The Straw Hat Pirates and the Pirate King is all set to return to your screens tomorrow after a hiatus of six long months. Which is the longest production break in the anime’s 25+ years history. You heard that right, Luffy and co. are returning tomorrow, 5th April to continue the story from where Oda left it, in the middle of the ‘Egghead’ arc.
For those who are not familiar with the manga or the anime, here is a little synopsis of what One Piece is all about:
One Piece is a long-running Japanese anime and manga series created by Eiichiro Oda. It follows Monkey D. Luffy, a spirited young pirate with the power to stretch like rubber after eating a magical Devil Fruit. Luffy assembles a diverse crew called the Straw Hat Pirates, each with unique abilities and dreams. Together, they sail the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure known as the “One Piece,” aiming to make Luffy the Pirate King. Along the way, they face powerful enemies, uncover ancient secrets, and form deep bonds in a world rich with adventure, mystery, and heart.
As of April 2025, One Piece has been running for nearly 26 years, having debuted as a manga in July 1997 and as an anime in October 1999. The anime has surpassed 1,090 episodes and continues to air new content. Over the decades, One Piece has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises in history, earning over $21 billion globally. This includes more than $15 billion from merchandise, over $2 billion from manga sales, and over $1 billion from the anime through home video and streaming, along with additional revenue from films, games, and licensing. Its cultural impact and global fanbase continue to grow.
To celebrate the return of the Straw Hat Pirates, we are taking a look at the best opening and ending credit scores from the Anime. So sit tight and stack up on meat, sake, and Beli ’cause we are about to dive right in!
Read : New album by The Black Keys incoming – stream lead single now!
One Piece: The best opening and ending scores of the anime
These songs mark emotional turning points, high-energy battles, and unforgettable moments in the series. Here are the favourite OP and ED from the anime presented by Sinusoidal Music:
☠️ OPENINGS:
1. “We Are!” – Hiroshi Kitadani (Opening 1)
Vibe: Classic, bold, adventurous – pure Straw Hat spirit.
This song set the tone for One Piece‘s legacy of freedom and dreams. It has been re-recorded multiple times, including a special 10th Anniversary version featuring all voice actors.
Trivia: The singer, Hiroshi Kitadani, became synonymous with the series and returned for multiple other themes.
2. “Kokoro no Chizu” – BOYSTYLE (Opening 5)
Vibe: Warm and determined, with a sense of camaraderie.
This one captures the heart of the crew’s journey through the Water 7 arc and the deepening bonds between the Straw Hats.
3. “Brand New World” – D-51 (Opening 6)
Vibe: Energetic and explosive – perfect for action-packed arcs.
This track kicks off the Enies Lobby arc with strong momentum and optimism.
Trivia: D-51 is named after a Japanese steam locomotive!
4. “Jungle P” – 5050 (Opening 9)
Vibe: Funky, playful, and unpredictable.
Set during the Thriller Bark arc, this opening matches the quirky, spooky tone with a mix of reggae and hip-hop influences.
5. “One Day” – The ROOTLESS (Opening 13)
Vibe: Powerful, emotional, filled with longing and resolve.
Used during the Marineford arc, this opening reflects the tragic and intense battle to rescue Ace.
Trivia: It’s one of the most emotionally charged themes in the series and remains a fan favorite for its soul-stirring vibe.
6. “Fight Together” – Namie Amuro (Opening 14)
Vibe: Hopeful, heartfelt, and empowering.
Accompanies the post-Marineford arc and flashbacks of Luffy’s childhood.
Trivia: Namie Amuro, known as the “Queen of Japanese Pop,” rarely did anime themes, making this a standout.
7. “Hikari E” – The Babystars (Opening 3)
Vibe: Bright, uplifting, and full of wanderlust.
A fan favorite from the Skypiea arc, symbolizing the Straw Hats’ never-ending journey skyward.
8. “Paint” – I Don’t Like Mondays (Opening 24)
Vibe: Stylish, slick, and modern rock with an optimistic energy.
Used during the Wano arc’s climax, this track bridges old-school spirit with new-gen polish.
