Article Overview
The best of Netflix's One Piece fight scenes are yet to come, with charming cast and accurate costume design, fans have a lot to look forward to in the show.
In live-action, witnessing Luffy's clashes with formidable foes such as Magellan, Enel, and Katakuri promises to be both perilous and gratifying. His encounters with Pacifistas and other formidable adversaries like Crocodile, Doflamingo, and Kaido not only showcase his character development but also bring about intense and exhilarating moments throughout the series.
With an abundance of untapped potential, it is evident that Netflix's One Piece fight scenes have yet to reach their pinnacle. The series has gained recognition for its captivating ensemble, extravagant practical and digital effects, and meticulous attention to costume details, successfully debunking the notion that Western adaptations of anime are doomed. What truly captivates audiences is the audacity displayed by Luffy and his crew as they confront formidable adversaries such as Buggy, Krieg, and Arlong.
However, numerous formidable foes from the One Piece manga still lie in wait for the Straw Hat pirates, their power levels escalating with time. Whether these battles involve treacherous risks, provide emotional catharsis, exhibit creative genius, or simply exude an undeniable coolness, fans can eagerly anticipate witnessing it all unfold in the Netflix adaptation. While it may take considerable time for Netflix to introduce the majority of these noteworthy encounters, it is hoped that the platform will do justice to the source material.
10. Luffy vs. Magellan
Serving as the primary adversary in the Impel Down Arc, Magellan assumes the role of the warden in the infamous Impel Down, a high-security penitentiary designed exclusively for the most perilous pirates. Structured into numerous levels that progressively descend beneath the oceanic surface, it is within the fourth division of this mammoth penitentiary, endearingly referred to as Burning Hell, that Luffy finds himself at odds with Magellan. Seeking to extract valuable information, Magellan cunningly entraps the Straw Hat Pirates, with the intention of coercing Luffy into divulging the secrets behind their audacious discovery of the supposedly concealed prison.
Magellan, an imposing figure of immense proportions, possesses commendable prowess in combat. Notwithstanding the intimidation factor, his grotesque visage serves a practical purpose, as his horns double as detachable knuckledusters that facilitate the injection of his potent poison derived from his Devil Fruit ability, the Venom-Venom Fruit. It is worth mentioning that this encounter assumes significant importance as it culminates in a resounding defeat for Luffy, leaving the optimistic pirate teetering on the precipice of death.
9. Luffy vs. Enel
Enel, a self-proclaimed deity, reigns as the despotic ruler of Skypia, an extraordinary floating island. Utilizing the extraordinary might of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he laid waste to his own homeland and then set his sights on ruling over its avian residents. Empowered by his divine arrogance, Enel's lightning abilities rendered him nearly invincible against all who dared to challenge him.
Fortunately, Luffy possessed a unique advantage as his rubber-like body proved to be the ultimate foil to Enel's electric assaults, making him one of the few individuals capable of standing up to the tyrant. However, despite this favorable circumstance, Enel effortlessly triumphed over Luffy in their initial confrontation. The electrifying clashes and intricate dynamics between their powers in real-life adaptations will undoubtedly captivate audiences, and Enel's eccentric attire serves as the proverbial cherry on top.
8. Luffy vs. Usopp
Usopp, a valued friend and expert sniper of the Straw Hat pirates, has yet to engage in a fight with Luffy, unlike many other One Piece characters who have already faced off against him. Despite their close camaraderie, Usopp pales in comparison to Luffy's strength throughout the series. However, the anticipated clash between the two in the live-action adaptation will be elevated by the undeniable chemistry between actors Iñaki Godoy and Jacob Gibson.
When the Straw Hat pirates' ship, the Going Merry, becomes irreparably damaged, Luffy must make the difficult decision to retire it and search for a replacement. This decision leaves Usopp distraught due to the deep emotional attachment he holds for the ship. In a display of his unwavering loyalty, Usopp challenges Luffy to a duel for ownership. Despite Luffy's evident dominance and effortless triumph, this fight scene serves as a powerful testament to Luffy's ability to make tough choices and assert his authority as the captain, even while maintaining a cheerful demeanor.
7. Luffy vs. Katakuri
Charlotte Katakuri, one of the "Sweet Commanders" in the Big Mom pirates, is renowned for his formidable strength. It is said that he has never been defeated in a fight, which was evident when he faced Luffy for the first time. Their intense battle in Mirro World seemed to confirm Katakuri's unbeatable reputation.
Despite the seemingly ordinary ability of his Devil Fruit, the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, which allows him to transform his body into mochi, Katakuri effectively utilized this power. He nearly outmatched Luffy with a similar fighting style until Luffy unexpectedly gained the ability to predict the future during their day-long fight. With this newfound power, Luffy managed to unleash Gear Fourth: Snakeman and ultimately defeat Katakuri.
6. Luffy and Crew vs. The Pacifista
Pacifistas, not just one villain, are recurring adversaries that appear later in the One Piece series, beyond the timeframe covered by the Netflix adaptation. These foes are cybernetic clones of Bartholomew Kuma, a former warlord, created by Dr. Vegapunk of the Marines. Despite being classified as autonomous weapons, the Pacifistas pose a formidable threat.
