An anode for transfer plasma heating in which a DC current is applied to melted metal in a vessel to produce an Ar plasma and heat the melted metal is characterized in that it comprises an anode which has an internal water-cooling structure and is made of conductive metal, a metallic protective element which is placed outside the anode with a certain gap therebetween and has an internal water-cooling structure, and a gas supply means for supplying an Ar-containing gas into the gap between the anode and the protective element, and the central part of the outer surface of the tip of the anode is recessed.