Which Kenichi The Mightiest Disciple Fights Are The Best?

I’ve got a soft spot for the fights in 'Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple' — they hit that sweet spot of goofy charm, brutal comedy, and real emotional growth. If I had to pick the best ones, I’d focus less on individual flashy moves and more on the moments where Kenichi actually changes: the fights where he’s terrified but keeps going, the training scrums that break him down and build him back up, and the showdowns with Ragnarok where the stakes finally feel real. Those are the matches that stuck with me long after the screen went dark.

Top of my list has to be the matches with Apachai Hopachai. The first time Kenichi throws down with Apachai (even as a training spar) you can feel everything on the line — it’s equal parts hilarious, brutal, and heartbreaking. Apachai’s Muay Thai is relentless and the way Kenichi keeps getting back up, learning to take hits and convert that pain into technique, is such a classic underdog moment. Those bouts teach Kenichi how to move, how to take a beating without giving up, and they’re packed with charm because Apachai is as much a comic relief as he is an absolute beast. The training fights with him are some of the purest character growth in the series.

Then there are the true-to-heart, high-stakes fights against members of Ragnarok. I love these because they force Kenichi out of his comfort zone every single time — different opponents demand different strategies, and you get to see him try things that are scary, ugly, and brilliant. The emotional payoff when a strategy finally clicks is huge: Kenichi isn’t just stronger physically, he’s learning to read people, to respect his masters’ teachings, and to improvise under pressure. The arcs where he’s rescuing someone or standing against a seemingly unbeatable foe are when the series flips from funny dojo life to proper martial-arts drama, and those shifting tones make those fights feel monumental.

I also have a soft spot for the sparring sessions with the masters at Ryozanpaku — people like Hayato Furinji and Akisame Koetsuji (and even weapon-sparring with Shigure Kousaka) give Kenichi crucial lessons that aren’t pure knockout action but are essential to his evolution. Those matches are almost romantic in how they slowly break down his bad habits and build in better instincts. They aren’t always the flashiest, but I value them for the way they blend comedy, mentorship, and technical detail. The best fights in the series aren’t just about who lands the sickest blow; they’re about the climb, the screw-ups, the tiny victories, and the friendships that form under pressure. For me, that’s what makes 'Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple' so addictive — you root for the kid like he’s your buddy at the gym, and when he finally pulls off something amazing, it feels earned and completely satisfying. Honestly, nothing beats watching him grow through a fight and walk away with more heart than before — it’s the kind of series that keeps me grinning every time.

I appreciate the fights that subvert expectations. The one where Kenichi wins not by overpowering his opponent, but by outlasting them and proving his superior endurance and will. Or the fight he wins by deliberately taking a hit to create an opening, a very un-Ryōzanpaku-like strategy born of necessity. Those victories feel smarter. They show that he's not just copying his masters; he's synthesizing their teachings into his own, adaptable style. He's thinking on his feet. A fight where the underdog wins through sheer grit and cleverness is always more satisfying than one where he unveils a new super move. The series had a good mix of both, but the clever wins stick with me longer.

I judge fights by how rewatchable/rereadable they are. And for that, the OVA adaptation of the D of D tournament finals is my go-to. The animation, while not feature-film quality, has a certain gritty charm and the pacing is tight. I can put that on anytime and get hyped. The voice acting, the sound effects, the way the impacts are staged—it all comes together perfectly. Some of the manga fights, while more detailed, require you to parse through static panels and text bubbles. The animated version gives it that fluidity and immediacy that makes a fight scene truly pop. If we're talking pure entertainment value per minute, the OVA fights take the cake.

For sheer absurd spectacle, you can't beat the times the masters would 'spar' with each other. Seeing Apachai try to hit Shigure, or Akisame calmly deflect Hayato's playful swipe—these were less fights and more demonstrations of power so far beyond the main cast it was laughable. They were fun, jaw-dropping, and served as hilarious reminders of the insane world Kenichi was training in. They never lasted long, but they were memorable because they broke the tension and showcased the author's creativity at the highest power level. It's a shame we didn't get more of them, but their rarity probably made them more special.