The Best One Piece Manga Covers

Summary

• Oda’s manga covers for One Piece feature Luffy and other relevant characters, setting the tone for each arc.
• Volume 44 stands out with a stylish and impactful cover depicting the intense Enies Lobby arc climax.
• Volume 26 captures the essence of adventure with expressive characters and vibrant colors.

Eiichiro Oda has a talent for packing a staggering number of characters and small details into a single frame, which has resulted in the series of One Piece having some incredible manga covers. Oda will always decide to have Luffy make an appearance on the manga covers, and considering his face can take on all kinds of weird and wonderful expressions, he always manages to fit into the cover’s aesthetic.

Alongside Luffy, the manga covers will also feature characters who are relevant to the arc at that point in the series, giving readers a glimpse into what they’re about to dive into. While there are certainly no bad One Piece manga covers in the catalog, these are some of the most creative and eyecatching of the bunch that have stuck with fans the most.

9

Volume 68

A Chilly And Creative Illustration Of The Punk Hazard Arc

Oda managed to perfectly replicate the chilly aesthetic of Punk Hazard with this unique, almost Christmas-themed illustration for Volume 68. As Caesar Clown looms over the three main characters of the arc, it gives the impression they are trapped inside a snow globe or even a crystal ball that Caesar is peering into.

When looking closely, Luffy, Law, and Smoker can also be seen walking across the center of the page, completely unaware that the maniacal scientist is watching them from afar, which is eerily similar to the events of the arc itself. Having the One Piece title covered in snow, along with the Luffy stick man looking completely frozen makes this cover feel even more festive and thematic.

8

Volume 36

This Eerie Cover Does An Excellent Job Of ramping Up The Intensity Of CP-0’s Arrival

Oda decided to go with a horror-themed look for the cover of Volume 36, and it’s fair to say it does an excellent job of showcasing just how intense the Water Seven Arc really was, especially the appearance of CP-9. It’s rare to see such a stern and mature look on Luffy’s face, and the creepy characters that surround him, paired with the shady figure at the very front, make for a pretty harrowing image overall, but one that’s also hard to look away from.

Contrasting such intensity with a bright pink background still ensures the cover doesn’t end up being too devoid of color though, and even ends up making it all the more eerie in some ways, especially with the addition of the flames roaring. Nonetheless, though, this is a cover that had all fans pondering what they were in for next when turning the page.

7

Volume 1

An Iconic Cover That Manages To Ooze Charm While Still Being Minimalistic

Undoubtedly one of the most iconic manga volume covers ever, volume 1 will always be seen as iconic for being the first image many people saw when first entering the series. Despite being so minimalistic, this is an image bursting with charm thanks to the three initial Straw Hats who can all be seen having a blast, especially Luffy who is launching himself in the air to kickstart the epic adventure that awaits him.

This is also one of the rare instances where Zoro can be seen with a wide smile on his face, making the cover feel even more jolly. Oda would go on to recreate this specific cover with the other Straw Hats after the timeskip, but it’s hard to beat the original which remains so nostalgic for many within the fanbase.

6

Volume 51

Each Of The Worst Generation Members Get To Share Some Of The Spotlight

Volume 51 is the showcase of the Supernovas, a diverse group of up-and-comers who would all go on to be big players in the story after they were introduced in Sabaody, which is what this volume is based around. It’s truly amazing how much can be gleaned about each character from a single still of their faces.

From Bonny casually snacking on a pizza to Capone’s demeaning scowl, or even the maniacal look Kidd has wiped across his face, there’s so much care gone into each and every member of the Worst Generation here. In classic Luffy fashion, the young pirate has a huge smile on his face at the very front of the pack, giddy at the prospect of meeting such a diverse group of new characters as part of his journey.

5

Volume 79

The Penultimate Dressrosa Cover Puts Oda’s Excellent Character Designs On Full Display

Believe it or not, there were a total of 11 volumes across the entire Dressrosa arc, which is a testament to just how long it went on. While there have therefore been plenty of covers relating to the arc, one of the most eyecatching and intriguing is Volume 79, which shows a Gear Four Luffy being hounded on all sides by Fujitora, Akainu, and Doflamingo.

A lot is being said from this single panel, not just with the face-off between Akainu and Fujitora which signifies the different beliefs between the Marines, but also the desperation Luffy felt when taking on Doflamingo. Speaking of Doffy, the haunting image of him resting at the top of the page is made all the creepier with Oda’s excellent use of shading, making him look truly evil and dangerous.

4

Volume 26

No Cover Screams “Adventure” Quite Like Volume 26

While the One Piece story covers a lot of topics and themes, at its core, it’s a tale of grand adventure, and this cover manages to capture that feeling perfectly. Based at the beginning of Skypiea, this cover is exploding with personality thanks to the Straw Hats who all have their own unique reactions to their new surroundings, from Luffy’s excitement to Zoro’s irritation.

The bright blue border and lighter color palette give this portrait a design that mimics that of the vast open seas, while also just making it easy on the eyes. It’s without a doubt one of the most expressive covers in the series and one that has been cited as a favorite by many fans.

3

Volume 83

A Vibrant Yet Also Terrifying Look At Big Mom And Her Army Of Homies

Oda sure knows how to kick an arc off with a bang, which in this case refers to Whole Cake, the island ruled over by Big Mom. This cover does an outstanding job of emphasizing just how big and intimidating this Yonko really is, while also providing readers with a glimpse into the many loyal followers that make up her crew.

Oda also went all-out with the colors for this volume, especially with the reel stretching through the center which provides a snapshot of some of the key players within the arc itself. It’s a fun and carefree illustration that excels at highlighting just how big of a threat Big Mom truly was at the same time.

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Volume 62

This Cover Is Packed Full Of Color, Making For A Fantastic Introduction To Fishman Island

While the Fishman Island arc may have its issues, one aspect many fans still appreciate is the design of the locale and its characters, as is put on full display with this dazzling cover. The sheer amount of diverse characters packed into this one page, paired with the medley of bright and vibrant colors, really goes a long way in bringing this particular cover to life, while also emphasizing the joy of landing in a brand-new destination.

While there are a lot of new characters who are showcased on this cover, including King Neptune and Surume, eagle-eyed fans will also be able to spot a few members of the Straw Hats enjoying the scenery too. This is one of those covers that begs the readers to spend at least a few minutes trying to spot everything it contains, considering how absurdly detailed it is.

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Volume 44

Volume 44 Features An Effortlessly Stylish Cover That Teases What’s About To Come Next

One of One Piece’s more minimalistic covers, but also one of the most impactful, Volume 44 features the iconic shot of Nico Robin with her back turned as Luffy and Rob Lucci duel to the death in the background. As the climax of the epic Enies Lobby arc, this cover serves as a true sendoff to one of the most memorable and intense sections of the story,

The impending doom of the Marine Ship in the background also adds to the urgency of this cover, making readers want to dive right into the action to learn how the battle concludes. Robin has appeared on a few covers throughout the story, but this shot of her is undoubtedly the most memorable.