Jack Sparrow enters the Grand Line? Eiichiro Oda’s gift to Johnny Depp sends the One Piece fandom into chaos

One Piece's creator Eiichiro Oda has given a core memory to fans and one of the biggest Hollywood actors, Johnny Depp. Recently, this franchise has been introducing a lot of events that call for a celebration, from the hype around One Piece Live Action Season 2 about to be released soon, to Toei Animation's releasing some memorable perfect episodes as the Egghead arc continues, it seems like fans' expectations have been constantly met.

This franchise is single-handedly raising expectations of anime fans, causing other series to step up. Even when the anime is about to conclude its weekly schedule to a seasonal release model, fans have been extremely understanding of the change. But now, during the Tokyo Comic Con 2025, someone unexpected crossover took place: Johnny Depp received a personal gift from none other than Eiichiro Oda, and the fandom has instantly hyped with excitement.

While Oda didn’t appear onstage himself, he still ensured that the Pirates of the Caribbean star walked away with something unforgettable. Depp was presented with a custom One Piece–style illustration of Captain Jack Sparrow, drawn by the creator himself and printed onto a traditional noren door curtain. Interestingly, the artwork was handed to him by Hiroaki Hirata, the Japanese voice actor for Sanji, who also happens to dub nearly all of Johnny Depp’s roles in Japan.

Considering that the voice actor Hirata has voiced Depp in over 30 films, it was a fitting and wholesome crossover moment. We saw that the actor looked genuinely surprised, even amused, holding the curtain and smiling as Hirata joked,

“I know a guy who often draws cartoons about pirates.”

Fans loved this gesture as the illustration captured Jack Sparrow’s roguish charm but in Oda’s signature exaggerated, energetic linework. Moreover, Depp’s reaction said it all as we could see on his face that he loved it.

Could Jack Sparrow ever appear in One Piece?

One thing that the One Piece fandom is famously known for is coming up with interesting theories and speculations. And after this crossover wholesome event, fans are questioning if there is a hidden message behind it. One that points to a sign that Johnny Depp would make an appearance in this legendary show. While his iconic character, Jack Sparrow, would not make an appearance, as it is part of Disney, there is a possibility that Oda could introduce a character who resembles this actor.

In the story, we already have some characters, such as the Eminem-lookalike Enel, echoing Corazon-style rock icons, like Donquixote Rosinante. Oda’s inspirations are often unmistakable. Some fan reactions towards this event that capture the sentiment of the fandom are:

"I'm sure Oda gonna make him a canon character in One Piece 😭😭🔥🔥CAPTAIN JACK D SPARROW." Said one fan.

"Oda gifting a hand-drawn piece is a HUGE sign of respect. Amazing moment. 🙏🏽" Added another fan.

"Jack would be fitting for the world of One Piece." Stated a fan.

Whether playful or serious, these reactions show how naturally Sparrow’s trickster, chaotic persona fits into Oda’s pirate universe. The tribute also ended up highlighting Depp’s continued global popularity, especially in Japan, where his characters, voice work, and iconic image still resonate strongly.

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Final thoughts

To many fans, Oda’s gesture felt like the anime community had been making moves and reaching out to other genres, showcasing how it has also become part of the mainstream media. In the end, whether Jack Sparrow ever ends up making an appearance in One Piece, inspires a character, or these events just end up staying as a fun tribute, one thing is clear: Eiichiro Oda knows exactly how to give a tribute and steal the hearts of fans.

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