9. “Next Stage” – Sekai no Owari (End of the World) (Opening 25)
Vibe: Majestic, cinematic, and emotionally expansive.
Debuted in 2024, it’s used for the Egghead arc.
Trivia: Sekai no Owari is a hugely popular band in Japan known for their theatrical live shows and genre-blending sound.
☠️ ENDINGS:
10. “Kaze wo Sagashite” – Yaguchi Mari and Straw Hat Pirates (Ending 12)
Vibe: Cheerful, wholesome, and full of friendship.
Trivia: Features actual voice actors from the Straw Hat crew singing along with J-pop idol Yaguchi Mari!
11. “Fish” – The Kaleidoscope (Ending 13)
Vibe: Laid-back, dreamy, and reflective.
A calming break from the usual upbeat vibe, perfect after action-packed episodes.
12. “Free Will” – Ruppina (Ending 8)
Vibe: Emotional and soaring with a powerful chorus.
Accompanies the Drum Island arc, focusing on Chopper’s moving backstory.
13. “Memories” – Maki Otsuki (Ending 1)
Vibe: Nostalgic, soft, and bittersweet.
Trivia: The very first ending theme. Played during the East Blue saga, it’s associated with early Straw Hat memories and adventures.
14. “Shining Ray” – Janne Da Arc (Ending 12)
Vibe: Rock-tinged, inspiring, and slightly melancholic.
Symbolizes moments of growth and looking ahead to brighter days.
15. “Eternal Pose” – Asia Engineer (Ending 14)
Vibe: Fun and optimistic, with a tropical flair.
Captures the thrill of the Grand Line and the Straw Hats’ unbreakable spirit.
16. “Dear Sunrise” – Aimer (Insert song, 2023)
Vibe: Mysterious, emotional, and spiritual.
Trivia: Tied to the Sun God Nika mythology introduced in the Wano/Egghead arcs. Aimer’s haunting vocals bring a sense of reverence and destiny.
The Straw Hat Pirates have faced their fair share of perilous situations, but the challenges awaiting them in One Piece’s Egghead Island Part 2 surpass anything they’ve encountered before. While the Wano Arc’s Raid on Onigashima saw them battling fearsome foes like Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, Luffy and his crew had the advantage of numerous allies. This time, however, they are almost entirely on their own, with a massive Marine fleet—larger than the one that destroyed Ohara—led by Admiral Kizaru closing in. Escaping Egghead unscathed will take more than just luck.
The first half of the Egghead Island Arc delivered some of the most visually stunning animation in One Piece history, and after six months of preparation, the series’ return is expected to raise the bar even higher. Adding to the anticipation, this upcoming section of the anime adapts a part of the manga that was released while creator Eiichiro Oda was battling serious health issues, making it all the more significant. Fans can expect Toei Animation to honor One Piece’s legacy with an adaptation that does justice to Oda’s vision.
The second half of the Egghead Island Arc kicks off with Episode 1123, a recap of the events so far, airing this Saturday. Episode 1124 premieres on Sunday, April 6, at 10:15 AM EST, establishing the show’s regular time slot moving forward. Unless there are delays, Episode 1125 is expected to follow on Sunday, April 13, at the same time.
Special Mentions
We feel it is an injustice to end this list without mentioning Drums of Liberation x Overtaken (Gear 5) by Kohei Tanaka. While not an OP or ED, the soundtrack is a perfect representation of the indomitable spirit of the Mugiwara no Kaizoku (Straw Hat Pirates). The song embodies the return of Joyboy to the mortal realm as Luffy finally awakens his Devil Fruit Powers while being left for dead by the former Yonko, Kaido. The music alone is enough to get true fans pumped up. When the hook of the theme music plays in the middle, it is just the icing on the cake!
Additionally, every true Mugiwara fan knows the best singer in One Piece. The song in question is the one that our protagonist sings in Skypiea. Check it out below, you shall know what we mean –
Check out our YouTube channel for music reviews, playlists, podcasts, and more!
An entity of flesh and bones in pursuit of becoming a higher being. A connoisseur of the mystic arts and everything musical. His origins are unknown, and so are his true motives.
