Unironically Listing the Top 5 Most Iconic Moments in Anime 

Rock Lee taking off the weights almost convinced everyone that he'd stay that good of a character

As John-Patch Wolf said: "If you don't lose your mind when Rock Lee drops the weights, I'm not sure we can be friends."

Damn, Joey is such a hipster that he's not even able to admit that Rock Lee taking off the weights is an iconic moment.

"It's a terrible day for rain." I literally said this to a friend when I heard Toriyami had died. Such an excellent scene.

Rock lee taking off the weights is absolutely GOATED man right up there with goku going ssj1 for the first time. Also the second or very last gurren lagann transformation

Iconic is Super Saiyan, Rock Lee taking weights off, Ashita no Joe’s ending referenced so many times in anime, Axis Shock in Gundam, and the Akira slide. Those are all that come to mind when I think of iconic. Neon Genesis has plenty of iconic moments too. I feel like the fact that a lot of anime reference those moments is a major reason why they are iconic. You would know the reference without even watching the original anime.

The Major from Ghost In The Shell, jumping off the skyscraper and going invisible

not just rock lee taking those weights off the entire rock lee va gaara fight was iconic. to this day i keep that shit in my top 10 best anime fights.

The Colossal Titan staring over the wall at a young Eren Yaeger

I think Sailor Moon transformation is a great contender for top 5, given how much it is referenced. It may not be the first “magical girl transformation”, but surely it is what everyone remembers.

Iconic doesn't mean what impacted you personally the most or what is selling the best. Id say that Sailor Moon's transformation sequence is iconic.

I think even 5 is too little, but the top 5 are 1. Goku goes Super Saiyan (duh) 2. Rock Lee takes off his weights 3. Exodia Obliterate!!! 4. Akira bike slide 5. End of Evangelion final scene 5 more cuz these need recognition 6. "I am Kira" 7. Spike's "Bang" 8. Erwin's Speech 9. Nico Robin's "I want to live" 10. "Oh, so you're approaching me?" HMs -Simon's speech after getting over his depression -Meruem and Komugi's final moment -"It's a terrible day for rain" -Sailor Moon transformation sequence -Tomoe Mami get's her head bitten off.

I personally think the Yu-Gi-Oh Exodia scene is pretty iconic no?

Naruto returning to the village in the Pain Arc with his red cloak and the music building the hype is my personal iconic moments

"It's over 9000" is iconic

Rock Lee dropping the weight might be the most iconic thing any side character has ever done 😂 It is incredible!

Gurren Lagann is criminally underrated now.

I'd sayyyyyy, 1. SSJ Transform 2. Rock Lee weights 3. THE ONE PIECE IS REAL 4. Akira bike slide 5. You, activated my trap card! (if this can be credited to one moment)

Madara declaring that Guy is the strongest was for me my favorite scene in naruto. you also can't escape the infamous Nina tucker scene from FMA. Gon going super sayan against pitou in HxH or maybe the requiem for uvogin. the eclise in Berserk. Dempsey roll in Ippo. the christmas scene in Toradora.

The Akira slide is soooo iconic and has been referenced so many times!!

The timing of the goku bit lol. Ppl pls remember this was prerecorded

I feel like an moment in a show is truly Iconic when people out side of the fan/viewer base know about the scene through cultural osmosis. They might not be the best, most emotional, or most exciting scenes in the show, but they are certainly iconic.

Only naruto scene as iconic as the rock lee weight scene was Madara pulling a "but wait, there is more!" Moment and dropping a second meteor on the ninja army.

I would honestly say the initial attack in episode 1 or 2 of AoT are some of the most iconic portions of the whole story

Zoro "Nothing Happened" and that one clip where he took that little bubble of pain which turned into meme by community.

The Yugioh DM Episode 1 scene with Exodia and “My grandpa’s deck has no pathetic cards Kaiba” is iconic AF

If gave to just argue this, all might at the end of season 1 of MHA attacking the first Nomu! That scene is so iconic it just sets the scene for so many more hyped moments even throughout other anime. This whole idea of plus ultra that you even see in black clover and maybe even todo last fight scene in jjk s2.

Commander Erwin's speech has to be in list

6:06 "Sogeking, shoot down that flag"

I love how they just all mutually agreed when the "are you approaching me" scene was mentioned lmao. I just burst out laughing.

Netero talking about humanity before activating the bomb, plus his insane smile

for me in Eva, when unit-01 goes berserk for the first time... that was pure nutty and ill always remember that

Everyone who has seen the eclipse from berserk will remember it for the rest of their life. It's a peak iconic moment.

