One Piece has enjoyed unparalleled popularity for over twenty years since manga legend Eiichiro Oda created the sprawling seafaring fantasy epic. Brought to vivid life through animation house Toei Animation, its anime adaptation encompasses over 1000 episodes stretched across 20 seasons of swashbuckling adventure.
Beyond the main series lie fifteen feature films, plus dozens of supplemental OVAs, teasers, and specials expanding the vibrant lore surrounding the rubbery misfit pirate crew at the story’s heart.
Herein, I provide an essential Order to watch One Piece for first-timers across the literal ocean of anime offerings within One Piece’s borders. After all, what respectable pirates can’t follow a map? So, let us sail swiftly into the basics!
From what episode should you start watching One Piece?
Starting One Piece from the first episode is a fantastic way to experience the journey of the Straw Hat Pirates. Throughout the series, you witness their individual and team growth.
I remember watching it myself when it aired on RCTI every Sunday. While the early arcs may seem slow, especially before all the important crew members join, they lay the groundwork for the following epic adventure. And yes, the filler episodes, common in anime production before the 2010s, can sometimes be distracting.
Some people prefer starting with the One Piece manga and then diving into the anime adaptation out of curiosity.
One Piece Watch Order
In One Piece, arcs are cohesive storylines focusing on specific settings, characters, or themes. They span multiple episodes and contribute to the overarching narrative of the series. Here’s a breakdown of some key arcs and a Detailed Version of sagas in One Piece:
East Blue
Romance Dawn
Monkey D. Luffy became a pirate after being inspired by Shanks. Roronoa Zoro joins the crew.
- Chapter manga: 1-7
- Episode: 1-3
Orange Town
Nami’s introduction and efforts to free the city from Buggy the Clown.
- Chapter manga: 8-21
- Episode: 4-8
Syrup Village
Usopp joins, and the Going Merry becomes the Straw Hat pirate ship.
- Chapter manga: 22-41
- Episode: 9-18
Baratie
Recruitment of Sanji as a chef. Sichibukai is introduced; Zoro is seriously injured by Dracule Mihawk and thus promises Luffy that he will never lose again. Nami escapes with the Going Merry.
- Chapter manga: 42-68
- Episode: 19-30
Arlong Park
Fish-men are introduced. Nami officially joins, and Luffy gets his first wanted poster.
- Chapter manga: 69-95
- Episode: 31-44
Loguetown
Logia-type Devil Fruits are introduced, and Smoker and Tashigi appear. Appearance of Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army. Zoro got the Sandai Kitetsu and Yubashiri swords.
- Chapter manga: 96-100
- Episode: 45-53
Warship Island
Arabasta
Reverse Mountain
The crew has entered the Grand Line. Laugh Tale, Laboon, and Crocus are introduced.
- Chapter manga: 101-105
- Episode: 62-63
Whisky Peak
Nefertari, Vivi and Karoo join the journey.
- Chapter manga: 106-114
- Episode: 64-67
Diary of Koby-Meppo
Little Garden
A race of giants is introduced.
- Chapter manga: 115-129
- Episode: 70-77
Drum Island
Zoan-type Devil Fruits are introduced, and the initial discussion of “Will of D”. Tony Tony Chopper joins.
- Chapter manga: 130-154
- Episode: 78-91
Arabasta
The resistance frees Arabasta from Sir Crocodile. Portgas D. Ace, Vivre Card, Poneglyph, Pluton, and the concept of Ancient Weapons are introduced.
- Chapter manga: 155-217
- Episode: 92-130
Post-Arabasta
Vivi and Karoo leave the crew, Nico Robin joins.
Episode: 131-135
Sky Island
Goat Island
Ruluka Island
Jaya
Marshall D. Teach, Whitebeard, Bartholomew Kuma and Donquixote Doflamingo appear for the first time. The figure of Gorosei from the World Government is introduced.
- Chapter manga: 218-236
- Episode: 144-152
Skypiea
Haki was first displayed through an ability called Mantra. Poseidon is introduced.
- Chapter manga: 237-302
- Episode: 153-195
G-8
Water 7
Long Ring Long Land
Aokiji and Admiral Marine’s powers are introduced
- Chapter manga: 303-321
- Episode: 207-219
Oceans Dream
Foxy’s Return
Water 7
The Going Merry is damaged and the search for shipwrights to join the crew. Robin and Usopp leave. Sogeking temporarily joins the Straw Hats to save Robin. The Pol cipher is introduced.
- Chapter manga: 322-374
- Episode: 229-263
Enies Lobby
Several power-ups for the crew were introduced: the Gear technique (Luffy), the Diable Jambe move (Sanji), Kyutoryu (Zoro), Perfect Clima Tact (Nami), Kabuto (Usopp) and Monster Point (Chopper).
