the longest-running anime of all time, starting back in 1999 and still ongoing with over 1,000 episodes. The original anime has no plans of halting anytime soon, as it is still in the "Egghead" arc while the manga is just in the early stages of the "Elbaph" arc. While it was announced in 2022 that One Piece would begin its final saga, how long that saga will be is undetermined. After all, the "Wano" arc took 195 episodes over the course of four years, and that was just an arc -- not a saga.

One Piece's length can be intimidating for new viewers, even though it is worth the journey. Along with that, the anime has an infamous pacing issue, one that some hope will be addressed with The One Piece anime remake from Netflix. It is speculated that The One Piece will have a more seasonal approach to its adaptation of the series, and that is one way the anime can address the prior series' pacing complaints. Another way to do so would be to take a page out of Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man's books by producing canon films adapting specific arcs.

Chainsaw Man And Demon Slayer Adapt The Manga For Television And Film

It Is Not Unheard Of Anymore To Adapt A Manga Arc For Movie Theaters

While anime series, like One Piece, have had successful films before, those are often outside of canon, meaning they are not adapting the source material directly. Usually, they don't even impact the plot of the anime series. However, Demon Slayer decided to change the game with Mugen Train, a film adapting the "Mugen Train" arc from the manga, making it essential viewing to continue to watch the series. Despite this, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is anime's top-grossing movie and a massive success for new and old fans.

As a result, it is no wonder other anime have followed in Demon Slayer's footsteps. Demon Slayer walked so Chainsaw Man could run, as the popular anime is set to have its first film also adapted from the "Reze" arc from Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga. Like "Mugen Train," this is a shorter arc, one that is better suited for a film than a season. Plus, it's contained enough to still appeal to new viewers and stand on its own as a film. While its success is unknown as Chainsaw Man: The Movie - Reze Arc lands in the U.S. on October 29, the anticipation is building, and if this is a success, it'll further prove that One Piece can do the same with its remake.

Netflix's THE ONE PIECE Can Turn Arcs Into Anime Films

One Piece Has Turned Some Arcs Into Films Before, After The Fact

One Piece is no stranger to having movies, with the latest being One Piece Film: Red. Along with these theatrically released films that are not directly adapting the manga, there are One Piece movies that condense arcs that were already adapted for the anime series, like One Piece Movie: The Desert Princess and the Pirates, which is a remastered, cinematic version of the events of Alabasta. With the The One Piece remake, Netflix could make some arcs, or chunks of that arc, a film first instead.

Like with One Piece Movie: The Desert Princess, a season could be The Straw Hat Pirates' adventures with Princess Vivi, but the climax in Alabasta itself would be a film first, similar to how Demon Slayer is releasing its climactic series finale theatrically first. Eventually, these films could then be broken into episodic chunks for those who missed the movie, as was the case for Mugen Train. This could also apply to One Piece's larger arcs, like "Wano," which went on for years.

"Wano" is broken up already into three acts in the manga, so the first two acts can be part of the anime seasons, but the climactic third act could be a theatrical film. After all, the action in that arc's finale is more than worthy of the big-screen treatment. If not the third act, then the second act, which is dedicated to Oden's backstory, could be a film, especially since it stands on its own solidly since it is a flashback that does not involve the Straw Hat Pirates.

One Piece has many flashbacks, like the Oden flashback, and most of those prolonged flashbacks can make for stand-alone films that would appeal to new viewers since they require even less prior context than present-day adventures. The Noland and Calgara flashback from "Skypiea" would make for an epic adventure film with lots of heart, one that would appeal to any Indiana Jones fan. Meanwhile, Kuma's backstory would make for a tear-jerking movie about a father's sacrifice.

One Of The Best Arcs In One Piece Could Make For Its Best Movie

Marineford Deserves Cinematic Treatment More Than Other One Piece Arcs

Then there are arcs like "Marineford," which is one of One Piece's best arcs. This arc is 30 chapters. While 30 chapters is nothing to scoff at, it is only a fraction of all of One Piece. It is one of the most epic battles in One Piece, with one of the most heartbreaking deaths in One Piece. Plus, it surprisingly stands on its own, as some of the central protagonists of this arc -- Ace and White Beard -- have not directly played a massive role in One Piece's plot at that time. Meanwhile, the main villain of the arc -- Akainu -- is introduced here.

"Marineford" could work incredibly well as a film, bringing one of the best battles to the big screen, one that is more cinematic in nature than some of the series' other arcs, thanks to the contained location, tight time frame, and near-constant action. Plus, it would stand on its own better than most arcs. While new viewers may not be as emotionally attached to Luffy, this arc is well-written enough to captivate new viewers with its dynamic action and heartbreaking storytelling. Meanwhile, it would practically be a guarantee that any long-time One Piece fan would pay to see "Marineford" brought to the big screen.

There's so much of One Piece to adapt. For a series of this size, it's going to be a massive undertaking to start from the beginning. Accompanied by the pacing issues of the original anime, it's no wonder some speculate the new series will look for a way around this. A seasonal approach is one way to do it, but Netflix can do more by turning some parts of the series into theatrical movies first. After all, One Piece is one of the grandest epics ever told, so seeing some of the manga brought to the big screen would be more than worth it.