It’s no breaking news that shonen series aren’t exactly the most impressive when it comes to summoning divine inspiration upon its viewers. If anything, shonen would be the adrenaline junkie equivalent of anime. Fans usually watch them in order to feel rush and hype, not to learn life lessons.
But with all said and done, nothing in this world is absolute. Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece, One Piece, has a little something for everyone. If the series just followed the conventional shonen route without expanding to unknown areas, it wouldn’t have stayed relevant for more than two decades. Yes, One Piece still lives true to the shonen spirit-- that’s undeniable. But every once in a while, a character says something so profound it makes the viewers fall into a trance; here are some of these inspirational sayings.
10 "You Want To Keep Everyone From Dying? That’s Naïve. It’s War. People Die" -Monkey D. Luffy
Kicking it off is one of Luffy’s most notable quotes. Though he sells himself for an unreliable captain, fans know when push comes to shove, Luffy will showcase a side of him that is usually slumbering.
This quote was directed to Vivi, who was so worried about the lives of her people she lost her vision. It served to give her a wake-up call.
9 “Justice Will Prevail, You say? But Of Course, It Will! Whoever Wins This War Becomes Justice!” -Donquixote Doflamingo
Back in Marineford, Doflamingo made a major appearance. He was still a fuzzy character for the most part, but he made it very obvious that he won’t be a minor character. And boy! Oh boy! Did he deliver.
His speech about justice not only applies to the world of One Piece, but it also reflects the various battles of real-life as well.
8 “People’s Dreams... Have No Ends” -Marshall 'Blackbeard' D. Teach
As deplorable as he is, Blackbeard is one of the few characters who follow a noble philosophy. It’s just that he uses evil as a means to live by said philosophy.
This quote aligns so much with Luffy’s ideals; another proof that highlights the true nature of Blackbeard--that being Luffy’s other side of the coin. During their encounter in Mock town, both of them knew it wouldn’t be the last time they meet.
7 "Only I Can Call My Dream Stupid!" -Roronoa Zoro
Zoro’s dream is, of course, becoming the world’s strongest swordsman. And he wouldn’t let anyone mock it, not even his future crewmate/rival, Sanji.
This quote was said in Baratie. Back before Sanji decided to follow his own ‘foolish’ dream. Little did he know that just a few episodes following that incident, he will join a crew of dreamers.
6 “When You Aim High, You Sometimes Come Across Fights Not Worth Fighting” -Marshall 'Blackbeard' D. Teach
In all truthfulness, Blackbeard’s entire speech back in Mock town was inspirational. It is unarguably one of the greatest speeches to grace One Piece. And the fact that it came from a completely random drunkard -or so everyone thought at the time- makes it the more striking.
For preference, Crocodile stated that he personally murdered everyone who laughed at him/ his dream. Blackbeard, on the other hand, only shrugged it off when the entire Mock Town was mocking his speech.
5 “When Do You Think People Die? When They Are Shot In The Heart With A Pistol? No. When They Are Ravaged By An Uncurable Disease? No. When They Drink A Soup Made From Poisonous Mushrooms? No. It’s When... They Are Forgotten!” -Dr.Hiriluk
Dr.Hiriluk’s bits added so many layers to Chopper’s backstory. Chopper’s backstory, which was already sad enough, became even more tragic with the passing of Dr.Hiriluk, his father figure.
But before departing this world, Dr.Hiriluk delivered a line so powerful it made the face of Dalton-- as well as the fans-- covered in tears.
4 “I Won’t Die, Partner” -Gol D. Roger
During the last meeting between the Pirate King, Roger, and his right-hand man, Rayleigh, Roger stated this. For the ignorant, this might seem like Roger denying his inevitable death. But for the knowing ones, it’s so much more.
Roger knew he was dying more than anyone. But he also knew that he, the Pirate King, won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
3 “One Piece, Does Exist!” -Edward 'Whitebeard' Newgate
Freedom and dreams are the two concepts that shape up the moral structure of the world of One Piece. A pirate, who is essentially an outlaw, can be viewed in a much better light if they pursued these two things.
Those of Roger and Whitebeard viewed piracy as a pursuit of freedom. So when death lurked, both of them made sure to make their last message to the world a meaningful one.
2 “Stop Counting Only Those Things You Have Lost! What Is Gone, Is Gone! So Ask Yourself This. What Is There... That Still Remains To You?!” -Jinbei
After the tragic death of Ace, Luffy almost lost touch with reality. His shock stemmed mostly from the passing of his brother and partly from the reality check he was exposed to. He fully believed that he would be able to save Ace, and he believed wrong.
It was Jinbei who knocked some sense into the crumbling Luffy. An emotional moment that sent grown adults into a marathon of tears.
1 “Inherited Will, The Destiny Of Age, The Dreams Of Its People. As Long As People Continue To Pursue The Meaning Of Freedom, These Things Will Never Cease!” -Gol D. Roger
Lastly, is Roger’s introductory speech prior to his execution. In his mini-speech, he clearly conveyed his thoughts about dreams and freedom. For the people to pursue dreams, they need a motivator. And what bigger motivator is there than One Piece?
Roger name-dropped One Piece and single-handedly started the Pirate’s Grand Era. An era where everyone seeks One Piece; where everyone seeks freedom.
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