10 Heartrending Moments in One Piece That Will Leave You in Tears

Get ready to shed some tears as we count down the top 10 most emotional moments in One Piece that left us all reaching for the tissues.

Even the most die-hard fans know that One Piece is more than just humor and action - it's filled with deeply moving scenes that tug at the heartstrings. Whether it's a heartwarming moment or a devastating backstory, One Piece has proven time and time again that it's not afraid to bring on the waterworks.

The 10 most emotional moments in One Piece

10. Trafalgar Law’s backstory with Corazon

This list will only feature moments from completed story arcs, so nothing from Egghead Island will be included. This is fortunate, as otherwise we would be discussing Bartholomew Kuma's backstory endlessly.

Trafalgar Law is arguably the most popular character from the Worst Generation, aside from the Straw Hat crew. He is a pirate doctor with peculiar powers that align with his sadistic nature. His backstory is rife with darkness and, unexpectedly, compassion, particularly after encountering Corazon, an undercover agent who was spying on his brother, Donquixote Doflamingo.

Delving into his backstory, Law is afflicted by Amber Lead syndrome, a seemingly terminal disease; unsure of his remaining time, he becomes entangled in the events that lead to the rise of the Donquixote Family in the criminal world. The genuine affection that Corazon shows Law brings him hope for survival as they search for a cure using the Op-Op Fruit, despite the inevitable loss of Corazon’s life.

9. Usopp and Luffy’s falling out over the Merry

The news of the Going Merry being beyond repair sends tensions soaring as Usopp, still recovering, adamantly rejects the reality. Having failed the crew by allowing their repair funds to be stolen by Franky’s crime family, Usopp feels inadequate in his attempts to retrieve the money.

8. Usopp rejoins the crew

Usopp often inserts himself into the conversation because he believes that Luffy is also talking about him, just like the Going Merry; it's easier to feel discarded and beyond repair than to put in the effort to mend the situation. This sentiment resonates strongly with perhaps the most vulnerable member of the Straw Hat crew, who was left as battered and broken as the Going Merry.

Not all of these One Piece emotional moments were meant to be sad. After the emotional breakup in Water 7, the Straw Hats and the disguised Usopp unite to rescue Nico Robin from the clutches of CP9, successfully bring her back, and finally gain the new ship, the Thousand Sunny, along with shipwright Franky. The only missing piece is their skilled marksman.

7. Arlong betrays Nami

Zoro's valid point about Usopp's re-entry after an apology, prior to Usopp swallowing his pride, acknowledges the importance of maintaining Luffy's role as Captain. The touching reactions of the characters, with many of them crying, and Zoro's pride in Usopp, along with Sanji's joyful screams, all highlight the special significance of this moment for both the crew and the audience.

In the East Blue, Arlong made a deal with Nami when he took over her village. He agreed to release the town for 100 million berries, but in return, Nami had to work for him by creating maps. Nami had been resilient up to this point, even taking on the role of babysitter for the Straw Hats to keep them safe. Witnessing such a strong character break down, resorting to self-harm, was truly difficult to witness.

6. Chopper’s backstory with Dr. Hiriluk

Nami is pushed to her breaking point when Arlong uses his influence to manipulate the situation, employing corrupt marines to enforce his control over her. Despite not technically breaking their deal, Nami is all too aware of Arlong's tactics and the lengths he will go to in order to keep her as his navigator, even to the point of potentially developing Stockholm Syndrome in her captivity with the Fishman.

Dr. Kureha is initially reluctant to aid the Straw Hats when they arrive at her snowy abode. However, when she discloses Chopper’s background to the recovering Nami, we gain insight into Chopper’s unwavering loyalty to his island. We also learn about the cruel mistreatment he endured from both humans and wildlife after consuming a human-human Devil Fruit. With no one else to turn to, the terminally ill Dr. Hiriluk takes Chopper in and cares for him as if he were his own son.

5. Nico Robin’s backstory, Ohara and beyond

Chopper's origin story delivers a powerful message: "Good intentions can only take you so far if you can't support them with action." Hiriluk may not have been a skilled doctor - he was sadly known as a quack - but he remained an optimist who believed that the corrupt Drum Kingdom could still be saved from the tyranny of their ruler, Wapol. As the crew bids farewell to Drum Island, Chopper witnesses Hiriluk's dream come true as cherry blossoms fill the sky, symbolizing a new beginning.

