12 Years Later, One Shonen Anime Is Dethroning Naruto With 2026's Biggest Anime Fight

Published Oct 30, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT Merlyn De Souza is a freelance writer and anime enthusiast based in Goa, India, with a Bachelor's in English Literature. When she isn't writing, she can be found exploring various realms of entertainment, including, but not limited to, K-dramas, novels, and even the occasional manhwa. She also enjoys all things creative, like sewing and makeup. Although it may have taken close to six years, Black Clover has finally returned with Season 2, becoming the biggest release of Fall 2026, if not 2026 as a whole. Merely four episodes in, the series has revived a decade's worth of traction, and with Studio Pierrot now having wrapped up Bleach as well, Black Clover is poised to become the studio's main focus in the years to come. Season 2 of Black Clover is expected to run for two cours according to reports, and could thus likely adapt the entirety of the Spade Kingdom Raid Arc. That said, even with two whole cours worth of stunning action to look forward to, Black Clover's most anticipated match-up is, in fact, coming this weekend, and it could not only become anime's best fight of 2026 but also dethrone one cult-favorite Naruto battle after over a decade. Black Clover's Next Big Fight Is Bringing On A Naruto Veteran Season 2, Episode 5 of Black Clover, releasing this Saturday, October 31, 2026, is set to adapt the highly anticipated battle between Magna and Dante of the Dark Triad, and it's already shaping up to be one of the best episodes of the season, especially now that the staff working on the upcoming episode have reportedly been revealed. According to recent reports, Hiroyuki Yamashita has been credited as one of the animation directors and storyboard artists for Season 2 Episode 5. And what's exciting about this production tidbit is that Hiroyuki Yamashita has previously also worked on one of Naruto's most famous fights — Kakashi versus Obito. Hiroyuki Yamashita served as the episode director, animation director, and storyboard artist for Episode 375 of Naruto Shippuden, the highlight of which is the memorable fistfight between Kakashi and Obito, making him the perfect choice to bring to life Black Clover's upcoming similar battle between Magna and Dante. Despite all the interesting match-ups in Naruto Shippuden's final arc, this particular fight has carved a special place in fans' memories due to its emotional resonance, distinct hand-to-hand combat, and, of course, the gorgeous animation that was way ahead of its time. As such, even though Episode 375 aired way back in 2014, it's remained an untouchable favorite for twelve years, and now, Black Clover is set to get the same treatment. Naruto's Kakashi Vs. Obito Fight Is Still A Masterclass In Choreography And Storytelling In the midst of all the flashy jutsus, tailed beasts, and intergalactic villains, Kakashi versus Obito was a refreshing, good ol' fistfight. Even though it did not span the entirety of the episode, the fight was quite easily the highlight, and twelve years later, there's still plenty to admire about it, from its strong visual storytelling and fight choreography to the dynamic animation that still holds up to modern standards. First off, the episode features some gorgeous kagenashi-style animation. Often dubbed incomplete or even lazy, this style of animation that is devoid of shadows truly emphasizes movement and combat, making it quite expressive. Kagenashi-style animation has recently grown quite popular after its use in One Piece's Egghead Arc and the Sukuna vs. Mahoraga fight in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, though it has evidently been around for quite some time, appearing in anime like Fate/Apocrypha and Naruto. The episode's visual storytelling shines through the periodic flashes of Obito and Kakashi's childhood interspersed throughout the combat, which eventually culminates in Obito pulling his younger self back from completing the unison sign as he instead charges for Kakashi. Close-up shots maintain the immersion supported by the episode's excellent sound design, while the camera movements and shakiness amplify the grittiness of the fight. Besides this, the fight also features some strong character animation, and every expression and micro-expression only adds to the immersion and emotional investment in the fight. In this sense, Black Clover's upcoming battle between Magna and Dante is quite similar in spirit. Surrounded by powerful devils, advanced spells, and techniques like Mana Method, the fight between Magna and Dante also comes down to punches thanks to Magna's Soul Chain Death Match, which is precisely why the series could not have picked a better fight to bring Hiroyuki Yamashita on board again. Granted, while Kakashi and Obito were more evenly matched, Magna vs. Dante is an underdog fight through and through. While there may not be an emotional backstory between the two, like Kakashi and Obito, there's certainly still some room for emotional depth given how hard Magna works to take on Dante. The fight was already spectacular in the manga, and with the excellent staff on board, it's set to be even better in the anime. Furthermore, with modern animation on its side, Black Clover could finally even beat the Naruto rip-off allegations it's been met with for years by delivering something even better. In fact, Black Clover's Magna vs. Dante fight is poised to leave its own lasting impression on anime audiences for years to come. Black Clover - Season 2 Release Date October 3, 2026 Network TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC Series Black Clover Episodes 26