One Piece has been a mainstay of the shonen genre for over two decades, and throughout its 1,000-plus episodes, Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have earned a reputation as some of the most beloved characters in anime history. Although their grandest adventures are still ahead of them, One Piece's protagonists have traveled far and wide, encountering many of the Grand Line's most colorful figures in the process.
Because of One Piece's long-running nature, innovative storytelling, and massive popularity, it has significantly altered the trajectory of the anime medium on multiple occasions. While some of its scenes are more memorable than others, they all played a part in changing shonen anime forever.
10 Shanks Gives His Straw Hat To Luffy
Episode 4 — "Luffy's Past! The Red-Haired Shanks Appears!"
Every great shonen journey begins somewhere, and in Monkey D. Luffy's case, his path to becoming the next King of the Pirates starts in an innocuous village located in the East Blue. There, he encounters a legendary pirate named Shanks, who eventually bestows One Piece's protagonist with a symbolic gift — his trademark straw hat.
Shanks' straw hat previously belonged to the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger, so when he gives the accessory to Luffy, Shanks is entrusting the future of the pirate world to his youthful companion. The straw hat is one of the most recognizable images in shonen media, making this moment as important to the genre as it is to One Piece.
9 Roronoa Zoro Duels Dracule Mihawk
Episode 24 — "Hawk-Eyes Mihawk! Swordsman Zoro Falls Into The Sea!"
While Monkey D. Luffy is One Piece's most popular character, Roronoa Zoro has consistently been a close second since his introduction in the East Blue Saga. The Straw Hat Pirates' second-in-command strongly resembles many of the goal-driven protagonists that dominate the shonen genre, and no scene represents his boundless determination better than his first fight with Dracule Mihawk.
Zoro is still a low-level pirate when he encounters the World's Strongest Swordsman, but with his life's goal right in front of him, the three-sword-style user can't help but challenge Mihawk to a duel. Although the Straw Hat Pirate loses, his showing is impressive enough to earn Mihawks respect, setting him on the path that embodies the essence of the shonen struggle.
8 The Straw Hat Pirates Discover A Poneglyph In Alabasta
Episode 123 — "Smells Like Croc! Run To The Tomb Of The Royal Family, Luffy!"
One Piece has a reputation as one of the most impressive instances of world-building in anime history, but during the series' first few arcs, much of its lore had yet to be introduced. This all changes during the Alabasta Saga, which introduces one of One Piece's longest-running mysteries: Poneglyphs.
The Poneglyphs are an ancient form of record keeping, and contained within them are the true history of the Void Century — a 100-year gap in the series' history. The first of these objects is seen during Baroque Works' assault on Alabasta, hinting at several of the recurring themes that appear throughout One Piece.
7 The Straw Hat Pirates Declare War On The World Government
Episode 278 — "Say You Want To Live! We Are Friends!"
Although many pirate crews have run-ins with the Marines, very few are brave enough to take a formal stance against the World Government. Against better judgment, that's exactly what the Straw Hat Pirates do during the Enies Lobby Arc when they set fire to the World Government's flag.
Becoming the King of the Pirates is an admirable goal, but it alone is not enough to make Monkey D. Luffy and his crew the iconic part of shonen anime that they are. Their opposition to the World Government is even more thematically generative, and it helps distinguish their adventures from the villain-of-the-week format that shonen series often rely on.
6 Bartholomew Kuma Separates The Straw Hat Pirates
Episode 405 — ""Disappearing Crew — The Final Day of the Straw Hat Crew"
It's only natural for a protagonist and their allies to experience defeat — minus overpowered heroes like One-Punch Man's Saitama, virtually every shonen series is filled with moments where their main characters fall short of their goals. However, the devastating loss that the Straw Hat Pirates suffer during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc has far more implications than most.
