Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is the best-selling manga series of all time, known for its unparalleled world-building, captivating characters, and the layers of mystery that keep us hooked to the story. The anime debuted in 1999, only two years after the manga’s debut, and has been releasing weekly episodes since then, breathing life into the beautiful world created by Oda. However, as strikingly gorgeous as the world may seem on the outside, it has been suffering for centuries under the tyranny of the World Government. To make matters worse, many pirates also wouldn’t spare a chance to make people’s lives even more miserable. In such a world where moral values are constantly rewritten time and again, one often finds oneself lost in the concept of what’s right or wrong.
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That is especially the case when even freedom comes at a steep price. However, there are countless brave souls who refuse to live with their heads down, no matter how many times the world breaks them. The Straw Hat Pirates prove time and again that, regardless of how the world perceives them, they want nothing more than to live on their own terms. Just like them, there are many characters who uphold the same values, and that is the very reason why they continue to win the hearts of countless fans.
10) I Can’t Go Astray As a Person (Episode 129)
Bon Clay was supposed to be an enemy of the Straw Hats, but for him, there’s nothing more important than the bonds he creates with people. He doesn’t care how others view him or his life choices, but if there’s one thing the pirate wouldn’t settle for, it’s allowing any harm to come to those he holds in high regard.
“Even if I go astray as a man…Even if I go astray as a woman…I can’t go astray as a person. If we are to fall, we’ll fall together into the true sky. I’ll make it bloom…Oh, come my way. By Bon Clay. Bring it on.”
– Bon Clay
Knowing that the Straw Hats are even willing to risk their lives for the sake of their friend, Bon Clay puts everything on the line to help them. He makes himself a decoy to distract the Marines and gets imprisoned in Impel Down, without ever regretting his choice.
9) I Can’t Become the King of the Pirates (Episode 808)
Luffy’s dream was never about gaining fame or fortune, but about acquiring complete freedom, for which he had to become the King of the Pirates. He meets his crew members along his journey to chase after his dreams, and they all have different goals and ambitions. Because of how much they respect each other’s values, the bond of the crew is unshakable. Every one of his crew members is even more important to Luffy than his own dreams.
“You’re the cook of my ship. I won’t eat anything other than what you cook. Even I get hungry, or spears rain down on me, I’ll stay right here and wait for you. Be sure to come back, Sanji. Without you, I can’t become the King of the Pirates.”
– Monkey D. Luffy
Seeing that Sanji is trapped with his family against his will, Luffy does everything he can to convince him to return. He even sees through Sanji’s heartbreaking display of stubbornness. The reason Luffy was so adamant about being unable to become King of the Pirates has nothing to do with whether he can obtain the treasure without Sanji or not. Instead, it means that he can never be truly free if doing so comes at the cost of Sanji’s happiness.
8) People’s Dreams Have No End (Episode 147)
Marshall D. Teach, famously known as Blackbeard, established his role in the story with a simple yet powerful phrase that fans remember to this day. The world changed after the death of the Pirate King, ushering in a new era of pirates who all dream of wealth, fame, fortune, and above all else, freedom.
“The new era they’re talking about is crap. The era where pirates have dreams will be over, they say? Huh? People’s dreams have no end.”
– Marshall D. Teach
What he said wasn’t the ramblings of a drunk man, but the mere thought of the pirates’ dream ending is ridiculous to Blackbeard. Dreams are eternal, and as long as there are people in this world, they will carry out such dreams. It’s been this way since the beginning of time, and will always be like that.
7) I Want to Live (Episode 278)
Robin survived the massacre of her people over two decades ago, but she was shunned by others simply for existing. The World Government placed a hefty bounty on the head of an eight-year-old child, further plunging her into despair. From that day forward, she never truly lived a single moment, spending every waking day merely surviving in hopes of finding people who would one day care about her, just as Jaguar D. Saul had promised.
“To live…I thought it was something I dared not wish for. No one ever let me wish for it. If…it’s really okay for me to utter my wish for once…I…I want to live. Take me to the sea with you. ”
– Nico Robin
However, when she finally found a warm home aboard the Going Merry with the Straw Hat Pirates, she was forced to leave everything behind and forsake her life just to save them. Being persecuted and blackmailed almost all her life, Robin had simply given up on living, so she thought. Luffy asking Robin to declare her wish out loud was his way of helping her break free from her shackles, and it worked. For the first time, Robin abandoned the idea of dying and instead wished for her friends to help save her from that hell.
6) Don’t Try to Find a Reason for Somebody’s Love (Episode 743)
Trafalgar Law’s heart-wrenching backstory introduced us to Donquixote Doflamingo’s brother, Rosinante. Unlike his cruel sibling, Rosinante was a kind soul who took in a young boy suffering from a fatal illness and searched far and wide for a cure. In the end, Rosinante realized that the only way to save the boy was to rely on the power of the Devil Fruit that Doflamingo was desperately seeking. Despite knowing that helping Law would cost him his life, Rosinante did everything he could to save the child, leaving a deep scar in Law’s heart.
“Don’t try to find a reason for somebody’s love… If you really wanna do something in his memory, both you and I should always remember him. That’s good enough. So live your life as you like. That’s what he would say.”
