The One Piece anime has had a stellar run for a Shounen series. Over 20 years there has rarely been a gap in production, and the animation continues to evolve and experiment. For the series faithful, the anime has offered plenty of memorable adaptations to some iconic scenes and provides a special flair for the pirate adventure that just can't be captured in the manga.
One of the selling traits of the anime is its incredible list of openings that have greeted fans across generations. Tantalizing with both music and good visuals, the One Piece openings are a beloved piece of entertainment within their own right. This list will be looking at a few of those introductory minutes, as it ranks the best One Piece openings.
Updated October 1st, 2020 by Sean Cubillas: One of the biggest surprises of the One Piece anime's return this Summer was its brand spanking new opening theme, "Dreamin' On." Its arrival made fans reflect on some of their favorite One Piece OP's over the last few years. Having lasted more than two decades, fans rarely have to wait for a new, toe tapping beat to sing along to. With a new entry to the series' playlist making rounds, here are the updated rankings of One Piece themes.
15 Bon Voyage! - Bon Bon Blanco
Few One Piece openings can capture the same sensation of being on a tropical adventure the same way that "Bon Voyage!" does. Starting off with some gorgeous, beach side imagery, this OP really sets the tone for the series' wonder struck and aspirational ideals.
And, as all good One Piece openings do, it gives a quick, visual run down of each of the Straw Hats' characters and pasts. This includes fresh Straw Hat, Robin, whose upcoming story line even gets teased here. Last but not least, this OP also marks the end of an era, as it was the final theme song that Funimation would dub.
14 Crazy Rainbow - Tackey And Tsubasa
Just like how "Bon Voyage!" signaled the end of one era, "Crazy Rainbow" was the induction of a new one. During the Enies Lobby Arc, One Piece would begin to phase out ending themes in exchange for giving their intros more time. "Crazy Rainbow" was the beginning of the crazy tradition, and it doesn't disappoint with the extra room.
This OP surprises by not including any imagery or references to the actual arc, instead opting to entice the viewer with a broad narrative of the Straw Hats vacationing. This contrasts with opposing imagery of a wacky pirate battle and even a dinosaur chase! With some funky beats to go with it, "Crazy Rainbow" was an uplifting theme to make way for some of the arc's heavy moments.
13 Brand New World - D-51
"Brand New World" marks the energetic start to the Enies Lobby Arc. Literally hitting the ground running, "Brand New World" begins with a lot of intense imagery of the Straw Hats running and racing through different scenes, picking up adrenaline to match the action packed arc.
This is followed by the usual casting call that teases the bigger names of the series to come, including Whitebeard, Hawkeye Mihawk, and Portgas D. Ace, someone whose story will run parallel to this arc. Much like how it began, the OP is capped off with fast-paced, intense imagery of the Straw Hats within their respective fights of the arc. Major bonus points here for the OP's tasteful teases of Luffy's Gear Second and Monster Point Chopper.
12 Over The Top - Hiroshi Kitadani And Kohei Tanaka
Some One Piece openings like to craft their own story. Others like to thread themselves between original images and slight hints to the arc ahead. "Over The Top" is just one of those openings that likes to show no restraint whatsoever.
Almost as if the OP itself was bracing how unique and special the Wano Arc was going to be, the entry theme to the grand story is filled with as many references and character teases as possible, showing off all the twists, turns, and actions for the story to come. While this could come off as a weakness, the 22nd OP uses this information dump to overload the viewer with excitement and questions. Who's that? What's happening here? That character comes back?!
11 Hope - Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro is a key figure of the One Piece fandom whose role and inclusion in the series' canon will be addressed later. However, in this entry, she makes her fateful return to the series for one emotional ride to match the early parts of the Whole Cake Island Arc.
SPOILER WARNING: This is the arc where Sanji tragically attacks and betrays Luffy to distance himself from the crew. This arc and the OP itself are dedicated to showcasing Sanji's struggle between his past and his duties to the crew. One of the most distinct scenes of the OP is Sanji's fight with Luffy replaying on his flowing cape, as if he himself has to wear the burden of what he's done. With a great tune and plenty of subtle, intimate teases for what's to come, "Hope" is another great showing for Namie Amuro.
10 Share The World - Tohoshinki
Starting off this list is the theme song for the Sabaody Archipelago Arc. Sabaody Archipelago was a pivotal period for the Straw Hat crew that had them clash with some of the Marine's elites on top of introducing them to some pirate legends and rivals.
An opening for this arc would have to articulate the sudden uptick in One Piece's action as well as commemorate the transitional period for the Straw Hat crew to the next chapter of their adventure. "Share the World" does a wonderful job of this. Its music provides a funky backdrop and distinctly dark visuals that prepared fans for the near, nonstop thrills up ahead.
