Anime battles are a vital part of storytelling, especially that of shounen anime, offering unforgettable moments that often leave fans breathless. Some of the most iconic battles, likeMonkey D. Luffy’s punch against Saint Charlos, exemplify their thrill. However, there is another category of battles that remain mysterious - the off-screen ones.
RELATED:Anime Fights With Best Animation, Ranked
These battles, whether hinted at or part of character backstories, fuel our curiosity and imagination. They take place in the unexplored realms of anime worlds, far from the viewer’s sight. These off-screen battles transcend genres and timelines,contributing significantly to character growthand plot development. Although they are hidden from our view, they have a profound impact on the narrative.
10Might Duy Vs. 7 Ninja Swordsmen Of The Mist - Naruto
First Use Of Eight Gates
Years prior to the events ofNaruto, many epic battles took place. Among them is the one fought byMight Duyagainst the7 Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. In the anime, Duy manages to take on four of the infamous swordsmen, but manga readers know he actually killed six of them, leaving only one alive.
This monumental battle is characterized by Duy’s unwavering determination and his mastery of the Eight Gates technique, a skill he had honed over years of rigorous training. He decides to use the technique andsacrifice himself to save his sonand his friends from certain doom.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
July 17, 2025
Netflix,Crunchyroll,Hulu
9Meliodas Vs. Mael - The Seven Deadly Sins
Meliodas' Start Of Resurrection
The Seven Deadly Sins
TheSeven Deadly Sinshas unmistakably many fights taking place before the events of the anime, which makes sense with how long most of the characters have been around. Among the countless ofscreen battles lies one that took place during the Holy War, a clash fans would undoubtedly have relished witnessing – the epic encounter betweenMeliodasand the formidable ArchangelMael.
Regrettably, numerous details about the Holy War, including the full extent of this battle and its consequences, remain shrouded in mystery. It’s plausible that this pivotal battle marked Meliodas' first death and may have contributed to the eventual sealing of the Demon Clan.
June 19, 2025
Netflix,Amazon
8Theresia Vs. The White Whale - Re: Zero
Death Of The Master Swordsman
Before the events of the anime take place, more specifically fourteen years beforeSubaru gets transported to the world, the Master SwordsmanTheresia van Astrealeads an attack against theWhite Whale, a malevolent beast renowned for its unrivaled strength and centuries of terrorizing the land.
Theresia’s character, defined by her reluctance for violence and combat, embraces her duty to fight for her country. Sadly, her valiant efforts end in failure, marking the tragic end of her journey. It is not until Subaru’s arrival that Theresia’s widowed husband, Wilhelm van Astrea, can seek vengeance for his beloved wife’s death by confronting the relentless terror of the White Whale.
July 13, 2025
Crunchyroll
7Shichika Yasuri Vs. Hakuhei Sabi - Katanagatari
Fall Of Greatest Swordsman
Katanagatari
In the world of anime,Katanagataristands as a unique and whimsical creation, a series that consistently defies conventions. From early on, viewers are tantalized with the prospect of a formidable face-off between the protagonist,Shichika Yasuri, andthe greatest swordsman alive,Hakuhei Sabi. The anticipation builds as Hakuhei issues a challenge letter, promising an epic encounter.
However, when the fateful confrontation finally arrives, the narrative takes an unexpected twist. A time skip occurs, leaving fans bewildered and yearning for the battle they were promised. Instead, they find themselves eavesdropping on the protagonists' discussion about the match, discovering that it was a closely fought duel that hinged on a meticulous plan. The reaction among fans was mixed, alternating between a sense of disappointment and betrayal at not witnessing the battle and an appreciation for the anime’s penchant for subverting expectations.
July 24, 2025
Not Available For Streaming, DVD FromAmazon
6Veldora Vs. Hero - That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Veldora Gets Sealed Inside The Cave Rimuru Is Reincarnated In
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
InThat Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, there’s a legendary showdown that went down way before Rimuru’s adventure kicked off – the face-off between the all-powerfulVeldoraand the courageousHero. This epic battle might’ve just been a quick mention in the early episodes, but it left fans yearning for its animation.
When Veldora went on a wild city-destroying rampage, it was the chosen hero who put an end to it. She not only defeated the powerful dragon but also sealed him inside a cave. As a result, Veldora gets to meet the reincarnated slime, and their story begins.
