Top 10 One Piece Arcs with Best Action, Ranked

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One Piece stands out as a remarkable creation for several significant reasons. Not only does it boast a richly developed universe, compelling characters, and insightful social and political commentary, but its action sequences are second to none, living up to the expectations of every Shonen anime. Without fail, each action-packed arc in One Piece has delivered an exceptional experience.

Over a span of approximately 30 years, One Piece has consistently showcased some of the finest fight scenes in Shonen anime and manga, with almost every major storyline boasting incredible action sequences. Apart from its combats, this anime frequently incorporates imaginative action set-ups to maintain viewer engagement. The arcs that stand out for their exceptional action are those driven by intense drama, featuring intense battles, varied backgrounds, and top-notch animation quality.

Thriller Bark’s Best Fight Scene isn’t Even a Fight

In contrast to many other journeys taken by the Straw Hat crew after East Blue, the Thriller Bark Arc has a more subdued atmosphere. This quieter tone is evident in the relatively ordinary nature of most fights that occur during this arc. For instance, Luffy, Sanji, and Chopper’s battles against Moria, Absalom, and Hogback are among their least remarkable in One Piece, despite the intriguing concept of the team fight against Oars. The execution of this battle, though interesting in theory, leaves room for improvement.

In terms of notable moments, Usopp’s fight with Perona and Zoro versus Ryuma are standouts, even though the former isn’t heavily action-packed. Thriller Bark truly excels post-battle, starting with Kuma’s surprising appearance and demonstration of power. This event sets the stage for Zoro’s selfless act to aid the entire crew. The sequence where Zoro bears Luffy’s pain from his fight against Moria is undeniably one of the most impressive in One Piece.

The Straw Hat Grand Fleet’s Battles Are More Tiresome Than Interesting

In the Dressrosa Arc of One Piece, some critics argue that the animation quality is subpar and the pacing is slow, making several fights less impactful. Interestingly, despite numerous battles involving the future crew members of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, none of them stand out particularly well. On a positive note, this arc does include Franky’s most impressive fight in the anime, his confrontation with Señor Pink, and the stunning climactic battle between Luffy, Law, and Doflamingo.

Among all the spectacular scenes, such as Usopp revealing Observation Haki for a precise shot on Sugar, or Law employing his Gamma Knife against Doffy, it’s Luffy’s introduction of Gear Fourth that truly outshines them all. For the first time, we witness the complete result of Luffy’s training with Rayleigh, and his Bound Man fighting style is a delight to watch in action. Even Doflamingo, during the climax, displays an almost equal level of brilliance, as his command over the String-String Fruit allows for some incredibly imaginative staging.

Impel Down is Incredible Despite its Lack of Traditional Fights

The Impel Down Saga deviates significantly from a typical One Piece narrative. Instead, it focuses on Luffy’s solo journey through the underworld prison of the World Government, where he meets various allies, adversaries, and endures numerous forms of torment. The only conventional battle in this entire arc occurs between Luffy and Magellan, and it ends disastrously for Luffy.

Experiencing diverse situations truly enriches life’s tapestry, and that’s evidently true when it comes to the Impel Down Arc. While Luffy’s challenges are undeniably captivating, Bentham manages to outshine them all. Among the many memorable moments, his battle against a fierce wolf pack and his selfless act of saving Luffy towards the end undoubtedly rank among the arc’s most striking highlights from my perspective.

Luffy vs Katakuri Puts Most Other Shonen Fights to Shame

Almost every fight during the Whole Cake Island Arc showcases a victorious moment. Luffy’s battle with Cracker unveils that Gear Fourth has various forms, while cleverly highlighting Nami. Sanji’s skirmish with Judge is filled with raw emotion, Pedro’s encounters against Tamago and Perospero provide significant insights, and the fight between Luffy and Katakuri ranks among the top battles in all of One Piece.

In my opinion, while not all the conflicts in this arc are smoothly timed, they manage to achieve their intended goals effectively. However, the action sequences that don’t focus on combat could use some refinement. The scene where Sanji beats up Luffy was truly heart-wrenching and stands out as one of the most impactful moments in the storyline. On the other hand, the Straw Hats’ escape from Whole Cake Island leaves a lot to be desired, with it seeming more like a comedy sketch than a serious plot development, and struggling with some of the worst pacing issues the series has seen.

Every Single Fight in the Arabasta Saga is Fantastic

As I looked on, the Arabasta Arc stood out as the Straw Hats’ inaugural grand expedition, establishing a benchmark for all adventures that came after it. Refining the blueprint set by the Arlong Park Arc, Arabasta positioned each member of the Straw Hat Pirates against a counterpart from Baroque Works, each with their unique skillset. Admittedly, not every skirmish was equally captivating, but none failed to meet the mark of brilliance.

