Anime has become one of the biggest forms of entertainment in the world. Every day, millions of people tune in to watch the fascinating and moving stories Japanese artists present. There are so many iconic and best moments lovingly remembered by anime fans, each serving as massive landmarks in the industry and impacting the community at large.
10 Anime Better Than The Manga
These anime shows surpassed their source materials by making the story more compelling while also being faithful to the manga series they’re based on.
Some of these landmarks have greatly influenced the next generations of creators, both in Japan and the West. These legendary scenes and episodes have shaped the anime community for decades and sometimes served as a hook to attract new fans. Anime is filled with great moments, but these are by far the most iconic.
Updated by Stefania Ikeda-Stavridi on the 11th of December 2023:We have expanded the list to include five new iconic moments that have left an indelible mark on the anime community. We have also added more relevant information to each entry.
15The Gundam Rises
The Beginning Of A Mecha Legend
Mobile Suit Gundam
What Makes This Moment Iconic?
1979’sMobile Suit Gundamwas a revolutionary piece of animation for the time. Yoshiyuki Tomino and Studio Sunrise set out to make something far apart from the usual “Super Robot” genre in anime. And withthe first Gundam series, they did just that.
In the middle of an attack on a space colony by the Principality of Zeon, a young boy calledAmuro Raystumbled upona classified super weapon, a one-of-a-kind mobile suit calledGundam. The Gundam rose in all its glory to meet the threat facing Zeon, changing the anime industry forever.
Release Date
Platform(s)
June 20, 2025
Crunchyroll
14Saitama Vs. Boros
Saitama Obliterates Boros Who Never Stood A Chance
One Punch Man
What Makes This Moment Iconic?
In the climactic finale ofOne Punch Man’sfirst season, Earth is under a cataclysmic invasion by thealien warlord, Boros, causing city-wide destruction. This setsthe stage for an epic showdownwhere Saitama, the unassuming hero, unleashes his unparalleled power. The ensuing fight is a visual spectacle as Saitama clashes with Boros.
One Punch Man: 10 Strongest Villains, Ranked
They stand no chance against Saitama, but these are still the most epic and badass villains in the One Punch Man universe.
Despite Boros' immense strength and regenerative abilities, Saitama’s unmatched power prevails with asingle, devastating punch, obliterating Boros. In his final moments, Boros is left in awe of Saitama’s strength and acknowledges his defeat, lamenting his inability to provide a challenge worthy of Saitama’s abilities.
June 10, 2025
Hulu,Amazon,Crunchyroll
13Eva-01 Awakens
Eva-01 Goes Berserk And Devours Zeruel
Neon Genesis Evangelion
In 1995,Neon Genesis Evangeliontook the Mecha genre in a completely new direction, going into a deeplypsychologicalandphilosophicalapproach. A new Angel is attacking Tokyo-3, and Eva units 00 and 02 have been decimated.Shinji Ikarifights the monster as the last bastion, butEva’s battery runs out.
And as everything seems lost, the so-called machinerises again, growling and howling like a beast. She then completely and utterlydefeatstheAngel,eatingit like a predator, ending the battle sequence with a blood-curdling howl into the night, a moment that would forever live on in infamy.
June 02, 2025
Netflix,Amazon
12I Am Kira
Yagami Reveals His Identity As Kira
Death Note (2006)
Death Noteis often a great entryway show into anime for a lot of people. The viewer followsLight Yagami’sjourney from this genius boy with atwisted sense of justiceto an egomaniacal evil criminal.
At the end of this journey, he’sfound out by the cunning Nearand finally revealed as the monstrous Kira.Light’s maniacal laughechoes throughout the place as he finally admits his identity with such evil glee. Light falls from his self-proclaimed god status, showing that even with his supernatural Death Note, Light’s still just human, flaws and all.
June 24, 2025
Amazon,AppleTV
11Hinokami Kagura
Dance Of The Fire God
Demon Slayer
Anime has often been seen as this niche medium only some appreciated, and at times, had a big stigma attached to it. The worldwide acclaim forAttack on Titanwas the first step in changing this, but some iconic moments fromDemon Slayerreally changed the stigma.
