Every One Piece Arc Ranked From Forgettable To Masterpiece

Spread across thousands of chapters and episodes and counting, One Piece's grand saga spans multiple story arcs. While there are no doubt obvious fan favorites such as the epic Marineford Arc or the story-defining Wano Arc, every One Piece arc has something unique to offer, whether that's pure action and exciting match ups, lore-altering revelations, tear-jerking emotional resolutions, or simply just a charming adventure. This applies even to less-acclaimed story arcs, including so-called "canon filler" arcs like the Long Ring Long Land Arc and the Return to Sabaody Arc, with the former providing unbridled, classic One Piece humor, while the latter exists to prove the Straw Hats' newfound post-time skip strength. Though it differs from one fan to another, even uneventful story arcs such as these can also be enjoyable in their own right, which is one of the rarely acknowledged beauties of One Piece. 33 Syrup Village Chapters 22 - 41 and Episodes 9 - 18 As the third story arc of One Piece, the Syrup Village Arc introduces one of the series' first intimidating villains in the form of Captain Kuro, while also serving as an introduction to one of the Straw Hats' initial members, Usopp. However, in the grand scheme of the series and the various Straw Hat backstories and introductions, Usopp's arc rather fails to be memorable, especially in comparison to that of Sanji and Nami. Nonetheless, the Syrup Village Arc does provide the Straw Hats with one of their most beloved crew members in the form of the Going Merry and quite a bit of foreshadowing in the form of Usopp's lies to Kaya, which may have very well been premonitions of the Straw Hats' adventures to come. 32 Return To Sabaody Chapters 598 - 602 and Episodes 517 - 522 In this brief but impactful arc, One Piece essentially marked the start of the second half of the series and effectively laid the groundwork for what was to come. Alongside ceremoniously introducing new crew members and including a humorous gag involving the fake Straw Hats, the Return to Sabaody Arc also depicted Luffy's impressive growth in strength and provided insight into the character of the new Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki Akainu. It also introduced Cairbou and his crew, and in recent chapters, this sneaky and deceptive pirate could be the catalyst to some of the biggest developments in One Piece so far. The arc also made way for the Fishman Island Saga, and it was a great way to show off the series' new designs and kick off the journey to the New World. 31 Amazon Lily Chapters 514 - 524 and Episodes 408 - 421 While it certainly has its comedic moments, the Amazon Lily Arc is quite unremarkable as a whole and thus is often overshadowed by other better arcs in One Piece. Among its memorable moments are Luffy covering Sandersonia's back, the revelation of Boa Hancock's past, and one of the earliest instances of Luffy using Conqueror's Haki. Though the dynamic between Boa and Luffy is quite entertaining, possibly the only noteworthy part of the arc is how Boa and her sisters' backstory highlights the cruelty of One Piece's Celestial Dragons. 30 Reverse Mountain Chapters 101 - 105 and Episodes 62 - 63 The Reverse Mountain Arc is one of the shortest canon arcs in the anime with only two episodes. Yet, the arc is near unforgettable as very the beginning of the Straw Hats' adventure as they enter the Grand Line. Though uneventful, the Reverse Mountain Arc sets up many interesting plot points, such as the introduction of Miss Wednesday, aka Vivi, the introduction of Laboon, who later becomes part of one of the saddest backstories in One Piece, and the explanation of how the Grand Line and the log poses function, which is crucial to this day. 29 Post-Enies Lobby Chapters 431 - 441 and Episodes 313 - 325 The immediate arc following the Enies Lobby storyline faced the daunting task of living up to its predecessor's perfection, but it did well in putting a close to the saga. This brief but impactful narrative introduced a new crew member, solidified Robin's determination, unveiled a new reliable ship, and portrayed the crew's emotional return to Water 7 for heartfelt farewells. A highlight, though, was Usopp's heartwarming return and apology for his defiance towards his captain, and the resolution of the conflict within the crew. This arc elegantly concluded what many consider to be One Piece's finest saga. Furthermore, the arc's exceptional world building set the stage for the upcoming Sabaody Arc and offered intriguing glimpses into the inner workings of the formidable World Government. 28 Whisky Peak Chapters 106 - 114 and Episodes 64 - 67 Despite its unassuming premise and short length, the Whisky Peak Arc manages to be surprisingly entertaining within a short amount of time. The arc has quite a few good fights, such as Zoro's battle against the hundred bounty hunters as well as his battle against Luffy. The arc also introduces many key characters like Nico Robin, Baroque Works, and their ominous leader, Crocodile. Most importantly, the arc seems to land all its gags, which makes it a joy to watch. 27 Loguetown Chapters 96 - 100 and Episodes 45, 48 - 53 While the Loguetown Arc does not seem all too special on first watch, the characters and themes it introduces are arguably some of the most crucial in One Piece. From the parallels between Roger and Luffy to the introduction of recurring characters like Dragon, Tashigi, and Smoker, the Loguetown Arc continues to grow in importance as the story progresses. In fact, a popular new fan theory even hypothesizes that Loguetown could be closely connected to Laugh Tale and the final treasure. 26 Long Ring Long Land Chapters 303 - 321 and Episodes 207 - 219 Long Ring Long Land is one of the more controversial arcs in One Piece, being sandwiched between two of the best arcs in One Piece, but it still deserves mention. The arc is one of the goofier ones in the series, with the Straw Hats engaging in a silly contest against a weak crew of pirates, which has led some fans to view it purely as filler, despite being canon. But this attitude ignores how the lighthearted parts of One Piece are some of what makes the story so unique and fun. In addition, the introduction of the incredibly strong Admiral Kuzan is an important moment that single-handedly justifies this arc's inclusion among One Piece's best. Furthermore, with the revelation of the Davy Clan, the Davy Back fight introduced in Long Ring Long Land might just make a crucial comeback in the Final Saga. 25 Little Garden Chapters 115 - 129 and Episodes 70 - 77 Little Garden may be lower in the ranking of One Piece's best arcs than many fans may expect. The arc is a lot of fun and introduces Giants to One Piece's world, which would go on to be a major part of both Usopp's character arc and the future story as a whole once the Straw Hats reach the island of Elbaph in the coming arcs. Little Garden teases one of the series' final islands and is a major hint towards One Piece's several tragic genocides. However, besides introducing Dorry and Brogy and featuring a fun fight with Baroque Works, the arc isn't as impactful as many of One Piece's other best arcs, earning Little Garden a low rank. 24 Jaya Chapters 218 - 236 and Episodes 144 - 152 Jaya is largely a setup arc for the incredible events to come in Skypiea, but it still has a lot to offer for fans. Luffy and Blackbeard's first interaction is one of the most iconic scenes in the series and sets the tone for their conflicts to come. The arc also first showed some major figures in One Piece's world, like Doflamingo and the Five Elders. Perhaps the most satisfying moment in Jaya, though, is when Luffy defeats the cocky pirate Bellamy in one of the most cathartic beatdowns in the series.