Kengan Ashura was released with a wide range of popular reception on Netflix. The high-octane martial arts anime was well received for its detail in the combat arts as well as its roster of unique characters. The series stood up well when compared to Baki, another martial arts anime that premiered on Netflix.
Kengan Ashura is filled with spectacular fights between the combatants of the underground tournament and does not always feature the series' main character. More than several times, some of the best battles featured side characters and left viewers craving for more. Here are the best fights in the Kengan Ashura anime so far.
Updated on September 26, 2023, by C.M Edwards: Kengan Asura has released its second season, and with it, more bone-snapping, knuckle-bleeding martial arts action. The season kicks off by focusing on the other fighters in the series aside from Tokito Ohma. Several high-ranking martial artists thought to be a sure win for the entire event, face off against each other in deadly one-on-one fights where the loser goes home or to the morgue. Kengan Asura features the 3D art style making itself prominent in anime and does so very well with excellently choreographed fights and character models. Each fight in the new season of Kengan Asura is as breathtaking as the last, with a few plot twists along the way. Here are more of the best Kengan Asura fights so far. Spoilers ahead!
12 Takeshi Vs. Julius
- Season 2: Episode 2
Takeshi vs. Julius was a meeting of the monsters, as both men were thought to be among the physically strongest in the entire tournament. Julius is a menacing site with a deadly stare hiding his high intellect behind his enormous size forged by medical procedures and steroids, similar to Jack Hanma of Baki.
However, Takeshi is a seasoned fighter born with supernatural strength and molded into the perfect warrior. The clash between these two titans shook the entire arena, but thanks to Takeshi's secret weapon, he reigned supreme over the formidable Julius.
11 Kuroki Vs. Kiryu
- Season 2: Episode 6
For most of season one of Kengan Asura, Kiryu appeared as the main antagonist to Tokita Ohma, stalking him from a distance aching to be beaten to a pulp by the man he idolized. However, as things would come to light, Kiryu was not only a predator but a prey to Kuroki Gensai.
Kuroki, a seasoned master of his own martial arts, sought to claim revenge on the murderer of his dear friend and former master of Kiryu. Met with yet another wall that stood between himself and Ohma, Kiryu flew into a delusional rage which spelled disaster against such an experienced fighter who knew his fighting style like the back of his hand.
10 Hatsumi Vs. Bando
- Season 2: Episodes 7-8
Hatsumi Sen is one of the most mysterious fighters in the Kengan tournament and comes off as a nonchalant and carefree man who doesn't take most things seriously.
However, in this fight against Bando, Hatsumi was pushed to his limits against the secret abilities that Bando had hidden from prying eyes in the previous rounds. Every blow that came Hatsumi's way was deadly enough to take his life, which forced him to be ever vigilant while also looking death in the face for an opportunity a victory.
9 Fang Vs. Gaolan
- Season 2: Episode 2
Fang and Gaolan are perhaps the most talked about fighters in the Kengan tournament, whose reputations and personas speak louder than any gossip. Fang continues to be a physical force of nature that continues to devour his opponents no matter the amount of damage he takes.
While the calm and collected Gaolan exhibits perfect form paired with incredible strength and skill. However, very rarely does skill matter to a beast among men, as Fang once again devoured his opponent.
8 Ohma Vs. Lihito
- Season 1: Episode 2
One of the first fights in the series is between Ohma, the main character, and his rival/comrade Lihito. Before the two square off in Ohma’s qualifying match for the tournament, they size each other up, finding a middle ground of respect for one another immediately. When the match starts, it seems that Ohma is the superior fighter, but the tables quickly turn when Lihito reveals his trump card.
Lihito's grip strength is strong enough to rip flesh apart, putting Ohma on his heels.
Unable to use basic techniques to win the fight, Ohma instead forces the engagement and neutralizes Lihito’s advantage by manipulating the angles he can attack. This makes Lihito’s flesh-ripping technique useless, and Ohma pulverizes him into the concrete.
7 Keneda Vs. Gaolong
- Season 1 Part 2: Episode 7
Next is Keneda, the timid weakling, vs. Gaolong, the decorated boxer. Keneda was the odd one out from the start of the tournament; however, he proved himself extremely capable and earned his spot in the ring with the use of his prediction fighting style. As Keneda and Gaolong met eye to eye, Gaolong underestimated Keneda and spared him his full skill.
Keneda responded by taking every advantage he could and scored a reasonable amount of blows considering the gap in skill level. While the entire fight was not in Keneda's favor, even when he was crushed, he never allowed his opponent to look down on him, earning Gaolong’s respect. As a result, Keneda received the boxing champion's full power, which he tried his best to combat, but ultimately he tasted defeat.