In the series, the fights such as Chopper and Usopp against Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas, and Zoro versus Mr. 1 stand out exceptionally. Nami’s first serious fight against Miss Doublefinger is quite enjoyable. Of course, the most impressive battles occur during Luffy’s three attempts to defeat Crocodile, with their final battle’s climax leaving one speechless. The arc, Arabasta, also introduces Portgas D. Ace and makes every effort to portray him and his Flame-Flame Fruit as incredibly cool.

The Best of the Egghead Arc is Still to Come

The ongoing adaptation of the Egghead Arc in the anime version of One Piece is truly breathtaking, with the action shown so far being nothing short of amazing. With a fresh, stunning art style, this anime has never looked more captivating. This new look significantly enhances Luffy’s use of Gear Fifth and his fights against Lucci and Kizaru, making them surpass their comic book counterparts in terms of impact.

Readers who have finished the Egghead Arc should know that some of its most brilliant scenes haven’t been brought to life through animation yet. The action in the story will truly escalate when Kuma, Emet, Bonney, and the Five Elders become involved. Furthermore, due to the recent pause in the anime, the second half of the arc could potentially surpass the first half in terms of quality.

Whitebeard Steals the Show in His Single Major Appearance

In the Marineford Saga, a thrilling narrative primarily focused on intense action sequences, stands out as one of the most beloved storylines in “One Piece”. This captivating series of events revolves around the conflict between the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Government. By gathering together all the strongest characters seen thus far, this epic confrontation sets the stage for a grand brawl royal. Although there might not be lengthy fights, each brief skirmish between these top-tier combatants is pulse-pounding.

Whitebeard plays a significant role in driving much of the epic action within the arc. His showcases of strength surpass any other character so far, and the fierce battle he engages in against Akainu, who had killed Ace, is incredibly satisfying. Other notable moments include Ace’s tragic death, Luffy’s impressive use of Conqueror’s Haki, his standoff with the Admirals, and Marco’s fight against Kizaru.

Wano Country is Packed with Brilliant Fights and Action Sequences

In simpler terms, the storyline known as the Wano Country Saga showcases the Straw Hat Pirates’ most significant battle yet. Although there’s a lot of action throughout the first half of the epic tale, the major conflicts occur during the Ninja-Pirate-Samurai-Mink Alliance’s assault on Onigashima. The main highlights include numerous battles against Kaido and the introduction of Gear Fifth, but the raid offers much more than just these moments.

In the world of One Piece, Zoro vs King boasts some of the most stunning animation, Sanji vs Queen is both emotionally charged and visually captivating, Robin’s confrontation with Black Maria is a long-awaited showdown fitting for the Straw Hats’ archaeologist. For once, Law and Kid truly embody Luffy’s rivals as they take down Big Mom. Moreover, some of the supporting characters like Yamato, Killer, and the Red Scabbards shine in remarkable action sequences. However, the Wano Country arc might be overwhelmed by its own greatness, with an abundance of spectacular fights potentially leading to a slower narrative pace.

The Sabaody Archipelago Arc isn’t Long, But Every Fight in it is Perfect

In the storyline of “One Piece,” the Sabaody Archipelago Arc is nearly flawless, except for its brief duration. It excels in every aspect, particularly in terms of action. The instant when Luffy lands a punch on Saint Charlos stands out as the most emotionally satisfying blow across all anime, serving as the catalyst for the most thrilling climax in the series.

In the Sabaody Archipelago storyline, the Straw Hat crew encounters a crushing defeat as they uncover the immense might of the World Government. The tension mounts as they tirelessly battle against Pacifistas, Sentomaru, Kuma, and Kizaru. Each skirmish becomes progressively nerve-wracking and disheartening. This arc also features Kizaru’s gruesome domination over the Supernovas, Luffy, Law, and Kid combining forces against the Marines, and the awe-inspiring debut of Rayleigh.

The Water 7 and Enies Lobby Arcs Have the Most Emotional Fights in the Anime

In One Piece, the action isn’t primarily about strategy or elaborate choreography; instead, it’s deeply rooted in emotions. The Water 7 and Enies Lobby Arcs, being the most character-focused storylines, are also the most emotionally charged, which makes their action sequences stand out more than any others. These arcs contain some of the coolest non-combat scenes, as well as numerous unforgettable moments.

From my perspective as a spectator, the most gripping confrontation during the Water 7 Arc was undeniably between Luffy and Usopp – a fight that left quite an impact on me due to its intensity and emotional resonance for these two close friends. Conversely, the Enies Lobby Arc showcased several significant battles: Luffy battling Lucci, Zoro squaring off against Kaku, Sanji taking on Jabra, and Chopper’s Monster Point transformation to bring down Kumadori. The journey to Enies Lobby aboard the Sea Train was breathtaking, the lowering of Sogeking to take down the World Government’s flag remains etched in my memory, and the introduction of Gears Second and Third by Luffy significantly altered the course of the anime’s action scenes.

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2025-04-25 19:08