5 One Piece Arcs That Are Better Than Anything Jujutsu Kaisen Has Done

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Popular anime series such as One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen share similar themes and artistic styles, and both feature compelling story arcs. While many anime have great arcs, One Piece arguably achieved a greater level of success in this area than Jujutsu Kaisen. This is likely because One Piece has been running for a longer time, allowing it more opportunities to develop truly outstanding storylines that stand out in the anime and manga world.

Despite being a newer series, Jujutsu Kaisen quickly gained popularity with impactful story arcs like the Shibuya Incident and the Culling Game, putting it in the same conversation as long-running hit One Piece. However, One Piece still leads the way, boasting five incredible arcs that either match Jujutsu Kaisen‘s intensity or explore themes and storylines that Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t cover.

The Alabasta Arc Was One Piece’s First Truly Epic Adventure

Civil War, a Poneglyph, and an Ancient Weapon Helped Shape This Arc

Image via Toei Animation.

The beginning of the One Piece story, known as the East Blue Saga, was a good start, but it didn’t feel truly grand. Viewers hadn’t yet grasped how vast the world of One Piece was, and that all changed with the Alabasta Saga. The Grand Line finally delivered on its promise of being a massive and important part of the world, and this really came together during the Alabasta Arc. When the Straw Hats arrived on the desert island of Alabasta, fans truly felt transported to another world, and the story’s scope matched the impressive worldbuilding.

The Alabasta Arc in One Piece really raised the bar for the series, both in terms of its epic scope and intricate storyline – it remains a standout arc for many fans. Like the best One Piece stories, it delivers a grand sense of adventure that’s hard to find in newer anime like Jujutsu Kaisen. The arc includes fascinating details, such as Crocodile’s quest to locate the ancient weapon Pluton using a Poneglyph. One Piece handles these complex plotlines with ease, something that feels less common in shows like Jujutsu Kaisen.

The Enies Lobby Arc Featured Luffy’s Bitter Rematch With CP9

This Arc Was a Life-Changing Moment For Nico Robin

Image via Toei Animation.

  • While the Water 7 Saga featured impressive world-building and action, its core strength lay in its emotional depth, particularly during the Enies Lobby Arc. Series like Jujutsu Kaisen effectively use personal conflicts – for example, Maki challenging her family’s traditions or Yuji dealing with loss – but the Enies Lobby Arc in One Piece takes these kinds of emotional stakes to a whole new level.

    Fans especially love Nico Robin’s storyline during this part of One Piece. She initially gives up on life and leaves her crew, the Straw Hats, to protect them from her problems. But Luffy refuses to give up on her, and his determination inspires her to choose life despite everything she’s been through. The way this arc balances sadness and hope is incredible—even better than the emotionally intense Shibuya Incident Arc from Jujutsu Kaisen. Also, it was great to see Luffy and Usopp repair their friendship after their disagreement during the Water 7 arc.

The Marineford War Arc Felt Like a Massive Crossover Event

Everyone Who Was Someone at the Time Showed Up at Marineford

Image via Toei Animation.

The Marineford Arc in One Piece is an incredibly ambitious story, the kind only a truly massive anime could handle. While One Piece doesn’t collaborate with other series, it has a rich enough world and so many characters that it can create epic crossovers within itself – a remarkable achievement. Before this arc, One Piece sometimes felt like a series of separate adventures as the Straw Hat crew traveled from island to island, encountering different groups along the way.

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The Marineford Arc was a massive event that brought together nearly all the characters One Piece fans had come to know, plus introduced new ones like Trafalgar Law and the Whitebeard Pirates. It really made the world of One Piece feel connected and whole, all while delivering thrilling battles and incredibly high personal stakes. Think of it as the Shibuya Incident from Jujutsu Kaisen, but ten times bigger and with the impact of Ace’s death being even more devastating than losing Nobara or Nanami.

The Dressrosa Arc Stunned One Piece Fans With Awakened Devil Fruits and Gear 4

Dressrosa Had Some of Everything That Makes Fans Love One Piece

Image via Toei Animation.

As a huge One Piece fan, I honestly think the Dressrosa Arc, like Wano, really shines in the manga. The anime… well, it really dragged things out! They didn’t even need filler episodes, they just stretched the existing story, which tested my patience, I won’t lie. But the manga? Amazing! It picked up right after Punk Hazard and felt even bigger than the Alabasta Arc. Seeing the Straw Hats arrive in Dressrosa and fight to save a kingdom riddled with internal problems, with some really cool new twists, was just incredible. It was a truly epic story!

The Corrida Colosseum tournament was a thrilling turning point, and things got even more intense with the appearances of Fujitora and the Revolutionary Army. The Dressrosa Arc showed just how terrible Doflamingo’s reign was – it was even darker than anything seen in Jujutsu Kaisen – and featured incredible battles. The fights, especially the final showdown with Luffy’s new Gear 4 and the fully awakened String-String Fruit powers, were truly spectacular.

The Wano Arc is a Breathtaking Tale of Time Travel, Pirate Battles, and a Nation’s Destiny

The Manga Had Better Pacing For the Wano Arc

The Wano arc is a great example of a storyline that truly shines in the One Piece manga. Fans who read it can fully enjoy Eiichiro Oda’s writing without the anime’s slow pace getting in the way. Wano successfully delivered the epic scale and high stakes that One Piece is known for – something even shows like Jujutsu Kaisen struggle to achieve. While bigger isn’t always better in anime, One Piece consistently proves that a larger scope can be a real strength.

Watching the Wano arc of One Piece felt like experiencing a huge, complex story unfold in stages, almost like a play with three acts. There was so much happening – incredible fights during the raid on Onigashima, Yamato deciding to sail with the Straw Hats and really embracing the spirit of Oden, even twists involving time travel and unexpected betrayals. By the time Wano finished, the whole story and world felt completely transformed, and it genuinely felt like a massive step forward. It was a truly remarkable arc, and it raised the bar incredibly high – not just for One Piece, but for anime in general. It’s a standard very few shows can hope to reach.

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2026-02-22 23:06