"el psy congroo" by depressed okabe in steins 0 is the most heart warming iconic emotional scene i've ever seen. It maybe less iconic in general but for someone who have watched the story of depresed okabe that scene stays rent free in mind

So glad that Simon taking Kamina's place is here. Goated moment, I'm crying just thinking about it

For me it would be: 1. Super Saiyan 2. Robin's I want to live 3. 'Hey Edward' 4. Are you approaching me? 5. Omae Wa Mou Shinderiu

Most iconic NGE moment is the hospital scene from EoE.

Neon genesis when the eva goes berserk and starts eating the other eva. That shit was iconic af Also Naruto popping up in sage mode against pain on top of the frogs was iconic too

I can't believe they forgot "EXODIA, OBLITERATE!"

Ichigo saving Rukia is a good one

These are some of my favorite iconic scenes in anime. Erwins speech in Season 3 - Attack on Titan Nico Robin's "I want to live" - One Piece (I prefer the dub scene over the sub) Rock Lee taking off the training weights - Naruto Levi vs The Beast Titan in season 3 - Attack on Titan Goku going Super Saiyan - Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga The father-son Kamehameha - Dragon Ball Z Cell Saga Fairy Tail invades Phantom Lord - Fairy Tail Natsu vs Rouge and Sting - Fairy Tail Grand Magic Games "I have no enemies" (although this is still pretty new if you are an anime only) - Vinland Saga Season 2 The Eclipse - Berserk Reinar and Burnt Toast reveal who they actually are. - Attack on Titan Season 2 Frieren turns into LowTierGod (Still new, but its gonna be iconic the longer the anime ages) - Frieren Beyond Journey's End "Get in the Robot Shinji" - Neon Genesis Evangelion "Stand Proud, You are Strong" - Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Masscarade reveal - Bakugan Bottle Brawlers "Oh you are approaching me" - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure "Just who in the hell do you think i am" - Gurren Lagan "It was me, DIO" - JJBA

The “You are already dead” line from Fist of the North Star is so iconic that everyone knows it and quotes it despite having not watched the show.

I suppose a scene being referenced in multiple other series would make it iconic. That would be... weights, DBZ transformation, Yamcha death scene, Ashita no Joe death, ora-ora-ora from Jojo, You're Already Dead from Fist of the North Star. Possibly also Kaiji's "zawa-zawa". Some Rena's scenes from first arc of Higurashi as well, like "USO DA" or her staring through the ajar door. Oh, right, also, first time Dempsey Roll got used in Hajime no Ippo. I've seen so many series parody it, particularly Gintama.

The Colossal Titan appearing should definitely be on that list.

Sailor Moon's transformation sequence

“I want to live!!!!!!” is pretty iconic. Probably the most iconic in the series for me personally, since Enies Lobby is my favorite arc Pre-Timeskip.

Roy mustang in that scene where he snaps his finger and kills envy is a personal favourite

Guys, the Eclipse was adapted to anime. Griffith sitting in the lake with the Behelit, specifically, is iconic as hell.

My personal top 5: 1. Goku SSJ transformation 2. Rock Lee takes off his weight 3. I WANT TO LIVE 4. Thorfinn drops his dagger 5. Akira bike slide

DBZ has probably most of the top iconic scenes just because of how impactfull the anime is but I can't believe no one mentioned the Nina chimera scene, even people who never seen the 2003 version know how that scene.

2:00 Connor looking to bring down the wrath of the Mexican cartels on Trash Taste

Idk if it's just because I remember watching AOT when it first came out with my friends and being absolutely blown away. But the very ending death of episode 1 for me is what solidified Attack on Titan as an anime where NO one is safe and I believe what hooked so many people onto the show especially non anime fans

Scarring or Iconic, FMA: Brotherhood - The Chimera, Hughes Death and the original transgression of the brothers.

Welfin says “Komugi” to the king in Hunter X Hunter is the best moment of anything. Welfin repeating “ONE WORD! ONE WORD!!!” And then saying “Komugi” as the music swells so beautifully made me feel so much that first time watching it.

id say: -Goku super sayan scene -end of evangelion beach scene -rock lee weights scene -one piece i want to live scene -akira bike slide that one studio ghibli scene with the girl and the monster on the rain is also very iconic, it constantly appears on me.

If people ever wonder why I watch Garnt and not Joey, it's video's like this man 😂😅

Killua ripping out Johness’s heart is an honorable mention

pain floating in the air saying "shinra tensei" before destroying the hidden leaf

Gotta mention the luffy, hachi, and celestial dragon moment. I think Gon and Pitou is up there too. Mapo tofu is an honorable mention as well

Might be a bit niche, but Yu-Gi-Oh when Pharaoh uses Exodia on Kaiba at the very beginning of the series. Everyone who knows even a tiny piece of anime knows of that one.

