Best Anime Like One Piece

Key Takeaways

• “One Piece fans will find great adventure in other anime like Boruto, Dr. Stone, and Kaiju No. 8.”
• “Similar themes of friendship and adventure are seen in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Zatch Bell.”
• “Get ready for action with anime like Chainsaw Man, InuYasha, and Fairy Tail for a thrilling experience.”

With the creation of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda cemented his place among the greatest mangaka of all time. For a lot of anime fans, One Piece is among the finest pieces of fiction to ever exist, and it is really difficult to argue otherwise.

One Piece manga began serializing in 1997, and even after several decades, it is still going strong. The incredible story of the Straw Hat Pirates continues to captivate the audience. For any fans who have watched all of this massive series, there are anime out there with similar stories they are sure to enjoy.

Updated November 24, 2024, by Suzail Ahmad: After releasing high-quality episodes weekly, the One Piece anime decided to go on an extended break till April 2025. The news left fans speechless and a big hole in their schedule.

This makes it more important than ever to explore other anime that can provide the same level of thrill as One Piece. Fans can keep themselves busy until One Piece anime finally returns next year. To make things easier, they can pick any of the recommendations mentioned in the list.

This list does not contain 1:1 recommendations, but instead anime with themes similar to One Piece.

35 Golden Kamuy

Almost A Perfect Blend Of Comedy And Drama

Golden Kamuy has cemented its place as one of the best ongoing anime series. It is an excellent blend of comedy and real-life themes, making it a perfect option for One Piece fans who want to experience both things. Moral ambiguity, penance, and greed are just some of the themes covered in Golden Kamuy.

The dark side is balanced out by Saichi Sugimoto and Asirpa. The two have distinct personalities, but they put them aside for their goal. The differences in their way of living elevate the humor. Another thing that makes Golden Kamuy unique is that it has a historical setting.

34 YAIBA: Samurai Legend

Exciting Tale With Several Battles

YAIBA: Samurai Legend is an anime series that is based on Aoyama’s work. Since the original anime series came out two decades ago, some fans might find the animation outdated, but if they push past that, they are in for a treat.

YAIBA: Samurai Legend has an outspoken protagonist who is not afraid to speak his mind. Like Luffy, he enjoys challenges and doing goofy things that will leave viewers in stitches. YAIBA: Samurai Legend has more than 50 episodes, so it will keep fans busy for a while. In case fans dislike the old animation, they can watch the remake that comes out in 2025.

33 Dandadan

Humor Is Off The Charts

Dandadan debuted in 2024, and it stole everyone’s hearts. The anime’s action and heartwarming characters have won over viewers. The chemistry between the two main characters is simply sublime, making their interactions phenomenal. While the anime is still in its early stages, it would be unwise to overlook it as a possible alternative to One Piece.

The story is enthralling enough to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Like One Piece, there is humor, a great cast of characters, and cool transformations. Even the animation quality in Dandadan is incredible. So, One Piece fans should definitely give it a chance.

32 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Many Themes Similar To One Piece

Most One Piece fans have watched Naruto at one point or another. The incredible action series by Masashi Kishimoto ended years ago, but its sequel is ongoing. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations does not have the same level of quality as its predecessor, but it has some very high highs.

The sequel focuses on Boruto Uzumaki, the son of Naruto, who tries to find his place in the world. Boruto and the other young ninjas face new enemies who endanger the safety of their loved ones. Aside from the next generation, Boruto also includes characters from the old era, such as Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.

31 Dr. Stone

Both Protagonists Are Adventurous

Dr. Stone is an epic post-apocalyptic adventure series. It boasts a rich cast of characters, and the story is rather riveting. With over 50 episodes, Dr. Stone is one of the longer anime from the new generation, meaning fans will be able to watch for a few weeks before they have to go looking for a new one. Like One Piece, Dr. Stone has a great deal of fun and action.

The series follows Senku Ishigami, a genius student who is tasked with the responsibility of restoring humanity to its former glory. However, many individuals try to impede his progress and bring his mission to an end.

30 Kaiju No. 8

Lots Of Action

Kaiju No. 8 received its anime adaptation in 2024, and immediately it garnered the attention of fans. It is based on the manga of the same name, written by Naoya Matsumoto. Kaiju No. 8 is packed with action and fights, which is something that One Piece fans are familiar with. There is also the element of fantasy, which makes it easier to recommend Kaiju No. 8.

The series is set in a time when the world is under constant threat from creatures known as Kaiju. In order to combat this problem, a special unit is established, and they are armed with powerful weapons.

29 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Great Story And Character Development

When Frieren was released, it gained a lot of interest from the anime community because of its interesting story and unique characters. While One Piece and Frieren may feel different, there are more similarities between the two. Both series provide fans with a sense of adventure. In One Piece, the Straw Hats visit one island after another to challenge new enemies and learn secrets. In Frieren, it is mainly the protagonist who goes from one place to another.

