where Rengoku valiantly fights Akaza to protect the passengers and his fellow Demon Slayers.
He uses his sword to slash Akaza multiple times but sustains severe injuries as well. The climax of the battle is when he even sacrifices his own life to safeguard others. His death, however, leaves a void in the Demon Slayer Corps, ultimately motivating the young Tanjiro throughout his life as a Demon Slayer.
August 11, 2025
5Netero Vs. Meruem (Hunter X Hunter)
The Old Geezer Meets His Tragic End Against The Ant King
Hunter x Hunter
What makes Netero’s Last Stand Special?
Hunter X Hunter features one of the best stand-offs of modern anime, wherein Isaac Netero faces off against the Chimera Ant King, in a battle that is not only a physical confrontation but also a clash of ideologies.
During this face-off, Netero goes all out against Meruem, even to the length of using his destructive 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva. Yet, no matter what, his efforts are in vain, since Meruem remains seemingly unaffected, effortlessly countering each of Netero’s moves.As a last-ditch effort, Netero triggers the Poor Man’s Rose concealed in his heart, concluding the battle in a dramatic way that claims his life and weakens the ant king, who eventually dies from the poison.
July 18, 2025
4Spike Vs Vicious (Cowboy Bebop)
The Cowboy Saga Ends With A Revenge Fulfilled
Cowboy Bepop
What makes Spike’s Last Stand Special?
The highlight of Cowboy Bebop is the intense rivalry between Spike Spiegel and Vicious stemming from their shared past, particularly when they were both members of a criminal organization, Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. Their ultimate face-off comes during the show’s finale as Spike, having lost everything, including his beloved Julia, storms the Syndicate’s headquarters to confront Vicious finally.
To end their bitter rivalry forever, Spike shoots Vicious in the chest, leaving him dead on the spot. However, despite avenging himself, Spike is left grievously injured after the battle. Cowboy Bebop ends up leaving fans speculating about Spike’s fate, due to visual cues hinting towards his death.
1998, April 3
3Whitebeard Vs. The Marines (One Piece)
Whitebeard Gives It His All Against The Marines
What makes Whitebeard’s Last Stand Special?
Edward Newgate, aka Whitebeard, is arguablyone of the most powerful pirates born in One Piece’s world. Throughout his life as a pirate, Whitebeard fiercely battled all his enemies, consistently emerging victorious. However, when the Marines capture Whitebeard’s beloved crew member, Ace, he readies himself for a final stand-off against the Naval forces and the Blackbeard Pirates, led by his treacherous ex-crew member, Blackbeard.
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During the battle, Whitebeard demonstrates his power, almost wrecking the entire Marineford. However, the Marines finally manage to slow him down with the strength of their numbers. The battle concludes as Whitebeard meets his end after sustaining many injuries, standing tall.
August 04, 2025
2All Might Vs. One For All (My Hero Academia)
The Best Hero Of The World Defeats The Overarching Supervillain
My Hero Academia
What makes All Might’s Last Stand Special?
My Hero Academia presents a world teeming with heroes, where a quintessential superhero, All Might, has held the No. 1 title for over a decade, all thanks to his Quirk, One For All. During his prime days, when Japan’s most dangerous villain, All For One, schemes to steal this powerful Quirk, it becomes important for All Might to quell this threat, setting the stage for an iconic battle between them.
In this intense fight, both characters give it their all, using every ounce of strength left in their bodies. However, All Might manages to win as he delivers his greatest smash ever to defeat All For One, marking the end of his hero’s career as he retires.
June 12, 2025
1Survey Corps Vs. The Beast Titan (Attack On Titan)
Erwin Smith Leads The Scout Regiment To Their Death
Attack On Titan
What makes Erwin’s Last Stand Special?
The Return To Shiganshina arc is one of the most jaw-dropping momentsfrom the Japanese animated series Attack on Titan. To halt the Beast Titan, Commander Erwin Smith starts a mission and makes a desperate gamble to charge directly into a horde of advancing Titans. With his legendary speech, Erwin rouses the scout recruits and his soldiers and leads them from the front to a suicide mission.
They are pinned down as the Beast Titan hurls massive rocks towards them, wiping out almost the entire Survey Corps. After the battle,Erwin is severely injured, and eventually succumbs to his wounds, but not before making the most heroic sacrifice for mankind’s survival.
