10 Times the One Piece Anime Was Better Than the Manga

Fans of the “One Piece” manga often express unique perspectives regarding its anime adaptation. While the anime stays true to the original content, it’s been criticized for being too slow due to its simultaneous release with the manga and adding extra details to certain scenes. This extended runtime, combined with a high episode count, has led many viewers to perceive “One Piece” as an overly lengthy series with poor pacing. However, it’s worth noting that the anime does struggle with uneven pacing, as some manga scenes don’t transfer effectively to the animation, leaving fans wanting more impact.

As a keen fan, I must admit that certain scenes in the One Piece anime truly eclipse their counterparts in the manga. The anime’s unique elements, such as its score, exceptional voice acting, and visually stunning animation, contribute significantly to the story’s emotional impact. In comparison, the manga, while masterfully illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, is essentially a series of drawings and dialogue. However, despite Oda’s extraordinary artistic skills and his ability to imbue the narrative with weight, the anime manages to deliver some truly powerful moments. Although it’s not the norm, I’ve identified at least ten instances in One Piece where the anime outshines the original manga.

10) Kuma’s Flashback

This positioning might be controversial because some viewers have criticized the addition of extra scenes featuring Kuma and his family in the anime adaptation, particularly a poignant last scene between him and his mother. These additional scenes are slight variations from the original source material.

The anime version of One Piece includes additional scenes and action that expand upon Kuma’s history. While these extra scenes aren’t essential, they serve to enrich Kuma’s story by providing a deeper look into his life. In contrast to the manga, the anime offers more insight into Kuma’s background, rather than merely detracting from it.

9) The Walk to Arlong Park

In this incredible narrative, I can’t help but feel that the addition of audio elements truly elevates the visual storytelling. When Nami breaks down, Luffy comforting her by placing his iconic straw hat on her head, and our crew setting off towards Arlong’s Park-already potent scenes in the manga-are transformed when you add voice acting and that unforgettable music. The Straw Hats’ walk to Arlong Park wouldn’t feel as iconic without that hauntingly beautiful soundtrack accompanying us on our journey!

8) The Going Merry’s Funeral

Embarking on adventures, I’ve always been fortunate to call the Going Merry my trusty vessel, a ship that felt like an extra member of our Straw Hat pirate crew. Losing her was more than just a boat – it felt akin to bidding farewell to a cherished companion. The creators of the anime didn’t hold back when portraying her funeral fire, ensuring viewers had ample time to mourn the loss of a dear friend. The poignant moment was even heightened by the revelation that the ship’s Klabautermann spoke to us crew members in its final days, making it all the more heart-wrenching.

In this setting, I find myself immersed in a moment from the manga, made even more poignant by its softened ambiance, melancholic tunes, and muted colors. These elements elevate an already somber instant into a genuinely touching, heartrending tableau. The voice performances, be it the English dub or original Japanese subtitles, brilliantly capture the profound sadness of the funeral in a way that only spoken dialogue can achieve, surpassing the expressive limitations of the manga itself.

7) Luffy vs. Sanji During the Whole Cake Island Arc

It was more surprising that Sanji, upon departing the Straw Hat pirate crew to reunite with his family, was in fact a hidden noble, than just the act of him leaving. The manga didn’t fully convey the impact of Sanji’s choice, even when he brutally defeated Luffy. Readers found it hard to believe that Sanji would permanently leave the crew. This believable weight was added by Luffy’s Japanese voice actress, Mayumi Tanaka, during the fight between Luffy and Sanji. Now that Sanji has left, his absence holds real significance, and Luffy’s appeals are considered among Tanaka’s best performances.

6) Gear 5 Luffy

Credit for crafting Luffy’s character in Gear 5 with vibrant personality and reminiscent charm of 1940s Tom and Jerry cartoons goes entirely to Oda. Yet, it should be noted that the concept of Gear 5 was initially tailored for One Piece anime. While Oda skillfully adds a sense of movement in his manga, witnessing these movements brought to life through animation is an entirely different experience. The animated version of Luffy bending the floor into rubber, his eyes bulging out, and elongating a part of the floor to dodge Kaido’s fire blast adds an exhilarating flair that surpasses the drawn illustration.

