Sure, One Piece is full of zany fun and strange powers. It’s also known for the knockdown, drag-out fights against other pirates or government agents the Straw Hats face. These are just some of One Piece Best Emotional fights throughout the series, showing the power and grit of the Straw Hats in all their glory!
11. Luffy vs Arlong
One of the first big character moments in One Piece was also the first time fans saw the Straw Hats as a true team. The East Blue crew went on a massive offensive against Arlong and his fish-man pirates and showed that Luffy is going to need his dedicated crew to balance out his weaknesses. Arlong managed to use Luffy’s weakness to water to his advantage, causing Sanji to swim down and stretch Luffy’s head above water. Finally recovering from his Devil Fruit weakness, Luffy made sure to show Arlong who was the real pirate immediately after.
He showed off, too! While the first few major fights ended with a new signature move from Luffy, his use of the Gum Gum Ax to destroy Arlong Park in a single kick was a fantastic finish to one of One Piece’s best early fights.
10. Sanji vs Queen
Sanji has been a huge focus in the last few arcs of One Piece, starting with Zao when he was taken hostage under threat to his loved ones. The journey from hostage Sanji to awakening his latent genetic engineering by Germa was a long one, but the result of his fight with Queen was worth it. Even as it was drug out, with Sanji on the run from both Queen and his Germa powers, the character development and final fight were worth it all.
Sanji using his new powers in league with his already formidable Haki was the winning combo. He was able to strike down Queen with his newest Ifrit Jambe move, scorching the dinosaur man into defeat with a superheated kick.
9. Zolo vs Daz Bones
Zolo vs. King had great development for Zolo and his newly crowned King of Hell style. Would that have been the case without his original Alabasta fight against Daz Bones though? The Pirate Hunter had his work cut out for him against Baroque Works Mr. 1, able to turn his entire body into blades thanks to his Devil Fruit.
He made it though, pushing himself further and finding a way to cut through steel in the process of defeating the Baroque Works big shot. The battle became a legendary act by Zolo, proving the swordsman could cut through anything if he set his mind to it.
8. Everyone vs Enel
Enel legitimately made himself seem like a god when first introduced. With his advanced Color of Observation Haki (called Mantra in Skypeia), he was able to keep tabs on everyone in the country! Not only is it terrible to have a dictator in charge, but one that can zap those that can say anything against him just makes it worse.
It took the whole Straw Hat crew to get a win over Enel. Nami made herself a fake hostage, Sanji fought, Zolo brought down the stalk to Upper Yard, and Chopper did doctor things. Luffy was the one to finalize the defeat. His natural insulation against electricity let Luffy get in close, ringing Enel’s bell with a massive, gold boulder. Afterward, his image appeared in the sky above Jaya thanks to the mists and sun, giving the first clue of Joyboy’s return.
7. Luffy vs Doflamingo
Gear Four! The debut of Bounceman was something totally unexpected, with Luffy’s Gear Three mostly prominent since the time skip. Doffy’s Awakened meant powers, Luffy had to pull out the big guns with Bounceman. Gear Four allowed a much more brutal approach to beating the Joker of Dressrosa into defeat.
This battle was a marathon for Luffy, with distractions by everyone from Bellamy to Doflamingo’s Black Knight clones. When he finally got to 1v1 Doffy, Bounceman allowed Luffy to stop the Bird Cage and save Dressrosa. If that wasn’t enough it gained him the admiration of Doflamingo’s victims, and in turn the Straw Hat Fleet..
6. Entire Marineford Battle
Holy hell was Marineford intense. Best described as the mid-point of One Piece, it also was the best and most fierce battle yet. The Navy, after their capture of Ace, lured Whitebeard’s forces to their base of Marineford. Little did they know Luffy and other wild cards would show up, specifically Trafalgar Law and Impel Down convicts.
The desperate race to save Ace was the central emotional thread of the fight. That said, the death of Whitebeard, Garp’s final realization of love for his adopted son, and Blackbeard’s unexpected arrival made for fantastic moments in battle. The surprise wash Shanks, arrived just in time to save a desperate, distraught Koby from death by his own Admiral.
