Samuel L. Jackson has officially named One Piece as his favorite anime, with Monkey D. Luffy’s adventurous personality and the Straw Hat Pirates’ lifestyle influencing his choice. The actor shared his thoughts during the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, where he discussed his connection to Japanese animation alongside other entertainment industry figures, including James Gunn and Guillermo del Toro.
In a video shared by Sony on X, and later covered by TV Line, Jackson explained why Eiichiro Oda’s long-running pirate adventure stands out to him.
“‘One Piece,’ because I like Monkey D. Luffy. I’ve always been a pirate fan, so the Straw Hat Pirates are something I figure I could be part of,”
Jackson said.
His comments offer a glimpse into his interest in the franchise, particularly its central character and the idea of embarking on adventures across the sea.
Samuel L. Jackson Relates to Monkey D. Luffy’s Pirate Adventures
When asked which anime character he relates to the most, Jackson also pointed towards Luffy. The protagonist’s dream of becoming the Pirate King and his desire to explore the oceans appear to resonate with the actor’s longstanding fascination with pirates.
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows Luffy and his crew as they search for the legendary treasure while encountering powerful enemies and forming new friendships.
According to Toei Animation, the anime surpassed 1,150 episodes following its return with the Elbaph arc in April 2026.
Jackson’s interest in Japanese animation extends beyond watching popular series. He previously served as executive producer and voiced the titular protagonist in Afro Samurai. He also appeared in the live-action adaptation of Kite and voiced Zog in the 2009 animated film Astro Boy.
Jackson joins several other celebrities who have publicly expressed their appreciation for One Piece, including BTS member Jimin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Travis Scott, and Megan Thee Stallion.
| Started | October 22, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| Author | Eiichiro Oda |
