Best “Slice Of Battle Shōnen” Episodes (Quiet Before the Storm)

These episodes offer a calmer pace, setting the stage for major conflicts by subtly building tension and introducing important plot elements. Each recommendation highlights its specific placement within the season, how it connects different storylines, and the crucial details it establishes, making it easy to find these essential setup episodes when you want to revisit them.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013) – “Night of the Battle to Retake the Wall”

This episode wraps up all the preparations for the mission to close Wall Maria at Shiganshina. It shows the Survey Corps getting into position, confirms when the operation will begin, and establishes who is in charge. We see the final details – checking equipment, assigning roles, and going over departure procedures – signaling the shift from planning to actually carrying out the mission. The episode ends by clearly stating the goal and the planned route, right before the major battle with the Armored, Colossal, and Beast Titans.

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ (2019) – “Master of the Mansion”

After the battle on Natagumo Mountain, the story moves to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters where everyone recovers and receives further instructions. This episode officially introduces the Hashira – the Corps’ most powerful members – and explains how the organization works, including its rules and how trials are conducted, particularly regarding Nezuko. We learn about who’s in charge and get a clear picture of how decisions are made, ultimately giving Tanjiro the go-ahead for his next mission. The episode ends with training and travel plans that set the stage for the events on the Mugen Train.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020) – “Accomplices”

Following the intense battles, this episode serves as a breather, reviewing what happened and setting new, immediate goals for the students. It also covers necessary paperwork, coordination with the school, and who qualifies for future missions. Important rules about dealing with cursed objects and evaluating high-level threats are repeated to prepare for what’s coming. The episode ends by hinting at bigger problems and the next major conflict.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016) – “Time to Pick Some Names”

At U.A. High, new students choose their hero names and receive information about their upcoming internships, which will determine where they’ll be working. The episode details how internships are chosen, how students can work together in support courses, and the different ways they can train. It also explains the rules for hero work in the field and the legal guidelines they need to follow. These initial placements and invitations are crucial, as they directly lead to the events involving Stain and the conflicts that follow.

‘Naruto’ (2002) – “The Tenth Question: All or Nothing!”

This episode wraps up the written portion of the Chūnin Exams and confirms who will move on to the one-on-one battles. It also shows how the exam tests mental strength and keeps the final question a secret. With the announcement of the tournament brackets and location, the series now focuses on direct competition, setting the stage for intense and ongoing rivalries. Essentially, we now know who’s fighting whom in the preliminary rounds, and the real battles are about to begin.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009) – “Upheaval in Central”

As the anticipated ‘Promised Day’ draws closer, this report covers military preparations within Central, including troop deployments, changes in leadership, and secret partnerships. It details how forces are communicating, where they’re stationed, and how strike teams are being organized. Plans for protecting civilians and preventing enemy infiltration are also explained, setting the stage for the expected attack. The report concludes by highlighting the coordinated timing of operations across the city.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011) – “Strategy × and × Scheme”

As a huge fan, I found this episode really fascinating because it’s all about the meticulous planning leading up to the raid on the Chimera Ant palace. It lays out exactly who does what, what could go wrong, and when everything needs to happen. We get a detailed look at how each Hunter’s Nen ability matches up against the ants, how they’ll approach the palace, and how they’ll communicate with each other. It even shows us what they’ll do if the Royal Guards try to mess things up! Ultimately, it culminates in a really solid, coordinated plan for launching the full-scale attack. It’s a bit of a strategy session, but it’s thrilling to see everything come together.

‘Bleach’ (2004) – “Assemble! The 13 Divisions”

This chapter sets the stage for the rescue mission within Seireitei by detailing how squads are positioned, captains receive their instructions, and vital information is shared. It clearly defines who is in charge, outlines patrol areas, and explains limitations on how different divisions can move around. The episode also provides an overview of each captain’s strengths and highlights the different fighting styles that will influence upcoming battles. Finally, it confirms the main search goals and establishes the plan for initially entering the area.