– Sengoku
He spent over a decade trying to understand the reason behind Rosinante’s sacrifice, believing it had something to do with the mysterious name “D.” Law even clung to the desperate hope of avenging Rosinante’s death, without ever realizing that the man would’ve simply wanted him to be happy and live life in his own terms. Sengoku’s words helped Law understand that not everything needs a reason or an answer. Rosinante simply loved him, just as Sengoku loved Rosinante as if he were his own son.
5) Justice Will Prevail? (Episode 465)
Doflamingo’s speech shed light on the moral ambiguity of the world and what it truly means to be on the winning side. Just as there are two sides of the same coin, the world of One Piece is split into two parts. One is constantly plagued by conflicts and wars, while the other is peaceful and flourishing. In such a situation, no one can determine what’s truly right or wrong, or whether pirates are evil or the Navy is just.
“The one who ends up on top will rewrite what’s right and what’s wrong. This place is the turning point. Justice will prevail? Of course it will. Because the winners claim justice.”
– Donquixote Doflamingo
Even so, the World Government desperately clings to its idea of justice, not caring about the countless lives it tramples upon. So why is it that they are still considered a beacon of hope? It’s because they have been the winners for centuries and hold the power to rewrite history as they see fit. The meaning of “justice” always shifts depending on who appears on top. The Summit War was simply a turning point in history, one that triggered a new era destined to reshape the world.
4) The One Piece Is Real (Episode 485)
Whitebeard’s death is one of the most impactful and powerful moments in the series, marking the beginning of another era. Up until the Marineford Arc, the legendary treasure, One Piece, was often believed to be a myth. Since no one had seen it in over 20 years, it was only natural for people to doubt its existence. However, Whitebeard not only confirmed that the treasure is real but also foreshadowed the impact it would have on the world.
“Sengoku, you and the World Government are afraid of the gigantic war that will embroil the whole world one day. I’ve no interest in it, but when someone finds the treasure, the world will turn upside down. And I’m sure somebody will find it. And that day will come. Whether you like it or not, that day will come soon. The One Piece is real!”
– Edward Newgate
The world is heading in a direction the World Government would have never wanted, but even they can’t stop it. The will that has been passed down for centuries will be carried out by someone who will find the treasure and turn the world upside down. The war will affect everyone, and it will change the world as we know it.
3) When Do You Think a Person Dies? (Episode 86)
Hiriluk was already suffering from a fatal illness, but eating the soup made of poisonous mushrooms only brought him closer to death. He didn’t have the heart to refuse Chopper’s goodwill, yet he also couldn’t let the mushroom be the reason for his end. Caught in this dilemma, he fell victim to a dirty trick by Wapol. However, Hiriluk refused to let himself die at the tyrant’s hands either.
“Hey…When do you think a person dies? When a bullet from a pistol pierces his heart? No. When he is attacked by an incurable disease? No. When he eats a soup of deadly poisonous mushroom? No. A man dies when people forget him. Even if I disappear right now, my dream will come true. ”
– Dr. Hiriluk
He taught the tyrant of Drum Island that nothing in this life is more important than what one leaves behind with others. Death isn’t the end, as long as there is someone to carry on their will and help fulfill their dream. For Hiriluk, that person was Chopper, the one he wanted to live as freely as possible, without ever holding anything back.
2) I Wish I Hadn’t Blinded Myself (Episode 744)
Luffy has the ability to even win the hearts of his foes, and Admiral Fujitora is no different. Even though he wanted to stop Luffy from running away, he couldn’t help but notice the goodwill of the citizens of Dressrosa, who were grateful to a pirate. Fujitora values the safety of people over everything else, and he couldn’t ignore the fact that it was Luffy’s kindness that saved the island.
“You’re foolishly honest, Straw Hat Luffy. I guess everyone wants to help you. What kind of person are you, really? What color is your hair? What is the shape of your eyes? What do you look like? I wish I hadn’t blinded myself. I want to see your face. I bet you look kind”
– Admiral Fujitora
At that moment, Luffy gained the respect of one of the Marines’ higher-ups, without even realizing it. We also get a hint about Fujitora’s complex past since his blindness wasn’t the cause of an accident, but something he did to himself. Even so, Fujitora regretted being blind for the first time since he could never get to see Luffy’s kind face.
1) Thank You For Loving Me (Episode 483)
Ace spent almost his entire life chasing the answer to one question, and that was whether he deserved to be born or not. He had to carry the heavy burden of Gol D. Roger’s reputation and grew up feeling rejected by the world. However, he also felt lucky to meet people who cared about him and loved him like Dadan, Luffy, Sabo, Whitebeard, and his crew.
“Could you tell everyone else what I’m about to say when I’m done? Pops, my family, and you, Luffy, thank you for caring about someone like me, this good-for-nothing, this world never wanted, who had such bad blood in his veins. Thank you for loving me.”
– Portgas D. Ace
In his final moments, Ace realized that the one thing he truly wanted was to be accepted in the world, and to prove that his existence wasn’t a mistake or a sin. He got the answer to the question and felt nothing but gratefulness for being loved. He closed his eyes with a smile and took his last breath without regret.
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