Warning: Spoilers Ahead For Late Story Reveals in One Piece
For over two decades,One Piecehas continued to enthrall both new and old viewers, expanding its fan base with each building block of character growth, monumental achievements, and outlandish fights that broadcast the scope of animation’s capabilities. While there are moments in the franchise thatstand out for their top-tier fights, emotional depth, and narrative exploration, there are times whenOne Piecetruly goesoff the rails to prove this series is more than just trying to up its gamefor shock and awe alone.
Many epic scenes have been depicted in bothOne Piece’s anime and manga, but few continue to impact viewers with the same emotions years after they occurred. Whether they have aided the narrative to expand upon existing ideas or finally delivered a payoff that has spent entire arcs in the making just for their time to shine. These are the most pivotal moments that have occurred during Luffy’s journeywhether for the good, the bad, or the ugly.
8Episode #1121 Garp vs Kuzan
Another Layer of Tragedy for Old Man Garp
Thebattle between Vice Admiral Garp and Kazan, formerly known as Aokiji within the Marines, wasn’t just about the old dog going to Pirate Island in order to save his current protege, Captain Koby, who the Blackbeard Pirates captured. It was also meant to symbolize the clash of ideals between a mentor and his former pupil after transpired events transformed them into people whose goals couldn’t be further apart. Kuzan’s experiences as a Marine were rife with conflicts after being raised under Garp’s tutelage and then witnessing firsthand the horrors of the World Government on Ohara island.
This confrontation is just another fatal blow to the semi-retired Vice Admiral who has had to live with so many tragedies before this moment. Garp fully believed in the Marine’s form of justice, thinking it was the only way that peace could be gained, but time again and again, he has seen hisfamily members and respected comrades suffer and fall to the system’s cruel punishments.
This collision between the mentor and his former student was more than another fight, it was proving whose point could stand on top and persevere. And while Garp was ultimately the winner, it still came at the defeat of someone he had thought he raised better.One Pieceoften makes these connections that whoever wins the battle has the right ideal in mind, and a greater conviction to stand behind it no matter what it may cost. While it’s not the final plan for this world, it did conquer Kuzan’s newfound motives within the pirate ranks.
7Episode #1093 Blackbeard vs Law
The Complete Wipeout of the Heart Pirates
WithOne Piecegearing up to conclude its final arcs, the Marines aren’t the only ones having trouble keeping their faith about them. After their victory in Wano, Trafalgar Law set out with his crew to continue their journey through the Grand Line in search of the final treasure. But they wound up confronting Blackbeard instead, first at sea and then by chase as they used a nearby island to try and trap the Yonko and his devilish crew in a bait and switch.
As one of the New Generation pirates who had just won a solid victory over two other Yonkos, Law and his crew put forth a stupendous fight, drawing Blackbeard’s men to a close defeat and even had the treacherous captain himself on the ropes thanks to Law’s awakened Devil Fruit abilities. But theDark Dark Devil Fruit’s abilitiesproved to be too much in tandem with Blackbeard’s other abilities and the Heart crew was annihilated with very few left in its ranks.
Law’s defeat so soon after Wanoshowcased just how dangerous the seas had become and how rampant Blackbeard sought the destruction of other pirates to reap his rewards. With the final battle growing ever near, there are many more battles ahead that will only put the beloved members of One Piece’s cast at risk as everyone aims to fulfill their dreams.
6Episode #1061 Sanji vs Queen
More Than a Victory, It Was About Defiance
Sanji doesn’t get a lot of great moments inOne Piece’sanime with Toei Animations always making some kind of retcon for the betterment of the adaptation of the manga. And while the cook’s battle with Queen wasn’t a 1-1, it did tackle the base meaning of why it was so important for Sanji to win that battle all without the help of the Raid Suits his siblings equipped for enhanced abilities.
All throughout the fight, Sanji was taunted by Queen that the only reason he could stand a chance was if he utilized the skills that were planted in him like his genetically modified siblings, even down to his Diable Jambe. And while he discovers that he is able to tap into the abilities his super soldier family were imbued with,it terrifies him more than encourages him.Having to resort to what made his family monsters to both him and their victims had him on the run as he contemplated what he’d have to do to not become like them.
Sanji’s fight against Queen showcased his turmoil of fighting for his identity for what he was made to be versus what he wanted to be. Being able to master his family’s characteristic assassin moves and evolving his own technique into Ifrit Jambe only solidified his belief in himself that he could get stronger without his family’s influence.
5Episode #278 “I Want to Live!”
