15 Best One Piece Episodes Ranked

Summary

• Episode 1015 celebrates with Luffy’s rise to prominence and dramatically poignant entrance to the battle against Big Mom and Kaido.
• Episode 37 is dark & emotional with Luffy supporting Nami in rebellious fight against Arlong.
• Episode 312’s Going Merry sacrifice represents the end of innocence, foreshadowing Marineford tragedy.

Given that One Piece has 1000+ episodes and has become one of the most well-known and adored anime series in the world over the course of over two decades, it undoubtedly has a fair proportion of episodes that are significantly better than the others. One Piece‘s single ongoing storyline makes it a bit harder to highlight outstanding episodes, but there are a few that stick in fans’ memories and represent the pirate adventure story at its best.

Unsurprisingly, many of these episodes feature fights against the Straw Hats’ most formidable foes, but others have simply some of the most dramatic or epic moments in the series. Some One Piece episodes are just noticeably superior to others, whether it’s because they have fantastic animation, showcase epic villains, or have significant events taking place.

15 Episode #1000: Overwhelming Strength! The Straw Hats Come Together

One Piece is one of the few series in any medium to reach 1000 episodes, and it celebrated this milestone in style. The plot of the episode deals with the Minks battling Kaido and Jack, while the Straw Hats and their allies gather together to take on the Beast Pirates’ Tobiroppo. However, this episode is truly memorable for a nostalgic montage celebrating all the adventures that the Straw Hats have been on for the past thousand episodes, complete with an updated version of the original One Piece opening, “We Are.” Episode 1000 was the perfect moment of celebration for long-standing fans of One Piece.

14 Episode #37: Luffy Stands Up! End of a Broken Promise

The early episodes of One Piece are often somewhat dated in terms of animation but contain some classical emotional moments. Episode 37, “Luffy Stands Up!” was one of the first times viewers saw how dark One Piece could get, as well as how emotionally resonant. The episode features Nami realizing the depths of Arlong’s cruelty as he steals the money she had saved up, sparking a village rebellion and forcing Nami to ask for Luffy’s help, despite rejecting him all the way to that point. In one of the moments that will stay with One Piece fans forever, Luffy puts his treasured hat on Nami’s head, and yells “Of course I will!”, before moving for Arlong’s Park. As the camera pans out, it reveals the other Straw Hats waiting for him in silence, all ready to put their lives on the line for their comrade.

13 Episode #405: Disappearing Crew – The Final Day of the Straw Hat Crew

In this episode, the Straw Hat suffer their first real defeat. After arriving in the Sabaody Archipelago and antagonizing a Celestial Dragon, the crew learns that the second half of the Grand Line is full of “monsters”, such as Admiral Kizaru and the Warlord Kuma, who proceeds to swat every member of the Straw Hats away using his Devil Fruit powers.

Despite this episode not seeing a character’s death, it was extremely sad for fans to watch. This is the episode where the Straw Hats, particularly Luffy, realize just how weak they actually are. Fortunately, Kuma was actually helping the Straw Hats by giving them a chance to escape from Kizaru and land in a place where they could hone their strength and abilities for two years. This episode perfectly sets the stage for the second half of One Piece and the powerful foes the Straw Hats would encounter in the future.

12 Episode #808: A Heartbreaking Duel – Luffy vs. Sanji – Part 2

In this episode, Sanji is forced to accept his arranged marriage and act aggressively toward the Straw Hats due to Judge’s threats. Sanji beats Luffy mercilessly while he tries to talk with him, but Luffy is unable to do so and is eventually knocked out. Sanji then started crying after Luffy said that they needed him.

This is among the saddest episodes in the series due to the Straw Hats’ infighting, mirroring Luffy and Usopp’s duel in Water Seven over the fate of the Going Merry. It is particularly sad as Sanji has no choice but to stray away from his crewmates due to his father’s threats. “A Heartbreaking Duel” was the emotional crux of the Whole Cake Island arc and showed just how much mileage One Piece can still get out of pitting the Straw Hats against each other.

11 Episode #1017: Barrage of Powerful Techniques! The Fierce Attacks of the Worst Generation!

With dozens of episodes coming out each year, One Piece‘s animation quality isn’t always consistent, but recent story arcs have seen the series feature some world-class visuals that have changed fan perceptions of One Piece‘s animation style. There’s no better example of this than episode #1017, where five members of the Worst Generation (Luffy, Zoro, Kid, Law, and Killer) continue their assault against Big Mom and Kaido. Each of them then shows some of their strongest skills together to help truly hurt Kaido for the first time.

