Top 10 Greatest Anime Story Arcs of All Time

This arc in Naruto has to be some of the best written fiction I've read. The theme of hatred and revenge is executed brilliantly. In this arc what was more important than any of the fights, was the dialogue. Ideals between the protagonist and the antagonist were clashing. During the big fight, they fight over who's ideal is right. But on the way to meet the mastermind the protagonist changes the way he thinks. Meeting up with the mastermind, the protagonist doesn't kill him. Their similar ideals and past clash, but this time in a war of understanding. Two humans coming from a similar situation, one fell into despair, hatred and wanted revenge. While the other raised above it, to prove that there is a chance for world peace without causing more unneeded hatred. This is what the arc really asks us, the viewers. If someone has hurt you, do you ask why or do you act with hate? To top if all off, The protagonists return to the village. The same village which had held hatred towards him. ...more

This was in my honest opinion the greatest part of Naruto's story. It was in this arc that we finally get to see Jiraiya's past life in full and learn where the Akatsuki started and who the leader is. This arc was even the big reveal of one of Naruto's parents. The feels the music the story-line everything about it was pure art and this is where Naruto finally got what he always wanted... to be respected, accepted and loved by the whole village. I am sure someone who has not been following the series would read this and say so what but from the perspective of a true Naruto fan this arc carried so much weight with it because it was the turning point of the entire story.

The build up is insane with Kakashi's fight vs. Pain. Thought Hinata basically killing herself was a bit sappy but still was good. It was more what happened after Pain died and gave life to all of the fallen Konoha people is what I loved. Ebisu's speech about Naruto made this Arc one of the best. This arc allowed Naruto to be acknowledged by the villaged that had shunned him for so long, I found it very emotional, in a good way.

This story arc was amazing we get to see Naruto face an enemy that the story has been building up to sense the original Naruto series. Naruto gets to meet a special someone and the girl we all love from the show final makes her move. Lastly Naruto realizes another goal that he hopes to achieve in his life,

This is by far the best arc I have ever watched. It really showed us what bleach is at it's prime and never failed to impress us in this arc. The mysterious, yet interesting captains gave us so much tension and excitement on further battles. The first time we all heard "BANKAI", the time we saw how captains interact, how soul society (crappy version of heaven) works, the soul reapers motives, etc. The time one major PLOT TWIST happened and blew our minds to be one of the most badass antagonist in anime and manga history. This was the time Bleach story rose up to be one of the best arcs of all time. This anime introduced me to the anime world and I did not regret watching it and I loved every second of it even though with shortcomings.

Who can argue that this wasn't Bleach at it's finest? Ichigo and his accomplices running through Soul Society, trying desperately to save Rukia, who didn't deserve her fate. An inside plot in which nothing is what it seems. Thrilling fights that captured your attention. Ikkaku. Renji. Zaraki. And finally Byakuya. Not to mention the introduction of Ichigo's inner hollow and Uryu's fight against the killer of his grandfather. Who would have expected his inner hollow to take over during Byakuya's fight? Who would have expected Aizen and Gin's plot twist? Who would have expected Yamamoto to be so ripped?...that's what I thought. ~Soro

This is one of the very first arcs in Bleach and shows just how amazing the start of this anime was. Ichigo enters the soul society for the first time and has to fight his way through to get to Rukia. Ichigo progressively increases power throughout the arc going up against some pretty ferocious enemies. The ending to this arc set the basis for the Arrancar Saga.

Only this Arc is my favorite. The rest is... ( I don't need to say it you guys should know). The author making too many filler arcs and doesn't explain the characters' life or power much so I give up on bleach. The main reason is that I hate the main character ichigo so much that I can't keep watching bleach at all.

This is definitely the best arc I have ever seen. This non-stop action-based masterpiece includes no filler which helps a whole bunch with the pacing. With every single action, there is an advancement in the plot. This arc was executed perfectly and grasped my attention throughout the 61 episodes. The character development of the ants was great as well as Gon and Killua. I loved every second of it. Without a doubt, the best arc of all time.

You don't get better villains or better plot in this arc. This arc not only has some of the most intense fights, but it also makes a statement about what it means to be human. The antagonist of this arc, the Ant King, is one of the most well crafted villains I have ever seen. His character development is incredible, and honestly is straight up badass. There is no filler at all, and each decision--and I mean EACH--that a character makes results in some advancement in the plot, some sort of self-learning. This arc is also extremely dark due to its message about nuclear warfare and its use of blood and gore. One of the best arcs I've seen.

Best arc of all time. Period. No filler and follows the plot of the manga perfectly. Every decision made by a character not only builds depth to the plot, but makes for some great character development. What I mean by EVERY decision made by EVERY character, I mean just that. Every character had an important role to play in order to get the protagonist and major secondary characters to the ending. Not to mention there was not 1 fight scene that made me yawn. They always kept me on my toes and made it all the more thrilling. For example, my favorite fight scene was between Youpi and Knuckle. When Youpi deceived knuckle into a false sense of security and certainty and Knuckle realized this at the last second, you see through his eyes his entire life flash past his him. I strongly identified with Knuckle so I was pissed that he was about to be killed off. Oh wait, Killua being the bad ass he is uses his Thunderbolt to save Knuckle. Then after Knuckle beats Youpis face, Killua returns in ...more

This seemingly simple plot becomes insanely complex without losing the reader. It introduces characters with cool looks and maddening personalities that ignite a desire to see what happens to them. There is sentimentality involved as well as badass fight scenes from all of the characters. It's a big arc but encompasses very touching moments and action together with really cool characters without boring the reader at all. In fact, I'm probably going to go back and read this arc again.

