No other anime does world-building quite like One Piece. Spanning over 20 years, Eiichiro Oda’s wondrous world of One Piece has worked its way into the hearts of masses of fans across the globe. With more than 1000 chapters, it goes without saying that the Straw Hats are some of anime’s most beloved characters.
Viewers have followed Luffy and his crew as they traverse the unpredictable waters of the Grand Line to pursue their own respective dreams. Along the way, they encounter many a friend and foe. Every single viewer has grown to form their own personal connections with the characters, empathizing with them, sharing their happiness, and celebrating their successes.
10 Nami Asks For Help
Episode 37
Nami was first introduced as a sneaky thief who wasn’t above using people for her own monetary gains. What viewers weren’t yet privy to, however, was the reasoning behind her cunning behavior.
The Arlong Park arc illustrated how Nami had been working tirelessly for years, stealing in order to free her village from the hands of the callous Arlong Pirates. It was both heartbreaking and heartwarming when Nami broke down in tears and finally asked Luffy for help. Fans were sad for Nami but overjoyed that she finally trusted her new friends enough to ask for their help.
9 Hiriluk’s Cherry Blossom Dream
Episode 90
After a battle against Wapol of the Drum Kingdom, Luffy finally managed to convince a reluctant Tony Tony Chopper to join the Straw Hats as the ship’s doctor. Chopper’s backstory is heart-wrenching. He was labeled a monster and shunned by his kind and humans alike. This all changed thanks to Dr. Hiriluk.
Upon leaving Drum to set sail with his new friends, Chopper was granted an emotional farewell gift by his other mentor, Dr. Kureha. Chopper got to see the fruits of Hiriluk’s labor play out before his very eyes. Chopper left Drum content in his decision on starting a new chapter.
8 The Straw Hats & Vivi Part Ways
Episode 129
One Piece established friendship as a significant theme from the moment the aspiring Pirate King crossed paths with a wishful Naval Officer in Episode 1. More than 1000 episodes later, the sentiment remains unchanged. Not only do the Straw Hats regard each other as family, but they hold those they’ve encountered from the East Blue to the Grand Line close to their hearts.
Vivi’s duties as Princess of her country meant she had to bid farewell to the crew once Alabasta was free of Crocodile’s reign of terror. While Vivi’s departure was an incredibly emotional one, Luffy and co made it clear that she would always be an honorary member of the Straw Hats.
7 Robin Wants To Live
Episode 274
Since she joined the Straw Hats in Alabasta, Nico Robin has been shrouded in mystery. First introduced as Crocodile’s right-hand woman and dubbed “Miss All Sunday,” her first appearance didn’t at all allude to Robin becoming one of One Piece‘s most beloved characters. After 20 years on the run from the World Government as the sole survivor of Ohara, Robin’s ability to decipher Poneglyphs meant that she had a bounty placed on her when she was just 8 years old.
She harbored immense guilt over her mere existence, so when CP9 threatened the Straw Hats with a Buster Call, Robin handed herself in without hesitation. It’s only when her fiercely loyal crew explicitly made themselves an enemy of the World Government for Robin’s sake that she finally admitted she wanted to live. It was a powerful moment, and fans felt immense pride in her declaration.
6 The Going Merry Helps One More Time
Episode 310
The loss of the Going Merry exposed the audience to the first death of a Straw Hat. From her debut at Usopp’s Syrup Village all the way to Franky’s Water 7, Merry led the crew from the East Blue to the Grand Line and welcomed 3 additional members along the way. Much like the rowdy bunch on board, the Going Merry was a member of the Straw Hats.
After developing a Klabautermann due to the sheer love and devotion she received on her voyage, Merry was able to set sail on her own after sensing the Straw Hats were in danger at Enies Lobby. While her death was nothing short of harrowing, the adoration she had for the boisterous pirates who called her home is utterly beautiful and remains a stand-out in the series as a whole.
5 Usopp Returns After A Harrowing Breakup
Episode 323
The temporary departure of the much-loved sniper wasn’t what fans expected going into Water 7. It was a tumultuous chapter in the Straw Hats’ journey, which had as many ups as it did downs. After challenging his best friend and captain, Luffy, to a duel over the rights of the Merry, Usopp was left feeling more dejected and insecure than ever.
Since their fateful meeting at Usopp’s native Syrup Village, Luffy and Usopp had been attached at the hip. Naturally, their fight was devastating. When Usopp apologized for his stubbornness and Luffy brought him back on board, fans couldn’t help but ugly cry with them. The Straw Hats aren’t the Straw Hats if they’re a member down, and Usopp’s return instantly filled the gaping hole he left.
4 Luffy & Bon-Clay Reunite At Impel Down
Episode 432
After sacrificing himself in Alabasta so that the Straw Hats could escape the Navy, Bon Clay has held a special place in the hearts of both the audience and the pirates he saved.
That’s why, when Luffy stumbled across him during his raid on Impel Down, it wasn’t just the two old friends who were sharing a tearful reunion. To see Luffy reunited with a man who risked it all for him and his dear crew was a touching moment in an already gut-wrenching chapter.
3 The Straw Hats Reunite On Sabaody
Episode 517
After two long years of blood, sweat, and tears going into preparing for their venture into the New World, the Straw Hats were more than ready to reunite, and the audience was waiting eagerly for that moment. While their initial departure and the events that unfolded shortly after were utterly tragic, the events of the Summit War were necessary for the Straw Hats to grow stronger and face the second half of the Grand Line.
Their meeting was nothing short of chaotic, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t any less emotional. Seeing them all together again after the hardships they faced prior was a touching moment that fans will never forget.
2 The Straw Hats Depart From Punk Hazard
Episode 623
The events that unfolded at Punk Hazard were emotionally taxing for everyone involved. It saw an unlikely union come about between the Straw Hats, Trafalgar Law of the Heart Pirates, and Vice Admiral Smoker’s G5 of the Navy.
After saving a group of kidnaped children from Caesar the Clown’s inhumane experiments and escaping an attack of poisonous gas, Nami decided to leave the children in the hands of Captain Tashigi and the rest of G5. The members of the G5 unit were overcome with emotion and realized that not all pirates were as bad as they thought. Their emotional departure marked a wholesome end to a tragic situation.
1 Sabo Is Revealed To Be Alive
Episode 633
After being presumed dead for 12 years, One Piece fans were left crying ugly tears at the appearance of Sabo. It was especially emotional after the loss of Ace at Marineford 2 years prior.
Despite not being biologically related, Luffy, Ace, and Sabo are all sworn brothers and have drunk a cup of sake to commemorate their cause. After Sabo’s apparent death at the hands of a Celestial Dragon, the remaining brothers were left grief-stricken. To see that he’s been alive and well after all this time was a heartwarming moment.
