The expansive universe of One Piece is teeming with an array of islands, each boasting its own distinct customs, geography, and vital role in the overarching narrative crafted by Eiichiro Oda for more than twenty years. From ethereal sky islands that hover amongst the clouds to enchanting underwater realms submerged beneath the ocean, these vibrant locations transcend mere backdrops for action; they are integral characters, each harboring its own unique storyline.
As the Straw Hat Pirates embark on their adventures across the Grand Line and into the treacherous New World, they encounter increasingly fantastical and perilous islands. These destinations not only test their physical prowess but also challenge their worldview, piecing together the ancient enigma of the Void Century and unveiling the forgotten chapters of their history. Below, we delve into eight of the most remarkable islands featured in One Piece.
8 Little Garden
A Prehistoric Pause Before the Storm
At first glance, Little Garden presents itself as a nostalgic detour, resembling a realm frozen in the age of dinosaurs with colossal beasts roaming its primitive landscapes. However, as often seen in One Piece, this island holds deeper significance. Here, the Straw Hats encounter the giant warriors Dorry and Brogy, who have been entangled in a century-long duel over a fishing competition.
Their relentless honor and brotherhood illustrate the profound legacy of giants within the series. This encounter not only foreshadows future arcs like Elbaf but also provokes contemplation on the multitude of lifetimes that have slipped away as these two maintain their battle. Their determination to fight, regardless of whether their original motive still holds value, injects a poignant undertone into the storyline.
During their time on the island, Baroque Works agents Mr.3 and Miss Goldenweek attempt to thwart the giants with wax traps, capturing the Straw Hats mid-rescue. However, it is Luffy’s unwavering dedication to friendship and loyalty that shines through, as his confrontation with Mr.3 pivots on creativity and sheer will rather than raw power.
7 Would
On the Back of an Ancient Memory
In a striking twist, Zou reveals itself as not an island in the conventional sense, but rather the colossal elephant Zunesha, who has been traversing the sea for over a millennium. This giant creature carries the Mokomo Dukedom, the homeland of the Mink Tribe, renowned for their agility, fur, and the remarkable Sulong transformation that occurs under the full moon.
Beautifully designed, Zou features a city that thrives on the legs and back of Zunesha, imparting a sense of liveliness to its surroundings. Yet, its significance extends beyond its visual appeal; it acts as a critical convergence point for the plots leading to the One Piece endgame.
Before the Straw Hats arrive, Jack the Drought, one of Kaido’s calamities, launches an attack on Zou. This sets the stage for an inspiring revelation: the Minks risk everything to protect Raizo, a samurai from Wano, culminating in a powerful moment of solidarity marked by the phrase “Raizo is safe, ” epitomizing loyalty among diverse races.
6 Dressrosa
A Kingdom’s Smile Hiding Tears of Despair
Dressrosa is a land adorned with flamenco rhythms, cobbled streets, and sun-drenched vistas, all concealing the oppressive reign of Donquixote Doflamingo. He manipulates the kingdom like a twisted marionette, utilizing the powers of the String-String Fruit and an extensive underground network to orchestrate control over everything from rampant warlords to arms trafficking.
This island embodies duality; one perspective reveals it as a paradise, while the other unveils a nightmarish reality where toys wander and weep at night. Doflamingo exploits the Hobby-Hobby Fruit through Sugar to transform people into living toys, erasing them from the memories of their loved ones. This grotesque form of existence presents a sorrow even more profound than death.
Among the casualties of Doflamingo’s tyranny are Kyros, Rebecca, and the Riku family, whose suffering becomes Luffy’s mission. The confrontation with Doflamingo transcends a mere clash; it symbolizes a revolt against a system that rewards malevolent forces disguised in suits.
Additionally, this arc marks the debut of Luffy’s Gear Fourth, the formation of the Grand Fleet, and represents a rare instance of the Straw Hats splitting up for various missions.
5 Water 7
Where Trains Ride the Sea
Water 7 stands as a vibrant city of shipwrights, floating gracefully on the ocean reminiscent of Venice, facing constant threats from the Aqua Laguna, a formidable seasonal tide intending to engulf it. More than that, it plays a crucial role as the epicenter of shipbuilding in the One Piece universe.
While beginning slowly with an unfolding drama—missing funds, escalating tensions, and the tragic fallout between Usopp and Luffy over the fate of the Merry—this arc is profoundly emotional and authentically human. Concurrently, CP9 operates covertly amongst the shipyard workers, leading to one of the series’ most thrilling reveals.
