For over 20 years, One Piece has entertained fans worldwide with its high-fantasy tales about Monkey D. Luffy and his crew known as the Straw Hat Pirates. While the mystery behind the legendary treasure known as One Piece has certainly contributed to the series’ popularity, what keeps fans coming back for more are the strange, yet, captivating pirates of the Grand Line. In particular, the relationships between the Straw Hat Pirates and how it sometimes veers from friendly to romantic.
If you were to ask series creator Eichiro Oda about who loves who in One Piece, he would simply respond with "They're all in love... with adventure." That answer, however, isn’t enough to satisfy the romantic hearts of One Piece shippers everywhere. Finding out if Luffy and Nami end up together is a more pressing question to answer than what the One Piece truly is. Before closing shop, the original Naruto series and Bleach resolved the romantic dynamics of its characters (the former dedicated its last theatrical movie to it). So, it’s possible One Piece might reveal who ends up with who, before it sets out for its final sail.
Until then, fans can delight themselves with these amazing fan art of the most popular One Piece ships of the Straw Hat Pirates. If you loved these Straw Hat couple fan art featured here, make sure to show your love and appreciation to the artists themselves.
10 Luffy x Nami
It goes without saying that Luffy x Nami is the most popular ship in One Piece. While it’s easy to say it’s because Luffy the main male character in the series and Nami is the main female character, the two have developed a strong relationship with each other, ever since they first made eye contact at the end of episode one. Nami’s anti-pirate stance changed dramatically after seeing how caring and courageous Luffy was, and no matter how braindead he can be at times, she truly cares for him. Patreon artist zippi44 (@zippi44) drew a fantastic Luffy x Nami fan art that has the would-be King of the Pirates in shock, as Nami kisses him passionately.
9 Zoro x Nico Robin
Even though Roronoa Zoro didn’t trust Nico Robin when she joined the Straw Hat Pirates post-Alabasta, the former pirate hunter has become very protective of the ex-agent of Baroque Works. Zoro famously caught Robin after Enel nearly killed her and fought ferociously against him, in her honor. Robin has also been protective of Zoro, such as saving him from Marine Admiral Kizaru. The two also share the same calm and serious demeanor, regardless of any situation. Russian artist KaSaKu drew a sweet Zoro x Nico Robin fan art that has the two embracing each other at sea, set behind a ray of sunshine.
8 Sanji x Nami
While it’s easy to downplay Sanji’s attraction to Nami as him just being a womanizer, the great chief of the East Blue has always had a soft spot for the pirate thief. No matter the situation, Sanji won’t let anyone - including his fellow crew members - lay a finger on Nami. And Nami, while sometimes using Sanji’s crush on her to her advantage, does care for him as well. Argentinian artist MuffinMonstah (@MuffinMonstah) illustrated a phenomenal Sanji x Nami fan art that poses the two pirates in a very steamy moment.
7 Luffy x Boa Hancock
If there’s one example of a romance in One Piece, it would be the relationship between Luffy and Boa Hancock. Or, to put it more precisely, Boa Hancock’s one-sided relationship with Luffy. In a kind of monkey paw situation, Hancock, the most beautiful woman in the world, can’t get her intense feelings of love through Luffy’s dense skull. While Luffy might not fully grasp Hancock’s romantic feelings for him, he does love her in his own way, such as hugging her out of appreciation for everything she’s done for him. Costa Rican artist KuroNeko-art (@Kur0kurochan) drew a fantastic Luffy x Boa Hancock fan art of Luffy hugging Hancock, as her face turns red from blushing.
6 Nami x Vivi
When Nami first met Nefertari Vivi, she only cared about how much money she could extort from the princess of Alabasta. However, Nami really connected with Vivi during their emotional journey to Alabasta. Just like how Nami sacrificed her dignity by working for Arlong to save her friends and family, Vivi did the same by working for Sir Crocodile, the man trying to overthrow her kingdom, in order to save her people. Nami even risked dying over a serious illness, just so the Straw Hats could reach Alabasta as fast as they could without any distractions getting in the way. Vivi, however, believed Nami’s health should come first. That moment shows just how much Nami and Vivi mean to each other. CherryInTheSun (@CherryInTheSun), a yuri fan artist on Patreon, drew a heartwarming Nami x Vivi fan art that highlights their beautiful relationship.
5 Sanji x Zoro
As the two original alpha males in the crew, Sanji and Zoro don’t always see eye to eye on everything. Similar to other anime rivalries (Naruto vs. Sasuke), Sanji and Zoro are always looking for an opportunity to one-up each other. Such as the two of them trying to collect the most prehistoric meat from the island of Little Garden. Even though Zoro and Sanji often butt heads over their conflicting personalities, they share the same hot-headed personality. That’s why shipping Sanji with Zoro is so much fun. Italian artist AkiMao (@MaoABbestia) drew a stunning Sanji x Zoro fan art of the two strong men getting close and personal.
4 Usopp x Nami
Being the two most “normal” members of the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp and Nami share a unique bond with each other. While both possess essential talents, Usopp and Nami lack the superhuman strength of their comrades. In fact, the reason why Nami begged Usopp to make a special weapon for her during the Alabasta arc is that he was the only crew member who could understand her feelings of inadequacy. They’re also often the most level-headed people in the group who try to steer Luffy away from incredibly dangerous situations, but hilariously fail in the process. Digital artist KellyBear (@okaybeex) drew a cute Usopp x Nami fan art that has Nami giving long-nose a passionate smooch.
3 Zoro x Luffy
What could be stronger than the love between a captain and his first mate? While Luffy and Zoro are worlds apart in personality and appearance, the two initial members of the Straw Hat Pirates are dreamers who live their lives by their own personal code. Yes, there are (lots) of moments where Luffy’s foolishness can get on Zoro’s nerve, such as Luffy blindly assaulting him over a misunderstanding at Whisky Peak, but there are also times where Zoro is right by Luffy’s side in combat or in principle, like the time they refused to engage Bellamy in a pointless brawl over his childish mockery of them. Russian artist NichtVOBLA drew an adorable Zoro x Luffy fan art that has Zoro helping his captain look for treasures in the ocean.
2 Nami x Nico Robin
Outside of Vivian, Nico Robin is the one crew member Nami gets along with the best. Granted, Nami may have been somewhat influenced by Robin giving her a purse full of jewels that one time. However, the two of them do share a tragic bond of losing their mothers at a young age. Nami and Nico Robin are also the only female members of the Straw Hat Pirates; giving them a special feminine relationship they can’t possibly have with the male lunkheads on the ship. As strong femme fatales, Nami and Nico Robin love and respect one another. American artist Alex Siple (@alexcsiple) drew an excellent Nami x Nico Robin fan art that has Robin about to plant a kiss on Nami's cheek.
1 Franky x Nico Robin
Another entertaining One Piece ship is Franky x Nico Robin. They both get along very well with each other; share a wrongfully-convicted criminal history as children, and were both former adversaries to the Straw Hat Pirates before hopping on board the Thousand Sunny. Robin also enjoys Franky’s eccentric attitude and can wind down his extreme acts of masochism. The greatest example of this is Robin squeezing Franky’s… family jewels to convince him to join the Straw Hats. They have a unique relationship, no doubt, but a relationship nonetheless. Swiss artist Evanyia a delightful romantic Franky x Nico Robin fan art that has them lost in each other’s eyes.
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