There are plenty of genres for fans to enjoy, so everyone can watch what they want. However, specific genres are more popular than the rest, primarily action, which is dominant in movies, television, andanime. The latter is a medium tailored for entertainment and imaginative stories, but it also knows how to make some of the most epic, action-packed series, such asOne PieceandAttack on Titan.
Action will always draw a crowd and can convince even the most fickle of fans to give a series a try. Thus,this list will rank ten anime with the most epic actionbased on animation, scale, creativity, fights, enjoyability, drama, and moments. Each series must incorporate at least one of these aspects, delivering a variety of ways an anime can have standout action and epicness.
10’Wind Breaker' (2024)
Studio: CloverWorks
2024 was a phenomenal year for anime, but one of the unexpected bangers wasWind Breaker, a delinquent anime thatsolely focused on fighting and character development. Sakura is used to discrimination because of his looks, which is why he is expecting a fight when enrolling in his new school with the top gang. However, his dreams of becoming a leader quickly dampen as they accept him wholeheartedly.
Wind Breakerdoesn’t have a massive scale, but sometimes, a showonly needs hand-to-hand combat to get fans riled up. The characters are the story’s heart, as its leading members and villains slowly develop. However, everyone watchesWind Breakerfor the fights, as it delivers some of the most fluid combat scenes in anime, highlighting the epic nature of this show, which is one of thebest action anime series of the 2020s.
Wind Breaker
9’Hajime no Ippo' (2000)
Studios: Madhouse and MAPPA
Sports anime are some of the most exciting and riveting series. However, while they do contain action, it isn’t the type of action applicable to this list. That is, unless it is a combat sport, including boxing.Hajime no Ippofollows the titular character after discovering boxing, making it his goal to be the best rookie. The benchmark keeps moving after his success, highlighting an epic journey of growth and determination.
Since it is grounded in reality, there won’t be any world-ending fights, but the action is over-the-top, considering it is a sports anime.Hajime no Ippomasterfully builds up each fight, making the moments andaction even more epic with a rewarding payoff. The characters are great, and the show is surprisingly funny, but the action is what counts, and Ippo’s development makes the fights even better in one of thebest must-watch anime shows.
Fighting Spirit
8’Fire Force' (2019)
Studio: David Production
Because of cultural preferences, many anime have problematic aspects according to Western fans, creating more than a few polarizing anime.Fire Forceis hated for its fan service, but otherwise, it is a remarkable battle shonen, with the third season being one of themost anticipated anime of 2025. Shinra joins the fire brigade to solve the mystery behind spontaneous human combustion and find his brother.
Action and epicness are all about visual appeal, andFire Forceisone of the most visually stunning animewith its distinct style, animation, and spectacle. While other series use the story and scale to deliver epicness, this animeuses its style and aesthetic to enhance every epic moment, making the action even better. With a unique power system, great directing, animation, and vibe,Fire Forceis a standout anime that more fans need to appreciate.
Fire Force
7’Naruto' (2002)
Studio: Pierrot
While it may seem like cheating, this entry includes the entireNarutofranchise, meaning the original series,Shippuden, andBoruto, since itwouldn’t be right to leave anything out with so much epic action. This iconic series needs no introduction, capturing the hearts of countless anime fans as it has become one of the most popular and recognizable series ever.
Narutoexcels at many things, and as a battle shonen, it is only natural that it would also have epic action. While many would consider power creep one ofNaruto’sbiggest flaws, it did introduce fans to new epic abilities and some of the best action in the series. With countless imaginative jutsu and overpowered techniques,Narutoishome to some of the best fights in anime, with the scale getting larger by the episode.
6’Fate/Zero' (2011)
Studio: ufotable
TheFatefranchise has one of the most confusing timelines, with multiple anime series, novels, and video games spread throughout different eras. However,Fate/Zerois the starting point, making it less confusing for fans to get into. Three great wars were fought for the Holy Grail in the past, but the upcoming Fourth War will likely finally see a victor, with many families and clans entering, each getting a historical familiar to help them.
