Here's A Thread Why You Should Finally Give One Piece A Chance

1) Great Characters Aren't Pointlessly Killed

One Piece utilizes its characters to the fullest, and never kills off fan-favorites for shock value. Even if the character is a villain, they still are often allowed to survive beyond their initial story arc, which gives them room to grow and mature.

Since death is infrequent, they carry real emotional weight. In shows like Dragon Ball Super, characters die and come back to life all the time, so it's hard to feel concerned when a hero goes down in battle.

In contrast to this, when characters in One Piece die, they're gone for good, forcing their friends and viewers to move on without them.

2) The Story Isn't As Childish As It May Seem

Compared to overtly-gritty Shonen Jump series like Naruto or Bleach, One Piece sticks out like a sore thumb, since its cartoony aesthetic can cause new viewers to think the show is meant for younger audiences.

While the story has a playful demeanor, it still manages to include some crushingly heavy subject matter from time to time. Many characters' backstories are filled with cruelty and tragedy.

A young Nami watched her adopted mother die at the hands of pirate invaders, and Brook witnessed all his compatriots slowly waste away from a deadly poison, then awakened a year later in a pile of their rotted corpses.

The show's battles are no less grisly. Who would have thought a rubber man could bleed so much? Villains are appropriately brutal, and the Straw Hat Pirates aren't afraid to break a couple necks if it means stopping a power-hungry dictator from taking over the World Government.

If the show didn't understand how to perfectly interweave moments of comedy and tragedy, it might be too bleak to watch.

3) The Story Is Loaded With Moments Of Emotional Resilience

The Straw Hat Pirate crew is composed of dreamers. Luffy wants to be King of the Pirates, Zoro vows to become the world's greatest swordsman, and Nami dreams of charting the entire world.

Each member has endured personal tragedy, and it's inspiring to see them rebound and strive for new heights.

Despite their successes, the crew's journey is loaded with heart-breaking moments, such as when they lose their prized ship, or when they're forced to split up for two years.

These tearful moments don't dissuade them from pursuing their dreams, and when they do triumph, their victories feel well-earned.

4) Each Adventure Introduces A New, Interesting Setting

One of the things that helps One Piece stand apart from its competitors is its constant introduction of fascinating new settings. While exploring the remote corners of the world, the Straw Hat crew comes across places like Alabasta, an Arabian-themed desert kingdom, and Skypiea,,

an island that floats above Paradise in the Grand Line. Each new island feels like a totally different world, as they all come complete with unique quirks, obstacles, and fascinating local residents.

5) Monkey D. Luffy Is The Hero The World Needs

In times of extreme cynicism, viewers can look to uplifting heroes like Monkey D. Luffy. Too many series rely on pessimistic characters, and while a rebellious protagonist can sometimes be fun, the archetype is overplayed.

By comparison, Luffy's gleeful attitude is a breath of fresh air. Even when he's heading into immanent danger, he does so with a smile on his face, and he always manages to arrive just in time to save his friends and allies.

However, unlike some carefree anime heroes, Luffy knows when it's time to get serious. If he has to deliver an epic final blow to his adversary, or uplift a broken friend with a traumatic past, he does so with reserved finesse.

5) The Powers Are Creative And A Pleasure To Watch

Thanks to the eclectic powers of the Devil Fruit, the cut-throat pirates of One Piece are some of anime's most bizarrely mighty characters.

Luffy's Gum-Gum Fruit transforms his body into rubber, allowing him to unleash devastating elongated attacks such as Gum-Gum Pistol or the Gum-Gum Whip. Sakazuki, the fleet admiral of the marines, possesses the power of the Mag-Mag Fruit, which allows him to transform into magma.

Another marine admiral named Issho devoures a Devil Fruit that allows him to control gravity.

While the Devil Fruit may seem all-powerful, it also inflicts a terrible curse on its users, as it robs them of their ability to swim. If your goal is to be King of the Pirates, this is a seriously risky Achilles heel.

7) The Diverse Cast Caters To A Wide Audience

If free-spirited characters like Monkey D. Luffy aren't your thing, there's no need to worry. The ensemble cast of One Piece is sprawling, so chances are good you'll find some other reoccuring character to love.

In the ever-growing Straw Hat Pirate crew, there's the greedy yet level-headed Nami, the strong-willed former pirate hunter Zoro, the suave chef Sanji, and the brilliant, adorable, ferocious reindeer Tony Tony Chopper, to name a few.

The supporting casts for each storyline are always filled with winners, and even minor characters can be amazingly memorable.

8) The Villains Are Horrifying, But Also Badass

There are plenty of fantastic villains in One Piece who sport a wide array of powers and personality types. Crocodile is a witty Italian mob boss whose body is composed of sand, making him strong enough to almost kill Luffy on two separate occasions.

Arlong is an intimidating fishman who shows no mercy to the people he enslaves. Even the World Government opposes the Straw Hats, as their hunger for power causes them to turn a blind eye to the public's needs.

No two villains' motivations are quite the same, and when they're first introduced, some seem impossible to vanquish.

9) The Fights Are Amazing

One Piece wouldn't be a Shonen Jump series if it wasn't packed full of amazing fights. The show's imaginative cast of characters possess a wide variety of superhuman powers, which leads to some seriously  over-the-top brawls.

Where else can you watch a man with rubber skin trade blows with a mafia boss made of sand?

Toei Animation has a track record of putting out fantastic action shows (they also animated Dragon Ball Z), and their work on One Piece proves they know how to create some captivating beatdowns.

10) The Fantasy Setting Is Unique And Compelling

Even though One Piece is inspired by the real-life Golden Age Of Piracy (roughly 1650-1720), the series takes some liberties to create a semi-historical fantasy world. The All Blue is a dangerous sea that houses a multitude of fantasy islands and mythical creatures.

According to legend, the All Blue is the only place in the world where the North, South, East, and West seas converge, and fish from all four areas live in harmony there.

Even the non-mythical regions are filled with wonder. The area surrounding the Grand Line is protected by monstrous creatures known as the Sea Kings, all of whom are completely unique.

On top of that, real-world technology is often replaced by strange beasts, such as the Den Den Mushi snails, who can relay communications in a manner that closely resembles modern-day cell phones.

One Piece knows how to borrow interesting aspects from a historical period without getting bogged down by the rules of reality.

11) It's Hysterically Funny

While One Piece isn't afraid to get dark, the show is also filled with hilarious moments, and its comedic timing is perfect.

There are tons of running gags, such as Sanji's endless string of romantic failures, and the scene where the Straw Hat Pirates fuse to form a giant robot has to be seen to be believed.

12) The Music Is Amazing

From the first episode, the music of One Piece helps set the adventurous tone of the series and foreshadows drama still to come.

A prime example is the song "After Eating, Grand Line! Part 2," as it begins with an intimidating swell of sound that slowly transitions into deep foreboding.

The piece's progression perfectly mirrors the path of the Straw Hat crew as they hunt for the All Blue and its dangerous inhabitants.

The various opening and ending themes are also pretty catchy, and it's hard not to get choked up while listening to Maki Otsuki's performance of "Memories".

13) It's The Perfect Show To Binge Watch

With over 900 episodes under its belt, One Piece is anything but a short-lived cruise. While the triple-digit episode count may seem intimidating at first, it makes One Piece the perfect anime series to binge watch.

The length also leaves plenty of time for character development, and it's amazingly gratifying to see Luffy slowly transition from an amateur pirate to an infamously respected captain.