Top 10 References You Missed in Netflix's One Piece

Some of the subtlest references in the live-action series aren’t seen - they’re heard! After Luffy gives himself a scar in this flashback, Shanks stitches him up. In the background, an instrumental version of the recurring in-universe song “Binks’ Sake” can be heard playing in the background. This is fitting, since according to Luffy in the original series, Shanks and his crew used to sing “Binks’ Sake” often. This is a nice bit of potential foreshadowing, given the song’s importance, both to a future Straw Hat, and possibly more, if certain theories are right. It pays to keep your ears open - even if you’re just bones! Yohohoho!

The execution of Gold Roger launches a golden age of piracy in the “One Piece” world. This pivotal event had many witnesses, many of whom go on to be influential and important in the story of the series. While hints of their presence can be seen in the ships in the harbor (Mihawk’s little coffin ship is hard to miss!), the live-action adaptation also features shots of famous figures in the crowd. First time viewers may easily recognize Shanks and Mihawk’s distinctive looks, but also visible are Dragon and Smoker, two characters who will likely appear in season 2 - and in the same town, no less! And…did the live-action just confirm a certain character’s original gender? Are we crazy?

Sure, sure, any “One Piece” fan worth their Straw Hat will able to recognize this tune! But, in the event you missed it, “We Are!,” the “One Piece” anime’s most iconic theme song, which has been used multiple times during its decades on the air, is played in instrumental form during two pivotal scenes during season 1. The first time is after the crew first acquires their ship, the Going Merry. The second is in the last minutes of the finale, when each of the Straw Hats declares their dreams as they prepare to sail for the Grand Line. They’re two pivotal moments for the crew, and “We Are!” only makes our hearts soar that much more!

One thing some fans are quick to point out is different in the Netflix series is Zoro’s introduction. In it, the pirate hunter is confronted by Mr. 7, an agent of Baroque Works. It’s a fun fight scene that quickly establishes how tough and cool Zoro is, and foreshadows a major antagonist group. However, it’s easy to overlook that this fight is actually canon! Zoro references the event to several Baroque Works agents in the future. Additionally, Mr. 7’s design is based on one drawn by author Eiichiro Oda in his question column, SBS. It’s great that the live-action was able to bring something to life that even the anime hasn’t yet!

Speaking of Zoro’s fight with Mr. 7, the location for their duel is another reference that might elude even some hardcore “One Piece” fans. According to a ship raided by Alvida in the episode, Zoro is on Sixis. This island appears in a spin-off centered on Luffy’s brother Ace, entitled “One Piece novel A,” as well as its spin-off manga, “One Piece episode A.” It’s an uninhabited island where Ace is stranded and eats his devil fruit. It’s easy to miss, since the island wasn’t named until the Netflix show. Of course, with Zoro’s propensity for getting lost, it’s no wonder he booked passage to a deserted island!

The way the Netflix show depicts bounty posters for characters as they’re introduced is an awesome touch. However, there are more mundane posters hiding some references to characters who appear later in the original series. When Luffy and Koby arrive at Shells Town, they examine a wall full of bounty posters. While Buggy and Alvida’s appear prominently, anime pirates including Foxy, Bellamy, Cavendish, and Jango, all appear there too. Whether we’ll get to see them in more than two dimensions in the future remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a fun Easter Egg that leaves us “wanting” more - and feeling more alive, than dead.

Maps play a major role during the first arc of “One Piece,” but beyond their importance to the story, they also have a lot of fun little references. Beyond the islands visited by the crew, the maps also reveal islands featured in the anime and manga, like the Island of Rare Animals. A sea monster seen on the map is the Arlong Pirates’ pet in the original series. Even the map’s text features an Easter egg, citing that it was commissioned by Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government, and a character who’s appeared briefly, like, twice! Even the Pirate King’s ship, the Oro Jackson, can be seen in the opening sprawl! Like Nami, we look forward to filling the world map in!

In Sanji’s introductory scene, we see the cook have to deal with two unruly customers - a pirate and a Marine. A fair number of “One Piece” fans will probably recognize “Iron Fist” Fullbody, the Marine, who has a larger and recurring role in the anime and manga. However, more obscure is the pirate, Gally, despite his outrageous beard and mustache. This character originally appeared in the alpha version of the “One Piece” manga called “Romance Dawn” as the first villain that Luffy defeats, and has since made several cameos in the series proper. It’s great to see someone from early “One Piece” show up like this. He should have listened to Sanji though!

Quite possibly the best set in the live-action “One Piece” is that of the Baratie, the floating restaurant. The level of detail put into it is astonishing, so it’s no surprise that it can be easy to miss all the references peppered throughout, as most of them are in the background. Paintings line the walls of Baratie, and on them are scenes depicting locations and creatures that appear throughout “One Piece.” These range from a squid the crew encounters in the stomach of a whale, to the Sabaody Archipelago, to the previously mentioned Island of Rare Animals. It takes a keen eye, and possibly some magnification, to spot them all!

The Revolutionary Army is a major faction in the “One Piece” world that's only properly introduced pretty far into the series. However, it’s alluded to early on as well. In the Netflix series, when everyone is reacting to Luffy’s first bounty, Kaya can be seen reading a newspaper. Next to Luffy’s bounty is an article reading that the Revolutionary Army has taken Vira. In the original series, Nami reads this same article, though she doesn’t mention the army by name. It’s a “blink and you’ll miss it” moment. Kaya’s a bit distracted by seeing Usopp on Luffy’s bounty poster, and it can be easy for viewers to overlook it too!

There are so many characters and things referenced in the live-action “One Piece” that covering them all would take longer than it would Zoro to find anything! Share your hidden treasures down in the comments!