Why Did This Anime Sell Over 500 Million Copies and Earn a Guinness World Record?
What’s the addictive magic behind it? What’s their cheating code?
Gomu Gomu no… (oopss, that’s a strong hint)
Have you heard it before, or you’re always hearing it on your phone, making you sleep until midnight?
This show has run for over 1,000 ongoing episodes, led by a reckless captain and his pirate crew. It was created by manga artist Eiichiro Oda. The series revolves around their quest for the ‘special treasure,’ and they face off against the government and other pirates, using powers from Devil Fruits.
You guessed it or not?
If not, this anime is titled One Piece.
Some of you watched them on television every morning, or this manga book was displayed in a bookstore. Probably most of your friends are watching this, having their own fan-things like keychains, clothing, stickers, etc.
Because of its gaining popularity, this series was adapted and acted by real actors that can be watched on Netflix such as Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Emily Rudd as Nami, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, and so much more. There are currently only 517 episodes of One Piece available to stream on Netflix. From July to December of 2023, the live-action version of this beloved manga was viewed 71.6 million times, with a total of 541.9 million hours watched.
At first, my friends kept trying to convince me to watch this anime, but I refused. The idea of 1,000+ episodes felt overwhelming, and I thought it would be boring since it was just another fictional story. Plus, I worried it might distract me from my studies. But then, I gave the first episode a chance, and I was instantly hooked. The story, the characters, and how they deliver the core lessons of the anime gave me chills.
But why did a lot of people become so addicted to watching and reading this kind of anime having million fans and multiple fan page in different social media platforms?
In this article, I will get you through.
Graphics and Drawing
Everyone wants vibrant animation with good drawings and a pleasant background without overpowering the story. And this anime gives the satisfaction that the audience wants.
I’ll just highlight the main descriptions.
- The characters are memorable, with each having distinct and easily recognizable features (such as the arms of Luffy and the bone body of Brook). These unique traits, along with colorful and lively backgrounds, make the episodes visually engaging.
- But with so many episodes, there are times when the drawings don’t look as good. Sometimes the lines are off, or the proportions feel wrong, which might happen because the artists are working on a massive series with over 1,000 episodes.
- Some scenes are repeated, but the key moments are always given more attention, making them stand out.
- This series is a mix of classic manga and playful. It uses bold lines and expressive faces to add humor, while the action scenes are smooth and exciting. The bright colors make everything feel adventurous and fun.
In the end, the art style really fits the story, making this series an exciting and enjoyable show to watch, even with its ups and downs.
Characters
It is one of the most important parts of any anime, and One Piece does an amazing job.
The way they act and grow makes the story interesting and keeps people watching. You start asking questions like, “What else can they do?” or “Will they get stronger?” These questions make you want to watch the next episode.
Let me introduce the characters of this series.
- Monkey D. Luffy — the stretchy, rubbery captain but a lowkey, strong boy. He’s got a one-track mind for adventure and meat.
- Roronoa Zoro — the mosshead swordsman with the worst sense of direction. Give him a map, and he’ll still get lost trying.
- Usopp — also known as Sogeking. The long-nosed sharpshooter whose bravery is about as reliable as his tall tales.
- Sanji — the suave cook with curved eyebrows who fights with his feet and flirts with anything that moves (saying Nami-swan, Robin-chwan in the funniest way).
- Nami — the navigator who can smell money from a mile away. Touch her, or she will slap and punch you.
- Nico Robin — the calm but fierce archaeologist with hands growing out of everywhere. She could give you a high-five, back-scratch, and juggle books — all at once.
- Chopper — your all-around doctor. The cute, talking reindeer (wrongly called a dog or raccoon) who can transform into a giant hulk. Half mascot, half monster, and all adorable.
- Brook — the living skeleton with a penchant for bad puns and an afro that defies death. He’ll crack jokes so bone-dry, and he will say, “Can I see your pants?”
- Franky — the cyborg wearing underwear who’s more machine than man and loves showing off his “super” gadgets. But don’t look below, because whatever he touches, he can make it an effective tool.
