One Piece’s 4th saga, Water 7, remains the most iconic despite being one of the earliest storylines in the series. Japanese manga artist and creator of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, began working for Shonen Jump Magazine at 17 years old. Since then, he has become one of the most successful manga artists of all time. Oda’s manga series is now the best-selling piece of literature written by a single person of all time, outselling the Batman comics and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.

Oda’s work was primarily inspired by Akira Toriyama, creator of the legendary Dragon Ball franchise. Toriyama’s anime was highly prevalent in Oda’s childhood, which inspired him to become a manga artist. Toryiama and Oda are now both anime icons, providing stories of adventure and battles of epic proportions for audiences of all ages.

Over the years, One Piece has provided fans with many incredible arcs, such as Arlong Park, Punk Hazard, and Wano Country. Each of them contributed to the incredible worldbuilding that has become a staple of the series and developed not just the plot but also the journey of the characters. Nevertheless, the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs are still the best in the series.

One Piece’s Most Iconic Saga: Water 7

The Water 7 Saga remains a pillar in One Piece’s success story.

The 4th saga in One Piece follows the conclusion of the Straw Hat Pirate’s journey on Skypiea. The Water 7 Saga comprises the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs. In total, the saga covers 15 manga volumes, equaling 139 chapters. In the anime, the saga spans 116 episodes. With the Wano Country arc at the top, Water 7 and Enies Lobby are number 6 and 7 in terms of length compared to the other arcs. Together, the two arcs make the Water 7 saga the third-longest saga, following Wano Country and Dressrosa.

These arcs introduce various key elements to the One Piece universe, including Robin’s backstory, Luffy’s Gear abilities, new crew member Franky, and the crew’s first internal conflict. However, what makes this saga the most impactful is not the sheer amount of additional content and characters. Oda is brilliant at camouflaging heartfelt moments and emotional turmoil behind a vibrant, playful exterior, and the Water 7 saga does it like no other.

The Water 7 Arc Showed the Straw Hat Pirates’ 1st Major Internal Conflict

One of the defining aspects of the Water 7 saga is the divide of the Straw Hats in the saga’s first half.

When the crew arrives in Paradise, in a city called Water 7, also known as the “Capital of Water,” they search for a shipwright. While Usopp has tried his best to repair the Going Merry after each adventure, the journey has taken its toll on the crew’s beloved ship. Water 7 is known for its world-class shipwrights, so when they tell the Straw Hats that their boat is beyond repair, Luffy believes them. However, Usopp is taken aback, utterly shocked that his captain would abandon their home so willingly.

Until this point in One Piece, Luffy has not aggressively asserted his role as captain of the Straw Hats. While he has made decisions for the crew in the past, it is the first time one of the members has disagreed with him so wholeheartedly. Luffy and Usopp voice their disagreements. Eventually, Usopp abandons the crew and challenges Luffy to a duel to decide who will keep the Going Merry. Not surprisingly, the Straw Hat captain wins the battle, but he mournfully recalls all the treasured memories the two have shared.

Luffy’s Crew Showed Unexplored Sides of their Personalities

The Going Merry’s impact on the Straw Hat Pirates’ is much more profound than fans may believe.

The Straw Hat’s first disagreement not only exemplified Luffy’s resolve as a captain and Usopp’s tenacious spirit, but it also displayed Zoro’s undying respect for his captain, “If a captain stops demanding respect, his gang will fall apart without fail. Listen! I don’t care if you want to act happy-go-lucky, but if you, the man above me, ever shows weakness, next time, the one leaving will be me.” While Luffy tends to forgive and forget, Zoro reminds him that his decisions could affect the stability of the crew in the future.

The Straw Hat Pirates’ first conflict among crewmates was brilliantly executed. The crew has completed multiple journeys at this point in the anime, making it the perfect time to include nostalgic memories such as those during Usopp and Luffy’s argument, as well as the Going Merry’s send-off. Finally, the audience witnesses lesser-known characteristics of the pirates, including Usopp’s sentiment and stubbornness, Zoro’s respect for his captain, and Luffy’s authoritative qualities. Ultimately, their argument only brings them closer together as they say goodbye to their home, the Going Merry.

The Enies Lobby Arc Introduced Luffy’s Gears & Nico Robin’s Chilling Backstory

Enies Lobby is one of the most beloved arcs in the One Piece series

The arc dives deeper into Nico Robin’s backstory, introduces a new member of the Straw Hats, Franky, and reveals Luffy’s unique Gear abilities. In addition, the most iconic line in the entire franchise emerged from the second half of the Water 7 saga. The audience finally learns of Robin’s backstory. Since Alabasta, Robin has been a bit of a mystery to the rest of the crew. However, when Luffy declares war on the World Government to rescue her, she finally shows her true colors.

Nico Robin’s heartbreaking cry for help has become one of the most adored scenes in One Piece’s history. The World Government has hunted Robin for her knowledge for her entire life, but for the first time, a group of friends is willing to take on the force of a Buster Call to protect her. In addition to Luffy’s heroic act, the Enies Lobby arc was the first time he utilized his Gear abilities. While fighting the powerful members of CP9, Luffy debuts his Gears, taking his combat skills to the next level.

The Water 7 saga, which includes the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs, is still the most iconic storyline in One Piece. In Water 7, Oda adds a mystery element to the story, keeping the audience guessing about Robin’s true intentions. Furthermore, the Going Merry’s retirement causes a pivotal stir in the crew between Usopp and Luffy. Lastly, Robin’s backstory in Enies Lobby remains one of the most heart-wrenching pasts, along with her cry for help. While One Piece has some fantastic new sagas, including the Egghead arc in the Final Saga, Water 7 is a foundational pillar behind the anime’s success story.