Hand-to-hand combat is something that battle anime delves into time and time again, with the most iconic fighting moments around featuring brutal punches that end up being rather epic in their own right. Here are some of the most iconic punches in anime that fans simply can’t get enough of.
8 All-Might’s United States Of Smash (My Hero Academia)
Given the massive emphasis on unarmed combat in My Hero Academia, it’s easy to see why this show makes the list. There are several punches in the anime that could very well be a part of this list.
However, most people consider All Might’s last punch with One for All as one of the best blows in the entire series. The manner in which he baits All for One before putting all his power into his patented United States of Smash is quite incredible indeed.
7 The Saitama Punch That Never Landed (One-Punch Man)
This is perhaps the only punch on this list that was stopped before it could land. Most people consider this move to be Saitama’s most serious attempt at a punch in the series, mainly because he wasn’t holding back until the very end.
Genos was thankfully spared before the full force of this blow could hit him. However, even after pulling back, the sheer destruction in the aftermath of this attempted punch showed the true depths of Saitama’s limitless power.
6 Naruto’s Uppercut On Neji (Naruto)
Naruto is a series full to the brim with iconic anime moments. Before learning his patented Rasengan, most of Naruto’s fights were won with well-placed physical blows. Everyone remembers the powerful headbutt against Gaara that took this Jinchuuriki out of business once and for all.
However, before this fight, Naruto actually had a face-off against the prodigy Neji. Despite being on the back foot more often than not, Naruto’s relentless attitude and zeal let him get the edge after he dug through the ground and emerged to give Neji one of his most eye-opening punches.
5 The 7-Page Muda (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a series known for its iconic fights and punches. Most of Jotaro’s fights in Stardust Crusaders could definitely make the cut here.
However, one of the most iconic punches in the series is actually a flurry of them during Golden Wind. The 7-Page Muda is the stuff of legends and watching it animated in its full glory is a treat in every sense of the word.
4 Goku’s Dragon Fist (Dragon Ball)
It’s truly amazing that Dragon Ball is such a popular show that even the moves that initially appeared in a non-canon movie have become iconic in their own right. Such is the case with the Dragon Fist, which made its first appearance in the movie Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon.
Watching Hirudegarn be absolutely obliterated by Goku’s high-powered punch makes for a great watch. The Dragon Fist has appeared multiple times over the course of the series and its games, but this appearance is easily the very best of the lot.
3 Luffy Punching Saint Charlos (One Piece)
One Piece is a show that knows how to build up its coolest moments, and this punch is proof of that. After getting frustrated by the antics of the Celestial Dragons throughout the show, the audience was begging for these annoying characters to be put in their place.
This finally happens after a Celestial Dragon named Saint Charlos shoots Hatchan. Luffy absolutely loses his cool and punches the pompous noble so hard that he sends him back into the manga!
2 Eren’s Punches As The Attack Titan (Attack On Titan)
It would be unfair to just select one punch from the many that are dished out in Attack on Titan. Each and every calculated punch by the Titans makes for a massive and powerful moment that serves as a highlight of the show time and time again.
Of course, Eren’s punches as the Attack Titan are easily the most satisfying of the bunch. Even after turning a new leaf that might’ve discarded his morals, Eren’s attacks still have a ton of weight attached to them and serve as crowd pleasers almost every time.
1 Edward Beating Father With A Well-Placed Punch (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Father is one of the biggest and most despicable antagonists in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood by a country mile. His heinous goals lead to him making countless sacrifices and becoming even more hateable with each action he takes.
Watching him try and arrogantly use Greed’s power only for it to backfire and turn him into graphite was a pretty brilliant moment indeed. The final punch that Edward lands on this antagonist to take him out once and for all is the icing on the cake.
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