Ever since One Piece was created in 1999, this epic anime series has captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. With its richly developed characters, intricate world-building, and thrilling adventures, One Piece has become a cultural phenomenon. Based on the manga series of the same created by Eiichiro Oda, the show is still going on to this day.
There is one thing, though, that no fan will ever admit but a lot of them have thought: there are just too many episodes. Unless you started watching when they came out, the over 1000 episodes available will seem intimidating for everybody. This guide will help viewers know which episodes they absolutely need to watch.
8 Episode 1, Season 1 – “I’m Luffy! The Man Who’s Gonna Be King of the Pirates!”
One could argue that the first episode of the first season of any show is crucial and can’t be skipped. It introduces the main characters and the general theme of the show. One Piece is not an exception. The first episode of the show is titled “I’m Luffy! The Man Who’s Gonna Be King of the Pirates!,” and as you might have guessed, the audience is introduced to the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy. The episode is a captivating entry point into the world of One Piece and sets the stage for what comes next.
Immediately, the viewers will become captivated by Luffy’s unique personality and determination to become the Pirate King. Luffy, armed with his iconic straw hat and powered by his innate Devil Fruit ability, sets sail on his small boat, ready to conquer the Grand Line. His dream is to find the legendary treasure known as One Piece and become the ruler of the pirates.
Luffy’s character develops throughout the episode, and the audience gets to know him as they see how he deals with the different obstacles he encounters in his quest and the relationships he forms with the other characters that show up to either help him or cause trouble. Undoubtedly, an essential part of this fictional world.
7 Episode 278, Season 9 – “Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!”
This emotionally charged episode is absolutely worth watching. Like much of the show, it explores the themes of friendship and loyalty, with incredible action scenes as well.
In this episode, Luffy faces off against agent Rob Lucci to protect his friends, particularly Robin, who has lived a tragic life and is not sure if she’s worth saving. Hence the title, “Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!.” The odds are undeniably stacked against him, but despite the struggle, Luffy refuses to give up, driven by his unwavering resolve to protect his crew and achieve his dream. Encouraged by his friends, who stand together and never stop believing in him, Luffy emerges victorious, ending Lucci with a devastating final blow.
6 Episode 517, Season 15 – “The Beginning of The New Chapter! The Straw Hats Reunited!”
This episode will have everyone on the edge of their seat. On “The Beginning of The New Chapter! The Straw Hats Reunited!,” fans finally get to witness the highly anticipated reunion of the Straw Hat Pirates. After two years of intense training and personal growth, the episode marks a significant milestone in the series, making this an episode no one true fan can afford to skip.
The Straw Hat Pirates arrive at Sabaody Archipelago, a known dangerous and chaotic location, and before the emotional payoff of their reunion, they will have to go through all sorts of challenges. The crew members won’t let anything get in the way of their meeting though, after being apart for so long. It’s a treat to get to see the growth of each Straw Hat member and how the time apart has uniquely affected each of them.
As readers can imagine, the Straw Hat Pirates finally reunite on the archipelago and share a heartwarming moment together. This marks a pivotal turning point in the series, setting the stage for what’s to come, the new obstacles the characters will face, and what their relationships will become.
5 Episode 483, Season 14 – “Looking for the Answer! Fire Fist Ace Dies on the Battlefield”
The title of the episode pretty much specifies how heartbreaking this will be and how. Spoiler alert: it’s called “Looking for the Answer! Fire Fist Ace Dies on the Battlefield.”
During a battle between the Marine forces, led by Admiral Akainu, and the Whitebeard Pirates, Ace finds himself in a dire situation when he steps in to protect his brother Luffy from a devastating attack. His selflessness, while enough to save his brother, led to his bitter end.
The emotional weight of Ace’s death impacts the viewers dramatically, especially because of the scene of Luffy crying for him. The loss of such a beloved character will inevitably send shockwaves through the entire One Piece universe, which means that this episode marks a significant turning point in the narrative. It also becomes an additional motivation for Luffy, who doubles down on his mission.
