All 11 One Piece Sagas Ranked From Worst to Best

Eiichiro Oda’s *One Piece* manga first appeared in *Weekly Shonen Jump* in 1997 and remains incredibly popular today. The story follows Monkey D. Luffy’s adventures, with its expansive world and many unfolding mysteries making it truly captivating. Currently, *One Piece* is divided into 11 major story arcs (Sagas), with the final one currently unfolding in its second part. These Sagas are further broken down into over 30 smaller arcs, spread across more than 1100 chapters, gradually revealing the truth. The series begins with the East Blue Saga, where we meet Luffy and his initial crew of five before they embark on their journey to the Grand Line, continuing in the Alabasta Saga.

Even though the Straw Hat Pirates’ story seems to be nearing its end, the series still has a lot more to unfold. Each major arc, or Saga, is different, so fans will likely always debate which one is the best – they all bring something special to the table. While no arc of *One Piece* is truly weak, some are definitely stronger and more memorable than others.

11) Fish-Man Island Saga

After the Straw Hats finally rejoined, Fish-Man Island was the first place they went, and it really opened my eyes to the darker side of the underwater world. It’s where we first heard about Joy Boy, and I met Princess Shirahoshi, who we later discovered was actually the ancient weapon, Poseidon. But beyond all the history about the Void Century, what really stood out about this part of the story was how deeply it dealt with issues like racism, the way hatred keeps repeating itself, and how unfair systems can be.

Despite some characters hoping to end the conflict, many on Fish-Man Island actively resist peace. The biggest weakness of this story arc is its villain, Hody Jones, whose actions against his own people are motivated by insignificant beliefs.

10) Whole Cake Island Saga

The Whole Cake Island arc is largely focused on Sanji, making it particularly meaningful for his fans. From learning about his difficult history to seeing his determination to protect his crew from Big Mom, and even his emotional fight with Luffy, the entire arc is deeply moving and makes you root for the Straw Hats’ cook. But it’s not just about Sanji; Luffy also had a pivotal moment, facing off against a Yonko and battling the incredibly powerful Katakuri, who can see into the future.

Watching this story unfold, I’ve noticed one small letdown: we haven’t seen much of the whole crew since Zoro and the others headed to Wano. Also, even though it’s been over a hundred chapters, we still haven’t learned a lot about the mysteries of the Void Century – I was hoping for more details on that front.

9) Thriller Bark Saga

Thriller Bark is the shortest and funniest story arc in the series. After the Straw Hats escape Enies Lobby, they find themselves shipwrecked on a massive island-ship. This arc introduces Brook, a musician who joins the crew, fulfilling a wish Luffy had. But the most memorable moment is definitely the scene where Zoro famously claims “Nothing Happened” while fiercely protecting Luffy.

The story also features Ryuma, who gifted Zoro the famous sword Shisui, unaware that Zoro was a descendant of his. Additionally, the Thriller Bark arc hints at events in the Wano Country arc, sharing connections to the isolated island and the backstory of its main villain, Gecko Moria.

8) Dressrosa Saga

Many fans consider Donquixote Doflamingo the greatest villain in *One Piece*, and the Dressrosa Saga clearly demonstrates why. He first gained widespread recognition with a memorable speech during the Summit War, becoming a fan favorite. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Doflamingo secretly ruled Dressrosa as a tyrant, masking his cruelty with a false image of heroism. This saga also showcases the strong partnership between Trafalgar Law and Luffy, who team up to defeat Doflamingo before setting their sights on Wano.

One of the highlights of the series is the rich backstory given to characters like Law, who quickly became a fan favorite. Admiral Fujitora also stands out as a character who genuinely embodies the ideals of the Marines. The Dressrosa arc is packed with action and introduces a huge cast of characters, ultimately leading to the formation of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet.

