ONE PIECE: Gyojin Tou-hen

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga

Aired: 2024-11-03

Status: FINISHED

Ratings: 78/100

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Tags: Pirates, Slavery, Gods, Revenge, Mermaid, Ships, Politics, Royal Affairs, Super Power, Class Struggle, Ensemble Cast, Shounen, Tragedy, Drugs, Conspiracy, Unrequited Love, Found Family, Skeleton, Reincarnation, Kingdom Management, Natural Disaster

Total Episodes: 21

Duration: 24 min

Studio: Toei Animation

Source: MANGA

Format: TV

Season: FALL

Release Year: 2024

Season No: 1

Director: Tatsuya Nagamine

Watch:Official Site, Crunchyroll, Twitter

Synopsis

A condensed and remastered reairing of the Fish-Man Island Saga (episodes 517-574) from ONE PIECE, with updated visuals, a new ending song, and brand-new episode previews. The Straw Hats reunite at Sabaody! The promised day has arrived. The Straw Hats have made it back to Sabaody Archipelago after two arduous years of separation. In the very same place where they once lost to Pacifista, the Straw Hats have proven themselves to be stronger and ready to begin their journey to the New World. With the Thousand Sunny now equipped to travel underwater, the next stop is the Fish-Man Island. “One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga” is a special edited version of the original arc from “One Piece”, in an abridged 21-episode story with an enhanced contemporary visual look. (Source: Crunchyroll)

Trailer

Characters

Luffy Monkey

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Nami

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Sanji

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Chopper Tony Tony

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Zoro Roronoa

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Robin Nico

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Usopp

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Brook

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Franky

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Drip

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Turco

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Neptune

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Jinbe

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Shakuyaku

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Demalo Black

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Shirahoshi

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Ishilly

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Rayleigh Silvers

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Mounblutain

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Hody Jones

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Fukaboshi

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Duval

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Cocoa

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Wadatsumi

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Caribou

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One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga Arc

The Fish-Man Island Saga is a pivotal arc in Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, marking the Straw Hat Pirates’ first major adventure in the New World after the two-year timeskip. Spanning chapters 603–653 in the manga and episodes 523–574 in the anime, this saga serves as a transitional arc, reintroducing the crew with enhanced skills, new dynamics, and deeper world-building. It tackles themes of racism, forgiveness, and legacy while setting the stage for the Straw Hats’ journey into the treacherous New World.

Overview and Context

The Fish-Man Island Saga follows the Straw Hat Pirates—Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, and the newly recruited Brook—as they reunite after two years of training. Having honed their abilities to face the challenges of the New World, the crew descends 10,000 meters below the sea to reach Fish-Man Island, a vibrant underwater realm inhabited by fish-men and merfolk. This arc is significant not only for its action-packed narrative but also for its exploration of the One Piece world’s darker themes, including systemic oppression and the cycle of hatred.

The saga consists of two main arcs: Return to Sabaody (a brief setup arc) and the central Fish-Man Island Arc. After reuniting at Sabaody Archipelago, the Straw Hats face challenges from old enemies like the Marines and impostors posing as their crew. Their journey takes them through perilous underwater currents to Fish-Man Island, where they become entangled in a conflict rooted in the island’s history of discrimination and rebellion.

Plot Summary

Return to Sabaody

The saga begins with the Straw Hats regrouping at Sabaody Archipelago after their training. Each member showcases their growth—Luffy’s mastery of Haki, Zoro’s refined swordsmanship, Nami’s advanced weather techniques, and more. However, their reunion is complicated by the presence of the Fake Straw Hats, a group of impostors exploiting Luffy’s reputation. The real Straw Hats quickly dispatch these frauds, but their actions draw the attention of the Marines and Sentomaru, who arrives with Pacifista units. The crew’s newfound strength shines as they defeat the Pacifistas with ease, a stark contrast to their struggles pre-timeskip. With their ship, the Sunny, coated for underwater travel, the Straw Hats dive toward Fish-Man Island.

