Over the years, flashbacks have become an integral, inextricable part of One Piece, so much so that it’s impossible to imagine an arc without a flashback these days. One Piece’s flashbacks are commonly known to be quite emotional, but beyond wringing tears out of fans, these flashbacks also serve a crucial narrative purpose.
Beyond giving fans context and information about a given character and their past, One Piece’s flashbacks also build up the emotional stakes leading to the major showdown of the arc. Of course, there are exceptions here and there, like Brook’s tragic backstory, which only came towards the end of the Thriller Bark Arc rather than before the battle against Moria.
Still, the point remains that without its flashbacks, One Piece’s story would quite simply fall apart, especially when it comes to certain, particularly important flashbacks that changed the course of the series as a whole.
The Señor Pink Flashback
Episode #715 – Episode #716
While Señor Pink isn’t that consequential of a character in the grand scheme of things, his backstory is definitely one that is burned into fans’ minds even years later. Señor Pink’s flashback takes off right in the middle of his battle against Franky in episode #715, and goes on to reveal a completely unexpected side to the unassuming antagonist.
The flashback revealed the heartbreaking reason behind Señor Pink’s odd fashion choices, revealing ties to tragedy and his desire to simply make his wife smile, even if it meant humiliating himself. Granted, this flashback is not the most crucial of the Dressrosa Arc, but it still effectively proves how Oda can flip the script on even the most unexpected character.
Kyros and Scarlet’s Backstory
Episode #675 – Episode #676
Another flashback that blindsides fans during the Dressrosa Arc is Kyros’ backstory. It’s here where fans finally learn more about the mysterious tin soldier that has been at the center of the entire plot to take down Doflamingo since the very start. As it turns out, this tin soldier ends up being much more important than anyone could have imagined.
All that said, what really sells this flashback is Kyros and Scarlet’s love story which could easily give Kuma and Ginny a run for their money. This flashback also drops one of the most heartbreaking quotes in all of One Piece as Kyros clutches Scarlet’s dying body, saying, “With these tin arms, I can’t even feel your warmth as you’re dying.”
Law and Corazon’s Backstory
Episode #700 – Episode #706
As the big climactic flashback of the Dressrosa Arc, Law and Corazon’s backstory does not disappoint in the slightest. Not only does this flashback reveal Law’s tragic past, but it also introduces fans to one of the best characters of the Dressrosa Arc, if not one of the best Marines in the entire series.
Corazon’s continued kindness toward Law and his ultimate sacrifice for him make this flashback an unforgettable one despite everything else going on in the Dressrosa Arc. Following One Piece’s textbook formula, this flashback is largely what makes Doflamingo’s defeat all the more satisfying, as it adds another level to the emotional stakes at hand.
Sanji’s Germa Flashback
Episode #803 – Episode #804
Of all the Straw Hats, Sanji is so far the only crew member to get not one but two flashbacks depicting his backstory, each being incredibly sad and memorable. That said, the Germa flashback is easily the game-changer between the two as it revealed a whole new side to Sanji’s character and history that no one could have anticipated.
This flashback and the Whole Cake Island Arc pave the way for Sanji to come to terms with his Germa lineage up until the climax of the Wano Arc. Sadly, for all the depth it added to Sanji’s character, it’s unclear whether One Piece will ever give another Straw Hat a whole dedicated arc and flashback like this.
The ASL Flashback
Episode #493 – Episode #504
Surprisingly enough, despite being the protagonist of the series, One Piece does not give Luffy his own flashback until about halfway into the series. The ASL flashback comes at a very sensitive time while fans are still reeling from Ace’s death and witnessing Luffy fall apart from grief for the first time in the series.
It might even be fair to say that without the ASL flashback, Ace’s death might not have stuck with fans as long as it has.
The flashback proves just how deep the brotherly bond between Ace and Luffy went while also introducing Sabo for the first time and setting the stage for his return down the line. By the end of the flashback, after seeing all that the trio went through together, even fans can feel Luffy’s grief at losing his only remaining family.