5. Law and Kid vs Big Mom
One of the biggest and best Wano battles (of many) gave two amazing Awakened Devil Fruits to the Worst Generation. Law unlocked the ability to set up his ROOM attack remotely, operating on Big Mom from afar. Meanwhile, Kid achieved the power to magnetize anything, effectively entombing Big Mom in a coffin of steel and scraps.
This fight raged for so long audience thought the Emperor of Whole Cake Island would take the win. She used her Soul-Soul Fruit to drain the spirits and lives of those around her, prolonging the battle even more. Finally, Law and Kid were able to send her flying through the floor, where she fell into a literal Hell.
4. Luffy vs Katakuri
Not only a good, character-driven fight, Luffy vs. Katakuri was also one of the best fights of One Piece. Luffy jumps into Mirro-World to buy time, instead meets Katakuri, before matching blows down to the moment they both fall. The fight raged for a whole night as Luffy both ran and fought, desperate to distract from the escaping Sunny.
What pushed this from average to best though? When Katakuri discovers his sister has intervened, allowing him to gravely wound Luffy. His immediate move to stab himself in the same spot to level the field is badassery fitting of Katakuri. He and Luffy even teamed, using Conqueror Haki to chase off interference. Katakuri’s question of if Luffy will come back to Totto Land eventually was the perfect end. There was even a sweet moment between Katakuri and the otherwise maligned Brulee, finally giving her some development.
3. Nightmare Luffy vs Gecko Moria
This was almost a prototype fight for Luffy’s Gear 3 and 4. Thriller Bark was a tense arc with high stakes, almost resulting in death for many in the Straw Hat Crew. Their stolen shadows, if not returned before daylight, would disintegrate. Sanji and others were goners until the final, decisive blow was dealt to Moria. Gecko Moria happened to be piloting a zombie Oars like an EVA Unit at the time.
Luckily, prisoners led by Big Mom’s daughter Lola had a final trick up their sleeves. Turns out, they captured any shadows they couldn’t find matches for and decided to shove all those shadows into Luffy. The result was a hulking terror, all of Luffy’s latent power and strength, now infused with the skills and strength of all those shadows’ original owners. This fight gets bonus points for the fallout as well, with Zolo’s infamous “Nothing happened.” scene giving yet another reminder of why he’s first mate.
2. Luffy vs Kaido
The decisive battle for Wano atop the floating island of Onigashima! Although Luffy, at one point knocked from the dome, had Yamato quickly fight in his place. He caught a ride back to the floating fortress before using both Bounceman and Snakeman back to back.
Even that wasn’t enough to take down Kaido though, leaving fans stunned. when Luffy’s heartbeat disappeared. That was only the beginning as his Devil Fruit Awakened, discovering the true name and Gear Five: Joyboy! The newly powered-up Joyboy proceeds to kick Kaido’s ass down to Hell with Big Mom.
1. Straw Hats vs Cipher-Pol 9
Not so hot take, Enies Lobby is one of the best arcs of One Piece, not only contains the best fight but multiple fights. Even Chopper got an amazing fight and debuted Monster Point in the process! Everyone knows the real star of the arc is Luffy vs. Rob Lucci, although not enough can be said about how intense Zolo vs. Kaku is. When Zolo slashed an entire building, making it fell like a Jenga tower. Nami vs. Kalifa introduced Nami’s new and improved Weather Baton which allowed her to save Sanji! It was also the first time Franky stood tall with the Straw Hats, joining their declaration of war.
Luffy vs. Rob Lucci was just the final chef’s kiss to the entire arc. Lucci pulled out his total Zoan transformation, almost killing himself and Luffy in the process by collapsing the underground tunnel. Not to be outdone Luffy unveiled his new Gear Two, dropping a glimpse of Gear Three in the process. This arc just has all-around amazing battles, and set a very high standard before One Piece was even half done.
That’s a knockout on the rankings of One Piece’s best fights (so far)! The manga, now well into the final saga as it returns this month with the Future Island arc. The anime is just getting around to Gear Five, there are more amazing brawls yet to come!
