One Piece is a name that you’ve probably heard of when you search through any social media platform as both the manga and the anime are one of the most popular media franchises of all time.

History of One Piece (Spoilers Ahead!)

One Piece is a manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, first released in Weekly Shonen Jump, the most popular manga magazine in the world, on July 22, 1997. Weekly Shonen Jump (also known as Weekly Young Jump) is published by the company Shueisha, featuring other iconic characters such as the titular protagonist of “Naruto” and Son Goku of “Dragon Ball.” 

One Piece holds a Guinness World Record for “the most copies published for the same comic book series by the same author,” and one of the most watched series in the world. The series is one of the longest-running in the world, with 1043 episodes of its anime adaptation(as of 2/1/2023) as well as 18 total movies, with the latest being One Piece Film: Red.

The Story of One Piece

Through such a long run, One Piece is well known for its extensive story and its liberal use of foreshadowing as well as its world building and character development. The whole series is divided into 11 major sagas, 9 of which have been animated, with the 10th currently airing. One Piece is about a boy named Monkey D. Luffy who has the properties of rubber due to him eating the Gomu Gomu No Mi (the rubber rubber fruit) a devil fruit. When eaten, the devil fruits gives the consumer powers, but also takes away their ability to swim. Luffy strives to be the best pirate in the world, surpassing the previous legend Gol D. Roger and finding Gol D. Roger’s treasure: the “One Piece.”

East Blue Saga

Throughout the East Blue Saga, the first of the series, the Straw Hat Pirates, led by Luffy, face many challenges, including powerful pirates, Marines, and other obstacles as they travel from island to island in search of the “One Piece.” They also encounter and recruit new members to join their crew, including Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Tony Tony Chopper. 

The East Blue Saga is an important part of One Piece as it sets the stage for the rest of the series and introduces the main characters, their motivations, and the world of “One Piece.”

Alabasta Saga

The Alabasta Saga is known for its intense battles, with the Straw Hat Pirates facing off against powerful opponents, including the leader of Baroque Works, Crocodile, who has powerful abilities. The arc also features the reveal of the true identity of the mysterious Mr. 2 Bon Clay and the first appearance of Vivi’s father, King Cobra. Vivi is the princess of Alabasta and is an honorary member of the Straw Hat Pirates

This saga is significant for its development of the characters, with several of the Straw Hat Pirates growing and changing as a result of their experiences in Alabasta.

Sky Island Saga

This saga takes place on the mysterious Sky Islands, like the name they are islands that are up in the sky. The Straw Hat Pirates encounter the powerful Sky People and their ruler, God Enel. In this saga, the Straw Hat Pirates arrive on Sky Island, only to discover that the people there have the ability to control lightning. They soon encounter Enel, the ruler of Sky Island, who possesses the power to control the weather (due to his devil fruit) and plans to destroy the world.

The Sky Island Saga is best known for its exciting and action-packed battles, as the Straw Hat Pirates face off against Enel and his powerful lightning abilities. The arc also introduces the character of Gan Fall, the former guardian of Sky Island, and furthers the concept of Devil Fruits, special fruits that give people superhuman abilities but, humorously, take away their ability to swim.

Water 7 Saga

Water 7 saga takes place in the city of Water 7, a metropolis renowned for its shipbuilding and navigational technology. The story follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they encounter the mysterious group of the Galley-La Company, and their enigmatic leader, Iceberg. In this saga, the Straw Hat Pirates arrive in Water 7 in need of repairs for their ship, the Thousand Sunny. However, their stay in the city takes a dangerous turn when they become embroiled in a conflict with the Galley-La Company and a fearsome criminal organization, the CP9.

The Water 7 Saga has a very intricate plot and intense battles, as the Straw Hat Pirates face off against the formidable and mysterious CP9. The arc also introduces the concept of the Poneglyphs, ancient tablets that hold the key to finding the “One Piece,” and the mysterious Franky, a cyborg shipwright who joins the Straw Hat Pirates.

Thriller Bark Saga

Thriller Bark Saga takes place on the eerie Thriller Bark, a giant ghost ship, and follows the Straw Hat Pirates as they encounter a new foe: Gecko Moria, captain of the Thriller Bark. In this saga, the Straw Hat Pirates arrive on the Thriller Bark, only to discover that it is inhabited by strong ghosts. They soon encounter Gecko Moria, who has the power to control shadows and is searching for the key to immortality.

The Thriller Bark Saga is known for its spooky and suspenseful atmosphere, as the Straw Hat Pirates face off against the ghostly inhabitants of the Thriller Bark and their powerful captain, Gecko Moria. The arc also introduces the character of Brook, a skeleton musician who joins the Straw Hat Pirates.

Summit War Saga

The Summit War Saga, alternatively known as the Marineford War Saga, takes place in Marineford, the headquarters of the Marines, and follows Luffy as he becomes embroiled in a massive war between the Marines, the Whitebeard Pirates, and other pirate groups. In this saga, Luffy arrives in Marineford to rescue his brother, Portgas D. Ace, who has been captured by the Marines. However, their rescue mission quickly turns into a full-scale war, as the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the strongest pirate crews in the world, also arrive to rescue their comrade.