- Jinbe — the fishman who’s as cool as a cucumber and twice as tough. He’s like an oceanic bouncer — keep calm, or he’ll calm you down his way.
Do you want to sail the sea with them?
Plot
When you hear or read the title, what comes to mind about “One Piece”?
Is it a treasure? A big island? A throne? or something else having a large amount of money?
I’ll tell you. Even when you reach 1000+ episodes, the One Piece remains questionable of what’s behind those, and that’s the solid reason why Straw Hat Pirates and other pirate groups set off to sea with a lot of bravery and courage.
Hmmm… (Little spoil)
In One Piece Episode 300, Usopp’s curiosity takes over when he asks Rayleigh about the One Piece treasure. But instead of sharing that curiosity, Luffy gets really angry.
He even said, “I don’t want to hear where the treasure is! I don’t want to hear if there is a treasure or not! I dunno anything about it, but everyone sets off to sea to find out for themselves!”
He added, “If Pops (Rayleigh) were to tell us anything here, then I’ll quit on becoming Pirate King.”
If you are the main character and you have that big question in your life that remains unknown and no one can answer, will you continue or just stop?
Lesson
One Piece isn’t just an epic adventure — it’s filled with life lessons. Though the story is filled with imaginative powers and fantasy, the messages can be applied in real life. In fact, every 10 to 20 episodes offer takeaways.
Here are five key lessons you can pick up, and there are many more waiting as you watch into the series.
1 — When Curiosity Fuels Dreams, You’re Unstoppable
- Luffy’s dream of becoming the King of the Pirates seemed laughable to everyone. He was just a 17-year-old boy, and people found it impossible.
- The more he focused on his goal, the stronger he became, defeating enemies far bigger and stronger than himself. His bounty kept rising, and so did his power.
With curiosity and dreams driving him, Luffy proved that no challenge is too big.
2 — Friends Are a Treasure
- In Episode 808, it reveals how deeply Luffy values his friends, especially when Sanji is forced into an arranged marriage.
- The emotional weight of these episodes is enough to make anyone cry, but more than that, they remind us of the true value of friendship.
The love and loyalty between Luffy and his crew make this lesson hit home for anyone watching.
3 — Shock Everyone
Who would have thought that a young, reckless pirate like Luffy would become an Emperor after just two years?
- His rise to fame shocked the world. Every time he faces a tough opponent, people doubt him. They say it’s impossible, that he can’t win. Even when taking heavy attacks, he doesn’t back down.
- His mindset is simple: defeat the enemy, no matter what. That persistence leads him to victory more often than not
With the right mindset, we can achieve the impossible.
4 — Life is Like Sailing on the Ocean: Calm, Stormy, and Changing
- The ocean is wide and unpredictable. Luffy and his crew face storms that threaten to destroy their ship. Yet, thanks to Nami’s navigation skills, they manage to keep going, weathering every storm.
Just like them, we face challenges and changes, but with resilience, we can push through and sail like a king.
5 — Do Good, No Matter What Others Say
- Pirates are seen as villains in this series. Yet, Luffy and his crew leave a lasting positive legacy on every island they visit.
- Despite being labeled as bad, the Straw Hat Pirates continue to help those in need.
It doesn’t matter what others think — what matters is doing good and staying true to yourself.
Each adventure, fight, and friendship offer something meaningful, and those who watch will find themselves inspired not just by the action, but by the lesson throughout the series.
Conclusion/s:
Is that enough to convince you to start watching One Piece? Are these reasons enough to explain why it’s sold millions of copies and even earned a Guinness World Record?
How did this anime become such a huge success?
You’ll laugh, you’ll feel the love, you’ll get mad, you’ll feel tense, and most importantly — you’ll be inspired.
It’s up to you if you want to miss out on this series. But I’ll tell you this: you won’t regret watching it. It just might make you stronger, both in mindset and spirit, just like Captain Luffy.
Who’s the Author?
I am Erwin Aguila, a freelance writer and ready to work with you. Also, I am a design engineer utilizing computer-aided design software.
From ideas and drafting, let’s turn them into real-life simulations!
