Welcome back! If you joined us for our spotlight on Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, or Zou, we are so glad you are joining us again as we look at the next arc: Whole Cake Island!
The Whole Cake Island Arc is one of my favorite arcs, and that’s mainly because of Sanji (See more below). It’s an incredible arc that contains all of the things that make One Piece special – Excellent comedy, heartbreaking drama, and creative action.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Sanji Is Redeemed As A Character
Sanji’s character arc in Whole Cake Island alone makes it unforgettable. Since the time skip, Sanji’s had grown stale and somewhat annoying. His infatuation with women, once endearing, was overplayed and pushed way too hard. It all got worse with the Fish-Man Island Arc.
Whole Cake brings out a different side of Sanji, revealing layers of vulnerability and duty. The seeds of this transformation are planted in the Zou Arc, but Whole Cake nurtures them to fruition. Suddenly, Oda’s “golden boy” isn’t just the Straw Hat cook—he’s a deeply layered character grappling with his past, family, and loyalties. By the end, Sanji’s struggles and sacrifices make him one of the best-developed characters of the arc, if not the whole series.
Jinbe Finally Joins The Straw Hats!
Jinbe has always been one of the coolest characters in One Piece since being introduced. When Luffy asked him to join the Straw Hat crew during the Fish-Man Island, fans of the former warlord celebrated, only to be left at the altar when Jinbe swiftly declined. Readers learn more about why Jinbe declined during this arc and finally get to see the cool fish-man shed everything that held him back.
Of course, in Jinbe fashion, it wasn’t a simple moment. He stood up to Big Mom, a feat that few have done, and he even avoided losing anything because of just how fearless he is and how much he believes in Luffy. It was a rad moment surrounded by rad moments.
Luffy Overcomes Two Insane Opponents
When people think of the Whole Cake arc, many think of the Luffy vs Katakuri fight. While this fight is special, it isn’t the only one that showcases Luffy’s resilience when the odds are against him. Luffy vs Cracker was such an early fight that it’s easy to forget, even discard as a meaningless fight, but Cracker would have been a nearly unstoppable foe for just about any other character in Luffy’s crew. Of course, nothing can stop Luffy’s appetite, and it was fun getting to see a non-traditional fight.
The climax of the arc revolves around Luffy’s intense battle against Charlotte Katakuri, one of Big Mom’s top commanders. The stakes are high and Luffy faces another seemingly insurmountable challenge with Katakuri’s Observation Haki. Luffy loses again and again but finally overcomes Katakuri when it matters.
Emotional Beats That Hit
Whole Cake Island is brimming with emotional beats that add depth to its action-packed plot. The tension between Luffy and Sanji is heartbreaking as they face off in one of the arc’s most gut-wrenching moments. Sanji’s initially being a butt, followed by his breaking down and expressing that he wants to return to the crew is fulfilling.
There are plenty of other emotional beats too, like Sanji overhearing Pudding’s plan, or even when Sanji throws her off and calls her beautiful, revealing that a lot of her personality is the result of childhood trauma. Everything in this arc just works, as Oda flawlessly merges emotional drama with humor. Isn’t that what makes One Piece so special?
The Wedding
The chaotic wedding ceremony is a hoot. With Big Mom’s terrifying plan to take down the Vinsmokes, Germa 66’s stylish entrance, and the unlikely team-up between Luffy and Capone Bege, the wedding has all the makings of classic One Piece mayhem. Every moment is laced with tension and humor, from Sanji’s unexpected response to Pudding’s manipulative tactics to Big Mom’s ensuing rage and the Straw Hats’ efforts to escape her wrath.
The wedding arc encapsulates Whole Cake’s charm, balancing high-stakes drama with excellent action. Everyone gets a moment to shine, from the newly introduced Germa 66 siblings to the core Straw Hats.
Bonus Panel: The Best Faces Of the Arc
Just look at these two dummies.
And that’s all! What are your favorite moments? Let us know in the comments.