While having a tragic backstory doesn't automatically qualify someone to join the Straw Hat crew, it certainly seems to have played a significant role in Robin's journey. Bullied in her childhood due to her unusual Devil Fruit powers, Robin found comfort in knowledge, only to have her entire village massacred by the Marines. She survived thanks to Aokiji's mercy, but now carries a dangerously high bounty on her head.

4. Kuma breaks up the Straw Hat crew

Robin’s tragedy is not only defined by the incident at Ohara, but also by the way the world treats her as she struggles to survive with a target on her back. The indifference of strangers to a young girl in need of help forces her to seek safety in the criminal underworld, ultimately connecting her backstory to Baroque Works and Crocodile.

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The Saboady Archipelago arc becomes infamous as Luffy puts the crew in the crosshairs of the Marine Admirals after slugging a Celestial Dragon and saving their Fishman friends from slavery. From this point onwards, they face an uphill battle for survival against the marines, the mechanical monsters known as the Pacifista, Admiral Kizaru, and eventually the formidable Bartholomew Kuma.

3. Ace dies in Luffy’s arms

With the benefit of hindsight, what Kuma does is actually a mercy for the Straw Hats. They are simply not prepared to face the challenges of the New World just yet, so being separated allows them the time to train and grow stronger for the journey ahead. However, it is still an incredibly difficult struggle for Luffy, who can do nothing but weep as his cherished crew members disappear one by one.

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The deaths in One Piece are always filled with emotion, but what makes Ace’s death particularly heartbreaking is the near miss of Luffy's attempt to save him. After being separated by Kuma, Luffy discovers that the navy intends to execute his brother Ace and is determined to rescue him. Luffy embarks on a journey through Amazon Lily, Impel Down, all the way to the war at Marineford, and comes agonizingly close to freeing Ace from his shackles before the inevitable tragedy unfolds.

In a true big brother fashion, Ace intervenes to block a fatal blow from the marine admiral Akainu, resulting in Luffy falling into a comatose state as Jimbei helps him escape from Marineford. The aftermath of this situation leads Luffy to feel grateful that he still has his crew, even if they are lost somewhere in the world. They all prepare to find Luffy as soon as they hear about what has happened, until their captain decides to delay their reunion.

2. Brooks’ backstory and the bittersweet Binks’ Sake

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Brook, alongside Luffy, is one of the most cheerful members of the Straw Hats, but beneath his bony smile lies the most heart-wrenching backstory in the entire series. It wouldn't be surprising if the poor afro-skeleton lost his mind, and with the way he jokes about his past, he may very well have. As we learn more about Brook during Thriller Bark, the more tragic his situation becomes, and we can't help but root for him to join the Straw Hat crew.

1. The crew says goodbye to the Going Merry

Brook's connection to Laboon the Whale brings him closer to the Straw Hats. After his former captain died from illness and his crew gradually perished from an enemy attack while singing “Binks’ Sake,” Brook was granted another chance at life through his Devil Fruit ability. However, he couldn't find his body until it had turned to bones, and he spent almost 50 years alone. The one upside is that Brook can finally sing with friends once again.

Parting ways with a friend can be challenging, but bidding farewell to a friend who is terminally ill is even more so. The Going Merry served as the Straw Hats’ vessel, abode, and companion until the rigors of their epic journey gradually took a toll on her. Despite the crew's efforts to refurbish her using the treasures from Skypiea, she was deemed irreparable, and Luffy took the news very badly.

The irreparable condition of the Going Merry sets the stage for the emotional story of Water 7, leading to Usopp and Luffy's dramatic falling out. To make matters worse, CP9 sends the ship off to sink in a storm. The boat gains sentience, rescues the crew from Enis Lobby, and Luffy delivers an emotional apology for taking advantage of their friend. In a poignant moment, an ethereal voice thanks the crew for such a wonderful life. This scene has left a lasting impact on every One Piece fan.

These are our rankings of the most emotional moments in One Piece. For more One Piece rankings, check out our picks for the best story arcs and the best fights in the entire One Piece series. You may also want to see Luffy's new look on Egghead Island.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find the emotional moments in One Piece to be incredibly powerful and impactful. The series does an amazing job of developing its characters and their relationships, making it easy to connect with them on a deep level. Moments like Law's backstory and the Going Merry's farewell truly tug at my heartstrings and leave me feeling a range of emotions, from sadness to empathy to hope.

One thing that stands out to me about One Piece is its ability to balance these emotional moments with humor and lightheartedness. The series knows how to make me laugh and cry in the same episode, which is a testament to its excellent storytelling. Overall, I appreciate the emotional depth that One Piece brings to the table and believe it is one of the things that makes it such a beloved and enduring anime.

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.