10 Best 2 vs 1 fights in anime, ranked

2 vs 1 fights in anime may appear to be an unfair combination, but they are among the most memorable, showcasing the combined might of some of the most formidable protagonists.

These 2 vs 1 fights in anime typically feature two or more characters going up against the villain, but this does not imply that the group of protagonists fighting the villain is weak. Fights of this nature test the two protagonists' ability to work together and harmonize against the ultimate villain.

In this article, 10 of the best 2 vs 1 fights have been compiled and ranked in terms of their popularity. Some of these are friendly encounters, while others involve fights against a single villain in which two protagonists demonstrate their teamwork.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this article solely belong to the author.

Goku and Frieza vs Jiren, Itadori and Aoi vs Mahito, and 8 other best 2 vs 1 fights in anime, ranked

10) Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo versus All Might (My Hero Academia)

Bakugo (left), All Might (middle), and Midoriya (right) (Image via BONES)

The first fight where Deku and Bakugo fought as a team, this 2 vs 1 showdown, took place during the First Term Final Exams for Deku's class.

One of the best 2 vs 1 fights in anime and My Hero Academia, this battle was heated since the Class 1-A students fought the Symbol of Peace. In a twist of events, All Might hit his limit, and both Deku and Bakugo reached the finish line before the exam was over.

9) Denji and Power vs Kishibe (Chainsaw Man)

Power (left), Kishibe (middle), and Denji (right) (Image via MAPPA)

After completing their first missions as Public Safety Devil Hunters in an amateurish way, Power and Denji were taken to Kishibe, a veteran Devil Hunter, by Makima. Kishibe claimed that he would train these two perfectly, as there wasn't a risk of them dying at his hands.

This showdown is one of the best 2 vs 1 fights in anime, which continued for two rounds. In the first round, Denji and Power were utterly defeated by Kishibe. In the second round, these two tried to be smart and tried to take the veteran by surprise. Unfortunately, they were utterly defeated again and learned about Kishibe's potential as a devil hunter the hard way.

8) Asuka and Shinji vs Israfel (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Eva Unit-001 (left), Israfel (middle), and Eva Unit-002 (right) (Image via Gainax & Tatsunoko Production)

Israfel is one of the main antagonists and the 7th Angel in Neon Genesis Evangelion. Possessing two cores, it was very difficult for anybody to control Israfel and destroy it in battle. Shinji and Asuka fought the Angel in their Evangelion Pilot Units in two rounds.

The first round ended with Asuka's Pilot Unit getting severely injured. Both Shinji and Asuka were assigned to deal with the Angel together, but the former decided to jump into battle alone. After wounding Asuke, Israfel was trapped inside a cage for six days.

Taking advantage of the situation, Shinji and Asuke learned how to fight together. The Angel was released after 6 days, and, fortunately, Asuka and Shinji weaponized their skills as their moves were synchronized through music. It is definitely one of the best 2 vs 1 fights in anime and the best one in Neon Genesis Evangelion.

7) Asta and Yuno vs Licht (Black Clover)

Licht (left), Asta (middle), and Yuno (right) (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The two protagonists, Asta and Yuno, squared off against the leader of the antagonist group, Eye of the Midnight Sun, in this showdown that took place during the Elf Reincarnation arc. One of the most aesthetically animated 2 vs 1 fights in anime and Black Clover, this battle saw Licht steal his sword back from Asta and use it against the magicians.

Despite being outmatched throughout the fight, Asta and Yuno gave it their all to defeat Licht, but the fight ended with the protagonists losing. Although the showdown was marked by the duo losing the fight, it is still considered one of the best 2 vs 1 fights in anime.

6) Monkey D Luffy and Trafalgar Law vs Donquixote Doflamingo (One Piece)

Luffy (left), Law (middle), and Doflamingo (right) (Image via Toei Animation)

One of the most underrated 2 vs 1 fights in anime that doesn't get the praise it deserves, this showdown took place during the Dressrosa arc. Law, one of the main protagonists of the arc, sought revenge on Doflamingo, the main antagonist of the arc, for killing Law's benefactor, Rosinante, in the showdown.

