In the Shonen anime series, the fans get majorly excited by that one scene that they have been expecting for moments before. What is it? Obviously, fighting scenes? That too, but fans like it more when the hero gets all-powerful, gathers people, makes a plan, and goes to save the princess in dismal! Yes, the rescue/retrieval scenes or arcs in an anime series are the most hyped scenes that fans do not want to miss for anyone’s sake.
However, there is no guarantee that the hostage, who the hero goes to save, would feel any good for being saved. Instead, some may hate the idea that they are needed to be saved and may end up hating the protagonist even. Those are rare cases, of course. Some characters end up thinking that they are just not good enough to be saved, so they are instead prepared for whatever is to come. Other characters feel blessed to have friends who would even risk their lives to come to them. While we may like the retrieval scenes, there are also times when someone’s retrieval ends the other’s chance of being rescued.
10 Best Retrieval Arcs In Shonen Anime
Retrieval arcs are the part fans like the most, second to fighting/tournament arcs. Most definitely, there are many retrieval arcs in Shonen Anime than in the list below. However, these are some of the best which are worth mentioning.
10. When Saitama Saved Genos – One Punch Man
“Mosquitoes suck!” said Saitama. So much thrill only to laugh it out in the end after Saitama quotes the line. When Saitama gains his recognized rivals and acquaintances, it is only thanks to meeting Genos after all. The first meet wasn’t so bad after all. Genos, who was about to self-destruct, met Saitama and wanted to be his apprentice. Although, here, Genos wasn’t waiting for someone to save him. He would rather self-destruct. It is still, indeed, a lot more relieving scene for many.
9. The Farewell Shinsengumi Arc – Gintama
The first Episode of Gintama, and one would think it’s a no-brainer series. But, the Gintama series is more than just that. One could only expect nothing to get the most out of the Gintama series. And amongst the whole series, the Shinsengumi arc is considered one of the best. The introduction of many main antagonists of the series, the Shinsengumi arc, also has retrieval scenes that are totally up to the fan’s liking.
Also Read: 10 Best Quotes of Gintoki Sakata from Gintama
8. Killua Rescued From His Family – Hunter x Hunter
Hunter X Hunter has been on every fan’s favorite list, especially the retrieval arc, where Gon goes to save Killua from his family. The Zoldyck family are members of eccentric assassins. They are brutal, that is for sure. When Killua returned home, they had tortured him for quite some time. They also didn’t let him see Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio. However, with Gon’s and Killua’s determination and trust in each other, they could succeed in finally escaping from the Zoldyck family’s grasp.
7. Sister Lily And Village Saved By Asta And Yuno – Black clover
The Black Clover fans are aware of what feelings Asta holds for Sister Lily. So, getting a scene where Asta gets to show how reliable he is to Sister Lily would be so exciting to see. And soon, the scene came that fans had anticipated. When the village of Hage was in danger from the elves, Asta and Yuno came just in time. Nash, who remembered Asta’s words, tried to fight back to protect his family.
Asta and Yuno parted ways from the other members, Nozelle, Noelle, and others, and came in to save their family. Thankfully, they were right in time, before Nash was attacked instead. As Digit Taliss, a member of the Purple Orcas, was possessed by an elf spirit. He started attacking the whole village. Sister Lily was fighting to protect the children. Unable to affect the elf anymore, it was just about a moment when the two arrived.
Also Read: 10 Most Interesting Facts About Liebe From Black Clover
6. Sasuke Recovery Arc – Naruto
Naruto fans are fully aware of what Naruto can actually portray. Knowing that the series depicts great friendship, Naruto fans love the Sasuke Recovery arc. A friend, who would worry about your well-being, is definitely a true friend. As Sasuke leaves Konoha to train under the villainous Orochimaru, Naruto is eager to bring him back. Nevertheless, as a trainee ninja, a genin that is, he knows that he cannot go out all by himself – he needs a team.
In addition to Shikamaru, who was recently promoted to the rank of chunin, he is joined by Kiba, Naruto, Chōji, and Neji. And in order to fight the Sound Four, which is a group of powerful ninjas who works for Orochimaru, the five must fight together. As the mission ends, Naruto and Sasuke battle in a climactic battle. The end result, Sasuke prevails. However, the mission ends in failure, not because they failed to fight their enemies, but because they failed either to defeat Sasuke or convince him to come back on his own accord.
5. Lucy Heartfelia’s Rescue – Fairy Tail
There have been many attempts to harm Lucy in the Fairy Tail series. And there have also been many times when Lucy was put in danger. Even though Lucy does her best and tries her hardest to come out of the troubles, she often gets rescued by Natsu and others. And amongst the most notable retrieval of Lucy has been the time when Lucy gets captured by the Kingdom of Fiore.
This time around, it is rather hard for Natsu and the others to break through Mercurius into the Kingdom of Fiore. Natsu and the others even fall into a trap while trying to save Lucy. Despite the difficulties, Lucy is saved by her teammates. The situation was a lot more complicated than they thought it would be, including Lucy from the future. While Lucy from the present was alive, the future Lucy couldn’t live for long, leaving a rather more complicated situation.
4. Eren’s Rescue – Attack On Titan
Sometimes, even the protagonist needs a saving. After all, the protagonist has certain immeasurable values, which are eyed upon by many. Eren, for example, has the power of the founding titan, which both the Eldians and the Marleyans want. His life has been at stack ever since he was known to have the power of titan instead. He had to live his life being doubted by the people who looked at him with untrustworthy eyes.
However, there has been a time when Eren was saved. When Eren was taken hostage by Reiner and Bertolt, the whole Survey Corps Squad could only think of bringing him back. While Bertolt tied them together, Eren was protected by Reiner’s titan form. This actually made it hard for the Corps to reach out to him. However, with some openings, Eren was brought back. They fought together to save Eren, to save humanity!
Also Read: Armin Vs. Erwin: Who Deserved The Power of Colossal Titan?
3. Bakugou’s Rescue – My Hero Academia
Because Bakugou is so brazen, he would never accept anyone’s help. He would rather get stronger and never get into trouble instead. However, once when Bakugou was taken away, he was saved by Midoriya, Todoroki, Iida, Kirishima, Yaoyorozu, All Might, and other heroes. Despite knowing the risks, the Midoriya team went forward to save Bakugou from the villains.
Bakugou, who is so upright about being the one to save himself, then had to be saved, couldn’t control his anger. Though not at fault, he blamed himself for not being able to protect himself and instead bringing the ruin of All Might. But, nobody blamed him, except for himself, and instead, everyone was content enough that Bakugou was safe.
2. The Ryouka Invasion – Bleach
Saving a friend from kidnappers is different from saving a friend from being executed. In the Bleach series, the Ryoka Invasion is where Ichigo, Orihime, Yasutora, Uryu, and Yoruichi break into Soul Society to save Rukia from being executed. From his Bankai training, Ichigo was stronger than before and even defeated the 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Thanks to everyone, especially Ichigo’s efforts, Rukia could have been saved from execution.
1. Enies Lobby Arc – One Piece
The best retrieval arc in Shonen anime and in the One Piece series is the Enies Lobby Arc. To rescue Nico Robin and Franky, Straw Hats, Sogeking, the Franky Family, and Galley-La company shipwrights arrive at Enies Lobby. Learning the fact that one isn’t a burden on their own group is such a relief.
You realize you’d put your friends in danger when every organization you join would be destroyed. Nico, who knew that staying with the Straw Hats would only bring darkness upon them, did not seek help from them. Instead, the Straw Hats went all out to help her rescue.
Also Read: Grade Swords From One Piece Explained
