One Piece is one of the longest-running anime and manga series, still going strong even after over a thousand episodes and over a thousand chapters. While it's one of the most beloved anime , even One Piece has arcs considered weak, especially compared to the series' expectations. One of the worst is "Fish-Man Island," which is particularly unfortunate because it's also the Straw Hats' first major arc after the time skip.
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Additionally, the arc introduces an important story by exploring themes of oppression, racism, slavery, and hatred towards Fishmen and Mermaids .
The worst arc of One Piece
Sanji 's perverted joke , for example, is amplified to an uncomfortable level, leaving fans grateful for the major character change in One Piece . Meanwhile, the arc's main villain, Hody , doesn't even come close to One Piece's previous major villains, despite what he represents, and can easily be overlooked by the other enemies who draw attention. While the One Piece attempts to address some of the original arc's issues, another change that could have helped this arc immensely would have been the inclusion of Arlong.
One Piece: Arlong Park Arc
Going back to the beginning of One Piece , Arlong is the final boss of the East Blue Saga . While the Straw Hats encounter many villains before him, Arlong Park is the climactic conclusion to their time in the East Blue, and it's an epic conclusion that makes One Piece . Furthermore, the fight between Luffy and Arlong is iconic and demonstrates the kind of captain and friend Luffy is. Meanwhile, Arlong is a foe unlike any other at that point in the series, teasing the dangers that await the Straw Hats when they enter the Grand Line.
The Straw Hats have evolved significantly since Arlong Park, gaining new members all the way to Fish-Man Island. Along with this, they've become significantly stronger. A fantastic way to showcase this growth is through a rematch with a former villain, such as the epic rematch between Luffy and Rob Lucci in Egghead. This show of strength could have been done sooner, however, with a rematch between Luffy and Arlong. Furthermore, with Arlong concluding the Straw Hats' East Blue Saga, there would be something poetic about having him help usher in their next saga as they enter the New World.
Arlong, Jinbe and Hody
It would be poetic to have Arlong as the main villain before the Straw Hats arrive in the New World, as this would continue the exploration of themes of oppression and hatred, centered on Fish-Man Island. On this island, Fish-Men and Mermaids are marginalized and treated as inferior, denied civil rights, and even enslaved, while the World Government turns a blind eye to such atrocities, allowing the Celestial Dragons to benefit from this discrimination. Arlong, with his belief that Fish-Men are superior to humans and deserve to dominate, symbolizes this fight against the oppressive system, but his motivations and methods contrast with those of other characters, such as Hody, who loses himself in hatred, even harming the very Fish-Men he claims to fight for.
The difference between Arlong and Hody deserves further exploration, as it reflects how hatred can become cyclical and generate varied responses. While Arlong, despite his flaws, cared deeply for his crew, Hody, however, is consumed by rage and a desire for revenge, which prevents him from seeing beyond his suffering. The contrast in attitudes can also be seen in the way other pirates, such as Jinbe, respond to oppression and seek more peaceful alternatives. Arlong's return could offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into these dilemmas, demonstrating how the cycle of hatred and oppression affects each character differently, as well as revealing viable alternatives for resistance and liberation for the Fishmen.
Villains who have returned before
It's not uncommon for past villains to return to One Piece . Bon Clay made a triumphant return in Impel Down, saving Luffy multiple times. Crocodile also returned and has remained a character in One Piece since joining the Cross Guild with Mihawk and Buggy.
The perfect time was Fish-Man Island, given his direct connection to the island and several of the main characters there. Plus, his history with Nami and Jinbe would have made this reunion even more interesting. Arlong is one of the best villains from the previous arcs, so if Arlong didn't return, it would be a missed opportunity. One Piece missed this opportunity once before, with Fish-Man Island, but I hope it doesn't miss it again.
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