One Piece/Tear Jerker



Dear God, where do we begin with One Piece?

Since most of the examples will have "Mother Sea" as their theme - AKA the "theme of Tear Jerkers in One Piece" or "Tear Jerker in musical form" - play it while reading to intensify the effect.

East Blue Saga

 * At Arlong Park (aside from, of course),.
 * Speaking of, the scene where Moments before, she found out that . Luffy stops her before she can do anything else, but it's still extremely painful to watch. Nami had just seen Arlong tear down every hope that she had in a single day.
 * When the officer comes upon her cache of treasure, it is pointed out that a lot of it is covered in dirt and blood, indicating just what those eight years must have been like, in a way that is both subtle and not subtle at all.
 * The arc in Usopp's village is full of tear-jerkers. First, Usopp is unable to evacuate the village in the face of an imminent pirate attack, because he's a habitual liar. Then, his best friend Kaya turns against him when he tries to tell her about the attack and about Klahadore. Then, Merry is nearly killed and Kaya learns the truth in the worst way possible. She confronts Klahadore, and finds out that he never cared for her (this one brings Kaya to tears). Then there's the (the author said, half-jokingly, that this part made him tear up). And then we have Usopp's flashback, to the death of  no less. True, it's not to the level of Arlong Park, but man.
 * Woah, woah, what? What about Shu Shu guarding his store? That was the hardest one for me, actually, complete with flashbacks and such, while he's getting totally owned by a giant thingy ma-jig. Then, at the very end, he protects Luffy's escape and seems to have found one last treasure to protect.

Drum Island Arc
""Hey...when do you think a man dies? Does he die when he's been shot? No. Does he die when he's ravaged with disease? No. Does he die when he's been poisoned? NO! A man dies when, and only when, he is FORGOTTEN! Even when I pass on, my dream will come true! The hearts of the people will be cured...! THIS HAS TRULY BEEN A WONDERFUL LIFE!""
 * Chopper's backstory was a sad tale. Aside from the abandonment from his own reindeer herd and the fear from humans who wouldn't accept him, the his unwitting role in the death of Dr. Hiriluk, the man he had taken to as a father, makes it all the more painful. And what's sadder is the whole injustice of having to tolerate Wapol laughing his stupid head off, and not able to do a thing about it.
 * Agreed - the whole thing with Dr. Hiriluk was heartbreaking. Especially his ending speech and thoughts:

""In a few moments a monster will come. He is my son.""
 * what gets me is what he says before that.


 * It is so much more powerful in the anime than in the manga, when you hear the sheer love and devotion in Hiruluk's voice as he speaks, and Ave Maria plays in the background... this troper sobs buckets just thinking about it. It is the most tearful beautiful thing she's ever seen.
 * It becomes a very happy tear jerker when you finally get to see all of Dr. Hiriluk's work pay off in the end: with Dr. Kureha fires Hiriluk's red powder as a sendoff to Chopper, it creates a giant pink snow cloud that covers the entire island. Chopper, watching from the ocean, sees the cloud combine with Wapol's mountain to create the splitting image of a cherry blossom tree.

Alabasta Arc

 * The big climax of the Alabasta arc, especially with Vivi so desperately trying to save the country she loves so much from destroying itself. Makes the victories so much sweeter.
 * That is all.
 * Made even more painful when, a Royal Guard who saved the lives of both sides made apparently clear by the massive explosion scraping the towers and knocking them over. Both the Royal Army and the Rebels get to their feet, oblivious of the sacrifice done on their behalf, as Tashigi watches in pure disbelief that they are willing to fight each other again. Vivi having lost a person close to her heart put his life on the line, only to witness this causes her to snap and repeatedly yell at the top of her lungs: "EVERYONE, STOP FIGHTING!". Nami found this an unbearable sight, and even her bossy way of telling the group to get them to stop, seems heartbreaking.
 * Not to mention her goodbye to the crew.
 * Not to mention her goodbye to the crew.

