I’ve been a fan of Death Battle for a long time, and it’s been a blast writing about the show on The Outerhaven over the past several years. Nearly three years ago, I published a “Top Ten Death Battle Episodes” list, wrapping things up at the end of Season 8. Since then, a lot has changed.
First, we experienced two more epic seasons packed with unforgettable episodes. But second, there was a moment when we almost faced the end of Death Battle itself. With Rooster Teeth going under, fans—including myself—feared for the show’s future. Thankfully, thanks to a successful Kickstarter, Death Battle is back in action! So, without further ado, here’s my updated list of the Best Death Battle Episodes!
Before We Begin
Just a quick reminder: these are MY personal favorites, just like in the previous list. You’ll notice some major changes from that list, while other episodes remain, albeit with my “updated” thoughts on them. Keep in mind, this list isn’t just about the battles themselves—Death Battle episodes are much more than that. Wiz and Boomstick’s commentary, along with the episode’s soundtrack, all play a crucial role in what makes each episode great, and I’ve factored that in when ranking the episodes below.
SPOILER WARNING
Yes, I’ll be revealing the winners in some cases. If you haven’t seen the episodes yet, I recommend watching them via the links provided before diving into my thoughts!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Just like before, I’m kicking off my Best Death Battle Episodes list with honorable mentions—but this time, there’s a twist. Last time, I struggled to narrow it down to just a few picks, so this time, I’m dropping the entire Death Battle playlist above and letting you explore for yourselves how amazing these episodes are!
There are SO MANY incredible matchups that Death Battle has delivered over the years that didn’t make it onto my list (or were featured in my previous list). Highlighting them all would take forever! And honestly, some of the more “out there” episodes are among the best, like Spongebob Squarepants vs. Super Friends Aquaman, “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Kool-Aid Man, and Deadpool vs. Pinkie Pie! Just in recent seasons, we’ve been treated to epic showdowns like Sauron vs. The Lich King, Heracles vs. Sun Wukong, and the mind-blowing Galactus vs. Unicron!
With nearly 190 episodes in its lineup, Death Battle has accomplished a lot. If you’re not already a fan, I highly recommend checking out some of these matchups, finding a fight featuring one of your favorite characters, and diving in.
But for now…let’s get to the main list!
10. Hulk vs. Broly
…Oh, don’t give me that look! This is MY list, and I still stand by Hulk vs. Broly! Despite the “new arguments” circulating, I’m not convinced that Hulk wins this fight now. Never underestimate the man whose “Power is Maximum.”
Teasing aside, for me, Hulk vs. Broly is a perfect representation of what Death Battle is all about. It takes two characters with striking similarities, throws them into an epic battle, pairs it with an equally epic soundtrack (thanks to Therewolf Media!), and lets the fans revel in the chaos.
Every time I rewatch it, I feel the adrenaline. The animation is top-notch, the voice acting is fantastic, and the song “Ikari” has me singing along every single time. By the time we reach the explosive finale, I, too, feel like smashing something hard enough to break the universe.
Fun Fact: When I originally wrote about this episode for another site, Ben Singer, the creator of Death Battle, actually quoted my article and thanked me for the coverage. It was one of the highlights of my life at that time! lol
9. Tanjiro vs. Jonathan Joestar
Of all the new entries on my list, this one surprised me the most—I didn’t expect to love it enough to include it here. To be completely honest, when Tanjiro vs. Jonathan Joestar was first announced, I wasn’t that excited. Why? Well, I hadn’t watched or read Demon Slayer or Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure at the time. So, I went into this episode with a solid feeling of “Eh…”
However, after watching it, much like Boomstick at the end of the fight, I was crying “hot manime tears.” It was that good! In fact, I now consider this the best sprite fight in Death Battle history. Sorry, Kirby vs. Majin Buu.
First off, I loved how they showcased the personalities of Jonathan and Tanjiro instead of just focusing on their feats and abilities. This made the fight feel more personal. You could even argue that this is one of the few Death Battle episodes with a true “story” woven into the fight, rather than just two characters randomly clashing.
The storytelling was elevated by the voice acting, which was incredibly well done. Both Tanjiro and Jonathan spent the fight analyzing each other while offering admiration at key moments, and I really appreciated that depth. Plus, the blend of sprite animation with hand-drawn elements during the elemental attacks, combined with those epic camera angles, made it hard not to love.
And when the episode ended with Jonathan realizing his mistake, vowing to take care of Nezuko, and mercifully ending Tanjiro’s life… I…I…I’m not crying… YOU’RE CRYING!!
8. Bill Cipher vs. Discord
It’s fair to say that Death Battle has sourced a vast majority of its matchups from fan suggestions. After all, we’ve all had those versus battles in our heads that we wanted to see brought to life. But during Season 9, Death Battle did something special—a “Champion’s Ballot” on their Discord server. This allowed fans to vote on two matchups that would appear in Season 10. One would be a 2D fight, and the other a 3D fight. The winner of the 2D fight was none other than Bill Cipher vs. Discord.
