25 years ago back, in 1997, a young teenage boy named Eiichiro Oda created a masterpiece that was yet to be recognized. One Piece is more than just a simple book or show, it’s a big part of many lives. It leaves an impact on you, something that numerous books and shows just can’t.
I highly recommend that you read or watch it, but you’re probably not convinced. So let me take you on a ride to investigate why you should watch One Piece.
It all starts at the beginning, where we meet Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. The “Pirate King” is a title that is given to those who have explored and uncovered all the mysteries of the world. For many, the title of “Pirate King” means to be the strongest but not for our protagonist. Monkey D. Luffy is his name, and he desires to become the “Pirate King.” For him, it means having the most freedom in the entire world. Something that not everyone has.
Luffy isn’t your stereotypical pirate; he isn’t cruel, and above all, he values his friends, to the point where he acts recklessly to keep his friends safe even if he has to clash with other pirates. But Luffy has a special power: his devil fruit (A special fruit that gives you power if eaten) which turns his body into rubber allowing him to stretch all of his body parts. He uses his devil fruit to mainly fight other pirates.
We follow Luffy as he forms his crew with friends he makes along the way. We sail through many different islands, and we see how the friendships between Luffy and his crew evolve.
But one thing that you should know is that all the characters we meet along the way are dynamic; they have motivations, personalities, unique traits, etc. Especially, the members of the crew because they all have something that makes you feel connected with them.
Another piece that makes One Piece special is the world-building. Oda has created a world that feels real, dealing with real-world problems that humanity has faced over years.
For example, let’s take a look at Dressrosa. This island was influenced by Spanish culture and has a deep dark secret within the city. (I won’t spoil it for you.)
The city was inspired by Barcelona, Spain. You can see how Spanish architecture influenced it. Adding on, during the arc they made sure to add Spanish traditions such as the “Flamenco dance.”
But we can’t talk about the world without introducing politics into the mix. One Piece has a very defined government system. The World Government, as it’s called, is allied with 200+ islands united under one government. But as you read more and more, you learn about how corrupt the government is and how it discriminates against minorities.
Adding on, there are “Celestial Dragons,” the quote on quote “gods” of One Piece. These people are the royalty of the original kingdoms who founded the World Government. But they didn’t see themselves as normal people; they saw themselves as “gods” and so decided that they were able to do anything, with no consequences.
There is so much more I could talk about, but where would the fun be if I just spoiled to you the whole story? So are you interested? If so what are you waiting for? *Watch it!
(It’s on Netflix and many other streaming services)
Justin Canelo
Latin School of Chicago – DMSF Class of 2026
Photo from Adobe Stock