training arc
Character improvement period
A training arc is a stretch of narrative—usually in anime, manga, or serialized fiction—where a character undergoes intensive preparation to face a coming challenge.
The term borrows from the Japanese storytelling tradition where arcs are distinct story segments.
In casual use, people apply it to real-life periods of focused self-improvement: I'm in my training arc right now, hitting the gym every day.
The phrase implies temporary hardship leading to transformation.
- montageAssembled sequence of images
- time skipNarrative temporal leap
- levelingMaking flat or equal
- power levelMeasure of capability
- grindCrush into particles
master · sensei · sweat · determination · power-up · final form · secret technique · transformation · underdog · main character · dojo · muscles · willpower · inner strength · breakthrough · struggle · growth · mentor
- anime tropesyandere, magical girl, catgirl, cat girl, chibi
- Anime/Mangaanime, manga, shonen, manga adaptations, mecha
- comic book plotsorigin story, secret identity, multiverse, resurrection, civil war
- TV Episodespremiere, finale, season finale, series finale, mid-season finale
training arcfinal battle
Decisive concluding combat
climax · showdown · tournament arc · final confrontation · revenge arc
training arcfall from grace
Loss of status or reputation
corruption arc · redemption arc · villain arc · rock bottom · decline
training arcpayoff
Culminating benefit received
resolution · finale · denouement · aftermath · epilogue
training, train, trains, trained, trainer, trainers, trainee, trainees, retrain