10 best fights in The Eminence in Shadow

While most other series would be harmed by having such a blatantly domineering main character, The Eminence in the Shadow uses Shadow to stand out and produce truly incredible fights. It’s a great series known for well-animated battles, an immersive world full of interesting characters and lots of hilarious moments. When the show gets serious, however, it’s packed with jaw-dropping action, great skills and thrilling stakes.

Shadow is the leader of the Shadow Garden, a secret organization that seeks to overthrow the nefarious Cult of Diablos. If Shadow isn’t involved in a stellar fight, one of his Seven Shadows probably is, flying around the battlefield in a sleek black goo suit. The Eminence in the Shadow is at its best when Shadow shows off his broken abilities, using his I Am Atomic moveset to destroy your opponents at the molecular level.

10

Garden of Shadows vs. Grease

Grease was no match for Shadow Garden

Shadow Garden vs. Viscount Grease is an early fight in the series that shows the lethality of the Seven Shadows and Shadow’s overwhelming luck. Grease had just kidnapped Cid’s sister Claire for the Cult of Diablos. He was planning to use her for experiments before the Seven Shadows arrived, killing his men in an instant. While he managed to escape them, he encountered their leader, Shadow.

The Eminence in the Shadow is a serious series for all the characters except Shadow himself. While he thinks he is just playing a game, everything he says turns out to be true. The Cult of Diablos he invented actually kidnapped his sister, and the bad guy he encountered in the sewer turned out to be Grease himself. Although the fight itself is fun, the ridiculousness behind the coincidences is hilarious and a huge force supporting the show.

9

Shadow vs. Olivier

The elf hero fought well

One of the best elf heroes in anime, Olivier, is one of the Three Heroes from ancient times who defeated the Demon King Diablos. In reality, Olivier was used by the Cult for their experiments. She was very strong in her prime, using her Holy Sword to cut off Diablos’ hand. When she is trapped in the Sanctuary, she operates with a fraction of her previous strength, but it is more than enough to land some powerful attacks on Shadow. She is one of the few characters in the series who actually hurt the leader of Shadow Garden, but it was all part of his plan.

Shadow then fights dozens of Oliviers at once. He then uses the All-Range Atomic to destroy the Oliviers, the Cult Follower, and the chain binding Aurora all at once. Shadow shows a vulnerable side of himself, only to trick the Cult into healing himself and destroying his entire operation in the process.

8

Shadow Garden saves Princess Oriana

Shadow Garden Explosive Entrance

Princess Oriana has been saved by Shadow Garden on a few different occasions. To her credit, they usually come after she’s already decided to die, showing how committed she is to her cause. Terrorists took over your school and before they could defeat you in battle Shadow and the rest of Shadow Garden came and saved the day. They broke the ceiling and fought the terrorists impressively.

It’s great to see Shadow come in and save the dayespecially after the terrorists so unfairly arrested the students at the school. Shadow is smooth enough to compliment Oriana before killing some thugs himself. The Eminence in the Shadow is at its best when Shadow shows his near-omnipotence, and his last-minute move to save Orianna and the rest of the students is a great example of this.

7

Alpha vs. John Smith

Alpha doesn’t understand

Cid Kagenou has many identities. He is Cid, a student at the Academy, Shadow, leader of the secret group Shadow Garden, Mundane Mann, an anonymous participant in the Bushin Festival, and finally John Smith. John Smith dresses professionally and wears a white mask to hide his identity. Cid used this identity when he wanted to stay away from Shadow Garden for some time, but Alpha caught him before he could escape. Cid’s fight against his oldest member is quite exciting in a series that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Alpha is desperate to understand what is happening, and Shadow is confident that he will figure it out in time. It’s a rare moment in the series, as Shadow rarely has to fight his own limbs. Although Alpha is easily her strongest subordinate, she is no match for her boss. He narrates the fight as usual, knocking Alpha down and leaving her wishing she understood more.

6

Shadow vs. Zenon

One of the best Atomics in the series

Zenon Griffey was a candidate to become one of the Knights of the Rounds and a secret member of the Cult of Diablos. He was an evil character who used the people around him to achieve his goals. When Shadow discovered their plot, his days were numbered. Like most characters in The Eminence in the Shadow, Zenon doubted Shadow could fight him. He was wrong, forcing Zenon began taking dangerous pills to gain additional strength.

