With over 1,000 episodes, One Piece has catapulted itself into a global phenomenon that fans around the world adore. The series has spanned over three decades, but Eiichiro Oda says the franchise is nearing its end.
One Piece follows pirate Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they sail the oceans to find the legendary One Piece. While the series has received praise for its art, characters, and humor, there have One Piece has a tendency to leave fans weeping.
10 Fisher Tiger's Death
One of the saddest deaths in One Piece is Fisher Tiger's, an ex-slave who escaped from the Celestial Dragons and freed his fellow captives. He was betrayed by humans multiple times, even when he was trying to return Koala home. In his final moments, Fisher Tiger wagered that humans would eventually be better.
9 The Fall Of Whitebeard
Whitebeard was one of the "Yonko" — the four most powerful pirates on the seas. His death was a passing that was felt across the waves and ushered in a new era of piracy. There was an abundance of emotional moments leading up to the death of Akainu and Blackbeard, Whitebeard's rival, but the ones that followed were far more intense.
Fans of One Piece found out that Whitebeard was actually the adoptive father of Ace, and just before he died, his final words were "Was I a good father?" Whitebeard would go on to lose to Blackbeard and proclaimed that the One Piece truly existed, inspiring many young pirates.
8 Nami's Backstory
When fans of One Piece were first introduced to Nami, no one could have guessed the tragic past this ordinary thief had suffered. Her tattoo was actually a branding by the Arlong Crew who had enslaved her.
When Nami was younger, her village was raided by the Arlong Pirates and they threatened to kill anyone who refused to pay — including Belle-mere, Nami's adoptive mother. Nami was taken by the pirates as a mapmaker and navigator in exchange for the protection of the rest of the village. The scene where she stabs her tattoo signifies her utter pain.
7 Dr. Hiriluk's Demise
Chopper's backstory is one of One Piece's most heartbreaking. An outcast thanks to his blue nose, he was treated terribly by his herd and left to fend for himself. After enduring many hardships, Chopper was taken under the wing of Dr. Hiriluk, who cared for him greatly and taught him everything he knew.
When Dr. Hiriluk was getting sicker, Chopper went in search of the Amiudake mushroom thinking it would heal the doctor. Instead, it turned out to be a poisonous mushroom. Hiriluk ate it anyway and subsequently died.
6 Nico Robin's Backstory
One Piece excels at detailing characters' backstories. The pirates have pasts that add layers to their characters and help their development. This is especially true for the archaeologist of the Straw Hats, Nico Robin. Born on the island of Ohara, Robin's mother abandoned her as a baby. Robin was left in the care of an abusive aunt. The scholars of Ohara — including Robin — began deciphering the Poneglyphs, which led to the World Government declaring a buster call to destroy the island. Everyone Robin knew perished, including her mother who had returned to Ohara.
5 Separation Of The Straw Hat Crew
Relationships are a key part of One Piece, with pirates sharing strong bonds with one another. A pirate's crew essentially becomes their family
Before a time jump in One Piece, audiences see the Straw Hat Crew separate. While this was essential for each of them to get stronger, Luffy thought the crew might die during his fight with Kuma.
4 Brooks' Backstory
It can be challenging to make the origin stories of characters relatable. Fans enjoy it when they are able to imagine themselves in a similar position and how difficult it would be. Brooks' backstory is one of the hardest to stomach because of what he went through and how long he had to endure it.
Brooks had to watch everyone he cared about die in front of him; then he lived among the corpses as he was brought back to life with the help of his Devil Fruit. Brooks was forced to sail the seas alone surrounded by the skeletons of his loved ones.
3 Law's Backstory
Some One Piece fans argue that the most tragic and heartbreaking backstory is that of Trafalgar Law. Law grew up in Flevance, a city that was known for Amber Lead. Law eventually got Amber Lead poisoning, and his parents, sister, and the rest of the entire city died from the poison.
Law was later taken under the wing of Corazon and Doflamingo, with the former helping to cure Law's infection. Law began to see Corazon as a father figure, but Corazon was soon murdered by his own brother. One Piece fans will remember that on his deathbed, Corazon told Law that Law was loved.
2 A Merry Farewell
Straw Hat Crew's journey began on The Going Merry. As a gift from Kaya, this was the first place the One Piece crew could call home. Fans spent countless hours and episodes watching the characters' antics in this ship. After a long and arduous life, the Merry sustained irrecoverable damage and had to be put to rest. One Piece fans watched with tears down their eyes as the crew gave her the Viking funeral she deserved.
1 Ace's Death
Portgas D. Ace's death is difficult for fans to forget as he was a beloved character and member of the crew — as well as Luffy's brother. During the fight against Akainu, One Piece audiences see Luffy struggling and pushing himself to his limits. Ace commits the ultimate sacrifice when he jumps in front of Luffy and ends up with a hole in his chest.