Bandai's One Piece Grand Ship Collection turns some of the most famous vessels from the Grand Line into compact plastic model kits. Instead of focusing on Luffy, Ace, Shanks, Whitebeard and the other characters themselves, the collection celebrates something nearly as important to the world of One Piece: the ships that carry their crews from one adventure to the next.

The lineup reaches far beyond the Going Merry and Thousand Sunny. Bandai has produced ships belonging to Gol D. Roger, Shanks, Whitebeard, Portgas D. Ace, Boa Hancock, Trafalgar Law, Marshall D. Teach and other major characters, along with memorable locations such as the Baratie. Together they create a miniature history of the pirate era told through its vessels.

They are also approachable model kits. Bandai uses colour-moulded plastic and snap-fit construction throughout its model ranges, allowing builders to achieve an attractive result without treating every ship as an advanced scale-modelling project. Stickers, distinctive sails and water-effect display pieces on many Grand Ship releases help make the completed collection immediately recognizable.

TistaMinis carries a substantial selection of Bandai One Piece ship models in Canada, including the Spade Pirates Ship featured in our video review below, alongside ships representing some of the most important crews in the series.

What Is the One Piece Grand Ship Collection?

The Grand Ship Collection is Bandai's compact line of plastic ship models based on the vessels seen throughout the One Piece anime and manga universe. Bandai's official catalogue has included ships such as the Thousand Sunny, Going Merry, Trafalgar Law's submarine, Red Force and Ark Maxim, with additional vessels expanding the range over time.

The philosophy is different from a large traditional sailing-ship model. These kits prioritize recognizable silhouettes, colour separation, accessible construction and display value. That makes them appealing to One Piece collectors who may never have built a conventional scale model before.

Most importantly, the ships themselves are characters in the story. The Going Merry represents the Straw Hats' earliest adventures, the Moby Dick embodies Whitebeard's enormous pirate family, the Oro Jackson represents the era of Gol D. Roger, and the Spade Pirates Ship recalls Ace's life before joining Whitebeard.

Grand Ship Collection Models at TistaMinis

The TistaMinis lineup covers a broad cross-section of the One Piece story. Some models may temporarily sell out between Bandai restocks, but these are the Grand Ship Collection products represented in our catalogue.

1. Spade Pirates Ship – Portgas D. Ace Before Whitebeard

The Spade Pirates Ship is one of the more interesting models in the range because it represents a specific chapter in the life of Portgas D. Ace. Before becoming commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd Division, Ace captained his own crew: the Spade Pirates.

That makes the ship particularly appealing to Ace collectors. It represents the ambitious young pirate who set out to make his own name on the seas before his confrontation with Whitebeard changed the direction of his life.

Bandai's kit features moulded wood-grain detail across the deck and includes foil and marking stickers. A display base and sea-effect parts allow the finished model to be presented as though it is moving across the water.

Unlike the enormous reputations surrounding the Moby Dick or Oro Jackson, the Spade Pirates vessel feels more personal. It is closely connected to Ace's own journey, which makes it a natural companion piece to the Moby Dick in a display built around his story.

2. Going Merry – The Ship That Became a Straw Hat

Few fictional ships carry the emotional weight of the Going Merry. Gifted to the Straw Hats during their early adventures, the Merry carried Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji and the growing crew through much of the first major stage of their journey.

Its sheep figurehead and relatively modest design reflect those early days perfectly. Compared with the later Thousand Sunny, the Merry looks almost fragile—and that vulnerability eventually becomes an important part of its story.

The Grand Ship Collection model recreates the distinctive figurehead, sails, deck and hull in an accessible snap-fit format. A water-look display base helps the small vessel feel like it is actually crossing the Grand Line rather than simply sitting on a shelf.

For a Straw Hat-focused collection, this is where the ship display logically begins.

3. Thousand Sunny – Franky's Dream Ship

If the Going Merry represents the beginning of the Straw Hat adventure, the Thousand Sunny represents how far the crew has come. Designed by Franky and built with the assistance of the Galley-La shipwrights, the Sunny is larger, more sophisticated and filled with the eccentric technology expected from its creator.

