5 Episodes New Fans Must Watch Before Netflix's Live-Action Series

"One Piece" Episode 8 isn't the first episode that revolves around a major battle, but the fight between Luffy and fellow pirate captain Buggy the Clown sets the tone for the series' signature style of action better than any of the big fights before it.

Luffy first encounters Buggy in Episode 5 after meeting his future shipmate Nami. Prior to this, Luffy's two biggest antagonists are Alvida, who he defeats handily in Episode 1, and Marine Captain Morgan, who he and Zoro overcome in just two episodes. Luffy's conflict with Buggy, meanwhile, encompasses four episodes, over the course of which he and his small crew must first defeat a few lackeys. While its scale pales in comparison to later story arcs — the Wano Arc, for example, is on track to total nearly 200 episodes — this nevertheless sets a precedent for a recurring storytelling format that sees Luffy and his crew fight their way to a powerful pirate captain whom Luffy must then face in a climactic final battle.

Luffy's fight with Buggy is the centerpiece of Episode 8, and establishes a couple of important "One Piece" tropes. Fans of other shonen anime franchises, for example, might be surprised by the silliness of Luffy's strategy against Buggy despite their conflict's serious stakes. Silliness In the face of danger is not just a recurring style element but key to the philosophy at the heart of "One Piece."