one piece The impact on anime culture is undeniable. Despite its unusual length, fans can't seem to get enough of the series, and for good reason. With the reveal of Luffy's 5th equipment in the past months, Eiichiro Oda's story has affirmed its place among anime legends such as Dragon Ball, Bleach and Pokémon. People often divide One Piece into two separate parts: Skip the post and ahead of time. Although they both play important roles in the series, they each possess their own unique qualities.
Wano Country, Egghead, and Dressrosa are just a few of the fantasy story arcs that emerged from the Straw Hats' Post-Time Skip adventures. However, many viewers can agree that there is something special about One Piece's Pre-Time Skip period. While the Post-Time Skips feature impressive fight scenes and intriguing new characters, the Skip Before Time section is filled with light humor and some of the most beloved scenes from the series.
The Baratie, Skypiea, and Enies Lobby arcs are just a few of the series' most beloved storylines. While One Piece continues to surprise audiences with all-new developments, the Pre-Time Skip period will forever be beloved by fans. Years later, ten iconic moments from the first half of the series continue to captivate fans.
10 Hiking Trails to Arlong Park
Episode 37: “Luffy stand up! End of broken promise!”
Many fans know Arlong Park as one of the best arcs in One Piece. In the East Blue Saga, Arlong Park is the fifth part in the series, spanning volumes 31-44 and chapters 69-95 in the manga. After stealing the Straw Hats' ship and heading to her home in the Conomi Islands, Nami revealed she was a member of the Arlong Pirates.
After all of her savings were unexpectedly stolen, Nami went into a rage and stabbed her arm, on which she had a tattoo of the Arlong Pirate's symbol. She turned to Luffy, tears streaming down her face, asking him for help. Luffy gathered his crew and together made their way to Arlong Park. The famous “Walk to Arlong Park” is perhaps the most recognizable moment in the One Piece franchise. It was also adapted into a Netflix live-action series based on Eiichiro's story.
9 Straw Hats Enter the Grand Line
Episode 53: “The legend has begun! Head to the Grand Line!”
one piece The second story begins in the best way. When the Straw Hats left Loguetown (where Gol D. Roger was born and executed), they headed to Upside Down Mountain. Right before starting their journey into the Grand Line, each Straw Hat member stated their dream in a ceremony atop a barrel.
Zoro dreams of becoming the strongest swordsman in the world and Ussop becomes a brave warrior of the sea. Nami hopes to draw a world map and Sanji hopes to find All-Blue. Finally, Luffy vows to become the Pirate King. While the Straw Hats are in their early stages at this point, this heartfelt moment is nothing short of nostalgic, marking the beginning of the Straw Hats' incredible journey into the Grand Line and beyond.
8 Vivi's plea to the Alabasta army
Episode 126: “I will surpass you! Rain falls on Alabasta!”
The fifth and final part of the Alabasta story concludes Vivi's quest to save the land from the rule of Crocodile: a warlord and leader of the Baroque Works agency. However, despite her best efforts to warn her Kingdom of Crocodile's plans, a deadly battle ensued between the Royal Guard and the Rebel Army. But in a moment of despair and exhaustion, Vivi finally found her voice.
The ending of the Alabasta story received mixed reviews from One Piece fans. Some people consider this one of the worst installments of the series. However, despite fans' differing opinions, the moment that defines Vivi's powers is one of the most iconic moments in anime. Finally, the princess, who was thought to have been missing for two years, was heard. She called out to her loved ones, asking them to stop the senseless war. Finally, the rain begins to fall and Vivi's voice cuts through the silence in a touching moment.
7 Luffy challenges the World Government at Enies Lobby
Episode 278: “Say you want to live! We are your friends!”
Without a doubt, the Water 7 story is one of the most beloved stories in the One Piece franchise. With the added element of mystery in Water 7 and the epic Buster Call battle in Enies Lobby, countless moments in the story stand out. However, no moment can compare to Luffy's rebellion against the World Government in an attempt to save Nico Robin.
Robin, who was captured by the World Government due to her background and knowledge of history, asked the Straw Hats to leave, believing she was a burden and a threat to their safety. . However, in true Luffy style, he asks the Sniper-King (AKA Usopp) to shoot down the World Government's symbolic flag, declaring himself an official enemy. After realizing his true friends in the Straw Hat crew, Robin admits his deepest wish: “I want to live.” This incomparable moment takes a great arc to even greater heights.
6 Zoro's Sacrifice: “Nothing Happened”
Episode 377: “The pain of my teammates is also my pain, Zoro fights ready to die”
Besides the crew gaining a new member, Brooke, this arc also stands out as a spooky take on the usual One Piece adventures. The last thing the World Government wants is another Warlord taken down by Luffy and his teammates. As a quick solution, they tasked Kuma with destroying them, which became the perfect opportunity for Zoro to demonstrate his steadfast commitment to protecting his captain.