The lion figurehead makes the vessel immediately recognizable, while systems such as the Coup de Burst and Soldier Dock System turn it into something much more than an ordinary sailing ship.

The standard Grand Ship Collection version is one of the most natural centrepieces for a complete display. Put the Going Merry beside it and the two ships effectively tell the history of the Straw Hat crew without needing a single character figure.

4. Thousand Sunny Flying Mode

TistaMinis also carries the Thousand Sunny Flying Mode, which offers a more dynamic interpretation of the Straw Hats' flagship. Rather than simply reproducing the Sunny at sea, the kit emphasizes one of the vessel's unusual movement configurations.

The deployed paddle-like wing structures make the silhouette considerably wider and more animated. That gives collectors a reason to own it even if they already have the regular Thousand Sunny.

For a display shelf, the standard model works well as the definitive representation of the ship, while Flying Mode provides the action-oriented version.

5. Moby Dick – Whitebeard's Legendary Flagship

The Moby Dick belongs to Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate and the Whitebeard Pirates. Its enormous whale-inspired design reflects the stature of its captain and the huge pirate family assembled around him.

The ship becomes particularly memorable during the Marineford storyline, where Whitebeard's forces arrive to rescue Ace. That connection makes the Moby Dick one of the most meaningful companion models to the Spade Pirates Ship.

Displaying the two together tells two stages of Ace's story: his period as captain of the Spade Pirates and his later life as part of Whitebeard's family.

Bandai's Moby Dick Grand Ship Collection kit emphasizes the whale-shaped profile and famous Whitebeard markings, producing one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the collection.

6. Red Force – Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates

The Red Force is the ship of Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates. Shanks' importance stretches from the very beginning of Luffy's story into the highest levels of power on the seas, making his ship an obvious addition to a collection based around major pirate captains.

The vessel features a traditional pirate profile with the distinctive styling associated with Shanks' crew. Its sails and figurehead make it visually different from the brighter Straw Hat ships while still looking unmistakably at home in the One Piece universe.

Collectors interested in the most powerful pirate crews can place the Red Force beside the Moby Dick and Big Mom's vessel to build a display around the great powers of the pirate world.

7. Oro Jackson – Ship of the Pirate King

The Oro Jackson may be the most historically important pirate ship in the entire collection. Built by the legendary shipwright Tom, it carried Gol D. Roger and his crew on the voyage that ultimately made Roger the Pirate King.

That alone gives the model a different kind of appeal from the other ships. The Going Merry and Thousand Sunny represent the adventure readers are following; the Oro Jackson represents the legendary voyage that came before it.

Roger's era also connects the stories of numerous major characters, including figures who would later shape the world encountered by Luffy. For collectors interested in One Piece lore rather than simply favourite characters, the Oro Jackson is one of the strongest choices in the range.

8. Trafalgar Law's Polar Tang

Not every pirate crew sails a traditional wooden ship. Trafalgar D. Water Law and the Heart Pirates travel aboard the Polar Tang, a bright yellow submarine that immediately stands apart from almost everything else in the Grand Ship Collection.

The submarine's design suits Law perfectly. It is unconventional, practical and gives the Heart Pirates the ability to operate beneath the surface rather than relying solely on conventional sea travel.

From a modelling perspective, the Polar Tang is valuable because it breaks up a shelf filled with sails and masts. Its rounded yellow hull creates an entirely different silhouette while still being instantly recognizable to One Piece fans.

The Bandai Polar Tang model includes the Heart Pirates' emblem and a water-effect display element for presenting the submarine as part of the same wider fleet.

9. Kuja Pirates / Nine Snake Pirates Ship

Boa Hancock's Kuja Pirates Ship is among the most visually distinctive vessels in the collection. The serpent imagery connects directly to Amazon Lily and the Kuja, giving the ship an identity that would be difficult to mistake for another crew.

Boa Hancock's position as Pirate Empress and her connection to Luffy make the vessel particularly interesting for character-focused collectors. It also adds another major former Warlord-associated force to a shelf containing Law or Blackbeard.