Frieren follows the story of an elven mage whose life changes after seeing her party members get old and die. This causes Frieren to go on a journey that spans years to learn more about others.

28 Dragon Ball Z

Both Protagonists Are Funny And Kind

Dragon Ball Z is the sequel to the popular Dragon Ball anime. It has a total of 291 episodes, which cover 325 chapters. At the time of its release, the anime attracted a great deal of attention, and over the years, it has become a staple for every anime fan. Despite being released such a long time ago, Dragon Ball Z has remained relevant because of its quality.

The anime focuses on Goku as he moves into adulthood and continues training to become a powerful warrior. The anime gives screen time to other characters, including Gohan, Vegeta, and Piccolo, which keeps things fresh and interesting. The combination of excellent characters and story makes Dragon Ball Z one of the anime that is closest to One Piece.

27 Chainsaw Man

Both Protagonists Follow Their Dreams

Fans that want fast-paced action needn’t look any further than Chainsaw Man. It is a new-generation anime that has left a great impression on the audience. Chainsaw Man has great characters, and each of them has a past that is shrouded in mystery. The fights in the anime are breathtaking, which ensures that fans stay on the edge of their seats all the time.

Chainsaw Man is a story about a teenage boy who lives in poverty. Denji would have succumbed to depression if it weren’t for Pochita, his pet devil. One day, Denji was set up by his employer and led into a trap created by a vicious devil. While Denji was at death’s door, Pochita intervened and saved him. From that point onward, Denji swore to live his life to the fullest.

26 Zatch Bell

The Heroes Want To Become Kings

Zatch Bell is based on Makoto Raiku’s manga, which started serializing in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine in 2001. It didn’t receive an anime adaptation until 2003, and it ran until 2006. The anime has a total of 150 episodes, and they are packed with high-quality entertainment. Zatch Bell shares several themes with One Piece, which makes it an obvious choice for fans.

The anime is set in the future, where supernatural creatures called Mamodo descend on the earth every 1000 years to participate in the Mamodo Tournament. They possess special books that allow them to cast different spells. On a fateful day, Kiyomaru’s father finds an unconscious boy named Zatch Bell and sends him over to Kiyomaru in hopes of finding answers. It doesn’t take long for Kiyomaru to figure out that the boy is a Mamodo. When Zatch regains consciousness, the two boys enter the Mamodo Tournament, where they meet other Mamodo. They learn about their struggles, which moves Zatch to his very core. He claims that he will win the tournament and become a kind and rational king.

25 Yu Yu Hakusho

Both Anime Offer Great Adventures

Yu Yu Hakusho is one of the greatest anime series of all time. The anime was released in 1992, and it went on until 1994, releasing 114 episodes in the process. Yu Yu Hakusho delves into the life of Yusuke Urameshi, a person with a very dull future. However, he gets an opportunity to turn his life around when he sacrifices himself to save another person. His actions raise plenty of eyebrows within the spirit world, and ultimately, Koenma decides to offer Yusuke a chance to live again.

Koenma gives Yusuke different tasks that he needs to complete. The former delinquent is sent back to Earth to monitor the evil spirits and ensure that they do not interfere with the planet’s peace and tranquility. Like the Straw Hats from One Piece, Yusuke and his group have very contrasting personalities, yet they work extremely well together.

24 Gurren Lagann

Features Plenty Of Escapades

Gurren Lagann may not be as adventure-focused as One Piece, but the two are undoubtedly outstanding anime with a great deal of comedy. It is one of the few anime titles that was released before its manga came out. Gurren Lagann has a total of 27 episodes, which are packed with absolutely incredible plot lines and characters.

The anime is set in the future, where people are forced to live below the surface. This causes them to lose communication with each other. Simon and Kamina live in one such village. Simon is shy, and there aren’t many things that interest him. Kamina, on the other hand, is an intrepid individual who believes that there is more to life than living in a subterranean village. One fateful day, Simon finds a weapon that can be manned. Initially, he is reluctant to use it, but he changes his mind after Kamina’s incessant pleas. They manage to fend off a deadly attack by using the weapon. The duo does get some help from Yoko Littner, who is quite knowledgeable about Gunmen and the rest of the world.

23 Soul Eater

Has A Lot Of Action

Soul Eater is a popular anime that combines dark fantasy with action. It is based on Atsushi Ohkubo’s manga of the same name. Due to the popularity of the manga, it received an anime adaptation in 2008. Soul Eater has a total of 51 episodes, which is short by One Piece standards, but each episode is packed with fun and action.

