Background of One Piece:

One Piece first began as a serialized manga series in 1997. It debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in August 1997.  The Japanese pop-culture phenomenon was created by the author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda. The manga has sold more copies than any other manga series ever with over 250 million copies having been sold since initial publication. The manga has yet to end and has received over 60 published volumes. It has continued to receive critical acclaim and enthusiastic recognition from its always-expanding fan-base.

The (also) massively popular anime series is still ongoing and has aired over 500 produced episodes. It is amongst the longest running series of all time -- in anime form or otherwise. The show premiered in Japan in October 1999. In North America the series was first released by 4Kids Entertainment originally and was heavily criticized for having a poor dub and for edits considered as significant cuts (sometimes entire episodes went missing). Funimation saved the show for North America, produced an excellent dub, and has continued to present One Piece in its uncut, original form as it is presented here and on all One Piece Collection DVD box-sets.

Series and Characters:

One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of pirates. He is joined by Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Nico Robin, Franky and Sanji. The beginning of the series takes some time to build as the characters are introduced over a nicely paced span of episodes and stories. There are some other characters that join the crew over the course of the show, which will be noted in this section of future One Piece Collection reviews when the characters are later introduced.

The main character is Luffy. As the series begins he is a 17 year old kooky-wacky kid with a heart of gold and a head of emotions. He looks at almost every scenario with total optimism and is unwavering in his belief that things can work out in the end. As a young boy he ate a Gum Gum "Devil" Fruit by accident that gave him special powers. The main power he gained was a rubber body. He can bend, stretch, and seem rubber-like (he is rubber!) in a way that no one else can. Essentially, Luffy is the most flexible person in the entire world (at least in terms of the characters introduced on the show so far).  Luffy was once saved by the pirate Shanks, who Luffy seemed to view as a hero and father figure. Luffy decided then that he is to become the "King of the Pirates!" as the legendary Gold Rogers pirate was once called. It has less to do with stealing treasure or amassing wealth as it does with sailing the seas and experiencing the world with friends. Unlike most of the pirates depicted on One Piece, there is little doubt that Luffy has a pure heart and is not attempting to hurt anyone or gain from the loss of others. Luffy is a character that is unafraid of fighting for what's right and this is an endearing quality that has no doubt played a significant part in his long-term popularity. He usually thinks with his emotions more than his brain-power though, and when he does use his brain (i.e. "I have an IDEA!") catastrophe can sometimes ensue. Some viewers of the series might consider him an idiot (other characters on the show have expressed this sentiment as well) but he has things in the right place where they count the most: heart, spirit, and soul. Luffy is easily one of the most endearing, comical, and fun characters in anime history.

Trivia Note: He is also dubbed the "Straw Hat" pirate as he always fondly wears an old straw hat throughout the series. He might also have the largest appetite in any anime, which is certainly saying something.

Usopp is many things to different people. He gained a reputation as being a "liar", which is true but not exactly telling of his character. Usopp is a storyteller more than anything else. He seems to encourage laughter and happiness in others. It is fascinating to me how he is such a brave and courageous man at times and also a definite coward when something has too much scare-factor for him to face. Most of the time, he pulls through in the end anyway. While some viewers might be inclined to refer to him as a primarily "comic relief" character, there is a lot of sides to Usopp that make him stand out. His dream seems to be to become a strong, confident, and talented sea-adventurer.

Nami is the Navigator.  She helps to make sure that the crew heads in the right direction at all times. She also has a dream (clearly a recurring theme of the series with each character) to map out the entire world. Nami is also known as a thief because unlike some of the other pirates of the crew she actually enjoys finding and taking treasures. Ironically, Nami claims to despise all pirates in the early episodes of One Piece until she officially joins Team Luffy. Nami is undoubtedly the smartest member of the entire crew and she is able to use her wit and intelligence to help everyone out of some of the strangest and most dire situations on the show.

Sanji might be the most compassionate of the central characters. He is the cook for Luffy's crew and he never hesitates to serve food to those in need of a meal. Early in his life, Sanji experienced what it was like to suffer from hunger firsthand and this dramatically impacted his attitude towards others experiencing hunger. He can seem to be the most level-headed of the team at times but then also the most over-tempered as well. If someone rubs Sanji the wrong way he never takes the matter too lightly. Besides having the occasional anger-management issue there is no question that he's a genuinely nice character who receives enjoyment from cooking, flirting with women, and helping others out in a pickle (the pun was absolutely intended). Sanji's goal is to find the All Blue, which connects each area of the ocean.

A wacky, well-spirited, and adventurous doctor named Tony Tony Chopper joins the group during the previous One Piece Collection. Chopper is a reindeer with a blue nose. He ate a Human Human Fruit that gave him the ability to speak and act in a human manner. Chopper hasn't been entirely the same ever since. He can walk, talk, and act as goofy as all the rest of the merry pirates on this show. There are multiple forms that this character can take: the form of a normal reindeer, a reindeer with the qualities of a young human boy, and a monstrous gigantic reindeer with the power of a body-builder man. This makes the character an interesting addition to the series. It was nice to see his relevance to the crew become a part of the ongoing plot. Team Luffy needed a doctor and he was a perfect match.

