Skypiea is the second major saga of the Grand Line in One Piece where the Straw Hat Pirates arrive after the events of Alabasta. As the name suggests, Skypiea is located in the sky, about 10,000 meters above sea level. The adventure at this sky island sees the Straw Hat Pirates fight Enel, a Birkan who labels himself God.
Just like almost every other arc, except for a handful, Skypiea tends to divide opinion among the fans. While some see its beauty, others simply see it as being among stepping-stone to get to Enies Lobby, and then Marineford. Here are 5 reasons why Skypiea is the best arc in One Piece, and 5 why it is Marineford.
10 Skypiea: Adventure
From its very start to finish, Skypiea is cramped with adventure. With the journey of the Straw Hat Pirates, Eiichiro Oda has managed to depict an incredible adventure and Skypiea is essentially the pinnacle of it. Although some would understandably disagree, there is hardly any arc that gives you the same sense of exploration and adventure that Skypiea does.
Right from its beginnings at Jaya to when the Straw Hat Pirates ride the Knock Up Stream and way beyond that, the Skypiea arc is an expedition for both the fans and the Strawhats alike.
9 Marineford: Biggest War
The War of Marineford was triggered when Blackbeard killed Thatch and stole the Yami Yami no Mi, which led to Ace fighting him and, after losing, being handed over the Marines. To save Ace from execution, the mightiest pirate crew, the Whitebeard Pirates show up to the Marine Headquarters with their 43 allies, finally kick-starting the biggest known war in the world of One Piece to date.
This war is not only the best-known war in the One Piece series but arguably entire Shonen. This particular arc has often been described by fans as the best action arc in the series to date.
8 Skypiea: Gol D. Roger's Connection
When one talks about Skypiea, most fans often think of Enel, but this arc goes way beyond Enel and the fight that he had with the Shandians and the Straw Hat Pirates. The adventure that the Straw Hat had enjoyed at the Sky Island was ultimately linked by Oda to the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Using Kozuki Oden's innate ability to read and write the ancient language, Roger carved out his presence there in the Golden Belfry which read "We came here, read the text, and followed its guidance. – Gol D. Roger." At the time, the text connected Luffy's journey to Roger's, along with giving Nico Robin the confidence that she needed to uncover the history of the world.
7 Marineford: Ace's Secret
It goes without saying that Marineford was an arc filled with crazy events right from the start to finish. Right when Ace was brought to be executed, Sengoku dropped the biggest plot-twist in One Piece's history regarding Ace's parentage.
While everyone believed Ace to be Luffy's brother, and by virtue of that, Dragon's son, it was eventually revealed that Ace was actually the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. As a result of this revelation, the arc became even more gripping. Truly, this served its purpose of making Marineford even more intense than it already was.
6 Skypiea: Transcending Time Itself
With its many themes, Skypiea never failed to amaze fans and one of its most-loved aspects was the light it threw on how promises can transcend time itself. Noland and Calgara became the best of friends about 400 years prior to the events of the current storyline where they made a promise which Noland ultimately failed to keep up because of Jaya being shot up into the sky and his consequent death.
Noland's will is then carried on by Cricket, who passes it on to Luffy, who ultimately rings the bell of Shandora, finally fulfilling the promise that the two made 400 years ago. Some fans take that to be what One Piece is all about, really.
5 Marineford: The End of an Era
The Whitebeard Pirates take on the Navy in an incredible fight where we finally get to see what the World's Strongest Man is truly capable of. With high intensity from both the Navy Admirals and the Whitebeard Pirates members such as Newgate himself, Marco, and Jozu among others, the war never fails to entertain the fans even for a split second.
We speak for everyone when we say that Marineford is an arc that has people on the edge of their seats. It marks the end of an era with Whitebeard dying towards the end and announcing to the world that the One Piece is, in fact, real.
4 Skypiea: The Mystery of the Void Century
The Void Century and its events have always been at the core of One Piece. With Skypiea, we take yet another step towards unraveling the truth of the blank period. After discovering the location of Pluton at Alabasta, Nico Robin finds out the secret of Poseidon, yet another Ancient Weapon, at Skypiea.
The Shandians, who once lived in the City of Gold, were seen safeguarding their Poneglyph for years, not knowing what purpose it would serve. Thanks to Nico Robin, they get to know that the Poneglyph had served its purpose already, leading her one step closer to the true history of the world.
3 Marineford: Ace's Death
Marineford's end marks not only sees the end of Whitebeard, but also Luffy's sworn brother, Portgas D. Ace as well. Upon facing off against Akainu, Ace gets badly damaged and when the Admiral targets his brother, Monkey D. Luffy, Ace ends up sacrificing himself to save his brother.
Although Luffy wanted to save Ace at Marineford, it was Ace who ended up saving him in the end. By confronting Akainu, Ace not only protects Luffy but also mirrors what his father, Gol D. Roger would've done in a similar situation.
2 Skypiea: The Essence of One Piece
Although this may split opinion among the fans, Skypiea is truly the essence of One Piece. The arc covers a great adventure in the unknown lands, threads the connection between the Straw Hat Pirates and those who existed centuries before them, ties back to the events of the Void Century, leads to the location of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon, and finally, links Gol D. Roger to the story once again.
In doing so, Skypiea is easily one of the best arcs in One Piece to date. While One Piece is a shonen manga, it's barely about big fights and massive explosions like some of the other anime out there. This arc, right here, is what One Piece is all about.
1 Marineford: Luffy Reborn
With the death of the Great Pirate Edward Newgate and the son of Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Ace, a new age is ushered with Luffy right at its center. Marineford leads Luffy to the conclusion that he's too weak to protect the things he cherishes, which is why he takes Rayleigh's offer of stopping the journey and training for two years at Ruskaina.
Essentially, Luffy is reborn because of Marineford, and along with him, the Straw Hat Pirates get stronger as well. To achieve what Roger couldn't, Luffy takes his first big steps towards becoming the Pirate King and carrying the Will of D on his shoulders, which is what makes Marineford an iconic arc, just like Skypiea.