One Piece: Ranking the Top 10 Epic Battles

Get ready to hold onto your straw hats, as we dive into ranking the top 10 fights in the entire One Piece series. The action-packed world of One Piece consistently thrusts our beloved pirate crew into intense battles for survival, often instigated by their fearless captain, Luffy. These fights are always rooted in the quest for justice and freedom.

The best fights in One Piece ranked

Mid-arc fights in anime are often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in the overall storyline. While the conclusion of an arc may feature the most intense battles, the mid-arc fights should not be forgotten. In One Piece, these fights may not always be action-packed, but they contribute to the comedic and dramatic elements of the series.

We’ll only be considering fights of completed arcs in this ranking list, but apart from that, any fight from One Piece is up for grabs.

10: Usopp Vs. Perona

During the Thriller Bark arc in One Piece, Perona's negative ghost powers prove to be quite challenging, leaving her victims feeling depressed. However, her powers are ineffective against the heroic Usopp, who already has such low self-esteem that he is immune to most of Perona's negative effects.

9: Nami Vs. Kalifa

One Piece excels in its capacity to turn a grave circumstance into a comical one, and the epic confrontation between Usopp and Perona exemplifies just that. Despite Usopp's limited combat skills, he manages to outwit Perona with his clever deceptions, ultimately securing his triumph.

Enis Lobby keeps the Straw Hats engaged with well-matched fights for each character. Nami and Kalifa showcase their new abilities in a powerful clash, with Nami using the Clima-Tact weapon provided by Usopp to unleash weather-based attacks and elevate herself to a formidable force.

8: Zoro Vs. Kaku

Nami's rare opportunity to showcase her combat skills during the Straw Hats' Grand Line journey is highlighted when she takes on an assassin from one of the most powerful Marine groups and emerges victorious. This well-deserved feat is expertly paced alongside other ongoing battles, such as Nami and Kalifa encountering Chopper during his monstrous rampage through Enis Lobby, providing additional context to the fight.

In Enis Lobby, Zoro takes on the challenge of facing Kaku. It's not uncommon for Zoro to confront sword-wielding adversaries from the opposing group, so when he clashes with Kaku, who has just gained the formidable power of the giraffe and is still mastering it in battle, it provides Zoro with a refreshingly unique fight.

7: Luffy Vs. Crocodile

The acquisition of powers by Kaku and Kalifa adds an intriguing element to these battles. It is only the second instance in which a character gains a Devil Fruit ability outside of a backstory. What makes this confrontation particularly memorable is the combination of intense action and humor; both Zoro and Kaku deliver impressive combat sequences, but the frequent interruptions, including the use of Usopp as a sword at one point, sustain the comedic element.

As the crew ventured into the Grand Line, they encountered various opponents, but none truly tested Luffy’s abilities. It wasn’t until they reached Arabasta and faced off against Crocodile that Luffy found himself in serious danger, nearly meeting his end in the scorching desert. This intense battle showcased the boundless potential for creativity in One Piece when it comes to confronting formidable foes, until the introduction of Haki as the key to overcoming Logia-type users.

6: Ace Vs. Blackbeard

We are acknowledging the creativity of this battle. Initially, Luffy was unable to harm Crocodile due to his sand Logia-type Devil Fruit. However, by using water and later blood to dampen Crocodile before defeating him, it created potential for future fights with a comedic twist. Just picture being able to defeat Ace by simply dousing him with a bucket of water; it's surprisingly fitting.

When it comes to the passionate and impulsive Ace, he often grabs the attention with his fiery personality. However, we only witness his full fighting capabilities during his epic showdown with the infamous pirate Blackbeard. This intense battle is memorable for the stark contrast between Ace's initial determination and Blackbeard's nefarious ascent to power.

During this battle, Blackbeard skillfully keeps both Ace and us in the dark about whether he poses a real threat until it's too late. Since we haven't witnessed Ace in many fights and have not seen Blackbeard fight at all, his dark powers take us by surprise as well as catching Ace off guard when he nearly overpowers Luffy's brother.

5: Luffy Vs. Magellan

Luffy embarks on a daring journey to save his brother Ace, leading him to the notorious Impel Down prison overseen by the formidable warden Magellan. This often overlooked arc becomes even more significant amidst the chaos preceding the Marineford battle. What truly stands out is Luffy's inability to secure a victory against Magellan in combat.

