One Piece arcs like Whole Cake Island and Punk Hazard are infinitely better executed in the manga.

One Piece's Dressrosa arc, Fishman Island and Whole Cake Island

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is rightfully considered one of the best shonen adventures in history. Ongoing for over 25 years, Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates’ journey through the series’ expansive seafaring world in search of the legendary treasure continues to captivate fans, both new and old, just as much as it did decades ago. With the series now firmly in its Final Saga, the conclusion to Oda’s massive epic is finally in sight, which makes the age-old debate between two opposing sides of the One Piece fanbase — the manga readers and the anime watchers — more relevant than ever before.

The original manga is commonly considered the superior version of One Piece. Crafted just as Oda has intended, it doesn’t suffer from the same problems many find in the anime, like subpar animation, dragged-out pacing and overabundance of filler. While there are plenty of moments in the anime that improve on the source material through effective use of movement, sound design and exceptional cinematic direction, especially in the most recent arcs like Wano and Egghead, it’s hard to argue that some One Piece arcs are infinitely better executed in the manga.

The One Piece is the upcoming remake of the original anime, and it promises to repackage the familiar story in an excitingly fresh way.

10Zou Drags Too Much for a Transitional Arc

Jack Beast Pirates attacks Zou in One Piece One Piece Chopper and Mink Doctors Zunesha in the One Piece manga. Mink Tribe from One PieceJack Beast Pirates attacks Zou in One Piece One Piece Chopper and Mink Doctors Zunesha in the One Piece manga. Mink Tribe from One Piece

Manga Chapters
802-824 (23 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
751-779 (29 Episodes)

Following right after such an expansive, content-dense arc as Dressrosa, Zou acts as an in-between arc before the story goes on its next massive adventure at Whole Cake Island. Counting just 23 chapters, the Zou arc provides an excellent setup for the WCI Saga while, at the same time, engrossing the audience in the story of the mysterious Mink Tribe. The anime version noticeably improves the animation quality compared to Dressrosa and Punk Hazard.

Yet, similarly to most post-time skip arcs in the anime, Zou drags out the contents of the arc to 29 episodes. With the standard anime episode adapting two-three manga chapters, Zou, a short arc that already has little going on, feels notably longer in the anime.

9Whole Cake Island Nails the Fights but Wastes a Lot of Time With Filler

Luffy vs Katakuri during Whole Cake Island Arc in One Piece Jinbe and Luffy at Whole Cake Island in One Piece Manga Nami flirts with Sanji in Whole Cake Island in One Piece Big Mom making a unsettling smile on Whole Cake Island in One PieceLuffy vs Katakuri during Whole Cake Island Arc in One Piece Jinbe and Luffy at Whole Cake Island in One Piece Manga
Nami flirts with Sanji in Whole Cake Island in One Piece Big Mom making a unsettling smile on Whole Cake Island in One Piece

The Straw Hat Pirates have faced tough times on more than one occasion and despite being more than a family, they’ve had to lose a bunch of members.

Manga Chapters
825-902 (78 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
783-877 (95 Episodes)

Many anime fans consider Whole Cake Island to be an excellent adaptation. Between the exceptional handling of the emotions in Sanji’s backstory and the phenomenal execution of some of One Piece’s most iconic fights, such as Luffy vs. Katakuri, WCI is when the One Piece anime really gets to its modern standards visually.

Nevertheless, the arc is still majorly dragged down by filler, as, at this point in the story, the One Piece anime was desperately trying not to catch up to the manga. As a result, even otherwise spectacular fights can feel too padded out in the anime, going on for episodes on end without any real progression.

8Baratie Arc Suffers From Censorship

Sanji bowing toward Zeff to show his deep respect for him at Baratie in One Piece. Sanji learning about Zeff's foot in One Piece. Mihawk vs Zoro at Baratie in One Piece. Zeff from One Piece in his chef uniform and peg leg.Sanji bowing toward Zeff to show his deep respect for him at Baratie in One Piece. Sanji learning about Zeff's foot in One Piece. Mihawk vs Zoro at Baratie in One Piece. Zeff from One Piece in his chef uniform and peg leg.

Manga Chapters
42-68 (27 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
19-30 (12 Episodes)

Countless fans have warm feelings toward the early parts of the One Piece anime. However, while the manga didn’t shy away from more gruesome and mature content from the very beginning, the anime’s handling of early plots could be very childish. No arc struggles from kid-friendly censorship more than Baratie, as one of its key emotional moments was deemed too gruesome to include in the anime.

