Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is renowned for its epic storytelling, memorable characters, and, of course, its unique brand of humor. The series is packed with running gags that have become a staple of the One Piece experience, delighting fans for over two decades. These recurring jokes, from character quirks to situational comedy, are integral to the show’s charm. Here are the top 10 funniest running gags that continue to make One Piece a comedic masterpiece.
1. Zoro’s Inability to Navigate
Perhaps the most famous running gag in One Piece is Roronoa Zoro’s absolutely abysmal sense of direction. Despite being a powerful swordsman, Zoro can get lost in the most straightforward of locations. This gag is so consistent that it has become a defining characteristic of the character. Even when actively trying to go the right way, Zoro inevitably veers off in the completely wrong direction, often leading him into dangerous or hilarious situations. His crewmates have learned to simply accept his terrible navigation skills, making it a constant source of amusement. This gag is highlighted in many situations, even on ships, where he still manages to get lost.
2. Luffy’s Insatiable Appetite and Naivety
Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, is known for two things: his rubbery body and his bottomless stomach. Luffy’s love for food is a constant source of humor, often leading him to eat anything he can get his hands on, regardless of how questionable it may be. He will devour entire feasts in seconds and is not above eating things that are not considered edible, such as poisonous fish or even the walls of a chocolate cafe. Furthermore, Luffy’s simple-mindedness and gullibility often get him into trouble, which further adds to the comedic effect. He’s quick to believe outlandish lies and is easily distracted by shiny objects, making him an endearing and hilarious character.
3. Sanji’s Obsession with Women
Sanji, the Straw Hat’s chef, is notorious for his extreme infatuation with beautiful women. His reactions to any attractive female character are over-the-top, often involving heart-eyes, nosebleeds that could rival waterfalls, and a tendency to completely lose focus. This gag is so central to his character that it’s rare to see Sanji not reacting to a woman in some comical way. Whether it’s swooning over Nami or being completely smitten with a new female character, Sanji’s antics never fail to bring a laugh, even leading to a funny situation of him getting stuck in Nami’s body.
3.1. Sanji’s Wanted Poster
Adding to Sanji’s comedic plight, his initial wanted poster is notoriously inaccurate. Instead of a clear picture of his face, the World Government distributes a terrible sketch that barely resembles him, this is later replaced with a comical photo. This recurring joke highlights the absurdity of the situation, often leading to people mistaking him for someone completely different and adding to the continuous humor surrounding the character.
4. Nami’s Love for Money
Nami, the Straw Hat’s navigator, is driven by her love for money. Her eyes turn into the symbol for “Belly” (the currency in One Piece) whenever she sees potential riches. Nami’s single-minded focus on wealth often leads her to hilariously exploit others. She’s always scheming for ways to increase her earnings and isn’t afraid to use physical violence against her crewmates, especially Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji, when they mess up or owe her money.
5. Usopp’s Tall Tales and Cowardice
Usopp, the Straw Hat’s sniper, is a master of exaggeration and tall tales. His penchant for lying and boasting about his exploits, often creating incredibly elaborate stories that are far from the truth, is a consistent gag. Despite his bravado, Usopp is also a huge coward, often running away from danger and causing comical situations. He’s notorious for claiming he has a disease that forces him to be unable to fight, and his reactions to fear often involve comical expressions and desperate attempts to escape. His lies are often believed by Luffy and Chopper, which adds to the humor.
6. Chopper’s Naivete and Inability to Hide
Tony Tony Chopper, the Straw Hat’s doctor, is a reindeer who ate a Devil Fruit, giving him human-like abilities. He is incredibly naive and is often moved by even the simplest of compliments, he even tries to hide, but is always unsuccessful. Chopper’s attempts to blend into his surroundings, often in plain sight, are consistently funny. He will hide behind objects that barely cover him, believing that he’s invisible. His constant calls for a doctor when anyone is hurt, even when he is the doctor, is another running gag. He also believes most lies told by Usopp.
6.1. Chopper’s Low Bounty
Another running gag involves Chopper’s exceptionally low bounty, which never seems to reach four digits. Despite his importance to the crew, the World Government consistently underestimates him, often mistaking him for a pet, resulting in a laughably small reward for his capture.
7. Brook’s Skull Jokes
Brook, the skeletal musician of the Straw Hat crew, is known for his endless stream of “skull jokes.” Given his skeletal state, he makes constant puns and one-liners about being dead, often to the chagrin of his crewmates. These jokes, while not always funny, are so consistent and delivered with such enthusiasm that they have become a beloved running gag, especially when he asks to see women’s panties shortly after, usually receiving a negative response.
8. Robin’s Dark Humor
Nico Robin, the Straw Hat’s archaeologist, has a penchant for dark and morbid humor that contrasts sharply with her calm and collected demeanor. She often makes surprisingly grim remarks about situations, which are always delivered with a straight face. This juxtaposition of her gentle nature and her dark humor creates an amusing and unexpected gag, and she also has a dark imagination.
9. Pandaman’s Cameos
Pandaman is a background character that appears in many One Piece scenes. This running gag is a fan-favorite due to its unexpected and often difficult-to-spot appearances, this character is an easter egg and a running gag at the same time. Oda has mentioned that Pandaman is an homage to a character from one of his favorite manga, Kinnikuman.
10. Luffy’s Terrible Drawing Skills
When the Straw Hats need a Jolly Roger, it is quickly revealed that Luffy’s drawing skills are abysmal, it comes to the point that he is unable to draw a recognizable drawing. Luffy’s inability to draw any coherent images is highlighted several times, particularly when he attempts to draw a mermaid for Sanji, and it always results in hilariously terrible pictures.
These running gags are integral to One Piece’s enduring popularity. They provide levity amidst the high stakes and emotional moments, ensuring that the series remains both epic and incredibly funny. The consistency of these jokes allows fans to connect with the characters on a deeper level, making each episode a delight.
