Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga debuted in 1997 and has remained a fixture of the shounen scene ever since. Two years later, the anime started to air, cementing the franchise as an inescapable juggernaut in Japan. Since then, Toei Animation has consistently released movies that condense a typical One Piece arc into a digestible short sit.
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While some of these films have tie-ins to the manga or anime, they generally stand on their own and are considered non-canon. As One Piece's roster of characters ballooned to an enormous size, these movies began to serve as a rare opportunity to see the Straw Hats together in a more streamlined adventure. With fourteen movies spread over two decades, these films naturally vary widely in terms of quality, but how do they rank according to IMDb's ratings?
Updated June 17th, 2021 by Mark Sammut: Alongside its many theatrical movies, One Piece has produced plenty of TV specials that are the length of a standard feature film. A few of these releases are very highly rated by the community, even more so than the franchise's cinematic projects. While the majority of these releases just retell arcs from the main series, they provide new animation and, sometimes, even a change in perspective. A few specials take a different approach and present entirely new stories or serve as tie-ins for the theatrical movies. To make this countdown as complete as possible, these TV specials have been added.
23 Chopper's Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (6.5)
It says a lot for the quality of One Piece's movies that even the lowest-rated of the bunch, Chopper's Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals, has a respectable rating. After arriving on a peculiar island filled with talkative animals, Chopper ends up separated from the Straw Hats. The doctor also becomes the island's king.
Chopper's Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals earns points for pushing the Straw Hats' resident reindeer to the forefront, a rare practice. The story takes a bit too long to build up any significant momentum, although things pick up somewhat in the final act.
22 One Piece: The Movie (6.7)
One Piece's first movie does not distinguish itself enough from the series. While its animation is somewhat better in places and the story moves at a quicker pace than the show, the 2000 film very much feels like a filler storyline with no weight to it.
As it came out so early in the franchise's run, there is something charming and quaint about One Piece: The Movie's simplicity.
21 One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase (6.7)
Describing One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase as a feature is being generous, as the project clocks in at only 30 minutes. As implied by its title, this film's selling point is its animation, as Straw Hat Chase gives a CGI makeover to One Piece's iconic characters and world. The story, which revolves around Luffy's misplaced straw hat, is merely a means to showcase the visuals through a couple of memorable fight scenes.
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Despite looking like a cutscene from a game, Straw Hat Chase is a surprisingly entertaining watch. It also doesn't overstay its welcome.
20 Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle (6.7)
Most of the recent One Piece films prioritize action above anything else, often overlooking the main series' penchant for adventure and mystery. Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle gives the Straw Hats an opportunity to use their brains along with their fists, as the heroes end up on a treasure hunt sparked by a woman found in a chest.
Characters like Robin and Chopper benefit greatly from the movie's more laid-back and adventurous tone, while the crew's heavy hitters still get a few opportunities to showcase their fighting skills.
19 The Cursed Holy Sword (6.8)
A person from Zoro's past causes a rift to form between the swordsman and his fellow crew members. The Cursed Holy Sword ramps up the violence and dread as it tells a story that challenges Zoro's allegiances. It also features a genuine fight between Zoro and Sanji, as their duels are usually comedic in nature.
Considering the Straw Hats' first mate's loyalty is never questioned in the main series, Zoro acts somewhat out of character in The Cursed Holy Sword. Permitting someone can look past that, this is a serviceable action anime.
18 Clockwork Island Adventure (6.9)
One Piece's movies got off to a relatively slow start. As none of the first three films reach the hour mark, they come across more like specials than full features. Out of the franchise's earliest movies, Clockwork Island Adventure stands out as the pick of the bunch, primarily due to an interesting premise revolving around the theft of the Straw Hats' ship.
Due to its short length, Clockwork Island Adventure moves at an absolutely blistering pace as it throws conspiracies, a kidnapping, and a wedding into the mix.
17 Adventure Of Nebulandia (7)
Foxy tends to be a rather polarizing figure; his arcs typically do not add much to the overall story and, in the anime, have a habit of overstaying their welcome. While Foxy can be funny, the character's humor relies heavily on his obnoxious nature.
