[Top 10] Anime with Fighting Tournaments

Updated:

17 Oct 2020

10. Hunter x Hunter

When Gon Freecss was small, his father walked out on his family to become a Hunter. These particular people work to handle criminals and discover uncharted treasure world-wide. Now twelve, Gon begins his journey of becoming a Hunter himself, and hopes to find his father. Along the way, he meets other characters who hold a similar dream: Leorio who is currently training to become one of the world’s best doctors; Kurapika who longs to find some kind of closure after suffering trauma, and Killiua who is just trying to put his bloodlust assasination days behind him. In order to make those a reality, all must participate in the Hunter Exam. Taking this exam not only revolves around strength, but not everyone makes it out alive (not to mention the very low success rate). Among their adversaries is Hisoka Morow, who just might be the person to see actual potential in Gon.

Left to right: Kurapika, Gon, Killua, and Leorio

9. Yu Yu Hakusho

14-year-old Urameshi Yusuke was never exactly a popular kid. Rude, destructive, and very much paving himself for a life of delinquency. However, no one expected he would actually sacrifice himself to save a mere boy. Even the afterlife had not been prepared for this. Literally stuck between life and death, the only way Urameshi can reclaim his existence is through certain tasks bestowed on him by the afterlife authorities. Now serving as a protector to the living, he travels the world keeping humanity safe from criminals and even demons. Of course, he doesn’t do it alone. He has no choice but to team up with his former rival Kuwabara. And two demons named Hiei and Kurama who managed to escape prison in the afterlife.

Choose your fighter.

8. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Years ago, young Utena finds comfort in a mysterious prince after losing her parents. His acts of empathy inspire her to become a prince herself (or princess, whichever). She vowed one day when her dream came true, she would meet him again. In a peculiar fantasy world where even women can compete for the hand of a bride, Utena finds herself fighting a dangerous duel. Of course, she wins. The prize? The hand of the elusive Anthy Himemiya, who opens Utena’s ideals into something more revolutionary. And by revolutionary, meaning she discovers secrets behind everything she once believed in. She thought becoming a prince was all she wanted. Now she desires to change the world, and hope to meet the mysterious man again.

The Steven Universe of anime.

7. Kill la Kill

Transfer student Ryuko Matoi wields a scissor-like blade, a weapon she holds dear after losing her father. Living as a vagrant, she vows to find whoever took her father’s life and make them suffer. In this world, Japan is one of the most super-induced countries, with its youth growing into the strongest of humanity. Well, not biologically, but with the help of certain uniforms that grant them amazing strength and abilities. These are powered by what are called Life Fibres. High schools in Japan are represented by their student fighters, and all compete in a tournament for the honor of their society. Ryuko wants in on this, mainly to prove her own power and hope to get one step closer to finding her father’s assassin. Of course, she does get defeated within the first moments, but that still won’t stop her. And what helps her on this path of strength is a sentient sailor uniform she comes across, who grants her powers similar to her peers’.

Blue vs. Red: Satsuki Kiryuin (left) battling against Ryuko Matoi (right)

6. Naruto

Years ago, the Leaf village was attacked by the demon known as the Nine-Tailed Fox. Their hokage put an end to it by sacrificing himself. The demon was then put into the soul of a newborn baby, Naruto Uzamaki. Growing up, the orphaned boy has been met with hatred, disrespect, and very much disgust due to him possessing the Nine-Tailed Fox. These issues trouble him so much to the point he ends up failing his exam again, which everyone has expected. Dejected, hurt, and feeling even more of a failure, Naruto wonders if everyone is right about him. But not all of the village see the boy as a monster. His own instructor, practically the closest to a father figure, guides him and gives him the confidence he rightfully deserves. Next thing Naruto knows, he awakens the strength within him, which makes him an exception to pass his failed exam. With this, he hopes to one day prove his village wrong and rise as their own Hokage. Now a student ninja, he meets other kids who all have dreams. The pretty yet hard-boiled Sakura who’s only desire is to win the heart of their other team member, indifferent and anti-social Sasuke, who wants nothing more than to avenge his clan. Along the way, they are also met with their newest instructor, the mysterious and always-masked Kakashi (who also fills the father figure role for Naruto).

These two were BFFs before they decided to SIMP after the same guy.

5. Black Clover

Orphans Asta and Yuno have grown up together over the years. Best friends equals best rivals when they promise to compete against each other for the title of the next Emperor Magus. While Yuno is able to produce magic on a whim, Asta is unable to find his spark. But that doesn’t stop him as he makes up for lack of magic with training physically. On the day young boys are to receive their Necromancers, Yuno receives his, yet Asta gets nothing. Just when he thinks that the whole Magus dream is merely a fool’s imagination, he receives a mysterious package, which is his own book. Magic wielders usually possess a book with three-leaf clovers on the front. Higher ones get four-leaf clovers. Yet Asta receives a five-leaf clover, aka the black clover. What does this mean? Well, he and his best friend journey to discovery and the mystery behind this gift. While still rivaling for the position of Magus Emperor, they come across other magic-wielders who support them on their adventures.

Just like Naruto, he’s a goofball that could literally end you.

4. Fairy Tail

Lucy Heatfillia hopes to become a mage and get stationed in the world’s greatest guild, Fairy Tail. She meets the cheerful guy Natsu by chance, who is more than meets the eye. In a world of magic, dragons, and even demons, the two meet other magic-wielders that strive to protect their home. They meet other characters who share the feat of magic and aid, all who hope to become something big in Fairy Tail. Over time, Lucy realizes her budding feelings for Natsu, who is slowly developing his own. However, what the former doesn’t realize is the past Natsu still harbors issues from. And they are all about how he is secretly a magic-wielder from Fairy Tail, who hopes to find his father.

You don’t want to know the results of their latest victory...

3. Dragon Ball

Goku is a man of many things: a father, a kid at heart, and the most badass Saiyan. Fighting enemies, meeting new friends, and still being able to raise a family. This strong-hearted man proves himself powerful, even without getting into his ultimate form. His son Gohan hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps. But he doesn’t have to wait along. Enemies pop up every day to battle either him, his dad, or those closest to them. But as the adventure resumes, Gohan proves he’s every bit of his father as those are to believe he could be.

IT’S OVER 9,000!

2. The God of High School

In this world where Korea is populated with strong and budding young fighters, a tournament is held to determine the best. Highschools everywhere enlists their best students to compete. Mori Jin is among them, both a student and a martial arts fighter. While he has no trouble keeping his feet on the ground, the competition is intense. Almost deadly. Mori Jin thought it was just a way to see who could kick the other’s ass harder. But as the tournament continues, he discovers that there is more than meets the eye. And quite possibly his classmates are in deeper than they let on.

Gods they are, because god DAMN are they fine.

1. My Hero Academia

In a world where most of the population possess superpowers, Izuku Midoriya is not among them. While other kids his age are born super, he’s just an average kid among the world’s small population of powerless humans. But he doesn’t allow this to keep him from studying the ways of heroism. Physical activity is just as good as super activity, right? While his fellow non-powered people see supers as dangers to society, he longs to join in the ranks. Next thing he knows, he’s being trained to become his idol’s successor. All Might, one of the world’s greatest heroes, sees something in Izuku that not even his own kind can realize. Through difficult training and understanding, the kid gets enrolled in the most popular superhuman school UA High. His classmates are all interesting beings, but not all are friends. After all, some supers’ egos believe that a mere human cannot contribute as a hero. But as Izuku adapts to his new life, he just might become the hero everyone needs.