‘One Piece’ (1999) – “The Times They Are A-Changin’”

This episode sets the stage for upcoming conflicts by providing an overview of changes in global power, the current situation with the Warlords and Marines, and new challenges at sea. It details new bounty amounts, whispers of alliances, and dangerous routes, all of which will impact the crew’s plans. Essentially, it lays out the political landscape for the battles to come, and concludes by revealing where the crew is headed next.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders’ (2014) – “High Priestess, Part 1”

With Egypt now within reach, this episode lays out the final challenges facing the group and introduces their last opponent. Before embarking on their underwater journey, they carefully review their travel plans, equipment, and everyone’s health. They also analyze the enemy’s strategies and the difficulties of the surrounding environment. The episode ends with the team trapped in a tight space, ready for a difficult battle.

‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ (1992) – “The Dark Tournament Begins”

This document details everything needed for the Dark Tournament before the first fights begin, including how to sign up, the tournament format, and rules for the arena. It explains team sizes, how players can be substituted, and how disputes will be handled. It also covers travel and accommodation details for Hanging Neck Island, and finishes by announcing the time and location of the first match.

‘Black Clover’ (2017) – “The Wizard King Saw”

This episode gathers all the crucial information before major battles against the Eye of the Midnight Sun, including intelligence, team preparedness, and mission details. It also covers updates to magical skills and new spells that will be useful in the fights. Command decides who will scout and attack, and warns about dangers involving magical stones. The episode ends by confirming meeting locations and when everyone will leave.

‘Fairy Tail’ (2009) – “Let’s Join Hands”

This episode prepares viewers for the upcoming Grand Magic Games by outlining how the competition will work. It covers team lineups, how points are scored, and the different events. We also get a rundown of current guild rankings and the tournament schedule, plus a briefing for the characters on the rules, potential penalties, and how ties will be resolved. Finally, it reveals the order of matches and where each team will be positioned.

‘Rurouni Kenshin’ (1996) – “Across the Boundary Between Edo and Meiji”

This chapter sets the stage for the Kyoto storyline, detailing the travel plans, potential dangers, and the historical impact of the Shinsengumi. It explains the threat posed by Makoto Shishio’s group and how the government intends to respond. We also learn about the roles of those escorting important figures, the timing of key meetings, and plans to avoid ambushes. Ultimately, this chapter sends the main characters on their way to Kyoto, where the central conflict will take place.

‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989) – “Long Idle Time”

This episode acts as a calm setup for the big fight to come, showing the characters training in a gravity chamber, checking their supplies of healing beans, and planning their travel to the battleground. They monitor their strength levels, track recovery times, and confirm meeting points, also deciding who will attack first. The episode ends with a hint that their enemies are approaching.

‘Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic’ (2012) – “The Dungeon Zagan”

This section covers everything you need to know before the main fights, including how to enter the dungeon, what kinds of traps to expect, and which magical items work inside. It also details how the team is organized, how to move through the dungeon, and how to communicate. We’ll look at what enemies might do to disrupt the team and what resources are available. Finally, it leads the team right up to the boss’s chamber.

‘Blue Exorcist’ (2011) – “The Wager”

This episode details how exams work at the academy, what permissions students have on missions, and how exorcists advance in rank – all before the conflict with True Cross escalates. It also reveals who will be working with whom and explains the rules for using weapons in the field. Faculty meetings cover the different types of threats they face and any limitations they need to be aware of, and the episode ends with the announcement of their next assignment.

‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’ (2017) – “Declaration of War”

This document details emergency procedures for villages, including alert levels, evacuation routes, and where ninja units are positioned. It maps out how teams communicate and highlights the most important targets. It also clarifies updated rules for using technology and explains how to defend against attacks, and finally, it sets a date for the initial battle.

‘Chainsaw Man’ (2022) – “Gunfire”

This episode shows what happened after a series of coordinated attacks and how the special divisions are being restructured, preparing for more intense conflicts. It details how personnel are being reassigned, outlines new rules for operations, and addresses concerns about equipment. The episode also covers the loss of team members, the need for further training, and how these events impact public safety. Ultimately, it suggests a change in strategy as they prepare for their next mission.

‘Sword Art Online: Alicization’ (2018) – “The Knights of the Axiom Church”

This episode serves as an introduction to the challenges ahead, clearly establishing the Church’s leadership, how decisions are made, and its rules of conduct before the main conflicts begin. It explains how the characters will move through the tower levels and the rules for each fight. We also get an update on what gear the characters have, their mental state, and how much time they have. The episode ends with the group ready to face the biggest battles in the upper levels.

Share which calm-before-the-storm episode you’d add to this list in the comments!

2025-11-06 06:16