If you’ve just finished the Alabasta saga and you’re wondering where the heck the giant floating island is, you aren't alone. It’s a common point of confusion. One minute you’re celebrating a revolution in the desert, and the next, a literal ship falls out of the sky and almost crushes the Going Merry.
So, let's get into the weeds. When does Skypiea start?
Technically, the Skypiea Arc begins at Episode 153 in the anime and Chapter 237 in the manga.
But honestly, that answer is kinda misleading. If you skip straight to episode 153, you’re going to be hopelessly lost. You’ll miss the introduction of Blackbeard, the brutal "one-punch" moment with Bellamy, and the entire reason the crew is even looking for a way to fly.
To understand Skypiea, you have to look at the Sky Island Saga as a whole.
The Confusion Between Saga and Arc
In the One Piece world, fans often use "Skypiea" as a catch-all term for the entire journey to the clouds. However, the story is actually split into two distinct parts: Jaya and Skypiea.
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The Jaya Arc is the essential prologue. It starts at Episode 144 (Chapter 218). This is where the Log Pose starts pointing straight up, and the crew meets Mont Blanc Cricket, the man obsessed with proving his ancestor wasn't a liar.
Without Jaya, Skypiea has no emotional weight.
- Jaya Arc: Episodes 144–152 (Chapters 218–236)
- Skypiea Arc: Episodes 153–195 (Chapters 237–302)
Basically, if you’re looking for the exact moment they breach the "White Sea" and actually set foot on the clouds, that happens right at the start of episode 153. But the adventure starts the second that galleon falls from the sky in episode 144.
Why You Shouldn't Skip the "Start"
I've seen so many people try to rush through or even skip the buildup. Don't do that.
Jaya is where we get the first real glimpse of the power scale in the New World. It’s where we see the Five Elders for the first time. It’s where Donquixote Doflamingo and Bartholomew Kuma are introduced to the story. If you jump in at episode 153, you miss the legendary speech by Blackbeard about how "A man's dream will never die!"
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It’s arguably one of the most important moments in the entire series.
Breaking Down the Manga vs. Anime
If you’re a reader, the transition is even smoother. The Skypiea arc kicks off in Volume 26.
Eiichiro Oda, the creator, uses the Jaya section to ground the fantasy of the sky island in "reality." By the time the Straw Hats use the Knock Up Stream to blast into the atmosphere at the end of Chapter 236, you’re just as desperate to see the sky as they are.
The Anime Filler Situation
Wait, there’s a catch. If you’re watching the anime, there are a few filler episodes right before Jaya starts. Episodes 136 through 143 are completely skippable. They involve a goat island and some rainbow mist—stuff that has zero impact on the Skypiea storyline.
If you want the "pure" experience, jump from episode 135 (the end of the Post-Alabasta filler) straight to 144.
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Is Skypiea Actually Important?
For years, people called Skypiea "filler-lite" because it felt so disconnected from the rest of the world. It’s on an island miles above the sea; characters can't just walk back into the main plot.
But man, has that opinion changed recently.
As of 2026, looking back at the Wano and Egghead arcs, Skypiea is now considered one of the most vital pieces of world-building Oda ever wrote. It introduces the concept of Mantra (which we now know is Observation Haki) and drops massive hints about the Void Century and the Sun God Nika.
If you skip it, you're basically missing the blueprint for the end of the series.
What to Do Next
If you’re staring at your screen wondering whether to hit "next episode," here is your roadmap:
- Watch Episodes 144–152 first. This is the Jaya Arc. It sets the stage, introduces major villains, and explains how they get to the sky.
- Start Episode 153 to officially begin the Skypiea Arc. This is the "White Sea" entry.
- Pay attention to the Poneglyph at the very end of the arc (around Episode 194). It contains a message from Gol D. Roger that changes everything you think you know about the Pirate King.
- Don't skip the G-8 Arc immediately after Skypiea (Episodes 196–206). Even though it's filler, most fans consider it the best filler in anime history.
Skypiea is a slow burn, but once Enel (the main antagonist) shows up and the stakes hit, it becomes a wild ride. Just make sure you start at the beginning of the saga in Jaya so the payoff actually hits.