While the first few arcs in One Piece establish the core building blocks for Eiichiro Oda's pirate epic, the Arlong Park Arc puts the pieces together to show how glorious this story can be. The world's scale, the foes' potential power, and the emotional impact of the backstories had all shone through previous arcs, but this is where it comes together, and weary travelers decide to commit to the journey. A harrowing story of beliefs, betrayal, and bravery: Arlong Park Arc is One Piece at its best.

Much of the weight and potency in the Arlong Park Arc comes from the protagonists seeking out a conflict with the Arlong Pirates instead of just stumbling into skirmishes with the Don Krieg Pirates and the Marines. Luffy's unwavering belief that Nami is the only navigator for his crew drives him to a new level of intensity as he learns of Nami's plights and the conditions of the Conomi Islands. The Straw Hats all shine during the Arlong Park Arc as they set aside their differences to save a crewmate from a terrifying foe and her doubts.

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Nami versus the Arlong Pirates in One Piece.

As One Piece progresses and the cast grows, Oda likes to break up the crew or other big groups to give certain characters their heroic or emotional moments. For example, the crew starts their journey to the Conomi Islands in three groups and then split up even more before a glorious reunion. Splitting up the crew in this instance allows Usopp, Nami, and Luffy to shine bright in their conflicts with Arlong and his Fishmen crew.

Shortly after arriving, Usopp attempts to take on a Fishman to "save" Nojiko, Nami's adoptive sister. His willingness to push through his cowardice when others are in danger pops up frequently in this arc. He later rescues Genzo, the Sheriff of Cocoyashi Village, and a friend of Nami and Nojiko. The Arlong Pirates are the most potent antagonistic force the crew has run into, so Usopp's willingness to confront them over and over for the sake of others speaks volumes for his true character and core bravery.

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Luffy, Sanji and Usopp in Arlong Park

The newest member of the crew quickly falls into his roles and tendencies. Sanji's character shines as he believes in and is eager to protect Nami and Nojiko, starts his ongoing rivalry with Zoro over their opposing ideas, and rescues his captain and crew mates from dire situations. During the final arc conflict, Sanji takes on Kuroobi, an officer in the Arlong Pirates, underwater while attempting to save his captain from drowning. Taking on a Fish-man in their natural environment is extremely dangerous, but Sanji's selflessness empowers the cook to overcome any challenge when looking out for his new family.

Zoro's role in Arlong Park is to continue to show just how sturdy and strong he is while also displaying an unwavering loyalty to Luffy. Still immensely injured from being humbled by Mihawk, Zoro stands strong and defeats Hatchan, an octopus Fish-man that was able to wield six swords at once. Upon defeating Hatchan, Zoro recants Mihawk's message about his swords having more weight due to his ambition and conviction as a swordsman.

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Nami Bell-mere and Nojiko in the Arlong Park arc of One Piece

Nojiko shares her history with Nami, resonating with even heavier emotional notes than Sanji's story with Zeff. The experience of seeing their adoptive mother's execution at the hands of Arlong for trying to hide her and Nojiko, who then holds their village captive drives Nami to use any means necessary to save the rest of her found family in Cocoyasi. Nami's tragedy only grows when the Marines supposed to protect the island are in cahoots with Arlong and rob her of all the money she obtained to buy Cocoyasi's safety from Arlong.

Nami's attempts at obtaining freedom for her family fell short, and she robbed the crew that accepted her without strings attached. Hopelessness takes a hard toll on Nami to the extent that she starts stabbing herself in the tattoo representing the Arlong Pirates. This scene leads to the glorious moment when Nami asks for Luffy's help, which places his greatest treasure, the Straw Hat, on her head and vows for his help. The rest of the crew immediately fall in line to support their captain and navigator.

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Luffy and a crying Name in One Piece

Luffy's Straw Hat crew displays their familial bonds through concern and selfless actions. The end of the conflict with the Arlong Pirates finalizes the crew's formation through their shared experiences in the East Blue. This sense of the crew properly coming together, coupled with the level of Arlong's threat, makes the Arlong Park arc the climax of One Piece's East Blue saga. Powerful moments for each character and the ever-present theme of found family place Arlong Park in the upper echelon of arcs.

Arlong is a brilliant antagonist who stands out immensely, unlike Alvida, Morgan, and Don Krieg. A shark Fish-man with fierce fangs, intimidating strength, and a hardened conviction. Oda uses Fish-Men as a vessel to discuss racism and does so powerfully. The discrimination and abuse Fish-Men receive from humanity planted a hatred inside Arlong. All of his pain drove him to become a power-hungry human hater who would go to any means to subjugate them. While these elements make Arlong's actions make more sense, the level of his maliciousness makes him unforgivable.

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luffy vs arlong

In the final conflict between Luffy and Arlong, the Straw Hat captain shares his need for the crew by announcing his weaknesses which happen to be other mates' strengths. Luffy also utilizes the level of destruction during the conflict to further remove Nami's shackles by destroying the map room and its contents. Being forced to make these maps, sullying her passion, hurt Nami's integrity. Having her new captain destroy these tainted documents allows Nami to repurpose her skill for her new crew.

The Straw Hat pirates successfully free the island and Nami. Luffy's primary goal of setting Nami free to join his crew is evident through her new tattoo honoring Genzo and Bell-mere. Once again, the crew attempts to sail toward the Grand Line. It is improbable to make it through the Arlong Park arc and not fall in love with Luffy and Oda's beautiful balance between emotional notes and absurdist elements. Balancing exposition with action for each crew member allows them to show their strengths while expanding the world.