Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is set to air its 1,065th episode on June 11, 2023. While the beloved anime has no shortage of entertaining filler episodes, several crucial episodes push the narrative forward and entertain so much that they warrant repeat viewings.
With the One Piece manga currently on a four-week hiatus, now is the perfect time to revisit the most essential TV episodes that hold up extremely well years and decades later. From the Thriller Bark and Enies Lobby Arc to the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, relive the best older One Piece episodes that have withstood the test of time.
10 Episode 151 (April 20, 2003)
Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary, Episode 151 has plenty of moments worth revisiting for casual and hardcore One Piece Fans. The episode not only marks the first appearance of Blackbeard, one of the series’ most formidable foes, but it also gives Luffy the chance to defeat Bellamy in a classic showdown.
While in Mock Town, Luffy is challenged by Bellamy once again, who makes fun of the young pirate for being unable to throw a punch. In a test of perseverance, Luffy summons the strength to knock Bellamy out with a vicious punch, proving how much Luffy can handle when seemingly outmatched. It’s a great proving ground episode for Luffy, leading to Blackbeard’s onscreen menace.
9 Episode 278 (September 24, 2006)
Boasting a staggering 9.7 IMDb rating, Episode 278 of One Piece remains a landmark episode. The episode entails Nico Robin bearing her soul and explaining her troubled past to the Straw Hat Pirates. When she appears at her lowest, Luffy consoles her by encouraging her to remain with the crew at sea and to “Say you want to live! We are friends!”
Once Nico explains why she can’t go on with the Straw Hats, Luffy responds by torching the flag of the World Government, one of Nico’s most reviled enemies. If that wasn’t heartening enough to hold up, the way the awesome female anime assassin tearfully requests Luffy to “Take me with you” is one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the entire series.
8 Episode 309 (May 13, 2007)
Taking place in the Ennies Lobby Arc, Episode 309 pits Luffy versus Rob Lucci in one of the most exhilarating fights in series history. Due to his role in the Water 7 and Ennies Lobby arcs, Lucci is often considered among One Piece’s most brutal villains, and the way Luffy handles him after being overpowered at first does not disappoint.
After being pulverized by Lucci time and again, Usopp inspires Luffy to get off the mat and fight for his friends. Luffy uses the motivational words to trade a slew of punches with Lucci before breaking out a Jet Gatling. Just when it seemed like Luffy was on his final leg, he remembers Usopp’s advice and swiftly outmuscles Lucci. The visceral, action-packed episode has everything fans could want in a Luffy fight.
7 Episode 312 (June 3, 2007)
Three episodes after Luffy finally defeated Lucci, a powerfully emotional farewell occurred between the Straw Hats and their trusty pirate ship, The Going Merry. For the first 300 episodes of the still-popular long-running anime, the Straw Hats sailed the world over in The Going Merry, the only ship they ever knew.
Alas, after sustaining too much damage over the years, the sun finally set on The Going Merry in Episode 312. As such, the pirates held a touching Viking funeral ceremony at sea for their beloved barge, marking one of the show’s most tender and heartfelt goodbyes. The classic episode is a stark reminder of how far the Straw Hats have come and how much The Merry Going meant to them.
6 Episode 316 (July 1, 2007)
In the Post-Ennies Lobby Arc, The Marines and the World Government fail to prevent the strong swordsman Shanks and Whitebeard from clashing in one of the most epic rights on record. Shanks asks Whitebeard to stop Ace from pursuing Blackbeard, leading to a riveting showdown that fans have never forgotten. It defies aging for the sheer magnitude of the clash.
Thanks to his Conqueror’s Haki, Shanks overpowers most of Whitebeard’s men and sends them flying across the ship’s deck. After damaging the ship, the all-time great One Piece fight culminates with Shanks and Whitebeard combining their weapons and ripping a scar across the sky, which still ranks as one of the most visually arresting moments in an early episode.
5 Episode 377 (November 16, 2008)
Set in the Thriller Bark Arc, Episode 377 marks the infamous occasion when the strong Straw Hat Pirate Zoro stops Kuma from killing Luffy by entering Luffy’s body and acting as a pain sponge. Unwilling to harm his captain, Zoro agrees to enter Luffy’s pain bubble inside his body, knowing he is risking his own life.
Also boasting a 9.7 IMDb rating, Episode 377 features some of the most creative storylines and most vivid animation in series history. But the real reason it’s so timeless is how much it establishes Zoro’s willingness to sacrifice his own health and physical comfort for the sake of his friend and leader, Luffy. At its best, One Piece is about profound friendship, and this episode proves why.
4 Episode 405 (June 14, 2009)
In one of the best episodes in the Sabaody Archipelago Arc, Sentmaru explains that Kuma has the ability to make people disappear by sending them to a place in the sky. Soon after, Kuma uses the ability to make the entire Straw Hat Pirates vanish, leaving only Luffy behind to ponder how to bring them back.
Aside from marking a major turning point in the series, Episode 405 finds Luffy at his lowest, most powerless, and unsure. The writing dimensionalizes Luffy and fleshes out his character more than ever, which is partially why the episode has amassed a 9.7 IMDb rating. To remember how much Luffy has endured in the series and the trials and tribulations that have made him better, Episode 405 is timelier than ever.
3 Episode 483 (January 16, 2011)
While many One Piece fans favor the Wano County Arc and the later episodes in the series, nothing eclipses the emotional resonance of Episode 483 in the Marineford Arc. How Luffy handles such pain and deals with his sense of grief humanizes him eternally.
The way Oda plays with expectations is a masterclass in storytelling. Just as it appears as if Luffy and Whitebeard were able to rescue the beloved Straw Hat Pirate Portgas D. Ace from an execution plank, Admiral Akainu storms in and attacks Luffy. The heroic Ace steps in to save Luffy from harm and suffers a fatal blow, leaving Luffy in emotional tatters. It’s easily one of the greatest early episodes that, by honoring Ace’s legacy, has gotten better over time.
2 Episode 485 (January 30, 2011)
Two episodes after Ace’s tragic death, Blackbeard and Whitebeard gave viewers an indelible battle for the ages. The Marineford Arc is among One Piece’s best and requires no extra incentive to revisit.
Whitebeard confronts Blackbeard for having his sons Ace and Thatch killed, leading to an epic fight between the two mightiest pirates in One Piece. Once the fight begins, Whitebeard cannot access his Devil Fruit weapon and appears outmatched. After summoning the strength to eventually defeat Blackbeard, Whitebeard encourages the Straw Hats to keep going by declaring that the One Piece’s treasure is real and worth pursuing.
1 Episode 505 (July 3, 2011)
To really understand the emotional fallout Luffy faced following Ace’s death, fans should go back and see what transpires in Episode 505. Luffy is so distraught over the loss of his fallen friend that he blames himself and falls into a despondent funk.
While that doesn’t sound all that fun, the way Jinbe cheers him up and refocuses his dedication underscores true friendship in lasting ways. Jinbe gives Luffy the wisdom and encouragement to press on and protect the many loved ones he still has in his crew. The lasting image of Luffy seeing his crew waiting for him reminds viewers of Once Piece’s positive messages at its core.
Leave a Reply