Popular manga and anime One Piece features a two-year time-skip. But where does it take place, and what happens during it?
Despite running for over 20 years, the hype for One Piece has never been higher. And it’s no wonder, considering the success of Netflix’s live-action series, that it introduced an entirely new audience to the series.
The time skip in One Piece is an integral part of the storyline, with a noticeable shift in the series’ tone. Following the two-year gap, the Straw Hat crew became stronger and more determined than ever.
So, here’s when the time-skip takes place and what happens during it.
When does the One Piece time-skip take place?
The time-skip in One Piece occurs in episode 517 of the anime or Chapters 597 and 598 of the manga.
It occurs after the Straw Hats are separated at Saboady Archipelago, and Monkey D. Luffy moves to save his brother Ace from execution.
Lasting two years (or the course of one episode), the members of the Straw Hat crew dedicate themselves to becoming stronger pirates. However, you’ll be relieved to know that that’s the only thing that changes – the characters you know and love, and the dynamics between them remain unchanged.
Why was there a time skip in One Piece?
Essentially, the time skip is a period where the Straw Hats are separated from each other and begin their individual training for the New World. While it didn’t change much about what we know and love about the characters, it still significantly impacted the storyline.
The time skip was induced after Monkey D. Luffy’s older brother, Portgas D. Ace, met a tragic end in episode 482 (chapter 573). Luffy threw himself into Impel Down and the Paramount War of Marineford to try and save him, but it made no difference in the end. His brother was killed by Admiral Akainu.
The experience made Luffy realize that his crew was still not strong enough. Therefore, he sent the Straw Hats a coded message in the newspaper that they would reunite in Saboady in two years.
What happened in the One Piece time-skip?
Let’s look at how Luffy’s crew members level up during the time skip.
Monkey D. Luffy
After legendary pirate and former first mate of Gold Roger, Silvers Rayleigh, suggested to a heartbroken Luffy that the entire crew takes two years off to train. Luffy accompanies him to Rusukaina.
Where is Rusukaina, you ask? Well, it’s an island in the Calm Belt that’s considered dangerous even by Kuja standards. It has 48 seasons a year that change weekly and is home to over 500 beasts, all capable of killing a person. Here, Luffy trains under Rayleigh to learn how to use Haki, increase his strength, and polish his battle skills.
After his time on the island ended, Luffy mastered all three types of Haki and was able to create Gear Four: Boundman and Fear Four: Snakeman.
Roronoa Zoro
Next is another member of Luffy’s crew and One Piece fan-favorite – Pirate Hunter and gifted swordsman Roronoa Zoro.
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Roronoa Zoro traveled to Kuraigana Island. Home to Dracule Mihawk, the island is inhabited by warlike mandrills called Humandrills. And, of course, Zoro’s ultimate goal is to defeat all of them to become the world’s greatest swordsman.
However, he is nowhere near accomplishing his goal. Therefore, during the time skip, he honed his sword skills and learned how to use Armor and observation haki.
Nami
Nami spent the two-year time skip on an artificial sky island called Weatheria. Here she was able to increase her navigational abilities by upgrading her Clima-Tact into the Sorcery Clima-Tact which we see today.
Usopp
Usopp underwent the most profound change in his abilities during the time skip.
Before the time skip, we see him stranded on the Boin Archipelago, which is essentially a series of carnivorous plants disguised as islands.
Here, Usopp met with a researcher named Heracles, who taught him how to fight with a special kind of seed called Pop Greens. When fired from Usopp’s slingshot, these seeds turn into a different type of plant.
Essentially, this means that Usopp is able to fight using plant material like vines, gas, and other carnivorous plants, which is a huge change from how he was before the time skip.
Nico Robin
Unlike the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates, Nico Robin didn’t spend the time skipping in the same place she was sent to.
Nico Robin was sent to Tequila Wolf, where she was forced to become a government slave. However, this didn’t last long as she was soon liberated from Tequila Wolf by the Revolutionaries, which she then joined for the rest of the time.
Following the time skip, Nico Robin’s Flower-Flower Fruit abilities greatly increased. She could summon giant limbs and even create clones of herself. During this time period, she was also able to use Fish-Man Karate, which has served her well in the New World.
Chopper
Chopper studied and perfected his Devil Fruit abilities until he was to gain control of his giant monster transformation. Chopper’s research not only allowed him to use Kung Fu Point, but now he can also boost the power of his Human-Human Fruit, allowing him to access the bulk of his transformations without the use of a Rumble Ball.
Sanji
Sanji also improved his Haki while expanding his cooking knowledge to support his comrades. While on the island, he learned to use Armament and Observation Haki. Sanji also learned to kick solid air and fly with the Sky Walk, the Straw Hat Cook’s modification of CP9’s Moonwalk technique.
For more Straw Hats shenanigans, also check out our One Piece filler guide and our ranking of the strongest Straw Hat Pirates.