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Discover the 8 most memorable Sanji moments in One Piece. Additionally, explore the significance of every moment.
Sanji, the chef of the Straw Hat Pirates, is one of the most beloved characters in One Piece. His complex backstory, kindness, and position as one of the main fighters in Luffy’s crew have seen him having several standout moments in every arc.
Hence, here are the 8 most memorable Sanji moments in One Piece. These instances aren’t necessarily his most exciting, but rather those that helped enrich his character. They stick out in the minds of fans, giving Sanji his position as an unforgettable figure in the series.
1) Sanji Asks Enel For a Light
In the Skypiea Arc, the Straw Hat Pirates faced one of their most powerful foes, Enel. As a self-proclaimed god, this antagonist wielded powerful lightning abilities that could destroy most of his targets. In spite of this, Sanji showed little fear when facing him.
When Nami and Usopp were under threat of being struck by a dangerous attack from Enel, Sanji intervened. He distracted Enel, absorbing the brunt of his devastating hit while his allies escaped to safety.
Following this, both viewers and the antagonist were expecting the chef to be unconscious or worse. However, in a stunning scene, Sanji remained standing. He had a cigarette in his mouth, thanking Enel for lighting it. While he fell soon after, this moment stood as a testament to his resolve. It depicted his cool-headedness in the face of evil.
2) Sanji Feeds Gin
Sanji has always been an immensely considerate person, and this was seen right after his introduction in the Baratie Arc. When a dangerous and starving pirate named Gin came to the restaurant demanding food, he was staunchly refused by everyone.
After being kicked out by the restaurant, he laid down weakly. At this moment, Sanji appeared, feeding him food without expecting compensation. He shared his views on the importance of eating, moving Gin to tears with his kind act.
This was a scene that moved Luffy, who was watching from nearby. Impressed by Sanji, the protagonist asked him to join his crew as their chef. Hence, this moment emphasized Sanji’s views on people and how no one should starve while also setting the foundations for his future relationship with the Straw Hats.
3) Sanji Fights Luffy
Over the course of their expansive journey, Sanji was one of Luffy’s most faithful commanders along with Zoro. He fought any sort of danger for the sake of his captain’s goals. Unfortunately, he had to leave the crew during the Whole Cake Island Arc. This happened because Sanji was blackmailed into marrying Big Mom’s daughter, where refusal would threaten his friends and Zeff.
Recognizing the danger of a Yonko and his own family, he accepted the terms. However, Luffy recognized how Sanji was being forced and infiltrated Whole Cake Island to save him. When the two met again, Sanji was visibly shaken.
To ensure his loved ones were kept safe, Sanji was pushed to make a hard choice of cutting ties with Luffy. He brutally beat him down, continuously insulting him. Despite this, Luffy recognized the hidden thoughts of his friend. He stated how he would not eat food unless Sanji made it for him.
This brought tears to both Sanji’s and fans’ eyes. The chef’s act of valiant self-sacrifice highlighted his heroism while also underscoring his bond with Luffy.
4) Sanji’s Dual Backstories
One Piece is known for its tragic backstories that stick in our minds for a long time. However, Sanji is a very rare case in the series, having two backstories delivered in separate instances. The first one among these showed his relationship with Zeff.
When Sanji and Zeff were stranded on an island, the former was starving. To ensure Sanji was kept alive, Zeff sacrificed his own leg and gave all the food to him. This is the main reason why Sanji is so passionate about food and never turns down a starving person.
Later in the Whole Cake Island Arc, we got to experience Sanji’s past with his family, which came before he met Zeff. This shared the shocking abuse he went through at the hands of his father and siblings before finally escaping. Sanji’s dual backstories help set him apart while also giving us insight into where his empathy comes from.
5) Sanji’s First Diable Jambe
In the Enies Lobby Arc, Sanji faced one of his biggest challenges when he fought Jabra, a member of the CP9. His Inu Inu no Mi powers were fearsome, with which he could easily defeat Usopp and even overpower Sanji.
However, recognizing the stakes of his fight, Sanji unveiled a new skill to defeat his enemy. Setting his legs ablaze, he displayed the Diable Jambe, a dynamic kick that ended the battle. This moment was a major power-up for the Straw Hats’ chef since the Diable Jambe still remains one of his trump cards.
6) Sanji Saves His Family
While Sanji had gone to Whole Cake Island for his wedding after being blackmailed by the Vinsmokes and the Big Mom Pirates, he soon found that his family had also been betrayed. At his wedding reception, the Vinsmokes found themselves to be targeted by the Yonko’s crew, trapped in their seats through hardened candy.
Sanji had every right to abandon them considering the traumatic experience they put him through. However, still considering them to be his bloodline, he broke through their restraints, fighting against their captors.
This moment highlighted the emotional maturity and growth of Sanji, realizing he couldn’t abandon his family at the hands of Big Mom.
7) Sanji Bids Farewell to Zeff
Sanji’s own father may not have shown him much love, but Zeff has had an immeasurable impact on his life. Having saved him from starvation and teaching him the value of food and not to hit women, Sanji considered him as his parent.
However, this also chained him to the Baratie, unable to pursue his dream of finding the All Blue. The situation changed with Luffy’s introduction and the defeat of the Krieg Pirates. Zeff and his coworkers recognized how Sanji was being held back and put on an act to push him into leaving the restaurant.
Sanji realized this, bowing down in an emotional moment and thanking Zeff for all he had done. This caused everyone at the scene to break into tears, creating an unforgettable memory for fans.
8) Sanji Destroys His Raid Suit
A major influence over Sanji’s character arc is his Germa Heritage, where he had troublesome memories over not adjusting to their technology and body modifications. This issue was further stressed during his battle against the Queen in the Wano Arc.
Queen, an inventor similar to Vinsmoke Judge, showed a fascination with the Germa technology. He kept reminding Sanji of his past while pushing him to use his Raid Suit. Despite facing an uphill battle against a powerful villain, Sanji placed his Raid Suit down and destroyed it in a moment of defiance.
Fans appreciated Sanji’s efforts to move past his trauma while also relying on his own powers rather than his family’s technology. It eventually paid off, since Sanji went on to develop a stronger version of the Diable Jambe called the Ifrit Jambe and defeated Queen.
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