7) Alabasta Saga

The Alabasta Saga is a fan favorite in *One Piece*, introducing memorable characters like Tony Tony Chopper, Nico Robin, Nefertari Vivi, Portgas D. Ace, and Bon Clay. It’s the second major story arc where the Straw Hat Pirates venture into the Grand Line and become entangled in a large plot orchestrated by Crocodile, a powerful member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

This story arc is filled with action, but it also starts to reveal the deeper history of the world. We learn about the Poneglyphs, ancient stones that hold many secrets, and the Nefertari family, who played a key role in creating the current World Government. This makes them valuable allies for Luffy.

6) Sky Island Saga

Despite being several years old, the Sky Island Saga remains a fan favorite that doesn’t get enough credit. The Straw Hat crew’s journey to a floating island proves the truth behind the legend of Nolan the Liar. This adventure happens right after the Alabasta arc and captivates Robin with its many secrets. The saga also features Enel, a truly memorable villain who is still popular with fans.

This part of the story heavily hints at the importance of Haki, which is a key power system. More importantly, we learn that life exists outside of the planet, and the story of the ancient civilization introduced in Enel’s side story continues to be a fascinating mystery.

5) East Blue Saga

The initial arc of the series was a perfect way to start the story, and it immediately grabbed our attention. The manga begins by quickly showing us Luffy’s past, including his encounter with Shanks, and clearly establishes his goal of becoming the Pirate King. As the story progresses, we meet a constant stream of new faces – future crewmates, helpful allies, and formidable enemies.

The series really shines when it delves into the histories of its characters, and this installment continues that trend. While the story only scratches the surface of the show’s overall mythology, it’s packed with memorable scenes – like Zoro’s fight with Mihawk, the journey to Arlong Park, and Sanji’s battle with Gin, just to name a few.

4) Water 7 Saga

While the Whole Cake Island arc focused on Sanji, the Water 7 arc truly belonged to Nico Robin, and it happened much earlier in the story. Initially, the crew didn’t trust her because she’d been working with the villain Crocodile, but Luffy immediately recognized her good heart. When the crew arrived in Water 7 to repair their ship, the Going Merry, they faced many problems, but Robin’s sudden disappearance was the most devastating.

Fortunately, the Straw Hats discovered what was happening to Robin before it was too late and rushed to save her from being executed at Enies Lobby. Seeing Robin willing to give her life for them only strengthened their resolve. Ultimately, Luffy didn’t hesitate to confront the World Government in order to rescue her and bring her home.

3) Wano Country Saga

The Wano Country Saga, lasting 149 chapters as a single, continuous arc, received criticism for its length. However, it also features some of the most compelling backstory and exciting battles in the series. The introduction of Gear 5 alone makes it a standout arc, ranking among the top three. This arc represents the peak of Luffy’s development and explores key themes of the show, going beyond a simple power increase.

It’s clear Luffy couldn’t have received a more fitting power-up, given its connection to Joy Boy and the mysteries of the Void Century. The battle in Wano was incredibly difficult for Luffy’s allies, who fought to defeat the powerful Emperor Kaido. They were prepared for a tough fight, but they never expected Big Mom to show up and team up with Kaido.

2) Summit War Saga

The incredibly impactful and emotional *One Piece* Saga fundamentally altered the story, ushering in a new age. The World Government deliberately lured the Whitebeard Pirates into a trap, and they were forced to comply in order to try and rescue Ace. This wasn’t limited to Whitebeard’s crew; Luffy also risked everything, traveling to Marineford determined to save his brother.

Throughout the entire series, viewers held onto a small hope for a happy ending. However, the creator, Eiichiro Oda, intentionally had Luffy experience this difficult event to help him develop as a character. The story is full of memorable scenes, like the surprising appearance of Shanks which brought the war to a halt.

1) Final Saga

Even though the Final Saga is still happening, it’s not surprising to see it ranked so highly, particularly with the series’ increasing focus on its history and world-building. The Egghead Arc has delivered some truly shocking reveals, and the Elbaf Arc is adding another fascinating backstory, this time exploring the origins of Rocks D. Xebec.

With the story building towards the major war hinted at during the Summit War Saga, the series needs to resolve some remaining plot points before it begins.

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2025-09-28 20:46