June 04, 2025
Crunchyroll,Hulu,Amazon
5Acnologia Vs. Gildarts - Fairy Tail
S Class Mage Gravely Injured Losing An Arm And Leg
Fairy Tail
Among the many remarkable battles inFairy Tail, one of the greatest happens off-screen. While on a 100-year quest,Gildartscame acrossAcnologia. The renowned S-Class Mage proved helpless against the sheer force of the mighty dragon’s attacks.
Acnologia, having its fill of the interaction, departed, leaving Gildarts gravely wounded and on the brink of death. Miraculously, the mage survived, albeit at great cost; he lost an arm, a leg, and an unspecified organ. Upon his return to the guild, he replaced his lost limbs with prosthetics and emerged as the solesurvivor of a battle against a foe as formidable as Acnologia, becoming the only one capable of recounting the tale of this off-screen battle.
June 18, 2025
Crunchyroll,Funimation,Hulu
4Silva Zoldyck Vs. Chrollo - Hunter X Hunter
Clash Of Titans Should Have Ended With Death Of One
Hunter x Hunter
InHunter x Hunter, a lot of powerful characters are introduced, includingZoldyckandChrollo, who always appear hostile towards each other. Later on, it is revealed that the two had a battle prior to the events of the anime. Zoldyck was hired to assassinate a member of the infamous Troupe, and after completing the task, it is believed that the two formidable figures clashed. However, the anime only offers a brief and enigmatic flashback without making any reference to the winner of the battle.
Many fans speculate that Silva emerged victorious in this battle, reasoning that Chrollo might not have possessed the full array of abilities he later acquired. After this encounter, Zoldyck returned home, issuing a stern warning to his sons to steer clear of the Troupe’s path. In all likelihood, Chrollo pursued a path of further empowerment, potentially involving the tragic massacre of the Kurta Clan.
June 20, 2025
Amazon,Hulu
3Mikasa Vs. Annie - Attack On Titan
Clash Between The Two Strongest Female Characters
Attack On Titan
In one extra scene within the anime, a spar betweenAnnieandMikasais briefly mentioned between the characters, with Eren being unable to recall its outcome. Although this anticipated battle between Mikasa, endowed with exceptional abilities thanks to her lineage, and Annie, with her extensive combat training, never materialized on screen, it left fans to imagine what could have been one of the anime’s standout moments.
Attack On Titan Final Season: 12 Best Plot Twists
Attack On Titan is full of mind-boggling twists, and here are some of the best ones we’ve seen in the Final Season.
Fans expressed a strong desire to witness this battle and even made inquiries to the mangaka, Hajime Isayama, regarding the fight’s conclusion. He, however, disclosed that Keith intervened, instructing everyone to retire for the night.
June 16, 2025
Crunchyroll,Netflix,Funimation,Hulu
2Aokiji Vs. Akainu - One Piece
Aokiji Resigning And Akainu Becoming Fleet Admiral
One of the most impactful yet unseen clashes inOne Pieceunfolds in the shadows - the epic battle betweenAokijiandAkainu. This duel, spanning an astonishing ten days, involved two ofthe most formidable characters in the seriesand was fought to determine the next Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
Fans speculate about the reasons behind not showcasing this battle. Many believe it’s a deliberate choice to keep the full extent of their abilities under wraps, leaving room for future revelations and potential origin stories. There’s a prevailing theory that the official outcome may have been manipulated, suggesting that the true victor could have been Aokiji. Nevertheless, Akainu was celebrated as the winner and rose to the position of Fleet Admiral, with Aokiji suffering severe injuries, losing a leg, and resigning from the Marines.
June 27, 2025
1All Might Vs. All For One - My Hero Academia
All Might Sustain A Lifelong Injury
My Hero Academia
A pivotal fight frequently referenced inMy Hero Academiais the showdown betweenAll MightandAll For One. This legendary battle involved two of the strongest characters in the anime’s world and holds significant importance in the story. Notably, it was during this encounter that All Might sustained the life-altering injury that ultimately led to hisfateful meeting with Midoriya, setting the story in motion.
Fans have eagerly anticipated a closer look at this battle, especially when a short animation titled All Might - Rising was teased. However, the animation offered just a brief glimpse into All Might’s relationship with his mentor and did not delve into the iconic confrontation itself. Despite this, the fight between All Might and All For One remains a cornerstone in the series, shaping the course of events and defining the characters' destinies.
