20 best One Piece color spreads, ranked

Worldwide praised for its flawless blend of epicness, lore, and humor, the record-breaking One Piece franchise also stands out for Eiichiro Oda’s trademark drawing style. One Piece debuted back in 1997, and Oda’s art changed over the course of time, just like the Straw Hat Pirates did in their journey across the seas.

A very imaginative artist, Oda often unleashes his creativity and talent through color spreads, i.e., full-color, double-page special drawings that appear at the beginning of certain chapters. Specifically, color spreads are published whenever Shonen Jump choses One Piece as a “Lead Color” for the magazine.

These illustrations can depict any subject but tend to feature group shots of the Straw Hat Pirates, whom Oda loves to portray chilling in a relaxed, slice-of-life environment. Each color spread is a work of art in its own right, truly conveying Oda’s superb drawing skills, as well as his fondness for the characters he crafted.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Some of Eiichiro Oda's most memorable One Piece color spreads as of chapter 1127

20) Chapter 1091

Chapter 1091's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

The color spread for One Piece chapter 1091 depicts the Straw Hat Pirates eating pizza on a tropical beach. Sanji and Jinbe are preparing the food with a huge wood-fired oven, while the other Straw Hats are joyously devouring what looks like the most delicious pizza ever.

For some reason, neither Franky nor Nico Robin were featured on this spread. The other detail that catches the eye is the presence of two pink flamingos, each one wearing a black hat and a pair of glasses. The flamingos happily take part in the feast as they both grab one slice of pizza.

19) Chapter 100

Chapter 100's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

To celebrate both the first 100 chapters of One Piece and the official announcement of the franchise’s animated adaption, Eiichiro Oda drew the five initial Straw Hats. Luffy and Zoro take centre stage, the former gazing off into the horizon while happily eating some meat, and the latter grinning as he holds his beloved sword Wado Ichimonji.

In the background, Sanji captures a quarrelsome fish, while Usopp and Nami party surrounded by a treasure. Nami wears a crown and several bracelets, while Usopp fills a backpack with all kinds of valuables. Behind them, a Jolly Roger’s mouth spits out gold and jewels. The Straw Hats had just begun their journey, and this spread masterfully conveyed their thirst for adventure.

18) Chapter 547

Chapter 547's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the spread for chapter 547, Oda immortalized the characters who led the mass breakout from Impel Down. All of them, starting with Luffy, are dressed in the typical clothes of feudal Japan. Armed with a red-hilted sword, the main character is eating some onigiri. At his sides are Crocodile, Daz Bonez, and Inazuma.

Behind them, from left to right, are Jinbe, Buggy, Galdino, Bentham, and Emporio Ivankov. They give the impression of a group of ronin, which makes perfect sense as, just like a group of wandering warriors, these characters decided to temporarily team up to fulfill their common goal of leaving Impel Down and reaching Marineford.

17) Chapter 394

Chapter 394's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the cover of chapter 394, the Straw Hat Pirates are exploring a set of jungle ruins. Luffy and Chopper are riding atop a tiger, with the captain leading the way. In the forefront, the crew’s archeologist Nico Robin tenderly caresses a dragon-like lizard.

In the distance, the other Straw Hats are about to penetrate the jungle as warm sunlight filters through the branches of the trees and illuminates a staircase.

16) Chapter 628

Chapter 628's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the color spread of chapter 628, Oda drew the Straw Hat Pirates, particularly focusing on the crew’s first three members, namely Luffy, his right-hand man Zoro, and the navigator “Cat Burglar” Nami. Luffy, in his Gear 2 transformation, seems about to launch a Jet Pistol, while Zoro wields his three blades to perform a Three Sword Style technique, and Nami brandishes her Clima-Tact.

As for the other Straw Hats, Sanji unleashes his Diable Jambe, while Chopper is in his new Horn Point form, and Brook is shown using the powers of the Revive-Revive Fruit. Robin has created a copy of herself with the Flower-Flower Fruit, while Franky showcases his firearms and Usopp's new ammunition.

15) Chapter 951

Chapter 951's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

Just like the movie One Piece: Stampede was released to celebrate the anime adaptation’s 20th anniversary, the color spread for chapter 951 was designed to glorify the movie itself. The drawing shows a banquet whose diners are the characters who, despite their different allegiances, united against Douglas Bullet.

