After more than 25 years of bringing excitement and joy to millions of viewers all over the globe, anime fans can’t deny the impactOne Piecehas on today’s culture. Luffy’s adventure has captivated audiences since its release in July 1997, making it one of the best-selling manga of all time.
Recently, one ofCartoon Network’s all-time best cartoons,The Amazing World of Gumball, made a moving homage to Eiichiro Oda’s incredible manga. During its first episode, back after a long hiatus, the Watterson family surprised the world by showing one of Luffy’s most identifiable possessions, causing much hype among the anime community.
The Amazing World of Gumball Pays Homage to Luffy Quest
Fans Are Beyond Happy With This Reference
First released back in 2011,The Amazing World of Gumballis an odd but charming cartoon that tells the story of the titular protagonist and his family. It is a show that breaks all conventions, made popular for its hilarious and bizarre adventures, charming characters, and memorable moments. After many years of hiatus, the series returned on June 03, 2025.
Besides the series' usual jokes,The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumballcontinued with the original’s tradition of referencing pop culture icons. During its return, the show decided to pay homage to Oda’sOne Piecemanga,one of the best and most influential series of all time, by depicting one of its most recognizable items.
At some point in the episode, Gumball’s father, Richard, can be seen holding a straw hat, a clear reference toLuffy’s iconic and significant fashion accessory. The item looks worn and disheveled, almost as if it had been taken out from one of the pirate’s iconic fight scenes.Fans online were beyond excitedabout this reference to Oda’s world.
The Show Is Famous for Its Hilarious Cameos
Although Luffy’s straw hat has quickly become one ofThe Amazing World of Gumball’s most beloved cameos, it is far from the only time the show has referenced popular anime. In the past, this incredible cartoon has paid homage not only toOne Piece’s legacy but also to other shows, such asDragon Ball.
Most famously, Gumball has been seen powering up and transforming into what viewers immediately identified as Goku’s iconic Super Saiyan state.
The series has depicted its characters with expressions that greatly resemble Enel,one of the series' most controversial villains, before his defeat at the hands of Luffy. The Watterson family was also shown using a power almost identical to Conqueror Haki, causing their opponents to faint only by looking at them.
Most famously, Gumball has been seen powering up and transforming into what viewers immediately identified as Goku’s iconic Super Saiyan state. New references to classic anime will likely continue to be a part of Gumball’s world, and anime fans are more than excited to see what new surprises the cartoon has for them.