After the terrible power of Ursus Shock, Luffy was defeated. Rather than let Kuma attack his unconscious captain, Zoro offered to sacrifice himself. Kuma agreed and found his loyalty to be honorable. As a result, Zoro was punished with all the pain that Luffy suffered during his time in Thriller Bark. Later, Sanji found Zoro in a state of shock, exhaustion, and determination. However, when asked what the problem was, Zoro simply replied: “Nothing happened.” Zoro fans can agree that this moment is one of his greatest, if not most iconic.
5 Battle between Luffy and Usopp
Episode 236: “Luffy vs. Usopp! The collision of two proud men!”
Water 7 Saga remains one of One Piece's best games despite being one of the earliest. In addition to Robin's heartbreaking story explored in Enies Lobby, the Straw Hats also experienced their first major internal conflict. While Usopp did his best to repair the Going-Merry during their journey, the journey took a heavy toll on their beloved ship. However, when Luffy agreed with the shipwrights who advised them to replace it, Usopp was dumbfounded.
After a heated argument, Usopp decided to leave the crew, challenging Luffy to a duel, where the winner would decide the fate of Going-Merry. Up to this point in One Piece, Luffy has not yet strongly asserted his role as captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. However, his second-in-command, Zoro, pressed him to do so, arguing that Usopp must seek forgiveness if he wanted to rejoin the crew. Although the outcome of the match was not surprising considering Luffy's unrivaled strength, the recalled memories between Usopp and Luffy added heartbreaking weight to their first internal struggle. the whole group.
4 Going-Merry's Goodbye
Episode 312: “Thank you! The sea splits in the snow”
After the battle between Usopp and Luffy, Going-Merry's fate was decided. Iceberg heard a voice coming from the Straw Hats' ship as Aqua Laguna ominously approached. Asking to set sail one last time, he spent the night patching up the Going-Merry as much as he could before it was swept away by the crashing waves. The beloved ship goes on her final rescue mission, thanking her crew for taking such good care of her.
The Going-Merry serves his crew one last time. Iceberg notes the ship's magnificence but warns Luffy about her condition. Luffy makes a difficult decision and decides to send Going-Merry off properly. The captain holds a torch to light the ship. As the crew watches from afar, they reminisce, recalling the fondest memories of their old home. Although Thousand-Sunny served the Straw Hats well, fans will remember Going-Merry's farewell as one of the anime's most emotional moments.
3. Luffy punches Thien Long
Episode 396: “Fist explodes! Destroy the auction”
The Straw Hats' time on the Sabaody Archipelago is said to be one of the most influential in the series. Besides the obvious tragedy of his crew being wiped out from the island, Luffy also challenged another powerful government figure: the Heavenly Dragon Man. In an attempt to save their friend Camie, who had been kidnapped and sold by the Pet Hound, the Straw Hats stormed the Human Auction House.
The Heavenly Dragons, descendants of the First Twenty who founded the World Government, are greatly feared by everyone except Luffy. The often agitated captain was pitted against the World Government in the Water 7 Saga. Now, again, when he punched Saint Charles, Luffy proves his undying love and loyalty to his friends. However, Luffy's good deeds rarely go unpunished, as a Pacifista is soon called to the scene, sparking an all-out battle.
2 The destruction of the Straw Hats in Sabaody
Episode 405: “The crew disappeared – The last day of the Straw Hats”
Perhaps the biggest shock of the One Piece story is Kuma's destruction of the Straw Hats at the Sabaody Archipelago. After a long battle, the crew's energy and strength were completely depleted when faced with a single Kuma clone. Suddenly, as they were discussing their options, another Kuma clone fell from the sky. Realizing the severity of the situation, Luffy ordered his crew to retreat.
Zoro was the first member of the Straw Hat Pirates to disappear. After asking where his dream trip location was, Kuma waved his leg and hit Zoro. The swordsman disappeared into thin air. One by one, the rest of the group is sent into the unknown. For the first time, the Straw Hats were completely defeated. It would be two years before the friends reunited, making this moment one of the most horrifying in the series.
1 Whitebeard's last words
Episode 485: “End of problem! Whitebeard vs. Blackbeard Pirates!”
Like many other anime like Attack on Titan, One Piece is no stranger to sudden, shocking character deaths. However, while Ace's death, which happened just two episodes earlier, was heartbreaking, Whitebeard's defeat had the biggest impact on the world of the anime. Not only was Whitebeard named “The Strongest Man in the World” after the execution of Gol D. Roger, but he also had several islands under his protection, including Fishman Island.
In an attempt to avenge his adopted son, Ace, Whitebeard and his crew attacked the Blackbeard pirates. However, they will soon be surpassed. In his final moments, Whitebeard recalls his conversation with Roger, saying that the last person to find the treasure will have the middle initial, “D.” Whitebeard succumbed to his injuries, making his final statement, which became the most iconic line in One Piece history:
“One Piece… One Piece is real!” – White beard
There are so many great moments in the Pre-Time Skip A piece, conveys every emotion, from epic adventure to heart-wrenching sadness, but Whitebeard's final moments will always be etched in the minds and hearts of fans.