SUMMARY

“Say that you want to live” represents how Luffy only helps those who display the resolve to want to save themselves.
“I still have my friends” proves Luffy’s loyalty to his crewmates and friends is unwavering and motivates him to keep going.
“As long as I’m alive I have infinite chances” embodies Luffy’s perseverance and refusal to give up, even against the strongest opponents.

As the protagonist of One Piece, Luffy no doubt has some of the best quotes in the series. Everything Luffy says and does is shaped by his unique moral code and ideals. As such, Luffy’s quotes reflect who he is as a character, what he cherishes the most, and the central themes of One Piece, such as friendship, ambition, honor, and freedom. The true beauty of Luffy’s character lies in the simple fact that even his most unassuming dialogues hold a world of meaning, which makes his quotes the most memorable ones in the series.

15“Say that you want to live.”

Chapter 398 “Declaration of War”

​​​​One fact about Luffy that has become increasingly clear as the story has progressed is that Luffy will not help someone unless they ask. After all, as Luffy constantly claims, he isn’t a hero. While he certainly is kind to a fault, Luffy only helps those who display the resolve to want to save themselves. From Nami at Arlong Park, to Robin at Enies Lobby, and most recently Momonosuke, Luffy has had many such interactions in One Piece which prove he is always willing to lend a hand to those he considers his friends, but only if they truly want to be saved.

14“You made our navigator cry.”

Chapter 82 “Ok, Let’s STAND UP”

One of Luffy’s best quotes in the early half of the series is when he confronts Arlong for making Nami cry. While the scene of the Straw Hats walking to Arlong Park is surely iconic, Luffy’s initial words to Arlong are just as memorable and do not get nearly enough attention in the grand scheme of the arc.

The scene single-handedly proved just how loyal Luffy is to his crew mates and those he considers his friends. This is also one of Luffy’s most admirable qualities and helps establish One Piece‘s central themes of friendship and found family.

13“Without your help… I can’t become the King of the Pirates!!!!”

Chapter 844 “Luffy vs. Sanji”

While Luffy is willing to risk his own life in pursuit of his dream, this does not mean that he is willing to charge ahead towards it at the cost of his crew. Luffy considers each of his crew mates indispensable in his journey to becoming the King of the Pirates and his words to Sanji at Whole Cake Island reflect just that.

While Luffy no doubt needs Sanji so that he and the rest of the crew do not starve to death, the reason Luffy refuses to leave him behind is, of course, because he considers Sanji a dear friend and was able to deduce that Sanji was hiding his true feelings behind his harsh words. Luffy went on to prove his loyalty to Sanji by refusing to eat anything until Sanji agreed to return, which considering Luffy’s love for food, speaks volumes of his determination.

12“If you don’t take risks, you can’t create a future.”

One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure

Though fans have mixed opinions about the first few One Piece films, One Piece: Clockwork Island Adventure has produced one of Luffy’s most iconic and inspiring quotes. As Luffy puts it, being able to move forward depends on being able to take risks and this sentiment holds true in every sphere of life.

Luffy’s own journey in One Piece embodies this bold spirit. Be it riding up a knock-up stream, breaking into an underwater prison, or challenging thee strongest pirates in the world, Luffy has never been afraid of taking risks and this is precisely why he has made it this far in One Piece.

11“As long as I’m alive I have infinite chances!”

Chapter 1026 “The Pivotal Clash”

One of Luffy’s best qualities is his perseverance and his refusal to give up which has gotten him very far in his journey. No matter who his opponent is, Luffy never gives up until he finds a way to win, which has shaped every one of his fights in One Piece.

The Wano Arc especially put Luffy’s willpower to the test as he faced his strongest opponent yet. Kaido more than lived up to his title as the strongest creature and despite being knocked out more times than one can count, Luffy kept getting up and continued fighting. The fight against Kaido did eventually end up taking Luffy to death’s doorstep, but Luffy rose out of the ashes even stronger with Gear Five.

10“Never understand the true meaning of a pirate’s flag!”

Chapter 147: “Downright Lie”

In the Drum Island arc, Luffy stands tall to protect Dr. Hiriluk’s pirate flag from Wapol. He then tells Wapol that someone like him who never ventured out as a true pirate can possibly understand what a pirate’s flag means or represents. This battle and how Wapol constantly tried to destroy the flag showed how little it meant to Wapol it was to be a pirate. It wasn’t something he set out to do by choice and that infuriated Luffy. It was insult on top of injury as he tries to discard Hiriluk’s flag in disgust.

9“I’ll become the King of the Pirates!”