Water 7 directly flows into Enies Lobby, yet the significance of the island cannot be overstated. It introduces pivotal concepts such as the Poneglyph blueprints, Pluton, and the mysterious activities of undercover government operatives aiming to bury troubling secrets. The introduction of the Sea Train, Puffing Tom, offers one of the series’ most exciting modes of transport, culminating in spectacular battle sequences aboard the rails.
4 Totto Land
A Deadly Paradise of Sweets and Songs
Totto Land is the territory ruled by Big Mom, a brightly colored, surreal archipelago comprised of 34 islands, each themed around different culinary delights (such as Whole Cake Island, Nuts Island, and Cacao Island).In this whimsical landscape, trees converse, the sky melodiously echoes, and even hills can mount an attack. Yet, behind this sugary facade lurks a regime of oppression.
Big Mom’s rule is founded on coercion, bolstered by her Soul-Soul Fruit abilities that allow her to siphon a person’s lifespan to animate any object. Residents are compelled to pay a “soul tax, ”sacrificing a fragment of their life essence, willingly or under duress, highlighting how cherished dreams can morph into nightmares under tyrannical influence.
The infiltration of Whole Cake Island by the Straw Hats to save Sanji is one of the most emotionally charged arcs in the series, intricately weaving together Sanji’s painful family history, a wedding shrouded in deceit, and the creation of Germa 66 into one of One Piece‘s most celebrated escape narratives.
3 Fishman Island
A Kingdom Beneath Pressure
Situated 10, 000 meters beneath the surface of the ocean, Fishman Island serves as a sanctuary cloaked in tension. Enclosed in a vast bubble beneath the waves, the island is shielded by colossal Sea Kings and the immense difficulty in accessing it. Despite its charm—candy factories, mermaid cafes, and stunning coral vistas—it’s marred by deep-seated racial tensions and historical trauma.
The island’s legacy is shaped by the aspirations of Queen Otohime, a proponent of human peace, and Fisher Tiger, a revolutionary leader opposed to humans. Their contrasting ideologies set the stage for internal conflicts and foster the rise of Hody Jones, a radical Fishman echoing real-world hate movements, rooted not in truth but inherited anguish.
Luffy’s arrival disrupts the status quo. He not only triumphs over Hody but also boldly claims Fishman Island as part of his territory, a declaration typically reserved for emperors. His connection with Shirahoshi, the embodiment of Poseidon and one of the ancient weapons, adds further significance to this arc.
2 Skypeia
Where Angels Fear to Tread
Skypeia represents a monumental revelation, as Oda unveils that the One Piece world is far grander than anticipated. Suspended 10, 000 meters above the Blue Sea, this island of clouds is composed of solidified sea vapor, inhabited by winged beings like the Skypieans, Shandians, and Birkans—each with intricately woven histories and cultural narratives.
The Straw Hats’ escapades here commence with levity, highlighted by whimsical dials and enchanting architecture, quickly plunging into an emotionally intense and at times brutal saga. Luffy’s confrontation with Enel epitomizes the classic David versus Goliath tale, where Luffy’s rubber form proves to be the nemesis of Enel’s divine lightning—the very power Enel believes grants him godhood.
Yet, the true depth of Skypeia lies within the buried history. The Shandians’ lost settlement, Shandora, is directly connected to the Void Century and the Poneglyphs. Here, Robin discovers a Poneglyph that attests to Gold Roger having previously set foot on this aerial island.
1 Egghead
The Island 500 Years in the Future
If a single island appears out of place in the world of One Piece, it is Egghead. This marvel of technology floats along the Grand Line and is home to the enigmatic Dr. Vegapunk, embodying a scientific advancement that borders on the marvelous. With giants robots, climate-controlled zones, and advanced holographic systems, it offers fans an unprecedented glimpse into the capabilities of the World Government when not stifling progress.
Egghead further introduces Vegapunk’s six satellites, each epitomizing a facet of his mind. Through these entities, we gain insights into Vegapunk’s philosophical beliefs, ethical dilemmas, and his intricate associations with the Revolutionary Army. Moreover, it is in Egghead that Luffy uncovers revelations regarding the Void Century, Joy Boy, and the Mother Flame—long-awaited lore that fans have yearned to decipher for years.
As the arc unfolds, it presents the atmosphere of an impending crisis. With CP0, Seraphim, and eventually Admiral Kizaru and Saint Jaygarcia Saturn preparing to converge on Egghead, this location serves as the stage for one of the most consequential confrontations in the post-Wano saga of One Piece.
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