The best arcs of every major shonen anime, ranked

Shōnen anime stories are becoming more complex with each passing year, especially as they become more mainstream. While they once featured rather simple plot lines, over the years they have developed complex character arcs with rich lore surrounding them. Right now, some shonen anime arcs stand out as the pinnacle of storytelling, offering an incredible mix of great fights, compelling characters, and dramatic twists and turns, as well as some tragic deaths. The best shonen arcs are always incredible to experience over and over again, and every major anime contains arcs that will be remembered for years to come.

The best lightning users in anime

The 8 Best Lightning Users in Anime, Ranked

Electricity users are fast and destructive. These characters represent some of the best electricity users in anime.

Soul Society Arch

Soul Society Bleach Best Arcs Every Major Shonen Anime

Rescue arcs are always incredibly exciting to watch, and Bleach Soul handles its own incredibly well in Society, where Rukia is central to the plot, and some big battles unfold, including the likes of the Gotei 13. soul society Bleach is widely considered to be the best arc in its entirety, not only because of the great importance it places on Ichigo's characters, but at the same time, because of the incredible villains it showcases. Added to that is the incredible plot that turns Aizen into a villain, and the combination of all these things made this a phenomenal arc.

Infinity Castle Arc

Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Best Arcs Every Major Shonen Anime Image by GameRant

Demon Slayer One of the most successful modern shonen, and its most popular arc Infinity CastleWhich marks the beginning of the end of the whole story. Infinity Castle was recently adapted into a feature-length film, with two more installments to come.

This arc sees Hasira going up against Muzan and his demons, and serves as the culmination of the entire series. Some incredible battles and compelling character writing, such as Akaza's, are delivered in this arc, and the fact that it's just an all-out battle certainly enhances it.

Frieza Saga

Frieza Dragon Ball Best Written Villain Shonen Anime

on the whole Dragon BallThere is no arc as exciting Frieza Saga. This arc brings out the greatest villain in existence in the entire franchise and pits Goku and the other Z fighters against him. Furthermore, it brings forth Goku's Super Saiyan transformation, which is considered one of the most iconic moments in all of shonen anime.

Added to this is the fact that it also features incredible combat, very creative use of the world's power system, and an engaging story that maintains high tension. Undoubtedly, Frieza is the best of the Dragon Ball saga.

Shibuya Incident Arch

Shibuya Incident Jujutsu Kaisen Best Arcs Every Major Shonen Anime

Jujutsu Kaisen is a modern shonen that goes heavy on the battles, but at the same time, also does well to provide some very interesting arcs, and The Shibuya incident Definitely one of them. After the sealing of Gojo Satoru, the Shibuya Incident sees the Calamity Curses and Kenzaku unleash their true terror on Tokyo, with most of the mages standing by to stop them.

It is this arc that provides the most gut-wrenching deaths in the entire story, such as those of Nanami and Nobara. At the same time, it also features some exciting battles, such as Yuji's clash against Mahito, and sets the tone for the calling game that follows. The Shibuya Incident is a chaotic arc with non-stop action that will keep the audience glued to their seats.

One Piece New Devil Fruit Elbaf Arc

One Piece: 6 new Devil Fruits introduced in the Elbaf arc

Elbaf revealed a bunch of new Devil Fruits to fans, and they're all incredibly impressive.

Return to Shiganshina Arch

Return to Shinganshina Attack on Titan Best Arcs Every Major Shonen Anime

Attack on Titan Many incredible arcs feature, however Return to Shigansina Quite easily one of its best. This arc sees Eren and his friends return to where it all began to not only defeat the people they thought were their friends in Reiner and Berthold, but to discover the dark secret of the Titans' existence in Eren's basement and move on. It features incredibly exciting character writing and offers some great battles like Levi vs. the Beast Titan, as well as Erwin Smith's famous speech, which is still memorable to this day.

It completely flips the script when it comes to the world of Attack on Titan, exploring the world's biggest mysteries and offering the deepest and most chaotic flashbacks that no fan could have ever predicted. This is a solid top-tier arc and quite easily the best that Isayama has written.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.




Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)

Chimera Ant Arch

Chimera Ant Arc Hunter x Hunter The best arcs of every major shonen anime

Chimera and Arch of Hunter x Hunter There is the best of all shonen, as it puts more focus on the relationship between the two central characters of the series, Gon and Killua. It also introduces a man-eating species of chimera ants that begin to ravage entire regions, assimilating the characteristics of those they eat in the process. The Chimera Ant Arc introduces fans to an array of powerful villains who become incredibly compelling characters in their own right, such as Neferpitou, Menthuthuyupee, and Shippouf. Above all that, Merum is one of the most compelling main villains in all shonen anime.

The battles that unfold in this arc make it even more special, like Netero vs. Merum, and the tragedy that unfolds with Kite, Gon's clan madness, makes it even more so. Without a doubt, this arc stands tall as one of the best out there.

Pain attacks arc

Pain Attack Arc Naruto Best Arcs Every Major Shonen Anime Image by Rei Penber/Game Rant

in the world of NarutoKishimoto has delivered some incredible arcs, but Pain attacks Standing at the top of them all. This arc carries a great emotional weight as it follows the death of Jiraiya, who was a huge figure in the life of the protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki. It also sees the entirety of Konoha destroyed in Naruto's absence, which serves to raise the tension through the roof. When Naruto arrives with the new abilities of Sage Mode, the excitement is simply unmatched.

  • This arc offers one of the best battles in all of Naruto, as the young Uzumaki takes on the leader of the Akatsuki, but at the same time, it also delivers compelling character writing for Dard. It sees Naruto mature into a man who embarks on a journey to find world peace and prevent another suffering from being born into the world. For all these reasons, it is truly a shonen masterpiece.

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Marineford Arch

marineford arc one piece best arcs of every major shonen anime
In one piece, Whitebeard creates earthquakes in Marineford with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit

of Marineford Arch a piece This is one of the best battle arcs of all time that takes the Straw Hat Pirates away from the hero and throws him into a chaotic hell where his goal is to save his brother, Ace, from the clutches of death.

Marineford also brings a star-studded cast of characters including Whitebeard Pirates, Shichibukai, Marine Admirals and many other elites. a piece the world This arc is chaotic from start to finish and throughout its run, doesn't let the audience catch their breath for even a second. The tension and drama that unfolds in this arc make it one of the best in all of shonen, and the tragedy it provides, as well as the subsequent growth, make it one of the best arcs of all time.

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