One Piece [Season 1 Episode 20]

One Piece Episode 20 Review: “Sanji of the Floating Restaurant” – A Legendary Introduction

Ah, One Piece—the anime that never fails to deliver chaos, humor, and unforgettable character introductions. Episode 20, titled “Sanji of the Floating Restaurant,” is no exception. This episode marks the debut of one of the most iconic characters in the series: Sanji, the suave, cigarette-smoking chef with a kick as sharp as his tongue.

Setting the Stage

The Straw Hat crew, still reeling from their previous adventures, stumbles upon the Baratie, a floating restaurant that’s as bizarre as it sounds. Here, they meet Johnny and Yosaku, Zoro’s former bounty-hunting buddies, who are suffering from a severe case of scurvy (because, you know, pirates). But the real star of the show is Sanji, the restaurant’s resident badass chef who doesn’t take kindly to anyone disrespecting food—or his boss, Zeff.

Sanji’s Grand Entrance

From the moment Sanji appears on screen, he steals the spotlight. Fans on MyAnimeList couldn’t stop raving about his introduction. One user summed it up perfectly: “Sanji beating that person for messing up the food was awesome.” And honestly, it was. Lieutenant Fullbody, a pompous Marine officer, learns this the hard way when he dares to insult the Baratie’s cuisine. Sanji’s response? A swift beatdown that left viewers cheering.

What makes Sanji’s debut so memorable isn’t just his fighting skills—it’s his attitude. He’s rude, sarcastic, and unapologetically passionate about cooking. As one fan put it, “Sanji is kind of an ass, but in the best way possible.” His dynamic with Luffy is already hilarious, especially when Luffy offers to work for two weeks to pay for the damage he caused (spoiler: that’s not happening).

The Humor and Heart of One Piece

This episode perfectly encapsulates what makes One Piece so special: its ability to balance humor with genuine character depth. Luffy’s antics are as ridiculous as ever, but there’s also a sense of camaraderie forming among the crew. Fans loved the interactions between Zoro and his old pals, Johnny and Yosaku, with one commenter noting, “Rewatching old One Piece episodes is just full of nostalgia.”

And then there’s Zeff, the gruff head chef with a peg leg and a soft spot for Sanji. Their relationship hints at a deeper backstory, something One Piece excels at teasing early on. As one fan pointed out, “I wonder how surprised Zeff would be if he found out that…” (no spoilers here, but longtime fans know what’s coming).

Fan Reactions: Love at First Sight

The online discussions about this episode are a goldmine of enthusiasm. Here’s a quick rundown of what fans had to say:
– “Sanji is really cool. Also, I spotted some MAJOR foreshadowing at one point for a certain arc.” (Fans of the series know exactly what this refers to.)
– “Luffy’s honesty is just amazing—it puts him in a lot of hilarious situations.”
– “Sanji’s simping is his greatest weakness, tho lmao.” (A nod to his infamous love for women, which becomes a running gag.)
– “This was an ‘Elite’ episode. Sanji was the coolest. 5/5.”

Even newcomers to the series were hooked. One first-time viewer admitted, “This is NOT my genre of anime… but there’s a great sense of life with the characters, a sort of integrity that is compelling.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 20 of One Piece is a standout for many reasons. It introduces Sanji in a way that instantly cements him as a fan favorite, delivers classic One Piece humor, and sets the stage for future arcs. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this episode is a must-watch.

As one fan perfectly put it: “At last, we meet Sanji.” And boy, was it worth the wait.

Rating: 5/5 – A legendary introduction for a legendary character.

What did you think of Sanji’s debut? Drop your thoughts in the comments!