10 Must-Watch Anime That Have Zero Bad Arcs

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It’s incredibly hard for any show to be consistently great throughout its entire run. This is especially true for anime with complex storylines divided into separate arcs. Shows that tell one continuous story tend to maintain a more even quality, but anime with multiple plotlines often experience noticeable highs and lows.

Some anime truly stand out by consistently delivering incredible storylines. Each arc isn’t just good on its own, but contributes to a larger, even more impressive story. These series are highly recommended because they avoid weak plots and consistently surpass fans’ expectations with every new development.

Many popular, long-running anime series have great moments alongside weaker ones. However, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is often considered one of the most consistently excellent. It’s a highly praised anime that sets a very high standard for other action-adventure shows.

The story arcs in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are exceptionally well-paced. They shift in mood and scale, but consistently build upon the series’ world and drive the plot forward. Throughout the entire series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood sets the standard for skillful and consistently captivating storytelling, thanks to its strong structure.

Hunter x Hunter is a fantastic example of a long-running action series, praised for its intricate plot, detailed world, and complex characters. The show consistently surprises viewers by taking its story in unexpected directions, keeping it fresh and engaging even after many episodes.

Hunter x Hunter stands out as a shonen series that often focuses on characters beyond its main heroes, allowing for compelling storylines like the Chimera Ant and Yorknew City arcs. Though fans may have their favorite arcs, each story within Hunter x Hunter is well-developed and engaging.

Chainsaw Man is a truly remarkable and highly praised anime. Each story arc becomes bolder and more impressive than the last. The series begins with Denji, a young man facing a desperate situation – nearly killed by the yakuza. He survives by merging with his Devil companion, Pochita, and is then forced to make a difficult choice: die or work for the harsh Public Safety Devil Hunters.

Recently, Chainsaw Man continued its success with the powerful and heartbreaking Reze Arc movie. While the anime has done a great job of bringing each story arc to life, fans can still look forward to the manga’s most emotional and impactful plots being adapted in the future.

Unlike many anime series that are divided into smaller story arcs, Vinland Saga has a unique structure. While it has 48 episodes, it’s essentially divided into just two major story sections, each lasting a full season. However, within these two sections, each storyline feels separate and represents a different period in Thorfinn’s life.

To effectively tell its story and explore its central ideas, Vinland Saga isn’t afraid to shift dramatically between different types of arcs. The series starts with a violent revenge tale set in the Viking world – the War Arc – but then surprises viewers by becoming a thoughtful exploration of forgiveness in the Slave Arc, focusing on Thorfinn’s personal development.

The anime Made in Abyss centers on Riko and Reg, two young adventurers exploring a huge, dangerous underground world. Each level of this world, known as the Abyss, has its own special characteristics and challenges. Because of the way the story is structured, it easily breaks down into distinct story arcs, even though these aren’t always formally defined.

Though it looks cheerful on the surface, Made in Abyss is actually a surprisingly dark take on the classic adventure story. Riko and Reg quickly learn that their journey is incredibly dangerous and that there’s no turning back. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly complex and unsettling, but remains captivating throughout.

Haikyuu!! is a compelling story about a struggling high school volleyball team and their journey to success. It’s highly acclaimed for its powerful emotional impact, believable characters, and consistent themes. Each part of the story shows Karasuno High School moving closer to their dream, making every event feel important and connected.

The sports anime Haikyuu!! spends considerable time fleshing out not only its main characters, but also the teams they compete against. Each story arc typically introduces a determined rival team that Karasuno must overcome. What makes each arc stand out, though, is the diverse range of personalities and motivations, combined with the central theme of the protagonists growing and improving as players and individuals.

At first glance, the Monogatari Series might seem like a typical harem anime where a selfless hero helps girls with strange, supernatural problems. But each story arc reveals a much richer and more complex narrative, with surprisingly well-developed characters and a deeper plot than you’d expect.

Each story arc in Monogatari usually focuses on a girl Araragi is trying to help. Her supernatural problems often represent deeper emotional or psychological issues. This approach lets the series develop what initially seem like typical characters into complex and relatable individuals, ultimately telling a compelling story about the challenges of growing up, learning to accept yourself, and taking responsibility for your actions.

Many viewers see Gintama as a funny, self-contained series without a strong overarching story. While it’s true that Gintama often features individual, unrelated episodes, it truly shines when it tackles more complex and dramatic storylines.

Whether it’s a serious, action-packed story like “Yoshiwara in Flames” or “Farewell, Shinsengumi”, Gintama consistently delivers compelling drama. But what truly makes the series special is how these intense arcs are balanced with lighter, comedic episodes. These funny moments and multi-part comedy storylines help viewers connect with the show’s large and quirky cast of characters, creating a uniquely enjoyable experience.

Similar to Gintama, Mob Psycho 100 often includes self-contained episodes that are funny because they highlight the contrast between Mob’s incredible psychic powers and his shy, awkward personality. While it still has plenty of action and comedy, the show generally focuses on developing its characters during longer story arcs.

I absolutely love how Mob Psycho 100 isn’t just about epic battles – it’s a really moving story about learning to accept yourself and grow as a person. What’s amazing is how the characters have to face their own internal struggles, and honestly, those inner demons are way scarier than any powerful enemy they fight! The way the series wraps everything up is just perfect, it really stuck with me.

Starting as a thrilling story about surviving against monstrous creatures and evolving into a heartbreaking depiction of human conflict, Attack on Titan is a complex and ambitious series that has changed a lot over time. Despite these shifts, the overall story feels remarkably well-crafted and complete.

The first part of Attack on Titan centers on the Scouts’ constant and brutal fight against the mysterious Titans. After the characters discover the shocking truth about the world outside the Walls, the series takes on a much darker and more serious tone. However, each story arc in Attack on Titan steadily and skillfully leads to the series’ devastating finale, resulting in an epic story built from carefully planned and well-executed parts.

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2026-02-03 04:44