As expected of an adaptation as good as One Piece, there are quite a lot of incredible episodes in the series that are worth rewatching.
The One Piece anime is Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga’s adaptation, a series that tells the story of Monkey D. Luffy as he aims to become the Pirate King. Produced by Toei Animation, the One Piece anime is quite special in all departments, be it animation or direction.
The anime has always been very faithful to Eiichiro Oda’s work, making it one of the best long-running anime adaptations. As expected of an adaptation as good as One Piece, there are quite a lot of incredible episodes in the series that are worth rewatching.
One Piece has been around for nearly three decades, and during that time, it has amassed more than 1,000 manga chapters, as well as over 1,000 anime episodes. One Piece achieved these milestones because it has an amazing story filled with action, humor, and heartbreak. It also helps that most of the characters are well-designed and very well-written. As good as One Piece is though, not every episode is a home-run. In fact, several episodes drag quite a bit, but the majority of them are great, and several are so well done that they deserve a rewatch. Most One Piece fans know what the best One Piece episodes are, and they know which episodes have great rewatch value, and the Wano Arc has added a few more episodes to that list.
15. “Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!”
Episode 278
Episode 278 is one that fans hold especially close to their heart, and it is easily one of the best episodes of One Piece’s, as it delivered two of the most iconic moments in the entire story. The episode sees Nico Robin finish her story and explain to the Straw Hats why she can’t return to the crew, to which Luffy responds by burning down the World Government’s flag, her enemies.
This is followed by a powerful cry for help from Robin, who finally follows her heart and asks the Straw Hats to save her and take her to sea with them.
14. “Feelings Put Into Fists! Luffy’s Full-Power Gatling”
Episode 309
Another powerful episode, One Piece’s Episode 309 marks the end of the arc’s biggest fight, as Luffy takes Lucci down. Despite being pushed beyond his limits, Luffy is able to deliver blow after blow with extreme ferocity, carrying the emotions and trust that Nico Robin put into him.
With a Jet Gatling, Luffy is finally able to defeat Lucci, thus freeing Robin from her enemies. What makes this episode doubly special is the animation for the finisher, which was handled by One Piece‘s finisher specialist, Katsumi Ishizuka.
13. “Thank You Merry! The Sea of Separation in the Snow”
Episode 312
One Piece Episode 312 begins with the Straw Hats sailing back to Water 7. In the previous episode, their ship, The Going Merry came to their aid and helped the crew to escape the Ennies Lobby Buster Call. They meet up with their friends at sea, and the already damaged ship immediately begins to break apart.
The Straw Hats go on to say their final farewells as Merry received a fiery Viking funeral. The image of their sea-faring home going up in flames brought the entire crew to tears. What made the sequence even more emotional was Merry’s spirit apologizing and thanking the crew for caring about her.
12. “I Want to See Them! Luffy’s Tearful Scream”
Episode 505
Quite possibly the most powerful One Piece episode before the time skip, One Piece’s Episode 505 takes place after Luffy wakes up following Ace’s death. Refusing to accept the reality, Luffy is, understandably, at his lowest.
It is Jinbe who takes it upon himself to help him snap out of it by reminding him that what’s lost is gone forever but there’s a lot Luffy still has left to cherish and protect. In a heartwarming scene, Luffy pictures his entire crew being there for him and realizes how much he needs his family by his side.
11. “Disappearing Crew – The Final Day of the Straw Hat Crew”
Episode 405
One Piece’s Episode 405 is quite easily one of the anime’s very best ones—it haunts some fans to this day. The episode marks the conclusion of the Sabaody Archipelago arc and sees the Straw Hat Pirates get eliminated by Bartholomew Kuma one by one.
Picking the crew apart in what appeared to be a horrific manner at the time, Kuma separates them, starting from Zoro, and ending with Luffy. The captain can do nothing but watch as he’s unable to take his crewmates’ outstretched hands and save them from what tore them from him.
10. “A Heartbreaking Duel – Luffy vs. Sanji – Part 2”
Episode 808
One Piece’s Episode 808 is one of the best episodes—animation and story-wise. Directed by Takashi Otsuka, this episode marks Noboru Koizumi’s long-awaited return, the series’ former character designer, as an Animation Director, delivering flawless action. The episode is more than just animation though, as Sanji takes on Luffy in a heartbreaking duel.
With Luffy refusing to fight him, Sanji pummels his captain in hopes of driving him away and protecting both the crew and Zeff. The episode’s ending sees Mayumi Tanaka pour her heart out in a determined Luffy speech as he tells Sanji he’ll be waiting for his return, forever, as “Memories” plays in the background.
9. “A Fist of Divine Speed – Another Gear 4 Application Activated!
Episode 870
One Piece‘s Episode 870 is quite easily one of the most ambitious episodes when it comes to action. Directed and storyboarded by Kohei Kureta, who has a keen eye for action, Episode 870 takes Oda’s Luffy versus Katakuri to the next level.
The likes of Koudai Watanabe, Tu Yong-ce, Masami Mori, among many others take part in the animation as the godly speed of Gear Fourth: Snakeman pummels Charlotte Katakuri, with Katsumi Ishizuka stepping up to finish things off by animating the clash of King Cobra against Buzz Cut Mochi.
8. “The Pirate King is Born – Arriving at the Last Island!”
Episode 968
A legendary episode in every possible way, One Piece’s Episode 968 concluded Kozuki Oden’s journey with Gol D. Roger to the Final Island, Laugh Tale. The episode kicks off in a way that can only be described as exhibiting the very soul of the series as the Roger Pirates sing Binks’ Sake.
