Sanji's Best Episodes in One Piece, Ranked
- Sanji's character development in the One Piece anime showcases his kindhearted nature and strategic intelligence.
- His signature fiery technique, Diable Jambe, adds depth to his fight scenes and storytelling in the series.
- Sanji's pivotal moments, like demolishing his Raid Suit and rescuing his biological family, highlight his humanity and strength.
The head chef of the Straw Hat Pirates knows how to cook a delicious meal in the One Piece anime. Of course, he doesn’t just serve up hot dishes on a table, he also dishes out some of the series’ best moments. When he’s not reduced to a perverted comedy gag, Sanji really gets to prove why he’s the fourth most popular character per the 2021 poll. He’s beloved for his gentle heart, strategic intelligence, and respect for good food.
Many episodes also showcase his particular talent with rescue missions and exciting fight scenes. More importantly, Sanji also happens to receive a lot of character development, arguably more than anybody else in the series. Certain episodes highlight his personal growth in very powerful ways. He’s more than just a fighter, he’s also someone that wants to protect his own humanity, and the anime does a good job of demonstrating that.
Aoi Todo, Sanji Vismoke, and Roy Mustang
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Zoro and Sanji Play Groggy Ring
Their Comedic Rivalry Brings Out The Best Laughs
Sanji and Zoro at a Davy Back Fight in One Piece
The competitive streak between Zoro and Sanji has enough fuel to light several fires over the next century. Both of these One Piece characters get into a lot of verbal spits and physical altercations, but this episode is arguably the funniest one regarding their rivalry. Sanji and Zoro argue over who should be the ''ball'' in the second round of the tournament, as they come up with several creative nicknames for each other.
Despite the contentious nature of the Davy Back Fights, namely due to the anime’s extended scenes, it serves its purpose in being a light breather arc. There are plenty of laughs to spare whenever Zoro and Sanji are involved, especially this episode. Their brief fight scene is also well animated with a lot of attention to detail.
Sanji Feeds Seafood Risotto to a Starving Man
His Act of Kindness Establishes His Character Right Away
Sanji serves multiple dishes at the Baratie restaurant in One Piece.
The Baratie arc serves as Sanji’s introduction to the One Piece series. A mere assistant chef for a popular restaurant, Sanji’s love and respect for the culinary arts is very self-evident. He also demonstrates a firm belief that everybody should be entitled to good food, regardless of their current station in life. This is best seen in this episode when he feeds a starving Gin.
A few scenes prior, the âââââpirate was kicked out from Baratie for not having the funds to pay for his food. A short while later, Sanji manages to secretly make something tasty and saves Gin’s life in the process. The former’s delicious seafood risotto is enough to make the latter cry tears of joy. It’s a beautiful moment that captures the essence of Sanji’s kindhearted nature.
Sanji Uses Diable Jambe For The First Time
Jabra Goes Down With a Single Flambage Shot
Sanji Uses Diable Jambe For the First Time in One Piece
Sanji covered in fire
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Almost every One Piece character has some type of finishing move at their disposal. It’s a given in the shonen genre. Although it takes a while for him to get there, when Sanji finally masters his Black Leg Style, he learns a fiery technique known as Diable Jambe. He inexplicably lights up his legs to deliver burning kicks against his opponents.
CP9 agent Jabra figures out the hard way that it doesn’t feel good to be hit by it. This episode marks the debut of Sanji’s latest attack. His fight with Jabra is among the best in terms of choreography. Their entire sequence of movements has speed and power behind every motion. It definitely ranks among Sanji’s best showings in the entire series.
Sanji Destroys His Raid Suit
Powerful Storytelling Meets Striking Visuals
Sanji wears his Raid Suit during One Piece's Wano Arc.
Sanji finally gets a power-up in the Wano Country arc when he puts on a Raid Suit, which is designed to awaken genetic modifications in his body. He’s even granted invisibility powers that he’s always wanted. However, when he seemingly injures a woman in the midst of battle, Sanji realizes that he cannot serve Luffy if he’s just a heartless machine. He chooses to preserve his own humanity by demolishing his Raid Suit right on the stop.
There is also a very noticeable upgrade in visual quality during the Wano Country arc. With a brighter color palette and more fluid animation than ever before, the One Piece anime has never looked more beautiful to watch. The scene where Sanji destroys the Raid Suit really stands out, simply because of the smoldering flames in the background.
Sanji Defeats Queen With Ifrit Jambe
High Quality Animation Really Sets The Standard For Sanji Fights
Sanji performs Ifrit Jambe for the first time against Queen during One Piece's Onigashima Raid.
This episode is the climactic end for Sanji’s ongoing storyline with Germa 66. After finally breaking free of his family’s terrible hold on him, Sanji overcomes a major obstacle in Queen, an All-Star member of the Beasts Pirates who can use all Germa 66 attacks. With the activation of his latest ability, Ifrit Jambe, Sanji is able to destroy Queen and send him flying away from Onigashima.
It’s a powerful technique that invokes blue fire instead of orange. Right away, viewers will notice the exceptionally high quality animation of this particular episode. The Wano Country arc is a heavy upgrade in terms of fluid movements and spectacular flying colors, especially in the monochromatic sequence where Queen is blasted off. It’s arguably Sanji’s most impressive showing from a storytelling and fighting standpoint.
