Do I Skip the G-8 Arc? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t

I still remember the first time I heard about the G-8 Arc. I was deep into my first watch-through of One Piece, completely blown away by the Skypiea arc and ready to move on to the next big adventure. But then… I found myself in what I thought was just another filler arc.

A friend of mine, who had already finished One Piece, saw me rolling my eyes at the idea of watching filler and just said, “Dude, don’t skip G-8. Trust me.”

And you know what? He was right.

What Is the G-8 Arc?

For those unfamiliar, the G-8 Arc is a filler arc in One Piece that takes place right after the Skypiea saga. It spans episodes 196 to 206 and follows the Straw Hats as they accidentally land inside a heavily fortified Marine base after their journey from Skypiea.

Now, usually, filler arcs in anime can be hit or miss. Some are outright skippable (looking at you, Ruluka Island), but G-8? G-8 is different.

The Common Question: Should You Skip G-8?

If you’re binging One Piece and trying to power through hundreds of episodes, you might be tempted to skip any non-canon content to stay on track with the main story. But here’s the thing: G-8 is arguably the best filler arc in all of One Piece.

I’ve seen plenty of fans say things like:

• “I usually skip filler, but G-8 was an exception.”
• “I didn’t even realize it was filler because it felt like an actual One Piece arc.”
• “G-8 made me laugh so much, I didn’t want it to end.”

So, if you’re wondering whether to skip it or not, let me give you five solid reasons why you shouldn’t.

1. G-8 Feels Like It Was Written by Oda Himself

One of the biggest reasons anime filler is often looked down upon is that it rarely captures the magic of the original story. But the G-8 Arc? It feels like something Eiichiro Oda himself could have written.

The humor, the strategy, the character interactions—everything is on point. Unlike other filler arcs that feel like random side quests, G-8 actually respects the characters and their personalities. The Straw Hats don’t act out of character, the pacing is great, and the stakes feel real.

Plus, it doesn’t introduce some random villain-of-the-week that gets forgotten immediately after. Instead, it focuses on a Marine base with actual depth, making the world of One Piece feel even more immersive.

2. Captain Jonathan: A Surprisingly Smart and Likable Villain

Speaking of great writing, Captain Jonathan—the Marine commander of G-8—is hands down one of the best filler-exclusive antagonists in One Piece.

Unlike most filler villains who are either overpowered with no real personality or cartoonishly evil, Jonathan is actually… a strategic genius.

He’s calm, collected, and treats the Straw Hats like an actual threat, planning his every move carefully. His battles aren’t just about strength but about strategy and counterplay, which makes for some really entertaining cat-and-mouse moments.

Honestly, he’s the kind of character that should be canon.

3. The Straw Hats Shine in the Best Way

Another reason to watch G-8? Every single Straw Hat gets a moment to shine.

A lot of filler arcs focus too much on one or two characters, but G-8 is different. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect:

• Luffy being his usual chaotic self while somehow turning the situation to his advantage.
• Zoro & Sanji in classic rivalry mode, forced to team up in hilarious ways.
• Usopp’s cleverness actually saving the crew more than once.
• Nami proving why she’s the best navigator, even in enemy territory.
• Chopper going undercover in one of the funniest bits of the arc.

Every episode feels fun and engaging, and there’s never a dull moment.

4. The Humor Is Peak One Piece

If you love the humor of One Piece, G-8 is an absolute must-watch.

From Usopp disguising himself as a Marine to Sanji trying to cook his way out of trouble, this arc is filled with some of the funniest moments in the series.

There’s even an episode where Chopper accidentally becomes the base’s official doctor, and the Marines fully trust him. It’s classic One Piece comedy at its best—absurd but somehow totally believable.

5. It’s Only 10 Episodes, and You Won’t Regret It

At just 10 episodes long (196-206), G-8 is one of the shorter filler arcs in One Piece, and it’s worth every single episode.

If you’re marathoning the series, 10 episodes won’t slow you down much, and the entertainment value is so high that you won’t even feel like you’re watching filler.

And honestly? When I finished it, I wished it had lasted longer.

The Verdict: Don’t Skip G-8. Seriously.

If you’re still debating whether or not to watch the G-8 Arc, let me make it simple:

If you love the adventure, humor, and character dynamics of One Piece, watch it.
If you enjoy clever villains and well-paced storytelling, watch it.
If you just finished Skypiea and need a breather before the next saga, watch it.

The only reason to skip it is if you’re in a rush to catch up to the latest episodes, but even then… it’s 10 episodes of pure fun.

So take my advice—don’t be that person who skips G-8 and later regrets it. You’ll be missing out on one of the best One Piece experiences outside of the main story.

And who knows? After watching it, you might just find yourself wishing more filler arcs were this good.