Chapter 1: “Romance Dawn – The Dawn of the Adventure”

Luffy’s declaration is one of the most iconic catchphrases in anime, a constant announcement that he’ll achieve the status as King of the Pirates and find the One Piece. This has been something he’s said since the first chapter of One Piece which beautifully lined out his character.

The first chapter immediately gives fans the reasoning as to why Luffy sets out on his mission to become the Pirate King with his meeting with Shanks and how the Pirate Emperor saved his life. To different people being the Pirate King means different things but for Luffy, he simply wants to be free.

8“Sniper King… Shoot down that flag.”

Chapter 398: “Declaration of War”

What preceded one of the Straw Hat’s most emotional quotes from Nico Robin was Luffy ordering Usopp (guised as Sniper King) to shoot and burn down the World Government flag at Eneis Lobby. This scene held incredible significance and showed the lengths Luffy would go to for a crewmate in danger. He was willing to make himself an enemy of the World Government and declare war upon them. Even ready to take on the Marines that came with the Buster Call if it came to it.

7“I’ll make a world where my friends can eat as much food as they want!”

Chapter 1049: “The World That Should Be”

In the conclusion to one of the best fights in One Piece’s Wano arc was Luffy’s declaration of the kind of world he wanted to make. This scene perfectly captures the type of character Luffy is and how the answers to such serious questions can sometimes come off as somewhat goofy. However, this is a serious answer and shows just how different Luffy is from most of the other pirates. He doesn’t desire to conquer, control, or hold any sort of power over others. He wishes to have complete freedom and peace for his friends and himself to live however they wish.

6“Sorry, but it looks like I’m dead.”

Chapter 99: “Luffy Died”

Luffy’s smile at death was very similar to Roger’s own and one of the many parallels Roger and Luffy have shared. Not only was this scene at the location of Roger’s death, but it was also a significant milestone in the story for both characters. For Roger, this was where he made the announcement of the One Piece that set off the Great Pirate Age. And Luffy, announces to all of those surrounding him that he would become the Pirate King. Even seconds before he thought he would be killed.

5“…People die.”

Chapter 166: “Luffy vs. Vivi”

Vivi was kindhearted and wished for everyone to live. But in the end, this was a naive and realistic goal in the midst of a war. Luffy saw through this and voiced his opinion loudly. Luffy isn’t a hero, but he always does everything he can to help his friends. But he does everything he can, he doesn’t like to waste time on efforts he knows will be in vain. This is exactly what he conveys to Vivi and begs her to at least let him and his crew risk their lives to stop this war.

4“I like heroes a lot, but I don’t want to be one!”

Chapter 634: 100,000 vs. 10

Luffy’s quote on the difference between heroes and pirates puts into perspective how he sees himself as a pirate. While fans will know that he holds to a certain moral code first and foremost he is about himself and his friends. Luffy doesn’t want to be a hero, because that means sharing with everyone. If he’s going to share, he’d rather keep it to a select few. This is a perfect representation of his journey and why he possesses such a small crew. He doesn’t choose the members lightly.

3“I’m not going on a boring adventure!”

Chapter 507: “Kizaru Arrives”

Chapter 507 was an epic chapter that gave One Piece fans exactly how Luffy would respond if he could find out then and there what the One Piece was. Before Rayleigh could get even a hint of a reply out after Usopp’s question, Luffy interrupts.

Luffy doesn’t want to know the slightest thing about the One Piece. Not whether it’s on the last island or if it’s even real. He is far more concerned with the adventure and journey building up to something. Even if it turns out to be something, he will be the one to find out what and he doesn’t want any clue as to what it is before then.

2“The Pirate King is just the freest man on the sea!”

Chapter 507: “Kizaru Arrives”

Rayleigh tries to gauge just what kind of man Luffy was by asking him if he could control and conquer the seas. But to Luffy, that isn’t his goal at all and that being the King of the Pirates simply meant to be the freest man on the sea. Many fans are still trying to wrap their heads around what the One Piece is and what kind of conclusion the series could get. Many believe it will pertain to Luffy’s goal and dream to have ultimate freedom. There are many possibilities of what this could be but fans will just have to wait and see for themselves.

1“I still have my friends!”

Chapter 590: “My Little Brother”

The loss Luffy experienced is still with him, but the initial reactions to the death of his brother are still hard to watch or read. However, Luffy’s realization that he still had his crew mates was a huge turning point in the series. From here on out, these are the people that Luffy needs to protect and vice versa. The loss of his brother was terrible, but it also helped him stay closer to those he loved. Ultimately, One Piece is a story about friendship and companionship as much as it’s about anything else, making Luffy’s declaration that he has friends his best quote.