He Encourages Usopp to Do What He Can
Sanjis Words Resonate With the Spirit of The Series
Sogeking takes aim in One Piece, Enies Lobby
Split Images of Usopp
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Despite his best efforts in Enies Lobby, Sogeking is no match for the short-tempered Jabra, who can turn into a wolf hybrid with his Zoan Devil Fruit. At the very last second, the CP9 agent is kicked away by Sanji, who then encourages Usopp with some of the most powerful words regarding friendship in the series. Sanji tells Usopp that everybody has something they can or cannot do, which is why the Straw Hats should always look out for each other in a time of need.
The Straw Hats all have a role to play in One Piece. Sanji’s words in this episode highlight Luffy’s own philosophy in regard to his pirate crew. He needs his crewmates in order to achieve his goal of becoming the Pirate King. More importantly, they also have to cover for each other’s weaknesses. Usopp proves Sanji right, as he later goes on to rescue Nico Robin from Spandam’s clutches at the very climax of this arc.
Sanji Rescues His Biological Family
He Still Cares For Them Despite Everything
Sanji Coming To His Family's Rescue
The stage is set for Big Mom's imminent betrayal of the Vinsmoke family during the marriage between Pudding and Sanji. One Piece wouldn't blame him for leaving behind his abusive father and brothers, given their years of relentless torment. Despite all that hardship, Sora raised at least one child with some level of empathy, which is why Sanji goes back to save his family right before they're assassinated.
With the power of Diable Jambe, Sanji burns the candy like coating imprisoning his family. Triumphantly, he stands in the group table and looks down on his father Judge, who had begged for his life earlier. It turns out that his savior is none other than his third son that he deemed the weakest. Sanji proves his mother was right to let him keep his emotions. In the end, it was not a weakness but a strength.
Mr. Prince Fools Crocodile With a Decoy
He Saves The Straw Hats Just in The Nick of Time
Sir Crocodile smiles widely from a close-up angle in One Piece.
Crocodile may be a criminal mastermind in One Piece, but he can still be outplayed under the right circumstances. This episode is a prime showcase of Sanji's clutch ability to make last minute rescues. When the villain traps Straw Hats and Smoke inside a cage, he purposely lets the water levels rise, so they can drown. However, a mysterious person only known as ''Mr. Prince'' makes contact via a responder snail.
It turns out that Sanji is luring Crocodile away from Rain Dinners, so he can sneak into the casino successfully. The ''Mr. Prince'' moment really drives home the meaning of the word ''nakama.'' With a little bit of help from Chopper to pull off a decoy routine, Sanji manages to save the day with subterfuge. By the next episode, he makes good on his promise to free his friends. Crocodile eventually figures out the ruse, but he’s too late to stop it.
Enel Helps Light a Cigarette For Sanji
Sanji Gives Nami and Usopp a Chance to Escape
Sanji lights a cigarette after Enel zaps him in One Piece's Skypiea arc
Enel lounges on a pillow during his One Piece debut.
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One Piece fans will always remember Zoro’s ''nothing happened'' moment in the Thriller Bark arc. Despite taking untold amounts of damage, he brushes it off for the sake of his friends. His rival Sanji just so happens to have a similar event take place a few arcs prior. In this episode, Sanji and Usopp board the massive flying ark Maxim so they could rescue Nami. Unfortunately for them, Enel could already sense their presence via mantra.
With the power of lightning via the Goro Goro no Mi, the ''God'' of Skypiea is about to electrocute Usopp when Sanji intervenes. Enel then strikes down Sanji with a huge surge of lightning, but when the smoke clears, the latter simply lights a cigarette and stands there in a calm way. This provides a much-needed distraction for Nami and Usopp’s escape, not to mention the ship malfunctions shortly afterward.
Sanji Tearfully Reconciles With Luffy
The Straw Hats Are His True Family
Sanji cries in front of Luffy at Whole Cake Island in One Piece
The rain sets a really somber tone for this One Piece episode. Luffy's hunger strike leaves him on the verge of death in enemy territory, since he wasn't going to eat until Sanji came back to him. To his credit, Sanji does arrive with a hot and ready bento, yet stubbornly refuses to rejoin his crew because he can't just leave his real family behind. Luffy knocks sense into Sanji as he finally admits that he really does miss his friends.
It's a poignant episode for Sanji fans due to his conflicted decision-making. He knows that he can't just let the Vinsmoke family die at Big Mom's hands, but he also doesn't want to leave behind his friends. Sure enough, Luffy finds a middle ground as he declares his intention to crash the wedding tomorrow. It's a touching reunion between the captain and his crewmate. What makes it even better is the instrumental rendition of ''We Are'' in this scene.
The cast of One Piece run together
One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda, the One Piece franchise explores the adventures of pirate Luffy D. Monkey and his crew, the Straw Hats. Since the manga first debuted in 1997, One Piece has been adapted into an ongoing anime that has seen multiple movies. Most recently it was adapted into a live-action series by Netflix.
Created by Eiichiro OdaFirst TV Show One Piece (1999)Latest TV Show Netflix's One PieceFirst Episode Air Date October 20, 1999Cast Kerry Williams, Hiroaki Hirata, Eric Valette, Kappei Yamaguchi, Ikue Ootani, Kazuya Nakai, Sonny Strait, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Mayumi Tanaka, Christopher Sabat