Even after 25 years of storytelling and 1,100+ episodes, fans are still hooked on Luffy’s epic adventures! With 2025 underway, the countdown to One Piece’s return is in full swing, fueling excitement among fans worldwide.

Over decades of storytelling, One Piece has masterfully built a massive, dedicated fanbase—one that remains eager to witness Luffy’s journey to becoming the Pirate King.

Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Watching One Piece and getting rich effortlessly is every otaku’s fantasy. While it sounds far-fetched, one man in Japan made it a reality—allegedly scamming One Piece fans, cashing in on their love for the series, and tarnishing its legacy with his deceitful actions.

Scammer exploits One Piece fandom, rakes in 8.6 Million Yen with fake merch

Unquestionably, Monkey D. Luffy played an important part in One Piece‘s immense popularity. Eiichiro Oda has done a fantastic job of endearing this character to the community ever since the series debuted in 1997.

The protagonist of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy. [Credit: Toei Animation]

With its deep-rooted history, One Piece stands as a cornerstone of the anime world, widely regarded as one of the most influential series of all time.

Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus has sparked passion in millions of fans—some inspired to change their lives for the better, while others exploit the legacy and popularity of this manga to cheat gullible fans.

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It is a bad day for One Piece fans, with reports that a man in Japan was arrested for selling counterfeit One Piece Card Game cards on the second-hand market.

Authorities seized approximately 1,500 fake cards during the investigation, dealing a major blow to unsuspecting collectors. The suspect, Matsuyama, quickly confessed to his crime and even seemed proud of how effortlessly he made such a large profit.

According to a social media post by X user, Pookie Piece, Matsuyama admitted to the charges, stating, “I knew they were fake, but it was easy money.”

A man in Japan was arrested for selling 1,500 fake One Piece Card Game cards in a second-hand market. He admitted: “I knew they were fake, but it was easy money.” Police are investigating the source of the counterfeits. pic.twitter.com/2ukXOR2FZT— Pookie Piece (@PookiePiece) January 22, 2025

Authorities estimate that the suspect profited approximately 8.68 million yen (around $55,000 USD) by selling the counterfeit One Piece cards.

This isn’t the first time scammers have taken advantage of passionate fans, but it’s always disheartening to see. And now, with One Piece—one of the most cherished and respected series in the anime community—it feels even more disappointing and heartbreaking.

Luffy and his crew (Straw Hats) in One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

One Piece fans have stuck with the series through every high and low, from the very start of Luffy’s journey. The countless thrilling adventures and challenges have, in a way, made every fan feel like part of the Straw Hat Pirate crew.

That’s why it’s even more upsetting to see people exploit the deep love and connection fans have with the series.

Regardless, One Piece is set to return on April 6, 2025, continuing the highly anticipated Egghead Island arc that has fans buzzing with excitement.

One Piece Theory: Imu is Nefertari Lily from the Void Century

Oda-sensei has remained secretive about the King of the World’s identity; however, there are tons of rumors connecting Imu to Nefertari Lily, the queen who disappeared after the Void Century.

Imu from One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

By far, Imu’s identity remains one of the greatest mysteries, and many fans are eagerly awaiting Oda-sensei to drop more hints about this character.

Related “Shanks finally beat the rat allegations”: Eiichiro Oda Proves We Have Been Wrong About Shanks For Years With One Piece 1137

We already know that the famous One Piece treasure is connected to the mysterious figure from the Forgotten Void Century. Joyboy, who was the previous user of Luffy’s Devil Fruit, lost to Imu 800 years ago, establishing Imu as one of the most evil and greatest antagonists in the series.

Imu in a garden of flowers in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Unlike the other 19 kings who founded the World Government, Lily did not leave her sword at the Empty Throne. This could mean that Queen Lily didn’t submit to the alliance and joined forces with Joyboy betraying Imu’s trust.

Not to forget, the presence of Lily’s flowers in Imu’s private chamber seems to offer another hint between Imu and Lily, possibly pointing to their shared past.

One Piece is available to stream on Crunchyroll, while the manga can be read on Viz Media.
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