This match is absolutely bonkers in all the right ways, and yet, I can’t get enough of it. Forget about “breaking the fourth wall” like Deadpool or Pinkie Pie—these two apocalyptic goofballs shattered it in their own unique way. From a “writing battle” during the analysis, forcing Wiz and Boomstick into the “real world,” to referencing that Discord had watched Gravity Falls, this episode was packed with surprises.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t you say the last episode was the best sprite fight?”—you’re right. But I wouldn’t call Bill Cipher vs. Discord a sprite fight. They used hand-drawn animations all over the place, and even switched between different animation mediums! At one point, there was even a puppet fight!
When you pair that with “Discordant Decipher” by Brandon Yates, it’s clear that the Death Battle crew went all out to make this fan-voted matchup a blast. Oh, and one more thing…
!raw eht now drocsiD tub, elttab eht won rehpiC lliB
7. Chosen Undead vs. Dragonborn
“Oh my god, this boss is bulls***!!!”
Sometimes, an epic fight comes along that you simply can’t ignore—but you absolutely have to get it right. Chosen Undead vs. Dragonborn is exactly that kind of battle… and they nailed it. This fight was especially challenging for two key reasons. First, the lores of both Dark Souls and Elder Scrolls are… “unique,” to say the least. The breakdowns had to make sense of all the intricate details, even the ones only implied in the games. Big shoutout to Jocelyn (aka the “IT Girl”) for making sense of Dark Souls lore—that couldn’t have been easy!
The second reason this fight was complex was because both characters have customizable movesets that players can tailor to their own playstyles. To address this, Death Battle incorporated everything a person could get via grinding, ensuring no key abilities were left out.
Once the fight started… wow. Everything about it screams cinematic masterpiece, and even Chad James (the voice of Boomstick) admitted that one of his favorite shots in Death Battle history is in this episode. For me, everything just clicked. The way they showcased the various weapons, magic, summoning a dragon, and even the classic “arrow to the knee” joke—it was all incredibly well done. This is a fight you must watch, and the soundtrack is equally epic.
The song featured in this battle, “Fireborn,” wasn’t just composed by Brandon Yates—it included the Death Battle Choir, a group of fans who volunteered to lend their voices to the track. And… I’m part of that choir! Look for my name in the episode credits!
6. Samurai Jack vs. Afro Samurai
You can’t top epicness, especially the first time you do something truly special. When Luis Cruz, Death Battle’s lead animator, drunkenly declared he would animate Samurai Jack vs. Afro Samurai, he quickly realized he had to back up his words… and he absolutely delivered.
This episode still earns a spot on my Best Death Battle Episodes list because it holds up remarkably well and sets the tone for everything that came after. As a diehard Samurai Jack fan, I appreciated the countless references to the series, and Afro Samurai was equally well-represented.
The battle track was spot-on, syncing perfectly with the animation to make you feel every dramatic beat. The way the animation flows with the music adds to the intensity, and let’s be honest—this fight has one of the most brutal endings in Death Battle history!
Luis Cruz loved this episode so much that he used a still shot from the fight on his Twitter page for a long time, showcasing how proud he was of his work. And without this fight… a certain other battle coming up on this list wouldn’t have been possible.
5. Saitama vs. Popeye
This fight is ironic to me for a simple reason: when I made my original list, Saitama vs. Popeye had just been released. I had only watched it a few times and wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But over the last three years, I’ve rewatched it countless times, and each viewing makes me appreciate it even more.
The phrase “Old vs. New” perfectly captures this fight, and it’s spot-on. This was the pinnacle of “Anime OP” vs. “Toonforce,” and the breakdown was absolutely brilliant. Saitama, by design, can defeat almost anyone with one punch—so could he do that to Popeye? Or was Popeye’s Toonforce ability so ridiculous that it nullified even Saitama’s punches? I loved how the breakdown tackled these questions because both characters are insanely overpowered. When Popeye won in such a hilarious fashion, and they explained the simple reasons behind such a complex matchup, I couldn’t help but smile.
The fight itself was one of the most unique ever done, even compared to Bill Cipher vs. Discord. It starts off hand-drawn, then shifts to a sprite fight, and then DevilArtemis comes in for the 3D segments (and he’s now involved in all the upcoming 3D fights!), only for it to return to hand-drawn styles and eventually even sketches!
This level of creativity is what makes Death Battle stand out, and I’m glad I’ve come to appreciate it as much as I do now.
4. All Might vs. Might Guy
Like I said, you can’t top greatness.
I remember hearing someone on the DB Discord note that All Might vs. Mighty Guy “wasn’t season finale worthy, but was a season finale-style fight.” I can see both sides of that first part, but there’s no doubt that this is one of the best 3D fights ever done by Death Battle, and spectacular animation by Torrian Crawford (who is coming back to DB for at least one fight!!!) is something that should be studied and treasured.
Everything about this battle is on point. The setup is perfect for both characters, as is the “slow escalation” of their abilities and powers that leads to the epic climax…twice over!
There are numerous classic moments in this fight, including the one I’ll never forget for as long as I live…
Truly “Mighty” indeed…
3. Solid Snake vs. Sam Fisher
It’s showtime! I’ll admit, I’m a little sad that Solid Snake vs. Sam Fisher is ranked lower on my list, but it’s still in the Top 3 for many reasons.