Bandai's Kuja Pirates Nine Snake Ship uses colour-separated snap-fit parts to recreate its elaborate serpent-themed appearance.

10. Big Mom's Pirate Ship – Whole Cake Style at Sea

The world surrounding Charlotte Linlin is deliberately excessive, colourful and frequently unsettling. Her pirate ship carries that same visual identity.

Bandai reproduces details inspired by the sweets and confectionery imagery associated with Whole Cake Island, making Big Mom's Pirate Ship one of the most colourful models in the Grand Ship Collection.

This is another example of why the range works so well as a complete display. The ships do not simply change their flags. Their hulls, figureheads, colours and decorations reflect the personalities of the crews that operate them.

The Big Mom Pirate Ship model includes a display base and water-effect element, allowing it to sit naturally alongside other Grand Ship releases.

11. Marshall D. Teach's Ship – Blackbeard's Rough Beginning

Marshall D. Teach is one of the most important pirate figures in the story, but his early vessel is almost comically crude compared with the elaborate ships belonging to other major captains.

That is exactly what makes the model interesting. Instead of an elegant galleon with a majestic figurehead, Blackbeard's early pirate vessel has a rough, improvised quality that matches the crew's chaotic rise.

The Bandai kit is moulded in colour and includes foil stickers, markings and water-effect display parts. It is also one of the more unusual shapes in the collection.

Displaying Marshall D. Teach's Ship beside the Red Force, Moby Dick or Oro Jackson creates a striking contrast between established legendary pirate fleets and Blackbeard's unconventional ascent.

12. Dragon's Ship – The Revolutionary Connection

The Grand Ship Collection is not limited strictly to pirate crews. Monkey D. Dragon's ship expands the range into the Revolutionary Army and one of the largest political conflicts in the wider One Piece world.

The vessel's prominent dragon-themed figurehead makes the design immediately identifiable. Bandai's kit uses a detachable lower hull and includes a sea-surface effect component, allowing it to be displayed underway.

For collectors building beyond the major pirate crews, Dragon's Ship helps represent another major power challenging the World Government.

13. Baratie – The Floating Restaurant Where Sanji's Story Changed

The Baratie is technically a floating restaurant rather than a conventional pirate ship, but it absolutely deserves its place in a collection of famous One Piece vessels.

Operated by Zeff and his staff of fighting cooks, the Baratie provides the setting for one of the defining early arcs of the series. It is where Luffy's crew encounters Sanji and where Sanji's relationship with Zeff, his ambitions as a chef and his dream of finding the All Blue become central to the story.

The fish-inspired structure makes the Bandai Baratie model visually unlike anything else in the range. It is an especially good choice for collectors who prefer memorable locations and story moments over simply assembling the strongest pirate crews.

Which Grand Ship Collection Model Should You Start With?

The best starting model depends on what part of One Piece matters most to you. There is no need to begin with the earliest numbered release or collect them in strict order.

Why These Kits Work Well for Beginner Model Builders

Bandai's approach to plastic models makes the Grand Ship Collection unusually approachable for anime collectors who have never built a model before. Bandai designs its modern model kits around parts that fit together without conventional model glue, while colour separation reduces the need to paint the entire ship just to achieve a recognizable result.

A pair of hobby nippers is still useful for cleanly removing parts from the runners. After that, builders can follow the instructions, apply the supplied markings and finish with a displayable ship without needing an airbrush or a large collection of specialist tools.

That accessibility does not prevent experienced builders from doing more. Wood decks can be shaded, sails weathered, hulls panel lined and metallic areas painted. A modeller can also replace or supplement the included water effects with a full ocean diorama.

Browse TistaMinis hobby supplies and model paints if you want to take the ships beyond a straightforward snap build.

Building a One Piece Fleet Display

The biggest strength of the Grand Ship Collection becomes apparent after building several kits. Bandai has kept the models compact enough that a collector can create a sizeable fleet without needing the display space required by large traditional ship models.

