One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword

One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword takes the Straw Hats to a remote island where they discover a legendary sword — the Seven Star Sword — said to grant its wielder immense power at a terrible cost. The film's most notable element is its focus on Zoro, who reunites with his childhood friend Saga, now corrupted by the sword's power and leading an army against the island's people. The Zoro-Saga relationship gives the film an emotional core that goes beyond the usual villain-of-the-movie format, forcing Zoro to choose between loyalty to his crew and the debt of their shared past.

Released in 2004, The Cursed Holy Sword is frequently cited as one of the most polarizing early One Piece films. On one hand, it delivers the most character-focused story for Zoro in the theatrical lineup to that point; on the other, the pacing and the power level of the film's villain feel inconsistent with the main series. Saga's sword-granted abilities create a scenario where Zoro engages in combat that many fans find narratively unsatisfying given his established skill. Non-canonical throughout, the film is worth watching for dedicated Zoro fans despite its structural weaknesses.