At over 1,000 episodes and growing, One Piece is the longest-running shonen anime in history, and with each passing year, it continues to reach more and more people around the world. While there is plenty of content for fans of the franchise to sink their teeth into, some of One Piece's best episodes are so good that they completely justify a second viewing.
Whether they heavily feature combat, character development, or world-building, there is a long list of rewatchable One Piece episodes that are sure to reminds viewers of why the series has become such an international phenomenon. As the series heads into its final saga, it's the perfect time to reexamine some of its high points.
10 Roronoa Zoro Stands Against Bartholomew Kuma To Save Luffy
Episode 377 "My Crewmate's Pain Is My Pain, Zoro Fights Prepared To Die"
Roronoa Zoro isn't the main character of One Piece, but his struggle to become the World's Strongest Swordsman is more synonymous with the shonen journey than even Monkey D. Luffy. The swordsman's growth stems solely from his overwhelming willpower — a trait that is never on display more than his encounter with Bartholomew Kuma.
After the Straw Hat Pirates emerge victorious from their encounter with Gecko Moria on Thriller Bark, they are completely exhausted and unable to defend themselves from Kuma when he arrives. In a scene guaranteed to give fans goosebumps no matter how many times they rewatch it, Zoro volunteers to save his captain's life by absorbing all of Luffy's pain and suffering, only to then brush off the act by stating that nothing happened.
9 The Straw Hat Pirates' Reunion Puts A Bow On The Best Timeskip In Anime History
Episode 522 "Everyone Is Gathered — Luffy Sets Sail To The New World"
The Straw Hat Pirates' defeat in the Sabaody Archipelago arc is one of the most devastating moments in One Piece, which is why their reunion two years later is such a joyous occasion. During this sequence, each member of Luffy's crew debuts their new design, giving fans a glimpse of the progress they each made while training throughout the timeskip.
Watching One Piece's protagonists evade the Marines never gets old, and it's especially enjoyable during moments like their return to Sabaody Archipelago. As far as post-timeskip episodes of the series go, few are more rewatchable than Episode 522.
8 Luffy's Battle With Charlotte Katakuri Draws To A Close
Episode 870 "A Fist Of Divine Speed — Another Gear 4 Application Activated!"
When Monkey D. Luffy travels to Whole Cake Island, he's fresh off the heels of victories against Hordy Jones, Casesar Clown, and Donquixote Doflamingo. Because of this recent success, Luffy sets his sights on his biggest target yet: an Emperor of the Sea. However, when the plan to take down Charlotte Linlin goes awry, the Straw Hat Captain is forced to take on her strongest subordinate, Charlotte Katakuri, in a one-on-one fight.
Katakuri isn't as strong as his mother, but he's more than capable of pushing Luffy to his limit. The pair's battle easily ranks as one of the best in One Piece, and thanks to the dazzling display put on by Katakuri and Luffy's respective Devil Fruits, the final moments of the fight are a blast to watch every time. Episode 870 ends as each pirate lands one final punch, but even more importantly, it also provides a memorable debut for Luffy's Snakeman transformation.
7 Whitebeard's Retaliation For Ace's Death Demonstrates The True Strength Of An Emperor
Episode 484 "The Navy Headquarters Falls! Whitebeard's Unspeakable Wrath!"
For over four hundred episodes, One Piece teases the power of legendary figures like Monkey D. Garp, Shanks, and Whitebeard, yet it isn't until the events of the Marineford Arc that their abilities are ultimately revealed. Thankfully, when Whitebeard finally initiates the Summit War by unleashing his wrath, it completely changes the series forever.
Whitebeard' Tremor-Tremor Fruit is said to be the strongest Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, and given its earth-shattering display in Episode 484, that seems to be completely true. Even 12 years after initially airing, this sequence still perfectly captures the power of an Emperor of the Sea, which is why it's potentially the most rewatchable pre-timeskip fight in One Piece.
6 Luffy's Red Roc Attack Is A Beautiful Reminder Of His Biggest Goal
Episode 1015 "Straw Hat Luffy! The Man Who Will Become King Of The Pirates!"
The Raid on Onigashima is the largest pirate-on-pirate conflict in One Piece, and it sets the stage for Monkey D. Luffy to finally claim is rightful spot as an Emperor of the Sea. However, as evidenced by the title of Episode 1015, the Straw Hat Captain's biggest goal is much larger than this.