Zoro loses Yubashiri, Robin rejoins. Going Merry says goodbye.
- Chapter: 375-430
- Episode: 264-290, 293-302, 304-312
Boss Luffy Historical Specials
- Episode: 291-292, 303, 406-407
Post-Enies Lobby
The Thousand Sunny becomes the Straw Hats’ new ship. Franky joins, and Usopp joins back. Ace and Blackbeard fight, as well as the Yonkou introduced.
- Chapter manga: 431-441
- Episode: 313-325
Thriller Bark
Ice Hunter
Chopper Man Special
Thriller Bark
The Straw Hats continue their adventure to the Florian Triangle. Zoro gets Shusui, and Brook joins. Charlotte Lola gave Nami her mother’s Vivre Card.
- Chapter manga: 442-489
- Episode: 337-381
Spa Island
Summit War
Little East Blue
Sabaody Archipelago
Eleven Supernova, Celestial Dragons, Rayleigh, and Voice of All Things are introduced. Luffy uses Haki for the first time. The crew is separated.
- Chapter manga: 490-513
- Episode: 385-405
Amazon Lily
Boa Hancock is introduced. Luffy learns about Ace’s execution.
- Chapter manga: 514-524
- Episode: 408-417
Straw Hats Separation
Impel Down
Ivankov and Jinbe are introduced. Many of Luffy’s previous enemies escaped from prison.
- Chapter manga: 525-549
- Episode: 422-452
Straw Hats Separation Serial
Marineford
Whitebeard vs World Government big fight. Whitebeard confirms that One Piece is real. Blackbeard mysteriously stole Whitebeard’s Devil Fruit abilities and strengthened his crew with former inmates from Impel Down.
- Chapter manga: 550-580
- Episode: 457-489
Post-War
Sabo was introduced. All three forms of Haki are officially introduced. The Straw Hat Crew begins their two-year training.
- Chapter manga: 581-597
- Episode: 490-516
Toriko Crossover
Fish-Man Island
Return to Sabaody
At this point, often called the One Piece time skip, the Straw Hat crew reunites.
- Chapter manga: 598-602
- Episode: 517-522
Fish-Man Island
Joy Boy is introduced. Shirahoshi is referred to as Poseidon at this time. Luffy can hear the Voice of All Things. Jinbe was asked to join the crew, but refused due to being affiliated with the Big Mom Pirates. Big Mom is introduced.
- Chapter manga: 603-653
- Episode: 523-574
Dressrosa
Z’s Ambition
Punk Hazard
Trafalgar Law and Buggy are revealed to have become part of the Sichibukai. Kin’emon and Momonosuke are introduced, Heart Pirate becomes Mugiwara’s ally.
Caesar Retrieval
Episode 626-628
Dressrosa
The Straw Hat Pirates are divided into two groups. Straw Hat Grand Fleet is created, Kanjuro becomes an ally, and Sabo is confirmed to be alive.
Trafalgar D. Water Law’s full name is revealed. Gear Fourth and the figure of Kaidou are introduced.
Chapter manga: 700-801
Episode: 629-746
Whole Cake Island
Silver Mine
Zou
The crew is reunited, except for Sanji, who the Big Mom Pirates take; The Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance is formed. The crew split up again; Pedro and Carrot become allies.
The Straw Hats about the Road Poneglyph and find the first one.
Marine Rookie
Whole Cake Island
Caesar Clown and the Fire Tank Pirates become temporary allies. Gear Fourth: Tankman and Gear Fourth: Snakeman are introduced.
The Straw Hats get a Road Poneglyph etching from Big Mom. Sanji reunites, Jinbe breaks ties with Big Mom.
- Chapter manga: 825-902
- Episode: 783-877
Levely
Nami takes over Zeus, and Sanji gets the Raid Suit. Im introduced, Luffy is unofficially declared the fifth Emperor.
- Chapter manga: 903-908
- Episode: 878-889
Wano Country
The Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance gathers in Wano and prepares for battle against the Beasts Pirates.
Kozuki Oden’s history and ties to Wano Country, Whitebeard, and Gol D. Roger are revealed, and the Alliance attacks Onigashima to take down Kaidou and Big Mom.
Meanwhile, after the events during the recent Reverie, the world experienced dramatic changes.
