Anime has no shortage of intense battles andunexpected outcomes. The genre frequently depicts underdog protagonists overcoming great challenges and highly skilled opponents. Often, the odds seem insurmountable, yet somehow, through determination, ingenuity, or even just plain luck, the underdog emerges victorious.
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Certain anime battles have left fans utterly shocked at their conclusions. These are not just upsets or flukes, but completely unanticipated turns of events that flip expectations on their head. Oftentimes, the winner is so weak in terms of power, experience, or circumstance that their victory seems impossible. Yet, they manage to defy all odds and logical conclusions to pull off the surprise win.
8Zeus Wins Against Adam (Record Of Ragnarok)
Adam’s Body Couldn’t Keep Up With His Powers
Record of Ragnarok
Why The Win Is Surprising?
Adam’s unique ability, Eyes of the Lord, allows him to copy and counter any move or technique used against him. This power makes him an incredibly formidable opponent, as he can instantly learn and replicate the gods' millennia of experience and power.
The turning point inthe battleis when Zeus transforms into his final form, Adamas, which is a huge risk due to the strain it puts on his body. The actual surprise comes from the manner in which Adam is defeated. Despite his overwhelming willpower and the seemingly unbeatable Eyes of the Lord, Adam’s body itself cannot keep up with the strain of the battle. His loss is not because he was outsmarted or overpowered in the traditional sense, but because his mortal body reached its limit.
Release Date
Season Count
Where To Watch
May 30, 2025
7Naruto’s Win Against Neji (Naruto)
Caught Neji Off Gaurd With An Underdog Attack
Neji Hyūga is presented as a genius ninja from the Hyūga clan, one of the most powerful clans in Konoha. He possesses the Byakugan and is highly skilled in theGentle Fist technique, which makes him a formidable opponent. Neji is also a firm believer in a deterministic view of life, thinking that one’s destiny is fixed and cannot be changed. In contrast, Naruto is seen as the underdog with no remarkable ninja talent or family pedigree.
However, his optimistic belief in hard work and the ability to shape one’s own destiny sets him apart. The surprise comes when Naruto, seemingly beaten and down on the ground, taps into his inner strength, and more specifically, the chakra of the Nine-Tails Fox sealed inside him. With this power, he manages to catch Neji off guard. Naruto uses a clever strategy by digging into the ground to come up beneath Neji, striking him where he least expects it.
Episode Count
Jul 21, 2025
Crunchyroll
6Simon Defeats Lordgenome (Gurren Lagann)
Simon’s Challenge Seemed Like A Suicidal Mission
Gurren Lagann
The fight showcases Gurren Lagann’s ability to overcome seemingly impossible odds through sheer force of will, embodying the show’s catchphrase, “Who the hell do you think I am?” Simon’s victory over the Spiral King, Lordgenome, is surprising because of the sheer scale of power and the sudden turnaround in the fight, symbolizing Simon’s growth.
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Lordgenome has ruled over the earth with an iron fist, suppressing humanity by forcing them to live in isolated underground villages. He is an incredibly powerful being who has defeated many before with his own massive Gunmen, Lazengann. Simon, a young digger from one of these villages, rises up against Lordgenome’s tyranny after discovering his own Gunmen, Lagann, and combining it with Kamina’s Gunmen, Gurren, to form the powerful mecha Gurren Lagann.
May 30, 2025
CRUNCHYROLL
5Lelouch’s Victory (Code Geass)
Killed Himself To Ensure The Triumph Of His Ideals
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Lelouch’s plan in Code Geass, known as the Zero Requiem, is amasterstroke of strategyand self-sacrifice that leaves a lasting impact on both the characters within the show and the audience watching. Lelouch’s victory is not a conventional one. The plan culminates with Lelouch’s staged assassination. He allows himself to be killed by Suzaku Kururugi, who is disguised as Zero, the symbol of rebellion and justice.
This assassination is broadcast worldwide and is meant to symbolize the end of the old world order and the death of the world’s hatred. Throughout Code Geass, Lelouch is portrayed as someone who desires power. His final plan reveals a different aim: to use power as a means to an end, not the end itself.
Jul 16, 2025
4Ash’s Win Against Paul (Pokémon)
Paul Lost Against A Pokemon He Discarded
Paul is introduced as a rival Trainer to Ash Ketchum and is his antithesis in many ways. Their full six-on-six battle during the Sinnoh League is a culmination of Ash’s growth as a Trainer throughout the series. Where Ash is compassionate and believes in forming strong bonds with his Pokémon,Paul is pragmaticand sees Pokémon as tools for battle, releasing them if they do not meet his expectations. Their full six-on-six battle during the Sinnoh League is a culmination of Ash’s growth as a Trainer throughout the series.
The match is filled with strategy and counter-strategy, with each Trainer pushing the other to their limits. In a dramatic turn of events, Ash’s Infernape—previously Paul’s Chimchar before being released for perceived weakness—becomes the keystone of Ash’s team. Infernape’s victory against Paul’s Electivire not only wins the match for Ash but also serves as a narrative symbol of Ash’s philosophy triumphing over Paul’s.
3L’s Defeat by Light Yagami (Death Note)
As A Main Character L Got Killed Way Too Soon
Death Note (2006)
The battle of wits between Light Yagami and L in Death Note is one of the most intellectually intense rivalries in anime history. L’s defeat by Light is a pivotal moment that shocked fans due to the buildup of their cat-and-mouse game throughout the series. In many narratives, especially in detective fiction, audiences expect the detective to prevail.
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The audience is led to believe that L will eventually find a way to corner Light. Killing off a main character in such a dramatic and unexpected way is a bold narrative choice, delivering a storyline where the antagonist outsmarts the force of justice.
Jul 22, 2025
FUNIMATION
2Sukuna Wins Against Gojo (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Gojo Was More Popular Than The Protagonist
Jujutsu Kaisen
Gojo’s death in the hands of Sukunais one of the most shocking and unexpected in all of the shonen genre. Gojo is known for his overwhelming power and is often considered the strongest character in Jujutsu Kaisen. His abilities, like the Limitless and the Six Eyes, allow him to manipulate space at an atomic level and perceive the flow of cursed energy with extreme precision, making him an almost untouchable force.
This defeat undermines the foundational understanding of power levels in the series. The fight proves that Sukuna hasn’t revealed his full potential yet. However, it’s also to be noted that it was a three-on-one battle where Mahoraga also aided in Sukuna’s win against Gojo.
Jul 25, 2025
1Joseph’s Win Against Kars (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures)
Very Bizarre Way To Defeat Someone
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
Joseph Joestar is characterized by his quick wits, penchant for trickery, and his ability to predict his opponent’s moves, often humorously prefacing them with the line, “Your next line is…”. The battle between Joseph and Kars is intense and seems one-sided, given Kars’s newfound omnipotence after obtaining the power of the Red Stone of Aja. Joseph’s triumph over Kars is not due to sheer power or a superiorfighting techniquebut a combination of luck, environmental factors, and Joseph’s own quick thinking.
The ultimate stroke of luck comes when the volcanic eruption sends Joseph and Kars hurtling into the sky on a rock. Joseph’s arm is severed and attached to the Red Stone of Aja, which ends up being launched towards Kars and pushing him into the path of the volcanic debris. Joseph claims that this was all part of his plan, a characteristic boast to mask the fact that much of it was fortuitous. The debris propels Kars into space, where he is frozen and rendered harmless, drifting for eternity. This is indeed one of the most “bizarre wins” in anime.