Skypiea Arc

 * How has Skypiea flashback not been brought up yet? Calgara . Meanwhile, Noland . And as if that wasn't bad enough, his descendants are still being ridiculed after 400 friggin years. The massive injustice of it all never fails to bring this troper to tears.
 * And the execution scene is the tear icing on the suffering cake: Damn, that was just painful...
 * And, while still on Jaya Arc, the defeat of Cricket and the "Monkey Brothers" by Bellamy, who steals the treasure they've nearly killed themselves to achieve. It's just sad after you realize how nice the guys actually are. To compensate, though, just after that we have massive awesomeness.
 * Then when Luffy finally defeats Eneru, and rings the bell, and Cricket hears it's sound and realizes that Noland never lied after all. The beautiful moment made this troper cry tears of relief.
 * This troper thinks it would've been more heartwarming if the descendents of Calgara and Cricket would've been able to meet.
 * Don't give Oda any ideas for chapter covers.
 * Don't give Oda any ideas for chapter covers.

Water 7/Enies Lobby
":''' But I was happy. Thank you for taking good care of me until now. I was really happy."
 * That whole arc was bookended by Tear Jerkers, as it started with
 * This arc just happens to be this troper's favorite arc. There were a ton of scenes that almost made this troper cry, including and how serious the situation with  Bonus points, because Robin is This Troper's favorite One Piece female that isn't Bonney.
 * The scene where Franky tried to convince Usopp that, eventually throwing him under the water to force him to see the damage for himself. You can see the moment where Usopp finally is forced to admit to himself that.
 * goodbye. Luffy's attempts to apologize to as it was everyone's fault it was in such bad condition, but it just says:
 * goodbye. Luffy's attempts to apologize to as it was everyone's fault it was in such bad condition, but it just says:

"Robin: Are you my mother?!
 * "I'M DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO A "!!!
 * This troper, while sympathizing with the characters, would like to point out that One Piece is the only anime, to date, that has made her cry. She's teared up at other series, but all out bawling is reserved for One Piece. THIS marks the first instance, and she cried for at least 10 minutes straight. Yes, over
 * This troper bawled right through that scene the first time he saw it. voice actor was very convincing right there and then, as was Luffy's, and the background music just made it even more heartbreaking.
 * This troper did in fact very nearly cry while reading it in the manga, but had to stop himself from crying in public. But I have to point one thing out: Listen to "The Killer's This River is Wild", and then read or watch the funeral scene as the song is ending. Yeah.
 * You think it was emotional reading it? Oda said that just drawing the scene reduced him to tears!
 * Oh, but what about Robin's backstory? The aftermath, during the Enies Lobby arc, was almost just as bad.
 * "I WANT TO LIVE! TAKE ME OUT TO SEA WITH YOU AGAIN!!"
 * Robin's bittersweet reunion with her mother which began with Olvia trying to protect Robin by denying that they were related:

Olvia(thinking): Forgive me Robin! I don't want you to be the daughter of a criminal.

Olvia(speaking): I'm sorry. I think you've got the wrong person.

Robin: I-I'm Robin! I've grown...but don't you remember me? I've been waiting for your return! Are you really not my mother? Someday...I want to hold your hand...and walk with you... I-I've studied so hard...and I've become an archeologist! I can read Poneglyphs too! So...please let me be with you, mom! Don't leave me alone anymore!"

"Saul: The sea is vast, Robin! Somewhere out there, there's friends who will protect you! Find them! Befriend them! Travel with them! Simply existing can NOT BE A SIN!"
 * This troper had never cried at something in a manga. Never, that was, until she read Robin's backstory.
 * The Water 7 arc. The breaking of the Straw Hat crew: the abandoning of the Going Merry, the fight between Luffy and Usopp, and the apparent betrayal of Robin. Luffy's heartbroken reaction to all of these events and his fierce determination to keep his crew together despite the hardships really tugs at the ol' heartstrings!
 * Robin's last talk with Saul.


 * After Kaku is defeated by Zoro, he flashes back the memories of him being a carpenter at Water 7 followed by the memory of Paulie yelling "I saw you guys as my Nakama!". He then has a look of regret of his face and says that people say that an assassin can have no other job. Then he honorably gives Zoro the key.
 * Gomorrah and Sodom. They rampage through Enies Lobby to get the Franky Family and Straw hats to the center. Sodom is shot by a mortar shell but tearfully begs the others, through Chopper's interpretation, to go on without him, and Gomorrah is taken down soon afterward by cannon fire. However Gomorrah, fueled by memories of Franky taking him and Sodom in and looking out for the two, manages to summon up his last ounce of strength. Gomorrah recklessly began to hit a building and had claimed to be blind due to damaging his retina in the battle, as Chopper told the crew through his translation. Still however, he charges through the field and crashes through the Enies Lobby courthouse's courtyard before finally passing out from the pain.