The race between Saboady Archipelago and Marineford to rescue Ace leaves Luffy with no time for distractions, as a formidable poison Logia-type exerts intense pressure on a situation yet to be replicated in the series. Even with the help of Mr. 3’s wax powers, Luffy is unable to even lay a finger on Magellan and is defeated at one point, leading to his imprisonment before the prisoners band together to escape. Few can boast of having bested the captain of the Straw Hat pirates.

4: Luffy Vs. Enel

Skypiea unfolds with an unusual rhythm, yet it culminates in the immensely satisfying showdown between Luffy and Enel. Enel excels as a fearsome, nearly invincible, godlike antagonist until Luffy arrives to deliver a resounding defeat. At one point, Enel defies death by harnessing his Lightning powers to revive himself.

3: Luffy Vs. Usopp

Until the Wano arc, One Piece did not explore themes of prophecy. However, the unique ability of Luffy to defeat Enel due to his immunity to electricity as a rubber user, showcases a creative way to combat Logia-type users before the introduction of Haki. This places Luffy in an unusual position of "destiny" that is not revisited until Joy Boy and Nika become more frequently mentioned in modern One Piece.

Tensions reached their peak among the crew during their time at Water 7, resulting in a lopsided brawl between Usopp and Luffy. This emotional confrontation between the two characters sets the stage for the rest of the Water 7 and Enis Lobby storylines. The tone becomes increasingly serious and remains that way until the arc reaches its epic conclusion.

2: Gear 5 Luffy Vs. Kaido

Usopp's lack of physical strength against Luffy is well known to both the Straw Hats and the audience. To compensate, Usopp cleverly utilizes various tricks and gadgets discovered during their journey to hold his own against his captain. Despite his physical limitations, Usopp's prowess as a manipulator and tactician gives Luffy a real challenge, at least until Luffy lands a decisive blow.

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Despite the intense emotional battles at ground level, we must not overlook the moment when Luffy reveals a new gear with abilities that defy logic, reminiscent of Bugs Bunny, in the face of the formidable dragon-man, Kaido. It is worth noting that Kaido had previously defeated Luffy, imprisoning him and almost killing him in their second encounter.

1: Luffy Vs. Rob Lucci

Gear 5 not only delivers a powerful punch, but also introduces a creative element to the fight. Whether it's a clever tactic or a comedic moment, the innovative approach to battles is always appreciated. Additionally, Kaido poses a formidable threat, and Luffy's eventual victory solidifies his position among the Four Emperors.

The showdown concluding Enis Lobby marks the first significant battle since Arlong fought Luffy, with Luffy depending solely on his physical strength and skill to confront Rob Lucci. Despite utilizing his Second and Third Gear powers, Luffy visibly faces challenges against the leopard-man throughout the entire conflict, only mustering a final potent jet Gatling with a motivational shout from Usopp to regain his strength.

Luffy Vs. Rob Lucci stands out as one of the most intense fights, showcasing incredible power and high stakes. As they attempt a daring escape with Nico Robin, they face off against the formidable CP9 and a fleet of ships, delivering impactful blows in their quest for freedom.

These are our top 10 picks for the best fights in One Piece. Do you agree with our choices, or did we miss out on your favorite? In the meantime, be sure to check out our ranking of the best One Piece story arcs. Stay tuned for the next chapter and the new anime story arc for all Straw Hat fans.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan of One Piece, I am thrilled to see an article ranking the top 10 epic battles in the series. One Piece has always been known for its intense and emotional fights, and this article captures the essence of what makes these battles so memorable. From the comedic showdown between Usopp and Perona to the intense clash between Luffy and Crocodile, each fight is a testament to the creativity and storytelling prowess of Eiichiro Oda.

I particularly enjoyed the analysis of the mid-arc fights, which often get overlooked in discussions about the series. These fights may not be as action-packed as the climactic battles, but they play a crucial role in developing the characters and adding depth to the story. The fight between Nami and Kalifa in Enies Lobby is a perfect example of this, showcasing Nami's growth as a fighter and her determination to protect her crew.