The song opens with quick shots of Gol D. Roger, Shanks, a young Luffy after he receives Shanks' hat and the present day Luffy. We then see the Thousand Sunny sailing across a world map as silhouettes of the crew appearing walking on the bottom of the screen (First Luffy, then Chopper, Brook, Usopp, Nami, Robin, Zoro, Sanji and finally Franky) as the song's first beats begins. After awhile the Sunny suddenly blasts off, the wave transitions to the next scene.
We see the Sunny all in its lonesome on the Sabaody Archipelago as the title screen comes up. Cut to the straw hat on a rock, quick scenes from the Marineford Arc are imposed on it in lieu with the lyrics. Then to Luffy looking at the straw hat as the wind blows his back to the camera, followed by a closer shot of this before he look at his Vivre Card. The camera then does a quick zoom from him into the sky.
Cut to Zoro on Kuraigana Island deflecting projectiles with his swords, then to Nami on Weatheria using a Wind Knot. A fat Usopp on Boin Archipelago shooting things with his Kabuto. The zoom in on his eye transitions to Chopper reading in one of the Torino Kingdom's libraries. Brook swirling with musical notes on Namakura Island. Robin at Tequila Wolf, Franky in one of Vegapunk's labs on Karakuri. And finally Sanji performing a Diable Jambe attack in the Kamabakka Kingdom.
It then goes to the childhood Ace running through the forest along with Sabo and a young Luffy following after them. They run toward a sunset before Luffy jumps at them and knocks all three to the ground. An overhead shot of three as they lay on the grass, Ace and Sabo are annoyed at first but they start laughing with Luffy. Then to the three looking out onto the ocean. Ace says something to make Luffy yell at him while Sabo just laughs.
We briefly cut to the Straw Hats Jolly Roger before showing past clips of Luffy and one of the Straw Hats: Zoro pledging his loyalty to Luffy while holding off some Marines at Shell Town, as well as Zoro pledging never to lose again after being defeated by Mihawk. Luffy inviting Usopp to join his crew which Usopp gladly accepts (with Luffy shouting at him for saying he was the captain) as well as Usopp encouraging Luffy to get back up again after he was temporarily beaten by Rob Lucci. Sanji and Zeff talking to each other as well as Sanji happily telling Luffy about the All Blue. Luffy putting his hat on Nami after she was betrayed by Arlong and him shouting that they're friends as she cries. Luffy trying to eat Chopper and later yelling for him to join his crew. The Straw Hats standing on the courthouse of Enies Lobby making their declaration of war on the World Government to save Robin, who yells her wish to live after seeing this. Franky thanking the Straw Hats after the Enies Lobby battle and Luffy waving Franky's swim briefs in the air inviting him to join the Straw Hats. And quick scenes of the adventure in Thriller Bark ending with Luffy telling Brook about Laboon as he plays piano.
We then go back to Luffy looking at the straw hat on the rock as the sunlight comes in. The spirit of Ace appears behind Luffy and pushes him forward, smiling reassuringly at Luffy before he disappears. Luffy stares at the spot for a moment before going to the straw hat and putting it on, smiling.
It cuts to him walking on a path as image of the Straw Hats scroll through, after Robin's image Luffy starts running before it cuts to him running to his crew and the Thousand Sunny before the crew and he jumps into the air. A quick cut of Luffy smiling is seen as he jumps and a still image of the crew (with Luffy wearing a captain's coat) heading for the Sunny as the song ends.