If an anime is made by ufotable, then it will likely be a phenomenal show with some of the most outstanding animation fans will ever see.Fate/Zerois no different, delivering some of the most stunning action sequences and gorgeous animation. The plot and story revolve around action, focusing on the fights andenhancing each battle with epic and dramatic moments of life and death, making ita perfect action anime.
5’Solo Leveling' (2024)
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Anime has only been getting more popular and better with every year, with2024 delivering some standout animeand 2025 following suit.Solo Levelinghas dominated the charts, proving to be the next big thing. Hunters are born with a specific rank and take on jobs to defeat the mysterious portals that threaten the world. Sung Jin-Woo is the lowest-ranked Hunter, but a sudden encounter gives him the ability to level up.
Recent anime has given fans some of the most impressive animation in years, andSolo Levelingcontinues the trend by mixingtop-tier fights with dramatic and epic moments. The anime oozes style with its cool characters, but the protagonist is the show’s highlight. His constant development gets more epic and action-packed,upping the stakes every episode.
Solo Leveling
4’Demon Slayer' (2019)
No anime has taken over the scene likeDemon Slayer, which has remained one of the most popular series. Over five years later, the anime is set to conclude with a trilogy of theatrical films starting in 2025. The story follows Tanjiro and his sister Nekuzko, the latter of which Muzan turned into a demon. Tanjiro now journeys to become stronger and kill Muzan to reverse this curse.
Not much needs to be said with this entry, consideringallDemon Slayerhas going for it is its animation and fights. While that may sound like an insult, the show hasthe best fight scenes in anime, mixing fluid combat with dynamic action, splendid choreography, and a spectacle of flashy attacks.Demon Slayeris already a modern classicbecause of its standout fight scenes and epic action.
3’Dragon Ball Z' (1989)
Studio: Toei Animation
No matter how fast these new series get popular, they need decades to reach the level ofDragon Ball Z, one ofthe most influential anime of all time. The series follows the adventures of Goku, a Saiyan who encounters his alien race, which was sent to Earth to destroy it and reclaim Goku. However, he must stop the evil plan and the countless enemies threatening Earth, such as Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.
As the oldest anime on this list,Dragon Ball Zsuffers from aging animation, inconsistent pacing, and the occasional filler. However, this doesn’t stop it from remaining the most iconic anime of all time.It earned its status because of the fights and action, delivering over-the-top, world-ending battles between aliens.Dragon Ball Zis an essential animebecause of its epic action, from the transformation to legendary finishing moves to the dramatic screaming.
Dragon Ball Z
2’Jujutsu Kaisen' (2020)
Studio: MAPPA
BesidesDemon Slayer,Jujutsu Kaisenis the most popular new-generation anime, introducing countless new fans worldwide to the medium. Yuji Itadori is a gifted high schooler, but after accidentally eating an ancient demon’s finger, he must join the supernatural world. He must ingest the remaining fingers to stop a group of villains from resurrecting said demon while proving he isn’t a danger to society.
WhileJujutsu Kaisendeals with psychological, philosophical, and other complex themes,everyone watches it for the action. MAPPA delivers the experience of a lifetime with this show, providing some of thegreatest animation in anime. Every fight is spectacular, whether it be a minor brawl between side characters or a match between the main characters. The pacing, action, fights, spectacle, and fluidnessdeliver a distinct style of epicness never seen before.
Jujutsu Kaisen
1’Bleach' (2004)
After decades of waiting, fans finally got the return ofBleachin 2022 after the studio canceled it because of declining ratings. As one of The Big Three,Bleachis an incredibly popular anime series that once dominated but is now proving it wasn’t a fluke by taking over the 2020s as well. The story follows Ichigo, who, after borrowing the powers of a Soul Reaper, must face countless challenges from Hollows to other Soul Reapers to Quincies.
Whether it be the original series with its brilliant set up, execution, and moments, or the newer series with its masterclass animation, fluid choreography, and equally epic moments,Bleachis an action masterpiece. Everything about the show isstylized to enhance its coolness and epicness, including character designs, power systems, and fights.Bleachis one of themost entertaining anime of all timebecause of its grand battles with massive stakes, innovative powers, and monumentous action scenes.
