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?
Luffy Gear 5 (Credits: Toei Animation)
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.
Vegapunk and Luffy (Eiichiro Oda)
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.
“One Piece” is a beloved Japanese manga and anime series that chronicles the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew. Luffy, imbued with rubber powers from a mystical fruit Hito Hito no Mi, aspires to become the Pirate King. To achieve this, he seeks the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece,” hidden at the Grand Line’s end. Along the journey, Luffy gathers a diverse crew, confronts formidable foes, and uncovers world-altering secrets, all while promoting themes of friendship, freedom, and adventure.
Since the premiere of Solo Leveling Season 2, the anime has been making waves with its intense battles and Sung Jinwoo’s rapid growth. Fans have been eagerly watching his transformation from an underdog to an unstoppable force. However, Episode 9 took an unexpected turn, focusing on deep emotions rather than high-octane action, which led to mixed reactions from the audience.
Jinwoo’s reunion with his mother, Park Kyung-Hye, was a long-awaited moment, but instead of the expected adrenaline rush, fans got a heartfelt scene of the protagonist breaking down in tears. While some appreciated this emotional depth, others felt let down by the lack of action. The debate has sparked discussions across social media, with some calling it a filler episode and others praising its significance.
Episode 9 Lacks Action, Fans Express Disappointment
solo levelling
Following Jinwoo’s intense battle to obtain the Elixir of Life, Episode 9 finally showcased his mother waking up after four years of deep sleep. The emotional moment highlighted his struggles and sacrifices, yet it wasn’t what some viewers were hoping for. Many had anticipated another action-packed episode, especially after Jinwoo defeated Baran’s clone and added the dragon’s shadow to his army.
While the episode received backlash, many fans stood by it, arguing that Solo Leveling is more than just relentless action. Some viewers appreciated the portrayal of Jinwoo’s vulnerable side, believing it added necessary depth to his character. They pointed out that the episode reinforced Jinwoo’s humanity, proving that despite his god-like power, he still values his loved ones above all else.
One fan passionately defended the episode, saying, “He sacrificed everything to save his mother, and you all are mad? None of you deserve your moms.” Others criticized action-hungry fans for not appreciating the storytelling, with one comment stating, “This proves anime watchers only want mindless action without caring for character development.”
Solo Leveling
Despite the controversy, the episode holds significant importance for the series. Jinwoo’s emotional reunion with his mother is a pivotal moment in both the anime and manhwa, setting the stage for his upcoming battles. Rather than losing himself to power, he remains deeply connected to his human side, a trait that will define his journey moving forward.
For those impatient for more action, the Jeju Island Arc is just around the corner, promising high-stakes battles and intense confrontations. Episode 9 may not have been what everyone expected, but it serves as a vital stepping stone before the storm.