6 Ohma Vs. Sen
- Season 1: Episode 4
In an early fight in the series, a battle-damaged Ohma takes on the veteran fighter Sen. At first glance, Sen’s easy-going anti-hero attitude comes off as arrogant, but it is made apparent very quickly that Sen is no low-rank amateur. Sen surpasses Ohma in speed and matches him in strength from the start as they exchange blows. Ohma and Sen continue to push each other, and Sen seems to be able to tame the wild aggression of Ohma easily.
Ohma is forced to unleash his transformation technique, and the gap lessens, caught off guard; Sen must block a blow from Ohma for the first time but uses this opportunity to identify Ohma’s fighting style. Sen mentions the name of the Niko style and enrages Ohma. This burst of power allows Ohma to gain the upper hand, but Sen takes this as a chance to let loose. Before the two can fight all out, it is put to an end by the chairman. Hopefully, we see more from Sen in the next season.
5 Ohma Vs. Niko
- Season 1 Part 2: Episode 2
Ohma struggles with the death of his master; it influences the way he uses the martial arts style he was taught and fuels his advanced transformation. Ohma’s subconscious is constantly battling with itself, taking the form of his late master, Niko. It criticizes him for relying on his transformation and neglecting his training. In a heated fever dream, Ohma and Niko meet face-to-face and battle.
Ohma is outmatched in every fashion as his master deflects and counters every technique he tries, even his transformation. Ohma awakens having actual life damage from the blows he took in his sleep, realizing that even in death, his master still holds all the cards.
4 Cosmo Vs. Adam
- Season 1 Part 2: Episode 9
Cosmo Imai was one of the few young contestants to compete in the tournament. In his first fight, the junior champion was placed up against a full-grown man twice his size and weight in true David vs. Goliath fashion. Both fighters were thoroughly skilled in mixed martial arts, with Adam being a seasoned fighter and Cosmo being proclaimed a prodigy. Without hesitation, Cosmo rushed down Adam without an ounce of fear and seemed to be able to hold his own against the giant.
But Adam grew tired of Cosmo’s agility and resorted to completely overpowering him instead. Adam scored bone-cracking blows on the young fighter and appeared to be completely unstoppable. But Cosmo grew serious and unutilized his specialty in submission to put the giant to sleep before he even knew what hit him.
3 Kiryu Vs. Nikaido
- Season 1 Part 2: Episode 4
Kiryu facing Nikaido was the first demonstration of how dangerous Nikaido is as a fighter. Kiryu had been portrayed as a competent and skilled fighter himself, having a solid position in the Kengan community and the respect of his peers, although he was very arrogant himself. But once he stepped into the ring with Nikaido, he was clearly outmatched from the start.
Nikaido toyed with Kiryu, surpassing him in speed, strength, and technique; feeling insulted, Kiryu resorted to a secret technique that took a slight advantage that allowed him to score a single vital hit on Nikaido. But this was not in Kiryu’s favor as it enraged Nikaido, who ramped up his movement and began fighting seriously. Kiryu could no longer keep up with Nikaido, let alone land a single blow. Before Kiryu could surrender, Nikaido landed a single technique and destroyed the fighter's heart, leaving him immobile on the tournament ground.
2 Akito Vs. Okubo
- Season 1 Part 2: Episode 8
Akito vs. Okubo is easily one of the best fights in the series as it is the first appearance of the undefeated Akito. Up until this point, Okubo had been praised as a top-class fighter, having held a championship in mixed martial arts. But the dreaded Akito had been described as an inhuman fighter who knew no equal.
While the match started with both fighters going back and forth with astonishing grappling techniques, Okubo took the lead with his expertise in mixed martial arts which seemed to put Akito on the ropes. After a stunning blow, the fight seemed to be decided in Okubo's favor until Akito arose with a devilish grin on his face. Without warning, the tables turned, and Akito was able to see through all of Okubo’s movements; and in just three blows, the fight was over, and Akito was the victor.
1 Ohma Vs. Raian
- Season 1 Part 2: Episodes 10, 11, 12
The final fight of the first season of Kengan Ashura did not disappoint. The increasing tension between Ohma and Raian had been built up ever since Ohma’s existence had become an insult to the clan head of the Kure clan. Both titans clashed with vicious, violent blows from the start, but Ohma seemed to be the better man. The tables turned when Raian revealed that none of his techniques had any effect and that Ohma should transform even to have a chance of not dying.
With his back against the wall, Ohma obliged and transformed; the fight became even more gruesome as Rain revealed a transformation of his own. Two monsters fought inside the ring, and as the carnage raged on, the other fighters could only catch flashes of their movements. Unfortunately, Ohma seemed to hit his limit first, becoming completely exhausted; Ohma was visited by his late master once again and taught to use the Niko style in the way that worked best for him.
With this new realization, Ohma was revitalized and stood as a different man before Raian. Raian ignored the signs but was quickly overpowered by Ohma’s new style and was put out cold in a final flurry of lethal techniques.