The Most Polarizing One Piece Arcs

Key Takeaways

The Thriller Bark Arc stands out for its classic horror theme but feels disconnected from the overall story, disappointing some fans.
The Fish-Man Island Arc is significant for tackling deep themes but falls short due to a weak villain and unsatisfying elements.
The Wano Country Arc is praised for its epic scope but faces criticism for a rushed ending, leaving some fans disappointed.

As a long-time One Piece enthusiast who has journeyed through countless arcs and islands with Luffy and his motley crew, I must say that each arc holds a special place in my heart – even those that have been deemed as less than stellar by some fans. Now, let’s talk about the Skypiea Arc, shall we?

Even though One Piece by Eiichiro Oda is globally famous and significantly impacts the anime and manga worlds, it has had some contentious scenes that have sparked significant disagreements among its audience. Given the epic length and vast fan base of this story, it’s understandable that not everyone appreciates the same aspects of it equally.

Despite many chapters in the popular series One Piece being widely praised, certain story arcs have sparked intense discussions among fans due to aspects like plot development, characterization, battle sequences, and more. These particular arcs tend to divide opinion within this legendary pirate saga.

6 Thriller Bark Arc

A Creative Arc That Feels Somewhat Disconnected From The Rest Of The Story

Manga: Chapters 442 to 489
Anime: Episodes 337 to 381

The Thriller Bark Arc stands out because it incorporates a chilling horror film motif, complete with captivating beings like zombies and spirits. Moreover, it’s the location of many cherished scenes from the series, such as when the Straw Hat Pirates joined forces to defeat Gecko Moria and Oars, or Zoro’s defining encounter with Bartholomew Kuma.

Despite the fact that many fans appreciate certain elements of the Thriller Bark Arc, others have criticisms. For instance, some are dissatisfied with Kuma’s delayed entry, finding it jarring after intense, world-altering arcs like Arabasta and Enies Lobby. Additionally, they often dislike the Thriller Bark Pirates, particularly Gecko Moria, who is frequently considered one of the weakest and least liked villains in One Piece.

5 Fish-Man Island Arc

An Important Arc With A Weak Villain

Manga: Chapters 603 to 653
Anime: Episodes 523 to 574

For years prior to the time skip, the Straw Hat Pirates had dreamt of exploring Fish-Man Island, fueling much fan debate about this enigmatic destination. Eventually, following two years of development and training, Luffy and his team got the chance to visit it during the Fish-Man Island Saga. This significant storyline delves into profound issues such as racism and discrimination, while also offering thrilling action sequences where the Straw Hat Pirates can display their freshly learned abilities and tactics.

Many fans found themselves feeling underwhelmed by the Fish-Man Island Arc, finding it neither fulfilling nor worthy of the extended time they invested in it. This discontent was fueled by several aspects, such as Sanji’s lewd behavior, the excessive length of this storyline, and the introduction of Hody Jones, a villain who is often considered forgettable and weak, thus failing to instill fear or menace in most viewers.

4 Wano Country Arc

An Epic & Lengthy Arc With A Rushed Ending

Manga: Chapters 909 to 1057
Anime: Episodes 890 to 1085

Without a doubt, the Wano Country Arc stands out as one of the most significant storylines not just within the world of One Piece, but across the vast landscape of manga as well. This esteemed status isn’t solely due to its numerous appealing aspects such as captivating settings, compelling characters, thrilling battles, and poignant emotional moments, but also because of its unprecedented length. Spanning close to 150 chapters, the Wano Country Arc holds the record for the longest arc in the series, which might seem daunting to some, yet most enthusiasts find it quite acceptable.

Surely, there are those who express dissatisfaction with the length of the Wano Country Arc, particularly those who experienced it spread out over four years. Yet, what has sparked the most debate about this arc is undeniably its ending, as certain viewers found it to be excessively hurried. They argue that Oda expedited things so he could swiftly transition to the next arc. After such a long build-up, a quick conclusion may leave some fans feeling underwhelmed.

3 Dressrosa Arc

An Exciting & Emotional Arc With Many Pacing Issues

Manga: Chapters 700 to 801
Anime: Episodes 629 to 746

Characterized by a substantial following, Donquixote Doflamingo is undeniably one of the standout antagonists in the series “One Piece.” Given his significance, it was only natural for the storyline predominantly revolving around him, the “Dressrosa Arc,” to carry such weight and importance. The island, adorned with influences from Spain and Italy and populated by vibrant toy-like inhabitants, was an uncommon sight indeed. The climactic confrontation between Monkey D. Luffy and Doflamingo was nothing short of breathtaking, particularly due to the stunning revelation of Luffy’s Gear 4 transformation. Moreover, numerous fans have found delight in the character developments presented during this arc, such as Rebecca’s evolution or Law’s progression.

However, the Dressrosa Arc is also one of the most divisive arcs in the series. Some people dislike the fact that most of the story takes place in the same or similar-looking locations, so the action ends up feeling repetitive and monotone at times. Most fans criticize it for its extensive duration, combined with its slow pacing and its constant flashbacks. This was already a glaring issue of the Dressrosa Arc in the manga, but the anime made things even worse, since Toei Animation kept recycling the same scenes over & over in order to extend the length of this excruciatingly long narrative.

2 Skypiea Arc

An Adventure-Filled Arc That Some People Mistake For Filler

Manga: Chapters 237 to 302
Anime: Episodes 2002 to 2003

The Skypiea Arc has often sparked debate due to its numerous unusual aspects that contrast sharply with typical expectations for an arc in One Piece. Set on the mythical sky islands, it boasts a scarcity of Devil Fruit users and lacks both pirates and marines (excepting the Straw Hat Pirates), which gives it a distinct, almost detached feel from the broader narrative. For some viewers, this arc seemed more like filler for quite a while.

In more contemporary times, the Skypiea Arc, once notorious for its questionable reputation, has been increasingly vindicated by fans. The very aspects that were formerly criticized are now being lauded as reasons to appreciate it. The sky islands create a unique ambiance unlike any other in the series, the flashback featuring Noland and Kalgara is unexpectedly heartwarming, and Enel stands out as an intriguing and powerful adversary within the narrative. To top it off, recent plot developments have shown that the Skypiea Arc played a much greater role in the story than was initially perceived by many.

1 Long Ring Long Land Arc

A Hilarious Comedic Arc That Some People Find Annoying And Unimportant

Manga: Chapters 303 to 321
Anime: Episodes 153 to 195

Following Skypiea, we encounter the Long Ring Long Land Arc, which proved to be even more contentious than its forerunner. This storyline is notably comedic, focusing on the zany Foxy Pirates and their captain, Foxy, who engage the Straw Hat Pirates in a game of Davy Back Fight. The ensuing events create an uproariously funny and captivating arc filled with memorable moments, not to mention serving as a delightful respite between more intense story arcs.

Despite its many positive features, the quality of the Long Ring Long Land Arc is still being debated by fans to this day. While many enjoy its comedic tone, unique format, and silly characters, many others find Foxy and his crew to be extremely obnoxious, and the Davy Back Fight itself to be boring and unimportant, since so far it feels like this game hasn’t had any impact on the overall plot of the series. The anime is also partially responsible for this arc’s negative reception, as Toei added a few filler episodes with new events that are nowhere near as fun as the ones from the manga, and they only make the entire thing feel way too long.

2024-08-23 23:54