Assuming you don’t live under a rock, you’ve probably heard of One Piece, whether you’re big into pop culture or not – that old anime, the one with 1000+ episodes. What you probably don’t know, however, is just what this show has to offer – not just your typical, goofy shonen (fighting anime) about overcoming the next enemy and the next enemy and the next, but a touching, heartwarming tale about the nature of friendship, and how we pursue our dreams and embrace our passions, despite hardships.
The centerpiece of everything, the leader of the Straw-Hat Pirates, and the strapping young lad in the red vest is none other than Monkey D. Luffy. As a kid, he ate what’s known as a Devil Fruit, a rare and mythical fruit that grants the user strange powers while taking away their ability to swim forever. For Luffy, his Devil Fruit was none other than the Gomu Gomu (literally translated as “Rubber Rubber”) fruit, which gives him the ability to stretch and compress like rubber, allowing him to fight with extreme force and maneuverability. He’s dumb to a fault, but that flaw pales in comparison to just how caring for his friends and passionate for his dream he is. If you make a friend in Luffy, you’ve made a friend for life (that is, until you get between him and food…).
I obviously don’t want to spoil too much here, but the show revolves around 3 main things – the Straw-Hat pirates, Devil Fruit users, and the One Piece. Walking into this, I thought there was no way that one adventure could possibly be stretched out over 1000 episodes. What, were they gonna come up with lame excuses like someone saying “You cannot obtain the One Piece until you’ve gathered 48 crystals from all corners of the globe,” or “You must wait 14 Years to obtain the One Piece?” I was sure there was no valid, interesting, and fair way to do it, and… I was wrong. I myself am nearly 100 episodes in, with no end in sight, and yet the action never ceases. From fighting other Devil Fruit users to rescuing dragons, the Straw-Hat pirates continue on their journey no matter the conditions, always striving for each of their goals. For Zoro, the green-haired samurai, that means becoming the best swordsman in the world. For Sanji, the smoking savant cook, that means finding the All Blue, a legendary sea full of every fish from every ocean in the world. And for Luffy, that means becoming king of the pirates, and finding the greatest treasure in the world, known as the (you guessed it) One Piece!
Through all this action and fun, however, there is the aforementioned emotional component to this show. In every story, there is pain – Sanji’s sense of indebtment, Luffy’s sense of anger, Zoro’s sense of shame – nothing is ever perfect. What One Piece shows, however, is just how close we can get to that. We can keep trying, keep striving, and keep pushing ourselves not just for ourselves, but for our friends and the ones we love. As long as we never give up our determination, and never let go of our friends, we can (and will) achieve our dreams.
One Piece is…a lot, but it’s a lot of a great thing. Although 1000+ episodes may seem daunting, one has to remember that it’s not about finishing the show – getting through it, being done with it, having it off your “Continue Watching,” list – but about enjoying it as you go. You shouldn’t think of it as a task to be completed, but as an experience to enjoy participating in. You can watch it just about anywhere, from Crunchyroll, to Funimation, and even some of the more illegal sites. I can’t guarantee you’ll enjoy it, but I can say from experience – if you like a fast-paced adventure with loveable characters, memorable fights, and uplifting and heartfelt moments – then this is the show for you! With Luffy, an adventure is always guaranteed, rain or shine, night or day! I hope you’ll heed what I’ve said here and set on your One Piece journey with an open heart!