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Adventure of Nebulandia finds Foxy at his best, with the special doing a decent job of humanizing a figure that mostly acts as a punchline in the main series. The villain, Komei, is also pretty good.
16 The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta (7)
Although a solid film in isolation, The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta is perhaps the worst way to experience one of the franchise's greatest early sagas. This 2007 film condenses an arc that took up more than 30 episodes in the series into a brief 90 minutes. That might not be as rushed as some of the arcs in the One Piece: Pirate Warriors games, but 90 minutes is still a tall order.
While the show has often been criticized for its slow pace, The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta has simply too much ground to cover to present anything more than a cliff notes version of this storyline.
15 Episode of East Blue: Luffy and His Four Crewmates' Great Adventure (7.1)
Released in 2017, Episode of East Blue covers the formation of the Straw Hats and Luffy's recruitment of Zoro, Usopp, Nami, and Sanji. Essentially, this is five segments squashed into a single special, making for a respectable cliff notes version of One Piece's earliest arcs.
As these stories are actually quite short in the manga and anime, Episode of East Blue does not feel all that necessary.
14 Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura (7.1)
Another film adaptation of a canon storyline, Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura shakes things up by adding Robin and Franky to the Drum Island Arc, characters who are introduced later down the line in the original manga. The animation can be quite stunning at times as, by this point, One Piece had mastered the art of delivering proper cinematic adventures.
While Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in the Winter, Miracle Sakura is an entertaining enough diversion, it does feel unnecessary, even more so than One Piece's other non-canon movies.
13 Heart Of Gold (7.2)
Setting up the stage for Film: Gold, Heart of Gold shares some themes with that movie, although a direct connection isn't established until the end of the special.
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On its own, Heart of Gold is a typical but enjoyable One Piece story; the Straw Hats meets someone with a tragic past, a villain of the week is introduced, and some laughs are had along the way. While not much to write home about, Heart of Gold should please anyone looking for more of the same.
12 Film: Gold (7.2)
One Piece movies tend to stick close to the standard formula utilized by the manga. More often than not, the Straw Hats end up on a beautiful or insane new island, they run afoul of the location's dictator, and then suffer a huge loss around the halfway mark. Naturally, the pirates rally and come back to defeat the villain.
Gold is One Piece at its most formulaic. Despite featuring practically no surprises, the movie's central location, Gran Tesoro, and its manic pacing help paper over the story's predictability.
11 Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (7.2)
Although hardly devoid of creativity, One Piece movies are generally subservient to the manga. Out of all 14 releases, Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island is the only one that sets itself apart by highlighting its director's, Mamoru Hosoda, strengths over the franchise's conventions.
Along with a far looser art style, Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island challenges the bonds that link the Straw Hats together in a tale that gets pretty dark at times. The crew's weaknesses are often played for laughs in most filler arcs, but this movie shines a proper light on the flaws of these characters.
10 Dead End Adventure (7.3)
At the fourth go of things, One Piece finally hit a home run with a movie. Dead End Adventure sees the Straw Hats taking part in an infamous race that attracts some rather dangerous crews, including the Gasparde Pirates that are run by a former Marine.
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A highly entertaining romp that features a fantastic antagonist and plenty of impressive animation, Dead End Adventure is a delight from start to finish.
9 Episode of Luffy: Adventure on Hand Island (7.4)
Released to coincide with One Piece Film: Z, Episode of Luffy is both an original story and a more faithful retelling of a defining moment in the manga protagonist's life.
The majority of the episode centers around the Straw Hats trying to free a wax sculptor from the Marines, but this special also covers Luffy's early days with Shanks. In fact, anime-only viewers who want to learn how Luffy got the scar on his face should check out this movie.
8 Episode Of Sky Island (7.5)
The Sky Island Saga lasts for an overwhelming 52 episodes, with the Skypeia Arc making up the majority of it. While it is by no means bad, the anime adaptation drags in places and is one of the earliest examples of the show's pacing venturing into too slow territory.