Trafalgar D. Water Law and Sabo are sitting at a table, the former visibly uncomfortable, while the latter more at ease. Behind them, Luffy and Buggy are fighting over food, while Boa Hancock and Smoker are face-to-face under Rob Lucci's murderous gaze.

14) Chapter 832

Chapter 832's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

Chilling and yet dynamic, the spread for One Piece chapter 832 depicts the Straw Hats enjoying summer. In particular, Luffy jumps out of the churning sea, while Nami, beautiful in a red and white flower-print bikini, quenches her thirst with some refreshing water.

Franky, Nico Robin, Usopp, and pink flamingos are riding a boat, whose colorful hull is written in clear letters “Why join the Navy if you can be a pirate?”.

13) Chapter 201

Chapter 201's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

The color spread for One Piece chapter 201 shows the Straw Hats ready to go into action, except for Nami, who is enjoying a drink relaxedly. The illustration is particularly cool as it brings a feeling of vibrant energy.

Rocking in their movie-like outfits, the Straw Hat Pirates catch the eye with their powerful, dynamic poses. Redrawn with the addition of Nico Robin among the Straw Hats, this artwork was featured in Bon Voyage, the fourth opening of the One Piece anime.

12) Chapter 387

Chapter 387's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the cover of chapter 387, Eiichiro Oda drew Luffy and Zoro jousting on horseback. Dressed and equipped as medieval knights, the two first Straw Hats charge at each other while carrying long lances. Luffy dodges Zoro’s blow, while the “Pirate Hunter” uses his shield to block the former’s strike.

On the sidelines, a heavily armored Chopper hilariously waits his turn. Perhaps, this illustration is a reference to Luffy and Zoro’s unfinished battle during the Arabasta Saga, when they fiercely clashed at Whiskey Peak.

11) Chapter 851

Chapter 851's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

The color spread for chapter 851 was created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the One Piece manga. It portrays the Straw Hat Pirates wearing blue and black outfits, as they stand underwater, peacefully surrounded by sea creatures.

On the right are Zoro and Franky, while on the left are Sanji and Brook. In the center there are Nico Robin, Usopp, and Chopper. Behind them, Luffy and Nami dominate the scene standing on a majestic armchair.

10) Chapter 790

Chapter 790's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the spread for One Piece chapter 790, the Straw Hat Pirates wear outfits from various real-life countries. Luffy dons Japanese traditional clothes, Zoro enjoys drinking beer dressed in typical German attire, and Nami is dressed as an American cowgirl.

Sanji is dressed as a French Musketeer, and Usopp is a Brazilian carnival dancer. Chopper wears an Inuit-style winter coat like Canadians do, while Robin is a traditional Indian dancer. As for Franky and Brook, the former stands out for his Chinese hairstyle and kung fu stance, while the “Soul King” sparkles like a seasoned British rock star.

9) Chapter 1094

Chapter 1094's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

The spread for chapter 1094 pays tribute to the long-awaited anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s pre-One Piece story Monsters. The main character of this one-shot manga was Shimotsuki Ryuma, a formidable samurai native of Wano.

With Monsters being fully canon to the One Piece series, in which Ryuma is Roronoa Zoro’s direct ancestor, Oda dedicated this spread to the entire Shimotsuki Family. In the foreground, Zoro showcases his new, all-powerful Haki-based mode as he unleashes black lightning and green flames all around. Behind him, a zombified Ryuma wields his Black Blade Shusui.

In the background, it’s possible to see Yasuie, Kozaburo, Koushirou, Kuina, Ushimaru, and his beloved companion Onimaru. In the distance, a younger Ryuma towers over a flaming dragon, probably referencing the former’s deed of slaying such a monster.

8) Chapter 693

Chapter 693's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

The One Piece world was never the same after the compelling developments set in motion by the Punk Hazard Arc, and the spread for chapter 693 perfectly captured that feeling by depicting some of the major protagonists of the new era.

The Straw Hat Pirates take centre stage along with Trafalgar Law, Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, Kinemon, and Momonosuke. Behind them, going clockwise, are intimidating images of Big Mom, Scratchman Apoo, Kuzan “Aokiji”, Donquixote Doflamingo, Sakazuki “Akainu”, Jinbe, Eustass Kid, Shanks, Killer, Marshall D. Teach “Blackbeard”, Basil Hawkins, and Kaido.

7) Chapter 1054

Chapter 1054's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

Following their defeat during the Onigashima Raid, Kaido and Big Mom were stripped of of their Yonko titles, with Luffy and, funnily enough, Buggy taking their places among the Four Emperors.

