An eyecatcher is a scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a TV program, especially in anime and tokusatsu shows.
In One Piece, there are two eyecatchers in every episode, and each one shows one of the Straw Hat Pirates, usually the ones who had the most significance in the episode, accompanied by a short excerpt of their respective themes.
From Episode 1 to Episode 206 each eyecatcher showed an image of one of the Straw Hat Pirates on a wanted poster. The wanted poster is flying in the wind, then stopping, allowing a clear view of the image. In the background, there are the other Straw Hat Pirates, but only the ones that already joined the crew. There is a different tune for each Straw Hat Pirate and Vivi and Carue. Vivi and Carue's eyecatcher was only in use while they travelled with the Straw Hat Pirates and discontinued at the end of the Alabasta Saga when they parted ways with the crew.
Recently, the series began airing again from the beginning of the series, but this time they aired in a higher resolution than the original 4:3 (NTSC). It now airs in 16:9 (HDTV) resolution. This edition is upscaled and cropped remasters of the episodes in the beginning of the series, and it's called "The Special Edition". Due to the higher resolution, the eyecatchers in this version look a little different, but they are still the same eyecatchers from the first set.
The end of Luffy's first eyecatcher in the Special Edition.
The end of Zoro's first eyecatcher in the Special Edition.
The end of Nami's first eyecatcher in the Special Edition.
The end of Usopp's first eyecatcher in the Special Edition.
The end of Sanji's first eyecatcher in the Special Edition.
Second Set of Eyecatchers
From Episode 207 to Episode 516 a new set of eyecatchers aired. They still feature one of the Straw Hat Pirates with the same set of tunes for each one, but with a different animation. In each of them, a Straw Hat is doing something he or she usually does through a telescope, which then pans down to some items unique to the character. The items are often related to their role in the crew. The second set of eyecatchers was initially introduced at the start of the Long Ring Long Land Arc, with the switch to high-definition format, and retired after the two-year timeskip.
Activity, special items for each crewmember and first appearance of each eyecatcher
Character
Activity
Special Items
First Appearance
Monkey D. Luffy
Gazes at the sky, then realizes he is being watched and turns his left eye towards the telescope.
Zoro's items in his second eyecatcher (first version).
Zoro's items in his second eyecatcher (second version).
Nami's items in her second eyecatcher.
Usopp's items in his second eyecatcher.
Sanji's items in his second eyecatcher.
Chopper's items in his second eyecatcher.
Robin's items in her second eyecatcher.
Franky's items in his first eyecatcher.
Brook's items in his first eyecatcher.
Third Set of Eyecatchers
From Episode 517 to Episode 746 the eyecatchers have changed drastically. The eyecatchers have their own unique music, different from any music heard in an eyecatcher before, and so far all of the eyecatchers have the same music. Each eyecatcher shows the shadows of all the Straw Hat pirates passing, except for one of them, who is passing while picking up an item that belongs to him or her. After that the eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
This set is greatly different from the first two sets, which were fairly similar in presentation. The first two sets showed only one crew member per eyecatcher, but the third set showed all the Straw Hats in a single one. Another difference is that unlike the first two sets, this set is showing the Straw Hats post-timeskip. In addition to the personal eyecatchers, in this set there is another eyecatcher that represents the One Piece logo. Since its debut in Episode 535, it has appeared in every episode as the second eyecatcher. It has the same music as the personal eyecatchers, and the music for the eyecatchers was modified into a more fanfare-like rendition at the start of the Punk Hazard Arc onward, along with its sibling soundtrack "To the New World".
Activity and First Appearance of Each Eyecatcher
Character
Activity
Special Items
First Appearance
Monkey D. Luffy
Luffy's straw hat is on a table with some coins. On the wall next to it there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, Sanji, Franky, Robin and then Luffy passes while picking up his straw hat. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Zoro's Wado Ichimonji on a table with some coins. On the wall next to them there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, Sanji, Franky, Robin and then Zoro passes while picking up his sword. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Nami's Paradise Log Pose on a table with a map and some coins. On the wall next to it there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, Sanji, Franky, Robin and then Nami passes while picking up her old Log Pose. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Usopp's Kuro Kabuto on a table with some pop green and some coins. On the wall next to them there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Brook, Chopper, Sanji, Franky, Robin and then Usopp passes while picking up his slingshot. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Sanji's suit jacket is on a table with some coins. On the wall next to it there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, Franky, Robin and then Sanji passes while picking up his jacket. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Chopper's medicine bag on a table with some purple flowers and coins. On the wall next to it there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Sanji, Franky, Robin and then Chopper passes while picking up his bag. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Robin's books on a table with some coins. On the wall next to it there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, Sanji, Franky, and then Robin passes while picking up a book. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Franky's cola bottles on a table with some coins. On the wall next to them there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Chopper, Sanji, Robin and then Franky passes by while picking up a bottle. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Brook's violin on a table with some coins. On the wall next to it there is a map and the shadows of all the Straw Hat Pirates passing by in this order: Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Sanji, Franky, Robin, and then Brook passes while picking up his violin. The eyecatcher then switches to an image of the Straw Hat Pirates on a shore next to the Thousand Sunny.
