The 15 Most Popular Arcs in One Piece
The legendary shonen anime One Piece is divided into a vast variety of narrative arcs, many of which are grouped into larger sagas to explore a major phase of this animated adventure.
Over time, the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy has explored various islands and cities across the four great oceans, meeting countless friends and foes while engaging in intense battles. While there is certainly a basic formula for how these arcs and adventures unfold, each narrative arc of One Piece offers something unique, and the best ones easily stand out from the rest.
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Different fans of One Piece will have their own preferences when it comes to the best arcs of the anime, of course. Some fans may love the less popular arcs, while others might think the most popular arcs are completely overrated. However, there seems to be a general consensus online about the most beloved arcs of One Piece. Overall, the most popular arcs in One Piece are those with memorable fight scenes, iconic moments, exciting dialogues, and cool characters that drive the story forward in an incredible way.
15. The Orange Town Arc Introduced One Piece's Main Trio
Arc Name: Orange Town
Starting Episode: Episode 1
Ending Episode: Episode 3
One of the earliest narrative arcs in One Piece became a fan favorite not because of its large cast or deep complexity, but because it marked two significant firsts in the story. On one hand, the anime finally formed its own shonen-style trio, with Luffy and Roronoa Zoro meeting the thief Nami, a girl who joined them in their fight against Buggy the Clown. From there, the crew of the Straw Hat Pirates continued to grow.
Furthermore, this narrative arc was the first time that two Devil Fruit users clashed. While Zoro was fighting Buggy’s men, Luffy faced the clown pirate captain himself, testing his Gum-Gum Fruit powers against Buggy’s Chop-Chop Fruit abilities. In hindsight, it was a simple and straightforward fight without Haki or awakened Devil Fruit powers, but it still helped establish the tone for One Piece’s enjoyable combat system.
14. The Syrup Village Arc Introduced One Piece’s First Major Twist
Arc Name: Syrup Village
Starting Episode: Episode 9
Ending Episode: Episode 18
At the time, One Piece’s plot was simple and divided into distinct arcs, so a major twist within a single arc was a significant event. Thus, when Klahadore the butler revealed himself to be the pirate villain Captain Kuro, everyone was shocked, and the stakes soared. In the Netflix version of this twist, Captain Kuro even had a sinister horror-monster vibe.
This arc showed Luffy overcoming his toughest enemy yet, while also recruiting the beloved prankster Usopp, who would become a pillar of the Straw Hat crew. Additionally, the Syrup Village arc introduced Luffy to his new ship, the Going Merry, which would become an iconic part of the anime until its eventual retirement at Water 7.
13. The Baratie Arc Introduced the Concept of Restaurant Ships
Arc Name: Baratie
Starting Episode: Episode 19
Ending Episode: Episode 30
Another excellent and nostalgic narrative arc from One Piece’s early days is the Baratie arc. This storyline introduced fans to the idea of a restaurant ship, which is more than just a dining venue with sails. A restaurant ship is run by chefs who are also skilled in both cooking and combat, and nobody embodied this better than Chef Zeff and his adopted son, Sanji Vinsmoke.
Sanji quickly proved himself to be one of One Piece’s coolest and most compelling characters so far a stylish combination of elegant kicks, refined cooking, fashionable outfits, and a burning passion for beautiful women. This arc also foreshadowed the brutality of the Grand Line as Don Krieg’s tattered fleet returned to East Blue after visiting Baratie.
12. The Sabaody Archipelago Arc Introduced the Supernovas and Produced Grim Worldbuilding
Arc Name: Sabaody Archipelago
Starting Episode: Episode 385
Ending Episode: Episode 405
The Straw Hat Pirates visited the Sabaody Archipelago on two occasions—once during their reunion after the two-year time skip. During their first adventure there, they encountered a variety of powerful characters, including several of the Supernovas, some of the most notable pirates of their generation. This included Trafalgar D. Water Law, who would become a key ally to Luffy in the New World.
This narrative arc had mixed results for the Straw Hats. They were horrified by the slave auction house, but at least Luffy symbolically retaliated by hitting Saint Charlos. The Straw Hats also met Silvers Rayleigh and Shakky, but things really went south when the Straw Hats clashed with Admiral Kizaru and Bartholomew Kuma.
11. The Whole Cake Island Arc Presented a Colourful Mix of Characters
Arc Name: Whole Cake Island
Starting Episode: Episode 783
Ending Episode: Episode 877
Some might say that Sanji’s flashback in the Whole Cake Island arc came too late to fully deepen his character, but Sanji fans surely appreciated learning more about where he came from. The truth was harsh, as Sanji’s flashback involved severe abuse from his brothers and father, who all saw him as inferior because he wasn’t born superhuman in Germa 66.
