When Power Meets Sound: The Legacy of “The Very Very Strongest” and “Luffy’s Fierce Attack”
Soundtracks don’t just accompany a story—they help define it. In One Piece, a series known for its endless imagination and emotional highs, the music often becomes just as iconic as the characters and battles themselves. While “Overtaken” remains the crown jewel of the anime’s soundtrack, two other pieces stand shoulder to shoulder in terms of impact: “The Very Very Strongest” and “Luffy’s Fierce Attack.”
These tracks may not carry the same mythic aura as “Overtaken,” but they are still legendary compositions in their own right. The moment they start playing, fans know exactly what’s about to happen: the stakes are at their peak, and Luffy is about to unleash his willpower in ways that bend the impossible. Like the greatest cinematic scores—Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, The Terminator—these tracks go beyond their scenes. They become emotional shortcuts, recognizable cultural signals that summon awe, excitement, and goosebumps.
“The Very Very Strongest”: Defiance in Music Form
Few tracks embody the spirit of One Piece quite like “The Very Very Strongest.” It often plays during moments when Luffy faces overwhelming odds—moments where the gap between his willpower and the enemy’s power is absurdly wide. And yet, instead of despair, the track fills the air with determination.
The music builds steadily, starting with tense strings and drums that conjure the weight of the moment. Then it ascends, layering power upon power, until it becomes a rallying cry. The title says it all: this is music for when someone stands against the so-called “strongest,” not with arrogance, but with unshakable resolve.
Much like John Williams’s Duel of the Fates from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, “The Very Very Strongest” carries a sense of grandeur and inevitability. It’s not just background noise for a fight scene—it’s an anthem for defiance itself.
“Luffy’s Fierce Attack”: Pure Adrenaline
If “The Very Very Strongest” is about defiance, then “Luffy’s Fierce Attack” is about momentum. From its opening notes, the track bursts with frenetic energy. The tempo is relentless, the brass is urgent, and the percussion drives forward like an unstoppable force.
This is not careful, calculated determination. This is raw, explosive willpower—the musical equivalent of Luffy himself. When the track plays, it’s not just a fight. It’s a storm. You can practically feel the air shake with every Gum-Gum punch, the soundtrack amplifying each blow into something seismic.
The effect is similar to how the Indiana Jones theme amplifies Indy’s adventurous spirit or how James Horner’s Aliens score amplifies tension and action. “Luffy’s Fierce Attack” doesn’t just follow Luffy’s moves—it becomes the heartbeat of his battle.
Comparisons to the Greats
It’s tempting to keep anime music in its own lane, separate from the cinematic canon. But why should it be? When you listen to “The Very Very Strongest” or “Luffy’s Fierce Attack,” the scope and scale are on par with the greatest soundtracks in Hollywood. They have the same memorability, the same ability to instantly evoke emotion, and the same universal recognition among their fans.
Still, there’s an important distinction: while these two tracks are undeniably legendary, they don’t quite achieve the same level of timelessness as “Overtaken.” That’s not a knock on their quality. Rather, it’s a reflection of context. “Overtaken” has the advantage of being tied to one of the earliest and most defining arcs of One Piece—a moment that shaped how fans understood the series’ emotional core.
By contrast, “The Very Very Strongest” and “Luffy’s Fierce Attack” arrived later, during a period when One Piece was already an established cultural force. They are extraordinary, but they don’t carry the same first impact power. In other words: if “Overtaken” is the Imperial March of One Piece, these tracks are its Battle of the Heroes and Across the Stars—equally moving, equally epic, but always existing in the shadow of the original giant.
Why They Still Matter
That distinction doesn’t diminish their significance. In fact, it highlights how rich and enduring the One Piece soundtrack truly is. Most series are lucky to have one unforgettable musical theme. One Piece has several. And while “Overtaken” may sit at the top of the mountain, tracks like “The Very Very Strongest” and “Luffy’s Fierce Attack” keep climbing higher, proving that the series’ music continues to evolve without losing its impact.
When fans hear these tracks, they don’t just think of specific fights or arcs. They think of Luffy himself—his stubborn refusal to give up, his relentless drive to protect his friends, and his ability to turn the tide no matter how impossible the odds. These tracks are musical mirrors of his character.
The Ongoing Legacy of One Piece Music
Taken together, “The Very Very Strongest” and “Luffy’s Fierce Attack” remind us that One Piece isn’t just about adventure, comedy, or drama. It’s about scale. It’s about creating moments that feel larger than life—and the music has always been at the heart of that.
They may never eclipse “Overtaken” as the ultimate One Piece anthem, but they don’t need to. They exist alongside it, part of a soundtrack library that rivals even the greatest cinematic universes. Just as Star Wars is defined by multiple iconic themes—not just the main fanfare—One Piece too thrives on a range of musical legends.
And that’s the true measure of greatness: not just having one unforgettable piece, but building a whole legacy of them.
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