Anime is among the most popular styles of cartoons not only in Japan but throughout the world as well. It is best known for its unique art style, engrossing plot, distinct characters, and mature themes. However, another aspect that anime is renowned for is its multitude of distinct tropes.

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While some of these recurrent themes are predictable or ineffective, there is one that thrills viewers to this day: the one-hit knockout. This trope is self-explanatory, an incredibly powerful character defeats another with nothing more than a single hit. While this seems like a simple concept, it has inspired some of the most epic moments in anime, such as those below.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

10 Jotaro VS. Arabia (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

A Split Image Of Jotaro VS Arabia

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is full of ridiculous and over-the-top encounters but none quite like this. The Joestar group's journey leads them to to the city of Abu Dhabi, where they rent camels to cross the desert to the village of Yarpline. While trekking through the desert, the Joestar group realizes that the desert's Sun is actually an enemy Stand that threatens to kill them if they do not act quickly.

Upon first glance, the Joestar group cannot locate the Sun Stand's user. After much investigation, they discovers a pair of unusually similar rocks and deduce that one may be the Sun Stand user's location. Within moments, Jotaro uses his Stand Star Platinum to hurl a stone at one of the rocks. The stone shattered what appeared to be a mirror, and knocked out the Sun Stand user Arabia Fats.

9 Laxus VS. Natsu (Fairy Tail)

Fairy Tail Laxus VS Natsu

Fairy Tail features many rivalries, which often result in thrilling and intense showdowns. This fight, however, is far different. After a brief confrontation with a Gorian in the forest, Laxus comes across Natsu and Gajeel, who challenge him to a fight.

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The following day, Laxus and Natsu met alongside an audience of guild members, exchange a few words, and prepare to unleash their elemental magic. After a brief period of stillness, Natsu makes the first move and charges at Laxus with unbridled ferocity. Despite Natsu's bold attack, Laxus remains motionless until the last moment, when he knocks Natsu out with a single punch.

8 Nagisa VS. Takaoka (Assassination Classroom)

Assassination Classroom Nagisa VS Takaoka

Assassination Classroom has a number of riveting confrontations, but none as astounding as this. The students of Class E are assigned a new PE instructor by the name of Akira Takaoka. At first, Takaoka appears friendly, but soon this likable demeanor wanes, revealing his savagery. Takaoka utilizes physical punishment, a method that prompts Karasuma to intervene and challenge the new instructor.

Seeing this as an opportunity to undermine Karasuma, Takaoka issues a deal to determine who becomes Class E's PE teacher. If a student can come close to landing a hit on Takaoka with a real knife, he will resign; otherwise, his position remains unchallenged. Karasuma accepts and chooses Nagisa on account of his unsettling presence. Nagisa takes the knife and nonchalantly approaches Takaoka before surprising the instructor and pinning him to the ground the a knife against his throat.

7 Luffy VS. Bellamy (One Piece)

One Piece Luffy VS Bellamy

One Piece is brimming with spectacular battles, yet none compare to this heated encounter. On their journey to find the Sky Island, Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates encounter the notorious pirate Bellamy and his crew. Within a short time, Bellamy commits numerous offenses against the Straw Hats that would inspire contempt between him and Luffy. However, Bellamy's theft of gold is the last straw.

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Luffy orders Bellamy to return the gold he has stolen, which Bellamy flatly refuses. Shortly after, Bellamy begins springing off buildings, attacking Luffy while badgering him with insults. Despite Bellamy's unrelenting assault Luffy does not attempt to strike back. It is not until the final moments that Luffy punches Bellamy, leaving him immobile and defeated.

6 Sarada VS. Tarui (Boruto)

Boruto Sarada VS Tarui

Boruto, much like its predecessor, features many action-packed ninja battles like this one. In the final round of the Chunin Exams, the competing ninjas are pitted against each other in one-on-one fights. Sarada Uchiha is set to compete against the Cloud Village ninja Tarui in the finals. Before her fight, Sarada tells Shikadai and Boruto that her battle with Tarui will last three seconds.