Thriller Bark Arc
"Brook: What's wrong? Now this is just a quartet... trio... duet... solo. [sobbing] Why? Leaving only the accompaniment..."
 * Not too far afterwards, the backstory for Brook, tore apart this troper's heart to bits.
 * Let's break Brook's story down:  Yeah, it screws him up a little; fortunately for him, all it means to the Straw Hats is that he'll fit right in.
 * The anime just hit the finale part of the flashback, where Brook and his crew sing to their deaths. The part where joins in is this troper's personal favorite.
 * Being a lover of music, I can't help but tear up at the end at how... incomplete the song sounds. How Brook counts down as everybody else dies....


 * This troper read Volume 0 of One Piece,
 * For a moment Brook hallucinates that his crew is alive and it was all a nightmare, after sobbing about how happy he was into the deck he looks up... And sees the empty ship. Despite being a skeleton, the look on his face is heartbreaking.
 * Let us not forget Yorki either. Oh, Yorki.
 * And of course, recently we've had
 * Brook spent 50 years alone in the dark on his abandoned ship. Let that sink in for a moment, and everything else pales in comparison.

Sabaody Archipelago
"Luffy:"
 * And then there's


 * The anime just hit this chapter. It is absolutely brutal. By the end of the episode, you will either be all teary-eyed or feel completely depressed.
 * The accompanying montage had This Troper in tears by the end.
 * Kuma's last words to Luffy.
 * Kuma's last words to Luffy.

Impel Down

 * I found that Luffy reaching Ace's prison, fighting his way down to get to Ace, almost dying in the process, only to find the empty cage, quite heartbreaking. Then, we see Ace several floors up, hearing Luffy's voice, trying to get to his brother, screaming Luffy's name, only to have Magellan stop him. Granted, it was expected, but it still hurts.
 * I found that Luffy reaching Ace's prison, fighting his way down to get to Ace, almost dying in the process, only to find the empty cage, quite heartbreaking. Then, we see Ace several floors up, hearing Luffy's voice, trying to get to his brother, screaming Luffy's name, only to have Magellan stop him. Granted, it was expected, but it still hurts.

Marineford Arc
": Straw-chan! You just save your brother!...I know you can do...(line cuts off)"
 * Chapter 548, "Thank You". If you were not crying Manly Tears by the end, you are a soulless MONSTER.
 * When this troper read it, he could just continue reading with really sad thoughts of "poor ..."
 * This troper was already choking up, but then, the final pages with beautiful poem and the analogy of a falling petal and friendship...cue floodgates.
 * Then there's this last bit:

": If I told you the reason I'm here... is to fulfill my fallen comrade's wishes... will you laugh at me?"
 * Short one from the most recent chapter.
 * This scene is taken up to 11 in the anime. It's much more gut-wrenching when you see Oars Jr's vision fade as he reaches for Ace. The touch of music they added had this troper bawling his eyes out.
 * Just that scene? The anime made the whole struggle worse, with each flashback to Oars enjoying the hat punctuated by him getting blasted and impaled in between, with horribly tear jerking music playing throughout.
 * Chapter 568 was just one giant Tear Jerker after another...
 * When gives his reason as to why he's helping Luffy rescue Ace.
 * When gives his reason as to why he's helping Luffy rescue Ace.

": There is something I've wanted ever since I was a boy...
 * It should be noted that he's referring to.
 * In the most recent chapter,
 * His little chat with Ace is equally touching. He's talking about how he knows he should be happy a pirate is dying, but it's his grandson and that makes him FUCKING CRY because he's torn between turning around and freeing Ace and just sitting there like he's supposed to. This Troper cheered when he warned Sengoku that he'd better hold him down or he'd keep trying to kill Akainu after he killed Ace.
 * Chapter 574.  Waaaaah!
 * And the worst part?
 * In the anime, it's a thousand times worse.
 * That's not the worst part. THIS IS:  DAMMIT ODA! GOD DAMN IT!
 * The worst part is THIS: "Thank you for loving me!"
 * The anime version, Episode 483. It's essentially chapter 574... extended to 20 minutes long. Oh. Dear. God.
 * Oh God... this Troper who hasn't read/watched One Piece in a while saw . Cue Heroic BSOD. She wasn't that fond of him at first, but now, shes bawling her heart out! Then it hit her hard. What Luffy and co had gone thought just to save him. Literally the One Piece equivalent of Hell itself. And then comes his last words to everyone. GAH...* tearing up at the thought*
 * Ace's words to Luffy "My only regret is that I never got to see you achieve your dream." Had me in tears.
 * For this troper, it wasn't as much any particular scene in the last chapter or two..but the slow, horrifying realization that Marineford
 * As Ivankov points out,.
 * death in chapter 576 is by far the manliest and most Badass death in One Piece ever. Also, his reasons for being a pirate:

Pirate: What?! Tell us what it is!!


