Top 10 One Piece Arcs

After many long years, One Piece has reached its final saga – the end of one of the most beloved, long-running anime and manga series is in sight! As is to be expected from a series this long, when it comes to One Piece arcs, there are many to choose from. So, when putting together a top 10 One Piece arc list, there were so many options on offer that it was almost overwhelming to narrow it down – but we’ve done our best to create our own Top 10 One Piece arcs ranking!

Impressively, over its many years, One Piece has managed to maintain a fairly consistent standard of quality, so narrowing this list down to the best of the anime was no easy task. Aside from a few bad eggs and, of course, filler, pretty much every One Piece arc has its own fans out there, so remember, this is just our opinion! There are plenty of arcs that didn’t make the list that are just as deserving of praise. With that being said, let’s set sail into the list, but beware! Spoilers ahead for up to and including the current arc of the anime!

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10. Skypiea Arc (Sky Island Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

Starting off our list is a somewhat divisive arc amongst One Piece fans, but I would argue it’s vastly underrated by the majority. Skypiea earns a space in the top 10 for a number of reasons, the biggest of which is just how creative and game-changing it is, particularly for how early in the series it takes place. The introduction of sky islands in this arc opened a whole new dimension beyond the sea for the world of One Piece, and kickstarted the world-building that the series has become known as the best in the anime world for.

Sure, Enel is not the most memorable villain in the series’ history, his defeat feels a little anticlimactic, and the Four Ordeals section feels a little drawn out, but Skypiea stands out as one of the strongest outings of One Piece’s (comparatively) early days. I say comparatively because Skypiea doesn’t kick off until about 150 episodes into the show, but this is One Piece! That’s practically the start of the show! As one of the most important arcs in laying out the foundations of the series’ future, Skypiea is more than deserving of a spot on our list, even if some fans downplay its strengths.

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9. Sabaody Archipelago Arc (Summit War Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

The Summit War Saga has long stood as the strongest One Piece saga for many fans – spoiler alert, this is not the last time this saga will appear on this list. It’s the Straw Hat Pirates’ arrival to Sabaody Archipelago that begins this saga, and it does so with a bang. One Piece has never exactly been child-friendly, and to its credit, it’s never shied away from exploring darker topics, but the Sabaody Archipelago arc’s exploration of topics like racism, classism, and most notably, human trafficking, marks one of the show’s earliest, and most adult hours.

There’s a lot to love about this arc – the members of the Worst Generation are introduced, all of whom would go on to play major roles later in the show, as are the World Nobles, who are perhaps the most cruel antagonists in the One Piece universe, even up until the show’s current events. The arc also manages to remain entertaining for each episode, and to top it all off, the ending of the arc involving the separation of the Straw Hats is one of the show’s most gut-wrenchingly devastating moments. In many ways, Sabaody Archipelago marked a new beginning in One Piece, a transition into a more mature series, and an incredible new saga, which took the series to its most mature peaks. The location was so iconic that it was revisited as the first location after the series’ time-skip, though that run around was slightly more forgettable than its debut.

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8. Water 7 Arc (Water 7 Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

Water 7 is a delightful arc. To this day, I maintain the opinion that Water 7 is one of my favourite locations in the series’ history, and the events of its titular arc have only bolstered my admiration for it. Perhaps the most notable element of this arc is its introduction of Franky, who’s beginnings as an antagonist are fascinating to watch given how quickly he would soon become one of the most amicable of the Straw Hats. Aside from Franky though, this arc shines in how it humanises our pirate gang, as cracks start to appear between them, and the crew officially divides quite seriously, and for quite a while.

The conflict between Usopp and Luffy involving the repair of the Going Merry is one of my favourite storylines explored in the whole show, mainly in how such a compelling, emotional dispute is born from a ship (though if you’ve watched the show, you’ll know that the Going Merry is much more than just a ship). The arc also introduces CP9, and with them, the idea of secret agents operating covertly for the World Government in general. For all these reasons, Water 7 marks a huge high for One Piece, particularly in how it also sets up one of the greatest arcs of the show, to come later in this list.