9 One Day - The Rootless
The 13th opening to the series had a big job ahead of it. Not only would it serve as the theme music for one of the biggest arcs in all of One Piece, but it also had to tease and encapsulate the immense amount of lore behind it. The Paramount War was an entire showcase of One Piece legends with every ruling group, the Marines, Warlords, and an Emperor, taking part in the chaos.
The Rootless did an amazing job of giving this arc's opening both a boundless sense of potential and adventure ahead as well as capturing the more sincere, somber tones of Luffy's dire adventure. The visual sequence itself was chock full of potential posters for One Piece fans as it gave every group a cool crew shot.
8 Hikari E - The Babystars
When the Straw Hats first entered the Grand Line, a new, larger adventure awaited them that would easily outshine the turmoils and scope of the East Blue. To capture this, the series' third opening replicated the nature of the original opening but with a much more intense and funky tone. It starts out with an interesting running visual that has the narrator dish out an amazing monologue to rival the first one.
After that, it's all action when a single minute manages to capture the skills and personalities of all the Straw Hats in one fluid sequence. This is also one of the few One Piece openings that has an English dub that faithfully captures the energy of the Japanese version.
7 Hands Up! - Kota Shinzato
When the Straw Hats entered the oppressive heat and blistering cold of Punk Hazard, one wouldn't expect that the opening to go with it would feel as summery and festive as it was. That is in no way a jeer, as "Hands Up!" does a great job of maintaining that One Piece energy while holding the sense of mystery that the arc entails.
The visuals itself are also stellar, as it features another classic fight sequence. However, what really helps set "Hands Up!" apart is its starting seconds, in which the Straw Hats slowly appear on screen as drawings before flourishing into a beautiful picnic.
6 We Go! - Hiroshi Kitadani
"We Go!" is an emblematic opening sequence whose legacy is going to last the rest of the run of One Piece. The introductory piece to One Piece's revered time skip, "We Go!" recaptures the same energy and sense of youth of the series' first opening while still maintaining its own identity.
It goes through all of the key cadences of the One Piece story up until that point and still finds the time to tease Fishman Island. The OP's greatest strength, however, is in having the Straw Hats' new looks and abilities on full display, as it showcases there personalities and slight snippets of there backstories.
5 We Are! - Hiroshi Kitadani
As much as "We Go!" can try, there's no replacing the magic of the One Piece's first opening. As the defining experience for new fans to the series, "We Are!" is a nostalgic piece of media whose hearty tones and natural optimism still serve as the default theme behind all of One Piece.
Its fast beat and visuals can practically draw in anyone, and its fight sequence becomes a series standard for all openings moving forward. The main strength, however, will always be the nostalgia of looking back to one's early experience with One Piece.
4 Kaze O Sagashite - Yaguchi Mari And The Straw Hats
When Luffy decided to break into Impel Down, he was launched into one of the grimmest and most deadly arcs of the entire series. To match this, the anime gives it one of the most eerily campy openings to ever hit the pirate adventure.
"Kaze o Sagashite" is a beloved opening in so many ways. While it's easy enough to just say its song is catchy and thematically on point, there's so much more in its relationship with the visuals, as the changing tones perfectly match the sudden switch between Slice-of-Life adventure and endearing darkness that the video entails.
3 Kokoro No Chizu - BOYSTYLE
As the theme music to the Water Seven Arc, "Kokoro no Chizu" is always going to stick with fans, either with its super catchy tune or haunting memories of one of the most sobering arcs in the entire series. The sequence itself starts off with a stunning look at the Straw Hat's literal descent after they leave Skypeia.
Afterward, it somehow manages to seamlessly move between the action and energy between the Long Ring Island visuals and the Water Seven ones, barraging unsuspecting with ones with a variety of fun yet ever curious visuals that just makes the viewer want to learn more.
2 Wake Up! - AAA
"Wake Up!" is the 17th opening to One Piece and the anniversary piece to the anime's 15-year run. Commemorating an entire legacy, "Wake Up!" has to be perhaps the most One Piece opening of them all. That is to say that it does an incredible job of capturing the series' eclectic sense of adventure, the calm, loving nature between the crew, and the various moving parts that fans are waiting for ahead.
It includes perhaps the best fight sequence out of any of the One Piece openings and includes this entire hyped exchange between Luffy and Blackbeard that breaks the sequence but maintains the same energy throughout.
1 Fight Together - Namie Amuro
At the top of this list is the most unique and tearjerking opening of all of One Piece. Living within the aftermath of the Paramount War and leading up to Luffy's backstory, "Fight Together" celebrates some of the most sincere traits of One Piece's story: the sad backstories and heartfelt declarations of the loyalty of all of the Straw Hats.
Separated after Sabaody Archipelago and having to miss the cruelest period of Luffy's life, the Straw Hats are working hard here within their respective training grounds. Luffy himself is recollecting the days that he first met Ace and Sabo and the wondrous childhood he had with them. It's an amazing sequence whose dulcet tones and strong context help to both celebrate the series' history and tease its future.