Robin’s tragic backstory is a central element of her character. She was branded as a criminal at a young age, and her search for the truth about the Void Century, Ohara’s destruction, and the Poneglyphs gives her character depth and complexity. This is all great for the story, but there are a ton of fan-favorite moments that need to be addressed. Here are our top 10 Nico Robin moments in the One Piece series.
1) Robin vs. The Headcracker Doll
Upon reaching the third level, Robin keenly observed a cluster of ominous black orbs approaching their vicinity. She urgently attempted to alert Bartolomeo to the impending danger, but his fascination with collaborating with the Straw Hat crew left him oblivious to the impending threat. Consequently, he fell victim to explosive attacks.
Robin effortlessly incapacitates a Headcracker Doll to rescue Bartolomeo, all without even glancing at her target. Subsequently, she delivered a heartfelt speech to Bartolomeo, elucidating why Luffy was deserving of risking one’s life. In a swift succession of actions, she dispatched the remaining Headcracker Dolls, concluding by sternly informing Gladius that she would not permit him to harm Luffy in any way.
2) Robin vs. Hakuba
Observing Hakuba gearing up for an assault, Bartolomeo quickly removed his barrier and attempted to intercept him. However, Hakuba avoided Bartolomeo’s grasp, redirecting his charge toward Robin, much to Bartolomeo’s pleas to spare her. Unfazed, Robin hastily responded to the threat by extending multiple limbs from her body to seize and immobilize Hakuba as he came to the cliffside. It was a sweet moment for sure.
3) The Power of Friendship
Robin reassured Nekomamushi, who expressed concern about the potential threats targeting her due to her ability to decipher the Poneglyphs. She confidently conveyed that she harbored no worries because she possessed formidable allies who would shield her from any such danger. It was a nice development because it showed her growing trust in the crew, which she never really had for anyone other than Clover in Ohara.
4) Nico Robin Joins The Straw Hats
There’s a lot to like with this one. For starters, we get to see that Nico Robin is willing to trust again. Second, the Straw hats are willing to protect her even though she’s a major liability. And Lastly, Usopp’s interrogation followed by Robin momentarily terrifies him. After re-watching the initiation process, a wave of nostalgia washes over you. It kind of has to be on the list. There is one final component to this situation that we’ll address later on.
5) Robin… Robs Centaurs of Their Clothing
Although not the most pivotal part in the series, the fight against Aokiji comedically reveals how far Robin is willing to go. She uses her abilities to take the Centaurs’ clothing away. Thus warming herself and her comrades. This is a neat moment because they somehow emphasized the potential Robin has for meeting that “Devil Child” label, while also emphasizing her capacity for loyalty in the face of hardship.
6) Fighting Black Maria
Their confrontation occurs in Onigashima, Kaido’s fortress, during the Straw Hat Pirates’ assault on Kaido’s forces. Black Maria, a powerful and imposing opponent, challenges Robin, who is determined to protect her friends and contribute to the crew’s mission in Wano.
Without revealing too many spoilers, the battle between Nico Robin and Black Maria is a testament to Robin’s growth as a fighter and her determination to face formidable adversaries to protect her crew and fulfill their goals in the perilous world of One Piece. The fight showcases both Robin’s unique abilities and her strategic prowess as she confronts the challenges posed by Black Maria’s formidable spider form and silk-based combat techniques.
7) Meeting The Tontatta Tribe
Fans are going to like this scene for a number of reasons. Not all of them are age-appropriate. For us, it’s just a funny Gulliver’s Travels moment where these little dwarves tie her down. She has a pretty hilarious back-and-forth with them. It’s sort of icing on the cake when her release turns out to be fairly simple.
8) Robin Saves Franky
This is a favorite for a lot of fans and it’s easy to see why. One favorite saves another favorite by learning to hone their abilities. What’s not to love? Franky’s heroism at Thriller Bark is rewarded by the universe essentially. There’s a tone of character development in just a number of seconds.
9) Freeing The Slaves
Robin found herself apprehended by the Tequila Wolf guards, who subsequently transferred her to the Prison Tower. Undaunted by the guards’ relentless interrogation methods, she remained resolute. It was during her captivity in Tequila Wolf, after being sent there by Bartholomew Kuma, that the Revolutionary Army intervened, securing the freedom of all the enslaved individuals, including Robin herself.
10) “I Want To Live”
This and number 4 kind of go hand-in-hand, but we think it’s important to isolate this one moment. In anime in general, there is always a moment fans are waiting for, and it usually has to do with character development. Robin has had a complicated relationship with the Straw Hats up until this point, but this is a paradigm shift that made many viewers actually cry. After Luffy’s questioning, Robin finally belts out the now iconic line. We can honestly say it’s probably the most touching moment Nico Robin has in the anime, and it is quite possibly going to remain that way as long as One Piece graces our screens.