Luffy's straw hat is flying in the wind while a figure of Luffy is trying to catch it. At the same time the One Piece logo is being built. Luffy's figure with the straw hat lands in the section in the word 'Piece' where the "i" should be, and then the background changes from a sky with clouds to a colorful map as the One Piece logo is completely built.
The end of the personal eyecatchers in the third set of eyecatchers.
The end of the One Piece Logo eyecatcher.
Fourth Set of Eyecatchers
From Episode 747 onwards the eyecatchers have changed. The eyecatchers have their own unique background depending on what character is being used, and each character has the same tune that was used in the first two sets of eyecatchers. Each eyecatcher starts with the News Coo flying over the ocean before transitioning to one of the Straw Hat Pirates' wanted posters. Currently Bartolomeo and Law also have their own eyecatcher and so far they are the only two non-Straw Hat members to get an eyecatcher in this set.
This is the second time that the wanted posters are being used for the eyecatchers, although the bounties and pictures have been updated to the current wanted posters.
Activity and First Appearance of Each Eyecatcher
Character
Activity
Special Backgrounds
First Appearance
Monkey D. Luffy
Luffy's hometown in the background. With Luffy's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us his bounty picture.
Nojiko delivers tangerines to Genzo's office in the background. With Nami's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us her bounty picture.
On the road to Syrup Village, the former Usopp Pirates and Kaya are in the background. With Usopp's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us his bounty picture.
Baratie and Nasugasira are shown in the background. With Sanji's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us his bounty picture.
The castle on the foot of the Drum Rockies, with the mountains behind it are shown in the background. With Chopper's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us his bounty picture.
A Poneglyph and the Orrery that was in the Tree of Knowledge are shown in the background. With Robin's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us her bounty picture.
Crocus empty chair on Twin Cape is shown. With Brook's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us his bounty picture.
Going Luffy-senpai docked; the setting is a recreation of the scene from the first eyecatchers. With Bartolomeo's current bounty traveling along the wind before hitting the screen showing us his bounty picture.
The Bounty Posters in the Fourth Set of Eyecatchers
Luffy's bounty poster.
Zoro's bounty poster.
Nami's bounty poster.
Usopp's bounty poster.
Sanji's bounty poster.
Chopper's bounty poster.
Robin's bounty poster.
Franky's bounty poster.
Brook's bounty poster.
Bartolomeo's bounty poster.
Law's bounty poster.
The Special Backgrounds in the Fourth Set of Eyecatchers
Foosha Village.
Shimotsuki Village.
Genzo's office in Cocoyasi Village.
The former Usopp Pirates and Kaya On the road to Syrup Village.
Baratie and Nasugasira.
The castle at the foot of the Drum Rockies.
A Poneglyph and an Orrery.
Mozu and Kiwi.
Twin Cape.
Going Luffy Senpai.
Polar Tang.
Special Eyecatchers
Aside from the regular sets of eyecatchers, there are a few special eyecatchers which appeared only once on special occasions. So far, there are seven special eyecatchers, one of them was in the Chopper Man's special episode. Three others are from the time when Dragon Ball Kai was followed by One Piece when it first aired in Japan, so special eyecatchers featuring the characters from both series were made and shown between the two series. Another eyecatcher is from the second Toriko X One Piece Collaboration Special. The last two are from the History's Strongest Collaboration Special.
Activity and First Appearance of Each Special Eyecatcher
Character(s)
Activity
First Appearance
Chopper Man
Frangashan is chasing after Chopper Man until they exit the screen, then Frangashan comes back, but now he is running away from Giant Luffy Bomber, who tries to punch Frangashan, but he hits Namifia, who starts chasing after Frangashan and Giant Luffy Bomber. The eyecatcher ends with Chopper Man looking at the camera from very close, and with the phrase "Chopper Man" next to him.
Monkey D. Luffy and Kulilin (both voiced by Mayumi Tanaka) are seen standing next to each other in a fighting position, when Luffy says, "One Piece is coming!". Kulilin then tries to punch Luffy, who blocks it with his hand, while Kulilin says, "Trust in the Kienzan!". An alternate version, Kulilin says: "We count on you, Luffy"[1]. They both look at the camera as the eyecatcher ends. They seem to be at the entrance of Dragon Ball's Tenkaichi Battle Stage.
