One Piece: Top 15 Best Arcs

One Piece is one of the most iconic, beloved, and long-running anime and manga ever. In all of its history, what are the best arcs in the story?

One Piece, both in its manga and anime forms, has been a franchise of immense popularity. Beloved for its characters and worldbuilding, the series has seen unparalleled success that continues to this day.

But for a series as long as One Piece, it is only natural that some portions of it have been better received than others. With 1000 chapters of manga, and over that number of anime episodes, One Piece has a number of arcs in its runtime that are considered the pinnacle of its story.

1. Enies Lobby Arc

The Enies Lobby arc is considered to be one of the best arcs in the entirety of One Piece, and for good reason. The arc follows the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies attacking one of the World Government's seats of power to rescue their crewmates, Nico, Robin, and Franky. However, the full force of the World Government stands in their way, including their dangerous assassin-focused organization, CP9.

This arc acts as a major turning point for many of the series' main characters, seeing them grow in some way. Furthermore, this arc also sees the destruction of the Straw Hat's beloved boat, the Going Merry, a devastating emotional beat.

2. Marineford Arc

The Marineford arc acts as a massive turning point for One Piece, causing some of the largest shifts in the narrative. Featuring a slew of characters from across the series, Luffy and some of his allies attempt to rescue Luffy's brother Ace after an earlier failure, as a brutal war rages.

Not only did the Marineford arc show just how dangerous many of the biggest players in the One Piece universe are, but it also saw two shocking deaths: those of the Yonko Whitebeard and Ace, which drastically affected the course of the series.

3. Wano Country Arc 

The Wano Country arc is One Piece's current arc, and is considered by many fans to be one of its best. Inspired by the architecture of Japan, this arc has vastly expanded on the series' lore and fights, with the Straw Hat Pirates reuniting and joining in an alliance to fight the Beasts Pirates and their dangerous leader, Kaido.

Even with the arc not fully completed, it has seen massive upheaval in One Piece's story. With the climax of the arc still to come, it's very possible it could become even better than the heights it has already reached.

4. Punk Hazard Arc

The Punk Hazard arc is the first arc within the greater Dressrosa saga, and set up a number of larger events within the series.

After Luffy and company answer a distress call, they are forced to contend with a number of new threats. Not only does the arc introduce greater dangers that will be addressed later, but it also shows the effects of Doctor Vegapunk's research, expanding how the power systems of One Piece function.

5. Dressrosa Arc

The Dressrosa Arc is the concluding arc within the greater Dressrosa saga. It also features one of the series' most threatening antagonists: the Warlord Donquixote Doflamingo. However, the Straw Hat Pirates and the allies are forced to interact with greater forces as they travel to Dressrosa.

Apart from the important events this arc sets, Luffy's final combat with Donquixote Doflamingo also unlocks a new form, heightening his power and making for a particularly exciting fight.

6. Impel Down Arc

The Impel Down arc follows a tried and true plot trope: the prison break, as Luffy attempt to free his brother Ace from the subaquatic prison, with some massive backup from a gang of villains who are surprisingly heroic in this arc.

While this arc, in many ways, sets up more bombastic ones further on in One Piece's story, it is not without its merit. The arc features a number of characters, both new and old, as well as many fights, with Luffy notably locking horns with the pirate Blackbeard.

7. Whole Cake Island Arc

In the Whole Cake Island Arc, Luffy and some of his allies set off to rescue the Straw Hat member Sanji from an arranged marriage. However, they soon become embroiled in a plot to overthrow Big Mom, an incredibly dangerous pirate, and one of the four Emperors of the New World.

The Whole Cake Island Arc features one of the oddest settings in One Piece, which is much darker than its appearance would suggest. This arc also introduces a number of new characters, namely Sanji's greater family after an unexpected plot twist with Sanji takes place the arc before, and a major One Piece villain, Big Mom.

8. Thriller Bark Arc

The Thriller Bark Arc is particularly well known for its introduction of Brook, a skeleton who becomes the musician of the Straw Hat Pirates. The arc also takes place on a haunted ship of the same name and includes a number of supernatural elements.