 * A family."


 * Also...


 * This may be an odd one, but in the most recent episode of the anime,  for whatever reason tugged rather firmly on this troper's heartstrings. The music did not help.
 * The latest episode, 483. Seeing Luffy's reaction to
 * Episode 488 of the anime:  I couldn't help but shed tears at that, and I am shedding tears now.
 * Episode 488 of the anime:  I couldn't help but shed tears at that, and I am shedding tears now.

Post Marineford
"Jinbei: You still haven't lost everything yet! Now affirm it! You have not been left with nothing!
 * This troper agrees with the above, as it provides a real life example
 * In relation to the post above, this troper would like everyone out there to stop and think for a second. Put youself in Luffy's shoes now.  Tell me, kind tropers, would you be an emotional wreck? Would you want to kill yourself knowing   That's the real Tear Jerker.
 * You're forgetting about.
 * Actually, if you stop and think about the backstory for a second, it actually becomes even sadder, if possible. After the recent flashbacks, think about  God, talk about Harsher in Hindsight. I'll be over there crying my eyes out now.
 * Chapter 588: Dammit Oda! And right in the middle of his CMOA!
 * To clarify,
 * Chapter 589: In-universe example of Harsher in Hindsight. Turns out,
 * And how for the first time,
 * . That's all that need to be said.
 * Quite a bit of Chapter 590:.
 * . That's all that need to be said.
 * Quite a bit of Chapter 590:.

Luffy: I HAVE MY CREW!"

"Don't bother me while I'm training!
 * This chapter gets extra Tear Jerker points for  painful outburst since it seemed to be the point when everything finally settles in. This troper, who was holding out up until then, promptly curled up in the corner of her bed to go cry like a baby. Literally.
 * It finally hits Makino that Ace is dead and Luffy is suffering alone. That is all.
 * The anime (episode 505) really brings it home as Jinbei (after a brief fight) talks sense into Luffy and asks what he still has. A tearful Luffy looks down at his hands...and starts counting his friends on his fingers.

Let everyone know a storm is coming!

You won't believe the size of the fish I'll catch today!

Calm down, dinner will be ready soon.

If you get hurt, you're in good hands!

I can teach you about archaeology if you want.

The cola engines are in great condition! The Sunny is in SUPER shape! *pose*

Luffy-san, what will your first song be for today?

......I HAVE MY NAKAMA!"

"Usopp: " Do you know how much pain he's feeling right now?! I have to be with him to see him through his pain...or else I can't call myself a member of his crew!"
 * The reactions from all the other Straw Hats when they hear what Luffy has gone through, especially Usopp and Nami:

Nami: " And I had no idea that was happening! I want to hurry and be there for him before he breaks apart!"

Later: "Luffy...you're OK, right? I'm sorry! You've always been there for us...And then, when it was our turn, we...""


 * Made worse if you consider why they had the most intense reactions to finding out about what happened to Luffy. some other stuff. In the past, Usopp and Nami have suffered from complexes about being a couple weaker crew members, and worried about not being able to protect the others, likely namely Luffy due to being closer to him than the others and because of how much he had persevered and sacrificed so much for them and everyone else. Also, they were both already deeply worried about Luffy before the crew got separated: Usopp was worried about Luffy hurting himself with his fighting style, and Nami was worried about whether Luffy was okay with the possibility of Ace being in trouble. (which she has a flashback of). The sense of helplessness, self-hatred, self-blame, and guilt Usopp and Nami are going through must be unimaginable.
 * Not to mention both know what it's like to lose someone in front of your eyes.
 * Nami's scenario goes from funny to tearjerker back to funny BACK to tearjerker within a few pages. When she's imprisoned for stealing technology, she's joking about how she's an ex-thief and a pirate and they somehow DIDN'T see that coming. Then she's on her knees begging for her release, tears in her eyes as she tells them about Luffy's plight and how she needs to go to him and be there for him. Then they release her and she's all "KTHXBYE!" as she runs off with all the tech she swiped, dragging Haredas along with her. At that point, the reader is all "oh, that Nami"...then Haredas notices that her "fake crying" hasn't stopped. *sob*
 * The anime does it justice, too. She even visibly blushes when Haredas comments on her still "pretending to cry".
 * Justifiable, as every Straw Hat thus far knows what it's like to lose someone right in front of their eyes, save for Franky, and Sanji, though he did have that crap time stranded with Zeff.
 * Franky hasn't? He
 * I would also assume that everyone Sanji knew dying on that ship during the storm might count, too, even if that's not dwelled on as much as building Sanji and Zeff's relationship.
 * Anime:
 * Anime episode 512:

Return to Sabaody

 * In-universe example, post time skip:
 * In chapter 603,
 * Also in Chapter 603  it mark how much it pain him the lost of his captain and best friend even after 20 years and why always got tear eyed every time he meet Luffy or he proclaimed that he would become the Pirate King.

Fishman Island Arc
""No matter what happens. I won't cry. So please don't kill me.""
 * Chapter 609. Seriously,
 * Chapter 612 has a small one,
 * Chapter 622:
 * Chapter 622:


 * Chapter 623:
 * You know, makes it clear in this arc that  wasn't a complete monster; that would be the main antagonist of this arc. It was shown back in his arc that while he hated humans, he cared for his crew as if they were his brothers, whereas Big Bad Hody Jones doesn't care who he kills of to get his way;
 * Chapter 624:
 * Chapter 626 is almost entirely one massive Tear Jerker.
 * It's made even sadder in the anime.
 * Chapter 627:  JESUS. THIS MANGA.
 * Made even worse when  On a more positive note,   Damnit Oda*sniff*.
 * Chapter 633 reveals that
 * Chapter 627:  JESUS. THIS MANGA.
 * Made even worse when  On a more positive note,   Damnit Oda*sniff*.
 * Chapter 633 reveals that

Punk Hazard Arc

 * The relevation that . It's Harsher in Hindsight when you realize that
 * Learning that the kids on the island
 * You have to feel sorry for
 * Chapter 668's cover spread..

Movies

 * Movie 6. Though it combines a heavy dose of Nightmare Fuel, one scene is also a heavy Tear Jerker. The ending also brings on the tears of joy.
 * Also in movie 6, it's revealed that the Baron This troper doesn't usually care about movie characters, but I misted up at the look on his face. Especially since he encouraged Luffy when he thought.

General
"Luffy: YOU ARE ONE OF US!"
 * What about Nami and Franky's backstories? Come to think of it, the childhoods of Luffy, Sanji and Zoro were no picnic either.
 * Luffy probably had the nicest childhood, seeing as back then he still had Ace, Sabo, and if you want to look at it like I do, Garp. Aside from never knowing who his real parents were, the only real tragedy he encountered was Shanks losing his arm.
 * Well, although now it's been revealed that he lost quite a bit in his childhood as well,  and now   in the present. Irony has never been a bigger bitch.
 * If you're using that as a comparison, Sanji's was probably the 'nicest'. Zeff lost a leg (somewhat) by choice, but Sanji didn't part with him until long after all was said and done. Shanks took off without Luffy.
 * This troper found Nami's backstory particularly depressing and tear-jerking. Seeing Arlong get his well-deserved defeat was really enjoyable after seeing what he had done to Nami in the past.
 * To totally elaborate, Nami and her sister, Nojiko, were found during the war by a woman named Bellemere; she, in all of her colonel badassery, raised the kids in a poor family, but a relatively happy one. One day, Arlong came and demanded each person pay a ransom. Bellemere didn't have enough money, so after kicking open the door and having a shotgun placed down Arlong's throat, she told him to suck it. Then, she let herself be shot after she gave up her life so Nami and Nojiko could live instead. This troper remembers reading that scene in the manga and absolutely cried during it. Full on bawling.
 * The thing is, she had enough money to pay for either herself or her two kids. Since she adopted Nami and Nojiko as babies during war, they weren't on file anywhere so she could have hidden them and paid for herself. But she didn't. You know why? Because her love for them was so deep, she would rather have died than pretend for even a moment that her children didn't exist. That, and the whole scene where she disciplined Nami for saying Nojiko isn't her real sister really made it that much more sad.
 * Nami's tears of gratitude when Luffy was what got this troper's tears flowing. And, of course...