Dream 9
Roronoa Zoro and Piccolo
Roronoa Zoro and Piccolo (coincidentally both voiced by Christopher Sabat in the FUNimation dubs) are seen with their backs to the camera from far away. They are looking at a newspaper when Zoro says, "Is One Piece now?", and then Piccolo replies "It's very interesting". The camera then zooms to their faces as they turn around saying, "Watch it!". They seem to be located in Dragon Ball's Room of Spirit and Time.
Dream 9
Tony Tony Chopper and Son Gohan
Tony Tony Chopper and Son Gohan are seen riding on Kintoun. Gohan stares at the camera while saying "One Piece is coming". At the same time Chopper is seen hugging a part of Kintoun. Chopper then falls to the other side of Kintoun but still holding to it saying "Be patient!"
Dream 9
Luffy and Toriko
A stand still image of Toriko and Luffy with a special logo of Toriko X One Piece Collaboration Special 2.
Luffy, Goku, and Toriko's first special eyecatcher.
Luffy, Goku, and Toriko's second special eyecatcher.
Number of Appearances
Character
Appearances in the First Set
Appearances in the Second Set
Appearances in the Third Set
Appearances in the Fourth Set (so far)
Overall (so far)
Monkey D. Luffy
148
258
101
28
535
Roronoa Zoro
51
67
16
10
144
Nami
58
46
27
11
142
Usopp
48
45
17
6
114
Sanji
44
50
20
17
131
Nefeltari Vivi and Carue
29
---
---
---
29
Tony Tony Chopper
23
43
22
8
96
Nico Robin
13
54
17
8
92
Franky
---
26
19
5
50
Brook
---
19
13
4
36
One Piece Logo
---
---
212
---
212
Bartolomeo
---
---
---
6
6
Law
---
---
---
3
3
Trivia
The characters of One Piece get a personal eyecatcher only after they join the Straw Hat Pirates. For example, Brook, despite fighting alongside the Straw Hats for the entirety of the Thriller Bark Arc, had no eyecatcher until his official recruitment. Sanji is the exception, having an eyecatcher just two episodes after his initial appearance, long before joining the crew.
The images of the Straw Hats on the wanted posters from the first set of eyecatchers are different from the images on their actual wanted posters.
While Vivi was traveling with the Straw Hat crew, she had an eyecatcher of her own, where Vivi and Carue are shown on a wanted poster with their own unique theme music playing.
In Zoro's second eyecatcher, when his three swords were shown, his sword Yubashiri was one of them. Later on, when Yubashiri was destroyed and he got his next sword, Shusui, the swords were changed in the eyecatcher to fit the story.
Episodes 207-241 showed only Luffy's new eyecatcher, but during in 207 both Chopper and Sanji's themes were playing. The eyecatchers did not update to feature the other Straw Hat Pirates until the beginning of the Water 7 Arc. Notably, Nami and Sanji are portrayed with the outfits they wore during the arc (for Nami, her second outfit), and the eyecatchers keep them in these outfits for the remainder of their use.
Brook's first eyecatcher in the second set is the only one where it shows a different sky background and the telescope moves upward to show his special items.
Episodes 517-532 showed only Luffy's new eyecatcher.
Throughout the series, the eyecatchers' wanted poster occasionally did not match its theme music.
In Episode 1 Luffy's poster came up twice, but Zoro's theme played in the first time.
In Episode 3 Luffy's theme played when Zoro's poster came up.
In Episode 6 Luffy and Zoro's themes are reversed.
In Episode 8 Nami's theme played when Zoro's poster came up.
In Episode 9 Luffy and Nami's posters are seen, but Zoro's eyecatcher is playing.
In Episodes 13 - 15 Zoro's theme played when Luffy's poster came up.
In Episodes 139 and 143 Robin's theme played when Zoro's poster came up.
In Episode 151Dracule Mihawk is seen observing Luffy and Zoro's bounties and his theme plays continuously and while it is playing the screen cuts to the commercial break eyecatchers and Zoro's comes up while Mihawk's theme is still playing.
In Brook's 3rd set of eyecatcher, Brook picks up a violin, but in the series he is holding a guitar. Brook is still associated with his violin, but is now more commonly seen as a guitarist after gaining his rock star image as the Soul King.
Episode 24 is the first episode to not have Luffy's eyecatcher in it.
Franky's first eyecatcher shows a bottle cap fly off one of the cola bottles as it fizzes over. Then, a glass pipe full of cola cracks, causing a leak to spurt out. It is difficult to observe what happened to the pipe at first glance, but one can make out that the bottle cap ricochets off the pipe, fracturing it.