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7. Wano Country Arc (Four Emperors Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

Ah, Wano Country. Perhaps the single most divisive arc in One Piece history, as well as one of the newest! It’s gained a sort of notoriety amongst fans of the anime, for many, many reasons. One of which is that many fans can cite Wano as the arc during which they caught up on the show – for many, seeing the Straw Hats in their Japanese Edo period costumes will remind them of when they actually became weekly viewers of the anime. However, the main reason for which Wano has become notorious is its absolutely domineering length. Beginning in the anime in 2019, and concluding in 2023, the Wano arc spans 191 episodes – and for many, this is just far too long.

Admittedly, Wano does overstay its welcome somewhat, but to its credit, it does earn its grandeur in just how beautiful the island is, how compelling (most of) the storyline here is, and how much of a spectacle the arc became in its final hours, particularly in Toei’s anime adaptation. Sure, Wano Country had a ridiculously high episode count, but from those episodes came a substantial amount of iconic moments, the most notable of which was Luffy’s first transformation into Gear 5, a moment that was the pure definition of anime ‘breaking the internet’ if ever there was one. With more high points than lows, Wano managed to maintain a level of quality that allowed its near 200 episode count to feel justified, and that in itself is a huge achievement, particularly for such a new, nostalgia-free One Piece arc.

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6. Arlong Park Arc (East Blue Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

The East Blue Saga is the first of One Piece’s sagas, and I need to be honest – when I look at many of the arcs in this saga, it’s not too difficult to see why very many fans bow out of One Piece before they get into it. The arc that completely changes the game, however, is Arlong Park, the arc that makes many One Piece fans beg their friends to just ‘please keep with the show until episode 31!’. Arlong Park works for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s one of the first arcs of the show that isn’t based solely around Luffy recruiting a new crewmate – that formula starts to feel a little stale in the show’s early run.

Secondly, it brings to a head the mysteries surrounding Nami’s character, and her storyline of what is basically financial slavery to the Fish-Men pirates responsible for murdering her mother and taking her hometown hostage for years. The infamous ‘help me’ scene, and the subsequent walk to Arlong Park are some of the most iconic moments in the series’ history, and still hold up all these years later. It’s no mystery why Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece made sure to conclude with this arc, as it really is the show’s finest hour in its first saga. I feel that I speak for almost every One Piece fan when I say – we will never forgive Arlong for what goes down in this arc.

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5. Impel Down Arc (Summit War Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

The Summit War Saga makes its second appearance on our list, this time with the Impel Down arc, which is essentially One Piece’s take on Prison Break, though a lot more chaotic. Impel Down stands out as one of the show’s best arcs in just how high the stakes get, combined with the surprisingly hellish environment that is the Impel Down prison – believe me, you do not want to get sent to prison in One Piece. The arc also allows Luffy to shine as his own character, as he is completely separated from his fellow Straw Hats in his quest to save his brother Ace, which in itself is one of the best storylines of the show (but more on that later).

Impel Down is also a fan-favourite, however, for just how beloved a cast of characters it brings into play. Buggy the Clown, Mr. 3, Ivankov, and of course, Bon Kurei, absolutely shine in this arc, as a supporting cast that are more than strong enough to let Luffy take the spotlight without the Straw Hats by his side. The arc also reintroduces many of the series’ prior antagonists who had, of course, been sent to the prison following the events of their respective arcs. Finally, much like Water 7, Impel Down gets credit for just how well it sets up the arc that follows it, but of course, we’ll be talking more about that shortly.

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4. Egghead Arc (Final Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

We’ve arrived at current-day One Piece! Kickstarting the final saga of the series (it really feels crazy to say that), is the Egghead Arc, an arc which really feels like this colossal story will actually manage to conclude everything satisfactorily – if anyone can do it, Oda can. The Egghead arc takes place on Future Island, a much-anticipated location due to how built-up it, and its primary resident Dr. Vegapunk, were throughout the story. The island certainly does not disappoint, a haven of technology that brought a huge breath of fresh air to the story, especially coming directly after the insanely long Wano Country Arc.

