Samuel L. Jackson has watched enough anime to know what he likes, and his latest revelation has given fans another reason to celebrate a beloved Japanese franchise. The Hollywood veteran has officially named One Piece as his favourite anime, singling out its adventurous spirit and its central character, Monkey D. Luffy. His choice also highlights how the long-running series has crossed generations and entertainment industries, attracting fans from Hollywood, music and professional sports. With more than 1,000 episodes, the pirate adventure continues to find admirers in unexpected places.
Samuel L. Jackson explains why One Piece holds a special place
Jackson shared his choice while attending the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, an event that also brought together filmmakers James Gunn and Guillermo del Toro. When asked about his favourite anime, the actor did not hesitate to pick Eiichiro Oda’s celebrated creation.Explaining his connection to the series, Jackson said: “‘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.”His answer suggests that the appeal goes beyond the show’s popularity. Jackson has a long-standing interest in pirate adventures, making Luffy’s journey across the seas a natural fit for his tastes. He also identified the young pirate captain as the character he relates to most.For someone who has spent decades playing memorable characters on screen, his enthusiasm for Luffy offers an interesting glimpse into his interests away from Hollywood. The series follows a determined young pirate who dreams of finding the legendary One Piece treasure and becoming the Pirate King.
One Piece has fans across Hollywood, music and sports
Jackson is far from the only famous name drawn to the world of the Straw Hat Pirates. The franchise has built an impressive celebrity following, with several stars openly discussing their love for the anime.BTS member Jimin previously revealed that he “loved the anime ‘One Piece’ a lot” during his childhood. Jamie Lee Curtis has also spoken about her affection for Tony Tony Chopper, the reindeer doctor from the series.Rapper Travis Scott has called One Piece his “favorite show ever,” while former footballer Gerard Piqué described it as “a work of art.” Megan Thee Stallion even named a song after Boa Hancock, another popular character.Jackson’s interest in anime also goes beyond watching it. He served as an executive producer and voiced the lead character in Afro Samurai. He also starred in the live-action film Kite and voiced Zog in the 2009 animated movie Astro Boy.His latest revelation adds another major name to the franchise’s growing celebrity fanbase. More importantly, it shows how a story that began as a manga has become a worldwide entertainment phenomenon.