The mysterious and ever-so quiet Nico Robin is also a crew member. She is perhaps the most peculiar of all of the additions to the Straw Hat Pirates crew, because in previous episodes she had seemed to be more of an opposing force to some degree. Her actions were often very confusing because it is hard to tell if she is with the group primarily for her own (and not entirely disclosed) reasons or if she is turning a new leaf and wants to be a part of the positive proceedings accordingly. This makes her character one that is hard to grasp sometimes but it also makes her a fascinating addition to the One Piece group. As we get to know the character a bit better, however, she does seem to serve as an invaluable asset to the crew and spirit.  Nico is a archaeologist and she has a wide range of knowledge about historical events and this gives her a more extensive understanding of some of the potential pitfalls looming before the Straw Hat Pirates that can help them during their adventures. Nico also has some strange powers, indeed, and fans are surely going to continue to see plenty of her abilities in later episodes. Think of some of the skills a certain captain named Luffy has but multiple all of that by a few times at least.  You might get an idea (or at least a hint) of what one of her own skills is. Absolutely Impressive!

Franky, the latest addition to Team Luffy, is a "Cyborg" sailor of the seas who aims to be a shipwright. Though the original goal of Franky doesn't extend to his own solo outing in the way expected, the new crew member helps the entire team immensely (and brings about new things to the bunch when it comes down to continuing their journey together with a brand new, stylish boat). Franky is able to use cocoa power to help with his uncommonly gifted superpowers and is another oddball crew member on this fun, exciting, and action packed adventure.

For anyone who has experienced the joys of watching One Piece there is no question as to why the series has been such a massively huge hit in Japan and around the world. It starts with the characters as the most essential element but it extends far beyond that. There are many high quality production and storytelling aspects to this series, all of which helps it to stand out distinctively from a crowded anime scene.

The art stands apart all on its own as one of the best production elements. The character designs are distinctive and memorable: not only for the central leading characters but for the majority of the supporting players as well. The unique art style crafted by One Piece manga artist Eiichiro Oda has been faithfully translated as the main animation style of the series. This will no doubt please both longtime fans and newcomers who should be able to easily see the wondrous qualities in abundance.  There is a silly and comical tone to the art that ultimately helps to make it easier to absorb the many varying aspects of the ongoing story.

The central direction for the entire series is done by Kônosuke Uda. Uda doesn't have that huge of a list of directorial credits to his name prior to his work on One Piece (perhaps his most significant previous directing job was for Sailor Moon S - the third and best season). Yet there can be no mistaking the massive undertaking and leadership taken on with the One Piece craftsmanship at his helm. The series has a near perfect blend of story, action, comedy, drama, adventure, and more. Oda contributed significantly to this success story through having crafted the characters, artwork styles, and overall genre styling's with his manga creation but anime general Uda uses that magic to craft even more unique magic with this increasingly well-made series.

The pacing is surprisingly consistent and enjoyable. The story rarely seems to have what usually becomes known as a high episode count of "filler" episodes typically found in any series that runs as long as this show has by this point. While the story occasionally veers towards telling side-plotlines that might seem designed as filler to some members of the audience there is also an undercurrent of smart and finely-tuned scripting that makes it almost impossible to not find some new and entertaining aspect during these moments. Ultimately, the storytelling is so vibrant, full of life, and exciting most of the time that it seems illogical to complain about an aspect that isn't disappointing at all. One Piece has even altered my concept of the filler episode by bringing enjoyment to those types of episodes as well.

There is a trifecta of One Piece elements that seem worth discussing together. The music used on the show is excellent and definitely adds another layer to the energy and thrill of each episode. The comedy is jubilant and silly so that the primary goal of the storytellers was most likely to bring genuine smiles to the audience. Lastly, the themes and message behind the series prove to be meaningful. This trifecta exists because of the occasionally repetitive nature of these reoccurring aspects. This comment is not meant as a negative criticism, but is instead primarily an observation. The humor often relies upon a re-used joke that proved successful in an earlier episode, and while the show is smart to continue adding original elements on a frequent basis it seems to understand how certain elements can be reused in different circumstances to some degree. The music draws heavily upon a core group of musical themes that seem to emphasis different emotions that are the focus of a given scene. This offers viewers a welcoming blend of familiarity while also establishing some consistency at the core.

The Collection (Set 10, Episodes 230-252):

Things have taken a darker turn on One Piece for Luffy and the crew. New obstacles and enemies arise and must be dealt with across the release, and an even bigger problem is faced: the possible break-up of some of the crew members as it becomes clear that the beloved ship they have used to travel on across the show may be unable to wave its sail anymore: potentially broken beyond repair. The set focuses on this as an important and ongoing side-story.

