7 Anime Arcs That Are Longer Than the Entire Demon Slayer Anime

Following the recent return of the Demon Slayer anime, fans of the series eagerly anticipate the upcoming season and what it has in store for them. However, it is clear to even those who have only watched the anime that the series is approaching its end, as evident by the first episode of its fourth season. As of writing this article, the Demon Slayer anime has a total of 56 episodes.

Despite the surprise and disappointment of some fans over the perceived short length of the Demon Slayer anime, others are interested in just how short it is. However, a comparison to other popular anime shows reveals that even individual arcs, not just entire series, have longer runtimes than the entire Demon Slayer anime (so far).

The Length of Demon Slayer Anime Compared to Individual Story Arcs in Naruto, One Piece, and More

Fourth Shinobi World War in Naruto

Every nation in the series' Ninja World finds themselves embroiled in war yet again to conclude the series (Image via Pierrot) — Every nation in the series’ Ninja World finds themselves embroiled in war yet again to conclude the series (Image via Pierrot)

Starting off the list is the Fourth Shinobi World War arc from Naruto, which includes 119 canon episodes and 160 episodes overall, including filler. This arc holds the record for being one of the longest in anime history, as well as being the longest one in the Naruto series. Whether counting by runtime or episode count, it far surpasses the current total episode count of the ongoing Demon Slayer anime series.

The arc’s extensive length can largely be attributed to its methodical, battle-by-battle approach. Each aspect of the titular conflict is carefully examined before being connected to a central theme. While it may be a gradual progression, the payoff is worth it as every character receives extra attention and development.

Dressrosa: The Island of Adventures (One Piece)

The island of Dressrosa is one on which the Straw Hats leave their mark in the best way possible (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite its initial controversy, the Dressrosa arc of One Piece remains a topic of debate among anime fans, particularly in terms of its inclusion on this list. Although the arc has improved in reception over the years, some still argue that its 118-episode length is excessive. Even if it were trimmed by a third, it would still far surpass the length of the current Demon Slayer anime and potentially exceed its final episode count.

Despite this, the arc’s use of an epic storytelling style and gradual development, along with the weaving together of multiple plotlines, do provide some justification for its extensive length. Although it may not have been executed as successfully as in later arcs of comparable length, it was still commendable given that it was author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s initial attempt at using this method.

Future Arc (Hitman Reborn!)

Tsuna and his allies are tasked with saving the future in one of Hitman Reborn!'s longest arcs (Image via Artland Inc.) — Tsuna and his allies are tasked with saving the future in one of Hitman Reborn!’s longest arcs (Image via Artland Inc.)

Hitman Reborn!’s Future arc is a lesser-known anime series included in this list. Despite its 129 episodes, it can be considered more of a saga due to the numerous sub-arcs it encompasses. Even if it were halved in length, it would still surpass the currently released episode count of the popular Demon Slayer anime and come close to matching its eventual total episode count.

The Future arc’s extensive duration can be attributed to its central plot, where protagonist Tsuna and his allies journey ten years ahead. In addition, the arc delves into the details of the future, including changes, enemies, and other crucial developments, providing ample setup and elaboration.

4) The Island of Whole Cake (One Piece)

The Whole Cake Island arc sees the Straw Hats get some new allies after splitting their crew in two temporarily (Image via Toei Animation)

As the sequel to the epic Dressrosa arc, One Piece’s Whole Cake Island arc showcases Oda’s growth as a storyteller, with a more justified length due to its intricate plotlines. Additionally, Oda managed to significantly improve the episode count for this arc, although its 95 episodes will still surpass the eventual total of the Demon Slayer anime.

The Whole Cake Island arc is highly praised for its focus on the character development of Sanji, which plays a crucial role in shaping the events, battles, and conflicts within the arc. Along with its captivating action sequences, intriguing characters, and an enticing setup for future events, it is viewed as less controversial compared to the Dressrosa arc.

Chimera Ant arc in Hunter x Hunter

The Chimera Ant arc is home to one of Hunter x Hunter's best and most beloved fights (Image via Madhouse) — The Chimera Ant arc is home to one of Hunter x Hunter’s best and most beloved fights (Image via Madhouse)

Despite Hunter x Hunter’s Chimera Ant arc surpassing the current total episode count of the Demon Slayer anime at the time of writing, the upcoming fourth season of the series is expected to push it past the 61-episode mark. One of the standout accomplishments of the Chimera Ant arc is its ability to achieve so much in just 60 episodes.

The Chimera Ant arc depicts protagonists Gon and Killua as they team up with a Hunter Association Extermination Team in order to eradicate the Chimera Ants, who are devouring humans and plotting to conquer the world. Throughout the arc, Gon experiences significant growth through the presence of his childhood mentor Kite, revealing a previously unseen side of the character that fans had yet to witness.

One Piece: The Wano Arc

Luffy and co visit One Piece's version of Japan in the Wano arc (Image via Toei Animation) — Luffy and co visit One Piece’s version of Japan in the Wano arc (Image via Toei Animation)

The Wano arc, the third and final entry in the One Piece series, is also the longest, spanning nearly three times the number of episodes as the Demon Slayer anime after season 4. Despite its length, Oda manages to incorporate the best elements from both the Dressrosa and Whole Cake Island arcs, creating what many fans consider to be a potentially flawless segment of the story.

Similarly, the Wano arc acts as the culmination of events established in the aforementioned arcs, showcasing the return of various characters and plotlines from these previous focuses. It also marks the introduction of Luffy’s comical Gear 5 form, which is evidently poised to have a significant impact in the final stages of the series, as seen through the progression of the manga’s Final Saga thus far.

Bourbon and Akai arc

The titular operative Bourbon makes it his mission to defeat Conan in one of the series' longest arcs (Image via TMS Entertainment) — The titular operative Bourbon makes it his mission to defeat Conan in one of the series’ longest arcs (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Similarly, the last arc featured on this list is also the lengthiest, exceeding the Demon Slayer anime’s total number of episodes by nearly four times. With a total of 274 episodes, the Bourbon and Akai arc of Detective Conan perfectly embodies and embraces the series’ gradual and deliberate pace.

Essentially, this arc introduces Bourbon, a newly recruited member of the Black Organization, whose goal is to eliminate the titular sleuth of the series in order to prevent interference in the group’s nefarious schemes. The two sides engage in a prolonged investigation and confrontation, in line with the series’ main narrative structure, but this does result in a slower pace for the arc.

In summation

Despite its short length, the Demon Slayer anime remains one of the most popular and influential shows of the 21st century. However, its brevity is a notable flaw that is becoming more apparent. Nonetheless, the series makes up for this by offering exceptional quality and is definitely a must-watch for any anime fan.