One Piece’s East Blue Saga was a real emotional roller coaster as Luffy and his friends began their high-seas voyage to the Grand Line.
One Piece is a shonen adventure famed not just for its creative worldbuilding and massive cast of memorable characters, but also its emotional impact. Author Eiichiro Oda made sure to give every character some serious emotional and personal stakes in everything they did, which made even the most trivial side character more engaging.
Before One Peice made fans cry with Ace’s death at Marineford and the Going Merry‘s final destruction in the Water 7 saga, One Piece tugged at viewers’ heartstrings many times in the East Blue saga. Many emotionally impactful scenes and events in the East Blue made fans cry out of grief, happiness, or sheer inspiration.
10When Shanks Lent His Straw Hat To Luffy
Right away, One Piece was moving manga and anime fans to happy tears with one of shonen’s most touching scenes. Luffy’s first chronological adventure took place in his hometown, where red-haired Shanks lost an arm saving Luffy from a vicious Neptunian soon after Higuma’s death.
Luffy felt terribly guilty, but Shanks had other ideas. He fondly gave his straw hat to Luffy as a gesture of goodwill and faith. With that single gesture, a sobbing Luffy began his voyage to master his Devil Fruit and become pirate king, and it forged a great bond between the two of them.
9When ChouChou Fought Loyally For His Owner’s Pet Shop
For the most part, Luffy’s visit to Orange Town was comedic and had limited emotional weight, and the fight against Buggy the Clown was far more silly than serious. Still, One Piece tugged at viewers’ heartstrings with a loyal dog named Chouchou, who inspired mayor Boodle.
Chouchou faithfully guarded his late owner’s pet shop and fought to defend it. It was inspiring and tragic to watch, and Futurama fans may have been reminded of the “Jurassic Bark” episode when Fry’s dog waited until its death for Fry’s return.
8When Roronoa Zoro Finally Ate Rika’s Riceballs
When Roronoa Zoro first appeared in Shells Town, he tried to act tough and aloof like a tsundere, but he was nicer than first impressions would suggest. A young local girl named Rika offered the captive Zoro some riceballs, only for Zoro to refuse. Then, Helmeppo stomped those snacks into the dirt.
Zoro had a change of heart, and it was touching when he asked Luffy to help him eat those riceballs after all. They were obviously ruined, but to honor Rika’s kind effort, Zoro declared the riceballs delicious, which was such an inspiring scene.
7When Zoro Thought Back On Kuina’s Sudden Death
Roronoa Zoro acts like a tough guy in the present, but in an East Blue flashback, One Piece fans saw how emotionally vulnerable he could really be. As a boy, Zoro sparred endlessly with his skilled rival Kuina, and he swore that after losing to her in 2,001 duels, he would defeat her somehow.
Tragically, Kuina died the very next day, depriving Zoro of his rival and friend. A grief-stricken Zoro declared that in Kuina’s memory, he would strive to become the world’s greatest swordsman to fulfill both their dreams at the same time.
6When Kaya Reacted To Her Butler’s Betrayal
Luffy’s voyage to Syrup Village ultimately introduced him to the trickster liar Usopp, who was good friends with the lady Kaya, despite being a commoner. Usopp’s own backstory was fairly tragic concerning his father, but things really took a heart-wrenching turn with Kaya and her butler.
For years, Kaya relied on and trusted her butler Klahadore, only for the butler to out himself as the villainous captain Kuro, intent on stealing Kaya’s fortune. Kaya was shocked, heartbroken, and terrified, and she deserved none of it. So, Usopp gladly joined Luffy’s side to help take Kuro down.
5When Zoro Swore To Never Lose Another Battle
During the Baratie story arc, the most dramatic moments all involved the tsundere chef Sanji and his boss, chef Zeff, but Roronoa Zoro had a heartbreaking moment of his own. Partway through the battle with Don Krieg’s pirates, Dracule Mihawk arrived, and he soon battled Zoro.
Zoro suffered a humiliating loss, and he lay flat on his back, thrusting a sword into the air and vowing to never lose again. Zoro wasn’t just upset about losing – he was reduced to tears, fearing that he would fail his vow to Kuina at this rate. That made the battle far more personal for Zoro than it was for Mihawk.
4When A Flashback Showed Zeff Starving For Sanji’s Sake
Sanji’s heart-wrenching flashback depicted him as a young boy, and he and chef Zeff got stranded on a small rock with no local food to survive on. So, Zeff gave Sanji all the food they brought with them and kept the bag of treasure, pretending it was more food for himself.
Sanji realized later that Zeff had lied and given him not just a share of their food, but all of it. They nearly died on that mini-island, but at the last moment, Sanji found help, and they were rescued. Ever since then, Sanji has deeply respected and admired Zeff, no matter his teasing.
3When Sanji Swore To Find The All-Blue For Zeff
Sanji’s goal was to find the All-Blue, a wondrous place where the oceans meet, and any wildlife species can be found. Sanji and Zeff wanted to visit it so they could gather excellent ingredients, but Zeff could no longer make it.
So, it fell to Sanji Vinsmoke to find the All-Blue for both his and Zeff’s sake. He swore this to Zeff, and it was a touching moment to watch. As of now, Sanji has yet to find the All-Blue, but no doubt Zeff still has faith that Sanji will make it there someday.
2When Bell-Mere Was Killed In A Flashback
Nami’s own heartbreaking flashback took place in the Arlong Park story arc when Nami stole the Going Merry to return to her home island and its towns. One Piece fans learned that in her girlhood, Nami was adopted by the kind Bell-Mere, who also adopted Nojiko.
When Arlong took over, he demanded cash payments for everyone, with children being half-price. Bell-Mere paid for her foster daughters to protect them, then allowed Arlong and his thugs to execute her. It was devastating to watch, but Nami didn’t lose hope in the power of herself or money just yet.
1When Nami Pleaded With Luffy To Help Her Against Arlong
Nami worked hard for years to gather enough cash to simply buy her town’s freedom from Arlong, but at the last moment, Arlong turned on her. Nami’s money-based plan was foiled, and she had no other options left – except for the pirate crew she had abandoned earlier.
Nami tearfully implored Luffy to help her defeat Arlong, and as an answer, Luffy symbolically put his straw hat on her head. Luffy didn’t take that hat back until he defeated Arlong and freed the towns from his grip, and Nami has been a staunchly loyal Straw Hat pirate ever since.