I know this is a Western focused ranking but I gotta shout out the end of Ashita no Joe. It's one of the most iconic endings in anime/manga. And heck, even Dragonball references the legendary cross counter plenty of times

The Rock Lee VS Gaara moment is iconic not only for the impact of the removal of the weights but also the pop off on the OST and everything that comes after it in the fight. My Rankings: 1. Rock Lee VS Gaara 2. Exodia Obliterate 3. Father-Son One-Handed Kamehameha 4. Spike VS Vicious 5. I Am Kira

Iconic is a mix of recognizable and having a huge impact, even if you’ve never seen the series. So I’d consider the top 5 to be: -Goku turning super saiyan -Rock Lee removing his weights -Omae wa mou shindeiru -Akira bike slide -Hare Hare Yukai (if we’re counting endings)

kaneki vs jason , get in the robot shinji , erwin's speech , aizen revealing to ichigo that his life is a part of his plan are all up there imo

Super Saiyan transformation First Time, Yugioh Exodia Obliterate, Rock Lee dropping the weights, Ash being electrocuted by pikachu the first time, Eren talking to his father through his memories must be the top 5

First few that came to mind were The first super saiyan transformation, the Akira bike slide, Reiner Bertholdt moment, Omae wa shinderu, a lot of one piece but the luffy hat scene with nami was the moment it hooked me.

Personal top 5 1.) Akira Bike slide 2.) Sailor Moon Transformation 3.) Colossal Titan looking over the wall at young Erin 4.) “My Grandpa’s deck has no pathetic cards Kiba” 5.) Zoro’s Nothing Happened (personal fav)

I’m surprised no one has said the congratulations scene from Eva there’s so many things that reference it too

Connor is completely right If its so famous you haven't even watched the show and know about it counts as iconic if my mom that doesn't watch anime knows about Goku going Super Saiyan its iconic, going oh but Naruto on the swing is more emotionally charged, no the point was Iconic like how the meme "ITS PIKACHU" is iconic, its not meant to be good, good and iconic are not the same thing, it just means in an instant you know where its from and why other people think its important

It's not widely known, but Ippo's final takedown sequence of Sendo in their second match is legendary.

In One Piece, for me the shanks stopping the marineford war scene is iconic. This was the first time I was genuinely surprised at a reveal in One piece. If anybody still wants to fight come we will be your opponents. Goosebumps

"i want to play basketball" From slam dunk. I can't believe none of you mentioned that. That shit is iconic.

A few other iconic moments: - Ichigo's 1st Bankai - Naruto showing up to defend Konoha from Pain - A grandiose sacrificial death in the last episode of Code Geass S2 - Demon Slayer S1 episode 19, Tanjiro unlocking fire blew up the internet

1. Goku first super sayain 2. Akira pose 3. Griffith betrayal 4. Rock lee vs Gaara 5. Sailor moon transformation Honorable mentions Jojos jotaro vs dio aproaching or luffys second gear

this entire discussion i was screaming “ZA WORLDO” in my head. and i’ve never even seen jojo’s before lol

Hello grant. One iconic moment from each one piece arc except marine ford and egghead. East Blue: Help me Alalbasta: Goodbye Jaya: Bellamy Punch Skypiea: Golden Bell and Luffy's Shadow Water 7: "Monkey D Luffy, I challenge you to a duel" Enies Lobby: I want to live/flag burn Thriller Bark: Nothing happened Sabaody: Charlos punch Amazon Lily: Ace is on the newspaper Impel Down: Blackbeard staredown Marineford: Doffy Speech, Luffy's Intro, Anything Whitebeard especially akainu Ace Luffy teamup, Coby Speech VS three admirals right, Shanks stops em Blackbeard's demonstration "The One piece is Real" Fish Man Island: Tom's brother Dressrosa: Bellamy Punch 2 Zou: spoiler is alive Whole Cake Island: I cant be the king without you Reverie: sengoku explains spoiler valley Wano: Laughing in death Onigashima: Roof piece Egghead: Garp v spoiler, Bonney's Birth, Saturn Gets punched, Spoilers's future sight.

Spent most of this video thinking of the 'Oh? You're approaching me?' moment, finally got there near the end!

Prompt: what are the most iconic moments in anime Joey: This was more impactful for ME

- Goku going SSJ1 - Akira Slide - Rock Lee taking off the weights. - Luffy put the hat on Nami - Tie for Ichigo using bankai for the first time , or Pikachu being picked by Ash. Everyone knows wtf bankai is, even if they don't watch Bleach. Choosing a pokemon, though originated in the games, was made bigger by the anime.