The Summit War Saga has the largest scale yet, as the Straw Hat Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates face off against the formidable and determined Marines. The arc also introduces the character of Admiral Akainu, one of the strongest and most ruthless Marines and now the fleet commander, and the concept of the New World, the second half of the Grand Line and the location of the “One Piece”.

Fish-Man Island Saga

Fish-Man Island, an underwater island inhabited by fish-men and mermaids, is the setting the Straw Hat Pirates travel to next as they encounter the princess of the island, Shirahoshi, and the destructive pirate Hody Jones. In this saga, the Straw Hat Pirates arrive on Fish-Man Island, where they encounter the inhabitants, who are stuck in a power struggle between the royal family and the pirate Hody Jones, who is determined to take over the island.

The Fish-Man Island Saga takes place in vast underwater landscapes and explores the relationships between humans and fish-men. The arc also introduces the character of Jinbe, a former member of the Big Mom Pirates and one of the strongest fish-men, who joins the Straw Hat Pirates as the helmsman.

Dressrosa Saga

The kingdom of Dressrosa, a colorful and lively country ruled by the evil Donquixote Doflamingo. Straw Hat Pirates are then caught up in a power struggle between the kingdom and its underground resistance movement. In this saga, the Straw Hat Pirates arrive on Dressrosa to participate in the Corrida Colosseum, a battle royale in which the prize is the treasure of the legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. However, they soon find themselves caught up in a complex and dangerous game of power and politics, as they work with the underground resistance to overthrow the evil Doflamingo and free the kingdom from his grasp.

The Dressrosa Saga has a colorful and action-packed setting resembling Spain, and explores themes of power, justice, and morality. The arc also introduces the characters of Rebecca, a young gladiator with a tragic past, and Kyros, a former gladiator who has become a trustworthy ally of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Whole Cake Island Saga

Whole Cake Island is a massive cake-shaped island ruled by the powerful and sadistic Big Mom. In this installment, the Straw Hat Pirates attempt to rescue their comrade Sanji from his arranged marriage to Big Mom’s daughter. The Straw Hat Pirates arrive on Whole Cake Island to retrieve Sanji, only to find themselves caught up in a dangerous game of politics and power, as Big Mom and her children plot to take over the world and destroy anyone who stands in their way.

The Whole Cake Island Saga is known for its imaginative and absurd setting, as well as its exploration of the themes of family, loyalty, and love. The arc also introduces the character of Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors and one of the most powerful pirate rulers in the world.

Wano Country Saga

The saga in Wano Country takes place in a secluded and isolationist nation that has been closed off from the world for centuries, and the Straw Hat Pirates have to work with their allies to overthrow the powerful villain and free the country from his tyrannical rule. After the Straw Hat Pirates arrive in Wano Country, they encounter a country torn apart by corruption and violence, ruled by the cruel and oppressive shogun, Orochi, who is working with the terrifying pirate and yonko, Kaido, to maintain his grip on power.

The Wano Country Saga features a country based on Japan, and explores the themes of freedom, justice, and power. The arc also introduces the characters of the samurai, who are dedicated to overthrowing Orochi and restoring peace to Wano Country, and the legendary pirate, Kozuki Oden, who was once the greatest pirate in the world and is revered as a hero by the people of Wano Country. The anime adaptation of this arc is still in production.

One Piece Odyssey

One Piece Odyssey is a game released by Bandai Namco and is currently the most recent One Piece game. One Piece Odyssey is a turn-based RPG (role playing game) with stunning visuals and a wide open-world map. The story, an original one devised exclusively for the game, follows the Straw Hat Pirates after they get caught up in a storm that leaves them marooned on the island of Waford. They shortly meet two original characters: Lim and Adio, who both understandably greatly distrust  the Straw Hat Pirates and pirates in general. Lim and Adio takes the powers of the Straw Hat Pirates, which serves as  a convenient way to explain how the Straw Hats can’t easily win every fight.

The story in general is separated into two sections, the adventures in Waford, the Straw Hats’ attempt to help Lim and Adio by defeating elemental colossi responsible for the storm that the Straw Hats were caught in in the very beginning of the story.Also a Memoria; a world of memories caused as a result of Lim’s powers that shows (in great detail) the events that the Straw Hats have gone through and allows the players to visit certain locations in the story of One Piece. Though the One Piece story is very expansive, One Piece Odyssey covers up to the Dressrosa arc and takes place soon after said arc. The turn-based combat style of the game follows rock paper scissor rules and gives the enemy and your allies either the  trait of power, speed, or technique. Admittedly, the game is very easy overall — strategy is rarely required. With a 7/10 rating on IGN, 78% rating on PC Gamer, and 74% rating on Metacritic; One Piece Odyssey is a fantastic game for those who are looking for an open-world turn-based RPG, but unless you’re a true fan of the series or like turn-based games, the game might not be for you. One Piece is one of the most successful series in modern media and it is a very great sight to see it do so well.

One Piece is one of the most successful series in modern media and it is a very great sight to see it do so well.