One Piece has been an ever-present figure in the Weekly Shonen Jump for the last 25 years. The most astonishing thing about the series is that it has continued to attract fans, which over time has helped it to become the highest-selling manga series in the world.
Another key reason behind the series' popularity is the anime adaptation, which started airing in 1999. As many people prefer anime to manga, the adaptation has had to maintain high standards. While the animation quality has not been highly consistent, the different openings have ensured that the fans are always excited about a new episode. With over a thousand episodes to its name, One Piece has numerous openings, but there is a disparity in the quality.
Updated January 19, 2023, by Suzail Ahmad: One of the few advantages of One Piece being a weekly anime is that fans are able to enjoy new episodes of their beloved series every week unless there is a break for some reason. Due to anime consistently releasing new episodes, the openings have to be changed from time to time. While it may not seem like it, a lot of effort is needed to create a good opening. The song is arguably the most important part, so it has to be good. Next, the visuals have to match the song. If it's an upbeat song with glum visuals, it just won't work. The best One Piece openings have managed to blend the two things immaculately, setting them apart from the others.
14 Hard Knock Days (OP 18)
Hard Knock Days is the eighteenth opening of the One Piece anime. It was used for 60 episodes, starting with episode 687, which featured Sabo's battle with Admiral Fujitora. The opening is fast-paced, and it starts with Luffy using a Gear Third attack to break out of a Marine base.
As the song continues, the Straw Hats can be seen doing some shopping and then spending time on the Thousand Sunny. The opening also features all of Luffy's allies from the Dressrosa arc. Sabo features in the opening too and is shown using the Mera Mera no Mi with Ace in the background.
13 Believe (OP 2)
Believe is one of the few One Piece openings that one can't help but sing along to. It has been performed by Folder 5, and it is the second opening of the One Piece anime.
It has the perfect combination of highs and lows, which goes hand in hand with the visuals. The opening includes all the characters from the series until the Loguetown arc. The Straw Hats also get their own small montages, which is always nice to see.
12 Kokoro no Chizu (OP 5)
Kokoro no Chizu kicks off with some high-spirited vocals from the singer before eventually settling down and becoming smoother. The opening was added to the anime in episode 207, which is the first episode of the Long Ring Long Island arc.
Kokoro no Chizu starts with the Straw Hats falling from the sky and safely landing on the Going Merry. The ship sails to a nearby island, and the Straw Hats get off and build a campfire. The opening also features some of the characters from the Water 7 arc.
11 Hikari E (OP 3)
Many viewers strongly agree that the first few One Piece openings were all top quality. The run of consecutive smash hits will forever be remembered by the fans. Hikari E also featured in this run, as it was the third opening in the anime.
Hikari E starts with an instrumental solo with the narrator doing a voiceover. The singing starts with an energetic tone, but as it continues, it becomes mellow. The opening mainly focuses on the Straw Hats as they travel onboard the Going Merry.
10 DREAMIN' ON (OP 23)
DREAMIN' ON is another visual masterpiece that made the Wano Country arc even better. It consists of a very pleasing melody that perfectly highlights the various contrasting shots in the opening.
The opening includes multiple images of legendary characters, such as Kozuki Oden, Whitebeard, and Gol D. Roger. The ending is capped by Luffy charging toward Kaido, the main antagonist of the arc.
9 Super Powers (OP 21)
Super Powers is one of the few openings that managed to receive more than one variation. The first variation was introduced in episode 856, and it lasted until episode 877. In this variation, Katakuri's mouth, Carrot's sulong, Big Mom's berserk form, and Luffy's Snakeman were all shadowed.
The second variation keeps some older scenes, but it also adds some new shots. The newer shots include Luffy walking, and he's covered on the left side by the princesses that he has met so far, while the right side is occupied by Sabo and Shanks. The other noteworthy additions are the members of the Revolutionary Army and the Five Elders bowing down. The song itself fits both variations perfectly. It has a slow buildup to an energetic verse, which makes it very enjoyable.
8 OVER THE TOP (OP 22)
OVER THE TOP became the new opening of the One Piece anime just after a couple of episodes of Wano Country were released. It has a case of being the most visually pleasing opening to date as it has numerous cuts which show the country of Wano in its full glory.
The OP consists of several shots of the Straw Hat Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the Scabbards. However, the best bit is the epic teaser of Luffy vs. Kaido.
7 Kaze wo Sagashite (OP 12)
Kaze wo Sagashite is the 12th opening in the anime. When the opening was added to the anime, everyone was under the impression that the anime was heading towards a rather happy ending to an otherwise grim arc. With this OP, the anime successfully managed to fool the viewers.
It is divided into three parts with the first two being rather joyous, and the final part is filled with spoilers about the Marineford arc.
6 BON VOYAGE (OP 4)
BON VOYAGE is an exquisite opening that marvelously captures the essence of being on a beach. The opening takes the fans on a fascinating journey, which is the main reason why this opening has managed to stay relevant all these years.
BON VOYAGE might be upbeat, but it also offers a few scenes filled with emotions, and it shows the rough past of each Straw Hat. It's this added emotion that makes it one of the best One Piece openings to date.
5 We Go! (OP 15)
It was the first opening after the time-skip, and it resembles the iconic We Are! in a few ways, but that doesn't stop it from being an exciting and lovable opening. Like We Are!, the opening was sung by Hiroshi Kitadani. The opening offers the same excitement and thrill as the first OP.
The narrator talks about the Great Age of Pirates, and then it switches focus to Luffy on the Going Merry and all the other Straw Hats in their new costumes.
4 We Fight Together (OP 14)
We Fight Together is one of Namie Amuro's most popular songs, and it is easy to see why it is so well-liked within the One Piece community. We Fight Together is an experience in itself, as it takes the fans on a journey filled with emotions. In the opening, Luffy can be seen hanging out with his brothers when they were still young.
It also shows the Straw Hats at different locations, where they were sent by Bartholomew Kuma. The OP sees Luffy reminiscing about the time when he recruited every single member of his crew.
3 Brand New World (OP 6)
Brand New World is the sixth opening of the series. In the beginning, the Straw Hats can be seen running away and subsequently racing against each other. The Straw Hats can then be seen on the Going Merry, and this is followed by several shots of other pirate crews.
Along with an incredibly energetic song, the opening also teases an epic battle between the CP9 and the Straw Hat Pirates, but the highlight of the opening is Luffy's Gear Second, which he uses against Blueno.
2 We are (OP 1)
Sung by Hiroshi Kitadani, We Are! is a truly iconic opening. It is the first OP in the series, and it set the pace for all things in One Piece. Due to the immense popularity of the opening, it received several versions, but needless to say, the original version reigns supreme.
It encapsulates the spirit of One Piece. In the opening, the narrator talks about the last words of the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The sequence then changes to Luffy running and jumping, which thoroughly captures the excitement and thrill the series brings. The opening also has the five most important members of Straw Hat Pirates, which are Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji.
1 Hope (OP 20)
Hope is arguably the best opening in One Piece so far. The opening was added in episode 807, which falls in the Whole Cake Island arc. In the opening, the Straw Hats can be seen fighting against the Big Mom Pirates. The opening is quite emotional as Luffy is shown reaching out to Sanji, who had to go to Whole Cake Island against his will.
The theme of the song falls in line with Luffy's goal of ensuring that Sanji comes back to the crew. The best moment of the opening is when all the Straw Hats greet Sanji together as he comes out on the deck of the Thousand Sunny.