After a quarter of a century, One piece has pulled off one of the most exciting and nostalgic surprises ever seen. The latest episode, Episode 1148, officially brought back Chouchou, the faithful dog of Orange Town, a character that fans never expected to see again after almost 25 years.
With its ever-expanding cast, One piece he often left behind many minor characters in the whirlwind of his adventures around the world. Yet the current Egghead Arc has proven particularly nostalgic, reintroducing several familiar faces from the series’ early days through cameos and flashbacks.
In the most recent episode, during the global broadcast of Dr. Vegapunk, fans noticed the residents of Orange Town, including Mayor Boodle and the now-iconic dog Chouchou, watching the broadcast. This marks Chouchou’s first appearance since the time jump, making it a historic moment for longtime viewers.
Even though it’s only been two years in One piece plot, almost 25 years have passed in real time since Chouchou’s last appearance in the anime in episode 47, which aired on November 8, 2000. His reappearance now, in 2025, fills one of the longest gaps in One piece character story.
The episode also reveals how much Orange Town has changed since Luffy first freed it from Buggy the Clown. The once-ruined pet shop has been rebuilt, and in the center of the town square now stands a new statue of Chouchou wearing a straw hat and holding a can of pet food, perched proudly atop a fountain.
This touching tribute mirrors a scene from the cover of chapter 619, which depicted the restoration of Orange Town. However, since the anime never adapted the From the bridges of the world cover stories, Chouchou’s return has been long delayed until now.
Despite being a minor character, Chouchou remains one of the film’s most memorable and emotional figures One piece. His heartbreaking story from the first few episodes where he loyally guarded his late owner’s pet shop even after its destruction left an indelible mark on fans. For many, Chouchou’s return is not just fan service, but a powerful reminder of the emotional depth he defined One piece for over two decades.
Although Netflix’s live-action One piece The adaptation significantly cut Chouchou’s story, fans are hoping that Wit Studio’s upcoming remake will restore this beloved chapter in the series.
After 25 years, seeing Chouchou again is proof of this One pieceno story, no matter how small, is ever truly forgotten and that even a loyal pooch can still make millions of fans cry again.
Sources: gamek