In the manga’s version of the flashback to Zeff and Sanji’s past, Zeff eats his own leg to satisfy his hunger while stranded on a deserted island, allowing Sanji to have all their food supplies. The anime takes all of the emotional depth and eeriness away from the scene by making Zeff lose his leg in a shipwreck.

7Fishman Island Is Where the Pacing in One Piece Anime Becomes a Real Problem

Luffy at Fishman Island in One Piece. Sanji and Zoro on Fishman Island in One Piece. Jinbei stares ahead in One Piece Vander Decken IX Trying To Harm Shirahoshi In One PieceLuffy at Fishman Island in One Piece. Sanji and Zoro on Fishman Island in One Piece. Jinbei stares ahead in One Piece Vander Decken IX Trying To Harm Shirahoshi In One Piece

Manga Chapters
603-653 (51 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
523-541, 543-574 (51 Episodes)

The pacing issues are one of the main reasons why so many fans prefer the One Piece manga over anime. While most of the pre-time skip arcs barely suffer from pacing issues, Fishman Island marks the point where the show really begins to drag.

An already controversial arc in the manga, Fishman Island doesn’t have many exciting fight scenes or outstanding action moments that could benefit from an anime treatment. And its more grounded plot points and themes, such as the exposition sequences dedicated to the Ancient Weapons or the thought-provoking allegories on race and racism, are delivered with much more grace in the manga’s condensed version.

6Pacing and Animation Issues Get Amplified in Punk Hazard

Caesar Clown showing off his evil powers in One Piece's Punk Hazard Arc Yeti Cool brothers in Punk Hazard standing with their arms crossed in One Piece. Zoro fighting against Monet during One Piece's Punk Hazard arc Captured kids on Punk Hazard in One Piece.Caesar Clown showing off his evil powers in One Piece's Punk Hazard Arc Yeti Cool brothers in Punk Hazard standing with their arms crossed in One Piece. Zoro fighting against Monet during One Piece's Punk Hazard arc Captured kids on Punk Hazard in One Piece.

Manga Chapters
654-699 (46 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
579-589, 591-625 (46 Episodes)

Similarly to Fishman Island before it, Punk Hazard is an arc many disliked in the anime due to glaring pacing issues. In the manga, Punk Hazard presents the audience with an eerie yet engrossing plot that, on top of exploring some heavy themes like scientific ethics and child abuse, remains fun throughout and prepares both the readers and the heroes for their next big adventure — Dressrosa.

However, all of these merits feel suppressed in the One Piece anime due to both the pacing and the animation quality taking a nosedive. Outside of some excellent voice acting work, particularly Ryusei Nakao’s performance as Caesar Clown, there’s little reason to choose the anime over the manga for Punk Hazard.

5Reverie Arc Is Padded Out Through Flashbacks

Reverie Council World Government gathering in One Piece.

Manga Chapters
903-908 (6 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
878-889 (12 Episodes)

The Reverie arc happens in One Piece right after the events of Whole Cake Island and mostly acts as a short tool to draw conclusions and showcase how the world has changed as a result of the Straw Hats’ actions. In the manga, the entire arc takes just six chapters and doesn’t overstay its welcome, allowing the story to naturally transition into the next big Saga.

In the One Piece anime, however, the arc has double the number of episodes, padding out the runtime through excessive use of flashbacks. Such a short yet information-dense arc with multiple big reveals, including the introduction of Imu, the world’s secret ruler, is definitely better experienced through the manga.

4The One Piece Anime Adds Needless Extra Content to Long Ring Long Land

Aokiji freezes Nico Robin in One Piece's Long Ring Long Island Arc.
Foxy the pirate in One Piece striking a pose. The Foxy Pirates finally defeated in One Piece. Robin and Chopper after being stolen by Foxy in One Piece.Aokiji freezes Nico Robin in One Piece's Long Ring Long Island Arc. Foxy the pirate in One Piece striking a pose. The Foxy Pirates finally defeated in One Piece. Robin and Chopper after being stolen by Foxy in One Piece.

Manga Chapters
303-321 (19 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
207-219 (13 Episodes)

One of the least liked arcs in the entirety of One Piece, Long Ring Long Land feels dragged out and inconsequential even in the manga. Yet, the anime makes the Straw Hats’ confrontation with the Foxy Pirates feel even more like filler by adding extra rounds to the Davy Back Fight.

