15 Years Ago, One Piece Aired Its Saddest Episode Ever

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One Piece is popular worldwide thanks to its compelling story, intriguing mysteries, memorable characters, and thrilling adventures. But beneath the surface, it’s a surprisingly complex and often heartbreaking tale. The story takes place in a troubled world where morality isn’t always clear-cut. While pirates are considered criminals, they’re not always villains – many just dream of freedom and finding a legendary treasure. However, the Marines, often seen as the forces of law, aren’t always just either, sometimes using violence and even extreme measures to enforce their beliefs. Over time, the series has shown many tragedies, often caused by the actions of the World Government.

Ace Will Always Be One of The Most Tragic One Piece Characters Ever

Portgas D. Ace was Luffy’s older brother and a prominent member of the Whitebeard Pirates, a famous crew. He and Luffy, along with their friend Sabo, spent their childhood in Foosha Village. Ace began his pirate journey two years before Luffy. He first appears during the Drum Island arc while searching for Luffy, and they eventually reunite in the Alabasta arc. His unique personality quickly made him a fan favorite. After the events of Alabasta, Ace doesn’t appear often, but we later see him pursuing Blackbeard.

It was devastating to watch him on death row, knowing the Whitebeard Pirates and his brother were fighting a hopeless battle against the World Government just to try and save him. Even with everything they did, he ultimately sacrificed himself, jumping in front of Luffy to shield him from an attack by Akainu. His last words to Luffy were a grateful goodbye, a simple thank you for being loved by so many. He’d spent almost his entire life wrestling with a single, painful question: was he even worthy of existing, considering he was the son of Gol D. Roger?

Watching him, I sensed the weight of Roger’s legacy pressing down on him, and it seemed to leave him feeling like an outcast. Yet, he always cherished the people who showed him genuine care – people like Dadan, Luffy, Sabo, Whitebeard, and his crew. As he neared the end, it struck me that all he ever really wanted was to belong, to prove he wasn’t a mistake. And in his final moments, he finally found that acceptance, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the love he’d received. He closed his eyes with a smile, taking his last breath without a single regret.

Ace’s Death Is One of The Most Pivotal Moments in One Piece

Eiichiro Oda originally created the character Ace with the intention of eventually killing him off. He believed a significant tragedy was needed to motivate Luffy and propel the story forward into the time skip. While Ace became incredibly popular with fans during the Alabasta Saga, Oda’s editor suggested he reconsider killing the character. Ultimately, Oda got his way, and Ace’s death served as the catalyst for Luffy’s growth and increased power. The loss hit Luffy particularly hard, as he felt he had failed to save his brother, only to discover Ace had actually sacrificed himself to protect him. After years of believing Sabo was gone, Ace had become Luffy’s only remaining brother, and his death, despite everything, couldn’t be prevented.

After a series of defeats, he finally understood his own limitations. He failed to safeguard his crew from Kizaru at Sabaody Archipelago, and the loss of Ace deeply affected him, forcing him to confront the fact that he wasn’t yet strong enough to continue. Fortunately, he received crucial support from Jinbe and Rayleigh. Jinbe reminded him of his responsibility to his remaining crew, while Rayleigh spent two years rigorously training him in Haki, giving him the necessary power to navigate the dangers of the New World.

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2026-01-20 05:10