The color spread for chapter 1054 thus immortalized the new Yonkos after the conclusion of the Wano Arc. From left to right, depicted as if they were about to approach the readers directly, are Buggy, “Red Hair” Shanks, Marshall D. Teach “Blackbeard”, and Monkey D. Luffy.

6) Chapter 1031

Chapter 1031's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the spread for chapter 1031, One Piece author Eiichiro Oda portrayed the second strongest members of certain major groups and crews. As expected, the drawing was centered around Roronoa Zoro, the second-in-command par excellence in the series.

More specifically, Oda selected Roronoa Zoro for the Straw Hat Pirates, Silvers Rayleigh for the Roger Pirates, Benn Beckman for the Red Hair Pirates, King for the Beasts Pirates, Charlotte Katakuri for the Big Mom Pirates, Killer for the Kid Pirates, Marco for the Whitebeard Pirates, Sabo for the Revolutionary Army, Shiryu for the Blackbeard Pirates, and Bepo for the Heart Pirates.

The One Piece writing is coloured in green, Zoro’s signature color. It also has a letter shaped to include two crossed swords, the symbol of Zoro’s Shimotsuki Family. These details emphasize this simple and yet beautiful spread as Oda’s homage to Zoro’s incredible popularity among fans and paramount role as One Piece’s second main character.

5) Chapter 532

Chapter 532's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

Multifaceted, charismatic and intriguing, the Seven Warlords of the Sea are among the franchise’s most iconic characters. Understandably, One Piece author Eiichiro Oda paid tribute to the Warlords by making them the protagonists of chapter 532’s awesome color spread. This gorgeous illustration depicts the line-up of the Warlords as it was just before the Paramount War.

Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, Bartholomew Kuma, and Boa Hancock seem remote and untouchable. Jinbe is in chains, recalling his imprisonment in Impel Down, while Gecko Moria shows the aftereffects of the battle in Thriller Bark. Blackbeard is also part of the group as Crocodile’s replacement.

4) Chapter 446

Chapter 446's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

The spread for One Piece chapter 446 depicts the male Straw Hats outfitted as Vikings, with the typical clothes and weapons of the Northern European warriors. Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, and Franky all look glorious, making this spread one of Eiichiro Oda’s most epic artworks.

The island of Elbaf and its inhabitants, the Giants, are themed around the same Norse culture, evidently resembling the stereotypical appearance of Vikings. With this in mind, Oda may have used this drawing to tease his readers about the Straw Hats’ outfits during the upcoming Elbaf Arc.

3) Chapter 699

Chapter 699's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

On the cover of chapter 699, Oda drew the Straw Hat Pirates dressed as the members of a medieval court. Wearing a huge crown, Luffy is portrayed as the king. Nami also stands out from the rest, appearing to be Luffy’s lady, and perhaps a queen or a princess.

As for the rest of the Straw Hats, they are dressed and equipped as medieval knights. The entire crew is surrounded by a green dragon, which really gives the scene a fairy-tale vibe.

2) Chapter 1088

Chapter 1088's color spread (Image via Shueisha)

As one of the project’s executive producers, Eiichiro Oda was deeply involved in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece. To celebrate the show, the mangaka immortalized the main characters from Season 1 on the color spread for chapter 1088.

In the center of the drawing, the first five Straw Hats, i.e., Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji, are performing their signature moves. Behind them, in the background, are pictures of Arlong, Shanks, Mihawk, Koby, Garp, Buggy, and Kuro. Simple yet striking, this spread goes straight to the point, perfectly channeling the franchise’s vitality.

1) Chapters 999 and 1000

The color spread for chapters 999 and 1000 (Image via Shueisha)

As one of its many records, One Piece reached and surpassed the astonishing milestone of 1000 manga chapters. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, Eiichiro Oda decided to draw an updated version of the color spread he had done for chapter 100 several years earlier.

Oda split the new illustration between chapter 999 and chapter 1000. When put together, the two halves form a special, larger color spread representing the current Straw Hat crew enjoying a sensational treasure party modeled around the one featured on the cover of chapter 100.

Especially for the long-standing fans, it’s impossible to look at this spread without getting goosebumps from the feeling. With this self-quotation, Oda encapsulated the emotions of hundreds of chapters - and the corresponding real-life years - in a single picture, linking the past with the present as the series finally approached its final stage.