the longest-running anime series and manga, going on strong even after over a thousand episodes and over a thousand chapters. While it is one of the most beloved anime around, even One Piece has weak arcs, especially by the series' expectations. One of the worst is Fish-Man Island, which is particularly unfortunate because it is also the first big arc for the Straw Hats post-time skip. Plus, it does introduce some important lore while exploring themes of oppression, racism, slavery, and hate concerning the Fish-Men and Mermaids.

Despite this, the arc falls flat. Sanji's pervert gag, for instance, is amplified to an uncomfortable level, making fans grateful for the live-action One Piece's massive change to the character. Meanwhile, the arc's main villain, Hody, does not hold a candle to prior One Piece big bads, despite what he represents, and he can easily be overlooked by the other enemies who pull focus. While the One Piece remaster is trying to fix some of the issues from the original arc, another change could have helped this arc immensely, and that would be with the inclusion of Arlong.

Fish-Man Island Marks A New Era For One Piece, Like Arlong Park Did

Arlong Could Have Been The First Big Bad For The Straw Pre- And Post-Time Skip

Going all the way back to the beginning of One Piece, Arlong is the final boss of the East Blue Saga. While the Straw Hats come across many villains before him, Arlong Park is the climactic conclusion to their time in the East Blue, and it is an epic conclusion, one that makes lifelong fans out of One Piece's audience. The fight between Luffy and Arlong is iconic, and it shows just what sort of captain and friend Luffy is. Meanwhile, Arlong is an enemy unlike any other at that point in the series, teasing the dangers that lie ahead for the Straw Hats once they enter the Grand Line.

The Straw Hats have come far since Arlong Park, picking up new between then and Fish-Man Island. Along with that, they have gotten significantly stronger. An incredible way to show this growth is through a rematch with a former villain, as is the case with the epic rematch between Luffy and Rob Lucci on Egghead. This demonstration of strength could have been done earlier, though, with a rematch between Luffy and Arlong. Plus, with Arlong wrapping up the Straw Hats' East Blue Saga, there would be something poetic to having him help usher in their next saga as they enter the New World.

Arlong, Jimbe, and Hody All Fight For Fish-Men

Fish-Man Island Addresses One Of One Piece's Tragic Themes But Misses A Key Player

It would not just be poetic to have Arlong be the big bad before the Straw Hats enter the New World. It would also build off the key themes of oppression and the cycle of hate explored in Fish-Man Island. Fish-Men and Mermaids are not treated as citizens of the World Government. Along with facing discrimination and hate, Fish-Men and Mermaids can be enslaved, with the World Government turning the other way to allow such inhumane practices to continue and enabling them to benefit those at the very top, the Celestial Dragons.

Throughout Fish-Man Island, fans see how different Fish-Men and Mermaids respond to such hatred, with some, like the royal family, wanting to find a way to coexist with the other races. Meanwhile, characters like Hody share similar beliefs to Arlong, as both believe Fish-Men are superior to humans and should be the ones on top, while humans submit to them. However, Hody is no Arlong, the antagonist from East Blue cared deeply for the Fish-Men on his crew. Hody, on the other hand, is so consumed by his hate and pain that he hurts the people he is trying to fight for.

This difference between Hody and Arlong is one that deserves to be explored more, especially because it can show how hate is cyclical. It also shows how not everyone responds to hate the same way. After all, Arlong was a pirate under Fisher-Tiger, who fought for the liberation of Fish-Men, but their methods differed. Meanwhile, Jimbe, another pirate under Fisher-Tiger, took a different path from Arlong. Seeing how all of these characters respond to oppression and the ways they try to combat it is insightful, and it deserves to be explored outside of flashbacks. By bringing back Arlong, there was a chance to achieve that in Fish-Man Island.

One Piece Villains Have Made Returns Before

Where Is Arlong Post-Time Skip In One Piece?

It is not uncommon for One Piece to see past villains make some sort of return. Bon Clay made a triumphant return in Impel Down, saving Luffy multiple times. Crocodile also made a return then, and he's continued to be a player in One Piece ever since he ed the Cross Guild with Mihawk and Buggy. There are many other One Piece characters audiences are waiting to return, and that includes Arlong, who has yet to be seen since his defeat in Arlong Park.

The perfect time was Fish-Man Island, given his direct connection to the island and several of the key characters there. Plus, his history with Nami and Jimbe would have made this One Piece reunion all the more interesting because these characters are not the same people he knew years ago. Arlong is one of the best villains in the earlier arcs, so for Arlong not to return would be a missed opportunity. One Piece missed seizing this chance once before with Fish-Man Island, but hopefully they won't miss again.