The classic pirate anime, One Piece, is undisputedly one of a kind, cementing itself as one of the "Big Three" shonen series of the 2000s. The anime has so much to offer fans, such as worldbuilding, complex character motives, an innovative power system, and a great story.
The events prior to the time skip serve as a great introduction to the story. For example, fans get to learn a lot about the original crew members of the Straw Hats along with their quirks, backstories, and goals. After the time skip, however, there are certain aspects of the series that have changed for better or worse.
10 BETTER: Fights
The earlier days of One Piece spawned some of the most eclectic fights in all of anime. For example, Luffy's utilization of Gear 2 against Lucci and Zoro's attempt to cut steel against Mr. 1 are both nothing short of stellar. Fights in the post-time skip are amazing too, but they don’t live up to the high standards of the fights in the pre-time skip.
These fights are so engaging because, at this time, the Straw Hats are more inexperienced and have room for growth. A prime example of that is when Usopp unexpectedly beat one of the Fish-Men.
9 Got Worse: Consistency With Haki
After the two-year time skip, Haki became the dominant power system. It’s been foreshadowed quite a few times in the pre-time skip. As matter of fact, during the Skypiea arc, Eneru and his priests are using Observation Haki; they just called it "mantra." The people of Skypiea had different names for a lot of things.
However, despite seeing Haki early in the series, its presence still doesn’t make much sense, in the post-time skip. For example, there has been, an ample amount of powerful characters seen throughout One Piece. Luffy's insane grandfather, Crocodile, Akoji, Ace, and Blackbeard, are a few of these characters that never used Haki in combat, during the pre-time skip.
8 Better: Arcs
Each Arc in One Piece invites the viewer to a new experience. During the Alabasta arc, viewers are introduced to a Princess Vivi, trying to prevent a Civil War between her empire and the residents of the country. In the Skypiea arc, the Straw Hat Crew attempt to unravel the mysteries behind the existence of Sky Island.
The Arcs in the post-time skip, today, seem to be recycling plot elements from earlier arcs. Doflinmingo basically committed the same acts as another powerful warlord. Joker turns King Riku against his own people by using his String String Fruit to manipulate Riku into killing his own people. Crocodile frames King Cobra by leaving Dance Powder in his palace. Dance Powder is outlawed in the world of One Piece, seeing that it removes rain clouds from a neighboring city, in order to produce rain for the other country.
7 Got Worse: Flashback Episodes
Flashback episodes in this series do a good job of explaining the history of a particular island the Straw Hats are on. Moreover, it’s a way for the audience to get a better understanding of an important character. For example, Chopper’s flashback episodes are well received because viewers are now able to understand why Chopper wants to become a doctor.
Dr. Hiriluk is the first human being and living being to show him kindness. Viewers also find out why he’s shy around others. Senor Pink’s flashback episode, however, is a bit unnecessary. He’s a minor antagonist in the story, so, it's no need to know a lot about him. Although his backstory is very sad and tragic, there is still no need for it.
6 Better: Themes
During the events of the East Blue, Oda teaches us the importance of not wasting food, money, and keeping a promise, no matter what. When the Straw Hats enter the Grand Line, Oda decides to delve into heavier topics such as Yellow Journalism, genocide, faith, disillusionment, etc.
The themes of the later arcs, however, aren't making much of the impact as the earlier arcs. During the Fish-Man island arc, the idea of racism and prejudice are discussed. Albeit it is a good theme, but this theme was already prevalent in the Skypiea arc, with the Shandians and the Sky People. 400 years to the Straw Hats arriving on Skypiea, the Sky people stole the Shandian’s sacred land from them and forced them to leave. During the Fish-Man island arc, we learn more about why the fish-men hate humans. This is a result of the Celestial Dragons enslaving them.
5 Got Worse: Less Non-Devil Fruit User Allies
The minor characters in this series play more of a bigger role in the plot than one might think. Wyper (pictured), for instance, is the embodiment of the Shandian people. He basically showcases how his people have been feeling for centuries while living in Skypiea.
Wyper is also depicted as an overall common man, without a Devil Fruit. In fact, in the pre-time skip, many of the minor characters are non-Devil Fruit User’s. The sky knight, Gan Fall is another non-Devil Fruit user that got a lot of screen time, in the Skypiea arc. In the post-time skip, it seems as if many of the minor characters are Devil Fruit users. Most of the major characters of the Wano arc – Kinemon, Kanjuro, and Momonosuke – are all Devil Fruit users. Even in the Dressrosa arc, there are many minor characters that are Devil Fruit users.
4 Better: Animation
The quality of One Piece’s animation really started to pick up steam around the Skypiea arc and it looked amazing from then on. It seems the animators chose to go with a slightly darker color palate. The hard color of the characters enhances the viewing pleasure of the anime.
The characters also started to encompass a less cartoonish character design, as opposed to the designs in the East Blue. For example, Luffy and Zoro’s face is less circular and more proportionate. These designs still work because it still mirrors Oda’s abstract style well. The animators at Toei possibly were given a bigger budget.
3 Got Worse: Main Character Backstories
Sanji being a prince for a royal family, however, seems as if this part of his backstory is retconned. Sanji never mentioned that he comes from a royal family before the time skip. Now, in all fairness, the Straw Hats don’t care much about talking about their past. Zoro has never talked about his parents, either.
Furthermore, it seems rather hypocritical of Sanji to leave the Straw Hats, such as Robin and Nami did. Did he really think Luffy wasn’t going to go after him? They were going to Whole Cake Island anyway. So, he shouldn’t have been surprised that Luffy would be there. Oda is known to add plotlines to his story and for the most part, it works. This part of Sanji’s backstory, although, is a little divisive.
2 Better: Character Designs
Sometimes, less is more, which blatantly describes the character designs of the Straw Hats. They are mostly seen wearing generic clothing. They still have a cartoonish character design but they wear clothes an actual person would wear.
For example, Brooke is a talking skeleton who wears a suit, top hat, and walks with a cane. Franky is a cyborg and looks like a surfer from an 80’s movie. He sports an 80’s hairstyle, shades, a Hawaiian shirt, and a speedo. After the two-year time skip, however, the character designs are all over the place.
1 Got Worse: Pacing
Most Shonen anime are known to have awkward pacing and One Piece is no different. The early arcs in One Piece can be a little long, but it always feels the story is progressing at a reasonable pace. For example, the Alabasta arc took about 11 months to conclude, while airing on television. During this arc, the Straw Hats are in Alabasta for several days, so the pacing is rather fair. There are only 39 episodes for this arc. Many events took place during their time in that country.
The Dressrosa arc took over two years to conclude, and all the events in this arc only took place within a day's time. Considering that there are 118 episodes for this arc, it seems jarring that the events of this story arc within a day. This arc is amazing and Doffy is a phenomenal villain, but this arc is too long.
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