Luffy’s Official Declaration Against The World Government
As a pirate, it’s inevitable that Luffy is going to butt heads with authority, such as the World Government and the Marines, but no moment captures just how far the Straw Hat Captain is willing to go than during his siege to rescue Robin. Luffy had encountered the Marines misdeeds on numerous occasions before this but with the introduction of an elite squad of assassins and the reveal of the Ohara incident.
This act of provocation from all the Straw Hats served as a clear message to the Government that they would challenge them in exchange for Robin, no matter what may come to happen. It was a pivotal moment for Luffy and his crew that would serve to build upon his character, maturing him as he directly opposed the decree of Robin’s execution despite the arrival of several admirals and an order to bomb Enies Lobby.
4Episode #1062 Zoro vs King
First Mate’s Renewed Convictions and Decisive Victory
Fans can always trust that Zoro can deliver on a good fight, though Wano challenged the Straw Hats in a way that tested their dedication to their chosen dreams beyond just a standard fight. Sanji had proven he could stay true to his character and remain human even when his modifications from Germa 66 kicked in. Likewise, Zoro’s zeal as a swordsman was tested when he proclaimed against King he would win no matter what, even if he had to bite his throat out.
This caused one of Zoro’s swords, Enma, to act out and remind him that their course only aligns if the swordsman can stay true to his beliefs and defeat his foes using his blades and skills. This tense fight had a lot riding on the line, especially when King mirrored many of Zoro’s circumstances with his own Captain. The one thing that made the difference was the swordsman’s ambitions, whereas King had none, leading him to win the battle in one fell swoop after reaffirming these beliefs.
3Episode #1017-1018 Worst Gen Against Pirate Emperors
Anticipated Clash of the New and the Old Generations
Wano is an action-packed arc that never seems to slow down for a second, whether it’s the confrontation against Kaido or dramatic reveals within the narrative, but one of the moments that stands out is the combined forces of Luffy, Law, and Eustass Kid against the almighty powers of the sea, Kaido and Big Mom. Yonkos are described to be the strongest and most prevalent forces in the pirate world, and the series has been building up for theinevitable clash of the established leaders and the rising youngsterswho seek to overthrow them.
While the Straw Hats have already encountered Big Mom and issued a challenge against her, this is the first time that the Worst Generation is teaming up to challenge them. In this battle for dreams and ideals, their victory against two Yonkos only proved their newly established strength in the pirate world.
2Episode #483 Ace’s Death
The Punch Heard Round The World
There is quite possibly no moment as heart-breaking and catastrophic asPortgas D. Ace’s death at Marinefordin all ofOne Piece. The lead-up to his execution had been accelerated to not only provoke the current Yonkos but to send a message to all pirates since the World Government feared the newcomers that had been thwarting their authority. It was not only a heavy blow to Luffy’s psyche, but it was a death accompanied by Whitebeard’s that changed everything for the pirates, marines, and civilians.
For Luffy, it was his first cold dose of reality. Pirates took this as a declaration of war and would only serve to usher in the New Generation more assuredly. For the marines, it was taking back the control that they feared they were losing, though for Garp, it was the loss of a child he had helped raise. For the people under Whitebeard’s protection, this was a sudden security risk and many towns were affected due to the lack of marine aid. It was the first major life Oda had taken, and it drastically changed everything forOne Piecegoing forward.
1Episode #1051 Luffy Awakens Gear 5
Return to Freedom for both Luffy and Oda
Luffy has many amazing moments as One Piece’s protagonist, and during Wano’s arc, fans are introduced to the concept that Devil Fruits can awaken and unlock many more abilities based on their model. However, Luffy’s in particular turned out to be none other than a legendary Human Human Fruit, Model: Nika, the Sun God.
Aside from being one of the most epic fights that Luffy has ever been embroiled in, this served as a newfound liberation for the Straw Hat who would constantly find himself against a wall again and again trying to find a new way to surpass his previous strength. In order to fulfill his dream, he needed both freedom and the power to wield it, something he only obtained by unlocking Gear 5 of his Rubber Man Devil Fruit.
What made this moment even better was that it wasn’t just a return to form for Luffy’s antics being cartoonish and outlandish, comically affecting the world around him.Gear 5 was also a reignition for Eiichiro Oda, who always felt thatOne Piecewas a less serious shōnen that had fun with its powers and narratives with a happy-go-lucky protagonist at its forefront. Despite the serious nature of Luffy’s position, this is where muse and author return to having fun, exploring what liberation means and how it’s an equally dangerous but wonderful ideal that can help reshape the world.
