7 One Piece Arcs With Best Fights

One Piece has no shortage of incredible fights. From emotional showdowns fueled by vengeance to high-stakes battles that shake the very foundations of the world, Eiichiro Oda has crafted some of the most intense and unforgettable clashes in anime history.

But not all fights are created equal. Some battles stand out not just because of their sheer scale or animation quality, but because of the impact they have on the story, the characters, and the fans watching. Here are the 7 One Piece arcs that delivered the best fighting scenes.

7. Luffy vs Arlong

Arlong Park Arc

The Arlong Park Arc marked a significant turning point in the East Blue saga, showcasing Luffy’s unwavering determination to protect his friends. When Nami’s troubled past under Arlong’s tyranny came to light, the Straw Hat captain didn’t hesitate to challenge the fearsome Fish-Man.

What made this fight particularly memorable was the emotional weight behind it. For years, Nami had been forced to draw maps for Arlong while he terrorized her village and killed her mother. The tension built as Luffy systematically destroyed Arlong’s prized mapping room, the very place that symbolized Nami’s captivity.

The battle itself displayed Arlong’s brutal Fish-Man karate and superior strength in water, while Luffy countered with his rubber abilities and raw determination. Despite being thrown into the ocean multiple times, a deadly predicament for a Devil Fruit user, Luffy persevered with help from his crew.

The climactic moment came when Luffy unleashed Gomu Gomu no Ono (Gum-Gum Battle Axe), smashing Arlong through multiple floors of Arlong Park and ultimately bringing the entire structure down. Claiming victory for Nami and the village that was under oppresion for years.

6. Zoro vs Kaku

Enies Lobby

The Enies Lobby arc brought the Straw Hats against CP9, the World Government’s most elite assassination squad. While Luffy faced Rob Lucci, Zoro found himself matched against Kaku, a former shipwright who revealed himself as a skilled CP9 agent with mastery of the Six Powers techniques.

What made this duel particularly fascinating was Kaku’s Devil Fruit power, the Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Giraffe, which initially seemed comical but proved dangerously effective. Kaku’s ability to transform his square body parts into weapons, combined with his Tempest Kick technique, pushed Zoro to his limits.

The fight showcased significant growth in Zoro’s abilities. When backed into a corner, he unveiled his new technique, Asura, manifesting what appeared to be nine swords and multiple arms in a fearsome illusion. This power-up demonstrated just how far Zoro had come since his days hunting pirates in the East Blue.

The climactic finish came with Zoro’s “Asura: Ichibugin” (One Mist Silver) technique, which overwhelmed Kaku and secured victory.

5. White Beard vs Akinu

Marine Fort

The Marineford Arc stands as one of the most pivotal moments in One Piece history, featuring the all-out war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marine forces. At the heart of this conflict was Whitebeard’s clash with Admiral Akainu, a battle of titanic proportions.

When Akainu mercilessly killed Ace in front of Luffy, Whitebeard’s fury was unleashed. Despite his advanced age and deteriorating health, Whitebeard demonstrated why he was considered the “Strongest Man in the World.” His Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit) power literally tilted the battlefield, creating tsunamis and shattering the very ground beneath them.

What made this confrontation particularly impactful was Whitebeard’s condition, already stabbed by his “son” Squard and suffering multiple injuries from the war. Yet, his rage at Ace’s death gave him renewed strength. When Akainu’s magma fist burned away half of Whitebeard’s face, the old emperor still managed to deliver a devastating blow that split Marineford island in two.

4. Luffy vs Doflamingo

Dressrosa arc

The Dressrosa Arc brought Luffy face to face with Donquixote Doflamingo, a Warlord of the Sea whose cruel manipulations had enslaved an entire kingdom. This battle stands out for its length, intensity, and the debut of Luffy’s Gear Fourth transformation.

The battle encompassed numerous sites throughout Dressrosa, as Doflamingo’s string skills demonstrated remarkable adaptability and lethality. His Parasite tactic manipulated people as if they were puppets, while his Bird Cage posed a threat to the lives of every citizen in the nation. The risks had never been greater.

Law initially fought alongside Luffy, using his Room abilities in a tactical partnership, but after Law’s defeat, Luffy was left to face Doflamingo alone. When conventional attacks proved ineffective, Luffy revealed his trump card, Gear Fourth: Boundman, a transformation that combined his rubber powers with Haki to create explosive strength and mobility.

