by4, 5, 6, and 7* are the strongest contenders for different reasons, and I could probably make a case for each. the case for 4 centers around scenes like these that are just.... really good. good emotional delivery from a show generally about either "I WILL SIMPLY PUNCH HARDER UNTIL I WIN" or "ACTUALLY THIS IS VICTORY WINE, I EXPECTED YOU TO PUNCH ME IN THE FACE".
- Phantom Blood is worth watching for completion's sake but basically nothing by comparison.
Battle Tendency loves nazis too much despite having arguably the best OP and a ton of great moments**.
Stardust Crusaders is 30000000 years long, and too many of its stand fights are nothing. And everything about Alessi is fucking awful, and between that and how long it takes to get to Egypt it generally makes me regret rewatching to get there.
** though "your next line is" is almost ruined for me because it historically got used for an ableist image reply.