Episode of Sky Island, naturally, leaves a lot out, but it does cover the basics well enough to be worth recommending for fans who want to revisit this saga without sitting through the entire thing. However, newcomers should read the manga or watch the full anime version.
7 Episode of Sabo: Bond of Three Brothers - A Miraculous Reunion and an Inherited Will (7.6)
Following the death of Ace, One Piece introduced Sabo, Luffy's other brother. Episode of Sabo covers familiar ground, albeit switching the perspective to the titular character. Sabo, Luffy, and Ace's childhoods together are covered by this TV movie.
While the Marineford Arc stuff is interesting, the best part of this special takes place in Dressrosa. The movie covers the early parts of this arc with Sabo taking center stage. Sabo doesn't get too much screentime in the anime, so this special gives the character some much-needed attention.
6 Stampede (7.6)
The most recent One Piece movie, Stampede is basically a tribute to the franchise as a whole. While most stories stick to the Straw Hats and movie-original characters, Stampede assembles seemingly everyone from the manga who is remotely recognizable, including Foxy and Wapol. The movie does introduce a few new characters, with Douglas Bullet being the standout.
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Stampede is One Piece at its most manic, a film that refuses to stop to take a breather. Overwhelming as the movie can be at times, Stampede delivers enough crowd-pleasing moments and exhilarating action to make it all worthwhile.
5 Strong World (7.6)
As the Straw Hats' cinematic resume approached double digits, One Piece began to try and link the movies more to the manga. While still non-canon, Strong World fits in well with the franchise's overall story and also introduces a villain, Golden Lion Shiki, with ties to Gol D. Roger and the World Government.
Strong World puts real stakes on the line; not only is East Blue in danger, but Shiki also kidnaps Nami. This is one of the best narratives in a One Piece movie, while Shiki's floating islands are an impressive sight to behold. The final battle launches with perhaps the Straw Hats' greatest lineup reveal as they put on stylish suits worthy of a film this good.
4 3D2Y: Overcome Ace’s Death! Luffy’s Vow to his Friends (7.8)
Unlike the "Episode" specials, 3D2Y covers new ground, although it does include flashbacks to canon moments. The movie takes place during the two-year timeskip following the Marineford Arc and before the Straw Hats reunite in the Return to Sabaody Arc.
When Boa Hancock's sisters are kidnapped by a pirate who escaped from Impel Down's Level 6, Luffy and Hancock have to team up to save them. While not canon, 3D2Y slots in well into the timeline and is one of the better filler additions brought on by the anime.
3 Film: Z (7.9)
2012's Film: Z highlights a quality that has played a significant role in One Piece's enduring success: the franchise knows how to present sympathetic but still intimidating villains. Zephyr, the titular "Z," is a broken former Marine seeking revenge against pirates for past indiscretions that caused him to lose faith in justice. While drowning the New World in lava is a couple of steps too far, Z's hatred and actions are understandable.
Film: Z is a must-watch for fans of the series or anyone yearning for an engrossing and ambitious action anime.
2 Episode of Nami: Tears of a Navigator and the Bonds of Friends (8)
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the highest-rated One Piece movies are not theatrical releases but TV special that cover some of the anime's stories. Episode of Nami focuses on the Arlong Park Arc, which acted as One Piece's coming-out party and established the structure that would go on to define the majority of the manga and anime.
It is also one of the most emotional sagas in the series, establishing Nami's backstory and cementing her relationship with the Straw Hats. Out of all the abridged movies, the Episode of Nami loses the least in translation; in fact, it benefits from approved animation and better pacing than the original version.
1 Episode of Merry: The Tale of One More Friend (8.1)
Leave it to One Piece to make one of its most emotional journeys revolve around a ship. Usopp and Chopper recount the Going Merry's history to Brook, covering from its introduction to the Enies Lobby Arc that served as its big farewell.
Despite covering a lot of content, the TV special wisely anchors itself around the Going Merry, allowing the movie to condense its content without feeling like it's leaving too much on the cutting room floor. Even though the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs should be watched in their entirety because they are amazing, Episode of Merry is still a great movie.