Current Events > When does the One Piece anime's pacing get bad?

(+) Yeah! (+)

The live action got me interested in actually watching the anime, but I heard the pacing becomes shit later on, so if I do start the anime when's the most agreed on point where I should just switch to the manga?

Like a rough episode number.

Personally, I feel like the anime's pacing is bad from the jump. It's why despite my two tries, I couldn't get into the anime. The farthest I've gotten was like six episodes before I just couldn't do it.

I always use this story but one of my ex-friends was a HUGE One Piece fan and he's the reason why I gave it a try. I told him I didn't vibe with it after the few episodes I watched and he was like: "well, you can't judge it from the beginning! You need to get to X arc" (I forget the name) but I looked it up and that arc was like 50+ episodes in. I did some searching and you'll find a similar sentiment amongst some fans of the series.

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to sit through 20+ hours of a show just for it to get good. All other animes I've watched and enjoyed took me in from the first episode or two.

So I'm just resigned that it isn't for me. I'm super jealous of those who DO enjoy it because they have so much content! I wish some of my favorite anime shows had over 500 episodes, lol.

I will say that I am enjoying the live-action adaption. I think because stuff happens at a quicker pace + there's more information being fed so it seems like everything is happening purposefully upfront rather than things happening and seeming random, only to make sense much later. If that makes sense.

I'd say its pacing sucks from pretty much the start. I got as far at least to Chopper becoming a part of the crew, don't totally remember if I got to Robin joining, however definitely some time after Chopper I stopped watching because it was just boring as fuck. I also hated the vast majority of the crew and this is the main reason I gave up on it. That dick-nosed buffoon Usopp is the definition of obnoxious comedic relief.

Yeah, I think the live-action's 8 episodes covers like 50+ of the anime's, so the arc your friend was talking about was probably where the live-action ends. Which admittedly, was a good arc.

But idk if watching 50+ episodes of basically the same story I just watched sounds that exciting. Though I feel skipping all the anime episodes to the arc following the live-action is a bad idea too since there's def gonna be stuff the live-action left out.

I heard there's a thing called One Pace, which is like DBZ Kai, but I also dunno how good of an idea it is to watch that.

Around the Thriller Bark or maybe a bit before then they started adapting one chapter per episode. Sometimes even half a chapter per episode.

Episode 2

Rharyx211 posted...

I heard there's a thing called One Pace, which is like DBZ Kai, but I also dunno how good of an idea it is to watch that.

its a great idea. compare episode 1 of one pace to episode 1 of the actual anime and see how much better is.

I believe the common consensus is during or after Thriller Bark (dont recall which), but if youre fine with manga Id say just go that route and go back to watch specific scenes in the anime.

Kradek posted...

I also hated the vast majority of the crew and this is the main reason I gave up on it. That dick-nosed buffoon Usopp is the definition of obnoxious comedic relief.

Yeahh... There's also that. I never got into the anime because I didn't like the comedy or how obnoxious the characters felt. I've seen episodes here and there, but never vibed with it.

Probably why the live-action appealed to me, because it felt like you got the core of what made the characters good without all the cartoony slapstick and shonen screaming. I love live-action Luffy, but I don't think I've ever seen a clip of anime Luffy that didn't make me want to turn the TV off lol.

Is every single episode still a 5 minute intro with a 3 minute recap on the previous episode?

noticed it in ennies lobby, so you got like 300-400 episodes before you notice it

also, try one pace

Rharyx211 posted...

Yeahh... There's also that. I never got into the anime because I didn't like the comedy or how obnoxious the characters felt. I've seen episodes here and there, but never vibed with it.

Probably why the live-action appealed to me, because it felt like you got the core of what made the characters good without all the cartoony slapstick and shonen screaming. I love live-action Luffy, but I don't think I've ever seen a clip of anime Luffy that didn't make me want to turn the TV off lol.

Once again, the manga might be less annoying if the voice acting was what bothered you, but youve chosen an odd series to get into if youre not fond of standard shonen tropes/goofy slapstick.

I only watched 50 episodes before I tapped out but between the looooong drawn out fights and flashback crap, it really is just a drag from the start

I believe it starts around Enies Lobby from what I remember. They start doing like literal 7 minute recaps before the episodes start. Then from there, it's kind of up and down depending on the material and how close to the manga they were.

Kradek posted...

That dick-nosed buffoon Usopp is the definition of obnoxious comedic relief.