Fish-Man Island Arc

Upon arriving at Fish-Man Island, the Straw Hats are greeted by a visually stunning underwater world, filled with coral cities and bioluminescent landscapes. However, the island is fraught with tension. The ruling Neptune family struggles to maintain peace between fish-men, merfolk, and humans, who have a history of conflict. The arc introduces key characters: King Neptune, Princess Shirahoshi, and the villainous Hody Jones, leader of the New Fish-Man Pirates.

Hody, a radical fish-man, seeks to overthrow the human world and establish fish-man supremacy, fueled by a deep hatred for humans inherited from the island’s oppressive past. His crew, bolstered by the drug Energy Steroids, poses a significant threat. The Straw Hats learn about the island’s history through flashbacks, particularly the story of Fisher Tiger, a fish-man hero who freed slaves from Mariejois, and Queen Otohime, a merfolk advocate for peace between species. These flashbacks reveal the roots of Hody’s ideology and the island’s complex socio-political dynamics.

As Hody’s coup unfolds, he captures King Neptune and threatens Princess Shirahoshi, a kind-hearted but timid mermaid who harbors a secret: she is the ancient weapon Poseidon, capable of commanding Sea Kings. Luffy, moved by Shirahoshi’s desire for peace and her connection to his late brother Ace’s legacy, declares his intent to protect the island. The Straw Hats, alongside allies like Jinbe (a former Warlord and Fisher Tiger’s comrade), engage in a massive battle against Hody’s forces.

The arc’s climax sees the Straw Hats showcasing their post-timeskip abilities in spectacular fashion. Luffy’s Gear Fifth (though not explicitly named here) and Haki mastery overpower Hody, while Zoro, Sanji, and others dispatch his lieutenants. The battle concludes with Luffy destroying Noah, a massive ship Hody intended to use to devastate the island, cementing his role as a protector of Fish-Man Island. In the aftermath, the Straw Hats are celebrated as heroes, and Jinbe promises to join them later, setting up future arcs.

Themes and Significance

The Fish-Man Island Saga is rich with thematic depth. It confronts issues akin to real-world racism and xenophobia, using the fish-men and merfolk’s struggles to mirror marginalized groups’ experiences. Hody represents the destructive power of inherited hatred, as he has no personal grievances against humans but perpetuates the cycle of vengeance. In contrast, characters like Otohime and Shirahoshi embody forgiveness and hope for coexistence, making their ideals a beacon for the Straw Hats’ moral compass.

The arc also serves as a showcase for the Straw Hats’ growth. Each member demonstrates new techniques and confidence, signaling their readiness for the New World’s challenges. Luffy’s leadership evolves as he takes on a protector’s role, while the crew’s bond is reaffirmed after their long separation. Additionally, the arc deepens the One Piece lore by introducing Poseidon and tying Fish-Man Island’s history to the Void Century and the ancient weapons.

Reception and Impact

Fans and critics praise the Fish-Man Island Saga for its world-building and character development, though some consider it a slower-paced arc compared to the high-stakes Marineford Saga. The anime’s vibrant depiction of the underwater setting and emotional flashbacks, particularly Fisher Tiger’s tragic story, resonate strongly. However, Hody’s lack of personal depth as a villain and the arc’s transitional nature draw minor criticism for not matching the intensity of later New World arcs like Dressrosa or Whole Cake Island.

The saga sets critical plot points in motion: the Straw Hats’ alliance with Fish-Man Island, Jinbe’s future crew membership, and the revelation of Poseidon’s identity. It also establishes the New World’s scale, where ancient weapons, powerful pirates, and political intrigue intertwine.

Conclusion

The Fish-Man Island Saga is a cornerstone of One Piece’s post-timeskip narrative, blending action, emotion, and social commentary. It reintroduces the Straw Hats as a formidable force while exploring the complexities of prejudice and redemption. For fans, it’s a visually captivating and emotionally resonant arc that lays the groundwork for the epic adventures awaiting in the New World. As Luffy and his crew sail onward, Fish-Man Island remains a testament to their growth and the series’ ability to tackle profound themes within its adventurous framework.