Yugioh 1st episode is honestly the most iconic thing in anime ever

I feel like iconic basically translates to "well known" or "era defining", so the Akira-slide, Goku going Super Saiyan, Rock Lee taking of the weights and the Jojo walk are all extremely solid picks! Don't get me wrong, so is Erwin's speech, it's just not nearly as iconic as the aforementioned. So yeah the fifth pick is at least more debatable.

Goku going super saiyan Zoro saying “nothing happened” “My soldiers rage!” Akira bike slide “It’s a horrible day for rain”

-"I’m The Armoured Titan, He’s The Colossal" -FMA dog scene -Potato chip scene death note -Rock lee taking off the weights -Sogeking shots the WG flag

For me, in no particular order: - "God Knows" performance from Haruhi Suzumiya - Gon vs Pitou from HxH - Bus Stop scene from Totoro - Head Chomp scene from Madoka Magica - Nina Chimera scene from FMA And then things that hit me PERSONALLY really hard but maybe aren't as universally "inconic": - Komugi and Meruem's final scene in HxH (I cried) - Reg uses his incinerator on Mitty in Made in Abyss (I cried) - Deku vs Kacchan part 2 - Johan Liebert's disguise reveal, or the Nameless Monster, both from Monster - The reveal about the monster rats' true nature in From The New World - Kaworu's death in the 3rd Evangelion movie (or the show, but I think it was more memorable in the movies)

Some other ideas: - Colossal titan appearing over the wall - Ed...ward.... - Goodbye Butterfree - Sailor Moon transformation - Jojo cherry

Joey, for a guy who keeps saying I never liked Naruto, I never got into Naruto, I dropped Naruto. I watched Naruto up to the pain arc but I came back to it but then dropped it again. I actually never got into the series but I’m also very aware of its iconic openings and iconic moments ever in the whole series. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD MAKE UP YOUR MIND WITH NARUTO!! 😂😂😂😂 I’ve noticed his opinions keep changing along with his history with Naruto since 2017. 😭 He’s so confusing.

On my list id have: -Tsukki blocking Ushijima on Haikyuu; -Mitsuha watching the meteor as it falls on Your Name; -Chimera saying "Edwardo" the first time on FMAB

The Rock Lee scene is what ultimately got me into anime. My friend kept telling me to watch Naruto, we were already 18 mind you, and I thought he was such a nerd for even suggesting it. He begged me to watch the show, then lent me 12 seasons of Naruto on these different colored DVD box sets, but I just wouldn't. Then a month later I got super sick, ran out of things to watch in bed, and decided I'd finally throw those DVDs on... I thought it was OK, mildly entertaining, watchable. I couldn't understand why a freshman in college would care about this stuff. But the Chunin exams happened, and the Rock Lee vs Gara fight changed my opinion entirely! I went from watching to kill time & to tell my friend his nerd stuff wasn't good, to suddenly becoming invested & binge watching the whole show! After that, I NEEDED to see more anime & explore what else was out there. The rest is history!

That toilet scene in Gintama...

Joey just had an L take at the start imagine saying you won't put one of the big 3 in an iconic scene list. Just wild

5 - Rock Lee Weights 4 - Nina reveal as dog in fma 3 - Teresa getting deapitated by Priscilla 2 - Nico Robin I want to Live 1 - Luffy Gear Second bonus: kamina's death

Here would be my picks- 1. Kamehameha 2. Going Super Saiyan 3. Rock Lee taking off the weights 4. “See you Space Cowboy” 5. “But it was me, DIO”

I think Pikachu defending Ash against the flock of Spearow and him seeing Ho-oh is one of the most iconic anime moments The climax for the first movie is up there too

Naruto is full of anime’s most iconic moments tbh 💯

honestly the entire dio fight was iconic. they mentioned kira from death note revealing his identity but ngl jojo kira yoshikage's monologue to shigechi is iconic as well

Idk how Joey can argue against the Rock Lee removing his weights scene. That's what got a lot of ppl hooked on Naruto. It isn't often that a side character fight ends up that memorable.

IMO 1: Goku 1st time ssj1 2. Rock Lee drops weights 3. Adult Gon 4. Simon takes Kamina's Place 5.Shinji telling migi to handle the defense

Surprised that nobody has mentioned Cowboy Bebop's "bang" yet

The nightclub scene from the original Devilman when he starts to change into Amon for the first time, before completely slaughtering everyone in sight. That blew my mind as a child.

Erwin's speech, School Days ending, Madoka Magica's beheading scene, Ace's scene during the marineford war, and probably Jojo's "Are you approaching me" are pretty memorable.