The past decade has been incredible for anime fans, delivering some of the most captivating stories ever. Anime series across all types of genres have really impressed viewers, whether it’s the remake of the romantic classic Fruits Basket, the exciting action of Demon Slayer, the funny everyday moments in Horimiya, or the charming awkwardness of Bocchi the Rock! While many entire series are deserving of praise, sometimes a single, outstanding story arc truly stands out.
Anime series vary in quality, so it’s common to rank specific story arcs within longer shows. Shorter, self-contained anime like Bocchi the Rock! work well as a complete package, but longer series such as My Hero Academia and Oshi no Ko benefit from being analyzed arc by arc. This allows fans to identify the truly outstanding story arcs of the past decade. While many arcs have been popular – like the Mugen Train arc from Demon Slayer – they often pale in comparison to the very best arcs in recent anime history.
My Hero Academia’s Shie Hassaikai Arc Was Classic Superhero Action
This Arc Felt Like Something Straight Out of Marvel or DC Comics
Image via studio Bones.
While not the strongest story arc of the last decade, the Shie Hassaikai Arc ranks among the less impactful ones. It’s a fairly simple story, lacking the deep themes and ideas found in some of My Hero Academia‘s best arcs. Essentially, it’s a classic superhero story brought to anime, and it executes that familiar concept very well.
The Shie Hassaikai Arc is brilliantly executed, with a perfect balance of pacing, emotional depth, character development, unique abilities, and suspense. It’s even more compelling than the UA Sports Festival or the battle at Kamino Ward. When Deku and Mirio Togata took on the responsibility of saving Eri from Overhaul, the arc truly shined, showing what being a hero really means. Deku was previously focused on training and competition, but this arc forced him to understand that real people’s lives – like Eri’s, who desperately needed a hero – depended on his choices and actions.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shibuya Incident Arc Turned Yuji’s World Upside Down in a Bloodbath
Few Anime Have the Guts to Kill Off So Many Characters
Image via MAPPA. The first season of Jujutsu Kaisen successfully combined serious drama, intense action, and lighthearted humor, creating a really engaging experience. While some viewers were shocked by the darker and more violent events of the Shibuya Incident Arc, it was necessary for the story to evolve. Jujutsu Kaisen was always meant to be a dark and frightening series, and the story needed to raise the stakes eventually.
The Shibuya Incident arc in Jujutsu Kaisen truly showcased the series’ dark potential, with many characters facing death or near-death experiences. This arc drastically worsened the already complicated relationship between Yuji and Ryomen Sukuna, raising the stakes to an extreme level. The lighthearted moments ended abruptly as Yuji found himself increasingly isolated and vulnerable after losing Kento, Satoru, and Nobara. Jujutsu Kaisen boldly killed off significant characters and concluded the arc with a shocking twist that completely changed the direction of the story, and the result was incredibly effective.
One Piece’s Egghead Island Arc Pitted the Straw Hats Against the Five Elders
Dr. Vegapunk Dominated This Arc as a Scientist With a Dire Warning
Image via Toei Animation. As a huge One Piece fan, I have to say the series has consistently delivered incredible story arcs! We all remember loving things like the Alabasta Saga and the epic battle at Marineford, and even though Wano took its time, it had some truly amazing highs. But honestly, I think the Egghead Island arc is already the best we’ve seen in the last ten years! It’s just so well-paced, even better than Wano in that regard. It might not feel as overwhelmingly huge as Wano did, and that’s okay – it’s a different kind of fantastic.
Watching the Egghead Island arc felt like a complete rollercoaster. We saw Dr. Vegapunk’s quirky brilliance, and things quickly escalated with the Straw Hats facing off against incredibly powerful enemies – the Five Elders, CP0, and even Admiral Kizaru. Luffy really pushed the limits of Gear 5, and honestly, Bartholomew Kuma’s backstory was heartbreaking. To top it all off, we learned the Ancient Weapons are about to be used to flood the world, which sets up some seriously huge challenges for the crew moving forward.
