The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

As a dedicated anime enthusiast who’s sailed through the seven seas of animation and climbed countless towers in search of my very own Hokage-like destiny, I can wholeheartedly vouch for the captivating similarities that bind these iconic series together.


I’m sorry to break it to you, pirate enthusiasts, but the One Piece anime is taking a six-month break. This means we won’t witness the Straw Hats escaping from Egghead until 2025 (unless you decide to read the manga instead).

As an ardent fan, I can’t hide my disappointment about the pause in our beloved One Piece adventure. But hey, fear not! If you’re grappling with how to fill those empty hours, let me share a secret – there’s a treasure trove of fantastic anime series waiting to captivate you just like One Piece did. So, grab your favorite snacks and let’s dive into this new adventure together!

We’ve created a list of alternative anime recommendations since One Piece is currently on break! We’ve taken into account the factors that make One Piece unique, aiming to suggest series with comparable themes and concepts for your viewing pleasure.

Instead of feeling blue, follow Monkey D. Luffy’s example and dive fearlessly into a fresh journey by exploring these fantastic series instead.

One Punch Man (2015–present)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

If you’re a fan of the quirky humor and vibrant spirit found in One Piece, then I recommend giving One-Punch Man a try. The series revolves around a hero named Saitama who possesses an extraordinary ability to end any battle with just one punch. Much like One Piece, there’s a playful tone to One-Punch Man that makes it a joy to watch, and if you appreciate anime that don’t overly dramatize themselves, this is the perfect choice for you.

Fairy Tail (2010–2019)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

One of the standout aspects of One Piece lies in the richness of Oda’s world, teeming with extraordinary monsters and captivating creatures. It appears that each arc introduces a fascinating new idea or species – from the Fish-men to the Minks, right up to the enigmatic Scratchman Apoo.

The experience is truly fascinating, creating an air of mystery surrounding Luffy’s journey; you never know what awaits just beyond the next turn… or on the next island. Similarly, Fairy Tale shares this quality; it seems as though anything could happen and every legend might be true as its protagonist, Natsu Dragneel, delves into the Kingdom of Fiore.

Attack on Titan (2012-2023)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

In essence, Attack on Titan and One Piece are as dissimilar as two stories could be if they strove to be so. The former is characterized by its somber tone, while the latter exudes an upbeat, optimistic atmosphere. Adventure is celebrated in One Piece, contrasted with the horrors of war in Attack on Titan. However, there’s one surprising similarity: both series feature giants. It’s worth noting that the giants in One Piece appear to be more benevolent than their counterparts in Attack on Titan.

Peer a little more closely, but you’ll discover that Attack on Titan and One Piece share a common element, which plays a significant role in both stories. Fundamentally, these anime series revolve around the pursuit of peace at any cost; despite Luffy and Eren having starkly contrasting strategies to achieve this peace – Luffy aims to unify all people, while Eren seeks unity through animosity – their ultimate aspirations align: they yearn for a world free from strife.

Dragon Ball Daima (2024)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

While many elements of One Piece seem to draw heavily from Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, I chose Dragon Ball Super: Broly as the comparison for several reasons. Firstly, its novelty factor is appealing – who doesn’t enjoy watching something fresh? Secondly, there are some thematic connections between Goku’s current journey in this series and One Piece.

In essence, Daima is about to journey into an unfamiliar territory known as the Demon Realm, which appears to share similarities with the Straw Hats’ frequent visits to uncharted islands throughout their adventures in Dragon Ball. This seems familiar, doesn’t it? The Dragon Ball series is renowned for its thrilling action sequences, so if you enjoy One Piece primarily for its battles, rest assured that you won’t be left wanting.

Bleach (2004–present)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

One of the standout aspects of One Piece has consistently been the creative way Eiichiro Oda employs the distinct abilities of Devil Fruit users to maintain intriguing and dynamic action sequences. Although Bleach’s battle scenes might not quite reach the same level (as it tends to be more somber and serious), witnessing Ichigo in action is just as exhilarating as watching Luffy engage in combat.

Similar to One Piece and Bleach, both series skillfully steer clear of the conventional Dragon Ball Z trope where characters frequently exchange ordinary energy blasts. Instead, the most powerful combatants in these stories utilize their Bankai or unique abilities exclusive to the strongest shinigami, contributing to an engaging and fresh dynamic.

Naruto (2002-2017)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

At one point, Naruto and One Piece engaged in a friendly competition, and it’s not hard to understand why. Although they revolve around different worlds (one about pirates and the other about ninjas), if you delve deeper, you’ll discover that they share many common themes and concepts.

The main characters in both series, Naruto and One Piece, are boisterous and energetic individuals. They each have a considerable number of supporting characters (with One Piece having more than Naruto), and the fight scenes are imaginative and thrilling. Beyond this, both anime focus on individuals pursuing their dreams despite overwhelming obstacles, whether it’s becoming the Hokage or locating Gol D. Roger’s legendary treasure. It’s likely that Luffy and Naruto, with their shared spirit and determination, would get along well.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009–2010)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

Every anime fan knows Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the all-time greats, and it’s worth watching even if you’re not looking for something to fill the One Piece-shaped hole in your life. Still, if I were to draw a similarity between the two shows, I think both handle drama really well. 

In a nutshell, One Piece often has a playful, even goofy vibe, but I find that these humorous elements serve as clever foils for its more serious and intense moments. For instance, when we learn about Nami’s tragic past or the heartbreaking fate of Nina Tucker, it hits hard because they stand out so dramatically against the usual action-packed excitement.

My Hero Academia (2016–present)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

In a universe where everyone is naturally endowed with extraordinary abilities, Izuku Midoriya stands out as one of the rare exceptions – he was born without any powers. However, fate brings him face-to-face with the most renowned hero, offering Midoriya an opportunity to demonstrate that he’s no less exceptional than his superpowered peers.

In simple terms, “My Hero Academia” is an inspiring tale about an underdog; viewers are well aware that despite possessing the strongest power in the series, the character Izuku Midoriya never seems to get a lucky break. However, he perseveres just like Luffy, who shares similar origins but ultimately transforms the world through unwavering strength and determination. For more insights, explore our “My Hero Academia Season 8” guide.

One Piece (1999–present)

The best anime to watch while One Piece is on hiatus

Instead of suggesting One Piece while it’s on hiatus might make us seem as eccentric as Buggy the Clown, remember that Luffy and his crew aren’t disappearing anywhere. In the meantime, Toei Animation is planning to air a remastered version of the Fish-Man Island Saga instead.

It’s said that the fresh perspective for the initial New World storyline promises a significant enhancement in pace, which is always beneficial. Meanwhile, you might find it worthwhile to utilize this pause to check out Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, as it turns out to be quite engaging!

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2024-10-20 14:20