Most Iconic Anime Last Stands

Key Takeaways

• Erwin Smith bravely led a death charge against the Beast Titan, displaying unwavering dedication to humanity.
• All Might sacrificed the last of his power to defeat All For One, marking the end of an era for heroes and villains.
• Nanami Kento accepted his end after a valiant fight, dreaming of Malaysia and bidding farewell to Itadori.

Time and again, anime has blown us away with its immersive worlds and complex narrative arcs. From compelling redemption arcs to the moral tenets of anime‘s worst villains, these shows sure know how to play with our heartstrings.

However, nothing is more emotionally charged than watching your favourite characters hold their ground against impossible odds while knowing they’ll probably not make it out alive. Even when the end drew near, they were class acts, showing bravery, acceptance and self-sacrifice. Without further ado, here are some of the best last stands ever depicted in anime.

8 Erwin Smith Vs. The Beast Titan

Attack On Titan

In an anime where anyone could die at any time, Erwin Smith’s death was as grand an orchestration as every plan the Commander of the Survey Corps had cooked up. With the Beast Titan having the upper hand, Erwin knew the net was closing in, but chose to prioritise reclaiming Wall Maria at all costs.

Erwin leads his screaming soldiers on a death charge as the Beast Titan hurls debris at them at great speed. The frightened look on Erwin’s face while stubbornly persevering for the greater good of humanity shows why he is one of the best leaders ever written in anime.

7 All Might Vs. All For One

My Hero Academia

The century-old feud between One For All and All For One comes to a head during the Hideout Raid Arc. All For One – who we’d only seen glimpses of his face and heard him speak at this point – finally reveals himself to the world for the fated rematch with All Might.

Although both men suffered severe injuries from their previous battle, All Might’s declining health and power saw his shrunken form be exposed to the world. Instead of fleeing, the Number One Hero mustered the last traces of One For All to defeat All For One, thus hailing the end of an era for both Heroes and Villains.

6 Nanami Kento Vs. Mahito

Jujutsu Kaisen

A death that truly hurts to even think about, Nanami Kento is a fan-favourite character. A former salaryman, the grave and composed Nanami has been shown to care for characters like Itadori Yuji, prizing the preservation of youth due to a traumatic experience he had when he was a teenager.

Although Nanami is a skilled sorcerer, he is not invincible. By the time he faces his end, Nanami is clearly tired and heavily injured from a difficult fight with Special Grade curse Dagon. He dreams of Malaysia, a country he wishes to visit while exorcising dozens of Mahito’s distorted minions. Overwhelmed and outwitted, Nanami says a final farewell to Itadori, before accepting his end.

5 Oda Sakunosuke Vs. Andre Gide

Bungo Stray Dogs

Oda Sakunosuke, nicknamed Odasaku by his friends, was a low-ranking member of the Port Mafia. He has the ability to see five seconds into the future and was a former assassin who vowed not to kill again. Although he works for a criminal organisation, Odasaku is a kind man who voluntarily takes care of orphans.

After the orphans under his protection are killed, however, he leaves for a final confrontation with the culprit, Andre Gide. Gide has the same ability as Odasaku, and with the two evenly matched in combat, what comes next is the most harrowing yet spectacular close-quarters gunfight ever portrayed in anime. There was no finer way for a remarkable character like Oda Sakunosuke to go out.

4 Jiraiya Vs. Pain

Naruto

Jiraiya was a Sannin of the Hidden Leaf Village, an elite warrior and mentor to many. An easygoing, good-humoured man who was deemed worthy of receiving a toad summoning contract, Jiraiya taught both would-be villains and protagonists of the show in hopes that one of them would be the prophesied child who was destined to change the world.

Despite being one of the most skilled fighters of his time, Jiraiya met his end at the hands of his former student, Nagato (aka Pain). He pulled out all the stops, even using Sage Mode, but was caught off-guard due to Pain’s Six Paths. Even in his last moments, he thinks of the future of the shinobi world.

3 Vander Vs. Silco

Arcane

A man with a complicated past, Vander turned a new leaf for himself and his adoptive children in the undercity. However, you can’t outrun your past, and Vander’s came knocking in the form of Silco, a man he betrayed and left for dead years ago.

Silco has developed a serum that turns people into deranged superhumans, and Vander had his work cut out for him when his daughter Vi tried to save him after he was captured. Although Vander managed to free himself, he was overpowered and then stabbed by Silco. Before he died, he managed to consume one of Silco’s serums, using his final moments to save Vi.

2 Isaac Netero Vs. Meruem

Hunter X Hunter

Head of the Hunter Association and considered one of the most powerful characters, Isaac Netero was a real beast on the battlefield. Despite his age, Netero remains sprightly and fit, which is seen in his final battle against Meruem.

Although wielding a powerful ability like the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, Netero struggles to maintain his supremacy over the King of the Chimera Ants, losing an arm and a leg in the process. In an epic battle that showcases both Netero and Meruem’s strengths, Netero doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself when he realises that it’s the only way to take out Meruem for good.

1 Spike Spiegel Vs. Vincent Volaju

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

A smooth, well-choreographed battle from start to finish, Vincent Volaju’s last stand sees him go head-to-head with Spike. Both men went all-out in this fistfight and just when you think Spike is gaining the upper hand on Vincent, the man turns right back around to prove you wrong.

A former military officer turned terrorist, Vincent Volaju cuts a tragic figure. He was the victim of human experimentation that affected his sanity and caused him to lose his memories. Although his plans to release a chemical weapon were undoubtedly villainous, Vincent managed to soundly defeat Spike in one of the most intense close combat fights ever depicted.