Your Weekly Dose of Anime
One Piece
Colin McEvoy
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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This writer personally "suffers" from a severe addiction to the series that has taken Japan by storm since 1997. It has churned out over 200 episodes (over 30 volumes in comic or "manga" form), 5 movies, 8 video games and shows no signs of slowing down. The story is woven from the finest qualities of comedy, action, emotion, and all around oddities to grace the previously untouched field of pirate-anime.
The story revolves around Monkey D. Luffy, an enthusiastic youngster in the age of pirates. Luffy relentlessly pursues his dream of becoming the greatest pirate of all time, meeting all sorts of unusual friends and foes (and some foes turned friend). Things look grim from the start for the adventurous young man, as before he can even set out, he devours the rare Gum-Gum Fruit. While it gives his body the ability to stretch like rubber, it robs him of ever being able to swim (a real handicap for a pirate-to-be). Still, Luffy sets his simple mind to chasing his dream and forming a mighty crew along the way that defines the word "motley." The most notable include the chronic liar, coward, and sniper Usopp, money-grubbing navigator Nami, and first mate Zoro (no, not that Zoro), a powerful swordsman who wields not one, not two, but three blades at once (one in each hand, one in his mouth!)"
What makes One Piece so appealing to audiences is its outstanding sense of being unlike any other series. As Luffy begins meeting powerful super-humans in his travels, you won't be seeing any abilities as simple as "shoots lasers from their eyes" or "super speed." No, we are talking more along the lines of a shape-shifting reindeer/doctor, a tyrant who can eat anything in front of him, and a man whose dog sneezes exploding baseballs. While One Piece is heavily based on its comedy and blowout fights, it also develops great emotional depth in its characters to the point where you can feel for random citizen #2.
Fans who have been pursuing the fan-translated versions via the internet/imported DVDs are largely skeptical of its Americanization. Previous cases (particularly in the hands of Fox) of a similar nature have outraged fans with what are proclaimed butchery of dialogue, character, and emotional plots. It has been made clear that One Piece will not be allowed to depict any particularly gruesome deaths or blatant drinking/smoking, which has angered many followers. Although One Piece has never been reliant on bloody battles or even killing (in fact, characters tend to find a way to survive the worst), however its last rule may prove its biggest hindrance.