One Piece fans and basketball lovers were treated to an epic crossover as the LA Lakers hosted their special One Piece Game Night on Friday, February 28, 2025. The event transformed the Crypto.com Arena into a pirate’s paradise, celebrating Eiichiro Oda’s legendary series with themed merchandise, immersive activities, and a jaw-dropping anime short that had fans buzzing with excitement.
The highlight of the night was an exclusive 30-second animated short featuring Monkey D. Luffy taking on four Marines in a high-energy basketball showdown. The short not only showcased Luffy’s signature Gum-Gum abilities but also paid tribute to NBA legend Michael Jordan, making it a fitting centerpiece for the collaboration. It ended with a special promotion for the newly launched English version of the ONE PIECE BASE app.
What Is the ONE PIECE BASE App?
During halftime of the Lakers’ game against the LA Clippers, the much-anticipated anime short made its debut, thrilling both anime and basketball fans in attendance. The short, now available on One Piece’s official English YouTube channel, featured Luffy using his Devil Fruit powers to dominate the court. After initially losing possession of the ball, he quickly turned the tide, delivering an electrifying performance.
Luffy’s signature moment came when he soared through the air, striking a pose reminiscent of Michael Jordan’s iconic Jumpman silhouette. With a powerful dunk to seal the game, he flashed his signature grin before the video concluded with a promotional message for the ONE PIECE BASE app, the latest digital manga reader offering exclusive features and content for fans worldwide.
The anime short wasn’t just about showcasing Luffy’s basketball skills—it also served as a major promotion for the English launch of the ONE PIECE BASE app. The app allows users to “rent” digital manga volumes, though the term is somewhat misleading, as rented volumes remain accessible indefinitely unless removed from the platform.
In addition to its manga library, the app includes fun features like portrait generation in One Piece’s signature art style and custom wanted poster designs. With its unique offerings, the app provides fans with a fresh way to engage with the series.
Beyond the anime short, One Piece Game Night offered attendees an array of exclusive experiences. Fans could purchase limited-edition Lakers x One Piece collaboration T-shirts and snap photos at the Bounty Rush photo booth. Adding to the excitement, the event featured special appearances from notable guests, including Iñaki Godoy, the star of Netflix’s live-action One Piece series.
This isn’t the first time One Piece has teamed up with major sports franchises. The series previously collaborated with the Boston Red Sox in August 2024, celebrating the anime’s 25th anniversary with exclusive events and merchandise. Due to the overwhelming success, the Red Sox are set to repeat the partnership in May 2025.
In December 2023, One Piece also joined forces with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams for another memorable crossover. These collaborations highlight the franchise’s growing influence, bridging the gap between anime and mainstream sports culture in ways fans never imagined.