The Straw Hat pirates encounter their first Pacifista upon landing on the Sabaody Archipelago. When Luffy confronts this cybernetic soldier, he struggles to defeat it due to its remarkably durable metal body and powerful mouth beams. It takes the combined efforts of Luffy and his larger crew to finally overcome a single Pacifista, with Luffy pushing himself to the limit.
5. Luffy vs. Sentomaru
Luffy's struggles did not come to an end on the Sabaody Archipelago where he faced off against the Pacifista unit. He soon found himself engaged in a fierce battle with Sentomaru, Dr. Vegapunk's personal bodyguard. Despite Sentomaru's comical appearance, he proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing Luffy to his limits in order to secure victory.
In addition to possessing immense physical strength, Sentomaru also wielded a colossal executioner's ax. However, his most formidable attribute was his mastery of Haki, a mystical spiritual energy that certain characters in the One Piece world are capable of harnessing. Sentomaru's defensive utilization of this ability rendered him nearly impervious to harm, causing Luffy to contemplate fleeing from a fight for the first time in the series.
4. Luffy vs. Crocodile
Sir Crocodile, one of Luffy's most formidable and frequently encountered adversaries, is expected to make an appearance in the second season of One Piece. Serving as the primary antagonist of the Alabasta arc, Crocodile's captivating design, featuring a cigar-clenching mouth and an imposing golden hook hand, has become iconic within the series. His mastery over sand, facilitated by his aptly-named Sand-Sand fruit, grants him exceptional versatility and renders him a formidable adversary capable of rapidly dehydrating his victims with a mere touch.
Crocodile's significance lies in the fact that he poses a considerable challenge to Luffy. In fact, he manages to defeat Luffy on two occasions, with Luffy's survival only made possible through the intervention of Nico Robin. If the visual effects accurately capture Crocodile's sand manipulation abilities, his inclusion in the cast promises to deliver one of the most intense and gripping battles in the series.
3. Luffy vs. Doflamingo
Donquixote Doflamingo, the flamboyant antagonist of the Dressrosa arc in One Piece season 2, appears to be much further ahead in his storyline. Known as the Heavenly Demon, Doflamingo is esteemed as one of the most feared and influential villains of the seas. He hails from a World Noble family, which may elucidate his proud and arrogant demeanor.
During his encounter with Luffy, Doflamingo initially gains the upper hand in their battle. His physical strength exceeds that of any ordinary human in the real world, and he wields razor-sharp wires with the String-String Devil Fruit. Additionally, Doflamingo possesses the rare ability to utilize all three types of Haki. Despite the relatively even match, Luffy manages to overcome Doflamingo by activating Gear Fourth, resulting in a thrilling conclusion to their epic clash.
2. Luffy vs. Lucci
Feared even among the marines, Rob Lucci is a ruthless assassin and top agent of Cipher Pol, a secretive covert division of the World Government. By the age of 13, Lucci was already responsible for the deaths of more than 500 individuals. Lucci and Luffy cross paths multiple times in the original manga, developing a fierce rivalry.
The most intriguing aspect of their repeated encounters lies in their parallel growth. While Lucci was already deemed to be 400 times more powerful than an average soldier when they first crossed paths, by their second clash, he had acquired new techniques. His Cat-Cat Devil Fruit granted him the ability to transform into a formidable hybrid Leopard form, further enhanced through an Awakening, just like Luffy's own powers. Both of Lucci's battles against Luffy were intense and nail-biting, with the Straw Hat captain barely managing to emerge victorious.
1. Luffy vs. Kaido
Renowned as "The World's Strongest Creature," Kaido, the Governor-general of the Beast Pirates, surpasses all others in Luffy's rogues gallery in terms of deadliness. This minotaur-like beastman has a track record in battle that solidifies his nickname. Kaido's unprecedented victories against Luffy, occurring not once, not twice, but three times, place him in a league of his own among Shounen protagonists.
Throughout multiple arcs of the series, Kaido serves as a major antagonist, utilizing his unfathomable physical power to wield his Kanabo club. In an impressive feat, he single-handedly sank nine ships simultaneously. Additionally, his Devil Fruit power, the Fish-Fish Fruit, grants him the ability to transform into a colossal blue dragon. It was only with the aid of Gear Five that Luffy could finally claim victory over him, and even then, success was not guaranteed. Though the prospect of seeing Kaido on a Netflix queue remains a distant dream, One Piece fans eagerly anticipate the day he is portrayed in live-action.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming Netflix live-action One Piece series. I have been a fan of the manga and anime for years, and I can't wait to see my favorite characters come to life on screen.
The battles in One Piece are some of the best in all of anime, and I am eager to see them brought to life in live-action. The fight between Luffy and Magellan in Impel Down is one of my favorites, and I can't wait to see it play out on screen.
I am also excited to see the fight between Luffy and Enel in Skypiea. Enel is one of the most powerful villains in One Piece, and it will be interesting to see how he is portrayed in live-action. I am confident that the Netflix series will do justice to these iconic battles, and I can't wait to see them when the series premieres.