Soul Eater is set in an academy located in Death City. The story follows multiple students studying at the institution as they try to protect the city from all sorts of dangers. Like the Straw Hats, the heroes in Soul Eater have a great deal of camaraderie.

22 Made in Abyss

Dark And Mysterious Like One Piece

​​​​​​Many consider Made in Abyss to be the pinnacle of adventure anime. The series has managed to blend themes of adventure and sci-fi nicely together. The art style of the series is quite unique as well, and it helps the viewers stay focused on the screens. So far, Made in Abyss has received two anime and three movie adaptations.

The series focuses on the life of Riko, an orphaned girl who is deeply fascinated by a giant hole known as the Abyss. Riko has high ambitions, and she hopes to explore the deepest corners of the Abyss. One Piece fans who have a fondness for adventure should definitely add Made in Abyss to their watchlist.

Made in Abyss
is considerably darker than
One Piece
.

21 Jing: King of Bandits

Jing Has A Big Dream

Jing: King of Bandits is a hidden gem that received an adaptation by Studio Deen. The anime covers five of the seven volumes of the original manga. The anime adaptation has just 13 episodes, but they are extremely entertaining. Jing: King of Bandits started airing in May 2002, and the final episode was released on August 14, 2002.

At the center of the story is a boy named Jing, who considers himself the Bandit King. His exploits make him extremely popular and often land him in trouble. Throughout the series, Jing faces multiple opponents, and most of the time, they underestimate him because of his size. The story offers a great deal of entertainment, and the different adventures ensure that the viewers never get bored.

20 Trigun

Nash Is Good-Natured Like Luffy

Trigun is an extremely famous anime that was released in 1998. It had a total of 26 episodes, and it instantly became a hit within the anime community. Much of the anime’s success is associated with its retro animation and riveting story. However, there are other qualities of the show that make it stand out from the other anime released in the 1990s. One of the main reasons is the characters, especially Vash, who is quite different from usual anime protagonists.

Trigun is set on a planet known as Gunsmoke, and it focuses on Vash, an infamous gunman who has a bounty of $$60 billion on his head. Contrary to his reputation, Vash is a pacifist who tries to resolve all his problems peacefully.

2023’s
Trigun Stampede
is a reboot that sticks closer to the manga.

19 Shaman King

The Hero Has To Face Many Challenges

Shaman King is an anime series based on Hiroyuki Takei’s manga. It originally aired from 2001 to 2002, and it was rebooted in 2021. Due to the success of the reboot, a sequel has already been announced.

​​​​​The manga focuses on Yoh Asakura, who hopes to become the Shaman King. In order to achieve his dream, Yoh has to win the Shaman Fight, a tournament held every 500 years. However, Yoh needs to get much stronger before he can join the tournament. So, he sets out on a journey where he comes across other shamans with different personalities. Like Luffy, Yoh’s dreams are also quite big, and they both have to go through several tribulations to achieve them.

18 Magi

The Best Of Magic And Story

Magi is an adventure, fantasy anime series that is loosely based on stories from One Thousand and One Nights. It follows the adventures of Aladdin, who explores the world alongside his Djinn, Ugo. On his journey, Aladdin meets other characters, who help him grow and understand the world better.

The world of Magi is beautiful and filled with many oddities, which makes the anime similar to One Piece. Both protagonists travel around the world in search of something that is much bigger than any power, and their charisma inspires other people to join them. Magi is an outstanding series, and every One Piece fan should definitely watch it.

17 Fairy Tail

Stresses On Friendship

Fairy Tail is often ridiculed within the anime community because of its overreliance on the friendship trope. However, if a person is willing to see past it, then there is a quality series to be enjoyed. The anime covers the story of Natsu Dragneel, a member of Fairy Tail, and Lucy Heartfilia, a magician trying to join Fairy Tail.

After helping each other out, the two form a team, which is later joined by other guild members. As the story progresses, Natsu and his group experience many incredible moments, which bring them closer to each other. The anime has a lot of amazing fights, and a plot to keep the viewers glued to their screens.

16 My Hero Academia

Lots Of Interesting Powers

My Hero Academia is a popular new-gen anime series. It focuses on a young boy named Midoriya Izuku, who aspires to become a pro hero someday. In a world where everyone has Quirks, Midoriya somehow ends up with none. When his mother breaks the news to him, Midoriya is completely devastated, but nonetheless, he carries on with his life.

However, his world is turned upside down after he meets All Might, who is the number 1 hero in the world. All Might considers Midoriya worthy to be his successor and passes down his Quirk to him. With the number of villains increasing rapidly, Midoriya must control his power to prevent the world from being destroyed. Aside from having similar dreams of becoming the best in their respective series, Luffy and Midoriya also share other qualities. Furthermore, both series have an incredible cast of supporting characters.