Tournament Arcs have become a staple of shonen anime since the 90s, with these one-on-one matches not only having the fate of the world as its prize but also an excellent means of showcasing the growing abilities of awesome protagonists in an action-packed manner.
And while shonen anime protagonists are often expected to win in these Tournament Arcs, not all winners of a shonen anime tournament seem to be deserving of the crown. In fact, certain story events seem to give more justification for the rival to win instead. Such a victory is especially the case given the story implications of the conclusion of these affairs.
8 Chunin Exams – Naruto
Original Winner: None
New Winner: Shikamaru Nara
In the world of Naruto, protagonist Naruto Uzumaki and his pals participate in the much-awaited Chunin Selection Exams in order to try their hand at being promoted from rookie genin into the coveted chunin role. This culminated in a combat round where Naruto and other finalists gave it their all to have a shot at promotion, with the exams serving as the series’ de facto tournament arc. Unbeknownst to them, antagonists Orochimaru and the Hidden Sand Village were already plotting the invasion of the Hidden Leaf during the examinations, interrupting what was supposed to be the lead-up to the finals.
After Sasuke’s defection and during the start of Naruto Shippuden, it’s learned that Shikamaru Nara, who originally surrendered in the semis, became the only one promoted to the chunin role. However, this was revealed in a rather nonchalant manner during Naruto’s side trip to ask how everyone has been during his absence. Given how Shikamaru was the only one in his batch to get the promotion and the gravity of this specialized role, the series could’ve made a more “formal” declaration of his victory.
7 Ura Butou Satsujin – Flame Of Recca
Original Winner: None (Anime), Recca Hanabishi (Manga)
New Winner: Kurei Mori
The world of ninja fan Recca Hanabishi gets shattered when he realizes that not only was he a young boy sent from the past, but the shonen protagonist can also control flames and call forth ancestral dragons to help in combat. When his love interest Yanagi becomes the target of Kogan Mori in his quest for immortality, Recca with his flames and his allies empowered by the ability-granting Madogu enter the Ura Butou Satsujin to put a stop to Mori's schemes. However, in a surprise twist, it’s revealed that Kogan Mori’s adopted son, the masked Kurei Mori, is actually Recca’s half-brother, also from the past.
In the latter stages of the tournament, Recca and Kurei face off in the final round to decide the fate of Yanagi. Both versions of the series had Kurei easily outmatching Recca in skill as a flame master, but luck would have Recca narrowly defeat his brother. Again, both versions would have Kogan reveal the tournament as also a means to eliminate the insubordinate Kurei, with the latter exacting revenge on his adoptive father. A simple alternate twist on these events would have Kurei ultimately declared the victor, with Kogan annoyingly revealing his hand when even the likes of Recca couldn’t eliminate the “problem” for him. This could result in a more impactful conclusion of Kogan Mori’s schemes, with Kurei’s whereabouts remaining a mystery.
6 Dark Tournament – Yu Yu Hakusho
Original Winner: Yusuke Urameshi
New Winner: Younger Toguro
Disguised as a continuation of Yusuke’s usual detective exploits, the discovery of the Dark Tournament where the fate of the world hung literally in the balance was where Yusuke discovered his signature Spirit Gun technique. This was also whenYu Yu Hakusho introduced Younger Toguro, one of the most powerful villains in anime history. Such was his strength that it’s only thanks to Toguro’s overexertion that Yusuke managed to land the killing blow with his Spirit Gun. And while Toguro dies and thanks Yusuke for allowing him to use his “full power,” the narrative could still lead to this satisfying conclusion if the reverse had happened.
In an alternative scenario, Toguro could’ve tanked Yusuke’s Spirit Gun and landed a killing blow, only for his overexertion to take his toll and kill him as well. After this horrific event, Yusuke’s first signs of atavism take flight and the first of his Mazoku marks appear and heal him. This latter portion is taken from a later part of the series, where Yusuke taps into the form of his ancestor Raizen in order to defeat the overpowered Sensui. However, instead of this “abrupt” revelation during the Sensui Arc, hints of his access to his ancestral powers could’ve manifested as early as the Dark Tournament.
5 Battle City Tournament – Yu-Gi-Oh!
Original Winner: The Nameless Pharaoh
New Winner: Marik Ishtar
It’s not Yu-Gi-Oh! if the world's fate didn’t somehow rest in the hands of a card game tournament between iconic Yu-Gi-Oh! characters, and the Battle City Tournament was just that. While this was a ruse organized by Seto Kaiba to help Ishizu Ishtar collect the missing God Cards, this eventually led to a no-holds-barred death match between the Nameless Pharaoh and Yami Marik, the evil personality of Ishizu’s brother Marik after years of abuse. In a bid to showcase his sadistic self, this unique finals match had the souls of his original self and Yugi Muto hang in the balance.
