Summary:
The crew arrives at Arlong Park, the base of the Arlong Great Line fishing man and pirate. Zoro is captured by the Arlong Pirates and discovers that Nami is one of Arlong’s officers.
While at sea, Yosaku discovers Nami’s destination: Arlong Park, the base of East Blue’s most famous pirate, Arlong. Suspecting that Nami is after Arlong’s bounty, Yosaku warns of the danger ahead, as Arlong is a fish-man descended from the Great Line, so his power surpasses even Krieg’s. Arlong previously worked with Jinbe of the Seven Warriors of the Sea, seven government-sanctioned pirates such as Mihawk. Yosaku, Luffy and Sanji go to the kitchen for lunch.
Nami arrives at Arlong Park, where Arlong bribes a corrupt Marine officer. He gets to the base and beats up the kid who is trying to eliminate Arlong.
Arriving on the island, Zoro prepares to invade the base, but Usopp and Johnny stop him, tie him up with a rope and sail around the island. However, the ship is noticed by the local fish men. Usopp and Johnny leave the ship, but Zoro is unable to escape the ship and is captured by the Arlong Pirates. Zoro is interrogated by Arlong, where Arlong claims that fishmen are much better than humans because they have more strength and can breathe underwater. Nami confronts Zoro and reveals that he is an officer and cartographer serving under Arlong.
Johnny and Usopp arrived on the mainland at the village of Gosa, only to find the entire village destroyed and all the houses turned upside down. A local fisherman explains that the village was destroyed by the Arlong Pirates’ sea monster, Momoo, for protesting Arlong’s rule. Revealing himself to be the pirate Arlong, he attempts to capture Usopp, but is saved by the human resident Nojiko, who leads the pirate away. He then visits Nojiko’s house.
Nojiko makes her first appearance in the anime.
This is the first episode of the Arlong Park Arc.
This is the first episode to use RUN! RUN! RUN! as the end.
Unlike the previous closing theme, the special edition print remains in the original 4:3 aspect ratio. This would later apply to the following two final themes.
Jinbe’s name was first mentioned by Yosaku.
Weaknesses (Optional): Limited Character Exploration Beyond Nami and Arlong: The episode commonly specializes in introducing Arlong and Nami’s state of affairs. Viewers in search of deeper exploration of different Straw Hat characters would possibly discover it restrained. Overall: One Piece Episode 31 is a properly-dependent episode that serves as a strong creation to the Arlong Park Arc. It can provide an exciting ship chase scene, introduces key characters and plot points, and efficaciously foreshadows destiny conflicts. While the episode offers restricted exploration of positive Straw Hat characters, it efficaciously utilizes movement, mystery, and world-constructing to create an interesting and suspenseful story.