There is not a character in existence even close to how fucking awful Usopp is. Or at least how his anime portrayal is as he was actually likeable in the live action show.
It's kind of funny how the only Straw Hats that aren't obnoxious on the regular are the female characters. Because their job isn't trying to be funny, it's being eye candy. Forgot about the last Straw Hat to join, he's the only male character that doesn't have his obnoxious moments.

MorganTJ posted...

Once again, the manga might be less annoying if the voice acting was what bothered you, but youve chosen an odd series to get into if youre not fond of standard shonen tropes/goofy slapstick.

I've watched all of the main shonen anime and OP is uniquely annoying with their characters. They all have dumb/airheaded main characters, however Luffy straight up sometimes seems like he legit has shit for brains. Like, recently I saw a clip of how he couldn't comprehend the phrase "deepest condolences" and the dude he was saying it to got frustrated over his ineptitude and finally had to yell at him the phrase.

I've also seen the episode where he got Gear 5 and that was the most looney tunes shit I've ever seen in anime. One Piece is noticeably over the top when it comes to other anime.

And that's not even getting into how ALL the women are drawn the same with unrealistic curves and busts lol.

Post Time skip tbh. Then switch to the manga until all the way to the Wano arc.

Movies are mostly stand alone until around the time skip though and vague connection are made to the main story to sell tickets. Since fans can't write them off as filler. Even when they made no sense lore wise.

Gold lion shiki was hyped to hell as a big bad. But lost to pre time skip luffy....lol.

MorganTJ posted...

but youve chosen an odd series to get into if youre not fond of standard shonen tropes/goofy slapstick.

I think One Piece's goofiness goes well beyond "standard shonen tropes." I've seen many many shonens and One Piece has them all beat in that regard.

Kradek posted...

One Piece is noticeably over the top when it comes to other anime.

Yup. Like how they just beat you over the head with the same 5 jokes for hundreds of episodes. Chopper acts weird whenever he gets a compliment, Usopp can't act normal ever, Brooke asks for panties, Zorro has a poor sense of direction, Luffy is an idiot, Sanji and women,.... They've been doing these exact same things since practically the first time they've appeared. It's like if Goku would still be tapping crotches this very day because it was funny when he did it with Bulma.
Haven't read the manga, so I don't know if it's an anime only problem. But it likely is yet another way they try to pad the runtime.

I would recommend reading the manga up until the end of the Arlong Park arc, at least. There are certain details that were changed in the live action show.

Finish Thriller Bark then read the manga.

obligatory ProZD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKe4DhsIcsw

Impel Down is multiple episodes that are only like five or six panels in the manga each

MorganTJ posted...

youve chosen an odd series to get into if youre not fond of standard shonen tropes/goofy slapstick.

The live-action just got me interested in the world and characters as a whole.

Ultimately, it might not be for me, but I'm willing to give it a try as long as the story itself is as a good as all the fans claim it is.

Prismsblade posted...

Movies are mostly stand alone until around the time skip though and vague connection are made to the main story to sell tickets. Since fans can't write them off as filler. Even when they made no sense lore wise.

Was going to ask about the movie too. I remember I went with some friends to see one in theaters a couple years back -- not sure which one it was. Despite not knowing about the series, I thought the movie was really cool and even felt emotional when Usopp(I think?) began to cry in the middle of a big fight. So I was probably going to check out the movie at appropriate times, if I ever got that far lol

I never watched it but judging from this, OP's pacing seems really bad >_>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1z6umwBs5I

NeonTentacles posted...

I never watched it but judging from this, it seems really bad >_>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1z6umwBs5I

yeah post skip the pacing goes down the drain, even if Wano is relatively better aside from standout examples like the one in the video

either way, everything up to Enies Lobby (about ep 315) is fine to just watch in the regular anime, and even Thriller Bark->Marineford aren't that much of an issue

I love Dragon Ball Z but I couldnt watch the OG series again cuz of the pacing, except for special episodes like the driving episode and the Garlic Jr. Saga. I'm gonna assume OP fans feels the same about their show

Crimson_Corsair posted...

Is every single episode still a 5 minute intro with a 3 minute recap on the previous episode?

I don't think this has ever actually been a thing. Are you sure you're thinking of the right anime?

I say that as somebody who is currently watching, and there are times I go like a week or two between episodes and would actually appreciate a recap. The most I've ever seen is like a 10 second recap with a visual map of "These characters are at X, these characters are at Y."

StealThisSheen posted...

I don't think this has ever actually been a thing. Are you sure you're thinking of the right anime?

My friend said that too about OP.