As Luffy, Trafalgar D. Law, and Eustass Kid prepare to challenge Kaido and Big Mom, One Piece's protagonist once again proclaims that he will become the next King of the Pirates. This scene alone is enough to justify rewatching Episode 1015, but Luffy's spectacular Red Roc attack, which asserts that he is finally powerful enough to go toe-to-toe with Kaido, pushes this sequence to another level.
5 The Gear 5 Transformation Is The Most Memorable In Recent History
Episode 1071 "Luffy's Peak — Attained! Gear 5"
There are quite a few transformations scattered throughout One Piece, but none were nearly as anticipated as Monkey D. Luffy's Gear 5 debut. After awakening his Devil Fruit during his fight with Kaido, Luffy gains access to a host of reality-altering powers, resulting in what may be the most unique transformation in shonen history.
Given the high-quality animation seen in the Raid on Onigashima, most of the episodes in One Piece's Wano Country Arc are easy to justify rewatching. However, Luffy's eye-popping transformation is simply a cut above, and because of 1071's dense action sequences, it's easy to find something new in every viewing.
4 Donquixote Doflamingo's Defeat Ends The Dressrosa Arc In Spectacular Fashion
Episode 733 — "Attack On A Celestial — Luffy's King Kong Gun Of Anger"
As far as One Piece villains go, few are more memorable than the criminal mastermind and former Warlord of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo. His eccentric personality and flamboyant outfits help him stand out from the first time that he appears on-screen, making his battle with Monkey D. Luffy one of the most-anticipated in the series.
Until meeting Doflamingo, Luffy had gone largely untested in the New World, so it's refreshing to finally see him struggle against a powerful opponent. However, despite Doflamingo's Awakened Devil Fruit, he's still no match for Luffy's Gear 4 form, which ultimately deals the disgraced Celestial Dragon a devastating defeat.
3 Roronoa Zoro's Fight With King The Wildfire Is Arguably The Most Well-Animated In One Piece
Episode 1062 "The Three-Sword Style Of The Supreme King! Zoro Vs. King!"
Most major fights involving Roronoa Zoro tend to be enjoyable; however, even by these standards, his fight with King the Wildfire is an exceptionally well-crafted sequence. In what is arguably the most well-animated episode in One Piece, the pair of first mates square off, demonstrating exactly why they're the most trusted members of their respective crews.
King's Lunarian abilities and Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit powers add a unique spin to his fight with Zoro, who ultimately manages to overcome his opponent using his quickly-developing Conqueror's Haki. King's display is spectacular, and even though he proves to be no match for the master of the three-sword style, Episode 1062 will always exist as a testament to his iconic battle with Roronoa Zoro.
2 Nico Robin's Tearful Display Captures What Makes One Piece So Special
Episode 278 — "Say You Want To Live! We Are Friends!"
Although most rewatchable One Piece episodes revolve around moments of joy, victory, or celebration, some carry much more emotional weight. This is certainly the case for Episode 278, which follows the moment Nico Robin finally abandons her self-resentment in favor of her connection with the Straw Hat Pirates.
It's easy to take Robin's cheery, post-timeskip personality for granted, but until she met the Straw Hat Pirates, her life was incredibly difficult. Seeing her embrace her friendship with Luffy and his crew is a heart-warming display, regardless of the fact that her teary-eyed display occurs in the midst of being imprisoned by CP9.
1 Luffy's First Major Victory Completely Changes The Scope Of The Series
Episode 126 "I Will Surpass You! Rain Falls On Alabasta!"
The Alabasta Kingdom Saga opens up the world of One Piece by plunging the Straw Hat Pirates into their biggest conflict to-date — Baroque Works' manipulation of Alabasta Kingdom. The criminal organization's leader, Crocodile, has caused millions of citizens to suffer by manipulating Alabasta into a civil war, so when Luffy finally defeats the villain, it makes for one of the most rewatchable episodes in the series.
Crocodile nearly kills One Piece's protagonist on two separate occasions before he is finally defeated. This only makes Luffy's final Gum-Gum Gatling attack even more enjoyable to watch, especially considering the beautiful visual of the Warlord of the Sea flying through the Alabasta skyline that follows immediately afterward.
