Despite having a somewhat brief appearance, Portgas D. Ace is adored by fans worldwide and holds a special place in their hearts. Ace met a tragic and heartbreaking end in One Piece, one that is an emotional turning point for Luffy and unforgettable for the fans. So, even after his passing, Ace is considered one of the crucial figures in anime and manga. That said, if you’re curious about how Ace dies in One Piece, we have you covered. Let’s discuss Ace’s death, the episode in which he dies, and the events that led to it.
Spoiler Warning: This post contains spoilers about Portgas D. Ace in One Piece. So, we suggest you watch the anime or read the manga to avoid ruining the intended experience.
What Episode Does Ace Die in One Piece?
Ace confronted Akainu and asked him to take his words back about Whitebeard. Akainu replied that he would never and mentioned that he wanted to end Roger and Monkey D. Dragon’s bloodlines, i.e. killing Luffy and Ace.
When Ace noticed Akainu was going for Luffy’s head, he threw himself in front of Luffy to protect his younger brother. This resulted in Akainu’s magma hands piercing the chest of our beloved Ace and ultimately killing him in One Piece episode 482 and manga chapter 573.
What Led to Ace’s Death in One Piece?
Since Blackbeard killed Thatch, the Fourth Division commander, Ace was actively hunting for him. During his search, he found himself drawn to a fateful encounter with Blackbeard. Teach confirmed that he was looking to capture Ace’s younger brother, Luffy. This confrontation led to a fierce battle, with Ace taking on the Blackbeard Pirates on his lonesome.
However, the clash resulted in Blackbeard defeating Ace and handing him over to the Marines in One Piece. Blackbeard took this action as he was one of the seven Warlords of the Sea at the time.
After Ace was captured, held at Impel Down, and his public execution was ordered, it set the stage for one of the most influential and greatest arcs of One Piece, the Marineford War arc. Ace’s public execution led to the Marineford War, which saw influential figures like the Marine Admirals in One Piece, Whitebeard Pirates, the Seven Warlords, and several others, gathering in one place.
After a series of events, Ace was freed from the execution floor with the help of his nakama. In a bid to save his life, Ace decided to make a run for it and escape the war. Even Whitebeard was prepared to sacrifice himself to let him escape. However, at that moment, Akainu provoked Ace by slandering Whitebeard. Consumed by rage, Ace fell right into Akainu’s trap and confronted the Marine Admiral instead of fleeing the scene.
How Did Ace Die and Who Killed Him?
Ace was matched with his natural enemy, Akainu had a superior fire-based devil fruit power — Magma at his disposal (Magu Magu no Mi being one of the deadliest devil fruits in One Piece). So, Ace ultimately sacrificed his life to protect his little brother.
After Admiral Akainu killed Ace, he went on to become the most hated character in the One Piece series. Ace rescued his younger brother, similar to how Itachi saved his little brother Sasuke in the Naruto series. These parallel tales of tragedy will always resonate deep within our hearts.
In his last moments, Ace took a trip down memory lane and reminisced on his childhood memories. He expressed his regret for not being there to see his little brother fulfill his pirate dream. And more importantly, Ace expressed his gratitude for all his friends by thanking them for loving him despite who he was.
Ace’s backstory and the fandom’s love for this character make his demise one of the most tragic ones we have ever witnessed. Ace died right in front of his little brother, Luffy, and this traumatic event left a lasting impression on our protagonist.
The Unfortunate Death of Ace in One Piece
After witnessing Ace die at the hands of Akainu, we couldn’t help but wonder — was Ace’s death inevitable in One Piece? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. In One Piece, though beloved by fans, Ace is a secondary character. Ace’s death was rather unexpected for the fandom, especially when we had already mourned Oyaji Whitebeard’s loss recently. In the end, Whitebeard’s attempts at saving his “son” were futile.
Ace did not have lofty aspirations to unearth the One Piece treasure or rise to the position of the pirate king. His sole desire was to see his younger brother, Luffy, achieve his dream and to help his father figure, Whitebeard, become the next pirate king. Yet the one real question he sought an answer to was — Did he really deserve to be born? Did he have a place in the world, to begin with?
“Old man, everyone! And you Luffy. Even though I’ve been good for nothing my whole life, even though I have the blood of a demon within me. You guys still loved me! Thank you for loving me! – Portgas D. Ace
At a young age, Ace started experiencing hatred toward him, spiraling down the path of loneliness. This led him to question his very existence in the world of One Piece. But, over time, Ace’s voyage saw him meet many remarkable people who respected him and loved him for who he was.
All the people who came to rescue Ace during the Marineford War arc are a testament to the love he received from his friends. In the end, Ace realized that and died with a smile on his face.
Ace’s Legacy in the One Piece Anime
Ace’s death has been one of the most tragic incidents in One Piece. However, it influenced several things in the story. Just as Jiraiya sensei’s death affected Naruto to become the greatest ninja, Ace’s death was a wake-up call for Luffy to become stronger.
It was at that moment Luffy realized his powerlessness against the strongest characters in the world of One Piece. So, he recognized the need to become stronger to protect his beloved friends. So, Ace’s death became the catalyst that pushed Luffy to undergo training with Silvers Rayleigh and become the powerful person he is today.
Ace’s death also had a profound impact on Sabo, leading him to rediscover older memories that he had forgotten during a Saint Jalmack assault. Sabo acquired Ace’s fire-infused will, and as a result, developed a profound sense of protectiveness toward Luffy. The Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit, one of the strongest Logia devil fruits, was passed down from Ace to Sabo. Moreover, both Luffy and Sabo were happy to be reunited at last.
In the Wano Country arc, Luffy set the nation free and Ace’s words finally came true. In addition to being remembered by his siblings and fellow pirates, Ace will always have a special place in our hearts because the will of fire he ignited won’t be extinguished by any means. That said, what do you think about Ace’s death in One Piece? Let us know in the comments below.
Ace died in episode 482 of the One Piece anime and chapter 573 in the One Piece manga.
No! We are not sure if Ace will be resurrected back to life. But we got to see him again since Marineford in a flashback in the Wano country arc.
Admiral Sakazuki aka Akainu killed Ace by piercing Ace’s chest with his magma hands.
Ace was an instant fan favorite when he was introduced to the show. He was loved by many and with his backstory, Ace’s death was more hard-hitting and tragic to the fans.
Sabo, another sworn brother of Ace went on to claim Ace’s Mera Mera no Mi and inherited his will.
