Viewing One Piece

[Spiral-Force]

Planning to watch and (after some time has passed) read One Piece from start to whatever the current episode & chapter is.

Quite a lengthy franchise, but it's an opportunity to absorb a bunch of details and (with this thread in particular) analyse what's being viewed. Say for instance, an episode feels like it's dragging, it at least provides a chance to think of why that's the case or what could have been improved.

I currently have no backlog of any other entertainment media to view, so my focus is on this.

General target is 2 eps on weekdays and 4 on weekend days, but I'm sure there will be some variance. I'll start the manga after reaching ep 90 or thereabouts, with the same progress target. I'd prefer to avoid giving nigh-duplicate takes between both mediums, so manga updates won't be as frequent. Although, in cases where the manga version has a difference that stands out enough, I might speak on it if it's still fresh in my mind.

Goal is to be caught up by around the 2nd quarter of 2027 at latest.

I don't expect the following to be the case, but if anyone wants to join in or express what they thought at the time they were at the same stage, feel free to participate as it goes along.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

This thread gon’ be epic.

 

[SSJ2]

I've never watched the anime but enjoy the ride. I'll keep an eye out to see if you comment on any filler as I have no knowledge on it and would be interested to know more about it.

 

[Spiral-Force]

2 episodes in,

You get a clear enough sense of what Luffy embodies, and what's expected to come from his highly dangerous, highly rewarding life goal. While Zoro's personality very much differs from his own, you can tell he's on the same page when it comes to being up for a fight. The primary theme (both long-term and short-term) appears to be acquiring power. It looks like this will be manifested not just through fighting, but influence and preparation. These episodes served as contextual points more than anything else, with the jobbers being the least interesting -- but not unexpected -- part.

 

[sei'taer]

Watch One Pace, you won't regret it.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

It’s not really needed early-on, is it?

 

[Spiral-Force]

One Pace is a fair alternative. Another method people use (similar to what SSJ2 indicated), is prioritizing the manga while checking the anime for the big fights / moments.

I'm okay with going through the whole journey, but I understand why someone would take an abridged approach or manga-only.

 

[Spiral-Force]

4 episodes in,

A bit of insight into Luffy's backstory. With the plot being so tied to the vast seas, it's inevitable they'll make use of large animals or other constructs as obstacles. Fiction in general likes to make towering beings imposing; with Shanks' struggle being an early example of this.

Some seeds laid with the Devil Fruit concept, letting you know that some of the future combat will be unconventional and that there could be some grey area with the powerscaling.

 

[Warmmedown]

Watch One Pace, you won't regret it.

Doesn't early One Pace cut out ep 19? Which is a crew member's backstory (it's pre-established they're a crew member so that's not a spoiler) and definitely important to their character.

This thread is an interesting read.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

There is like no need for One-Pace early-on. Perfectly paced and the anime-original stuff is good too.

 

[sei'taer]

Doesn't early One Pace cut out ep 19? Which is a crew member's backstory (it's pre-established they're a crew member so that's not a spoiler) and definitely important to their character.

This thread is an interesting read.

The flashback is just in a different place in one pace

 

[Spiral-Force]

12 episodes in,

Buggy came across like the standard brash villain, though catching Zoro off-guard and testing Nami's loyalty were alright moments for him. I was intrigued by how he recovered from getting utterly cracked by Luffy, but then he got BFR'd soon after... Kuro seems more calculated in contrast.

Looks like Usopp is still trying to figure things out, unlike the rest of the crew who have their goals set. The Pinocchio schtick is grating, but I guess the aim is for him to accumulate a lot of screw-ups, then have a chance to assist when his resolve kicks in.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Usopp wants to be brave. That’s all I think.

 

[Spiral-Force]

20 eps in,

A couple of patterns noticed: 1) defeated antagonists living to fight another day, despite no sign of changing their ways (e.g. Buggy, Kuro). 2) Encountering eccentric characters during points in the journey; while their own story may not correlate much to the crew, sometimes we get further insight into a plot point - for example, Gaimon talking about the pitfalls of survivng the Grand Line. Or highlighting a crew member's character - for example, Luffy giving Gaimon a chance to become a crewmate to soften the blow of his wasted years.

I think even prior to Zoro's backstory, you can tell that swordsmanship and practice was likely a serious part of his life from early on, but the Kuina situation gives us more regarding motivations.

 

[Spiral-Force]

25 eps in,

Zeff and Mihawk give off a "been there, done that" demeanor, although Mihawk still finds it fun to instigate conflict, while Zeff treats it like a chore since he's focused on maintaining Baratie's success. No surprise that Luffy's latching onto Sanji as the next crew member; Luffy sought after someone that can provide meals, but on top of that: he understands martial arts and can sort of balance between de-escalating a situation and recognizing when a fight needs to go down.

Regardless of if Zoro and Mihawk fight each other again, it's just satisfying to see mastery unfold.

 

[sei'taer]

Zoro vs Mihawk is easily the best part of Baratie. It's the first clue to just how vast the world really is.

 

[Warmmedown]

For me the most memorable parts he hasnt reached: they involve Sanji/Zeff (non-action) and Luffy/villain (action).

 

[Spiral-Force]

40 eps in,

Zeff was really in his element as an active pirate. He was absolutely reveling in taking over that cruise ship in the flashback. There seems to be enough built around him to extract stories from his past if the storyline ever wants to go that route again.

Krieg is reminiscent of Axe-Hand Morgan from earlier on in the story. Big boastful guys equipped with a weapon that have a lot to say, before getting mowed down by a Straw Hat.

(Arlong Park) While you get a sense of Nami's plight, the fishmen remind me of PowerPuff Girls villains so it's hard to take them seriously. Nevertheless, their methods of combat are putting the crew in unfamiliar battle territory so there's a chance to see more versatility in that sense. There's also an opportunity to see how a dominant being (Arlong) responds to serious adversity after dwelling on his uninterrupted reign.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

Regardless of if Zoro and Mihawk fight each other again, it's just satisfying to see mastery unfold.

Spoiler

 

[Warmmedown]

"Luffy help me", walk to Arlong Park are iconic even now. That anime arc has so many moments for me. Sanji thanking Zeff got me in Baratie. The story of not being able to eat treasure, honestly has stuck with me years later...not just for food, but in general that money is only a means to an end, and the end should be prioritised.

Do you feel the experience is improving for you as you get deeper into the show, or it's about the same?