For a lot of fans, this episode currently has the best-animated fight scene in the entire series, when the five pirates unleash their attacks one by one. While it may not be the most momentous episode plot-wise, “Barrage of Powerful Techniques” is perfect for fans of great action.

10 Episode #312: Thank You Merry! The Sea Of Separation In The Snow

As the Straw Hats crew’s first real ship, the Going Merry was a big part of One Piece‘s early years, and its sinking was one of the most memorable and emotional moments in the series. Coming at the end of the Water Seven arc, the Going Merry’s sacrifice represents the end of the crew’s innocence and foreshadows the harrowing events of Marineford. One Piece manages to conjure more tragedy and self-sacrifice in the sinking of a ship than most series are capable of with a slew of character deaths.

9 Episode #968: The Pirate King is Born- Arriving at the Last Island!

This flashback episode is one of the most distinctive and best One Piece episodes. After Oden dropped his family in Wano, he and the rest of the Roger Pirates continued to sail to Laugh Tale. Unfortunately, Buggy gets sick, so he, together with Shanks, has to be left somewhere. Meanwhile, people around the world see the news of Roger reaching Laugh Tale and being declared “Pirate King”.

As it is the most crucial moment in the journey of the King of Pirates, the episode was particularly exciting for long-running fans. In addition to providing crucial narrative stakes to the Wano arc, “The Pirate King is Born” made Luffy’s goal of reaching the One Piece and being crowned Pirate King so much more tangible by featuring the only man in history to have done it.

8 Episode #870: A Fist of Divine Speed – Another Gear 4 Application Activated!

The Final Clash Between Luffy’s Gear 4 Snake Man and Katakuri

The ending of Whole Cake Island was a desperate situation for both Luffy and his Straw Hat crew, which is why he felt it was necessary for the captain to unveil a new transformation: Gear 4 Snake Man. Being the strongest son of Pirate Emperor Big Mom, Katakuri outclassed Luffy in almost every way with his shapeshifting Mochi Devil Fruit, advanced Armament, and Observation Haki skills. Episode #870 sees both Luffy and Katakuri pull out all the stops with several incredibly detailed and well-animated scenes.

With Big Mom’s hunger pains being dealt with, Luffy was running out of time to meet with his crew and escape the demented Whole Cake Island. He’d been keeping Katakuri busy for over nine hours while at the same time training his own Observation Haki to see moments into the future. Both formidable pirates launched one final attack to end things and took significant damage in the exchange, but in the end, it was Luffy who was able to get back up and Katakuri who was on his back for the first time in his entire life.

7 Episode #1066: Here Comes Main Act! Powerful Techniques of Shockwave and Magnetism

Kid and Law Give Big Mom More Than She Can Chew

Several incredibly talented artists and directors have lent a hand in creating the One Piece anime, but episode #1066 stands out as the only episode directed by an American whose name is Henry D. Thurlow. While that is special in its own right, the episode starts off very differently than most episodes of One Piece. It starts with a haunting scene of a mangled Eustass Kid dripping with blood as he struggles to get himself and his ultimate attack together while Pirate Emperor Big Mom and the desperate Trafalgar Law can be heard yelling in the background.

Like many of
One Piece
‘s best episodes, #1066 almost works as an incredible short film by itself.

The dramatic opening was only the first of many brilliant displays of creativity and striking art in an episode that saw Law, Kid, and even Big Mom using their powers in new fantastical ways. Sequences of Law teleporting around Big Mom, Kid’s life flashing before his eyes as he forms his giant laser attack, and Big Mom’s terrifying 3000 Leagues of Misery help make the episode one to remember. Thurlow’s work on the episode also helps give hope to anyone who didn’t grow up in Japan that they can someday help create anime.

6 Episode #236: Luffy vs. Usopp! The Spirit of the Clashing Men

An Emotional Test Of Pride, Wits, and Maturity

Luffy’s Straw Hat crew encountered several strong enemies throughout the first arcs that threatened the crew’s safety, but a considerable disagreement between Luffy and Usopp did more damage to the crew than any Warlord of the Sea had been able to cause. With characters like Zoro, Sanji, and Luffy consistently showing off monstrous feats of strength, Usopp began questioning his place on the crew, and the Going Merry’s deteriorating usefulness mirrored his insecurities. The growing tension exploded in one of the series’ most heartbreaking episodes.