This event with the ship causes a rift between some of the crew and ultimately leads to an unfortunate disagreement between Luffy and Usopp. Can the famed crew find a way to collaborate again and to move forward on the same seafaring page or are things now destined for sinking ships? Or could this mean the end to the crew and the adventure everyone has journeyed on together (so far)? And what is this new issue arrising between the crew and Nico Robin?

There is also a new core character joining the crew of adventurers in Collection 10. The incredibly strong, turbulent, and unusual addition, Franky (who is partly a "cyborg" who contains his own unique abilities of his own - as per the norm for characters on this show).  When things get tough and it's unclear if they will be able to continue on, a storyline does unfold connecting the new character of One Piece to the obstacle created with their much loved ship.

One Piece continues to be an excellent adventure series with great characters that make the journey worthwhile. Even when the series occasionally steps into a minor rut for an episode or two, it always picks itself back up again and continues to surprise with entertaining and creative storylines, new characters, and remarkable story-arc journeys that these unique, zany characters go through.

Collection 10 features gorgeous animation that is in many ways even better than what came before with a clean vibrancy to the now widescreen art style. It's like the whole universe of the show has opened up and is even larger now than it was before. The series has always had an incredible story pattern that made it feel more cinematic than what one might be commonly used to finding on an average anime production.

It's fitting that One Piece has moved into the realm of a new television aspect-ratio so that these stories can continue to find new strengths to explore through this visual medium. For fans of One Piece, Collection 10 is a continuation that keeps the series sense of adventure and comedy going while having surprising new characters and obstacles. As always, fans will want to dig in. Luffy (and Luffy's enormous appetite) would surely approve.

The DVD:  

Note:

One Piece arrives on DVD from Funimation in a Collection box-set format that combines two of the previously released "Voyage" sets into one. The PQ and AQ are no different from the earlier releases. Funimation hasn't even altered the menu design for these DVD collections.

Video:

Unlike Collections 1-8, Collection 10 (as with Collection 9) contains the series in a refreshing 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation which is the new aspect ratio for the series. It's incredible getting to see the crew in widescreen and the crisp, clean, and vibrant animation looks better than it ever has before. The colors are immersive, beautiful, and bold. Line art is very strong and noteworthy. The encoding quality by Funimation is generally strong. The release works as a solid progression of the series on DVD.

The only real issue with the image is the occasional interference posed by aliasing but even that seems to be less noticeable when compared to previous sets. There are also no major issues with compression artifacts. This is a rock solid DVD collection. It's wonderful getting to see the series in the original broadcast aspect ratio of 16:9 widescreen and it gives the series an even more cinematic style approach.

Audio:

The 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound option for the English language dub continues to be an excellent choice for fans wanting to watch in English. The surrounds have been actively used to create an enveloping experience with good use of sound effects and enough room for the score to add an element of suspense, fun, and intrigue. The voice cast for the Funimation dub is superb and a huge step up over what 4Kids attempted many years ago. Anyone who watches One Piece through these Funimation releases should appreciate the company's English dubbed version.  

I usually prefer watching anime in the original Japanese language with English subtitles, but with some shows I make an exception to that with regards to viewing preference. One Piece is such an edge-of-your-seat program and the characters dialogue flies by so quickly that I tend to like the dub partially because of the type of anime series this is - a fast-paced and action-packed one. Luckily, Funimation has given One Piece one of the best English dubs around.

In preserving the original Japanese stereo track the series can also be appreciated with the original audio for those who prefer to experience this great show as it first aired in Japan. The English subtitles are provided for the Japanese dub. Either language option is worthwhile. I have a slight preference for the more robust sounding surround sound choice accompanying the English dub but both options feature clean and easy to understand dialogue.

Extras:

The selection of bonus materials is limited on each Funimation One Piece Collection DVD release. Funimation included select staff commentary (across three episodes on this release with some of the English dub cast), text-less songs (op/ed), and trailers promoting other anime series released by the studio. There is also the inclusion of the marathon play option (which skips credits and previews). Lastly, interviews are included with two of the English dub voice actors who perform as the characters Chopper and Sanji.

Final Thoughts:

There are few other anime series around as action-packed, as thrilling, as hilarious, and as fun as One Piece manages to be. The series continues to be one of the go-to anime series for those who consider themselves anime fans. The series always finds way to balance a lighthearted vibe with more serious storytelling. Sometimes it's just a giant goofy joy to spend time with these characters. In some episodes the storytelling takes things to interesting dramatic heights as well.

It's great to see Funimation continue to release these One Piece collection sets again. There was quite a big break between the Collection 8 and 9 DVD releases and now there is a more steady schedule again (as the studio continues to produce the new dub and release Voyage sets). For those who have been purchasing these collection sets as they come out, this DVD release is another must-own set. In my opinion, these sets carry excellent value with high episode counts, solid technical presentations, and because this is one of the best anime series around. Newcomers are strongly encouraged to start at the beginning of the series and continue on from there.

Highly Recommended.

Neil Lumbard is a lifelong fan of cinema. He aspires to make movies and has written two screenplays on spec. He loves writing, and currently does in Texas.