Attack on Titan’s War For Paradis Arc Was the Long-Awaited Explosive Endgame
Eren Yeager Became the Best Hero Turned Villain of All Time
Image via studio MAPPA. While the Attack on Titan anime has faced some criticism, particularly regarding its ending, it’s also known for its incredibly daring and impactful storytelling. The first season in 2013 was a huge hit, and the recent final arcs delivered a thrilling and suspenseful conclusion. Even those who didn’t love the ending can acknowledge that the ‘War for Paradis’ arc aimed for a suitably grand finale, and many fans believe the final arc completely succeeded.
The Paradis Arc of Attack on Titan revealed shocking truths about the Titans and the larger conflict surrounding them. This arc focused on the fractured relationship between half-brothers Eren and Zeke, who clashed over the fate of the Titans, the Eldian people, and the world. The series had evolved dramatically from its initial premise of battling Titans at the walls, and Eren’s descent into a global threat powerfully emphasized this change.
Oshi no Ko’s Prologue: Childhood Arc Twisted the Genre Into Something Incredible
Two Hard-Hitting Plot Twists Changed Aqua’s and Ruby’s Lives Forever
Image via studio Doga Kobo. While many classic anime arcs rely on exciting action, Oshi no Ko captivated audiences through a different approach. The show quickly established itself as a sharp critique of the entertainment industry’s darker side, promising a story where characters face serious consequences. The first arc particularly stunned fans with two major plot twists: the deaths and rebirths of Dr. Amamiya and Sarina, and then the shocking murder of Ai Hoshino, a moment that truly set Oshi no Ko apart.
The story begins as a quirky and bittersweet look at the Hoshino family’s everyday life, but quickly transforms into a dark tale of revenge and self-discovery. It’s gripping to watch Aqua struggle with his sanity as he pursues vengeance, and equally compelling to see if Ruby will fulfill her potential as a performer or suffer a similar tragedy to her mother. The dramatic shift from Aqua’s unusual upbringing to his quest for revenge is what makes the first arc of the story so captivating.
Vinland Saga’s Slave Arc Forced Thorfinn and Canute to Carry Heavy Burdens
Thorfinn Grappled With His Past While Canute Grappled With the Crown
Image via MAPPA. Among manga readers, most fans of mature titles consider Berserk slightly superior to Vinland Saga, but the anime adaptation of Vinland Saga is widely considered the stronger of the two. The first part of the Vinland Saga anime was a powerful and emotional story about revenge and finding purpose. Similar to Oshi no Ko, the series then took a surprising turn after a major character’s death, completely changing its focus.
The death of Askeladd forced Thorfinn to give up his quest for revenge and truly consider the meaning of violence. This is the heart of the ‘Slave Arc,’ where a humbled Thorfinn works as a farmhand and confronts his inner turmoil. It’s a heavy burden, one that Prince Canute understands well. As he deals with the responsibilities of ruling, Canute is haunted by memories of his father’s death. Though now king, Canute’s challenges are far from over.
Bleach’s Thousand-Year Blood War Arc Proves Why This is a “Big Three” Anime
Bleach’s Final Arc is Leaner and Meaner Than Naruto’s Own Final Arc
The original Bleach anime became hugely popular, earning its place among the most successful action anime alongside Naruto and One Piece. However, its popularity declined, and the anime was eventually cancelled in 2012. After a decade, Bleach returned with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. This new series delivers the classic Bleach action fans loved, but with updated animation and a fresh take on the story, making it more than just a simple revival.
The final arc of Bleach revitalized the series, becoming a modern classic thanks to its imaginative fight scenes, exploration of competition and self-satisfaction, and compelling character development. Characters like Ichigo, Rukia, Byakuya, and Kenpachi demonstrated that anyone can improve with dedication and self-reflection. This growth was crucial as the Soul Society faced a devastating war with the Wandenreich, a conflict that finally revealed the truth about Ichigo’s mother and the original Zangetsu. Combined with excellent pacing and high production quality, this arc stands out as the best anime story of the last ten years.
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2026-02-03 00:07