"Franky: Stop, Puffing Tom! Where the hell do you think you're taking your creator to?!"
 * This Troper doesn't normally cry, though One Piece often makes exceptions, but tears were flowing down his face when he was watching Franky's backstory. Franky never really showed how much he actually cared for the closest thing to a family he had, until Tom was taken away. Franky desperately tried to stop it, only to almost get killed in the process. So tragic.

"Am I getting stronger?... I'll keep standing up, because I don't want to lose something precious."
 * Really, for a manifestation of happiness and joy, that never fails to cheer this troper up when he's down, One Piece is curiously full of some very nasty Tear Jerkers.
 * Someone here mentioned it and once they did, it really struck home. Zoro never really did had anyone who genuinely loved him when he was younger. He wasn't seen with any parents and his relationship with his sensei wasn't seen to be overly close or anything like that, just a simple student/teacher mutuality. His rival Kuina could be identified as a friend of his. And then, she died by falling off the stairs. And he wasn't seen having any friends after that or being close with anyone (since everyone was absolutely terrified of him) until he met with Johnny and Yosaku and later on, the little girl Rika and Luffy.
 * We see that Luffy had Ace, Makino, the Mayor, several villagers, Shanks, Garp with his well intentions and possibly . Nami was cared for by Bellemere, Nojiko, Gen and other villagers. Sanji had Zeff and the other cooks, though their relationship appeared to be all insults and hate, though when Sanji was about to leave, they all broke down into tears and wished him the best. Chopper had Doctor Hiriluk and Doctor Kureha. Robin had Professor Clover, Saul and for a brief while, her mother. Franky had Tom, Iceburg, Kokoro and Yokozuna. Brook had his crew and Laboon. All the rest of the Straw Hats' family and friends showed that they loved them in some way or another, even if some of them died.
 * It's also especially sad for Kuina. Many of the other loved ones had died in a sacrifice to save the future Straw Hat (Bellemere and Saul, which is also how Zeff and Shanks lost their limbs), content that their dream has been or would be fulfilled (Hiruluk and Tom), or with some semblance of happiness or satisfaction (Brook's pirates died singing a song for Brook to deliver to Laboon, while Olvia noted that Robin was still able to call her "mother"). Kuina died a sudden death without fulfilling her dream of becoming the world's greatest swords-woman, and Zoro's more emotional reaction at her wake in the manga is especially tragic.
 * It's even worse when you realize most of what Zoro got out of his relationship with Kuina was a great deal of pain (both physical and emotional) and derision. The only explanation is that he was honestly THAT lonely for any sort of meaningful contact with another human being. Dear God. If you've read the past few paragraphs and don't come out of it with unprecedented levels of soul crushing sadness and compassion for the big guy, you are a heartless monster.
 * Say what you want about her, but Boa Hancock describing her past indisputably counts as this, especially if the ones who turned her from no different than the innocent Kuja children to a cold-hearted bitch was none other than the Celestial Dragons: the same royal assholes who were responsible for the example above. To make this clear, in her childhood, Hancock as well as her sisters were kidnapped, sold into slavery, had tatoos forcibly burnt on their backs and experienced a living hell for four years in Mariejoa, until a Fishman so Badass he climbed the ten thousand feet above sea level Red Line with his bare hands into Mariejoa, released every slave, Fishman and human alike despite his view that Humans Are Bastards, and set the city on fire after giving them the heads up to GTFO out of Mariejoa. As if Hancock's experiences weren't traumatic enough at that young age without a Heroic Sociopath giving her a will to live the hard way. Also simply remembering all this, makes Hancock and her sisters cry, Hancock in particular tremble at reliving that again, and Sonia suffering an Heroic BSOD at the memories. When Hancock reveals this as the reason she can never show any signs of weakness to anyone, for she has a great fear she'll go through being taken advantage of again, Elder Nyon sees her icy heart is starting to warm up a bit because of Luffy. And despite continuing the facade to Nyon, Luffy sees that neither Hancock or her sisters are the Complete Monsters, but the Celestial Dragons are without a doubt are for doing that to them, and turning them that way.
 * And this gets EVEN WORSE when it's revealed that
 * In the anime, specifically inside this flashback, we get the scene in which the young Hancock and her sisters get their brands. First there's the branding instruments, then the Boa children huddling together in horror, and then there's young Hancock screaming and crying in pain as she gets the brand first... Come to think of it, the scenes with the Gorgon sisters's past were already sad in the manga, but the anime was more detailed and made them work real well.
 * This Troper cannot look at any version of Zoro's flashback without feeling heartsick.
 * Even though no-one dies in One Piece, to me it seems like was the first truest example of a Heroic Sacrifice.
 * The whole last 100+ chapters. This troper is convinced that Oda is trying to kill my heart. It shouldn't be physically possible to feel this sad.
 * More like THE WHOLE ENTIRE MANGA SO FAR. Despite the cartoony art and quirky characters, the characters' development, feelings, and reasons for their thoughts and behaviors are painfully emotionally and psychologically realistic. Many, many seemingly unimportant lines, scenes, or odd traits become Harsher in Hindsight when you put them in context with the effect the characters' backstories had on themi and their ability to relate to other people. After that, it's sometimes very hard to get involved with the coolness and badassery when you're constantly distracted by your desire to wrap the main characters up in warm blankies and give them cookies and milk.
 * The newest anime opening theme. Especialy when you read the lyrics,
 * This Troper can't listen to that song without shedding tears. Consider the fact that that same song opens the episodes where.

