5 Best Tournament Arc Anime You Need To Watch

Tournament arcs in anime are often where everything gets turned up with higher stakes, bigger battles, and character moments that stick with you. These arcs bring out the best (and sometimes the worst) in everyone, revealing just how far someone will go to win. 

From powered-up brawls, crazy strategy, to good old-fashioned rivalries, these five anime take the tournament formula and make it unforgettable. If you enjoy structured chaos with over-the-top fights and meaningful showdowns, these tournament arc anime deserve a spot on your watchlist.

5. Yu Yu Hakusho – Dark Tournament Arc

Yusuke Urameshi leads Team Urameshi into the brutal Dark Tournament, held by demons on Hanging Neck Island. Fighters use unique spiritual powers like Kuwabara’s Spirit Sword or Hiei’s Dragon of the Darkness Flame. 

Each match is a life-or-death situation. Toguro’s insane strength and Genkai’s past with him bring heavy tension. Yusuke’s training with Genkai pushes him to unlock greater spiritual energy. Every team member faces challenges that force them to grow, especially Kurama, who shows just how calculating he can be. It's brutal, emotional, and straight-up iconic.

4. My Hero Academia – U.A. Sports Festival

In a world where superpowers called Quirks are normal, Class 1-A battles to prove themselves in the U.A. High School Sports Festival. Izuku Midoriya surprises the crowd by using his borrowed power, One For All, in smart but risky ways. 

Todoroki’s ice and fire abilities, along with his strained family past, become a major focus. Bakugo's relentless attitude keeps the tension high. The festival includes obstacle courses, team battles, and a one-on-one tournament that turns classmates into rivals. It’s a colorful, high-energy arc with major character development and flashy fights.

3. Dragon Ball Z – Cell Games

The Cell Games begin when the bio-engineered villain Cell challenges Earth’s fighters in a tournament to decide the planet’s fate. Goku, Vegeta, Trunks, and others step in, but it's Gohan who takes the spotlight. 

After being pushed too far, Gohan transforms into Super Saiyan 2, unleashing a new level of power. The emotional weight of Goku’s sacrifice, Cell’s unpredictable moves, and the sheer tension of each match keep the arc intense. The arena may be small, but the battle’s impact is massive, shifting the entire direction of the series.

2. Naruto – Chunin Exams

The Chunin Exams start as a standard promotion test but quickly spiral into chaos. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura compete alongside other genin from rival villages. The Forest of Death sets a dangerous tone, while the preliminary and final tournament battles highlight everyone’s unique jutsu. 

Rock Lee’s fight against Gaara is a fan-favorite for good reason. Orochimaru’s hidden motives and the invasion of Konoha twist the event into a warzone. The Chunin Exams do more than test skills, they set up the future of the entire ninja world.

1. Hunter x Hunter – Heaven’s Arena

Gon Freecss and Killua Zoldyck climb the floors of Heaven’s Arena, where fighters earn money and fame through hand-to-hand combat. Things shift when they discover Nen, the energy system that shapes the series. 

Learning Nen becomes essential to move past the 200th floor, and their training with Wing is detailed and practical. Hisoka’s presence adds unpredictability, as he’s dangerous, stylish, and always playing his own game. Unlike other tournament arcs, Heaven’s Arena focuses just as much on learning as it does on fighting, making every match count in unexpected ways.