How do you choose the best moments of such an epic work?
Anyone who has seen One Piece can attest that Eichiro Oda's epic work is full of memorable moments. For this reason, it is somewhat complex to choose which ones are the best. However, the following moments in this top have each argument to occupy the place assigned to them.
15. Luffy and Kataruri Conqueror’s Haki Clash
Luffy and Katakuri get fed up with onlookers
Honestly, this fight is absurdly iconic at this point for multiple reasons.
One of those is this brutal scene in which both Luffy and Katakuri prove in the most badass way that they are above the level of anyone else. So, as it says, in a clash of conquistador haki they put everyone else present to sleep.
It's a delight to watch this moment over and over again just for the raw demonstration of power from these two.
14. Fisher Tiger's Death
The painful last moments of the Sun Pirates Captain
Oda is a master when it comes to giving last words to his characters. Take that as you will.
The point is that Fisher Tiger's death is no exception to that rule. In a work, that deals with issues such as slavery and discrimination, with anti-establishment characters and characters who think have the best, Tiger's final reflection is brilliant.
In case it wasn't clear, One Piece isn't just a little rubber man going on adventures...
13. BlackBeard Speech in Jaya Island
People's dream... have no end!
Oda has had at least 10 editors throughout his career and there is nothing I would like more than to know who his editor was when he decided to write this moment and introduce Blackbeard in this way.
It should be illegal.
Teach is Luffy's counterpart. Both are different extremes of the same way of thinking and this moment is the proof of it.
12. Bonclay Sacrifice in Impel Down
Mr. 2's sacrifices for a second time for Luffy
Everyone deserves a friend like Bon-chan.
One of Luffy's great characteristics is to get people to follow him. Thanks to that he has won great allies and friends. One of those friends is Bon Clay or Mr. 2.
It was thanks to Bon that Luffy was able to survive and escape from Impel Down to rescue Ace. The fact that it was the second time Bon sacrificed himself for Luffy makes the scene sadder.
I love Bon-chan. I hope Oda brings him back.
11. Farewell to Vivi
One of the most iconic images of Eichiro Oda's work.
The Alabasta arc is one of the first big arcs in terms of consequences in One Piece. It is a before and after in terms of the status of the Straw Hats, introduces important lore data, and gives us moments of high tension and emotional charge.
That final moment when the Straw Hats say goodbye to Vivi, without speaking a word, is beautifully written.
I'm not lying when I say I want to get it tattooed on my skin.
10. "Too Slow"
Luffy's epic return in front of the world
The return to the Sabaody Archipelago is extremely satisfying. It's very cool to see the new Straw Hat designs and get a taste of their new abilities.
Luffy being the protagonist that he is, his return couldn't be anything but a badass display of growth and strength. Likewise, Oda being a genius obsessed with closing circles, that demonstration could only happen by absolutely humiliating on his own the Pacifists who two years earlier wiped out the entire crew.
The icing on the cake is the confidence with which Luffy says "Too slow..." and the shocked look on the crowd's face.
9. Luffy Hits Bellamy
Luffy shuts Bellamy up
Luffy has proven to be a man of strong convictions multiple times throughout One Piece, but his confrontation with Bellamy is unique.
Not only does he punch him so hard that he ends up molding his fist into Bellamy's face, but he does it with minimal effort and shutting up all the people who had previously been mocking him and making Bellamy swallow his words.
It's beautiful to see Luffy in those moments where he simply doesn't give a bit about what his enemy is saying to him.
8. Jinbe's speech against Big Mom
"I cant' be intimidated by a mere Emperor of the Sea!"
I will not tolerate any Jinbei slander here.
All the Straw Hats have expressed in one way or another that Luffy will be the one to become the King of Pirates. However, the way Jinbei does it makes your hair stand on end with how epic it is.
Not just anyone looks death in the eye and disregards an Emperor of the Sea.
If anyone thought Jinbei hadn't made enough points to join the crew, which he had, there's no way after that statement they would think the same.
7. Rumbar Pirates Last Concert
I find it a bit masochistic to watch this moment again, but if there's one thing Oda knows how to do, it's to bring tears to the eyes of his viewers.
Brook's past is filled with a lot of pain, and his last moments with the Rumbar Pirates are especially hard because he knows that he will be the only one not to die. The pain in his voice as each of his friends falls is indescribable.
Thriller Bark couldn't be a pure laugh arc, he had to give the talking skeleton a tragic past.
