5 Naruto Arcs That Are Better Than Anything One Piece Has Done

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As a huge anime fan, I have to say the ‘big three’ shonen series – Naruto, One Piece, and Demon Slayer – really deliver some of the most incredible story arcs you’ll ever find. Recent arcs like the Infinity Castle in Demon Slayer and the Shibuya Incident in Jujutsu Kaisen are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but nothing quite compares to the peak of Naruto. Honestly, even One Piece, which is legendary, couldn’t match Naruto when it was at its best. It was just on another level!

While Naruto has some filler and weaker story arcs—like the early Gaara rescue in Naruto Shippuden—its best arcs are truly exceptional. Five specific storylines in Naruto represent the height of shonen action and adventure, and many fans consider them even better than those in One Piece. These arcs are packed with memorable ninja fights, creative techniques, powerful character development, and unexpected twists that dramatically changed Naruto Uzumaki’s journey.

The Land of Waves Arc is Stronger Than Fans Might Remember

Naruto’s First Talk Jutsu Was Arguably His Best

Image via studio Pierrot.

  • Typically, an anime’s initial story arc isn’t considered one of its strongest. These early arcs, like the Land of Waves Arc in Naruto, usually focus on introducing the world, characters, and basic fighting styles. They’re designed to ease viewers in and prepare them for more complex storylines later on. However, Naruto’s Land of Waves Arc exceeded expectations. While it served as an introduction, it also delivered a significant and satisfying payoff. The Chunin Exam Arc is often remembered as the best, but the Land of Waves Arc deserves recognition as well.

The Land of Waves arc in Naruto was remarkably well-crafted and established many of the series’ defining characteristics. The tension between Naruto and Sasuke felt incredibly real, even more so than the rivalry between Sanji and Zoro in One Piece. This was largely because Naruto, despite being a bit of a troublemaker, was determined to become Hokage and had a lot to prove. His journey as an underdog, striving to improve during his first important mission, was especially compelling. Furthermore, the way Naruto convinced Zabuza to change his ways – not by trying to fix the world, but by appealing to his humanity – remains a powerfully emotional scene for many anime fans.

The Chunin Exam Arc Set a Bar That No Other Tournament Arc Has Cleared

Naruto Became a Big Three Anime With the Chunin Exam Arc

Image via studio Pierrot.

Many action-packed anime series, or shonen, feature tournaments or exams to test their characters – like the UA Sports Festival in My Hero Academia or the Hunter Exam from the beginning of Hunter x Hunter. While those arcs are often exciting, none have had the same impact as the Chunin Exam Arc in Naruto. It’s easy to argue that Naruto reached its best point during this story arc, as it introduced a wealth of new characters and fighting techniques.

The excitement of seeing so much growth and power is incredible, even compared to series like One Piece. Characters like Rock Lee, Gaara, and Neji Hyuga really stand out and add a lot to Naruto. They explored the show’s central ideas – like the importance of effort versus natural talent, and the strength of bonds – in ways Naruto himself couldn’t. Characters such as Rock Lee, Sakura, and Hinata all faced tough lessons about believing in themselves. Plus, the Chunin Exam arc was made even more thrilling by the arrival of the dangerous Orochimaru.

The Sasuke Retrieval Mission Arc Ended On a Bittersweet and Open Note

Defeat Never Felt So Motivating in Shonen Anime

Image via Pierrot.

Following the Chunin Exam Arc, Naruto delivered strong story arcs with Operation Konoha Crush and the search for Tsunade. However, the Sasuke Retrieval Mission Arc was even more impactful. It served as the peak of the original Naruto anime, raising the emotional stakes for the characters without needing to complicate the world’s larger story. While many anime, like One Piece, thrive on expansive worlds, the most compelling stories often focus on personal connections.

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The emotional impact of the Sasuke Retrieval Arc wasn’t about grand, world-altering stakes; it was about the broken bond between two friends. This intensely personal conflict is a key reason why Naruto is considered a classic anime. The story resonated so strongly because it focused on intimate feelings, all while delivering some of the best fight scenes of the series. While the heroes achieved significant victories and grew stronger, Naruto’s inability to defeat Sasuke was the most meaningful event. Despite his loss, Naruto’s unwavering hope was truly inspiring. It’s one thing to feel good after a win, but it takes a remarkable hero to maintain belief and optimism after such a devastating personal defeat.

The Pain Arc is the Peak of Naruto Shippuden

The Six Paths of Pain Asks All the Tough Questions

Naruto Shippuden features several incredible story arcs, including the intense battle between Sasuke and Itachi, and the thrilling rescue of Gaara. Two arcs, in particular – starting with the Pain Arc – stand out as being as good as, or even better than, anything in One Piece. For many Naruto fans, the Pain Arc is the defining moment of the Shippuden series. While it includes fantastic fights – like those between Naruto and Jiraiya and the Six Paths of Pain – it offers much more than just action.

At its core, the conflict between Naruto and Pain is ethically complex. Both were taught by Jiraiya and shared his dream of peace, but they pursued it in very different ways. They represent two sides of the same coin, making it difficult to determine who is truly correct. This is why Naruto struggled to defend his own vision when Pain challenged him. Even after Pain’s defeat and Nagato’s change of heart, fans continue to debate these issues of hatred and violence, and how to break the cycle.

The Five Kage Summit Arc Explored the World’s Political Landscape

The Meeting of Kage Wasn’t Just to Show Off New Jutsu

Image via Pierrot.

While One Piece has a more detailed and expansive world, Naruto’s worldbuilding can be just as engaging, especially when it’s well-executed. Sometimes, One Piece’s massive scope feels overwhelming, with so many characters, places, and events to follow. Compared to anime like Demon Slayer and Dandadan, which have smaller worlds, Naruto Shippuden strikes a good balance. The Five Kage Summit Arc perfectly demonstrates this – it’s both enjoyable and intense.

When creating a fictional world for anime, it’s important not to overdo the details. Viewers need mental space to focus on characters and their stories, so keeping worldbuilding concise is best. The Five Kage Summit Arc in Naruto excels at this – it brings the world to life through its leaders and their complex political struggles. Even after defeating major villains, the series shows a world that’s still broken, unstable, and filled with deception. The arc is also packed with exciting battles featuring powerful techniques, the introduction of Zetsu, and a rekindled, tense rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke.

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2026-02-18 23:07