While Luffy started as a carefree young lad with big dreams, it was the Water 7 arc and Usopp’s defiance that saw the Straw Hat captain develop significantly. Incredibly harsh words are said, and each member of the crew plays a role in the confrontation of words that escalate into a battle no one saw coming, one that Usopp would put his all into to prove his worth. Clever tactics, surprising attacks, and many tears are expressed in the emotional episode that ends with Usopp and the Straw Hats broken.

5 Episode #309: Feelings Put Into Fists! Luffy’s Full-Power Gatling

Luffy and His Voice Actress Give It Their All Against The World Government’s Greatest Assassin

The story told across the events of Water 7 and Enies Lobby are highly regarded as some of the best arcs the One Piece series has produced so far, and a large part of that comes from its final episodes. After being easily defeated by Admiral Kuzan and Lucci, Luffy had to improve himself to stand a chance against the growing threats facing him and his friends. It was needed in the arc’s ultimate battle, where Luffy would put everything he had into defeating Lucci, but it wasn’t enough.

Several incredible battles between World Government agents CP9 and the Straw Hats fill the incredible arc, but Luffy’s long struggle with Lucci steadily grows into one of the anime medium’s greatest bouts. After delivering several fatal blows on Luffy, he seemed down for the count until the ashamed Usopp finally shed his disguise to rouse his captain to his feet for one final push, a push that was greeted with one more fatal blow from Lucci’s ultimate attack. Still, Luffy refused to fall and delivered arguably the series’ best conclusions to a battle ever.

4 Episode #483: Looking for the Answer – Fire Fist Ace Dies on the Battlefield

One Piece has always been a show in which fan-favorite characters typically live to see another day, which is part of what made this episode so shocking. Luffy, as well as the pirates and marines, are shocked when Akainu punches through Ace’s stomach. Ace thanks Luffy and the Whitebeard Pirates for everything they have done in his final words as he passes away, smiling.

The death of a fan-favorite character, who was none other than Luffy’s adoptive brother, reminded fans that this series is not all sunshine and rainbows. Even people close to Luffy can die horrifyingly like this. Ace’s death continues to resonate in One Piece even 500+ episodes afterward.

3 Episode #278: Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!

While Ace’s death may be the most tragic moment in One Piece, the most uplifting comes in episode #278. Nico Robin, after being taken into custody by the World Government and having accepted a resigned attitude towards her own life, is finally touched by the Straw Hats’ persistent attempts to rescue her. Her defiant, tear-streaked cry of “I want to live!” has been quoted and re-posted by One Piece fans countless times and perfectly sums up the series’ themes of friendship and hope. There would be better-animated and more action-packed episodes to come, but nothing embodies the heart of One Piece like Nico Robin’s story of redemption.

2 Episode #1071: Luffy’s Peak – Attained! Gear 5

It was hard not to put in the first place the most-discussed episode of One Piece ever. The anime debut of Luffy’s final and strongest form, Gear 5, has been anticipated ever since it appeared in the manga. Gear Fifth’s debut ended up breaking the internet, with websites and servers collapsing from the excess traffic. Considering how wild and crazy this transformation is, only the anime could have done justice to Eiichiro Oda’s design and idea, and it’s safe to say that it succeeded.

Gear Fifth’s debut is the coronation of the amazing quality that has been the hallmark of One Piece during the Wano Kuni season. It’s not just one of the most significant moments in the story, but also one whose magnitude made it shared by the entire One Piece community worldwide. Even if other episodes were more emotional, it’s hard to top this one in terms of epicness and general impact.

1 Episode #1015: Straw Hat Luffy! The Man Who Will Become the King of the Pirates!

Straw Hat Luffy Arrives To Put Wano On His Back

In what’s regarded as arguably the most beautifully directed and animated episode of One Piece, episode #1015 features a moving flashback between Yamato and Ace, followed by one of Luffy’s most satisfying punches and declarations. Director Megumi Ishitani has helped create some fantastic anime episodes in the past, but she overdid herself with this episode’s dramatic color shifts and emotionally poignant framing. The episode is an intense start to the battle against Pirate Emperors Big Mom and Kaido on Onigashima’s roof and, in a way, the beginning of a new age in the pirate world.

Yamato’s discussion with Ace reveals several shocking parallels between Luffy and the previous Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The scene is filled with impassioned voice acting, a brilliant use of colors, and a musical score that brings it all together. While the first half of the episode focuses on Luffy’s metaphoric rise to becoming the next Pirate King, the last half showcases his steps towards physically accomplishing the feat when he smashes the World’s Strongest Creature, Pirate Emperor Kaido, into the ground with his newly acquired powers.

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