It’s not easy for an anime series to go without a weak arc. Shōnen series are the most likely to encounter this problem, as there are only so many fighting sequences a series can show before it loses the plot or becomes oversaturated with meaningless battles. Thankfully, there are five shōnen sensations that don’t have any weak arcs.
Going without a weak arc was virtually impossible for the older generation of shōnen anime. Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Bleach have hundreds of episodes, and there are more than a few filler arcs in each of them. The new generation avoids this problem masterfully, creating much better watching experiences that tell even better stories in fewer episodes.
Hunter x Hunter Is Nearly 200 Episodes Long and Doesn’t Have a Skippable Moment
Hunter x Hunter is a rare example of a 2010 shōnen series that isn’t rife with filler. Even at almost 200 episodes, Hunter x Hunter doesn’t have an ounce of filler, apart from two recap episodes. Not only are there absolutely no weak storylines, but Hunter x Hunter has some of the most refreshing and invigorating arcs in anime.
From the Hunter Exam Arc to the Greed Island Arc, Hunter x Hunter has nothing but hits. Out of every arc in the series, however, none are quite as memorizing as the Chimera Ant Arc. Mereum was a perfect villain, Netero showed the duality of humanity, and Gon’s reaction to his mentor’s death is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
While there’s no telling what the future holds for the massively popular series, in a way, it doesn’t matter. Hunter x Hunter delivered some of the best arcs the genre has ever seen, and even if there isn’t a second season, it’s done more than a few things most other shōnen series couldn’t even dream of.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a comfortable pick for the single greatest anime ever made. There are a ton of series that are great, a handful that can be considered legendary, and less than ten that have a legitimate claim to the top of the throne. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of those ten.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a rare series that’s perfect for both newcomers to anime and veterans of the art form. There’s something about it that’s timeless, as nearly two decades later, it’s still unbelievable. It’s a relatively quick watch at only 64 episodes, which is great because it doesn’t waste a moment telling its nuanced, character-drvien, thematically heavy, and perfectly plotted story.
It’s hard to pick a single arc within Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood that stands out because they’re all exceptional. The final arc might just take it though, as nothing feels more satisfying than watching Father lose, Ed get his arm back, and Al get his body back.
Haikyu!! Is a Sports Anime That Always Flies High
Haikyu!! transcends sports anime. It’s not only the best sports anime ever made — it’s one of the best anime ever, full stop. Every episode is meaningful, every match packing the emotional stakes of a championship. It’s genuinely impressive how exciting, captivating, and nerve-wracking series’ creator Haruichi Furudate made volleyball look, and fans can never look at the sport the same way again.
Not only does it not have a weak arc, but the series inarguably doesn’t even have a weak moment. There is absolutely no filler in the series, nor are there useless B-plots that don’t move the series along. Every character has an important role to play, and they all play their parts masterfully.
There are several arcs in Haikyu!! that have to be considered perfect; the most flawless, however, is the vs. Shiratorizawa Arc where Karasuno takes on Ushiwaka, one of the greatest players in the series. Seeing Karasuno’s crows come together to defeat this unstoppable mountain of a young man is one of the greatest experiences the medium has to offer.
Jujutsu Kaisen Is the Best Shōnen of the Modern Era
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Image via MAPPA -
Image via MAPPA -
Image via MAPPA
At the moment, shōnen fans are spoiled. From Demon Slayer breaking box office records to Chainsaw Man releasing one of the greatest anime films ever made, it might not be hyperbolic to say that it’s never been a better time to be a fan of the genre.
Out of every amazing shōnen in the current era, however, none are quite as good as Jujutsu Kaisen. The older generation of shōnen is rooted in forgiveness. The new generation, namely Jujutsu Kaisen, couldn’t be more different, with a much darker story rooted in brutality and death.
Through several flawless arcs, Jujutsu Kaisen tells one of the most brutal stories in anime. Itadori Yuji has suffered more than most, and with the fourth season of the hit anime around the corner, it looks like that won’t change any time soon.
Attack on Titan Is a Generational Masterpiece
There’s a reason that Attack on Titan is considered to be the greatest anime of the 2010s. If Dragon Ball Z brought anime to America, Attack on Titan thrust it into mainstream culture.
There isn’t an arc in Attack on Titan that can be considered anything less than a 9/10. Every arc is almost perfect, and there are a few that are comfortably flawless. The series itself feels like several different shōnen anime blended into one, as there are so many twists in Attack on Titan that it’s impressive how well the series melds together.
Out of every arc in Attack on Titan, the single greatest might be the Return to Shiganshina Arc. This arc features Erwin Smith’s heart-pounding speech, Levi Ackermann’s decimation of the Beast Titan, and so much more.
