HIGHLIGHTS
Fillers in One Piece add depth to characters and plot, enhancing the overall experience for fans.
Luffy’s encounters with new characters like Grount and Shuzo highlight his growth and adaptability as a pirate.
Special episodes like “A Pledge for the New Era” reveal intriguing backstories, adding layers to familiar characters.
The main arcs of the One Piece series often provide exceptional battles and storylines that have fans at the edge of their seats. From the battles of One Piece’s Marineford Arc to the battles portrayed in Wano, fans have come to love the main characters through these exciting arcs.
While the main arcs provide great plots, the various filler arcs and episodes should not be underestimated. Filler episodes are primarily created to prevent the anime from catching up with the source material. However, in terms of character development and providing greater depth to the main characters of One Piece, many filler episodes do exceptionally well.
10The Devil’s Fist – A Show Down! Luffy Vs. Grount!
The Marine Captain Grount Left A Sound Impression On Luffy
Episode 782
On their way to retrieve Sanji from Whole Cake Island, Luffy, Pedro, and some select members of the Straw Hats run out of rations as the ship’s cook isn’t available. As the crew comes across a navy base on Fron Island, they decide to raid the base.
While raiding the base was relatively easy for Luffy and his crew members, Luffy comes across Grount, an interesting upcoming Marine Captain. As they battle it out, Luffy sees Grount as more than a run-of-the-mill Marine soldier, but someone with dreams and aspirations like him.
9Brook’s Hard Struggle – The Difficult Path Of Becoming A True Comrade?
Brook Initially Struggled To Find His Place In The Straw Hat Crew
Episode 384
After the Thriller Bark arc of the series, a new crew member, Brook, is added to the crew. During the Thriller Bark arc, fans get to explore Brook’s past and connections with Laboon. As a skeleton and a musician with the Yomi Yomi no Mi, Brook is one interesting crew member.
However, despite now being a Straw Hat pirate, he fails to find his place in the crew. Throughout the episode, in trying to be useful, Brook offers the various crew members help. However, his help quickly causes chaos. Nico Robin then tells the sad and downtrodden Brook to be himself, as he is no lesser than the others.
8Hot Blood Special Unit Participation! Bridge Offensive And Defensive Battle!
Using His Brawn, Luffy Battles Against Brains
Episode 201
After leaving Sky Island, the Straw Hat pirates fall into the middle of a G-8 marine base headed by Vice Admiral Jonathan. As Jonathan is known for his wits and not his strengths, Luffy and his crew have a hard time escaping.
During the episode, each Straw Hat pirate has a role to play. Sanji demonstrates his cooking skills for the Marines, while Nami and Chopper help a nervous doctor treat injured patients. While the Straw Hats are in disguise, they still show their worth even as they try to escape.
7Z’s Ambition Arc – Luffy Vs. Shuzo!
Shuzo Served As Luffy’s First Encounter With The Neo Marines
Episode 578
After the time skip and before the ‘One Piece Film: Z’, Luffy and his crew members come across the Neo Marines, an organization led by the legendary Z. In battling Shuzo and the Neo-Marines, the Straw Hats come across the shape-shifting giant Lily. Due to eating the Mini Mini no Mi, Lily can turn into a tiny being, but with the power of a giant.
To defeat Shuzo, Lily goes inside Luffy and turns into her giant form. As Luffy is rubber, he stretches, becoming a giant, and easily defeats the Neo-Marines. This episode then leads to Z’s Ambition Arc.
6The Super Final Atsu Atsu Battle! Luffy Vs. The Scorching Don
The Battle Against The Scorching Don Was Luffy’s First Major Battle Against A Bounty Hunter
Episode 334
While the One Piece series entails bounty hunters who hunt pirates for their bounties, they are hardly included in the story. In this filler episode, the Straw Hats come across bounty hunters who capture the flags of pirate crews and collect their total bounty.
After the Straw Hat pirate flag is captured, the crew does everything they can to prevent Luffy from knowing, as they go to retrieve it. Meanwhile, Luffy faces the leader of the bounty hunters, the Scorching Don, who has the paramecia devil fruit, the Atsu Atsu no Mi.
5Sanji Crashes! The Mysterious Old Man And Intense Cooking
Sanji Realizes That His Food Can Become Even Better By Changing Up A Core Ingredient
Episode 319
The Water 7 arc of the series has a lot of ups and downs for the Straw Hat pirates. After the Straw Hat pirates returned from Enies Lobby with Robin and Franky, Sanji went shopping with Chimney. As they wander the streets of Water 7, Chimney introduces Sanji to an old man whom she calls a good cook.
Initially in doubt about the old man’s skills, Sanji’s mind quickly changes for the better after he tastes his cooking. After a brief discussion, the old man reveals that his cooking is so good because, after an Aqua Laguna, he uses the salt that accumulates on the rooftops of houses in Water 7. Seeing that he can make the food he cooks for his crew even better, Sanji gets excited.
4All For My Friends’ Sake! The Darkness Within Robin!
Despite Years Of Running, Robin Finally Gives Her Heart To The Straw Hat Pirates
Episode 283
This filler episode briefly explains Robin’s past and the reason for her actions. The episode begins with Iceburg giving Nami a rundown of Robin’s life. Shocked and in tears, Nami goes to get Luffy, who is stuck in between two buildings after his battle with Rob Lucci.
This filler episode portrays Robin from when CP9 took her away to when she declared her iconic statement, “I want to live.” The episode not only helps fans better connect with Robin but also sets up the battle that’s about to go down between the Straw Hats and CP9 at Enies Lobby.
3Special Retrospective Before Marineford – The Siblings Vow!
Luffy Becomes Brother’s With Ace By Drinking From A Sake Cup
Episode 457
After leaving Impel Down, Luffy, Jinbe, and the other inmates are on their way to Marineford. As Luffy and Jinbe discuss Ace, Luffy reminisces about his childhood with Ace and how they both grew up together.
While Jinbe asks Luffy about their bond, Luffy reminisces about meeting Ace in Alabasta and his first encounter with Blackbeard, a time when he didn’t know his true identity. The episode was a touching one for fans, and it showed Luffy’s bond with Ace and the reason behind his determination to rescue his brother.
2A Pledge For The New Era! Luffy And Uta
The Prelude To One Piece Red Shows Luffy’s Relationship With Shanks’ Daughter
Episode 1030
This movie-linked and filler episode is one of the few episodes of the series that shines light on red-haired Shanks. Right up to the current happenings in One Piece, Shanks has always been a mysterious character surrounded by a lot of hype. However, some of his mystery is deconstructed as fans see Shanks’ early interactions with Luffy and his non-canon daughter, Uta.
Luffy always tried to set sail with the red-haired pirates, but he was turned down repeatedly. As Shank’s daughter, Uta was a part of Shank’s crew and stuffed the fact in Luffy’s face to no extent. While she and Luffy bickered a lot, they were at their core, good friends. Unfortunately, Shanks goes on a journey and returns without Uta, shocking Luffy about what could have happened.
1I’ll Make It Bloom! Manly Usopp’s Eight-Shaku Ball
Usopp Gives His All To Make A Dream Come True
Episode 134
After the Arabasta arc of the One Piece series, the Straw Hats journey in search of their new adventure and come across Fireworks Island, an island known for its annual and amazing display of fireworks.
In search of gunpowder, Usopp comes across fireworks maker Odama and his granddaughter, Kodama. Hearing her story of how her parents died trying to launch 200-gauge shell fireworks and how she inherited their dream, Usopp sets out to help her. In this episode, Usopp shows his manly spirit and determination that have gotten him so far in the One Piece series.
