MrBeast, the world’s biggest YouTuber, has responded to a wave of online criticism from some One Piece fans after he changed his profile picture on X to the show’s main character, Monkey D. Luffy. The debate started when MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, asked his followers if he should start watching the massive anime series.
What Caused the Backlash
The situation began when MrBeast posted a question to his millions of followers on X. He openly asked if he should begin watching One Piece, a series famous for having over a thousand episodes. He admitted the show’s huge length had stopped him from starting it before. The post got thousands of replies, with many big-name creators and fans encouraging him to watch it.
Popular streamer IShowSpeed told him it would be a โlife-changingโ experience, while Valkyrae called it the โgreatest anime ever madeโ. Convinced by the response, MrBeast soon updated his X profile picture to an image of Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, signaling he had joined the fanbase.
However, this simple act sparked immediate debate. While many were excited to welcome a new viewer, a vocal group accused MrBeast of being an โanime touristโ. They suggested he was not a genuine fan but was trying to โlatch onโ to the series’ popularity for attention or as part of a marketing strategy. Some fans connected it to the upcoming release of Netflix’s live-action One Piece Season 2, which arrives on March 2, 2026, seeing it as a forced promotion.
MrBeast’s Fiery Response to Critics
MrBeast directly addressed the criticism during a livestream. He did not hold back his feelings about the accusations.
โHoly sh*t. One Piece fanbase can be so toxic. They’re like constantly like ‘he’s not actually watching it, he’s just trying to latch on to our anime to milk us for audience.’ Let me say somethingโฆ I’ve seen more anime than all you clowns with your anime pfps on Twitter out there.โ
He strongly defended his long history with anime to prove he was not a newcomer jumping on a trend. โI’ve been tweeting about anime before some of you were born,โ he stated. To back up his claim, he pointed to his viewing history, saying, โI’ve watched all 700 episodes of Narutoโ. He also mentioned tweeting about the series ‘Legend of the Galactic Heroes’ years ago.
MrBeast argued that the idea he needed to use anime for clout was ridiculous, telling critics, โCall me a phony for trying to bandwagon on One Piece for attention. Y’all are crazyโ.
How Fans and the Internet Reacted
The online reaction to the clash has been divided. Many people came to MrBeast’s defense, agreeing that gatekeeping in anime communities is a problem. โIts like people think the Internet people don’t have a life behind the camera,โ one supporter wrote. Others found humor in the situation, with one user joking, โHaha freaking keyboard warriors going nutsโ.
However, some fans stood by their initial skepticism. Before his response, one anime commentator tweeted that the profile picture change โ100% starting to feel like corporate bullshit,โ suggesting it was a coordinated move with Netflix. Another user pointed out the timing, noting it happened just before the live-action Season 2 announcement.
The debate touches on a long-standing tension in the One Piece community, which has grown massively over its 25-year run. With the success of the Netflix adaptation bringing in millions of new fans, discussions about โearnedโ fandom and gatekeeping have become more common.
One Piece Anime Breaks and Fan Expectations
This controversy comes at a busy time for the One Piece world. The anime series, produced by Toei Animation, is preparing for a significant shift. The studio has announced the show will go on a three-month break starting in January 2026.
The break is a strategic move to improve the anime’s quality and pacing. Starting in April 2026, the anime will return with the new Elbaph Arc and adopt a new seasonal format, aiming to release about 26 episodes per year. This is a reduction from the previous pace of 35-50 episodes yearly. While some fans are frustrated by the pause, others support it, believing it will lead to โhigher qualityโ animation and storytelling.
The fanbase has also been involved in other recent debates about the anime’s direction, such as discussions over how certain characters like Sanji are portrayed compared to the original manga. These ongoing conversations show a community that is deeply passionate and highly attentive to the details of the series they love.
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MrBeast’s Other Projects and Anime Interest
For MrBeast, this isn’t his first connection to animation. He recently launched Beast Animations, a YouTube channel featuring short-form cartoons where he and a crew fight aliens. The channel’s first season of 10 episodes has been well-received, with the premiere getting nearly 7 million views.
His main focus remains on his massive YouTube projects and his competition show, Beast Games. Season 2 of Beast Games premiered on January 7, 2026, on Prime Video, with contestants competing for a $5 million prize. The season will continue rolling out episodes through February 25, 2026.
The discussion around who is a โreal fanโ often pops up when any popular series gains new mainstream attention. With Netflix’s One Piece live-action Season 2 arriving soon, bringing another wave of viewers, these conversations are likely to continue.
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