This narrative arc also featured some of the best battles in the New World, including Luffy’s intense duel against Charlotte Katakuri—his true equal among Big Mom’s Pirates—where Luffy learned to use Observation Haki. Elsewhere, the Straw Hats and their allies from the Fire Tank Pirates fought Big Mom herself, who wielded the fierce power of her sword-hat Napoleon to terrorize them at sea.
10. The Marineford Arc Gathered All the Best Characters of One Piece for an Incredible Battle
Arc Name: Marineford
Starting Episode: Episode 457
Ending Episode: Episode 489
The Marineford arc remains one of the most popular arcs in One Piece, and it is also one of the richest in action and consequence, which may not be a coincidence. The Marineford arc is the culmination of the Summit War saga, with the war taking place at the Marine base.
Everyone gathered at Marineford to fight in an incredible battle, a one-day war that shook the world as fans of One Piece knew it. On one side, there was the massive crew of Whitebeard Pirates, led by the captain Whitebeard himself, along with various allied pirate crews. On the other side, there was the Marines and their top warriors, including the three formidable admirals. Monkey D. Luffy cared little for this grand confrontation—his stakes were more personal, desperately trying to save his adoptive brother Ace before it was too late.
9. The Water 7 Arc Saw the Straw Hat Crew Partially Split
Arc Name: Water 7
Starting Episode: Episode 229
Ending Episode: Episode 263
The Water 7 saga unexpectedly challenged the Straw Hat crew, and the One Piece protagonists faced their most personal stakes yet, mainly Usopp the shipwright and Nico Robin, the latest member of the crew. At this point, the Going Merry was falling apart, especially after using the Knock Up Stream near Jaya, but Luffy and Usopp couldn’t agree on what to do with their ship.
Usopp was determined to save the ship, while Luffy was ready to let it go and find a new one to continue their adventure at sea. This led the crew members to fight in an emotionally charged duel that made all the difference in Usopp’s narrative arc. Meanwhile, Nico Robin quietly slipped away, surrendering to the authorities to protect the crew from herself—a decision Luffy could not accept.
8. The Enies Lobby Arc Saw the Straw Hat Crew Unite Stronger Than Ever
Arc Name: Enies Lobby
Starting Episode: Episode 293
Ending Episode: Episode 312
The Enies Lobby narrative arc was the penultimate arc in the Water 7 saga, and this arc saw the Straw Hat crew reunite with loyalty and trust stronger than ever. Refusing to let the World Government take Nico Robin, Luffy led his remaining companions across the seas to Enies Lobby itself, where he declared war on the World Government to make a statement.
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What followed was an exciting battle for Enies Lobby Island as Luffy’s new friends, including Franky’s crew, stormed the island. Along the way, Luffy used a “word jutsu” to convince a tormented Nico Robin to join the Straw Hat crew once again, the only place where she truly belonged. Robin emotionally cried, "I want to live!"—a touching moment that has remained etched in the minds of One Piece fans as an example of hope and love triumphing over fear.
7. The Skypiea Arc Combined Isekai with Intriguing Mysteries and Worldbuilding
Arc Name: Skypiea
Starting Episode: Episode 153
Ending Episode: Episode 195
The overarching Sky Island saga began with the Jaya Island narrative arc in canon, where Luffy met Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard. At the time, however, Luffy’s greatest enemy was actually the so-called god Eneru, who ruled over Skypiea from his comfortable position in the Upper Yard, where no one could touch him.
After reaching Skypiea, Luffy and his friends battled Eneru’s defenders through a series of challenges until Luffy ultimately defeated the arrogant lightning god himself. Luffy saved the entire sky island from certain destruction, and along the way, One Piece indulged in intriguing worldbuilding and lore-building with a Poneglyph and the remnants of El Dorado/City of Gold. Fans of One Piece also love this arc for foreshadowing Luffy’s true nature as Joy Boy, thanks to the cheerful shadow Luffy creates toward the end of the arc.
6. The Drum Island Arc Saw Tony Tony Chopper Join the Crew
Arc Name: Drum Island
Starting Episode: Episode 78
Ending Episode: Episode 91
Luffy and his small crew explored a colorful variety of islands in the larger Alabasta saga, the first saga that took place in the Grand Line. The Straw Hat Pirates visited Reverse Mountain, Whisky Peak, and Little Garden before arriving at their fourth destination—the snowy island of Drum Island, the former domain of the tyrannical king, Wapol.