5) G-8 Filler Arc

In the world of anime, the G-8 arc from the series is highly esteemed among both casual viewers and strict manga followers. Even those who are traditionally against deviations from the source material acknowledge its merit due to its contribution to the narrative progression and character development that seamlessly set up the subsequent arc. This particular storyline stands out as one where Luffy and his Straw Hat crew were not able to resolve issues through brute force alone, instead requiring them to think strategically in order to outwit the Marines and safely escape with their ship intact. This tale of cat-and-mouse play also managed to give a more human aspect to the previously villainous Marines.

4) One Piece Episode 1015

In a stunning adaptation of its 1000th chapter from the manga, Anime Episode 1015 featured Luffy’s most powerful punch against Kaido during the Wano Arc. To mark this significant event, the anime team pulled out all the stops, creating an episode that stood out as unique and extraordinary compared to others.

The episode, with its lightning effects to its animation, truly exceeded expectations. Luffy’s legendary statement of aspiring to be the Pirate King sent chills through the viewers. Episode 1015 sparked renewed curiosity about the Wano arc and set the foundation for Luffy’s upcoming battle against Kaido, which would dominate the rest of the storyline. As what came next proved, One Piece’s anime has grown to be a remarkable visual complement to the manga, enhancing it in every way.

3) Luffy’s Final Punch To Crocodile

As a die-hard One Piece fan, let me tell you, Crocodile was the first villain to truly test Luffy and his Strawhat crew’s mettle, pushing them to their absolute limits! He’s still a beloved antagonist among fans, and he’s one of the select few baddies who managed to give Luffy more than a few licks. After an intense battle, when Luffy finally knocks out Crocodile with a barrage of powerful punches, sending him spiraling through the crumbling underground ruins, it’s as if Antonín Dvořák himself composed “Symphony No. 9,” also known as the “New World Symphony,” to mark the momentous occasion!

Listening to classical music in “One Piece” might seem a bit surprising at first, but it gives a sense of grandeur and artistic flair to the scene that was missing in the manga. Initially, it could have seemed pretentious or unnecessary, but Luffy’s intense battle against Crocodile earns this moment, making the anime more sophisticated. The track, “New World Symphony,” carries multiple interpretations, symbolizing a significant milestone for the “One Piece” anime. It’s an iconic scene that any dedicated fan of the franchise should not miss.

2) Luffy Punches A Celestial Dragon

In both the manga and anime, the instant when Luffy lands a punch on a Celestial Dragon, those esteemed figures who govern the world, brings a sense of fulfillment. Oda painstakingly depicts this moment in the manga, demonstrating Luffy leaving an impression on Saint Charlos’ face with his mighty blow. However, the anime intensifies the scene by switching to black and white immediately upon Luffy connecting with Charlos’ face. This shift in color adds impact to Luffy’s punch, making it seem as if he is draining the color from the area around him.

Saint Charlos was also a very detestable individual, known for owning slaves, separating families, and being rude without consequence. He was immune to punishment due to his association with the Celestial Dragon and the Marine Corps, but Luffy defied this norm by striking him nonetheless. This act served as a release for the audience and has become one of the most beloved scenes among fans.

1) Zoro’s Backstory

Initially, when the ‘One Piece’ anime was airing, it had more freedom to deviate from the original manga. At that time, the series wasn’t as universally prominent as it is now, and the duration of the manga’s run was uncertain. One such liberty taken in the early stages was altering the sequence of events for Luffy and Zoro’s backstory. In the manga, Zoro’s past was concisely depicted over a few pages, but in the anime, this flashback was expanded into a complete episode.

Instead of adding extra, non-essential scenes, creators of the One Piece anime chose to delve deeper into Zoro’s background, enriching the narrative. This resulted in a closer look at his childhood village and insights into the motivations of his friend Kuina from childhood. By dedicating more time to Zoro’s life, viewers are drawn further into the story, making the tragic events all the more impactful. Consequently, this early part of One Piece stands out not just within its initial run, but also across the entire franchise as a whole.

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2025-08-16 06:16