Bartholomew Kuma, a Warlord of the Sea, and Admiral Kizaru, a Marine Admiral, arrive at Sabaody Archipelago shortly after Luffy and the other Supernovas, and despite their noteworthy opposition, they quickly overwhelm the pirates. Kuma ultimately uses his Paw-Paw Fruit to send the Straw Hat Pirates around the globe, separating them until they return from the series' timeskip and reminding viewers that they are still far from achieving their goals.
5 Admiral Akainu Kills Portgas. D. Ace
Episode 483 — "Looking For The Answer — Fire Fist Ace Dies On The Battlefield"
Fresh off the heels of his devastating defeat at Sabaody Archipelago, Monkey D. Luffy heads to Impel Down and then Marineford in search of his brother, Portgas D. Ace. Ace's impending execution results in the Summit War, a clash that sees Luffy, the Whitebeard Pirates, and several other noteworthy outlaws lead a direct assault on the Navy base at Marineford.
Unfortunately for One Piece's protagonists, Admiral Akainu reaches Ace just as it seems like the pirate is going to escape, killing him in one of the most memorable deaths in anime history. As painful as this moment is, it drives Luffy to take his journey more seriously and drastically alters the trajectory of the narrative, forever changing the history of shonen anime.
4 Straw Hat Pirates Reunite Two Years Later
Episode 522 — "Everyone Is Gathered — Luffy Sets Sail To The New World"
The Straw Hat Pirates are separated for two years and over 100 episodes, so their inevitable reunion is arguably one of the most anticipated moments in One Piece. The crew fittingly decides to meet up at Sabaody Archipelago, the location where they were defeated by Kuma and Admiral Kizaru two years prior.
Seeing the Straw Hat Pirates together again is a sight for sore eyes, and it marks the beginning of the second-half of their journey through the Grand Line. As the series approaches its final saga, their reunion becomes more and more significant — especially following their recent victory during the Raid on Onigashima.
3 Imu Appears At The Reverie
Episode 885 — "In The Dark Recesses Of The Holyland — A Mysterious Giant Straw Hat"
For many years, One Piece's World Government lacked a true leader, instead utilizing the Five Elders to head its decision-making process. However, during the Reverie Arc, it is revealed that a shadowy figure known as Imu actually rules over the world from the Empty Throne.
Although there has been very little mention of Imu since the Reverie Arc, it's clear that their presence is setting up what could potentially be the series' final antagonist. Shonen anime series often do a poor job of setting up their final villains, but Imu's presence is a clear sign that One Piece is dedicated to resisting this trend.
2 The Straw Hat Pirates Arrive To The Land Of Wano
Episode 892 — "Wano Country! To The Land Of Samurai Where Cherry Blossoms Flutter"
At over 1,000 episodes, One Piece is an exceptionally long anime, yet even by its standards, the Wano Country Arc is a gargantuan undertaking. Although the arc is currently drawing to a close, it's nearing 200 episodes in length, making it almost one-fifth of the entire series.
Given Wano's status as the longest arc in the history of anime, the Straw Hat Pirates' arrival in the samurai-filled land is incredibly significant. It sets the stage for Monkey D. Luffy's coronation as an Emperor of the Sea, as well as one of the greatest transformations in anime history.
1 Monkey D. Luffy Uses Gear 5
Episode 1071 — "Luffy's Peak — Attained! Gear 5"
Transformations are a key element of the shonen genre, and since the Enies Lobby Arc, they have played a major role in Monkey D. Luffy's development as a character. His battle with Kaido during the Raid on Onigashima forces him to push his past limits once more, resulting in the Awakening of Luffy's Devil Fruit and the debut of his most recent form: Gear 5.
It's no exaggeration to say that Gear 5 is one of the most anticipated transformations in shonen history. The ridiculous powers of Luffy's Awakened Devil Fruit are a breath of fresh air for the genre, and thanks to its non-traditional nature, the Gear 5 form feels like a novel addition to the medium that will hopefully influence other shonen series for many years to come.
