In a world where anime crossovers are often met with eye rolls and “prove it” energy, the Los Angeles Dodgers and One Piece didn’t just prove it—they sold it out. What began as a supposed stretch of fandom turned into a full-blown cultural collision. Dodgers Blue met Straw Hat gold, and suddenly, skepticism looked a lot like denial in cosplay. Turns out, anime can pack a stadium—just ask Luffy.

There is a reason why One Piece anime is a part of the ‘Big 3’ in the Animeverse. And if you ask the fans, they will say the biggest in the ‘Big 3’ is One Piece. And the Los Angeles Dodgers had a collaboration with the anime. Many of the fans doubted it, saying it is not as big as DBZ or Naruto, but boy, weren’t they wrong.

An anime fan account put out an X post that showed the popularity of the anime among people. He used a clip from a broadcast channel that showed all the fans with straw hats, a hat worn by ‘King of the Pirates’ Monkey D. Luffy. You can also hear the commentator saying, “If anyone thought it was crazy for the Shohei Ohtani bobblehead, this very much was like that. There were lines down the street at 2 o’clock this afternoon… this place is jam-packed for One Piece Night.”

Remember when Shohei Ohtani caught a pitch from his dog and inspired some of the longest lines you might ever see at Dodger Stadium? Of course, the Dodgers love anything Shohei Ohtani, but add Dekopin (a.k.a. Decoy) to the mix? Yeah, that love grows multifold. So when the Dodgers announced that they would be giving away an Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead, fans started preparing to ensure that they were one of the first 40,000 fans to enter Dodger Stadium. But that’s enough about the scenes from last year; let’s see what this year has in store.

On July 3, Dodger Stadium transformed into a pirate paradise to celebrate Nami’s birthday. The event, dubbed “One Piece Night,” was part fanfare, part fandom, and all hearts. The Los Angeles Dodgers partnered with Toei Animation to honor the beloved Straw Hat crew. With anime and MLB merging, this was a night where worlds joyfully collided.

The event organizers greeted fans with limited-edition swag—straw hats and exclusive cards drawn by Eiichiro Oda himself. Stadium screens exploded with One Piece visuals, wrapping the venue in bright, animated colors. Food stands joined the fun with themed milkshakes, Icees, and soft-serve desserts. Photo booths, giant screens, and card art brought anime magic to every section.

In-game, Emily Rudd (live-action Nami) threw the ceremonial first pitch with infectious energy. A special “Make Some Noise” anime video lit up Dodger Vision during the fourth inning. Fans roared as a 12-minute drone show painted Luffy’s world across the sky. From the first pitch to the final spark, it was truly a treasure-filled anime celebration.

And if anyone still questions One Piece’s place among the so-called ‘Big 3,’ July 3 answered loud and clear—with fireworks, fandom, and forty thousand straw hats. What Naruto had in hand signs and DBZ had in power levels, Luffy brought in pure crowd pull. This wasn’t just anime slipping into baseball—it was anime owning the ballpark.

If you think this was it, the Dodgers have more coming your way

Just when you thought the bobblehead bonanza had peaked, the Los Angeles Dodgers remind everyone they’re not done flexing their promotional muscles. Because in L.A., legacy isn’t just earned—it’s collectible. The team that gave you Snell, Sasaki, and even Ice Cube in miniature form is back with one more nod to greatness.

Clayton Kershaw was a surprising omission from the Dodgers’ original 2025 bobblehead lineup. The team unveiled a star-studded cast, from Shohei Ohtani to Ice Cube and Kobe Bryant. Even Joe Davis made the cut, after a brief vanishing act on the calendar. But Dodgers fans knew something was missing—and greatness doesn’t go uncelebrated forever in Chavez Ravine.

Now, Kershaw takes his rightful place in the collectible pantheon with a September tribute. His bobblehead drops on the 20th, against the rival San Francisco Giants—how poetic. It’s not just another souvenir; it marks his climb to 3,000 strikeouts. That historic punchout against Vinny Capra deserves more than just a standing ovation replay.

The moment was a baseball symphony—100 pitches deep, slider sharp, history sealed. Kershaw became the first Dodger and only fourth lefty ever to do it. So yes, he has earned his nod—plastic, painted, and perfectly timed on the promotional calendar. For one night, the king of curves transforms into the king of giveaways.

Because when the lights dim and the innings fade, legends deserve more than applause. They deserve shelf space. And come September 20, 40,000 lucky fans get to nod along with greatness—literally.