Managing to get their hands on all the Road Poneglyphs, the crew members eventually make their way to the Final Island, which went on to become the stuff of legends. As put forward by Oden, “In the face of the vast treasure, which was very real indeed, Roger laughed.” As the Pirate King laughed, every single fan cried as they witnessed what went down as One Piece’s most iconic episode to date.
7. “The Parting Time – Pudding’s Last Wish”
Episode 877
One of the most underrated yet powerful One Piece episodes, 877 marked the end of what is arguably the best arc in the New World, Whole Cake Island. The episode was directed by Toshinori Fukusawa and calling it a masterpiece wouldn’t do it justice. With seamless transitions and OST that packs an emotional punch, One Piece’s Episode 877 left most fans bawling their eyes out.
The episode sees the Straw Hat Pirates leave Totland, and Sanji and Carrot consoling each other over Pedro’s death in a heart-wrenching yet warm moment. Pudding cries her heart out over being separated from the man she so dearly loved as he sails away with his crew, while Jinbe fights the Big Mom Pirates to protect his men who were prepared to die for him. Episode 877 ends on a perfect note, with Sanji feeding the crew he loves so much, paralleling Zeff, as he feeds thugs again.
6. “Kaidou’s Trump Card – The Tobi Roppo Appear”
Episode 982
One of the most awaited episodes in One Piece history, Episode 982 marked the return of the young director Megumi Ishitani to the series, who had previously directed episode 957. With Tu Yong-ce, Masahiro Kitazaki, and Keita Saito on the animation supervision, Episode 982 delivered a mini-movie in itself. From the mind-blowing action between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Beasts Pirates at the Torii gate to the incredible lighting effects put on as Luffy rose like a king amongst his crew, this episode left fans teary-eyed.
The introduction of the Tobiroppo was quite special indeed and most importantly, a music video kicked off by Queen the Plague simply left fans awestruck. Not to mention the incredible callback to chapter 100 as the Straw Hat Pirates decide to postpone their banquet and charge towards Onigashima laying their lives on the line with the Samurai at their backs.
5. “Big News! An Incident That Will Affect the Seven Warlords”
Episode 957
One Piece’s Episode 957 was, once again, directed by Megumi Ishitani and she left no stone unturned in making this the greatest experience for a One Piece fan. Having graduated from Tokyo University of Arts in GEIDAI, the most prestigious animation program, it isn’t a surprise as to why Ishitani’s episodes are as special as they are. Episode 957 was her directorial debut in the series, and it is safe to say that she knocked it out of the park.
The episode depicted the dissolution of The Seven Warlords in the most cathartic of ways as the world held its breath. With big news breaking one after another, fans get no time to rest and are completely mesmerized by the episode. The episode is laden with seamless transitions, incredibly gorgeous photography and art, and character acting that fans aren’t usually treated to in One Piece. One Piece’s Episode 957 is a marvel and one that no fan will ever tire of rewatching.
4. “Looking For The Answer – Fire Fist Ace Dies On The Battlefield”
Episode 483
One Piece Episode 483 may have not been the conclusion of the Summit War, but it featured one of the anime’s most heartbreaking moments. The episode picks up immediately after 482, which ended with Admiral Akainu punching Portgas D. Ace through the chest with his magma fist.
Before dying in Luffy’s arms, Ace looks back at his life and remembers his goal-to discover whether or not he deserved to be born. He thanks Luffy for loving him, and Luffy lets out a chilling cry that still stands out to this day. Director Hiroaki Miyamoto and animator Kazuya Hisada deserve a lot of credit for making this episode both gut-wrenching and beautiful.
3. “Overwhelming Strength! The Straw Hats Come Together”
Episode 1000
Very few series have reached the 1,000-episode mark, and One Piece reached that milestone in 2021. Kohei Kureta directed the episode, while the art and screenplay were handled by Tongnian Chen and Shoji Yonemura respectively.
The episode shows Kaido and Jack taking on the Minks, and Inuarashi and Nekomamushi enter their Sulong forms for the first time. The nostalgia is what makes this episode so memorable, as the Straw Hats reflect on their past adventures, and it ends with the crew gathering together to take on the All-Stars and Tobiroppo of the Beast Pirates. It also includes an updated version of “We Are,” One Piece’s original opening.
2. “A Barrage of Powerful Techniques! The Fierce Attacks of the Worst Generation!”
Episode 1017
Kaido and Big Mom are two of the strongest villains in One piece, which is why Luffy, Zoro, Kidd, Killer, and Law had their hands full. Episode 1017 saw the group continue their fight against the two Yonko, and it featured incredible animation thanks to Yong-Ce Tu.
The screenplay was handled by Akiko Inoue, and the stellar art was provided by Toshinori Īno. Each member of the Worst Generation gets a moment to shine in this episode, with Luffy, Kidd, and Law each unloading their best attacks on Kaido, who laughs it all off. Big Mom enters the fray later on, and she uses her powers to unleash a miniature natural disaster.
1. “Straw Hat Luffy – The Man Who Will Become the Pirate King”
Episode 1015
One Piece Episode 1,015 is absolutely stunning. It was directed by Megumi Ishitani, and the art came courtesy of Tongnian Chen, who worked on Episode 1,000. It also featured four animators: Keisuke Mori, Kimitaka Itō, Takashi Kojima, and Takumi Yamamoto.
Yamato tells Momonosuke how Ace gave him hope for the future, and this sequence includes gorgeous animation similar to that seen in the best Studio Ghibli films. Luffy finally makes it to the rooftop to confront Big Mom and Kaido with his allies, and he walks past the Yonko to tend to Kine’mon and the other samurai. When Law teleports them to safety, Luffy strikes Kaido with the most intense and beautiful Red Hawk attack in the series. This was the first time Luffy truly felt like the next Pirate King.
Src: cbr.com
