Ranking the Longest Arcs in the One Piece Manga

Essential Insights on One Piece Story Arcs

Blue skies over the seas: Long arcs in One Piece, sometimes exceeding 100 chapters, are justified by rich narratives and character development.
The Marineford Arc, spanning 31 chapters, serves as an epic battleground that addresses vital plot elements.
The Punk Hazard Arc, consisting of 46 chapters, kicks off the Dressrosa Saga, introducing pivotal characters and themes that shape future events.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece has cemented its place as a globally recognized and transformative manga series centered around a world of pirates. Its remarkable 27-year serialization is a testament to its vast storytelling ambition.

One Piece story arcs are characterized by an intricate tapestry of characters, locations, and simultaneous events, often requiring a significant chapter count to fully unfold. This complexity explains why many arcs clock in at over 100 chapters, a feat that underscores their grandeur.

Updated November 13, 2024 by Julián Fernández Loyarte: The ongoing saga of One Piece continues to evolve, with recent arcs pushing the boundaries of chapter length and depth. In light of the completion of the Egghead Arc, this article has been revised to reflect its new ranking. Additionally, we now include the Marineford and Water 7 arcs, which were absent in earlier analyses.

The Marineford Arc: A Pivotal Confrontation

Total Chapters: 31

Luffy and the Whitebeard Pirates featured on Volume 57 cover.

Chapters: 550 to 580

The Marineford Arc stands as a landmark in the One Piece world, synthesizing myriad plot lines amidst a monumental war scenario involving many key figures. Given the stakes and action-packed confrontation, its relatively concise 31-chapter length surprises many fans.

This brevity can be attributed to a focus on dynamic action scenes, which often unfold rapidly in the manga format, as well as its role as the climactic follow-up to the preceding Impel Down Arc.

The Punk Hazard Arc: Origin of the Dressrosa Saga

Total Chapters: 46

Color spread showcasing Straw Hats and allies at Punk Hazard.

Chapters: 654 to 699

Following the significant time skip, the Punk Hazard Arc presents the franchise’s first major developments post-jump, covering 46 chapters that lay the groundwork for the expansive Dressrosa Saga. Key players and crucial themes emerge here, including Caesar Clown and the SMILE Fruits, along with Trafalgar Law’s strategic alliance with Luffy.

Thriller Bark Arc: A Self-Contained Adventure

Total Chapters: 48

Promotional cover from Thriller Bark Arc featuring Gecko Moria and crew.

Chapters: 442 to 489

Shifting gears from larger narratives, the Thriller Bark Arc stands out for its integrity as a self-contained tale. In just 48 chapters, Oda creatively narrates the Straw Hat Pirates’ confrontation with the formidable Warlord Gecko Moria, weaving in horror-inspired elements that capture readers while exploring themes of fear and loss.

Fish-Man Island Arc: A Cultural Exploration

Total Chapters: 51

Straw Hats navigating through Fish-Man Island with new allies.

Chapters: 603 to 653

The Fish-Man Island Arc marks the first significant storyline following the time skip, delivering high stakes as the Straw Hat Pirates confront Hody Jones and his New Fish-Man Pirates. This arc intricately unfolds the historical context of Fish-Men and Merfolk, spotlighting issues of discrimination while linking character backstories that enrich the overall narrative.

Water 7 Arc: The Stage for High Stakes

Total Chapters: 53

Color spread depicting the Straw Hats arriving at Water 7.

Chapters: 322 to 374

The Water 7 Arc, while serving primarily as a precursor to the Enies Lobby Arc, masterfully navigates several intertwining plots within its 53 chapters. Its significance lies in the introduction of Water 7’s unique geography and culture, along with key character developments involving Franky and Nico Robin.

Enies Lobby Arc: A Defining Intersection

Total Chapters: 56

Color spread featuring the Straw Hats against CP9.

Chapters: 375 to 430

The Enies Lobby Arc holds a critical place in One Piece, encapsulating substantial changes in the protagonist’s relationships and the overarching narrative. In 56 chapters, it deepens reader empathy for characters like Franky while introducing the menacing CP9 and the World Government as formidable adversaries.

Arabasta Arc: The Genesis of a Saga

Total Chapters: 63

Luffy and Baroque Works agents showcased in Chapter 160.

Chapters: 155 to 217

The Arabasta Arc represents a climactic conclusion to the initial saga of the Straw Hats in the Grand Line. With its scope encompassing the showdown with Sir Crocodile and Baroque Works, the stakes couldn’t be higher; each Straw Hat plays an integral role in the conflict, unveiling the series’ complex themes of duty and friendship.

Skypiea Arc: An Ethereal Journey

Total Chapters: 66

Dramatic cover of Enel battling Luffy in Volume 30.

Chapters: 237 to 302

The Skypiea Arc presents a unique narrative diverging from classic piracy themes, focusing instead on cultural exploration within the Sky Islands. Divulging extensive lore and character depth, Oda highlights the battle against Enel, while also weaving a poignant flashback of Mont Blanc Noland and his historical ties to the current conflict.

Egghead Arc: Twists and Revelations

Total Chapters: 68

Official color spread presenting Doctor Vegapunk and his innovations.

Chapters: 1058 to 1125

The recently wrapped Egghead Arc disrupted expectations following the lengthy Wano Country Arc. It introduced Doctor Vegapunk and a series of pivotal developments, including backstories connected to Bartholomew Kuma, ultimately enriching the overarching plot and intensifying the narrative landscape.

Whole Cake Island Arc: A Culinary Conquest

Total Chapters: 78

Key characters from Whole Cake Island Arc on Volume 88 cover.

Chapters: 825 to 902

Within the Whole Cake Island Arc, Oda showcases his remarkable skill in integrating diverse characters and themes without overwhelming readers. Building on the introduction of Big Mom and the complex mission to retrieve Sanji, this arc culminates in the electrifying battle between Luffy and Katakuri, solidifying its place as a high point in the series.

Dressrosa Arc: A Kingdom’s Plight

Total Chapters: 102

Color spread from the Dressrosa Arc showcasing key allies.

Chapters: 700 to 801

As a confrontation reminiscent of the Arabasta Arc, the Dressrosa Arc highlights the Straw Hats’ commitment to liberating a kingdom tormented by the Warlord Donquixote Doflamingo. This arc illustrates how Oda has evolved storytelling techniques, culminating in a rich tapestry of character interactions and intense battles that further enrich the One Piece narrative.

Wano Country Arc: The Pinnacle of Ambition

Total Chapters: 149

Key visual from Wano Country Arc, focusing on Kaido.

Chapters: 909 to 1057

The Wano Country Arc is renowned not only as the longest arc in One Piece, but also as one of the most expansive in manga history. Carefully crafted over years, its narrative unfolds across three acts, intertwining rich character arcs and intricate world-building. Wano’s complex social dynamics and compelling villains thrive in this ambitious framework, showcasing Oda’s storytelling prowess.