Lyrics
Japanese Kanji
Japanese Rōmaji
English Translation
夜が明ける前に旅立とう
yoru ga akeru mae ni tabitatou
Before the sun rises let's head out
まだ見ぬ明日を迎えに行こう
mada minu ashita o mukae ni ikou
To greet our unseen tomorrows
そう決めたこと悔いはない
sou kimeta koto kui wa nai
We have no regrets in our resolve
(Oh I know what I'm supposed to do)
(Oh I know what I'm supposed to do)
(Oh I know what I’m supposed to do)
どんな試練が待ち受けていようと
donna shiren ga machiukete iyouto
No matter what kind of trials lie ahead,
高鳴る鼓動 止められはしない
takanaru kodou tomerare wa shinai
Nothing can stop my beating heart
目指す場所はただひとつ
mezasu basho wa tada hitotsu
There is only one place to go
(Fly to the light)
(Fly to the light)
(Fly to the light)
たたかいの果てに得た絆
tatakai no hate ni eta kizuna
Bonds forged through battle (That's right)
誰にも傷つけさせはしない
dare nimo kizutsukesase wa shinai
I won't let anyone get hurt (That's right)
握り締めた手 開けば
nigiri shimeta te hirakeba
When I open my clenched fist,
そこに力が宿る
soko ni chikara ga yadoru
I will find power there
さあ始めよう
saa hajimeyou
So let’s start
新しい世界が呼んでいる
atarashii sekai ga yondeiru
The new world is calling
ほら見てごらん
hora mite goran
Now look now
いくつの海 隔てていたとしても
ikutsu no umi hedatete itato shitemo
No matter how many seas separate us
いつだって支えている
itsudatte sasaeteiru
I’m always standing by you
恐れずに前へ
osorezu ni mae e
Don’t be afraid to advance
忘れないで
wasurenaide
Don’t forget
We fight together
We fight together
We fight together
穢したことはない
kegashita koto wa nai
I’ve never spoiled the memory
あの日見上げた どこまでも高く広い空
ano hi miageta dokomademo takaku hiroi sora
Of the vast infinite sky that I looked up to that day
ずいぶんと遠くまで来た
zuibun to tooku made kita
We’ve come a long way
それぞれの誓いを胸に
sorezore no chikai o mune ni
Each with our own pledge in our heart
迷いなどない
mayoi nado nai
There is no doubt
背負うものがある
seou mono ga aru
There are things we must carry with us
陽が昇り
hi ga nobori
The sun will rise
悲しみさえ等しく照らす
kanashimi sae hitoshiku terasu
And shine equally on even our sorrows
信じてるんだ
shinjiterunda
I believe in it
いつかひとつに繋がる未来を
itsuka hitotsu ni tsunagaru mirai o
The future that will become one piece someday,
一緒に見つけにいこう
issho ni mitsuke ni ikou
Let’s go find it together
君の代わりはいない
kimi no kawari wa inai
You’re irreplaceable
忘れないで
wasurenaide
Don’t forget
We fight together
We fight together
We fight together
Full Version
Japanese Kanji
Japanese Rōmaji
English Translation
夜が明ける前に旅立とう
yoru ga akeru mae ni tabitatou
Before the sun rises let's head out
まだ見ぬ明日を迎えに行こう
mada minu ashita o mukae ni ikou
To greet our unseen tomorrows
そう決めたこと悔いはない
sou kimeta koto kui wa nai
We have no regrets in our resolve
(Oh I know what I'm supposed to do)
(Oh I know what I'm supposed to do)
(Oh I know what I’m supposed to do)
どんな試練が待ち受けていようと
donna shiren ga machiukete iyouto
No matter what kind of trials lie ahead,
高鳴る鼓動 止められはしない
takanaru kodou tomerare wa shinai
Nothing can stop my beating heart
目指す場所はただひとつ
mezasu basho wa tada hitotsu
There is only one place to go
(Fly to the light)
(Fly to the light)
(Fly to the light)
たたかいの果てに得た絆
tatakai no hate ni eta kizuna
Bonds forged through battle (That's right)
誰にも傷つけさせはしない
dare ni mo kizutsukesase wa shinai
I won’t let anyone get hurt (That's right)
握り締めた手 開けば
nigirishimeta te hirakeba
When I open my clenched fist,
そこに力が宿る
soko ni chikara ga yadoru
I will find power there
さあ始めよう
saa hajimeyou
So let’s start
新しい世界が呼んでいる
atarashii sekai ga yondeiru
The new world is calling
ほら見てごらん
hora mite goran
See now look
いくつの海 隔てていたとしても
ikutsu no umi hedatete ita to shite mo
No matter how many seas separate us
いつだって支えている
itsudatte sasaeteiru
I’m always standing by you
恐れずに前へ
osorezu ni mae e
Don’t be afraid to advance
忘れないで
wasurenaide
Don’t forget
We fight together
We fight together
We fight together
風を受け 鳥が羽ばたく
kaze o uke tori ga habataku
Birds taking flight on the wind
あの虹をくぐった先には
ano niji o kugutta saki ni wa
Passed through the rainbow towards the future where
希望という花が咲く
kibou to iu hana ga saku
A flower called hope blooms
(The flowers will never die)
(The flowers will never die)
(The flowers will never die)
真っ直ぐに伸びてく その想い
massugu ni nobiteku sono omoi
You tucked away a desire reaching out for that place
心に しまい込んだままじゃ
kokoro ni shimaikonda mama ja
Inside your heart
窮屈すぎはしないかい
kyuukutsu sugi wa shinai kai
Isn't it getting a little tight in there?