However, in a surprising twist of events, the original Marik Ishtar manages to overcome his evil self and surrender the match he could’ve won, eliminating his evil half once and for all. In a world where the Nameless Pharaoh is the King of Games, it’s very unlikely for him to lose in a straight fight. However, Marik Ishtar did manage to put himself in a winning position fair and square, requiring no MacGuffin cards unlike what Yugi usually does.
4 All Japan Rookie King Tournament – Hajime No Ippo
Original Winner: Ippo Makunochi
New Winner: Sendo Takeshi
Perhaps considered one of the most popular sports anime of all time, Hajime no Ippo talks of the journey of amateur boxer Ippo Makunouchi as he slowly makes his way into the world of professional boxing. While his talent for learning quickly complements his supposed slow career, Ippo now has more to prove after becoming the East Japan Rookie King. This time around, he has to prepare to face off against Takeshi Sendo, the West Japan Rookie King, for the coveted title of All Japan Rookie King and officially enter the big leagues.
Similar to other sports anime, the cocky and brash attitude of the go-getter Sendo is immediately set apart from the meek Ippo, making him the perfect rival of the time. Eager to defeat strong opponents, Sendo was initially disappointed when Ippo didn’t want to fight him. However, he managed to be in for the fight of his life when Ippo decided to push through with the match. While Ippo winning and earning the title is a natural prediction due to his nature as the protagonist, it may have helped the series to delay giving Ippo yet another win, especially to avoid setting an early “plot armor” trend. Having Ippo lose now and Sendo winning can force Ippo to take an alternate route, eventually meeting a strong Sendo in the future for a rematch.
3 World Coronation Series – Pokemon
Original Winner: Ash Ketchum
New Winner: Leon
An anime adaptation won’t be too far ahead whenever a new Pokemon game pops up. This happened with Pokemon Journey: The Series, which served as the main adaptation of the Pokemon Sun & Moon mainline games. In the series, a younger-looking Ash Ketchum eventually participates in the World Coronation Series, hoping to become a Pokemon Champion. However, this wasn’t an immediate path, as Ash had to embark on various adventures to prove his worth before facing his tournament rival, the then-current World Champion Leon.
As such, it made sense for the two of them to face off in the finals of the prestigious World Coronation Series. And while this climactic match gave Ash a deserved Championship to finally break his losing streak, giving him this “win” may have “harmed” his reputation, even for a little bit. After all, Ash losing a tournament and going to the next region to try his luck is a constant message of striving for betterment and looking at competitions beyond the element of winning. Ash finally becoming World Champion just begs the question: what’s next, then?
2 Universe Survival Saga – Dragon Ball Super
Original Winner: Android 17
New Winner: Jiren
One of the most peculiar things explored in the Dragon Ball Super series is its concept of the Multiverse, where Goku and friends can now encounter various elites from different Universes and meet Zeno, the most powerful entity. However, the Universe Survival Saga puts all other tournaments to shame, as this all-out battle royale can destroy the Universes of the losing contenders. It didn’t help that Goku and his team of Universe 7 had to contend with the likes of Jiren, the most powerful member of the Pride Troopers that even Goku couldn’t win against with his new Ultra Instinct form.
Such was Jiren’s power that it took the efforts of Goku, Frieza, and Android 17 combined to knock him out of the ring to force his Universe to forfeit as none of them were strong enough to defeat him outright. With Android 17 left in the ring, he’s granted the ultimate wish. And with it, Android 17 wishes for all the other Universes to be restored. While this conclusion was satisfactory, perhaps things would’ve been better with Jiren winning instead. Bearing the same lesson that teamwork can trump any challenge, Jiren may be convinced to wish the other Universes back so he can once again fight Goku. This will further cement Jiren’s position as Goku’s Multiversal Rival and may tease future match-ups.
1 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament – Dragon Ball
Original Winner: Goku
New Winner: Piccolo
In the world of Dragon Ball where martial arts is a celebrated art form, it’s no surprise that World Martial Arts Tournament was a widely-anticipated occurrence. Throughout the series, it’s in these Tournaments that protagonist Goku actually met some of his closest friends - usually in the form of both rivals and fellow contestants. After losing both the 21st and 22nd World Martial Arts Tournaments, it’s during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament that he finally won - and subsequently saved the world - from Piccolo Jr., the son of the evil King Piccolo.
Typical of Goku, his victory against Piccolo Jr. was quite comedic, having won narrowly by knocking Piccolo Jr. out of the ring via a headbutt after using flight for the first time. And Piccolo Jr., despite being hell-bent on destroying Goku and taking over the world, accepts defeat after Goku heals him with a Senzu Bean. While this was a touching turn of events, the narrative could’ve supported Goku as a continuously-developing character by making him lose. This theoretical scenario could have an exhausted Goku persisting on saving the world, impressing Piccolo Jr. enough to spare him so they could fight on better terms.