With over a thousand episodes to its name, One Piece has given fans countless unforgettable moments, some so powerful, so thrilling, or so emotionally devastating that revisiting them doesn’t just feel like a treat; it feels necessary.
This list highlights eight of the most rewatchable episodes in One Piece, selected not just for their animation or action, but for the weight they carry within the story, the emotions they stir, and the lasting impression they’ve left on the fanbase.
8 The Three-Sword Style Of The Supreme King! Zoro vs. King
Episode 1062
Zoro has had many fights in One Piece, but few are as visually masterful and symbolically loaded as his battle against King. Episode 1062 marks the moment when Zoro doesn’t just swing his swords, he announces his worth as the right-hand man of the future Pirate King.
The fight between Zoro and King during the climax of the Onigashima raid is peak animation and storytelling. King, a Lunarian from the extinct race known for their fire-based durability, had been untouchable throughout the arc. No one could land a meaningful hit on him, until Zoro unlocked Advanced Conqueror’s Haki. The moment he coats his swords in black lightning is not just a power-up; it’s a rite of passage.
What makes this episode so rewatchable isn’t just the flashy swordplay, it’s how Zoro embraces the legacy of Ryuma, the Sword God of Wano, and asserts himself as a warrior who can “cut everything.” The animators at Toei pulled no punches either, the fight choreography is film-quality, with Sakuga moments that fans replay frame-by-frame.
This is also the episode where Zoro names his final attack, “King of Hell Three Sword Style,” a declaration that he’s no longer just chasing Mihawk, he’s carving his own legend.
7 Attack On A Celestial! — Luffy's King Kong Gun Of Anger!
Episode 733
If there’s ever been a punch that One Piece fans have rewatched on loop, it’s the one that Luffy delivered straight into Doflamingo’s smug face. Episode 733 captures the climax of the Dressrosa arc, a saga that took over 100 episodes and brought the entire nation to its knees under the tyranny of a Celestial Dragon.
Luffy’s final attack, the King Kong Gun, isn’t just about brute strength. It’s the culmination of Gear Fourth’s peak and a symbol of Dressrosa’s liberation. The animation slows time as Doflamingo is launched into the bedrock of the country he ruled through fear. This punch was more than deserved for fans who sat through his manipulation of Law, the cruelty to Rebecca, and the collapse of the Colosseum. It was catharsis.
Behind the epic finish is a deeper theme: this is the first time Luffy defeats a Warlord who is also connected to the Celestial Dragons. It foreshadows his growing involvement in the world’s dark power structure. Rewatching this episode means reliving the moment when tyranny was shattered by pure willpowe
6 Straw Hat Luffy — The Man Who Will Become the Pirate King
Episode 1015
Even in a series packed with emotional moments and long-awaited clashes, Episode 1015 stands apart. Adapted from Chapter 1000, the episode marks the start of Luffy’s confrontation with Kaido and Big Mom atop the Skull Dome, but it’s so much more than a fight.
Directed by Megumi Ishitani, this episode is revered for its cinematic quality. Instead of rushing into action, the episode takes time to reflect on Luffy’s journey through flashbacks that span from Sabaody to Marineford to Punk Hazard and Dressrosa. The pacing, music, and art style all shift to match the emotional tone of each memory. For longtime fans, it’s a reward for staying on the journey.
But the standout moment, and the one that makes this episode endlessly rewatchable, is when Luffy walks past the defeated Supernovas and tells Kaido, “I’m the man who will surpass you… and become the King of the Pirates.” As Overtaken plays, he punches Kaido with a Red Roc, shaking the Yonko’s composure for the first time.
It’s not just a fight, it’s a statement. For the first time since the Grand Line, Luffy feels ready. And fans hit replay because that moment still gives chills.
5 Disappearing Crew — The Final Day of the Straw Hat Crew
Episode 405
Episode 405 is the kind of heartbreak that One Piece rarely delivers, a complete defeat with no hopeful cliffhanger. Bartholomew Kuma is picking off the crew one by one, and no matter what they try, nothing works.
Zoro vanishes first. Then Sanji, then Franky, until Luffy, screaming at the top of his lungs, watches helplessly as the last of his crew disappears. The scene is brutal. There’s no music. Just Luffy’s raw, unfiltered panic and despair. It’s one of the only times where Luffy is utterly broken, punching the ground as if trying to wake up from a nightmare.
