10 best entrances in anime, ranked

The best entrances in anime have always been a topic of debate and discussion within the fandom. While many fans claim that most of the best entrances come from older anime, others argue that newer series have a much greater appeal and impact.

Over the years, the title of best anime entrance has shifted between numerous titles. However, considering the thematic weight, overall animation, and sound design, it is possible to list the best anime entrances currently.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen, Fate, Black Clover, Cyberpunk, One Punch Man, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Naruto, My Hero Academia, One Piece, Bleach series and reflects the author's opinion.

Todo's entry in Shibuya, Saber's summoning, Adam Smasher's entry, and 7 other best entrances in anime

1) Jujutsu Kaisen - Todo's Entry in Shibuya

Best entrances in anime: Todo's entry in Shibuya (Image via MAPPA)

The story of the Shibuya Incident arc hit one of its peaks during Yuji’s fight against Mahito, which resulted in Nobara’s unfortunate death. This event essentially put a stop to Yuji’s morale and acted as the final incident that completely broke him.

Todo’s entry during this moment not only painted him as Yuji's savior but also established Todo’s larger-than-life character. This entry also started one of the best entrances in anime.

2) Fate Stay Night - Shirou summons Saber

Best entrances in anime: Saber meets Shirou (Image via Ufotable)

The Fate series has been a mainstay of numerous iconic moments throughout the years. Although many of the recent adaptations of the series have had better animation and lore, none of them have managed to come close to the moment when Shirou summoned Saber for the first time in his shed.

Saber’s entry still stands as one of the most visually appealing and important sequences in the series. While the series itself gained praise when it was first released, it has continued to become immortalized as memes and has also been referenced by many popular media other than anime.

3) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - Adam Smasher's entry

Best entrances in anime: Adam Smasher landing on Rebecca (Image via Studio Trigger)

The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime by Studio Trigger is still remembered as one of the best anime to come out in the last two years. Although the entire anime heavily focused on David Martinez and his crew, the last few episodes depicted one of the most impactful villain entrances with Adam Smasher being revealed as an antagonistic force.

Adam Smasher was already anticipated to be involved in the anime due to his role as one of the main antagonists of the Cyberpunk 2077 game. His depiction in the game did not manage to meet the hype and lore surrounding him.

However, his entrance in the animated series singlehandedly managed to increase his reputation to an entirely new level within the fandom. While his anime entrance involved eliminating Rebecca, it reinforced the overarching theme of Night City not having any good endings.

4) Black Clover - Asta, Magna, Luck vs Langris

Best entrances in anime: Asta, Magna, and Luck confront Langris (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Although the popularity of the Black Clover manga and anime has been on a decline since the manga changed its release schedule. This series managed to reveal numerous hype moments.

One of the most prominent and immortalized sequences from this series was in episode 80 of the anime when Asta, Magna, and Luck broke the rules and jumped in during a match to save Finral from being decimated by his brother Langris.

While this sequence itself was very well animated, it also embodied the themes that the Black Bulls stood for, being very different from the conventional magic knights by valuing their members above anything else.

5) One Punch Man - Saitama vs Elder Centipede

Saitama as shown in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

Saitama vs. Elder Centipede was one of the biggest highlights of One Punch Man due to the sheer implications behind the entire encounter. Most of season 2 was spent building up Blast’s status as the Rank 1 S-class hero and Elder Centipede, who was almost obliterated at his hands.

This not only served as Blast’s character introduction but also painted him as being on a power level close to Saitama. The visuals and sound design of Saitama decimating Elder Centipede in a single punch were some of the best seen in Season 2. The entire fight reinforced Saitama’s status as the strongest within the One Punch Man universe.

6) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Roy Mustang vs Lust

Best entrances in anime: Roy Mustang vs Lust (Image via Studio Bones)

Roy Mustang’s entrance in Episode 19 of the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime was the first instance where his dedication and hardcore nature were revealed.

This anime entrance not only reinforced how determined Roy Mustang was to take down Lust. It also depicted how he could sear his own fatal wounds with fire while marking a transmutation circle on his own hands to continue pursuing the homunculus. This entrance is still remembered as one of the best entrances in anime.

7) Naruto Shippudden - Madara entering the battlefield

Best entrances in anime: Madara vs Shinobi Alliance (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Madara Uchiha was built up as one of the strongest shinobi to ever exist within the Naruto series for years. Although Madara himself did not appear until the last few arcs of the anime, his reveal and entrance in Naruto Shippuden Episode 322 marked the culmination of years of build-up.

This anime entrance managed to accurately depict and justify the reasons behind his hype and overwhelming power compared to the current shinobi. It is still looked upon as one of the best entrances in anime, as well as one of the best payoffs of a build-up within the anime fandom.

8) My Hero Academia - All for One reveals himself

All For One as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Bones)

The My Hero Academia series had a dark undertone ever since the ending of the USJ arc in Season 1. While this was consistently built up with the offscreen death of heroes at the hands of Stain, season 3, episode 9 marked the actual reveal of All for One.

AFO's entrance brought a complete tonal shift to the series. All For One’s anime entrance not only established the weight of the deteriorating situation of the hero society but also introduced the main protagonist to the pure and overwhelming evilness of AFO.

9) One Piece - Shanks stops the Marineford war

Best entrances in anime: Shanks arrives at Marineford (Image via Toei Animation)

Shanks is one of the most mysterious characters in the entirety of One Piece. Although recent arcs in the manga have revealed more about his origins. His entrance in the Marineford War to put an end to it was the first reveal of his complete crew. And their power levels relative to the rest of the marines and pirates.

This anime entrance still stands as one of the most impactful within the One Piece fandom and fuels numerous power-scaling theories regarding the Red-Haired Pirate crew.

10) Bleach - Dangai Ichigo vs Aizen

Best entrances in anime: Dangai Ichigo vs Aizen (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Ichigo vs. Aizen towards the end of the Arrancar: Downfall Arc marked the final battle between Aizen and Ichigo. Their battle had previously ended in Ichigo’s utter defeat, with Aizen even stopping Ichigo’s blade and his theme music with a single finger.

Ichigo’s final fight against him marked the reveal of a much stronger and nearly divine Ichigo, whose design is still remembered as one of his best. This anime entrance marked Ichigo’s return after three months of time-dilated training within the Dangai, and Ichigo’s new form ended up being referred to as Dangai Ichigo.

Although the Thousand Year Blood War arc has received numerous praises, the Dangai Ichigo vs. Aizen fight and Ichigo’s entrance still remains one of the most memorable moments in the series.

Final Thoughts

Every discussion around the best entrances in anime is often dominated by older series. However, Gojo's return in future Jujutsu Kiasen seasons will soon solidify itself as one of the best due to the sheer hype it will generate once it is adapted.