‘This one is really high on the list’: The Greatest One Piece Moment Didn’t Raise a Single Weapon That Changed the Series Fundamentally

For over 20 years, One Piece has followed Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy with dreams of becoming the Pirate King, as he sets out to find the world’s ultimate treasure. Even with 1,100 episodes in, Luffy fans aren’t tired of following the adventures of this young and enthusiastic boy.

The protagonist of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Despite running for decades, One Piece remains shrouded in mystery, with Oda-sensei keeping fans in suspense about the world’s hidden truths. Over the years, Eiichiro Oda has crafted countless memorable characters, leaving a lasting impact on fans and solidifying One Piece as a standout among the Big Three.

Oda-sensei has crafted many compelling stories, each rich with emotion, but one moment profoundly changed the storyline and reshaped fans’ perception of the anime.

One Piece: The moment that shaped Eiichiro Oda’s legacy

While One Piece asks for a lot of commitment from viewers, in return it leaves them enchanted by Oda-sensei’s narrative and Luffy’s journey to become the King of the Pirates. Enthralling fans for over 25 years, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece narrates an epic tale of friendship and adventure, captivating generations of viewers.

Silvers Rayleigh agrees to train Luffy in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Unquestionably, Monkey D. Luffy played an important part in One Piece‘s immense popularity. Eiichiro Oda has done a fantastic job of endearing this character to the community ever since the series debuted in 1997.

Following the two-year time skip, the Dressrosa arc emerged as a fan favorite, widely regarded as one of the best in the series.

From God Usopp to Doflamingo’s evil deeds, Oda-sensei narrated an epic cinematic story that left fans awe-stuck as the plot unveiled deep dark secrets. 

Beyond the thrilling action and emotional stories, the ending of Dressrosa stands out as one of the most memorable moments of the arc.

Admiral Fujitora in the Dressrosa Arc | Credits: Toei Animation

Admiral Fujitora’s most memorable moment in One Piece occurs in Episode #744, where he wishes he could see Luffy’s face and regrets blinding himself. It’s here that Fujitora delivers his most iconic lines in the series:

“I wish I hadn’t blinded myself. I want to see your face, I bet you look kind.”

What makes this scene so remarkable is how well it expresses Fujitora’s newfound admiration for Luffy.

Luffy and Fujitora’s first meeting in Dressrosa | Credits: Toei Animations

This scene shapes Fujitora’s character, highlighting his nuanced sense of justice and setting him apart from Admirals like Akainu.

It reinforces his positive image from the Dressrosa Arc, showing his ability to see past Luffy’s criminal status and recognize the good in him.

After Ace’s tragic death, One Piece underwent a major shift, with many fans turning against the World Government. To restore the Marine’s reputation, Oda introduced Fujitora, whose charisma and kindness ultimately won over the fans by the end.

One Piece Theory: Imu is Nefertari Lily from the Void Century

Oda-sensei has remained secretive about the King of the World’s identity; however, there are tons of rumors connecting Imu to Nefertari Lily, the queen who disappeared after the Void Century.

Imu in One Piece ep 885 holding bounty posters. [Credit: Toei Animation]

By far, Imu’s identity remains one of the greatest mysteries, and many fans, including me, are eagerly awaiting Oda-sensei to drop more hints about this character.

We already know that the famous One Piece treasure is connected to the mysterious figure from the Forgotten Void Century. Joyboy, who was the previous user of Luffy’s Devil Fruit, lost to Imu 800 years ago, establishing Imu as one of the most evil and greatest antagonists in the series.

Imu in a garden of flowers in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Unlike the other 19 kings who founded the World Government, Lily did not leave her sword at the Empty Throne. This could mean that Queen Lily didn’t submit to the alliance and joined forces with Joyboy betraying Imu’s trust.

Not to forget, the presence of Lily’s flowers in Imu’s private chamber seems to offer another hint between Imu and Lily, possibly pointing to their shared past.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll, while the manga can be read on Viz Media.