- Chapter manga: 909-1057
- Episode: 890-894, 897-906, 908-1028, 1031-on going
| Saga | Arc | Chapter Manga | Episode Anime |
| East Blue | Romance Dawn | 1-7 | 1-3 |
| Orange Town | 8-21 | 4-8 | |
| Syrup Town | 22-41 | 9-18 | |
| Baration | 42-68 | 19-30 | |
| Arlong Park | 69-95 | 31-44 | |
| Loguetown | 96-100 | 45, 48-53 | |
| Buggy’s Crew Adventure Chronicles | 46-47 | ||
| Warship Island | Filler | 54-61 | |
| Alabasta | Reverse Mountain | 101-105 | 62-63 |
| Whiskey Peak | 106-114 | 64-67 | |
| Diary of Koby-Meppo | 89-119 (cover) | 68-69 | |
| Little Garden | 115-129 | 70-77 | |
| Drum Island | 130-154 | 78-91 | |
| arasta | 155-217 | 92-130 | |
| Post-Arabasta | Filler | 131-135 | |
| Sky Island | Goat Island | Filler | 136-138 |
| Ruluka Island | Filler | 139-143 | |
| Jaya | 218-236 | 144-152 | |
| Skype | 237-302 | 153-195 | |
| G-8 | Filler | 196-206 | |
| Water 7 | Long Ring Long Land | 303-321 | 207-219 |
| Ocean’s Dream | Filler | 220-224 | |
| Foxy’s Return | Filler | 225-228 | |
| Water 7 | 322-374 | 229-263 | |
| Enies Lobby | 375-430 | 264-290, 293-302, 304-312 |
|
| Boss Luffy Historical Special | Filler | 291-292, 303, 406-407 |
|
| Post-Enies Lobby | 431-441 | 313-325 | |
| Thriller Bark | Ice Hunter | Filler | 326-335 |
| Chopper Man Special | Filler | 336 | |
| Thriller Bark | 442-489 | 337-381 | |
| Spa Island | Filler | 382-384 | |
| Summit War | Sabaody Archipelago | 490-513 | 385-405 |
| Amazon Lily | 514-524 | 408-417 | |
| Straw Hat’s Separation Serial | 543-560 (cover) | 418-421, 453-456 |
|
| Impel Down | 525-549 | 422-425, 430-452 |
|
| Little East Blue | Filler | 426-429 | |
| Marineford | 550-580 | 457-489 | |
| Post-War | 581-597 | 490-491, 493-516 |
|
| Toriko Crossover | Filler | 492 | |
| Fish-Man Island | Return to Sabaody | 598-602 | 517-522 |
| Fish-Man Island | 603-653 | 523-541, 543-574 | |
| Toriko Crossover | Filler | 542 | |
| Dressrosa | Z’s Ambition | Filler | 575-578 |
| Punk Hazard | 654-699 | 579-589, 591-625 | |
| Toriko & Dragon Ball Crossover | Filler | 590 | |
| Caesar Retrieval | Filler | 626-628 | |
| Dressrosa | 700-801 | 629-746 | |
| Whole Cake Island | Silver Mine | Filler | 747-750 |
| Would | 802-824 | 751-779 | |
| Marine Rookie | Filler | 780-782 | |
| Whole Cake Island | 825-902 | 783-877 | |
| Levely | 903-908 | 878-889 | |
| Wano Country | Wano Country Part 1 | 909-1057 | 890-894 |
| Cider Guild | Filler | 895-896 | |
| Wano Country Part 2 | 909-1057 | 897-1028 | |
| Anime 20th Anniversary Special | Filler | 907 | |
| Uta’s Past | Filler | 1029-1030 | |
| Wano Country Part 3 | 909-1057 | 1031-1085 |
One Piece Movies In Order
I have written a Detailed Guide to this in the One Piece Movies List article.
As stated above, there are 15 One Piece movies. The best way to watch them is in release order, as they are mainly filler stories with little impact on the main plotlines.
Below is a list of all the One Piece anime films in order of release:
- One Piece: The Movie (2000)
- Clockwork Island Adventure (2001)
- Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (2002)
- Dead End Adventure (2003)
- The Cursed Holy Sword (2004)
- Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (2005)
- Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle (2006)
- The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta (2007)
- Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Cherry Blossom (2008)
- One Piece Film: Strong World (2009)
- Straw Hat Chase (2011)
- One Piece Film: Z (2012)
- One Piece Film: Gold (2016)
- One Piece: Stampede (2019)
- One Piece: Red (2022)
Where to Watch One Piece for Free?
- Crunchyroll: Crunchyroll offers a free selection of One Piece episodes with ads. While not all episodes may be free, users can still enjoy a significant portion of the series without a subscription.
- Funimation: Funimation also provides a collection of One Piece episodes for free with ads on its website and app. Like Crunchyroll, not all episodes may be accessible without a subscription, but users can still enjoy a portion of the series at no cost.