While the original only has three challenges for the Straw Hats to face, in the anime, Luffy agrees to three extra rounds, effectively doubling the length of the arc. As many fans find the Long Ring Long Land arc pointless, to begin with, outside of the introduction of Aokiji during its finale, it makes sense to experience a shorter version of the Davy Back Fight in the manga.

3Marineford Is More Impactful in the One Piece Manga

Luffy unconsciously uses Conqueror's Haki during Marineford in One Piece. Sengoku Reveals Ace's Lineage At Marineford In One Piece Monkey D. Luffy watches as Admiral Akainu kills Portgas D. Ace during One Piece's Marineford Arc Whitebeard versus Admiral Akainu in One Piece mangaLuffy unconsciously uses Conqueror's Haki during Marineford in One Piece. Sengoku Reveals Ace's Lineage At Marineford In One Piece Monkey D. Luffy watches as Admiral Akainu kills Portgas D. Ace during One Piece's Marineford Arc Whitebeard versus Admiral Akainu in One Piece manga

Oda doesn’t like killing off characters, especially villains. When he does, however, he makes sure it becomes a defining moment in the story.

Manga Chapters
550-580 (31 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
457-489 (33 Episodes)

Marineford is rightfully considered one of the series’ most well-executed and impressive arcs. Featuring such story-altering events as the death of Ace, Whitebeard’s sacrifice, and Blackbeard stealing the Gura Gura no Mi powers, Marineford has altered the course of Luffy’s adventure forever.

For the most part, the anime version of the arc does a competent job of bringing out the emotions of Marineford’s iconic moments. However, compared to the manga, the anime evidently elongates many scenes, making them feel much less impactful. Censorship is another issue that makes the anime version inferior to the manga, as such gruesome scenes as Ace getting killed by Akainu are toned down significantly in the anime.

2Skypiea’s Unfavorable Reputation Is the Result of the One Piece Anime’s Poor Pacing

Monkey D. Luffy's shadow as seen in One Piece's Skypiea Arc Enel during One Piece's Skypiea arc The Straw Hat Pirate and the main characters of One Piece's Sky Island arc Sanji burnt at Skypiea in One Piece.Monkey D. Luffy's shadow as seen in One Piece's Skypiea Arc Enel during One Piece's Skypiea arc The Straw Hat Pirate and the main characters of One Piece's Sky Island arc Sanji burnt at Skypiea in One Piece.

Manga Chapters
237-302 (66 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
153-195 (43 Episodes)

While the Skypiea arc gets a bad rap for being unexciting and overly long, it’s unfair to deem this monumental arc unimportant, as it reveals some of the most consequential information about the One Piece lore and world. Even in the manga, Skypiea is a rather unhurried arc, as most of it is dedicated to exploring the world and mysteries of the Sky Islands and not thrilling battles.

Yet, the One Piece anime turns Skypiea’s leisurely pacing into a glaring problem by noticeably padding out the episodes. However, many anime fans still deem the Sky Island Saga worth watching as its final act contains the anime-original G-8 arc, which is commonly regarded as the best filler arc in One Piece.

1Dressrosa Bores the Audience in the Anime Version

Doflamingo using the String-String Fruit Against Law in One PIece Luffy clashes with Doflamingo in the heart of Dressrosa in One Piece. Nico Robin saves Rebecca in Dressrosa in One Piece. Gladiator Lucy, a disguise worn by Monkey D. Luffy, in the Dressrosa arc of One PieceDoflamingo using the String-String Fruit Against Law in One PIece Luffy clashes with Doflamingo in the heart of Dressrosa in One Piece. Nico Robin saves Rebecca in Dressrosa in One Piece. Gladiator Lucy, a disguise worn by Monkey D. Luffy, in the Dressrosa arc of One Piece

Manga Chapters
700-801 (102 Chapters)

Anime Episodes
629-746 (118 Episodes)

No arc in OnePiece is affected by the anime’s shortcomings more than Dressrosa. The second-longest arc in the series, Dressrosa has plenty of exciting plots going on, including Luffy’s confrontation with Doflamingo, the reveal of Trafalgar Law’s backstory, and the introduction of Gear 4. Even if its length almost rivals that of Wano, it doesn’t feel dragged out in the manga.

The anime, however, has multiple episodes that add practically nothing to the story, padding out such minor plot points as Rebecca’s backstory and taking much of the excitement away from the fights by making them too long. Another notable issue with Dressrosa is the animation quality, with the arc being one of the worst-looking in the entire anime, especially when compared to the gorgeously executed following arc, Wano.