This was the greatest story arc from One Piece and is part of the reason the show has remained so big to this day. An all out battle between some of the strongest people in the series we get to see Luffy Shine like he never has before. This arc marked the shows halfway point and makes it hard to believe that there are some even stronger foes later in the series.

A brilliant arc which brings hundreds of chapters of buildup to a close and helps to introduce the new direction that one piece is moving towards. The many characters that are introduced/reintroduced are numerous and this can be a detriment to many series, however one piece successfully manages to not only flesh out the characters goals and motives but to also stop this from hindering the plot itself.

This arc is like a turning point for the world of One Piece, not just to the main characters but literally to everyone living in One piece. I love how this arc is important and necessary, and acts as a stepping stone for the series, taking it into a whole new level.

It acted as a reminder on how the mugiwara crews felt inadequate to enter the New World with their current power, it acted as a trigger to many to abandon the rigid way of the World Government (Garp, Aokiji, etc. ) and the chaos it brought with that war affected the world order (BB as one of the Yonkos, Big Mom took over Fishman Island, Akainu as Admiral Fleet and etc.).

One war with a domino effects that is not at all, in my opinion, are forced.

It basically changes the complexion of One Piece. Till this point, everyone would think that Luffy and his crew were so strong and the show was just about them beating everyone else. But, then this arc introduces so many special characters that will just boost the interest level of everyone watching the show! Truly amazing!

Frieza might be the most well known anime villain ever and Goku transforming into Super Saiyan for the first time is forever engrained in pop culture. Also the battle between Goku and Frieza is possibly the best fight in Anime.

Frieza saga to be best, beginning with the Saiyan conflict between Raditz, Nappa and Vegeta... to the three-way guerrilla war making a battlefield of Namek, where Zarbon, Dodoria, and Cui take on Vegeta, who later joins forces with the protagonists to take down the Mercenary Squadron of the Ginyu Force... and the eventual rise of the Super Saiyan, Goku... who faces Lord Frieza to halt the tyrant's threat. This was Akira Toriyama's masterpiece.

The Frieza saga portrays Toriyama's vision as he had originally grafted it, without altering anything based on fan preference. It was the initial concept to which the series unfolded; The struggle of good versus evil portrays the wicked with emotion; Frieza has feelings of his own, and the audience has the chance to comprehend him.

Frieza is the most ruthless, cunning, vile, wicked, corrupt, and evil villain in the history of all anime and animation in general. He is tender yet suspenseful; he is effeminate yet deadly... He deceives through a comical mannerism and a sarcastic wit; yet is extremely dangerous and bloodthirsty.

This was the first anime arc I've ever seen. I remember watching this on Cartoon Network when I was 7 years old. I think this is the most badass arc and has one of the most unique story lines in the Dragonball universe. Trunks coming back in time to warn the Z fighters about the threat of the androids was such a huge moment of my childhood. Granted certain arcs on this list may have better plot development, I have to put this as my favorite because this arc is what started it all for me.

I still get chills down my spine when I watch Vegeta's Final Flash and Gohan go SSJ2 for the first time.

Although a mixture of Terminator and Terminator 2 movie, It's one of the great arcs.

Teen Gohan vs Ultimate Cell. What else needs to be said?

up until this arc I enjoyed one piece but I was still not sure if it was everything people made it out to be. I thought it might have been overhyped to me. this arc came along and made me realise what a fool I had been.

I haven't reached the Marineord Arc yet, but this easily beats every other arc there is, I've watched Naruto and Fairy Tail. The Pain Arc was nothing too 'Sugoi'. Just overrated. Grand Magic Games, Tenrou Island and Tartoraus (still ongoing) are ah-ma-zing. Then there is the Chunnin Exam Arc which beats Pain Arc by far. But Enies Lobby is something else. The Buster Call, Rob Lucchi. CP9 was so amazing and the Straw Hats beat them. Just how awesome can One Piece possibly get?

From the epic march towards the lobby till the great escape whilst the gigantic buster call. Not to mention the epic fights, specially Luffy vs Lucy which is quite possibly the best anime fight of all time. This arc had it all. This arc is certified to leave you overwhelmed.

This arc changed the Strawhat crew for the better, they gained a lot of trust for Luffy, especially Usopp, Robin, and Franky. Plus the introduction of "gears" with the rest of the crew getting upgrades. It was also very emotional and made Luffys dream more serious and life threatening than before. Overall it was fantastic! =3

Okay I'm just saying that this arc was amazing this was an all out battle between Goku and his rival Vegeta. The start of this arc is pretty much training for everyone but the fighting was awesome.

This should be higher on the list. Goku vs Vegeta is one of the best fights in all dbz history, and it was in the saiyan arc. I'm telling you, it is awesome.

It was so interesting and so epic, especially the fight between Goku & Vegeta. Even the fight with Raditz was cool. I loved it!