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Mangaka Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is one of the most popular manga and anime series right now. Published and airing globally in its respective manga and anime forms, the series bridges cultural divides and serves as a unifying bond between animanga fans of all nations.
As anime in general and One Piece have become more popular in recent years, so has the practice of getting anime-inspired tattoos done. Unsurprisingly, Oda’s series is an incredibly popular choice, rife with tons of subtle, eye-popping, and meaningful logos and symbols which make for great tattoos.
Representations of series, characters’ pasts and choices serve as most meaningful One Piece tattoos
1) Going Merry figurehead
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When considering the best One Piece tattoos, it’s important to consider what a symbol from the series could convey. This is what makes the Going Merry figurehead such a great tattoo idea in part, representing a simpler time for the Straw Hats. For many, it also nostalgically reminds them of childhood when they first discovered the series.
The Going Merry Figurehead is also subtle enough to be an impressive tattoo in and of its own right, a sentiment even non-anime fans will share. This is especially true if just a rendition of the Merry’s head is used rather than showing the entirety of the figurehead.
2) Thousand Sunny figurehead
Similarly, the Thousand Sunny figurehead makes for an equally subtle and artistic tattoo, albeit with a different representation. Those who find themselves enjoying post-time-skip One Piece more so than pre-time-skip may be more interested in this figurehead tattoo rather than the Going Merry. In this way, each figurehead of the ship also allows fans to express some of their favorite sections of the series.
One advantage the Thousand Sunny design has over Going Merry is a more flashy and popping design, especially if one plans on coloring in the figurehead. Bright orange and yellows combined with a rendition of the Sunny’s mane helps to make it a noticeable tattoo and great conversation starter.
3) Heart Pirates logo
For those looking for more of an “inside baseball” reference to One Piece, consider the Heart Pirates logo. With the crew being introduced fairly deep into the series, it’s already a reference that will surely help one find and earn praise from fellow fans of the series. While not quite as non-fan friendly as the figurehead designs, it’s still an attractive tattoo.
One advantage the Heart Pirates has over the figurehead designs is the significance behind the Heart Pirates logo as it relates to Law’s backstory. It’ll undoubtedly earn compliments from and start conversations with other series fans who have gotten to that point in the story.
4) Law Surgeon of Death tattoos
Something that’s unique about this design relative to those mentioned above is that there’s no significant commentary on the One Piece series that can be pulled from it. Whereas the figurehead designs are each associated with a certain spot in the series and the Heart Pirates logo symbolizes Law’s bond with Donquixote “Corazon” Rosinante, the death tattoos simply just look cool.
While they do have some slight significance as it relates to Law’s childhood origins, this is arguably a less impactful narrative representation of the series than the aforementioned ideas. For those looking to maximize their ink investment in the “looks really cool” category, getting this tattoo in the canonical style Law has it is a winning choice.
5) Kozuki clan symbol
The Kozuki clan symbol is yet another simplistic design that represents a specific section of One Piece’s story. While not as subtle as some of the aforementioned designs, especially if gotten on the back as it’s seen in canon, it represents just as much as what the previous ideas do.
Those who are interested in getting a larger tattoo will see the lack of subtlety in the canonical design and location of the tattoo as a benefit. If fans of the series are looking for an attention grabbing tattoo that still has narrative significance to the story, this is certainly the choice for them.
6) Sun Pirates logo
The Sun Pirates logo is one of the most meaningful symbols in all of One Piece. Representative of the crew led by Fisher Tiger, the logo represents a stance against slavery, oppression, and racism, as well as a desire to be reborn and move on from past traumas. After all, the logo was designed to hide the Celestial Dragon Hoof tattoo which marks the group’s slaves.
Equally as eye popping as the Kozuki clan symbol that does not scream “anime tattoo” as much, it’s a fantastic symbol that highlights how subtle the series can be. It’s sure to start conversations and earn compliments, as well as praise from those in the know on its significance.
7) Whitebeard cross
To end the string of massive back tattoos, the Whitebeard cross (not the Whitebard kanji symbol tattoo from the manga) is a fantastic choice for Ace and Whitebeard fans. The symbol serves as a representation of both these fan-favorite characters, as well as pre-time-skip One Piece, when both were still alive and the Whitebeard Pirates ruled the seas.
The tattoo is neck turning, unique, and clearly a symbol for a group, whereas the Kozuki clan and Sun Pirate logos representing groups may get lost in translation to non-series fans. Especially when colored in, the tattoo is a beautiful one that will always have meaning for fans of the series.
8) 3D2Y tattoo
Speaking of Ace and Whitebeard’s deaths during the Marineford arc, the 3D2Y tattoo is arguably the most poignantly significant representation of One Piece on this list. It stands as a representation of what are essentially Luffy’s only ultimate failures in the series and the courage he had in doing what was right for his crew before continuing their journey.
In addition, the tattoo reminds every series fan of Luffy’s heartbreaking mindset after Ace’s death, a truly harrowing time for Luffy’s character. Finally, it serves as a symbol of the Straw Hats’ unity and willingness to better themselves for the sake of one another.
9) Straw Hat jolly roger
A symbol that takes Straw Hat Pirates' representation to the extreme is their infamous jolly roger, featuring Luffy’s infamous hat itself on the skull and crossbones. Furthermore, whereas the figurehead designs and 3D2Y tattoos each represent specific periods of One Piece’s and the Straw Hats’ journeys, the jolly roger is a constant for the crew throughout the series.
For those fans who simply can’t decide on a favorite story arc or stretch of the series, this is the perfect tattoo to represent that all-encompassing love. The design in and of itself is also a fairly eye-catching tattoo, especially if colored in and bordered inside a flowing flag as opposed to being only the logo itself.
10) Straw Hat
In terms of representing Luffy’s crew as a whole, the Straw Hat itself is also a great choice and represents everything said above about the jolly roger tattoo. Additionally, this tattoo is a fantastic choice for fans who point to Luffy as their favorite Straw Hat or favorite character in the series overall.
Arguably no symbol in the series could be more representative of Luffy than this, maybe even including the infamous swirling design of his Devil Fruit. Whether as a Straw Hat representation or a Luffy symbol, this tattoo design is yet another of the many great tattoo choices inspired by the series.
Be sure to keep up with all One Piece anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
