Question/poll: most emotionally engaging fight in manga/anime for you?

[rainsometimes]

I've just rewatched the epic and highly emotional fight between Gintoki and Takasugi in episode 304 and 305 of Gintama. It made me think of other one-on-one fights I've read and watched that got me similarly by the feelings. The first one that actually came to mind was Luffy vs Usopp in One Piece, Water 7 arc. But I think you run through the gamut of emotions pretty differently in those two fights, because when you read or watch the latter you're all "nooo what are you two doing stop it STOP IT goddamnit WHY MUST THIS HAPPEN NOBODY WINS WITH THIS DDDDD:", and that from the very beginning. With the former it's more of a rollercoaster, you start by going, "All right, Gintoki stopped him in the nick of time and now FINALLY EPIC SHOWDOWN WE'VE WAITED FOR SINCE LIKE 240-SOMETHING EPISODES!!!" and by the end you're sobbing.

And so now I wonder: what's the one fight scene between two people in any manga or anime that hit you the most emotionally? Or if it's hard to pick one, which are the top contenders?

Comments

[dorianmorgendorffer]

I may have to steal your Luffy vs. Usopp answer. Also there are some good ones in Ushio to Tora but (1) it's been a while since I watched it and (2) I still haven't finished it yet, so I can't point to any specific ones at this juncture.

[rainsometimes]

I haven't watched that series! (There really are way too many anime shows I've never watched.)

[dorianmorgendorffer]

I'd never heard of it until my boyfriend told me about it. It's very good, especially if you like youkai.

[rainsometimes]

I have heard of it, but I think I tend to confuse it with various other older shows I don't know too much about...

I'm not sure how I feel about youkai in general. But I love Natsume's Book of Friends and I'm fascinated by Gegege no Kitaro!

[fandomonymous]

(Here from Network, which is a paid Dreamwidth "friends of friends" type feature.)

Not necessarily a one on one fight, but the Tachikoma defending Batou at the end of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex season 1 gets me EVERY TIME.

[rainsometimes]

Oh man, I love collective fights! I think they actually tend to give me a stronger FUCK YEAH feeling than most one-on-one fights, even when I cheer very strongly for one side. Teamwork! Standing up for someone!

[naye]

BOTH OF THOSE.

If I have to pick an original answer... Luffy vs Doflamingo was pretty yes yes yes FINALLY, but probably not my top one.

Um. My mind is blanking on anything now that you've mentioned Gintoki vs Takasugi because: Gintoki vs Takasugi.

Oooh: Kagura vs Kamui!

[rainsometimes]

Kagura vs Kamui is another excellent one! Relentlessly physical and relentlessly tough on your emotions.

eta: and yes, I agree! Luffy vs Flamingo is a great example of a FINALLY TAKING THAT BASTARD DOOOOOWN fight.

Another intense hero vs villain fight is Luffy vs Lucci! Like with the Doflamingo one, it's not one where you start to feel for the antagonist, but it's sure got you on your toes the entire time.

[torch]

The fight scene that got to me the most isn't really a fight scene between two people. It's when Luffy finally got to Ace and they were side by side and I thought hey, I get to see them kick ass together, nice!

...yeah. Marineford wrecks me every time. I also really like the brief Luffy vs Garp just before this, which packs a lot of emotional and moral complexity into a very short interaction, and it would probably make it a lot higher on my personal list of favorites if it wasn't completely overshadowed by what comes next. because Aaaaace.

[rainsometimes]

Awww yeah. That was such a strong moment. Man, Oda, so cruel to us, giving us that moment of happiness before the end! ;___; But that moment when they fight together really did feel great for the short time it lasted.