One Piece: Six Arcs That Deserve a Re-Edit Similar to the Fish-Man Island Arc

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Toei Animation is set to release a re-edited version of the Fish-Man Island Arc during the six-month hiatus of the Egghead Arc, much to the delight of fans.
There are opportunities for re-edits that can enhance the pacing and visual appeal of the Syrup Village, Long Ring Long Land, and Punk Hazard arcs.
Many fans are hopeful for a remastered version of the Dressrosa Arc, aiming to enhance its animation, eliminate filler, and rectify pacing concerns.

The One Piece anime community has expressed both surprise and excitement over Toei Animation’s plans to air a revamped version of the Fish-Man Island Arc during the extended hiatus of the Egghead Arc, which will last for six months.

This particular arc has historically divided fans, so a streamlined approach with polished animation, particularly in the fight sequences, could enhance its reception. This news has inevitably sparked discussions about which other arcs from One Piece might also benefit from similar re-edits. Below are several arcs that could greatly improve with Toei Animation’s updates.

1 Syrup Village Arc

A Controversial Arc That Deserves Redemption

Usopp's introduction in the Syrup Village Arc.

Duration: Chapters 22 to 41 (Manga) Episodes 9 to 18 (Anime)

The Syrup Village Arc falls short in both its manga and anime adaptations, featuring sluggish pacing, an underwhelming villain in Kuro, and an Usopp who can seem grating at first. The animation during the pivotal fight scenes also lacks impact, contributing to the arc’s mediocre status.

Although there was a brief re-edit in the Episode of East Blue special, it didn’t effectively address the original’s shortcomings. A fresh take with revamped visuals and a snappier pace could significantly enhance the perception of this arc and its protagonist, Usopp.

2 Long Ring Long Land Arc

Elimination of Filler and Inclusion of Key Scenes

Luffy slows Foxy down with his own Noro Noro beam.

Duration: Chapters 303 to 321 (Manga) Episodes 207 to 219 (Anime)

The anime adaptation of the Long Ring Long Land Arc took an already divisive chapter from the manga and compounded its issues by inserting irrelevant filler and omitting the surprise appearance of Admiral Aokiji, which drastically altered the arc’s impact.

This arc, while quirky, holds a number of memorable comedic moments and offers a unique tonal shift at the conclusion, making it a lost opportunity for more engaging storytelling.

3 Marineford Arc

An Action-Packed Arc That Could Shine Even Brighter

Luffy in front of the 3 admirals, Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru.

Duration: Chapters 550 to 580 (Manga) Episodes 457 to 489 (Anime)

While the animated Marineford Arc maintains a solid reputation and is cherished by many viewers, its execution suffered from familiar anime pitfalls, including subpar animation, excessive flashbacks, and uneven pacing.

Given the importance of this arc, featuring some of the most exhilarating battles in the series, a re-edit from Toei Animation could present an opportunity to showcase its grandeur with a modernized animation style.

4 Punk Hazard Arc

A Follow-Up Arc That Deserves Enhanced Attention

Duration: Chapters 654 to 699 (Manga) Episodes 579 to 625 (Anime)

Many fans believe the anime’s quality took a hit post-time skip, especially with the Fish-Man Island Arc, which laid the groundwork for future pacing and filler problems. Since the Fish-Man Island Arc is already undergoing a critical re-edit, it’s a natural progression to also consider the Punk Hazard Arc.

The arc showcases unique settings, a compelling villain in Caesar Clown, and serves as a precursor to the Dressrosa Arc. Applying the same enhancements used for the Fish-Man Island Arc could provide Punk Hazard with the recognition it justly deserves.

5 Dressrosa Arc

An Infamous Arc Ready for a Much-Needed Overhaul

Duration: Chapters 700 to 801 (Manga) Episodes 629 to 746 (Anime)

The Dressrosa Arc is often cited as the most criticized segment of the One Piece anime, with many fans attributing their shift to the manga to its extensive flaws. It is exceptionally lengthy, overloaded with repetitious flashbacks, and features tedious fights that should have been laden with intensity and excitement.

For years, fans have been wishing for a concise and polished version of the Dressrosa Arc, and some have even undertaken re-edits themselves. However, an official refinement from Toei Animation could be the transformative process this arc urgently requires. Given the gripping narrative and one of the series’ greatest villains, Donquixote Doflamingo, a revamped adaptation could highlight its strengths.

6 Whole Cake Island Arc

An Arc That Deserves a Second Shot

Big Mom sings with her homies in Totto Land.

Duration: Chapters 825 to 902 (Manga) Episodes 783 to 877 (Anime)

While not nearly as poorly-received as the Dressrosa Arc, the Whole Cake Island Arc still faced typical issues that are often attributed to the series. This is particularly frustrating since many fans felt that Toei Animation had improved visual quality and fight fluidity in the following Wano Country Arc.

The Whole Cake Island Arc chronicles the Straw Hat Pirates’ thrilling encounter with one of the Four Emperors, Big Mom, featuring a distinctive setting and numerous captivating battles, most notably Luffy’s clash with Katakuri. A re-edit that elevates the animation quality to match that of the Wano Country Arc could transform it into a highlight of the One Piece saga.

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