The Rumbar Pirates’ Flashback
Episode #378 – Episode #380
When Brook first made his debut in One Piece, little did fans know that this weird, underpants-obsessed skeleton would end up having a connection to a long-forgotten character. Even years later, Brook’s backstory still seems perfectly executed, from the adorable return of Laboon to Brook’s unexpectedly sad past.
Other than turning fans into a sobbing mess with Brook’s backstory and the swan song of the Rumbar Pirates, the flashback also introduces the iconic Binks’ Sake shanty, which has been the center of countless theories over the years.
All that said, while it does take place once all the action’s been wrapped up on Thriller Bark, the Rumbar Pirates’ flashback arguably makes for the perfect send-off for the arc. The story even ends on the hopeful note of seeing Laboon again someday.
The Ohara Flashback
Episode #275 – Episode #278
While it’s a tough battle between Sanji and Brook’s backstories, Robin’s backstory might just take the cake for the saddest Straw Hat origin. The entire Ohara flashback is littered with tragedy, and yet it makes Robin’s declared desire to live all the more poignant, while also adding more emotional weight to the fight against CP 9 and the World Government.
At the same time, the Ohara flashback also contains some of the biggest pieces of Void Century lore in One Piece, with many of these tidbits still being part of fan theories up until Vegapunk’s broadcast and even after.
Elbaph’s God Valley Flashback
Chapter #1152 – Present
The Elbaph Arc’s God Valley flashback is the latest of One Piece’s flashbacks and is also the one that fans are completely enamored by at the moment. Unlike the Egghead Arc, which only barely teased the curious God Valley Incident, the Elbaph Arc has finally given fans the full reveal, and it’s surpassed expectations in every way.
Other than unpacking the events of God Valley, the Elbaph Arc’s big new flashback also dives into Loki and King Harald’s past. At the same time, the flashback has brought with it a host of major revelations about countless key characters like Garp, Shanks, Blackbeard, and even Monkey D. Dragon.
The Kuma Flashback
Episode #1129 – Episode #1136
While the Elbaph Arc was making waves among fans of the manga, the Kuma flashback was busy utterly breaking fans’ hearts in the anime. While One Piece has previously pulled off a redemption like this many times, the Kuma flashback deserves to be in a league of its own for how it completely recontextualized Kuma’s character.
This flashback single-handedly turned Kuma from a soulless Warlord of the Sea into one of the most tragic characters in One Piece, with Bonney and Ginny not faring much better. Of course, the glimpse at God Valley was an exciting touch, but it’s Kuma’s sacrifice that’s the true star of the flashback.
The heavy focus on Sun God Nika throughout also leaves its impact on the story as it sets the stage for Luffy and Gear Five and makes the fight against the Five Elders, particularly St. Saturn, much more satisfying.
The Oden Flashback
Episode #960 – Episode #975
As excited as fans currently are over the Kuma flashback and the Elbaph flashback, the Wano Arc’s Oden flashback is objectively still the best in One Piece. Despite not being a member of the D Clan, Oden emulated the Will of D in every aspect of his life, down to the way he died with a smile on his face.
Oden still remains one of the best characters of the Wano Arc, though that’s not what truly makes this flashback the best. The Oden flashback also famously reveals Roger’s journey and him finding the One Piece, which is the closest fans have ever gotten to the endgame of the series.
To this day, fans continue to wonder what Joyboy’s treasure truly was, and just why the mere sight of it made Roger’s crew laugh to the point of tears. The Oden flashback’s finale is undoubtedly the most consequential moment in the entire series, and it will continue to be until One Piece inevitably gives fans a Void Century flashback.
One Piece
- Release Date
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October 20, 1999
- Network
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Fuji TV
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Mayumi Tanaka
Monkey D. Luffy (voice)
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Kazuya Nakai
Roronoa Zoro (voice)
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