What made this fight especially compelling was the time limit of Gear Fourth and the consequences of its use. When the transformation wore off, Luffy was left helpless, requiring the citizens of Dressrosa to protect him until he could recover. This vulnerability humanized Luffy despite his incredible power.

3. Luffy vs. Katakuri

Whole Cake Island arc

The Whole Cake Island arc delivered one of the most technically impressive and thematically rich battles in One Piece history: Luffy versus Charlotte Katakuri. This wasn’t just a clash of powers but a mirror match that forced Luffy to evolve during the fight itself.

As the most capable son of Big Mom, Katakuri boasts an exceptional Observation Haki that grants him a peek into potential future events. Equipped with this skill, his Mochi-Mochi Fruit powers, and physical prowess, he appeared invincible in combat. At the start of their battle, Luffy found himself struggling to keep up with Katakuri in every regard.

Spanning over ten hours within the Mirro-World, it became a contest of endurance and adaptation. Luffy steadily learned from each exchange, gradually developing his own future sight ability through the crucible of combat.

The emotional turning point came when Katakuri deliberately wounded himself after his perfect image was tarnished, displaying a sense of honor that earned Luffy’s respect. This transformed the fight from a simple battle into a mutual journey of growth and understanding between warriors.

Luffy’s development of Gear Fourth: Snakeman specifically to counter Katakuri’s future sight showed his incredible battle adaptation. The new form prioritized speed and unpredictable attack angles over raw power, highlighting Luffy’s growth as a fighter who can adjust his approach based on his opponent.

2. Luffy vs Kaido

Wano arc

The Wano arc delivered what many fans consider the ultimate showdown in One Piece—Luffy’s multiple confrontations with Kaido, the “Strongest Creature in the World.” This wasn’t a single fight but a progression that showcased Luffy’s journey from being easily defeated to standing as an equal to an Emperor.

Their first encounter ended in disaster, with Kaido one-shotting Luffy with his Thunder Bagua attack. This crushing defeat established the immense power gap between them and set the stage for Luffy’s necessary growth throughout the arc.

What made their later confrontations so remarkable was Luffy’s rapid evolution. On the rooftop of Onigashima, Luffy demonstrated his improved Ryuo (advanced Armament Haki) that allowed him to damage Kaido from within. When this proved insufficient, he further developed advanced Conqueror’s Haki coating during the battle itself.

The emotional weight of this fight extended beyond just Luffy and Kaido, it represented justice for the people of Wano who had suffered under Kaido’s tyranny for 20 years. It was a battle to fulfill Toki’s prophecy and the hopes of the scabbards who had waited so long for their moment of liberation.

The climactic awakening of Luffy’s Devil Fruit into the mythical Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika, transformed the battle entirely. This revelation recontextualized Luffy’s rubber powers as those of the Sun God, allowing him to fight with new freedom and creativity that even Kaido couldn’t predict.

1. Garp vs. Aokiji

Egghead arc

In a stunning clash, two towering Marine figures, Monkey D. Garp, revered as the Marine Hero, and Aokiji (previously an Admiral), now allied with the Blackbeard Pirates, squared off. This fight symbolized the intricate balance of justice within the One Piece universe.

What made this clash particularly compelling was the history between these two. Garp had once been Aokiji’s superior, and both men had their own interpretations of justice. While Garp represented unwavering loyalty to the Marines despite disagreeing with some of their actions, Aokiji had chosen to leave the organization after losing to Akainu for the Fleet Admiral position.

The battle showcased Garp’s incredible strength despite his advanced age. Even in his seventies, the Hero of the Marines demonstrated why he was once considered Roger’s equal, using devastating Haki-infused punches that could shatter Aokiji’s ice defenses. Meanwhile, Aokiji’s Logia abilities created a frozen battlefield that would have overwhelmed almost any other opponent.

The emotional weight of this fight came from Garp’s disappointment in seeing Aokiji affiliated with Blackbeard, a pirate Garp considered truly evil. Their exchanges weren’t just physical but ideological, questioning what true justice means in a corrupt world.

2025-03-18 02:23