This episode is essential to rewatch not just for the emotion but for its placement in the story. It’s the precursor to the time skip. It marks the moment when Luffy realizes he isn’t strong enough to protect anyone, and it directly leads to his growth in Amazon Lily, Marineford, and beyond.
For fans who want to remember what rock bottom looked like for the Straw Hats, this is the episode that shows you the price of dreaming without preparation.
4 A New Chapter Begins — The Straw Hat Crew Reunites!
Episode 517
After nearly 100 episodes apart, the Straw Hat Pirates finally reunite on Sabaody Archipelago. Episode 517 doesn’t rely on combat or heavy drama, it thrives on familiarity, warmth, and a quiet confidence that these characters are no longer the same.
Each crew member arrives in their post-time skip design, exuding maturity and power. Luffy’s Haki scares off a giant Sea King with nothing but a stare. Zoro cuts down a Pacifista with one swing. Nami, Usopp, and even Chopper all carry a new sense of capability. It’s not just about appearances, it’s about watching them walk the walk after two years of absence.
Rewatching this episode feels like going home. You see how much they’ve grown, not just as fighters but as a family. There’s also a lot of subtle humor here, like the fake Straw Hat crew or Sanji’s nosebleeds, which balances the episode with lightness.
This is where the “New World” era begins. And fans return to it because it’s a reminder that the journey isn’t over, it’s just about to get even better.
3 A Heartbreaking Duel — Luffy vs. Sanji — Part 2
Episode 808
Not many fights in One Piece hurt as much as the one between Luffy and Sanji. Episode 808 doesn’t showcase a clash of Haki or devil fruits, it showcases heartbreak, loyalty, and the unspoken bond between two men who refuse to abandon each other.
Sanji, forced into submission by the Vinsmoke family and Big Mom’s political games, beats Luffy to drive him away. And Luffy, battered and bloody, refuses to throw a single punch. He just stands there and takes it, demanding that Sanji come back.
The scene is raw. Luffy’s words, “I’m not eating anything unless it’s made by you!”, carry more weight than a thousand punches. He collapses from hunger, but his resolve remains intact.
This episode deserves rewatch after rewatch because of its emotional honesty. It’s not about winning, it’s about refusing to give up on someone you love.
2 Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!
Episode 278
There are moments in One Piece that transcend anime, and Robin yelling “I want to live!” is one of them. Episode 278 is the emotional climax of the Enies Lobby arc, a rescue mission unlike any other.
After a lifetime of running, of believing she didn’t deserve happiness, Robin finally breaks down when Luffy tells her he’ll save her no matter what. The entire crew rallies behind her, declaring war on the World Government by burning the flag at Enies Lobby.
The power of this episode isn’t in flashy attacks, it’s in conviction. Each Straw Hat declares Robin a friend worth dying for. And when Sogeking (Usopp) sets the government’s symbol ablaze, the anime pauses just enough to let that moment burn into your memory.
It’s endlessly rewatchable because no matter how many times you see it, that scene always delivers. It’s when Robin finally chooses to live. And in that single moment, One Piece showed why it’s not just a pirate story
1 Thank You Merry! The Sea of Separation in the Snow
Episode 312
No goodbye in One Piece has ever been as painful, or as beautiful, as the farewell to the Going Merry. Episode 312 is the death of a ship. But it’s treated like the loss of a crewmate.
After carrying the Straw Hats across countless seas, from East Blue to Skypiea, the Merry finally gives in. Its keel is broken, and even Iceburg admits it can’t be repaired. But then the unthinkable happens: the ship speaks.
With a voice that echoes through snowfall, the Merry apologizes for not taking them further. And Luffy, tears streaming, apologizes for breaking it so many times. There’s no battle here. No villain to defeat. Just a boy saying goodbye to his oldest friend.
This episode is more than sad, it’s poetic. It reflects Oda’s ability to make even a ship feel alive. And for fans, it’s the ultimate reminder that One Piece doesn’t just make you love characters, it makes you love everything they sail on.
Rewatch it when you need to cry. Rewatch it when you want to remember why One Piece means so much.
