Many jokes in One Piece defined characters but became outdated as they matured, like Sogeking and Chopper’s forgetfulness.
New gags like Fortnite Franky were introduced post-Enies Lobby, adding humor and depth to characters.
As characters grow, certain jokes no longer fit, such as Luffy’s curiosity about bodily functions and Chopper’s poor hiding skills.
Humor is one of the biggest driving forces in One Piece. Not only does it ease the tension in the story, but it also adds to the characters’ personalities and identities. Whether it’s Zoro getting lost or Nami risking it all for treasure, each character has some sort of gag that defines who they are. Many of these jokes have become fan favorites, and their presence makes the story much more enjoyable.
The Straw Hat crew might be brave, but everyone has something they fear above all else.
Unfortunately, not every joke can last forever, especially in a series that has lasted more than 25 years. There are tons of fantastic jokes that have gone unused due to characters changing, the plot’s development, and a variety of other reasons. This topic will feature some of One Piece‘s gags that aren’t seen in the story anymore.
1
Fortnite Franky
The Best Builder In The World
After the events of Enies Lobby, Franky joined the crew, and a whole new avenue for jokes opened up with the addition of another Straw Hat. With new dynamics and relationships to explore, Oda introduced a number of new gags to see what stuck. One was Franky’s incredible ability to build things like bridges and stairs in an instant with nothing but scraps.
This joke revolved around shocking his crewmates with his building speed and creating structures that were impossible. It was a silly and cartoony way to emphasize Franky’s role on the ship and showcase how helpful he can be on land as well. Unfortunately, this gag didn’t make it off Thriller Bark when it could have been a great asset to the team and fun to see from time to time.
2
Where’s The Doctor?
Chopper Remembers He’s Licensed
In the most recent story arcs, Chopper has confidently claimed his title as a doctor, being the first to take action in every medical emergency, but that wasn’t always the case. When he was still new to the crew, he often forgot that he was a trained medical professional himself. Instead of treating someone who was hurt, he’d scream for a doctor until he remembered what his job was.
The Straw Hats have all grown and matured a lot throughout One Piece’s story, but these arcs stand out for each of them on a personal basis.
Although this joke was only used a handful of times, it was good for a quick chuckle and helped make Chopper more endearing. Its disappearance from the story could actually be seen as a good thing since it shows how much Chopper has grown as a person and as a doctor. He has much more confidence now and takes his job very seriously.
3
Sogeking
History’s Greatest Sniper
Sogeking is as much a joke as he is an important aspect of Usopp’s character. Born during the Enies Lobby arc, Sogeking is the alternate persona that Usopp developed to fight alongside the Straw Hats after leaving the crew. He was both a disguise and a coping mechanism used to help Usopp overcome his fears. Of course, the mask, roleplay, and theme song made this character hilarious as well.
Unfortunately, the audience hasn’t been blessed with the Sogeking theme song in a very long time. Usopp hasn’t needed to don the mask since he’s able to handle his fears much better after two years of training, and he’s overall much more comfortable in his skin. However, it would be nice to see Sogeking make a return at some point.
4
Chopper’s Survival Instincts
A Different Kind Of Facehugger
As characters grow, some of their jokes become outdated, no longer applying to their character. When Chopper was much less experienced, he had a habit of clinging to people when he was scared or in danger. Specifically, he would latch onto Zoro’s face, holding on tight enough to prevent the swordsman from breathing.
There are multiple funny moments where Zoro struggles to pry Chopper off his head, slowly suffocating under the reindeer’s fur. These scenes are even better when they’re happening in the background of relevant story moments. Because of Chopper’s growth, this doesn’t happen anymore, but they’re fond memories to look back on.
5
Character Impressions
Luffy & Usopp’s Comedy Routine
When it comes to comedy, nothing beats the character impressions done by Luffy and Usopp. During downtime between adventures or even amid great emergencies, neither pirate was afraid to impersonate one of their friends for a quick laugh. Luffy as Sanji, Luffy as Chopper, and Luffy as himself, but frozen are just a few examples.
Despite being hilarious, Luffy and Usopp haven’t done many impressions in the latest story arcs. The last one was Usopp pretending to be Robin on Fish-Man Island. This is probably due to the increased focus on the plot now that One Piece has entered the final saga, leaving much less space for dedicated joke time.
6
Luffy Asking About Poo
Literal Toilet Humor
Luffy’s curiosity is often the root cause of the crew’s misadventures as he leads them into unknown territory time and time again. However, an adventure isn’t always needed to sate his thirst for knowledge. Sometimes, he just asks what he wants to know, even if the topic is a bit sensitive, especially when it comes to bodily functions.
Some members of the Straw Hat crew have acquired new forms throughout their adventures, with these being among the best in terms of overall design.
Throughout his journey, Luffy has met many strange people and creatures, and asking if they can make a bowel movement is always his priority. He doesn’t do it as much now since toilet humor isn’t for everyone, but it’s still one of the funniest things he’s ever done. It’s twice as funny when the recipient of the question answers earnestly.
7
Being Luffy’s Victim
Zoro’s Worst Nightmare
Luffy’s powers as a rubber man have made for some incredible jokes throughout the series, and it’s the unapologetic way he uses them that makes them so funny. Some of the best moments are when he’s causing accidents with his abilities, specifically with Zoro. It’s some of the greatest physical humor in all of One Piece.
With all the characters maturing after the time skip, things like this don’t happen as often, and when they do, they’re not as slapstick as they used to be. Luffy is still as goofy as ever, but he has much better control of his powers now. Although it shows how much he’s grown, it also means fewer funny accidents.
8
Chopper Can’t Hide
They Can Still See Him
When Chopper was first introduced, and during his first few adventures, he was much more shy and cautious, only speaking to those he trusted and hiding when he wasn’t sure what to do. The gag is that Chopper didn’t actually know how to hide. Rather than use the cover available to him, he’d leave his entire body exposed. It was one of the cute quirks of his character.
Luck tends to play a big role in One Piece. These characters survived in no small part due to luck.
Nowadays, Chopper isn’t hiding anymore, at least not in response to his shyness. While he’s still part of the Cowardly Trio, he’s gotten much more confident and much stronger, so there’s no need for him to hide when confronting strangers. It’s another example of a gag that’s been outgrown.
9
Usopp Sickness
A Cowardly Hypochondriac
Usopp is probably the most relatable member of the Straw Hat Pirates. As one of the most normal characters, his fear and anxiety toward the dangerous and unknown are understandable, especially at the beginning of his adventure. That’s why his made-up diseases and illnesses were much appreciated.
Depending on the situation, he’d come up with a completely fake sickness as an excuse not to do something, like “Can’t-get-on-this-island disease.” Since the timeskip, he hasn’t really needed to make those excuses, which shows how much his character has grown. He’s stronger and much more confident, even if he’s still a coward.
