The 6 Most Memorable One Piece Openings

This post is by guest writer Adeline Zhang.

Openings are what set the mood before an episode starts. A good opening not only shows you what to expect in the episodes it covers, but also gets you excited to start each episode. Most One Piece openings do this effectively, but a select few rise above the rest. These openings truly capture the overall atmosphere of their respective story arcs, whether it be sad, adventurous, or hopeful. These are the openings that make the world of One Piece feel the most captivating and real, and remind me why I’m still a fan to this day.

Opening #6 – Brand New World (by D-51)

Although Brand New World aired for only 15 episodes during Enies Lobby, it’s one of the first openings that came to my mind. The fast dance tempo of the song creates a cheerful and energetic mood — combine this with shots of the Straw Hats running and fooling around, and I always find myself bouncing about, eager to go on an adventure with our intrepid crew. The meaty electric guitar rifts further pump me up to the point where I am out of my seat, cheering for the crew as they fight off CP9 with a fierce determination to rescue their nakama.

Opening #11 – Share The World (by TVXQ)

Share The World is particularly notable because it was able to effectively portray all three of the arcs it covers — Sabaody, Amazon Lily, and Impel Down — despite the arcs’ contrasting moods. The scene with Kuma is highlighted by funky hip hop beats and a monotone palette, giving off a “bring it on” vibe as Luffy attacks at full speed. Similarly, the vocalists kind of gasp as they sing, creating a feeling of urgency that’s reinforced by a shot of Luffy’s fully outstretched hand reaching out for Ace. On the other hand, the song’s verses are kind of spunky and highlight the Straw Hats’ individuality with bold colors, reminding me of the crew’s liveliness and reassuring me that they will be perfectly alright.

Opening #12 – Kaze wo Sagashite (by Yaguchi Mari + Straw Hat Crew)

Kaze wo Sagashite, shown throughout the beginning of Marineford, is a light, bouncy track with matching images of the Straw Hats and their everyday lives. I can’t help but smile and enjoy myself as I listen to the Straw Hats’ voice actors singing in the background and watch them venture on. However, during the bridge, the song slows down, filling me with sadness as Ace walks up to his execution platform. But then soon after, Luffy embodies hope as he falls out of the sky, yelling out Ace’s name. I can practically feel his tenacity and desire transfer into me as the opening ends with a lingering image of his face, filled with unbreakable resolve.

Opening #13 – One Day (by THE ROOTLESS)

One Day continues the Marineford drama with mellow, airy vocals that reflect Luffy’s solemnity. The slow, soft verse echoes Luffy’s forlorn facial expression as he desperately searches an ice field for his beloved brother. Even cuts of the crew are rife with emotion as restrained vocals project Luffy’s longing and nostalgia for the good times, when everyone was fooling around together and having fun. The powerful chorus and cut-ins of all of Luffy’s enemies gives this longing a more frantic undertone; it’s kind of like the feeling you get when you realize how big the wall you need to overcome really is. Every time I watch this opening I’m reminded of how much Ace’s life — and death — meant to not only Luffy, but to us viewers as well.

Opening #14 – Fight Together (by Nao’ymt + Namie Amuro)

The Post-War Arc is all about looking to the future, and Fight Together mirrors that idea perfectly. In order to move on, you have to first get over the past. The quiet vocals and soulful bass beats of the verse seen to amplify the weight of Luffy’s sorrows and hardships. I soon start to feel wistful as images of Luffy and his memories with each individual nakama appear during the melancholic, piano-led bridge. However, this opening is not a lament. As the song transitions into a more upbeat chorus, I also start to feel more optimistic. I always end up smiling unconsciously whenever I see Ace pushing Luffy forward, joining his crew with renewed determination.

Opening #16 – Hands Up! (by Kota Shinzato)

In the USA, Hands Up! was not licensed and instead, the previous opening We Go! was used for a whopping 120 episodes — a poor decision for the Punk Hazard Arc. Punk Hazard is actually a very carefree arc; Luffy never gets really angry or fired up and just acts absurd as usual. Hands Up! exhibits this cheery attitude with a catchy, upbeat tune and scenes of the Straw Hats being their ridiculous selves, even during fights. During the bridge, the opening starts to get more serious with Law proposing a pirate alliance to Luffy. But because the song is still mid-tempo and lively, even this scene just makes me more excited for the things to come. The addictive beats of the chorus really pass on the fun the Straw Hats are having, and I inevitably start to enjoy myself and sing along every time.

Are some of your favorite One Piece openings included here too? Or maybe you really like another opening that’s not listed here? Let us know in the comments below.

What Do You Think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.