I guess I could see complaining about OP having a "recap" if it's literally the only anime you've ever watched, but OP tends to be one of the better ones as far as keeping any recaps short, so I never understood it as an overall complaint. Especially when you have stuff like Dragon Ball, Naruto, etc. literally just replaying the last 3 minutes of the previous episode.

Rharyx211 posted...

But idk if watching 50+ episodes of basically the same story I just watched sounds that exciting. Though I feel skipping all the anime episodes to the arc following the live-action is a bad idea too since there's def gonna be stuff the live-action left out.

Don't skip that. The live action took a lot of liberties and its a bit different. Different takes on characters and what was going on. Like Zoro's introduction and Buggy. I promise you its not going to be the same at all. I think that was the point of the live action though.

Watched the first three episodes last night, and I def see what people are saying about the pacing not being great from the jump lol

One Pieces anime has bad pacing because they chose to drag things out rather than having masses of filler.

In the 1068 odd episodes of One Piece, there are 74 filler episodes and 10 specials, so its about 7.85% filler. Meanwhile, Naruto is literally 41% filler any way you do the math (Naruto is 41%, Shippuden is 41%).

I think its worth watching. Its an incredible story. If its too slow for you, read the manga (theres a colorized version) until the end of Water 7 / Ennies Lobby, and if youre not in love with it by then its not the story for you.

Read the Manga until luffy/lucci fight, after that switch back to manga

The recaps got bad on one piece during Enies Lobby but then started getting better.

The big issue is how much they adapt per episode. When the show started stuff like Baratie and Arlong Park were 27 chapters adapted into 12 and 14 episodes. Flash forward to the Sabaody arc which is 24 chapters adapted into 21 episodes. And Impel Down which was 25 Chapters adapted into 27 episodes. That's about what the pacing continues to be. They went from two and a half chapters per episode to one if we are lucky.

It was noticably bad at Enies Lobby arc.
When they rescued Robin they give a filler episode for each members of the strawhats to give a flashback about them and Robin.

As pointed out, Enies Lobby is when they began doing one chapter per episode. After the Lucci fight switch to Manga.

Ricemills posted...

It was noticably bad at Enies Lobby arc.
When they rescued Robin they give a filler episode for each members of the strawhats to give a flashback about them and Robin.

yeah but you can just skip those, that's not really an issue. The issue is once they start dragging out actual scenes

I never really felt it until post time skip tbh. It runs at a good pace for the most part till then

Just read the manga if you want the real One Pace. Otherwise the anime is a fun time

The pacing has never been good, and IMO the fights drag.

You can literally skip parts of episodes that are slow and still get the gist of what's going on quite well.

StealThisSheen posted...

Especially when you have stuff like Dragon Ball, Naruto, etc. literally just replaying the last 3 minutes of the previous episode.

It's been a while since I watched the anime, but I'm pretty sure One Piece has like 2 min plus intro songs, on top of 3min plus recaps as well. With some episodes not even picking up where we left off with new episode content until after like 5 to 10 minutes in.

Always has been. It just slowly gets worse.

Blue_Inigo posted...

I never really felt it until post time skip tbh. It runs at a good pace for the most part till then

Fishman Island was mostly pointless and Dressrosa was longer than it should have been. I'm not sure if the pacing got worse or I hadn't noticed it until then.

I really dont get the complaints about recaps and such. Thats just stuff to skip, which means less to watch, which means its easier than it otherwise would be to catch up, so its a win win IMO.

PraetorXyn posted...

I really dont get the complaints about recaps and such. Thats just stuff to skip, which means less to watch, which means its easier than it otherwise would be to catch up, so its a win win IMO.

There have been episodes that were literally only 12-13 minutes of new content after the opening, ridiculously long recaps, and an ending. Slice it anyway you want that's bullshit.

voldothegr8 posted...

There have been episodes that were literally only 12-13 minutes of new content after the opening, ridiculously long recaps, and an ending. Slice it anyway you want that's bullshit.

So just skip it like I said. You dont have to sit there and watch them. To illustrate the time savings, lets say there is 5 minutes of that per episode. Thats literally saving you 144.8 hours or just over 6 days of watching do you really want to have to watch that much longer?

PraetorXyn posted...

So just skip it like I said. You dont have to sit there and watch them. To illustrate the time savings, lets say there is 5 minutes of that per episode. Thats literally saving you 144.8 hours or just over 6 days of watching do you really want to have to watch that much longer?

I skip it all lol, minus the high points in the manga like lately.

Tbh I'd take those long recaps and stuff over making actual scenes worse or padding with flashbacks