Thanks to Devil Fruits, assorted abilities, and strange landscapes in the Grand Line, One Piece has some of the most interesting and unique shonen battles. Arguably, every fight has an element that gives it a distinctive edge, such as impediments to certain abilities or a newly introduced component.
To up the ante, certain encounters are further complicated by personal allegiances, conflicted emotions, and unexpected outcomes. These factors contribute to memorable battles that push the story and character development forward while incorporating new and noteworthy features.
10 Luffy Turns His Golden Encumbrance Into An Advantage
When the Straw Hats travel to Skypeia, they encounter Enel, the nigh-immortal being who rules over Angel Island with a tyrannical touch and a Rumble-Rumble Devil Fruit. With his heightened awareness and lightning control, Enel is thought to be unbeatable. Enel is even capable of reviving himself by using his abilities to restart his heart. Ironically, his electricity-based abilities make Luffy and his rubbery body, the only one who can defeat him. Luffy weaponized the giant gold ball that Enel fuses to his hand to impede him. This move ousts Enel from Skypeia for good and rings the Shandorian Bell as a bonus.
9 Nami Shows Off Her Clima-Tact
Although Nami is the Straw Hats’ voice of reason and navigator, she doesn’t possess the same combat abilities as Luffy, Sanji, or Zoro. However, her confrontation with Baroque Works’ Miss Doublefinger marks a turning point in Nami’s ability to effectively defend herself for prolonged periods of time.
Using Usopp’s improvised tool and her in-depth weather knowledge, Nami is able to manipulate the device’s capabilities, including odd outputs such as temperature bubbles, fake birds, and water drizzles. As a result, Nami defeats a Baroque Work agent and makes her getaway.
8 Luffy Grows To Outmatch A Devil Fruit CP9 Operative
Luffy’s Gum-Gum Devil Fruit makes him a respectable opponent in battle. Nevertheless, Luffy can still be outclassed by other powerful Devil Fruits. This makes his fight with Lucci in Enies Lobby even more impressive since the latter is a CP9 operative trained in Rokushiki martial arts, with a Cat-Cat Devil Fruit. Lucci pushes Luffy and forces him to shift into Gear 2 and Gear 3, which nearly expends his energy completely before emerging victorious. This fight also cements Robin’s status as an official Straw Hat Pirate.
7 Mihawk Challenges Zoro To Be Better
Before Going Merry enters the Grand Line, Zoro meets Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the strongest swordsman in the world. An early sign of what awaits them in the Grand Line, Mihawk singlehandedly decimates the Krieg Pirates’ armada before Zoro challenges him. Impressed with Zoro’s determination, and desire to die if he can’t win, Mihawk dubs Zoro worthy and spares his life. Mihawk instructs the Straw Hats to tell Zoro to find him and challenge him again once he improves his skill. This fight plays into Zoro’s desire to be the best swordsman in the world and leads to his vow to never lose again.
6 Aokiji Outmaneuvers Robin And Brings A Warning
Aokiji’s arrival foreshadows Robin’s backstory and the events at Water 7. Aokiji incapacitates Robin in an attempt to arrest her, and neatly disarms the Straw Hats with his Ice-Ice Devil Fruit. He only leaves after Luffy outsmarts him through wordplay. Aokiji is an imposing threat, he’s only held at bay because he chooses to retreat. He’s also responsible for CP9’s actions at Water 7. The Straw Hats’ encounter with Aokiji also establishes the lengths they will go to protect Robin as they rush her back to the Going Merry to thaw her out.
5 Mr. 3 Nearly Kills With His Dramatic Wax Devil Fruit
The Little Garden Arc introduced Baroque Works operative Mr. 3, and his partner Miss Golden Week. Mr. 3 trapped Vivi, Nami, and Zoro atop his wax monstrosity with his Wax-Wax Devil Fruit while more of the substance rained down from above to smother them to death.
Luffy is severely inhibited by Miss Golden Week who is able to affect his moods and actions with her powerful paint colors. It takes Usopp’s ingenuity and speedy work from Karoo to free the trio from Mr. 3’s control and give the Straw Hats a fighting chance, with Zoro nearly severing his legs beforehand.
4 Sabo Proves His Worthiness As Ace’s Successor
Sabo was presumed dead for several years. To fans’ surprise he reappeared alive and well in the Dressrosa Arc. After consuming the Flame-Flame Fruit, Sabo gained Ace’s former powers and battled Jesus Burgess, one of the competitors in the Corrida Colosseum. In events that mirror those at Marineford, Sabo jumps in to defend Luffy from Burgess and is goaded into a fight when Burgess insults Ace’s memory. Unlike Ace, Sabo is able to defeat Burgess while simultaneously showing off his skills with his new Devil Fruit, affirming that he is a worthy successor.
3 Luffy Impresses Katakuri Even As He Defeats Him
Big Mom’s son Charlotte Katakuri is one of Luffy’s biggest opponents. With his Mochi-Mochi Devil Fruit and amazing strength, Katakuri invades the Thousand Sunny through Charlotte Brûlée’s mirror-traveling Devil Fruit. In order to ensure his friend’s escape, Luffy forced Katakuri into the Mirror-World and breaks the mirror to trap them in the dimension. The fight takes a while with Luffy needing to temporarily withdraw more than once to regain his Haki. During their fight a mutual respect grows between the two rivals. Luffy is victorious but is also held in high regard by Katakuri who wishes him well.
2 Usopp Shows Effective Battle Prowess For The First Time
Ussop and Luffy’s battle is one of the most emotional showdowns in One Piece. This conflict marks the first major rift among the Straw Hats. Feeling useless after being robbed of their Skypeian treasure, Usopp takes it personally when Luffy opts for getting a new ship at Water 7 rather than fixing the Going Merry.
With Usopp unable to admit that Merry is severely compromised and Luffy not choosing his words carefully, the former leaves the crew and challenges his captain to a duel over Merry’s ownership. Despite being used for comedic relief, Usopp’s attack, Stars and Dials surprisingly does a great deal of damage against Luffy who is hesitant to harm Usopp.
1 Ace And Luffy Back Each Other Up At Marineford
At Marineford the brothers’ partnership is showcased onscreen, letting viewers see the duo fighting together as adults. Flame and rubber work in perfect tandem to ward off the Marines once Ace is released, working as an awesome climax to the tension built since Ace was captured. While Ace and Luffy’s teamwork gives it an edge, the fight is also defined by its tragic outcome. On the verge of escaping, Ace is easily baited into reentering the fray after Admiral Akainu insults Whitebeard. Since Akainu’s Magma-Magma Fruit is more powerful, he ultimately kills Ace who is shielding Luffy. The death of this fan-favorite is easily one of the story’s most iconic and heartbreaking moments.
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