Law's involvement in the fight could be viewed as a supporting role, despite the fact that he was the one who wanted to defeat Doflamingo. During this fight, Luffy's Gear 4 was activated, and the antagonist's devil fruit awakened, putting everyone on Dressrosa Island in danger. The battle ended in Luffy's favor, with Doflamingo defeated.

5) Kamado Tanjiro and Nezuko vs Rui (Demon Slayer)

Tanjiro (left), Nezuko (middle), and Rui (left) (Image via Ufotable)

The Kamado Tanjiro and Nezuko vs. Rui fight in anime made Demon Slayer one of the most iconic shounen series. This 2 vs 1 fight in anime was one of the most beautifully animated showdowns, as the siblings Tanjiro and Nezuko fought Rui, one of the Lower Moon Demons.

The protagonists were entirely overpowered by the demon, but Tanjiro awakened his Hinokami Kagura Breathing Technique for the first time and outclassed Rui. Unfortunately, despite beheading the demon, Rui didn't die, but the protagonist's side won as the Hashira intervened and took care of the demon and his family.

4) Son Goku and Frieza vs Jiren (Dragon Ball Super)

Jiren (left), Frieza (middle), and Goku (right) (Image via Toei Animation)

After Goku's Ultra Instinct transformation wore off, he had no chance of defeating a foe as strong as Jiren. So he had to ask Frieza, one of the series' recurring antagonists, to lend him a hand. Looking at the condition they were in, these two joined forces, supported by 17, to defeat Jiren.

The fight was brief but is considered one of the best 2 vs 1 fights in anime and in Dragon Ball. The teamwork of Goku and Frieza even surprised the Z fighters, who were just hoping to win the Tournament of Power to avoid their universe getting removed. Fortunately, the battle ended with the win of Universe 7, as Frieza and Goku exited the stadium alongside Jiren, with only Andriod 17 remaining in the stadium.

3) Frieren and Fern vs Frieren (clone) (Frieren: Beyond Journey's End)

Frieren (left), Fern (middle), and Frieren clone (right) (Image via Madhouse)

This showdown between Frieren and Fern and the clone of Frieren created by the monster Spiegel occurred during the second stage of the First-Class Mage Exam Arc and was one of the most recent 2 vs 1 fights in anime, impressing fans with its incredible choreography and stunning animation.

Before the battle began, the mages discussed strategies for defeating Frieren's clone, and the protagonists stated that they would fight it. Frieren is the only one who understands her weakness, which is critical to defeating her clone. Fern would distract the clone while Frieren delivered the final blow.

This fight started with Frieren fighting toe-to-toe with the clone as their strength was matched. Fern tried to catch the clone by surprise, but she was defeated eventually. This allowed Frieren to sneak up on her clone, as her weakness was her inability to detect mana as soon as she cast a spell, resulting in the clone's defeat.

2) Itadori Yuji and Aoi Todou vs Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Mahito (left), Itadori (middle), and Aoi (left) (Image via MAPPA)

Even though it is from the modern era of anime, this fight is one of the most iconic 2 vs 1 fights, and some consider it to be the best in the game. This showdown marked the turning point for the protagonist, Yuji Itadori, where he learned how to take loss in his face.

In this battle, Mahito awakened his true form (Instant Spirit Body of Distorted Killing). However, he was outclassed by Itadori after the former made Aoi unable to use his cursed technique.

1) Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha vs Momoshiki Otsutsuki (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)

Naruto (left), Momoshiki (middle), and Sasuke (right) (Image via Studio Pierrot)

When it comes to 2 vs 1 fights in anime, this one between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha vs Momoshiki Otsutsuki is not only the best, but it is also the most memorable for the majority of anime fans. Moreover, this fight is present in two versions: the first one in Boruto: Naruto the Movie and the second one in the Boruto Naruto Next Generations TV series.

The fight took place in a separate time-space where Momoshiki, the villain, was extracting Naruto's chakra to harvest the chakra tree. Before he could do it, the reinforcements arrived to save the Seventh Hokage.

The fight went in the favor of the protagonists until Momoshiki awakened his true forms, and the big guns, Sasuke and Naruto, stepped in for one of the best 2 vs 1 fights in anime against Momoshiki. The fight saw both Naruto and Sasuke combine their powers until Boruto had to step in. He delivered the finishing blow and defeated the antagonist with a Rasengan powered by his father.

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