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10 Hit Anime That Were Almost Ruined by 1 Bad Arc Dragon Ball One Piece Naruto

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By Casandra Ronning Published Feb 5, 2026, 9:04 PM EST Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Add Us On Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Anime has grown in popularity, with countless new fans exploring hit new series and beloved classics. Many of these titles stand out for their influence on the medium and stunning character or narrative developments. However, sometimes even the most popular anime can stumble with a poorly executed arc that disrupts the story’s momentum.

These arcs tend to leave viewers frustrated and weaken the narrative, even for dedicated fans. Whether it’s an arc that overstays its welcome, introduces a massive tonal shift, or simply doesn’t maintain the same standard as previous arcs, one flawed storyline can potentially overshadow a series. Luckily, these hit anime survived massive missteps and remain iconic legends.

Death Note: Mello Arc – Final Arc

Following L’s death, Death Note experienced a significant shift as the series turned to his successors, Mello and Near, to continue pursuing Kira. The two characters independently work to uncover Kira’s identity; however, it was the combined efforts of both that ultimately led to Light’s defeat.

Despite the story’s ambitions, the arcs following L’s death failed to recapture the tension that defined the series up until his death. The psychological duel between Light and L was the cornerstone of the series, and without it, Death Note began to steadily fall flat. That said, the series is still considered a must-watch cult classic.

Sword Art Online: Fairy Dance Arc

Sword-Art-Online-Fairy-Dance-Key-Visual

When Sword Art Online was first released in 2012, it instantly exploded in popularity and sparked interest in the isekai genre. However, the second half of the first season featured a shift from Aincrad to ALfheim, exchanging its life-or-death survival story for a rescue story in a world built around flight and magic.

The arc is widely considered the downfall of Sword Art Online, marked by notable flaws, including the loss of agency for its female lead and the introduction of an antagonist who lacks complexity. Paired with awkward romantic subplots, the storyline greatly undermined the series. While Sword Art Online remains a divisive series, its next arcs, particularly Alicization, receive more praise.

Bleach: Bount Arc

Bleach-Bount-Assault-Jin-Kariya

The Bount Arc in Bleach is anime-original content that follows the Soul Society rescue. It centers on a group of immortal, soul-devouring beings who seek revenge against Soul Society, sparking conflicts that extend into the Human World. The arc introduces new characters such as the Bount leader, Jin Kariya.

This arc is one of the most hated in Bleach, with many fans pointing out its length, poor pacing, and poor timing. While the arc didn’t drive fans away from Bleach, many were relieved that the storyline was over and shared that they won’t be watching it again.

Dragon Ball GT: Black Star Dragon Ball Saga

Promotional image for Dragon Ball GT featuring Goku, Pan, Vegeta, Trunks, and Giru.Shueisha/Toei Animation

Dragon Ball GT opens with the Black Star Dragon Ball Saga. This arc transforms Goku back into a child and introduces a space quest to retrieve the Black Star Dragon Balls before Earth is destroyed. The arc centers on Goku, Trunks, and Pan’s adventure across the universe in an attempt to recreate the same tone as early Dragon Ball.

Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired. The episodic structure created inconsistent stakes, and many villains were forgettable, resulting in a rather subpar experience. While future storylines, such as the Baby Saga, helped the series stand out, its earliest episodes were enough to alienate audiences.

Naruto Shippuden: Fourth Great Ninja War

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke stand in front of the smoke-filled sky during the Fourth Shinobi World War in Naruto Shippuden

The Fourth Great Ninja War spans a massive portion of Naruto Shippuden and unites nearly every major character against the Akatsuki and their army. While the arc had plenty of iconic moments and battles, it stretched on far too long, and many battles became repetitive with unearned power-ups.

While its scale and ambition were admirable, the execution faltered under its own weight. Pacing was slowed by side battles and filler-like diversions, and several climactic moments felt incredibly rushed or underdeveloped. Naruto Shippuden is easily one of the greatest anime; however, its longest arc has plenty of flaws.

Fairy Tail: Alvarez Empire Arc

Fairy Tail is another series that many fans are divided on, however, it has a dedicated fan base that is loyal to the series. However, even diehard fans cite the Alvarez Empire Arc as one of the weakest arcs in the series, despite marking the climactic confrontation between Fairy Tail and the Alvarez Empire, which was led by Zeref.

The arc felt rushed, used excessive plot armor, and constantly diminished the tension with numerous fake-out deaths that grew increasingly frustrating to watch. The central villains, the Spriggan 12, were majorly overhyped, only to be defeated in ways that felt massively underwhelming. Despite that, Fairy Tail remains a fan-favorite for many and earned a spin-off, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest.

One Piece: Dressrosa Arc

One Piece's Dressrosa Island with Doflamingo Donquixote Face as the Background.

The Dressrosa arc in One Piece centers on the Straw Hats and Trafalgar Law as they take action against Doflamingo on the island Dressrosa. The arc is one of the longest arcs in the series, spanning over 100 episodes.

While the arc has its memorable moments, the pacing is among the worst, as the anime often adapted fewer than one chapter per episode, relying on flashbacks and excessive reaction shots. At times, the arc felt disjointed or chaotic, leading to a less-than-stellar viewing experience.

Black Clover: Magic Knights Entrance Arc

The Magic Knights Entrance Arc is the first in Black Clover, introducing Asta and Yuno as they take on trials to join one of the Clover Kingdom’s elite Magic Knights squads. The arc introduced viewers to the universe and its unique magic system, along with the defining traits of its protagonist, Asta.

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That said, many fans initially turned away from the series due to Asta’s obnoxiously loud and constant yelling and overreliance on typical shōnen tropes. However, the series soon carved out its own identity and now stands as a defining shōnen series with a dedicated fan base.

My Hero Academia: Joint Training Arc

My Hero Academia: group shot from Joint Training arc's title sequence.

The Joint Training Arc in My Hero Academia pits Class 1-A against Class 1-B in a series of combat experiences that show off Class 1-A’s growth and offer Class 1-B an opportunity to take the spotlight. The series takes place at U.A., with teachers overseeing every battle, offering a low-stakes, slow-paced arc.

While the arc introduced interesting developments, including Deku’s Blackwhip, it cut the series’s tension and slowed the pacing following one of the series’s most intense arcs. Many viewers felt the arc dragged on far too long and had little payoff, making it one of the weakest in My Hero Academia.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Endless Eight

The characters in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Endless Eight arc

The Endless Eight Arc in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is eight episodes that replay the same summer vacation over and over, trapping the SOS Brigade in a time loop caused by Haruhi’s unconscious wish for that summer to never end. Over eight episodes, there are subtle variations, however, each episode is largely the same.

Despite its experimental premise and effectiveness in immersing viewers in the club’s predicament, many found it increasingly tedious as time went on. Years later, the arc remains infamous and divisive among fans.

Anime

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