However, it’s actually the events outside of the Future Island, and throughout the greater One Piece world that go down during the Egghead Arc that elevate it to the heights it has found on our list. The Egghead Arc puts into motion practically every storyline that the show has going on right now, and brings so many conflicts to a head that it really feels like a non-stop thrill ride as we creep ever closer to the series’ finale. Due to just how current the events of this arc, I’ll refrain from spoiling them here, but let’s just say – now is a very good time to get caught up on One Piece, and the Egghead Arc is the strongest the series has been in a very long time.

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3. Alabasta Arc (Alabasta Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

After having a whole saga named after it, the Alabasta Arc finally arrived in episode 92 of the anime, and it lived up to, if not exceeded, the hype it had built throughout. Alabasta, for many, is a shining example of just what made the early days of One Piece such a special experience – lively characters, unique settings, and storylines that were equal parts intense, and equal parts light-hearted. This arc’s centering on Vivi, a character so beloved that many still consider her a Straw Hat Pirate despite departing the team in 2002, is one of its greatest strengths, as she and the Straw Hats return to her home kingdom of Alabasta to prevent a massive war from breaking out between the royal guards and rebel army.

Alabasta also does a lot of heavy-lifting for the worldbuilding of One Piece in its early stages – the introduction of Baroque Works as a notable force, the first exposure of just how deep corruption ran in the World Government, and of course, the introduction of Nico Robin as a main character, all make this arc a One Piece essential. It’s thrilling even on a rewatch, and marks the conclusion of a saga that featured characters so beloved, that fans still rejoice at their mention all these years later.

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2. Enies Lobby Arc (Water 7 Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

Alabasta marked the introduction of Nico Robin as a character, while Water 7 hinted at her breakaway from the Straw Hat Crew. However, it’s Enies Lobby that shines as Nico Robin’s greatest hour, as well as one of the greatest One Piece arcs of all time. Enies Lobby is an absolute rollercoaster of an arc – all of the Straw Hats show off new battle abilities, upgrading their forces in nearly every way, Robin is the recipient of one of the saddest backstories in not only One Piece, but anime history, and of course, Luffy himself declares war on the World Government, a move that still lingers over the story of One Piece today.

Water 7 was an excellent set-up for the events of Enies Lobby, and luckily, Enies Lobby manages to land a home run in nearly every way. The ‘I want to live’ scene remains perhaps the most emotionally impactful scene in the series’ history, and elevated Robin as a character to new heights. However, the emotions didn’t stop there. The arc also concludes with the funeral of the Going Merry, a scene so unbelievably devastating, yet so perplexing to anyone who hasn’t watched the show. For fans though, Enies Lobby was quite the journey, and is well-deserving of the silver medal on our list.

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1. Marineford Arc (Summit War Saga)

Image by Toei Animation

It’s almost impossible, though, to imagine the top spot going to any arc other than Marineford. Following on from Luffy’s journey to Impel Down to save his brother Ace, Marineford marks a conflict the scale of which we are still yet to see outdone in the series. This arc is universally agreed as the biggest turning point in One Piece history – family revelations, confirmations of world-altering mythology, and of course, major character deaths – Marineford has it all, and it is an equal parts thrilling and devastating watch.

In conversations of the greatest anime arcs of all time, where Hunter x Hunter offers the Chimera Ant Arc, and Naruto presents Pain’s Assault Arc, One Piece has long held its ground with Marineford as its representative, and for good reason. Not only is the battle one of the greatest, and most important, fights in anime history, but the soul-crushing execution of his brother Ace, despite Luffy’s best efforts across over 100 episodes to save him was a grim reminder that though One Piece is a comparatively uplifting anime compared to its Big Three companions (Naruto and Bleach), it’s not afraid to have real, consequential moments. Marineford impacts the characters and world of One Piece in ways no other arc even comes close to, and for that reason, it takes the crown, as the greatest One Piece arc of all time.

See also: One Piece Vol. 108 Review

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Conclusion

The Final Saga rolls on, and I personally cannot wait to see how Oda brings One Piece to its conclusion. Can anything ever top Marineford, or is it destined to hold the gold long after the series has concluded? Do you agree with our list, or do you think there are arcs that should have had a spot on the list? Be sure to let us know your thoughts on our ranking in the comments!

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