Zenon was another very confident character against the strongest character in the series. Shadow ends the fight using one of his I Am Atomic abilities in a flash of beautiful blue and purple light. The Eminence in the Shadow does a great job highlighting the difference between Shadow’s strength and that of his opponentand this fight is a great example.

5

Shadow vs. Aurora

Shadow appreciated Aurora’s skill

When Shadow sneaked into the Sanctuary, he summoned someone equal to him in strength. Sanctuary summoned Aurora, the Witch of Calamity and a character better known as Demon King Diablos. She was the most powerful character in the world before Shadow arrived, and their fight highlights why she was on top. Aurora immediately uses a barrage of Blood Magic attacks to put Shadow on the defensive, forcing him to fly to come up with a strategy.

It’s a big fight in the series because it’s one of the few times Shadow gets to fight on equal terms. Although he notes that Aurora is much weaker in this state than she is in real life, he still manages to have a good “conversation” through the exchange. Shadow expresses himself through battle and with Aurora, he finally lets go.

4

Elegant Ruffian Slayer vs. Kidnappers

Before Minoru became shadow

Minoru Kagenou was a vigilante. He studied martial arts and used crowbars to defeat bandits wherever he could find them. He went by the name “Stylish Ruffian Slayer” and was very good at what he did. When he found a young girl tied up, defenseless, in the hands of a gang of kidnappers, he knew he needed to help her. He entered through the roof and defeated several enemies by himself, all before being isekai and receiving a series of powers.

The first thug points a gun at Minoru, but his movements are too slow and Minoru manages to throw a knife at his hand first. He narrates the fight in the classic The Eminence in the Shadow fashion, defeating his opponents while he tells them what they are doing wrong. This fight is a great introduction to Shadow before he becomes Shadow, proving that his personality goes far beyond his powers.

3

Iris vs. Mundane Mann

Iris couldn’t even imagine victory

Iris. against Mundane Mann is one of the most unique fights in the anime because the pair never actually fight. When Iris envisions a way to defeat Mundane Mann, all she can see and feel is her own death. She keeps looking for a way to attack him, but only finds herself hurting herself. It’s a new way to show how dominant a character is without making them move a muscle. After gathering all her courage, Iris attacks.

Mundane Mann quickly avoids his attack and knocks her down with a single blow. Iris couldn’t help but stare in shock at her opponent. While the fight is technically a single attack, Mundane Mann’s ability to get in Iris’ head before she can swing a sword is great to watch. Shadow, like Mundane Mann, is easily the strongest character in the series and fights like this are a great way to show that.

2

Shadow vs. Iris and Beatrix

Two against one is not fair… For Iris and Beatrix

Mundane Mann had just finished cleaning the floor with Iris. He beat her so brutally that she couldn’t even imagine a way to win. When he finished the match, he flew towards Princess Oriana, saving her from herself and some assassins. He transforms into Shadow in the process, incurring the wrath of Beatrix, the Goddess of War, and Iris once again. Their fight is one of the best in the series for a few reasons. It’s the first time Beatrix’s fighting skills are shown, and while they’re impressive, they’re nothing compared to Shadow’s.

The shadow disappears and reappears like a magic trick. He’s clearly taking it easy on both of them while they are doing everything they can to survive. The fight ends with Shadow laughing at the duo for thinking he would run away. He shows the scope of his Atomic ability and overcomes their spirits, letting them know how much stronger he is than them.

1

Shadow vs. Ragnarok

The shadow cannot be stopped

The Eminence in the Shadow is great for making a character feel confident just to having their self-confidence swept out from under them like a rug. When Mordred used the Black Rose to summon Ragnarök, Great Ruler of the Fourth Realm, he thought his victory was assured. Ragnarök came into the world and began to destroy it before Shadow cut off one of his arms in an instant. Ragnarök howled in pain before regenerating his arms and summoning an army of demons.

Shadow Garden is exciting every time it’s on screenand nothing is cooler than seeing Shadow wave his hands to summon them in an instant. They fly at the smaller demons so their boss can face the main villain. Shadow narrates his way through the battle in classic Shadow style. He gets in a good punch before catching Ragnarök in his ropes, slashing the Great Ruler without breaking a sweat.