One Piece Makes History Again with New Guinness World Record at Osaka Anime Expo 2025
Over the years, One Piece fans have learned one important lesson: never undervalue the strength of the Straw Hat Pirates or their worldwide fan base. At the Osaka Anime Expo 2025, the franchise set a new Guinness World Record, marking yet another historic accomplishment. The occasion couldn’t have been more iconic—or more One Piece.
A sea of people wearing straw hats may seem odd at first glance. However, as anyone who has followed Monkey D. Luffy’s journey from East Blue to the New World knows, this is about much more than cosplay; it’s about unity, legacy, and honoring a cultural phenomenon that has impacted millions of lives worldwide.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened, why it matters, and what this says about the unstoppable force that is One Piece.
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A Sea of Straw Hats: The Record-Breaking Moment
Fans arrived at the Osaka Anime Expo on May 4, 2025, with one very specific item on their wish list: a straw hat. The distinctive emblem of Monkey D. Luffy himself—not just any straw hat. The event was designed to break the Guinness World Record for “Most People Wearing Straw Hats at Once” in honor of the Netflix live-action One Piece adaptation and the franchise’s continued appeal.
And that’s exactly what they did.
897 attendees—a mix of lifelong fans, cosplayers, and curious newcomers—united under the Japanese spring sun in a visual tribute to the One Piece legacy. The event not only beat the previous record of 797 participants, but it did so in full anime expo style: loud, proud, and with the Straw Hat spirit running high.
The live-action cast members of One Piece, such as Emily Rudd (Nami), Jacob Romero Gibson (Usopp), and Mackenyu Arata (Zoro), added to the excitement with their appearances. Wearing straw hats and joining in the celebration alongside fans, they did more than just appear for pictures.
Why the Straw Hat?
The straw hat may appear to be merely an accessory to those outside the fandom. But it’s everything to One Piece fans.
Luffy’s straw hat is more than just his trademark style; it’s a tradition that was carried on from Shanks and, eventually, from Gol D. Roger. It stands for aspirations, liberty, camaraderie, and unwavering determination. Donning that hat, even for a brief instant, is akin to putting oneself in Luffy’s shoes (or sandals) and joining the larger journey.
Therefore, it was more than just cosplay when almost 900 fans decided to wear their own straw hats in unison. It was an ode to Oda, the series, and all that One Piece has stood for over the previous twenty-five years.
A Franchise That Refuses to Slow Down
One Piece has broken records before. The franchise’s creator, Eiichiro Oda, has already been granted the Guinness World Record for the “most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author.” This most recent milestone, however, feels different.
This had nothing to do with box office receipts, anime ratings, or manga sales. It was about people—actual fans coming out, getting involved, and telling the world, “We’re still here, and One Piece still matters.”
One Piece has only gotten stronger in a time when franchises tend to wane after ten years. There is a lot of momentum from the Netflix adaptation’s success, the ongoing manga saga’s final act, and the anime’s ascent to its climax, and Guinness just helped shine an even bigger spotlight on it.
Why This Record Matters More Than You Think
“Isn’t this just a gimmicky PR stunt?” you might wonder. However, stand back and think about the wider picture.
At its core, One Piece is a tale of people coming together. Rebels, dreamers, and misfits from all over the world are coming together to work toward a common objective. At Osaka Anime Expo, it was precisely that—but this time, the crew wasn’t made up.
It was actual people from various languages and cultures who were bound together by a common love of epic literature and a single piece of clothing.
That has a lot of power. That’s legacy in action.
The Fans: The True Straw Hats
The atmosphere of this record-breaking event was just as poignant as the numbers. The atmosphere was “electric,” according to attendees, with “Nakama!” chants and brief clips of the anime’s theme songs resonating throughout the audience. One Piece transcends generations, as evidenced by the participation of kids, adults, and even grandparents.
Strangers were hugged. stories that were shared. took self-portraits as if they were on the Thousand Sunny.
For devoted fans, it was a reunion rather than just an event. It was an invitation to new fans. Additionally, it served as a reminder to everyone that this tale still has the capacity to evoke happiness and connection in the real world.
Eiichiro Oda’s Enduring Impact
Not to be overlooked is Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind it all.
There would be no straw hats to wear if it weren’t for his unrelenting inventiveness, his sense of adventure, and his passion for storytelling. Decades later, Oda is still making people smile, as he has always stated when he created One Piece. Not only is the Guinness record evidence of the story. One panel at a time, it pays homage to the man who created this world.
And despite Oda’s absence from Osaka, his influence could be heard in every cheer, every hat, and every laugh. Few artists ever make an impact like that.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Now that the Guinness record has been achieved, what will One Piece do next?
To be honest, anything is possible.
With some of the most intense and action-packed storylines to date, the anime is still going strong. There will be more twists and revelations as the manga draws to a close. Season 2 of the live-action series is approaching. And the fan base is more active than ever, as this event demonstrates.
Will there ever be another world record? For the biggest cosplay party, perhaps? Or One Piece’s longest marathon of episodes? (There’s an endurance test now!) You can be sure that the One Piece community will be able to handle whatever it is.
Because Nakama does just that.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Record
Yes, One Piece once again created history. Yes, Luffy’s trademark straw hat is now featured on a Guinness certificate. However, this accomplishment went beyond statistics and media attention.
It was an instant—a vibrant celebration of all that One Piece stands for. An international journey. a family that has been selected. An ongoing legacy.
You were a part of something unique if you were in Osaka. If you weren’t, don’t worry—there’s always the next grand gathering, the next chapter, the next big adventure.
Because as long as there are dreams to chase and seas to sail, One Piece will never truly end.
Here’s to the Straw Hats. Here’s to the fans. And here’s to making history, one record at a time.
🧭☠️