Thriller Bark also has the Straw Hats contend with several Warlords Of The Sea, notably Gecko Maria, further increasing the threat the main characters had to face. Between these new threats and the recurring characters it introduced, the Thriller Bark arc definitely earns its place as one of the series' best.

9. Alabasta Arc

The Alabasta Arc, which concludes the larger Alabasta saga, follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they attempt to defuse a massive war that is brewing. Notably, this arc sees Luffy's first loss, after he fights the notorious warlord Crocodile.

However, the Arabasta arc has a number of other important elements, ranging from expanding the greater lore of One Piece to seeing characters like Robin and Nami play a bigger role.

10. Sabaody Archipelago Arc

The Sabaody Archipelago Arc is particularly important in the events of One Piece, as it introduces the World Nobles, or Celestial Dragons; dangerous antagonists who wield immense political and authoritarian power. Many later characters and events can be drawn directly from the actions of these villains.

While there are certainly larger or more entertaining arcs during the course of the series, the Sabaody Archipelago Arc does large amounts of work in setting up future events and characters, while still being gripping and important.

11. Zou Arc

The Whole Cake Island Saga is kicked off by the Zou Arc. While the arc isn’t as long as the other excellent arcs in the show, a lot of things do happen in the Zou Arc, such as the arrival of Zunesha, who is punished and sentenced to carry the island of Zou.

The Zou Arc has also revealed more about the Road Poneglphs as well as foreshadowed important future events in the show. Many fans also felt that the arc was a breath of fresh air and was wholesome, filled with memorable moments such as Sanji’s wedding invitation and the introduction (and departure) of Ryuunuske.

12. Reverie Arc

After the time skip, the Reverie Arc is perhaps one of the most important arcs in One Piece. For one, the arc dives deep into the lore of the Celestial Dragons, or the elites in the society of One Piece. The show further explores the selfish nature of the Celestial Dragons and how they interact with the pirates.

The arc also shows the gathering of the Revolutionary Army commanders, which includes Luffy’s powerful father Monkey D. Dragon. The meeting of the show’s powerful characters, as well as the discussion of putting a stop to the Shichibukai system, makes the Reverie arc one of the most gripping storylines in the show.

13. Water 7 Arc

Needing a shipbuilder who can fix the Going Merry, the Straw Hat Crew make their way towards the beautiful city of Water 7. In the arc, they also try to look for a new crew member. While the arc mostly features the preparation of the Straw Hats for Enies Lobby, the Water 7 Arc is actually eventful.

For one, the arc sees the departure of Robin and Usopp from the Crew. This allows Luffy to step up and be a more headstrong leader in order to keep his crew in order. The arc also introduces one of the most intelligent individuals in One Piece, the shipwright Franky.

14. Skypiea Arc

The Sky Island Saga meets its conclusion in the Skypiea Arc. The events of the arc see the Straw Hat members discover the connections of the Sky Island to Jaya and also learn of a lost city full of gold. The arc also uncovers some important news that reveals more about the Poneglyphs.

The fans also learn more about the true identity of Poseidon, as well as the true location of the Void Century in the Skypiea Arc. Because of the exciting narrative and emotional storyline that puts Mont Blanc Noland and the Shandorians front and center, new fans of the long-running anime One Piece should keep their eyes peeled for the Skypiea Arc.

15. Fishman Islang Arc

Happening after the two-year time skip due to the separation of the Straw Hat Pirates at Sabaody, the Fishman Island Arc was a rather eventful saga in the series. As the Straw Hats arrive at Fishman Island, chaos ensues when Hody Jones, a fanatic of the pirate Arlong, tries to invade the kingdom and dethrone the royal family.

The Arc was loved by fans due to its impactful storyline that shows the mistreatment the Fishmen get from humans. To add, many viewers were stoked to see Luffy start a fight with the Yonko Big Mom, although they won’t see the Yonko be defeated until the much-hyped Wano Arc.