To open with my usual One Piece Disclaimer, I am assuming anyone reading this has either read my previous One Piece Reviews as I've been watching the show for the first time or has already seen One Piece. As such, I won't be going into too much detail about the world, and just focusing on this arc. Previous arcs may be spoiled if necessary. That out of the way, on with the review.
And now we are back to an Arc that I felt worked well. As usual, One Piece walks a fine line mixing the comedy with the serious nature of the show. Little Garden see's the introduction of Giants to One Piece, specifically two giants in a feud to fight to the death. Stuck on the Island until their Log Compass can adjust to the Magnetic fields allowing them to proceed, they become a bit embroiled in the fight between the giants and the mercenary company Barouge works.
They don't really come into conflict with the Giants themselves, they more play a part in Baroque works plans. Their for both a bounty on the giants as well as to catch the Straw Hats, we see a return of Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine along with two new members of Baroque, Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek. Unware of anyone else on the Island, the Straw-hats start the journey by splitting up. Luffy and the Princess go off to explore, Ussop and Nami stay behind not wanting to deal with whatever lives on the Island, and a hunting competition between Zoro and Sanji begins. Because they don't know Baroque is on the Island as well, it's a decent way to split up the party, as well as keep Sanji out of the majority of the story (He does get some important aspect come arcs end).
By and large this arc gives you more insight into the characters of Luffy and Zoro as they interact with the giants and their response to the hundred year long duel to the death between the two. More than them, however, it's Ussop I feel starts to come into his own here. Up until now his goals have been a bit vague compared to the others on the ship. In one of the giants, however, he starts to see and understand what it is he desires to become on this trip. He also becomes integral to the final fight of the arc and shows him at his best, being crafty and throwing off his opponents with his antics. Despite being called a Liar, and describing himself as such, he's not a very good liar at all. His strength is how he can react quick and disorient his foes rather than any kind of direct lie.
It's also some of the best writing in the series so far, a very simple story with a lot of great jokes and great character moments. It's very easy to get behind both the fighting giants and understand why it is they fight. Seeing Mr. 3 and 5 interfere in their duel accomplishes two things. It highlights his strength of utilizing his intellect to fight foes stronger than himself as well as giving you ample reason to hate him given how much investment you likely have in the fight between the giants. This is really where One Piece seems to shine, simple motives and plots executed well with characters you get invested in.
This is all backed up by some fantastic action, some of the best seen in the show yet. There are some fun interactions between Luffy and Mr. 3's Devil Fruit powers being a highlight. While I don't think anything in this arc quite hits the same level of fantastic we had in Arlong, it does a good job at reaching that same level of quality.
So yeah, fantastic arc and one of my favorites so far, probably being my third favorite of the nine arcs I've watched. I'm hoping this keeps up, because I'm noticing the quality of arcs in this show vary greatly from arc to arc, so it's hard to say right now if this is a sign of good things to come. Either way, I'm looking forward to the next one.