Best One Piece Episode Endings (To Be Continued… Done Right)

From early East Blue shocks to Wano’s roof-shattering reveals, ‘One Piece’ knows how to hit that “To Be Continued…” card at just the right second. These twenty episode endings capture big turning points—first bounties, crew-defining choices, new power-ups, and history-making clashes—sealing the moment with a perfectly timed cut that sends viewers straight into the next episode.

“Luffy Stands Up! End of a Broken Promise!” (Episode 37)

Arlong’s corrupt Marine contact, Nezumi, confiscates Nami’s savings, exposing the deal that kept Cocoyasi Village under Arlong’s control. After stabbing her own tattoo in despair, Nami finally asks Luffy for help, and he places his straw hat on her head. The crew then walks to Arlong Park together as the series sets up the Arlong battle. The episode ends right as that unified march begins, freezing a pivotal crew moment in ‘One Piece’.

“Bounty! Straw Hat Luffy Becomes Known To The World!” (Episode 45)

News Coo delivers Luffy’s first wanted poster—thirty million berries—making him the highest-bounty pirate in East Blue. The episode cuts around the sea to show allies and enemies reacting to his new notoriety. It also signals the crew’s next destination: Loguetown, the execution site of Gol D. Roger. The final beat locks in Luffy’s arrival on the world stage before the title card hits in ‘One Piece’.

“Luffy vs. Usopp! Collision of Two Men’s Pride!” (Episode 236)

In Water 7, Usopp challenges Luffy over ownership of the Going Merry, pushing a personal dispute into an all-night duel. Usopp uses traps, tactics, and the terrain to press Luffy far harder than expected despite his injuries. Luffy still wins and leaves the ship—and Usopp—behind for the time being. The ending lands on that painful split, setting the stakes for the crew’s next choices in ‘One Piece’.

“Luffy is in Sight! Gather at the Courthouse Plaza” (Episode 272)

As the Enies Lobby assault converges, Luffy reaches the rooftop to face CP9’s Blueno. Down below, the Straw Hats and allies force their way to the Courthouse Plaza. On the roof, Luffy unveils Gear Second for the first time, shifting the power balance in seconds. The episode ends with that transformation in motion, turning the arc toward the Tower of Justice in ‘One Piece’.

“All for the Sake of Protecting My Friends! Gear 2 in Motion!” (Episode 273)

The Straw Hats break into the courthouse while Luffy’s fight with Blueno escalates. Gear Second’s speed-boosted strikes—like Jet Pistol and Jet Bazooka—overwhelm the CP9 agent. Blueno falls, and the path toward Robin opens. The cut-to-black arrives with momentum squarely on the Straw Hats’ side in ‘One Piece’.

“Say You Want to Live! We Are Friends!!” (Episode 278)

After Robin’s Ohara flashback, Spandam drags her toward the Gates of Justice as the crew watches from the plaza. Luffy orders Sogeking to burn the World Government flag, publicly declaring war to save one friend. Pressed by Luffy, Robin breaks and screams that she wants to live. The episode ends on that declaration, triggering the rush up the Tower of Justice in ‘One Piece’.

“Thank You Merry! The Sea of Separation in the Snow” (Episode 312)

With Enies Lobby behind them, the Going Merry reaches her limit at sea. The crew gathers for a viking funeral as the ship apologizes and thanks them for the journey. Fire takes the Merry in falling snow while everyone remembers their first ship’s voyages. The ending closes on the burning silhouette, finishing a core chapter of ‘One Piece’.

“The Fist Explodes! Destroy the Auction” (Episode 396)

At the Human Auctioning House on Sabaody, Saint Charlos shoots Hatchan after his identity is exposed. Luffy crosses the floor, ignores every warning about Celestial Dragons, and punches Charlos in the face. That single blow shatters the rules of the archipelago and pulls the worst kind of attention. The cut lands there, just before the incident spirals across ‘One Piece’.

“Eliminated Friends – The Final Day of the Straw Hat Crew” (Episode 405)

Bartholomew Kuma arrives on Sabaody as Pacifistas and Marines close in. One by one, Kuma’s paw sends Straw Hats flying to unknown destinations. Luffy, helpless to stop it, watches his friends vanish in front of him. The episode ends with the crew erased from the battlefield, teeing up the post-Sabaody scatter in ‘One Piece’.

“Looking for the Answer! Fire Fist Ace Dies on the Battlefield!” (Episode 483)

At Marineford, Akainu’s magma fist pierces Ace as he shields Luffy. The battlefield falls silent as Ace thanks everyone and dies in his brother’s arms. Whitebeard and the allied pirates respond while the Marines press to eliminate Luffy next. The ending freezes on that loss, changing the trajectory of ‘One Piece’.

