In anime,certain story arcs leave a lasting legacy through amazing storytelling, riveting character development, and sometimes even adrenaline-pumping action that can leave you on the edge of your seat. They represent the essence of the Shonen genre, which is the best genre in anime, making sure you feel all kinds of emotions while watching it.
10 Best Anime For Adult Fans
There are several great anime shows that cater to different age groups, but these are some of the best stories that are best suited for adult fans.
Some anime end up becoming famous because of these arcs, as they offered so much more than incredible fights and spectacles. Sometimes, amazing dialogue or back-and-forth between characters can keep you coming back for more. The story arcs on this list are the peak of their narrative, and they can define the anime going forward.
10Golden Age Arc (Berserk)
The Calm Before The Storm
What Makes This Shonen Arc Best?
The Golden Age Arc within Berserk is how the story introduces us to all the happiness and normalitybefore turning into something dark and dangerous. Centered around the mercenary warrior Guts, it unveils his origin, his entry into the Band of the Hawk led by the charismatic Griffith and their dynamic with each other.
As the arc progresses, you are drawn into a tale of triumph and betrayal, witnessing the rise and tragic fall of the main characters, especially with the start of the eclipse. The story was never the same after, and the emotional toll of the situation extended to everyone watching, which is just great storytelling.
Release Date
Where To Watch
2016, July 1
Crunchyroll
9Entertainment District Arc (Demon Slayer)
Chaotic High Stakes Battle Of The Best Of Both Sides
Demon Slayer
The Entertainment District Arc in Demon Slayer was everything amazingwe had in the anime so far, from amazing animation and art style to character depth, dialed to the next level. With the first few episodes being a fake out until the real upper rank shows up, the stakes were higher than they had ever been.
Every character, from Zenitsu to Tengen and, of course, Tanjiro and Inosuke, had their time to shine. Even the villains, Daki and Gyutaro, were a spectacle to behold, and their backstory, revealed at the end, changed the tone of their characters significantly. Showing demons as broken people is one of Demon Slayer’s best qualities since we have the capacity to sympathize with even the worst characters.
June 01, 2025
8L Vs. Kira (Death Note)
A War Of Minds
Death Note (2006)
The first few episodes of Death Note were such an amazing hookinto one of the best anime to have ever graced the screens. It was morally complex, with a fascinating concept that ended up as one of the greatest cat-and-mouse games between the most intelligent people on the planet.
10 Most Evil Anime Villains Of All Time
From Death Note’s Light Yagami to Jujutsu Kaisen’s Sukuna, here are some of the most evil villains in anime history.
When Light fully embraced his role as Kira, one person stood against him, L, who was determined to figure out Kira’s identity. He ended up doing it very soon in the series, and because he needed proof, he tested it in multiple ways. Light and L play such gripping mind games with each other that even when they’re doing the most mundane things, their inner monologues manage to keep us entertained.
July 11, 2025
7Cell Saga (Dragon Ball Z)
Humanity’s Greatest Defenders Against Humanity’s Greatest Threat Yet
Dragon Ball Z
The Cell saga was the standout arc of Dragon Ball Zand was initially where the creator wanted the anime to end. It was full of action, villains, and iconic transformations, which made for an amazing story.
The passing of the torch moment from Goku to Gohan was ideal after Gohan unlocked his true potential, and Cell was built up to be such a huge threat to the planet that even years later, everyone remembers how scary he was. Even characters like Vegeta and Trunks got their time to show off, and Tien managed to shine for an episode, showing just how amazing this story arc was for Dragon Ball Z.
July 17, 2025
6The Promised Day Arc (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Great Culmination For The Show
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Within Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the Promised Day Arc is a crucial phase in the story, serving as a cathartic moment for the Elric Brothers and the culmination of Father’s 400-year plan.
The main characters, the Elric brothers, and their allies work tirelessly to prevent a catastrophic event called the Promised Day.
Half the reason why Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is so beloved and still one of thehighest-rated anime of all timeis exactly because of this arc. It managed to go beyond the expectations set for the show and ended it satisfyingly in a way that most anime fail to.
August 13, 2025
5Pain Arc (Naruto Shippuden)
Naruto’s Greatest Fight Yet
Naruto: Shippuden
The Pain Arc was a long-awaited part of Naruto’s storyand was kicked off with Jiraiya’s death. Though depressed for a while, Naruto picks himself back up, learns senjutsu, and becomes stronger than his masters before him.
Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki, decides to attack Konoha, and after most of the leaf village’s defenders are defeated, Naruto shows up in the nick of time and fights Pain. What follows is an incredibly emotional and tragic tale of sacrifice and heroics. The character development of Naruto is amazing, and the arc ends on a satisfying note when Naruto is finally acknowledged as a hero after years of being ignored by the village.
July 03, 2025
4Shibuya Incident (Jujutsu Kaisen)
An All-Out War Between The Curses And The Sorcerers
Jujutsu Kaisen
Considering that it has only recently been animated,the Shibuya incident in Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most iconic story momentsof the series. The cursed spirits launch an assault on the Shibuya district, and their plan is to seal Gojo, which they manage to do, and the stakes have never been higher.
15 Best Anime Of 2023, Ranked
2023 was fantastic for the anime fandom, and here are some of the best shows we’ve got this year.
Shōnen anime are usually pretty safe, and you know that the heroes will end up on top, but with this arc, you just don’t know what will happen next. Devastating deaths and fights aside, the characters and the viewers are scarred alike in what is perhaps one of the most well-animated story arcs in anime.
June 04, 2025
3Marineford Arc (One Piece)
An Example Of A Great War Arc In Anime
One Piece’s Marineford Arc is an epic and emotional talewithin the vast world of One Piece. It’s a monumental war and is a great example of a war arc done right, where the strongest of the marines and the warlords clash against Luffy and the Whitebeard pirates as they race to prevent Ace’s execution.
This arc is marked by high-stakes confrontations and iconic moments, such as Luffy unlocking a new power, Ace’s emotional death, and even Shanks showing up toward the end to finish the fighting. One Piece peaked in the Marineford arc and will forever be remembered for the goosebumps it gave us.
June 13, 2025
2Chimera Ant (Hunter x Hunter)
A Morally Complex Story With Many Moving Pieces
Hunter x Hunter
When an anime manages to humanize its villains, you know it’s going to be peak storytelling, and that is exactly what we got from the Chimera Ant Arc in Hunter x Hunter. As we follow Gon’s journey in the anime, the story transforms from a light-hearted, happy tone to a much darker setting, which this arc manages to capture perfectly.
Unlike most anime, Hunter x Hunter was not afraid to explore the moral complexity of both sides, no matter if it was about the hero or villain. This is something that we rarely see in any show and is a quality that makes the Chimera Ant arc stand out in all its glory.
August 24, 2025
1Return To Shiganshina (Attack On Titan)
The Greatest Plot Twists In Anime
Attack On Titan
Return to Shiganshina is perhaps the most mind-blowing piece of storytelling in anime, and Attack on Titan managed todeal us with blow after blow of plot twists and emotional turmoil. After humanity finally fights back against the Titans for the first time, their enemies are apparent, and they manage to continue fighting despite all odds against them.
We have extremely iconic moments, like Levi versus the Beast Titan, Eren and Armin versus the Colossal Titan, and Commander Erwin’s suicide charge. It’s emotionally devastating and culminates in one of the best plot twists ever in anime that is yet to be topped.