First, like the previous episode, Torrian Crawford absolutely crushed it with the animation—even if some fans feel he went “too far” with the backflips. Second, unlike some other episodes on this list, there’s a compelling story behind why Snake and Sam are fighting. While not every battle needs a serious narrative to set the tone, I appreciate it when one is present. This story was a crucial element of the fight. For example, the banter between Sam and Grimm, alongside Snake and Otacon, made it feel like a genuine part of their respective worlds.
Finally, let’s talk about the fight itself. As I mentioned in my original list, this battle is one of the longer encounters you’ll find in the earlier generations of Death Battle. However, it never drags; every moment serves a purpose and showcases both characters to their fullest.
And yes, the “You’re pretty good…” segment is still incredible to this day.
2. Goku vs. Superman
You knew this was coming. You had to know it was inevitable! In my original list, I mentioned that Goku vs. Superman (GVS1 & GVS2) are key components of Death Battle lore, so I had to bring them up again in this new list. However, when the third and FINAL version of Goku vs. Superman was announced, we all knew greatness was about to unfold.
Ben Singer has been adamant in recent years that he considers the “sequel” episode one of the worst Death Battle entries ever made, due to key behind-the-scenes reasons. With new material emerging from both sides, something had to change. So, they created a third episode, incorporating EVERYTHING possible and finally settling the score once and for all.
This entry is arguably where the breakdown segments are just as important as the fight itself. More than in the first two versions combined, the analysis dives deep into the stats, lore, and beyond to determine who is stronger, faster, more skilled, and has better experience. Ben truly wanted to leave no doubt about why Superman beats Goku every time, and I genuinely feel he accomplished that.
Equally important, and here’s where it gets a bit meta, the episode features a philosophical discussion about why fans are so passionate about this debate and why many refuse to accept that Goku could lose. This speaks to the interpretive nature of Death Battle as a whole, showcasing just how seriously Ben took all of this.
Oh, what about the fight? Well, it’s just one of the greatest pieces of animation you’ll ever witness!
When you look back at how Death Battle started and then see everything that went into the animation of this episode, the only thing you can say is that it’s beautiful. Truly, simply, wonderfully beautiful. The song “Super” by Brandon Yates perfectly encapsulates the essence of both Goku and Superman, and the animation and voice acting back that up while also paying homage to past fights, the multiverse, and beyond.
By the time we reach the “In This Moment…” sequence, I’m literally in tears (every single time I watch it), completely in awe of what the team accomplished. I know they’ll strive to top this in the future, but it will be hard.
1. Scooby-Doo vs. Courage The Cowardly Dog
Surprise!!!!!!! If you thought my last list had a surprising final entry, my new Best Death Battle Episodes list is definitely topping that.
If Goku vs. Superman was about settling a debate in the most epic way possible, then Scooby-Doo vs. Courage The Cowardly Dog was all about having fun—something that makes me smile just thinking about it. This fight originated on their podcast, where fans voted it a “dead even” split regarding who might win. So, Death Battle took a swing at it and delivered something majestic.
There’s truly plenty to talk about here, but I’ll keep it brief. First, I loved the hand-drawn animation, as many talented individuals, including Luis Cruz, came together to make it shine. Second, the idea of Scooby and Courage being in a haunted house together, fleeing a monster while simultaneously fighting each other, was perfectly on-brand for both characters and Death Battle.
Just as important were the little details that elevated the fight. Since the two characters met in canon before via a crossover movie, their prior acquaintance is reflected in multiple scenes. For instance, when Courage thinks he has killed Scooby with a laser gun, he is traumatized—only for Scooby to laugh it off. Or when Scooby, being such a coward, tells Courage to “deal with him” so he wouldn’t have to. When you add in references to the “door gag,” Computer telling Courage “how to win,” and other nods like that, it’s a blast to see what else you can notice.
And that doesn’t even cover the climax and ending, where they go full-on Asura’s Wrath with Scooby, only for Courage to literally scream his way out of it. They then team up to take down Eustace in the end! Who saw that coming?
Yes, this is one of the few Death Battle episodes that ends in a tie. And it’s a truly legitimate tie! Even the creators admitted that later! This isn’t the “gag episode” of the season; it’s a genuine tie, which doesn’t happen often and makes me all the happier. To echo Ben from Goku vs. Superman, who wants these two to lose? Who wants to see either of them die a brutal death? Exactly, no one! That’s why this tie is perfect.
As I stated in my last list with Goro vs. Machamp (which is still an awesome fight), unexpected matches that go full-tilt are awesome to behold. Plus, you can just tell the team had fun bringing this to life. Writer Liam Swan even noted that this is likely the best matchup they have ever done, and I agree with him.
Seriously, I’ve watched this episode a LOT ever since it came out, mainly just because…it fills me with joy every time I do.
And that’s my Best Death Battle Episodes list! I hope you enjoyed it and are as excited as I am for the new and fully independent season of Death Battle! Omni-Man vs. Bardock will be dropping soon on YouTube, so be sure to check it out and support the team to ensure this show continues for a long time.