One approach is to organize the ships by story. Place the Going Merry beside the Baratie for an East Blue display, or combine the Spade Pirates Ship and Moby Dick to represent Ace's journey. Oro Jackson, Red Force and the Straw Hat vessels can create a display centred on the inherited dreams connecting Roger, Shanks and Luffy.

Another option is to build a great-pirates display. Moby Dick, Red Force, Big Mom's vessel and Blackbeard's ship produce dramatically different silhouettes despite all representing powerful pirate crews.

Painting and Customizing the Ships

Painting is optional, but the Grand Ship Collection provides plenty of opportunities for builders who enjoy additional detailing. Wood-grain areas can benefit from a thin wash followed by subtle drybrushing, which helps bring out moulded deck texture.

Sails can be shaded lightly around folds and edges rather than painted as perfectly flat blocks of colour. Ropes, cannons, windows and decorative trim can also be picked out individually without repainting the entire ship.

Weathering should depend on the vessel. The Going Merry naturally suits a more worn appearance because of its long and difficult journey, while a ship such as the Red Force can be kept cleaner if you prefer a bright anime-inspired presentation.

The important point is that customization is optional. These are equally valid as accessible character collectibles or as starting points for detailed modelling projects.

Grand Ship Collection vs Larger One Piece Ship Kits

Bandai has produced One Piece vessels outside the compact Grand Ship Collection format. Larger versions of ships such as the Thousand Sunny offer more physical presence, additional details and, depending on the release, miniature characters or auxiliary craft.

The Grand Ship Collection has a different advantage: collectability. A compact format makes it practical to display numerous ships together, which is particularly appealing when the goal is to represent multiple crews rather than build one enormous centrepiece.

If you want one large Straw Hat display, a larger Thousand Sunny may make sense. If you want the Sunny, Merry, Moby Dick, Red Force, Oro Jackson, Polar Tang and Spade Pirates Ship sharing one shelf, the Grand Ship Collection is the more natural format.

Why One Piece Ships Matter So Much

One Piece is fundamentally a story about travelling. Islands, oceans and the people encountered along the way are central to the adventure, so ships inevitably become more meaningful than simple transportation.

The Going Merry is perhaps the clearest example because the Straw Hats come to treat it as part of their crew. The Thousand Sunny then carries that emotional legacy forward while embodying Franky's dream of building a ship capable of reaching the end of the sea.

Other vessels communicate their crews just as effectively. Whitebeard's Moby Dick feels enormous and paternal, Law's Polar Tang is unconventional and tactical, Big Mom's vessel reflects the bizarre aesthetic of Totto Land, and Blackbeard's early ship looks as chaotic as the pirate commanding it.

That is why the Grand Ship Collection works even for fans who do not normally build model kits. Each box represents a piece of the story rather than simply another sailing vessel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Building the Grand Line One Ship at a Time

Bandai's Grand Ship Collection succeeds because the vessels of One Piece are more than background scenery. They represent different crews, eras and relationships within a story fundamentally built around adventure at sea.

The Going Merry and Thousand Sunny tell the story of the Straw Hats. The Oro Jackson connects the collection to Gol D. Roger and the beginning of the Great Pirate Era. Red Force represents Shanks, Moby Dick represents Whitebeard, and the Polar Tang immediately identifies Trafalgar Law and the Heart Pirates.

The Spade Pirates Ship is particularly interesting because it captures Ace at a very specific point in his journey. Pair it with the Moby Dick and the two models tell a larger story about Ace's transition from leading his own pirate crew to finding a family under Whitebeard.

As a modelling range, the collection is also easy to approach. Snap-fit construction and colour-moulded parts allow anime collectors to enjoy the ships without needing advanced scale-modelling experience, while experienced builders still have plenty of room for panel lining, painting, weathering and ocean dioramas.

Whether you begin with Ace's Spade Pirates Ship, the Straw Hats' Going Merry, Roger's Oro Jackson or Shanks' Red Force, the real appeal appears as the fleet grows. Each new vessel adds another crew and another chapter of One Piece history to the shelf.

Start with the Bandai Spade Pirates Ship at TistaMinis, explore our broader hobby supplies for building and detailing your fleet, and keep an eye on returning Bandai releases as more ships become available.