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Discover 4 One Piece moments that shocked the entire fanbase and 4 that were expected. Find why these scenes elicited such reactions.
Over decades of airing, One Piece has featured multiple iconic moments that will not be forgotten any time soon. Oda’s intricate storytelling, clever foreshadowing and jaw-dropping plot twists have created numerous instances where fans were left speechless, as well as others that were long anticipated.
We will be revisiting these by covering 4 One Piece moments that shocked everyone and 4 others that were expected by fans.
One Piece Moments that Shocked Everyone
A big reason why One Piece is so popular is because it keeps delivering captivating moments that keep us on the edge of our seats. Every saga has highlights that no one was expecting, blowing their minds and furthering their appreciation for the series. These include:
1) Ace’s Death
Most One Piece fans will agree that Ace’s death is the singular most shocking moment in the series. This was a point that raised the stakes of the story to an unparalleled degree while drastically impacting Luffy.
As Luffy’s adoptive brother, Ace was a loveable character who hadn’t appeared much on screen. Fans loved what they saw of him – a caring figure who would go to any lengths for those close to him. To this end, he chased Blackbeard but ended up being captured by the World Government. Despite his execution being announced, fans were not worried because the protagonist would end up saving the day.
Even if Luffy was held up, Ace had the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates. Unfortunately, this was not enough to save him. The combined forces of the Marines and the Blackbeard Pirates laid down the harsh realities of One Piece. Akainu’s ruthlessness eventually caught up with Ace, killing the fire user. This was a completely unforeseen moment since most fans were expecting to spend a lot more time with the character. While we see Ace in flashbacks in the series, this is still a scene that leaves many in disbelief.
2) Sabo Is Alive
Sabo is the sworn brother of Luffy and Ace who shared many fun memories with the pair during childhood. When attempting to run away from his family and live the life of a pirate, many thought he met an untimely end at the hands of the brutal Saint Jalmack.
This was the belief for a long time, causing the fandom to mourn Luffy’s loss of both his brothers. However, the reveal of his being alive during the Dressrosa Arc came as a happy shock to all fans.
Sabo had been saved by Dragon and worked as a Revolutionary. Wishing to carry on Ace’s legacy and meet up with Luffy again, the brothers finally reunite, causing many tears to be shed.
3) Imu, The Ruler of the World Government
While fans always knew that the world of One Piece was far from fair, they had believed that the main power of the series rested in the hands of the Five Elders. This perception was broken in the Levely Arc when the enigmatic Imu went up to the Empty Throne and sat on it.
The Gorosei, who were prideful figures, humbly bowed down to this figure, acknowledging their role as the ruler of the World Government. This was when fans found the hunt against Poneglyph readers and those carrying the Will of D. was done at the behest of Imu.
What was once thought to be a mindset shared by a group of people came from a singular source – Imu. Making matters worse, Imu was even more cruel than the other nobles, willing to destroy entire islands in the blink of an eye. This sudden introduction of a main antagonist raised several questions about the true nature of the Void Century.
4) Lulusia’s Destruction
Lulusia Kingdom’s destruction sent shockwaves across the entire fandom. As a relatively modest nation, the residents of this island had stood up against their oppressive rulers and supported the cause of the Revolutionary Army.
This, paired with wishing to test a new weapon, moved the World Government into action. The mysterious Imu ominously marked Lulusia from the map before unleashing an Ancient Weapon on this entire kingdom. Resultantly, Lulusia and all its residents were wiped out within a short period of time.
Lulusia’s destruction points out the sheer power wielded by the World Government. It remains the spotlight of conversation since the cruelty of the act is simply that staggering.
4 One Piece Moments Everyone Expected
Oda is a master of sprinkling clues along the way, allowing fans to fit different pieces of the puzzle. Due to this, there are many viewers who are able to figure out key moments that are building up to occur before they actually take place. While some of these may kill the excitement of a shock, the anticipation of waiting for it is equally fascinating. 4 One Piece moments everyone expected are:
1) Gear Five
Gear Five is considered to be one of the greatest transformations in anime history, and for good reason. Luffy’s Devil Fruit Awakening allows him to enhance his rubber manipulation while making him similar to a cartoon character. This greatly lived up to fan expectations.
While the actual features of the Devil Fruit, such as its connection to Nika and Joy Boy were still a surprise, the unveiling of Gear Five itself wasn’t. Luffy had unlocked a new Gear every time he faced an insurmountable opponent. Gear Four was shown in Dressrosa against Doflamingo.
This naturally meant that when Luffy faced the more threatening Yonko, he would have to come up with something more powerful. His escapade with Big Mom was more secretive to save Sanji. Hence, fans knew Gear Five would finally be revealed when Luffy was on the edge of death against Kaido. This transformation symbolized Luffy’s growth as a pirate and his readiness to challenge the world’s strongest forces.
2) Shanks’ Twin Brother
The theories of Shanks’ evil twin brother have been one of the most widely discussed topics in the One Piece fandom for years. These stemmed from Shanks’ complicated blood ties with the Figarland family and when a person resembling him meeting the Gorosei during the Levely.
Since it made no sense why Shanks would meet the Elders, the natural conclusion was that he had a brother. Finally, in chapter 1134 of One Piece, Oda puts all the suspicions to rest by showing Shanks’ twin brother infiltrating Elbaph.
He seems to be under orders of the World Government, which would also prove his trait of being “evil.” As the arc proceeds, everyone will be looking forward to more insight regarding the parted siblings.
3) Kuma Is a Hero
Kuma has been a heavily divisive figure in One Piece for a long time. On one hand, he and the Pacifistas resembling him caused heavy destruction, constantly getting in the Straw Hats’ way. At the same time, Kuma also showed moments of care, letting Zoro take Luffy’s pain and even letting the crew go later in Sabaody.
Finally, in the Egghead Arc, we find the tragedy of this character. Once a heroic Revolutionary, he sacrificed his sense of self for the sake of curing Bonney’s illness. This was taken advantage of by the World Government, who made him into a killing machine. Thankfully, Kuma regains some of his senses towards the end of the arc, reuniting with his adopted daughter. The two get a happy ending.
This answered all the doubts of the fans, who already knew there was more to Kuma’s character than what was apparent. His long-awaited backstory heavily paid off and he could finally be celebrated for the hero that he was.
4) Luffy Punches a Celestial Dragon
One of the biggest taboos in One Piece is to lay one’s hands on a Celestial Dragon. As beings who are considered godly, they oppress the common populace but have enough influence to kill anyone they want.
Luffy had already opposed the World Government when saving Robin, but this was still a barrier he had yet to cross. The protagonist finally got the opportunity during the Sabaody Archipelago Arc. When the infuriating Saint Charlos shot Hatchan, he lost all control and delivered a satisfying punch across his face.
This stunned all the characters present at that moment but was a scene many fans were waiting for. It was only a matter of time before Luffy, who cared little about appearances, beat down the representation of the world’s injustice. This solidified his position as the hero of the oppressed.
Conclusion
One Piece’s magic lies in its ability to blend shocking twists with expected moments of triumph. There are many such highlights across the series, showcasing its themes and Oda’s immaculate construction. Along the same lines, we have covered 4 One Piece moments that shocked everyone and 4 that were expected.
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