4 Episode 402, Season 11 – “Overwhelming! The Navy’s Fighting Weapons, the Pacifistas”
This eleventh-season episode is called “Overwhelming! The Navy’s Fighting Weapons, the Pacifistas,” where the Straw Hat pirates face a new adversary. The Pacifistas are a heavily armed group with outstanding technology that poses a big threat to the crew. That gets proven when Kuma’s beam is fired upon the Straw Hats, baffling and scaring them. The Pacifistas, the viewers get to find out, are humanoid cyborgs designed to resemble the Warlord, Bartholomew Kuma himself. Because of their superhuman strength, laser beam attacks, and impenetrable defenses, the crew struggles to overcome the overwhelming power and relentless assaults of these mechanical enemies.
This is a very action-packed episode that shows our favorite characters being put through tests they had never faced before, and it’s thrilling to watch.
3 Episode 239, Season 8 – “The Criminals are the Straw Hat Pirates? The Bodyguards of Water 7”
“The Criminals are the Straw Hat Pirates? The Bodyguards of Water 7” is an episode from the eighth season that fans simply can’t miss. Here, the crew faces yet another obstacle. This time, they get accused of a terrible crime which puts them in grave danger.
The Straw Hat Pirates are accused of attempting to murder Iceburg, the mayor of Water 7, and are forced to defend themselves against the whole town that is ready to demand the worst punishment. Luffy, Zoro, and Nami are captured and taken to the courthouse while the rest of the crew disperses.
It’s not long until the truth comes out, though. Soon, the actual criminals are revealed to be the Galley-La Company’s Franky Family, a group of ship dismantlers. The bad news: it doesn’t clear their name, and the people in the town still don’t trust them. The resilience and loyalty of the crew get put to the test in this episode like never before.
2 Episode 373, Season 10 – “The Conclusion Arrives! Deliver the Finishing Blow”
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This episode centers around the epic battle between the crew and Gecko Moria, a powerful warlord. Tensions rise and emotions run high throughout this, and fans see Luffy more determined to protect his crew and achieve his dream of becoming the Pirate King than ever, despite the fact that his enemy is overwhelmingly superior. He has grown a lot and has improved in combat, but Moria uses his shadow-controlling abilities to manipulate and overwhelm the crew. And he manages. However, the indomitable spirit of the protagonist really shows, as he refuses to back down blow after blow. It’s inspiring, really.
“The Conclusion Arrives! Deliver the Finishing Blow” is a crucial episode in the series as it demonstrates the crew’s evolution, and it could be said that it contains the essence of the show: to fight alongside your friends until the end, no matter the obstacle, no matter the outcome.
1 Episode 658, Season 17 – “A Big Surprise! A True Identity of the Toy Soldier!”
“A Big Surprise! A True Identity of the Toy Soldier!” is a fascinating episode. As the title indicates, the main conflict surrounds a mysterious Toy Soldier.
The episode begins with the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies preparing for the upcoming battle against the tyrannical Donquixote Doflamingo. That is when Rebecca, a gladiator fighting on behalf of the Straw Hats, makes a startling revelation to the crew. She recalls that she’s had weird encounters in the past with the mysterious Toy Soldier, and that he had saved her countless times and became her mentor, teaching her the skills she needed to survive. Knowing they could use all the help they could get, the crew listens to her intently and become very interested in this mystery.
It isn’t long until Luffy and his crew stumble upon the truth behind the Toy Soldier’s identity. To their surprise, they discover that he is none other than Kyros, the former captain of the Royal Army of Dressrosa. Kyros, who was turned into a toy by Doflamingo’s Devil Fruit powers, has been forced to live in obscurity and anonymity for too many years.
Kyros’ sacrifice and suffering become an important part of the plot, and his story is very moving. Driven by his desire to protect his loved ones and seek justice against Doflamingo he pledges to fight alongside Luffy and his allies. The revelation of Kyros’ true identity deepens the connection between the characters and adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, and that alone makes this an episode worth watching. The incredible animation and the traditional but always beautiful themes of love and friendship are just icing on the cake.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