In episode 19,Tanjiro’s Hinokami Kagura against Rui, theSpider Demon, became the talk of the year. There was immense excitement widely shared for this fantastic episode and moment, captivating the world with itsstunningvisualsand peak plot intensity. People who had never watched anime were pulled into the conversation, with the power of Hinokami Kagura igniting a newfound passion for anime within them.
July 12, 2025
Netflix,Disney +,Crunchyroll,Amazon,Hulu,Funimation
10Jotaro Vs. DIO
An Epic Battle Between Powerful Stands
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
Among the anime community and even outside it, there’s always been this certain meme present;JotaroandDIOfromJoJo’s Bizarre Adventurewalking toward each other. With the debut of the anime adaptation of Stardust Crusaders, fans finally got to see this moment fully animated, with theiconiclinesperfectly delivered by the incredible actors of Jotaro and DIO.
This unforgettable fight is one of themost famous battles in anime. The badass and Stoic Jotaro using his stand,Star Platinum, fighting for his life against the monstrous DIO and his terrifyingThe World standis truly a moment that anime fans will never forget.
August 08, 2025
Crunchyroll,Hulu,Netflix
Spike’s Final Words As He Falls
Cowboy Bebop
The final moments ofCowboy Bebopare truly heart-wrenching as you witness the protagonist,Spike Spiegel, meet hisend in a bittersweet blend of sadness and coolness. Despite his best efforts, during his final confrontation with his nemesis,Vicious, Spike’s fate becomes inevitable. Even though he manages to strike down his enemy, the hero sustains too heavy of aninjuryto continue living.
With a final gesture, Spikemimics a gun with his fingersand utters a final"Bang!“before gracefully accepting his fate. It’s a cinematic farewell that will leave you feeling both touched and impressed, encapsulating both the sorrow of unresolved narratives and the stylish bravado that defines Spike’s character.
July 27, 2025
Hulu,Netflix,Amazon,Funimation
8Luffy, Save Me!
Luffy Gives His Hat To Nami, While He Sets Off To Defeat Arlong
One Pieceis an anime masterpiece, and the scene whereNami begs Luffy for helpstands as a heart-wrenching pinnacle. It’s a moment that resonates deeply amidst the series’thrilling battles, dramatic confrontations, and heartwarming camaraderie among the crew.
As the resilient navigator of the crewbreaks down in tears, burdened by her past andArlong’s tyranny, Nami turns to Luffy for salvation. The captain of the Strawhat pirates, of course, accepts her plea, symbolicallyhanding over his precious straw hat, signifying an unspoken vow. He then sets off to avenge his precious crew member.
July 23, 2025
Crunchyroll,Amazon,Disney +,Hulu,Funimation
One Of The Biggest Anime Betrayals
Attack On Titan
Attack on Titan is by far the biggest anime of the modern era, maintaining an incredible quality paired up with one of the best narratives in the medium. While the final season had multiple incredible moments of action, drama, and plot twists, one scene still remains on the top.
10 Best Anime Plot Twists, Ranked
We have seen several plot twists across several anime shows, but these are surely some of the best and unforgettable ones.
Theexistenceandidentityof theArmoredandColossal Titanshave always been a threatening mystery since the start of the series, and in season two, this question finally gets answered in aheartbreakingand shocking twist. With amazing direction, voice acting, and a top-notch soundtrack, Warrior remains one of the biggest moments in the series and is forever immortalized as one of the most iconic in all anime.
July 02, 2025
Crunchyroll,Hulu,Disney+,Funimation
6The Final Getsuga Tensho
Ichigo’s Training Pays Off In His Fight Against Aizen
Being one of the Big 3,Bleachis filled with legendary moments that are still resonating in the anime landscape.Ichigo’sbittersweetdefeatof the impossibly powerfulSousuke Aizenwill forever be seared into the minds and hearts of Bleach and Shonen fans alike.
Bleach: 10 Best Shinigami Captains, Ranked
Each Shinigami Captain in Bleach serves a purpose, but these are surely the best because of their contribution to the story and their complex nature.
Ichigotrained for a long time in his inner world with hiszanpakutou,Zangetsu, to reach the level necessary to defeat this monumental threat. Zangetsu says goodbye, as the use of this superior technique strips Ichigo of his Shinigami powers. And with a flood of pitch-black shadowy energy, Aizen is finally defeated.
