“One Piece” is a remarkable anime. It is one that I recommend to anybody who loves action-packed or inspirational movies/tv shows. It is a Japanese manga adaptation surrounding the main character “Luffy,”(Loo-Fee) throughout his journey to find the “One Piece.” The “One Piece” is the treasure planted by Gol D. Roger (the previous Pirate King,) so that whoever may find it will gain his “Fame, Wealth, and Power”. This series isn’t only about Luffy searching for the One Piece. In the anime, Luffy faces the World Government, oppression, and inequality, while also recruiting teammates and building a following under the Straw Hat Pirates. This shows the viewer that pursuing your dreams is invaluable and that you should never be afraid to fight for what’s right.
I view One Piece as a very mature anime which is why I recommend it for teens. This is because it targets negative topics that used to and still exist in society. An example is when we see active oppression, injustice, and human trafficking through “The Human Auctioning House” plot. This follows Luffy and his crew as they journey through Sabaody (an island) and stumble upon a trafficking business run by the celestial dragons (the highest ranking nobles.) The crew investigates in disguise and observes as different races and creeds get sold into slavery. This infuriates Luffy, causing him to punch a celestial dragon in the face and destroy this operation, facing the backlash for attacking a noble. This scene wasn’t just a personal act of defiance, but it was a direct challenge to the World Government’s authority. This showed me the importance but also bravery of standing up for yourself when done wrong. This one act alone demonstrates One Piece’s ability to confront difficult topics that most series are too afraid to show.
Not only has One Piece targeted many negative issues, it has also been an example of what we can accomplish. Some examples are the pursuit of dreams, taking the first step, friendship, and loyalty. After Luffy ventures from his own island, we get shown an example of friendship and loyalty as Luffy goes island-to-island recruiting crew members. Soon, he has an entire crew and they demonstrate the struggles of long-lasting companionship. An example is when Sanji (the crew chef) left the Straw Hat Pirates to protect his friends and family after being forced into a marriage with Big Mom’s (one of the most renown and powerful pirate leaders) daughter. This caused Luffy to track him down and confront him since he knew Sanji would never betray them. In a dramatic scene, Sanji tried to reject the Straw Hats while starting to fight Luffy, but he refused to fight back showing his belief in Sanji’s loyalty. Luffy’s actions caused Sanji to reconsider as he broke down in tears, realizing Luffy’s trust and the truth of his own feelings. He then returned to the Straw Hats, rejoining them for the rest of their journey. Even through these hardships, they still remain a strong crew, not only because of strength but because of resilience, loyalty, and togetherness. This arc has affected how I view my close friends. At first I thought of friends as only companions, but now I view them as a support group that can help me whenever I’m going through something.
Lastly, I would like to talk about Luffy’s perseverance and morality. Luffy is known to have a straight moral compass, always doing what’s right no matter the result. This causes Luffy to go head first into battle if he believes it is the right thing to do (which it usually is.) “I thought distinctly to myself: if someone, i.e. me, doesn’t stop this, this guy is going to die right in front of my eyes,” – cited from UNILAD.COM, said by Jayson Cross. This is similar to, if not exactly the way Luffy thinks. If he doesn’t take action, lives are at risk, so he takes the opportunity to protect whoever he can. An example of this is when he risks his life multiple times to fight Kaido (Wano dictator and renowned pirate) in order to free Wano from his rule. This started as Luffy and his crew were separated on their way to Wano (the samurai island/country) and Luffy washes up on the shore. While there, he observes how nasty the water looks, and we come to find out that this is because of environmental damage from the Beasts Pirates under Kaido. Kaido is ruler of Wano because he coerced a plan with Orochi (Kaido associate) to overthrow Kouzuki shogunate (rightful leaders of Wano.) They did this in order to transform the island into a lawless pirate territory. Once Luffy learns about this, he gets into a disguise and travels through Wano in order to fight Kaido. After being brutally defeated and put in prison, he goes on a small training arc in order to hone his abilities. After vigorous training, he starts the raid on Onigashima (an island in Wano Country.) This raid was a plan between Luffy and his allies to finally take down Kaido. This led to the final battle where Luffy vanquished Kaido and freed all Wano citizens. This event shows how we can learn from Luffy, since he never lets defeat define him. Instead, he stays resilient and perseveres, leading to his evident success. This has affected my overall lifestyle because now I’m not afraid to do something if I believe it’s the right thing to do.
I know One Piece is a must-watch show. With its action, storytelling, and themes, there are redeeming factors for anybody who wants to watch it. On top of that, One Piece has had various top-rated episodes, with some breaking records and going down in anime history. Before One Piece, my days felt ordinary, and I never knew a story could change the way I saw the world. Now I carry the lessons to chase my dreams with courage, and smile wider every day. I hope you start watching One Piece, because it has been a huge part of my teen years, and I believe it could be a huge part of yours too.
Aiden Baker – St. Ignatius College Prep – DMSF Class of 2030
Photo Credit: Omry Assouline – Unsplash