10 Overlooked One Piece Storylines That Will Give You Nightmares

Within the 1100+ officially released chapters of Eiichiro Oda’s manga series One Piece, the abundance of storylines is a major asset. Each character, regardless of their significance, is given attention, delving into their motives, development, and aspirations.

Despite this, there are certain One Piece plotlines that are noticeably darker than others due to a variety of factors.

Doctor Hogback and Victoria Cindry

Hogback (left) and Cindry (right) as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

In the arc, viewers are introduced to Doctor Hogback and his assistant, Victoria Cindry, who appears to have animosity towards him. The reason for this becomes clear when their backgrounds are revealed – Hogback was initially a devoted admirer of Cindry, a renowned actress and his patient. He even proposed to her, but she declined and passed away soon after.

Enter Gecko Moria and his Shadow-Shadow Fruit, which enabled Cindry to be resurrected in her original form but with a completely altered demeanor. This caused Hogback to become resentful and cruel, confessing that he only valued her appearance and had no interest in a personality that rejected him, leading to his physical mistreatment of her.

Rob Lucci’s Dark Justice

Lucci as seen in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

The concept of his alter ego, known as “Massacre Weapon,”delves into this matter as his pursuit of Dark Justice transformed him into someone who believed that any sacrifice was necessary in the name of maintaining order. This was demonstrated by a mission he undertook at the age of 13, when he was tasked with rescuing 500 soldiers from a kingdom who had been held captive by a notorious pirate crew. The captain of the crew demanded to be crowned as the new king in exchange for their release.

Instead of saving the hostages, Lucci penetrated their stronghold and ruthlessly eliminated each and every one of them, including the captain and the entire pirate crew. Lucci defended his actions by claiming that the soldiers were feeble and could not defend their kingdom, therefore fitting into his philosophy of acceptable losses.

3) Vinsmoke Family: The Dark History of Abuse

Vinsmoke Judge as seen in the anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite Sanji’s abuse being the most prominent example, it should be noted that his father Judge inflicted abuse upon all of the Vinsmoke children. This was particularly evident in the case of Sanji, who endured both emotional and physical abuse from Judge and his siblings. They often mocked his dreams and even went as far as locking him in a dungeon with an iron mask.

Despite this, the rest of the Vinsmoke siblings also suffered abuse, their genetics altered and their personalities molded into unfeeling, ruthless weapons. This is highlighted during the Whole Cake Island arc, where the Vinsmoke siblings display no fear of death while their father, Judge, is consumed by terror at the mere thought.

Big Mom’s Implicit Cannibalism

Big Mom's origins are easinly one of the most harrowing One Piece storylines (Image via Toei Animation) — Big Mom’s origins are easinly one of the most harrowing One Piece storylines (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite being born unusually large for a human, Charlotte Linlin was forsaken by her parents and later taken in by Mother Carmel, a nun who deceitfully sold her orphans to the World Government as potential soldiers.

Similarly, despite enduring all the difficulties caused by Linlin (including the murder of one of Elbaf’s leaders), she hoped to receive a large sum of money from selling her off. However, she was never able to do so as it is strongly suggested that Big Mom devoured Mother Carmel and the other orphans during a sudden hunger-induced frenzy. This serves as a testament to the monstrous nature of Big Mom and is considered one of the darkest fates that any character has faced in the series thus far.

5) The Global Threat of Genocide

The Oharan Genocide is one of the most horrifying One Piece storylines (Image via Toei Animation)

The introduction of the Buccaneer race in the Egghead arc revealed that the World Government had targeted three clans for genocide. While this has been confirmed for the Oharans and the Lunarians, it is strongly implied for the Buccaneers, as seen in Saint Jaygarcia Saturn’s words to Bartholomew Kuma in God Valley.

Caribou’s Swamp-Swamp Fruit

Caribou seen using his Swamp-Swamp Fruit in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite not having a full-fledged storyline, Caribou and his ability to control the Swamp-Swamp Fruit have significantly impacted the series during the post-time-skip section. Despite this significant role, fans have yet to discover the experience of being trapped inside the swamp as a sentient being.

Despite the lack of food spoilage in the swamp, one may assume that time does not cease to pass. However, for the sentient beings absorbed into the swamp, it begs the question of whether they are condemned to an eternity without aging or feeling hunger, forced to remain idle without the ability to move, speak, or even think.

Florian Triangle Shadows

Thriller Bark (foreground) and the shadows (background) as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Little is known about them, except for their presumed involvement in the annual disappearance of over a hundred ships in the area.

Despite the many unknown aspects of the series’ world, one thing is certain – there is no knowledge about this mystery. The only information known is that these creatures have red eyes, reside in Thriller Bark, and conceal themselves by blending into the fog. It has been suggested that they may be influenced by the Umibozu and potentially connected to Imu, as both have red eyes and are inspired by the Umibozu yokai legend.

Celestial Dragons’ Native Hunting Competition

Celestial Dragons seen walking with a slave in tow (Image via Toei Animation)

It is not surprising that one of the most distressing storylines in One Piece is also one that is rooted in reality and could potentially occur. In the Egghead Island arc, fans were given a glimpse into the events that took place at God Valley through Kuma’s flashback. This provided insight into the Celestial Dragons and their involvement in a Native Hunting Competition.

The natives of God Valley and any accompanying slaves were essentially treated as targets in a hunting competition, with participants competing for points based on their kill counts. This serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed by humanity, as it mirrors real-life events.

9) The Study of Gigantification in Caesar Clown’s Children

The children seen suffering from the withdrawal of Caesar's drug (Image via Toei Animation) — The children seen suffering from the withdrawal of Caesar’s drug (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite the abundance of disturbing events that took place during the arc, one particularly revolting story stands out: Caesar Clown’s child gigantification research. With the assistance of Vergo, he managed to abduct innocent children for use in experiments driven by Big Mom’s desire to create Giants.

It is truly appalling that Caesar deceives the children into believing they are ill and that only curing them can save the world. In reality, he administers drugs that not only make them physically ill, but also mentally weak due to withdrawal. This renders them dangerous to both themselves and others, making this storyline particularly distressing as it highlights the potential for evil in both Oda’s fictional world and our reality.

10) Can a Person Possess Two Devil Fruits? The Case of Blackbeard

Blackbeard wielding two Devil Fruits as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The plotline’s intensity is heightened by Blackbeard’s portrayal as an abnormal and potentially inhuman figure, deviating from the natural order.

Despite the difficulty in determining the exact reason, it is clear that the reveal will further enhance the already creepy and alienating nature of Blackbeard’s origins, character, actions, and motivations.

In summation

Despite a more lenient interpretation of the term, it is evident that numerous One Piece narratives of various forms and scopes meet the criteria. Nevertheless, the ones that adhere strictly to the traditional definition are among the most intense and gripping in the entire series.