5. The Arlong Park Arc Tackled Nami’s Painful Past in Coco Village
Arc Name: Arlong Park
Starting Episode: Episode 31
Ending Episode: Episode 44
The Arlong Park arc was the penultimate canonical arc of the East Blue saga, the very first saga that launched the One Piece adventure. While Nami the navigator was introduced in the Orange Town arc, her past and personal quest weren’t explored until the Arlong Park arc, a heart-wrenching arc of loss, betrayal, and despair against Arlong's cruelty.
Nami turned her back on Luffy’s small crew to deal with her dark dealings with Arlong, aiming to redeem Coco Village. When Arlong reneged on the deal, Nami tearfully begged Luffy for help, and Luffy agreed, defeating Arlong once and for all. At that moment, Nami truly became a Straw Hat, and fans saw just how deeply Nami cared for her village friends, her adoptive sister, and her new crew.
4. The Alabasta Arc Was a Tense Desert Adventure for a Kingdom's Fate
Arc Name: Alabasta
Starting Episode: Episode 92
Ending Episode: Episode 130
The popular Alabasta saga reached its peak during the Alabasta arc, a long narrative arc that spotlighted all of Baroque Works. The previous arcs had introduced a few members, like Mr. 3, Mr. 5, and Mr. 9 and their partners, but the Alabasta arc raised the stakes with Mr. 2 Bon Clay, Mr. 1, and especially, Mr. 0—or Sir Crocodile himself.
Sir Crocodile was determined to seize the powerful weapon Pluton at any cost, so he instigated an entire civil war just for the chance. The desert kingdom fell into chaos due to a drought and this war, so it was up to the Straw Hats and the brave princess Vivi to reach the capital in time to stop Crocodile and prevent the complete destruction of the capital. This was the first true epic adventure the Straw Hats experienced together, marking an important milestone in their journey. Luffy even gained Nico Robin as a crewmate in the process.
3. The Impel Down Arc Was the Ultimate Prison Break Shonen
Arc Name: Impel Down
Starting Episode: Episode 422
Ending Episode: Episode 452
The Impel Down narrative arc took place during the War of the Best saga after the Straw Hats were scattered across the world by Bartholomew Kuma’s attack. Alone, Luffy encountered Boa Hancock, who agreed to secretly take him into the massive prison of Impel Down to rescue Ace. What followed was an exhilarating race against time as Luffy made his way deeper into Impel Down, recruiting former enemies along the way.
The Impel Down arc was brutal for Luffy, who was pushed to his absolute limit. He was overwhelmed when fighting the warden Magellan and Impel Down’s jailers, and he nearly died until the revolutionary leader Emporio Ivankov gave him a chance to fight. Luffy miraculously recovered, and in doing so, he met critical new allies while fans got glimpses into the coming final battle with the Revolutionary Army.
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2. The Dressrosa Arc Showed an Oppressed Kingdom Rising Against a Warlord
Arc Name: Dressrosa
Starting Episode: Episode 629
Ending Episode: Episode 746
In the New World, Luffy and his crew had their first major adventure at Fish-Man Island, leading into the Dressrosa saga, starting with the Punk Hazard arc. This eventually led to the Dressrosa arc, a long narrative arc that pitted Luffy and his growing roster of allies against the cruel Donquixote Doflamingo, a Sea Warlord and the king of Dressrosa.
Countless electrifying battles ensued as Luffy’s team, including characters like Trafalgar D. Water Law and the Tontatta tribe, fought to reclaim the island for the Riku royal family. Luffy also revealed Gear 4, specifically his Bounceman form, to defeat his most formidable enemy to date and bring freedom to all the island's inhabitants. After this, Luffy had an entire pirate armada formed around him, and Princess Rebecca owed Luffy a debt of gratitude.
1. The Wano Arc Pitted Luffy’s Crew Against Two Emperors on an Isolated Land
Arc Name: Wano
Starting Episode: Episode 890
Ending Episode: Episode 1,085
The most recent completed saga, the Wano saga, is the longest in the series and one of the best and most popular arcs. The Wano saga consists solely of the Wano arc in canon, where Luffy’s crew and various allies arrived on the isolated island of Wano, modeled after real-life Japan in many ways. Wano was a place of isolation, samurai, recent industrialization, and, above all, oppression.
The long and complex Wano saga had countless memorable moments, shocking twists, exciting battles, heartbreaking flashbacks, and significant revelations about the deepest secrets of the One Piece anime. The Wano arc also saw Luffy finally activate Gear 5, transforming into Joy Boy, the one who will liberate all the oppressed with laughter and the Drums of Liberation. But first, Luffy and his allies had to face two Emperors, including a vengeful Big Mom and the terrifying Kaido, the strongest creature in the world.
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