"Luffy: Goodbye, . it's been... fun."
 * To put it in perspective, it's usually a good indicator of a Tear Jerker if simply watching the opening makes you start to tear up...
 * Simply, the anime. Right now, watching Luffy strain himself to such a point, watching all the pain and determination, pushes this troper to the verge of tears simply watching each episode. AND YET I CAN'T STOP. Dammit Oda, why did you make One Piece so addictive but also so heart-crushingly, soul wrenchingly, SAD sometimes?
 * The chapter page of chapter 596 was a bad one;
 * So this troper wasn't the only one who found it more sad than awesome. It seemed like Oda was going for a nostalgic "what if" situation but it just felt like he was twisting the knife. T_T
 * Ace's tattoo has a crossed out S on his arm. It looks like the tattoist just had done lousy spelling.
 * The chapter page of chapter 597 shows
 * I just realized what the ultimate Tear Jerker of this series is. Compared to Bleach and Naruto, it's further towards the Idealism side of the Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism and yet the Tear Jerker moments are a thousand times WORSE! It seems to make it all the more depressing.
 * I think it's because the author himself has such a strong, positive world view that he can confront really, really ugly, painful, yet utterly human and poignant emotions like few others can. Oda also clearly loves life, and wants to share this love with others. The fact that both Oda and One Piece are creatures of extremes are why they're so dynamic and enthralling.
 * The song Dakishimete, which literally means "Hug me". It really paints Chopper as The Woobie very well.
 * The 14th and newest opening. Especially when you get to the second half. It's part epic, part fond memories.
 * The intro was very heartwarming as it goes through its course, but then when it shows, I choked up a bit.
 * This troper watched that opening atleast 10 times, and still tears up every time he sees Ace Luffy and Sabo all happy, when he sees the way Luffy met all his nakama and last, but not least, when Ace pushes Luffy to move forvard
 * Another aspect of the open: After everything that happened, Luffy is standing there looking at his straw hat and appearing very solemn and serious, reflecting how everyone's wondering if he'll ever be the same. After, Luffy grabs the hat and puts it on...then quickly flashes that mischievous grin, letting everyone know that he's gonna be just fine.
 * Chapter 0 (Tie-in to Strong World) really tugs at your heartsrings with the various flashbacks, each contained in a panel for about three pages straight. In showing order, it goes from
 * Rather old, but some dialogue analysis revealed a new Tear-Jerker on this troper. Right as Luffy leaves the Kuja Pirate ship and heads back to Sabaody, he tells Hancock that he never says goodbye to anyone because "I want to see you again, after all!" A quick re-look at an old chapter reveals this quote:
 * Rather old, but some dialogue analysis revealed a new Tear-Jerker on this troper. Right as Luffy leaves the Kuja Pirate ship and heads back to Sabaody, he tells Hancock that he never says goodbye to anyone because "I want to see you again, after all!" A quick re-look at an old chapter reveals this quote:


 * So... Luffy in essence told that he
 * No, It's that.
 * If we're talking about harsher in hindsight... remember what Nami said when Arlong betrayed her and Luffy showed up? "Luffy... taskette (Help me/Save me)." Remember what Nami says when "LUFFY TASKET- (LUFFY! HELP M-)"
 * Arlong killing Bellemere has a second layer of Tear Jerker upon the reveal about