(Fly to the light)
(Fly to the light)
(Fly to the light)
偽りで何が守れる
itsuwari de nani ga mamoreru
What can you defend lying to yourself?
膝をつくことは恥ではない
hiza o tsuku koto wa haji de wa nai
There's no shame falling down on your knees
立ち上がるさ何度でも きっと
tachiagaru sa nando demo kitto
Just always stand back up
また会えるから
mata aeru kara
So we can see each other again
さあ始めよう
saa hajimeyou
So let’s start
新しい世界が呼んでいる
atarashii sekai ga yondeiru
The new world is calling
ほら見てごらん
hora mite goran
See now look
いくつの海 隔てていたとしても
ikutsu no umi hedatete ita to shite mo
No matter how many seas separate us
いつだって支えている
itsudatte sasaeteiru
I’m always standing by you
恐れずに前へ
osorezu ni mae e
Don’t be afraid to advance
忘れないで
wasurenaide
Don’t forget
We fight together
We fight together
We fight together
穢したことはない
kegashita koto wa nai
I’ve never spoiled the memory
あの日見上げた どこまでも高く広い空
ano hi miageta dokomademo takaku hiroi sora
Of the vast infinite sky that I looked up to that day
ずいぶんと遠くまで来た
zuibun to tooku made kita
We’ve come a long way
それぞれの誓いを胸に
sorezore no chikai o mune ni
Each with our own pledge in our heart
迷いなどない
mayoi nado nai
There is no doubt
背負うものがある
seou mono ga aru
There are things we must carry with us
陽が昇り
hi ga nobori
The sun will rise
悲しみさえ等しく照らす
kanashimi sae hitoshiku terasu
And shine equally on even our sorrows
信じてるんだ
shinjiterunda
I believe in it
いつかひとつに繋がる未来を
itsuka hitotsu ni tsunagaru mirai o
The future that will become one piece someday,
一緒に見つけにいこう
issho ni mitsuke ni ikou
Let’s go find it together
君の代わりはいない
kimi no kawari wa inai
You’re irreplaceable
忘れないで
wasurenaide
Don’t forget
We fight together
We fight together
We fight together
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
(Life goes on)
忘れないで
wasurenaide
Don’t forget
We fight together
We fight together
We fight together
Trivia
This intro had many allusions to the entire One Piece storyline:
In the scene where Luffy is walking/running back to the Thousand Sunny, as it shows the remaining Straw Hat Pirates, their poses reflect (except Nami) how they appeared during Luffy's exclamation that he still had his crew during the Post-War Arc.
Important storyline moments flash on the screen briefly throughout the introduction showing major events during the Marineford War.
When Luffy, Ace, and Sabo are looking out to the distance, the outline of the ship is similar to that of the Red Force, the ship of the Red Hair Pirates.
At the end, Luffy wears a long red captain's coat similar to that of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger and similar to what he was drawn wearing on the cover of volume 3 of the manga. He also raises his left arm, the same arm used to show his friendship to Vivi. Also, all the Straw Hat Pirates, except Nami appears wearing their clothes when they were first introduced.
When Ace pushes Luffy during the introduction, it is similar to how in the anime Bell-mère's "spirit" pushed Nami during the final episodes of the Arlong Park Arc.
The new texture and drawing of Luffy's straw hat started in this opening.
