The beloved anime series One Piece has set a new, unmatched record in television history. The show has become the first and only TV series to have over 200 individual episodes rated 9.0 or higher on the popular review site IMDb. This achievement highlights the consistent quality and powerful storytelling of the long-running adventure.
The Unprecedented IMDb Record
According to data from IMDb, One Piece now boasts approximately 240 episodes that have received a stellar rating of 9.0 or above. With more than 1,100 episodes in total, this feat is unmatched by any other show in the world. For comparison, other highly-rated series like Attack on Titan have 51 episodes with a 9+ rating, Game of Thrones has 24, and Breaking Bad has 28. The scale of One Piece’s accomplishment is unique, as no other long-running series has maintained such consistently high audience approval across so many individual episodes.
A Story That Connects With Viewers
The series, created by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat pirate crew as they sail the Grand Line in search of the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece.” Since the anime first aired in October 1999, its lengthy run has often been seen as a barrier for new viewers. However, fans argue that the show’s depth is its greatest strength. The careful construction of characters and a story that builds toward emotional climaxes has created a deeply loyal global fanbase. The show’s ability to make audiences care deeply about its characters is a key reason for its enduring success and high ratings.
Recent Episodes Continue the Trend
The series has not slowed in delivering impactful content. A recent episode, “Kuma’s Life,” which is Episode 1136, set a new internal record by becoming the highest-rated episode in the entire series. Shortly after airing, it achieved a remarkable star rating of 9.8 from thousands of user reviews. This demonstrates that even after more than two decades, One Piece continues to produce episodes that resonate powerfully with its audience, contributing to its historic IMDb status.
More Than Just a Record Holder
This IMDb milestone is just one of many accolades for the One Piece franchise. The original manga, written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, holds the Guinness World Record for the most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author, with over 500 million copies printed worldwide. In August 2024, the anime also secured a Guinness World Record for the most DVDs released by a serial anime TV program, with its 300th DVD set. The story’s themes of freedom and fighting oppression have also made it a cultural touchstone, with its symbolic Jolly Roger flag being used in real-world protests as a symbol of resistance and hope.
The series has been actively publishing for over 10,000 days, having first launched in Weekly Shonen Jump on July 22, 1997. For fans, this new IMDb record is a validation of their long-term dedication and proof that the epic journey of the Straw Hats remains as compelling as ever.
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