7 Anime Arcs With The Best Endings, Ranked

Over the years, anime has given us many memorable story arcs, spanning all sorts of genres. Some arcs are praised for their strong writing, while others are known for their exciting battles. But the most beloved arcs often stand out because of their incredible endings – endings that fans remember fondly and will likely cherish for years to come. There have been so many great arcs, but a few truly unforgettable conclusions have left a lasting impact.

7. Marineford

Anime: One Piece

Many fans consider the Marineford arc to be the best in One Piece. It marked the end of the story before the timeskip and featured a huge, devastating war. During the battle, both Ace and Whitebeard tragically died. With their defeat, the Marines were on the verge of completely destroying the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies, leaving Monkey D. Luffy heartbroken and stunned by his brother’s death.

I witnessed a truly incredible turn of events at the war. Koby bravely protested, putting his own life on the line and nearly being branded a traitor by Akainu. Then, after years of silence, Shanks finally intervened. He and his Red Hair Pirates arrived just in the nick of time, saving Koby from Akainu’s attack and effectively ending the battle. Their arrival allowed the Whitebeard Pirates, and Luffy, to retreat safely. It wasn’t just the action though; the aftermath was powerful, watching Luffy grapple with the loss of his brother was deeply moving.

6. Arabasta

Anime: One Piece

One of the things One Piece does best is ending story arcs in a satisfying way. Over its nearly 30-year history, creator Eiichiro Oda has crafted many memorable conclusions, with the Arabasta arc being particularly popular alongside Marineford.

The Arabasta arc marked a significant turning point in One Piece, as Luffy confronted and defeated Crocodile, a powerful member of the Shichibukai, to liberate Arabasta and its princess, Vivi. The arc concluded with Crocodile’s deception revealed to the people and, after years of drought, rain finally falling on the kingdom. Though Vivi chose to remain in Arabasta to care for her country, leading to a very emotional farewell, she couldn’t openly say goodbye to the Straw Hat Pirates without being labeled a traitor. Instead, the crew proudly displayed an ‘X’ on their hands as a symbol of their enduring friendship. Fans have been eagerly anticipating a reunion for over two decades.

5. 13th Hunter Chairman Election Arc

Anime: Hunter x Hunter

Yoshihiro Togashi is known for creating some of the most memorable story arcs in anime history. Many fans consider the Chimera Ant arc to be his greatest work overall, but the Chairman Election arc is widely praised for having the strongest and most satisfying conclusion.

This story arc properly introduced Ging Freecss and the powerful members of the Zodiacs. It focused heavily on Killua’s desperate attempts to heal Gon after the difficult events of the Chimera Ant arc. Ultimately, Killua and his sister Alluka succeeded in restoring Gon to health. With Gon recovered, he was finally able to fulfill his long-held goal of meeting his father, Ging. Their meeting takes place at the top of the World Tree, and they share a heartfelt conversation. Notably, this arc concludes the Hunter X Hunter anime series, making it a particularly memorable and significant part of the story.

4. Sasuke Retrieval Arc

Anime: Naruto

Masashi Kishimoto created many memorable story arcs in Naruto. Although several of the earlier arcs have satisfying endings, the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, which happens right before the time skip, stands out as one of the very best. In this arc, Naruto teams up with other young ninja – Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, Kiba, and Rock Lee – to try and prevent Sasuke from falling under the influence of Orochimaru.

I remember the fights in this part of the story being really intense, but honestly, it’s the ending that stuck with me. Seeing Sasuke beat Naruto and then choose to side with Orochimaru was a huge moment. It really set the stage for everything that happened later in the series, and in a strange way, it actually made Naruto and Sasuke’s relationship even stronger.

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3. Stone Ocean

Anime: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

In recent years, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has become a hugely popular anime. While the series has many exciting moments, the ending of Part 6, called Stone Ocean, is particularly memorable. This part focuses on Jolyne Cujoh, the daughter of a previous hero, Jotaro Kujo, and her fight to break out of the Green Dolphin Prison and rescue her father from a follower of the villain Dio Brando, named Pucci. Part 6 is notably different from the other parts of the series.

The conclusion of Stone Ocean is unusual for a JoJo story. While Jolyne, Jotaro, and their allies initially fail and seemingly die, the universe resets thanks to Emporio’s actions, allowing them to be reborn as new people. This ending not only wraps up Part 6, but also brings the entire story of this JoJo universe to a close.

2. War Arc

Anime: Vinland Saga

Vinland Saga is a hugely popular and well-regarded anime series for mature audiences, largely due to the incredible storytelling of its creator, Makoto Yukimura. While the series features many strong story arcs, the ending of the War arc is considered one of its best.

The first season’s ‘War’ storyline concluded with a significant battle, leaving Thorfinn determined to avenge his father’s death by killing Askeladd. However, this ending is powerful because it completely breaks Thorfinn. He doesn’t achieve his revenge, and suddenly feels lost without a clear purpose. This leads to him being enslaved, but ultimately sets the stage for his growth and development as a person.

1. Ruhenheim Arc

Anime: Monster

Monster isn’t about constant action; it’s a series driven by strong writing and suspense. The story maintains a consistently high quality, with every story arc being popular among fans. While each arc has memorable moments, the Ruhenheim Arc is particularly outstanding. This arc concludes the long pursuit of Johan Liebert by Dr. Tenma and brings all the story’s threads together. It finally reveals the mysteries surrounding Johan and his sister, culminating in a satisfying and enjoyable ending.

The series Monster begins with Dr. Tenma saving the life of a boy who later grows up to be a dangerous serial killer. The show comes full circle in its final moments, echoing the first episode. Even after learning the full extent of Johan Liebert’s evil, Tenma chooses to operate on him again, saving his life. This ending brilliantly connects the entire story and Tenma’s core beliefs, creating a powerful and unique conclusion.

2026-05-16 05:36