Sarada approaches the center of the arena where she meets her opponent. Before the fight commences, Tarui makes a belittling remark, which Sarada does not acknowledge. Once the battle begins, Sarada activates her Sharingan and begins counting up to three. Within three seconds, Sarada dodges Tarui's attack and counters with a devastating punch that sends Tarui flying into a wall.

5 Future Trunks VS. Frieza (Dragon Ball Z)

Dragon Ball Z Future Trunks VS Frieza

Dragon Ball Z is brimming with battles between the universe's deadliest beings, yet few are as stunning as this confrontation. In pursuit of vengeance against Goku, Frieza and King Cold travel to Earth then begin wreaking havoc to incite a fight. However, rather than garnering Goku's attention, their antics draw in a mysterious stranger who is revealed to be Trunks from the future.

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Within moments, Future Trunks claims that he will kill Frieza and a battle ensues. Frieza launches a Supernova at Future Trunks and detonates it. Believing Future Trunks is dead, Frieza and King Cold begin mocking the stranger, consequently, letting their guards down. Future Trunks takes the opportunity to launch a Burning Attack as a distraction, then he proceeds to ultimately obliterate Frieza.

4 Escanor VS. Derocchio (The Seven Deadly Sins The Movie: Prisoners Of The Sky)

The Seven Deadly Sins Escanor VS Derocchio

The Seven Deadly Sins movie presented numerous thrilling battles like this one. In the film, it was not long before the Six Knights of Black began inspiring chaos and destruction on the Sky Temple. One of their members, Derocchio, is tasked with killing Celestials and collecting their souls for a ritual. However, Merlin hinders Derocchio's task, and after the latter receives a power boost, he seeks vengeance.

Derocchio confronts Merlin, but his attempts at revenge were prevented by Escanor. Frustrated, Derocchio unleashes a flurry of blows while proclaiming himself the Lion King of the Six Knights of Black. This statement ultimately offends Escanor, and inspires him to finally fight back. With one strike of Rhitta, Escanor cleaves Dorocchio in half and sends a burst of flames through his bisected body.

3 Killua VS. Johness (Hunter X Hunter)

Hunter X Hunter Killua VS Johness

Hunter X Hunter displays many impressive fights between skilled hunters, but this encounter can only be described as supernatural. In the third phase of the Hunter Exams, Killua must face a hardened criminal named Johness in a one-on-one match. Despite Johness's notoriety and Leorio's warnings, Killua accepts the challenge without fear.

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As Johness's restraints are removed, Killua enters the arena stoically and asks how the match should be settled. Johness maliciously claims that he couldn't care less about the exams, and would rather kill Killua. As he approaches his opponent, Killua tells Johness that the loser of their battle will indeed die. Within an instant, Killua simply rips out Johness's heart and leaves him to perish.

2 Kenpachi VS. Giriko (Bleach)

A Split Image Of Kenpachi VS Giriko

Bleach is complete with a multitude of riveting battles; however, this fight is among the most astonishing. After being separated into different "chat rooms" by Yukio, Kenpachi wishes for his captain Byakuya to trade opponents, as he wants to face a worthy foe. The captain refuses Kenpachi's offer, leaving him annoyed and his opponent Giriko offended.

When Giriko protests being called weak, Kenpachi tells him that weak foes are not entertaining. Infuriated, Giriko calls Kenpachi an idiot while preparing for battle. With a twist of a knob, Giriko takes on a more powerful form and begins boasting his strength. However, before Giriko can finish his gloating, Kenpachi slices him in half and states once more how boring lesser opponents are.

1 Saitama VS. Anyone (One Punch Man)

A Split Image Of Saitama VS Anyone

One-Punch Man is the anime based on the idea of the one-hit-kill trope. The overpowered yet dissatisfied hero Saitama possesses the ability to defeat any foe with a single blow. While it seems that this power would bring Saitama much amusement, he longs to face a worthy foe. He tests his might against any enemy he encounters, in hoping for a decent challenge.

However, in his search, Saitama ends up decimating every adversary he comes across. As a result, numerous battles in this anime end with a single hit. Highlighting only a single fight will be limiting this wondrous and hilarious anime; however, his most outstanding confrontations include those against Genos, Carnage Kabuto, Deep-Sea King, and Garou.

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