“I Want to See Them! Luffy’s Mournful Cry!” (Episode 505)

In the Post-War arc, Jinbe steadies Luffy as he spirals after Ace’s death. Flashbacks and messages from Foosha Village parallel a world reeling from Marineford’s outcome. Luffy realizes what he still has—his crew—and screams that he wants to see them again. The episode cuts at that resolve, pointing ‘One Piece’ toward the Rayleigh plan.

“Luffy’s Training Commences – 2 Years From Now at the Promised Place” (Episode 516)

Rayleigh takes Luffy to Rusukaina and outlines Haki’s core types and training approach. Luffy signals the reunion plan—two years later at Sabaody—using the “3D2Y” message. Jinbe departs for Fish-Man Island, and Hancock facilitates Luffy’s training start. The ending seals the timeskip setup that pivots ‘One Piece’ into the New World.

“Gear 4! The Phenomenal Boundman!” (Episode 726)

With Dressrosa trapped by the Birdcage, Luffy activates Gear Fourth against Doflamingo. His torso inflates, Haki-coating marks appear, and spring-loaded attacks like Kong Gun launch. Doflamingo is blasted across the city as Gear Fourth’s mobility and power become clear. The episode ends mid-onslaught, switching the arc’s pace in ‘One Piece’.

“A Heartbreaking Duel! Luffy vs. Sanji – Part 2” (Episode 808)

Under Whole Cake’s political pressure, Sanji assaults Luffy to drive him away from the Germa and Big Mom’s reach. Luffy refuses to fight back and collapses from hunger, vowing not to move until Sanji returns. The Straw Hat captain orders the others to keep going while he waits where he fell. The cut lands on that standstill, defining the reunion path in ‘One Piece’.

“A Fist of Divine Speed – Another Gear 4 Application Activated!” (Episode 870)

Deep in the Mirror-World, Luffy and Katakuri trade their last blows after the Snakeman reveal in the prior episodes. Observation Haki mastery and relentless exchanges push both to collapse. Katakuri accepts Luffy’s ambition, and the victor staggers toward the rendezvous. The ending locks the duel’s finish right before the Whole Cake escape accelerates in ‘One Piece’.

“Destructive! One Shot, One Kill – Thunder Bagua!” (Episode 915)

On Wano’s Bakura Town outskirts, Luffy pelts Kaido with Gear Fourth barrages. Kaido shrugs them off, reverts to human form, and blitzes Luffy with Raimei Hakke. The one-hit knockout ends the fight instantly and leads to Udon imprisonment. The episode cuts on Luffy’s defeat, redefining the gap to Wano’s top power in ‘One Piece’.

“Big News! An Incident That Will Affect the Seven Warlords!” (Episode 957)

Post-Levely developments ripple across the world as newspapers spread alarming headlines. The episode shows reactions to Sabo’s situation, the Warlord abolition decision, and CP0 movements. Conversations between Koby and Drake also flag the Kaido–Big Mom alliance. The ending tees up a global status shift just as Wano’s conflict crests in ‘One Piece’.

“A Legendary Battle! Garp and Roger!” (Episode 958)

Marine briefings recount the Rocks Pirates and the God Valley incident. Sengoku details how Garp and Roger fought together and how that history connects to today’s Emperors. The episode also reveals Emperor bounties and frames the Marines’ stance on Wano. The cut-out draws a line from the past to the present in ‘One Piece’.

“Straw Hat Luffy! The Man Who Will Become the Pirate King!” (Episode 1015)

Marking Chapter 1000’s events, the episode interweaves early crew memories with Wano’s rooftop assembly. Luffy strides past the Emperors’ attacks to reach Kin’emon and the Scabbards. He then faces Kaido and Big Mom with the Worst Generation at his side. The ending fixes on that rooftop confrontation as ‘One Piece’ enters its next phase.

“Luffy’s Peak – Attained! Fifth Gear” (Episode 1071)

After defeat and near-death, Luffy’s true Devil Fruit nature awakens and he transforms into Gear Fifth. The form unlocks rubbery, cartoon-physics freedom alongside an altered heartbeat. Drums of Liberation thrum as the fight with Kaido restarts under entirely new rules. The episode ends on the rebirth moment, changing combat language in ‘One Piece’.

Got another ‘One Piece’ ending that nailed the “To Be Continued…” timing? Drop your pick in the comments!