One Piece has brought fans many action scenes, memorable soundtracks, and intense character moments for many years. Whether it be through the manga or the anime, fans will never forget about the franchise's impact it had on their lives.
One Piece is no stranger regarding real issues concerning discrimination, child exploitation and experimentation, and other darker topics many anime don't tend to explore. On that note, with these segments come various messages and lessons fans must take from the content they see online, in print, or elsewhere at face value.
10 Never Give Up On Your Dreams
Whenever someone feels defeated or unmotivated by an event or situation, they tend to give up everything based on how dire the situation is for them. Luffy felt that way when being beaten to a pulp by Bellamy, who didn't care about shattering his dreams until Blackbeard stepped in to revitalize Luffy's goals.
To see Blackbeard boost Luffy's self-esteem was an astounding sight to behold, considering how he becomes one of Luffy's greatest enemies later. It shows how One Piece is a great self-improvement anime for anyone needing motivation.
9 Friends & Family Are The Most Important Things In Life
While some people may argue that Naruto and Sasuke's relationship is the closest friendship in shonen anime, presenting the entirety of Luffy's journey with his comrades may help sway people's opinions a different way. Regardless of which Straw Hat Pirate is the favorite, One Piece taught people that anyone feels like a family member regardless of how they look or where they were born.
Luffy never wanted to disrespect his friends on a grand level, even if there were several occasions where the Straw Hat Pirates did not love his decisions. Whenever one member was in trouble, Luffy made sure to give their antagonist a fight to showcase his love, affection, and care for his allies.
8 Heroes Don't Always Win In The End
Whenever someone reads or watches a superhero lose to the bad guy, they get a sense of anger, dread, and misery. Despite leaving their enemies beaten, the Straw Hat Pirates' worst losses in the franchise are notable. Whether it's Nami's hopelessness against Arlong or the Straw Hat Pirates getting decimated by Bartholomew Kuma, their losses helped strengthen themselves.
Thus One Piece features fights where their main cast can't be victorious, to leave fans with the understanding that every battle they endure isn't always winnable. The franchise wants fans to improve themselves for the next fight by learning from their defeat.
7 Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover
Whether someone is making friends with new people or shielding someone from a threatening-looking person, it's good to understand the person one's engaging with on a substantial level. Despite looking like a cute reindeer, Chopper's transformations change the little guy into a fierce and monstrous opponent.
During the Enies Lobby arc of the franchise, Chopper's Monster Point form showcases the ferocious power that laid dormant in him. To underestimate Chopper afterward would be a ludicrous thought to have for the villains in the franchise. Chopper made sure to leave an impact on fans after that moment.
6 Enemies Can End Up Being One Of Your Greatest Friends
Nico Robin isn't only a One Piece villain that became a hero, but she was a game-changer and essential ally for Luffy to have on his crew. As Miss All Sunday, the alias she went by when serving Crocodile, she was in charge of handling assassin duties, overseeing individuals under Crocodile, and helping him out with the poneglyphs; in Alabasta.
However, when Robin joined Luffy's crew, she felt like she was a part of something much grander and beautiful. Despite having a short fall-out with her crewmates during the Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs, Robin learned what it meant to feel loved by friends.
5 Focus On What You Have & Not What You Lost
To lose someone close regardless of their affiliation is a difficult situation to cope with, especially if their passing happens right before someone's eyes. Luffy had to witness many tragedies occur in front of him. In every situation, he felt dread, emptiness, and less willpower.
Seeing Luffy cry endlessly to one of the most shocking deaths in the series was difficult for the characters around him and the anime's fans to handle. However, the Warlord ally Jinbei made sure to let Luffy realize that he still had family who needed him to lead them to their destiny. The scene between Jinbei and Luffy left fans realizing why it's vital to keep fighting even after facing tragedy.
4 Always Be Yourself & Never Change For People
An ongoing issue that many people face once in their lives is having the willpower to never change for someone. Ivankov's appearance left fans with this message with his outward appearance and sparkling sense of charisma.
Regardless of how he appeared in front of people or what cruel things others told him, Ivankov never let naysayers bring him or others like him down. Ivankov's willingness to train Sanji after the events of Sabaody serves as a testament to how noble and kind-hearted he is as a pirate. Being comfortable with who you are and what you represent is the main lesson anyone can learn from this character.
3 Discrimination Is A Serious Issue & Shouldn't Be Taken Lightly
Fisher Tiger's demise is one of One Piece's saddest deaths that broke fans' hearts because of why and how it happened. Fisher Tiger was a proud leader to his fellow Fishmen and even cared for human lives despite being enslaved by humans in the past. Despite being a former slave to humans, Fisher Tiger showed care for humans and often rescued them from cruel people.
Even after he's gunned down by marines and is denied human blood to save his life, Fisher Tiger died knowing that future human beings would break the discriminatory barrier between Fishmen and humans. His wish may have come to pass thanks to Luffy and his recent good-willed actions toward the Fishmen.
2 It's Okay To Ask For Help
Whenever someone's asked what their favorite One Piece scene was in the franchise, many will refer to the moment where Nico Robin desperately told Luffy and his crew that she wanted to live. It's a dramatic moment, not because of stellar voice acting, soundtrack, or animation, but for the lesson it left fans.
The lesson is to seek help from others whenever in a dire situation. Although there are other notable scenes like Nami's cries for help with Arlong, Robin's former villainous background adds some weight to this testament, considering the bond she forms with them after joining the crew in Alabasta.
1 Don't Be Afraid To Take On People Who Are Bigger Than You
Even though Luffy has his downfalls concerning his overconfidence, recklessness, and hotheaded traits, he's not one to back down to anyone that wishes to harm others. Luffy has proven numerous times why people should stand up for themselves regardless of how monstrous or cruel their opponent is.
Some examples include Luffy's willingness to stand up to Arlong to protect Nami, fighting a celestial dragon to avenge Hatchan, and taking on Big Mom to get Sanji back. Like a king to his subordinates, Luffy doesn't like bowing to anyone and will try his best to make sure the evildoer is put in their place one way or another.
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