In One Piece, there are countless arcs that fans have liked more or less. MeinMMO has created a ranking of the best arcs that fans still remember today.
Warning, spoilers: This ranking contains spoilers up to the end of the Wano Country arc. If you are not that far in the story yet, please come back later.
What criteria were used to create the ranking? In order to be featured in the MeinMMO ranking, the arcs had to meet one or more of the following criteria:
- The arc contains important moments that influence the future of One Piece
- There is a particularly cool setting that stands out from previous locations
- The Straw Hats can shine in exciting battles and show their full potential
- The arc is concluded in both the anime and the manga
The ranking was created based on subjective feeling. If you disagree, feel free to write in the comments which arcs you would have included in the ranking instead.
Place 5: Punk Hazard
Punk Hazard consists of two different climate zones: one half of lava and one half of snow. The reason for this is a former battle between Akainu and Aokiji, in which Akainu emerged victorious and became the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
On Punk Hazard, one of the coolest alliances of the Straw Hat Pirates was formed. Trafalgar Law joins the crew to stop Doflamingo’s schemes in Dressrosa together. With Law, the crew gains a powerful ally by their side.
The island was previously used as a research facility. Both Dr. Vegapunk, who appears again in Egghead Island, and Caesar Clown conducted heinous experiments for the World Government.
The scientist succeeded in creating artificial Devil Fruits. Doflamingo then sold the fruits to Kaido, who could build his Beast Army with these fruits. Luckily, Law managed to destroy the tank for the production of the Devil Fruits. This event was the impetus for many situations in the upcoming arcs of One Piece.
Place 4: Whole Cake Island
Whole Cake Island is a dream come true for candy fans: One Piece has never had such an absurd, fairy tale-like setting as on this island. Big Mom has created an empire with her family where all races are supposed to live without discrimination.
In this arc, we follow the arranged marriage between Sanji and Pudding. For the first time, we get to know Sanji’s family and learn about the terrible childhood the ship’s cook had. Both families hope to gain their own advantages from the marriage, but over time, it becomes increasingly clear that an assassination attempt on Sanji is being planned.
Especially the situations between Luffy, Nami, and Sanji, in which they try to convince the ship’s cook to come along, are heartwarming. But luckily, Nami and Luffy do not give up and eventually manage to retrieve their crew member.
However, this storyline is one of the arcs where Luffy and his friends do not emerge as complete victors. They manage to rescue Sanji but ultimately have to flee before the enraged Big Mom, who suspects a cake on the Straw Hat crew’s ship. The arc shows how strong the Four Emperors really are.
Place 3: Wano Country
Due to the number of episodes, it is difficult to summarize Wano Country. In almost 200 episodes, Luffy and his crew free the country from Kaido’s tyranny. The climax of the arc is Luffy’s awakening of Gear 5, with which he can defy the laws of physics.
After Wano Country, it continues with Egghead Island:
But the other Straw Hats also have their own highlights. We finally see the crew back together, which was not the case in Zou and Whole Cake Island. Each of them faces an almost unbeatable opponent and grows beyond themselves.
We get an impression of what the crew has learned during their separation and what enormous powers they have acquired. So far, the Wano Country arc has the most episodes. Quantity does not always mean quality, but in this case, the arc is one of the most beautiful in the entire anime.
- 1
- 2
