Buzz
In the latest episode 1001, One Piece anime once again astonishes manga fans with Luffy's Gear 4 transformation resembling something out of Dragon Ball.
It's undeniable that 2021 was filled with significant events for One Piece. First, chapter 1000, the 100th manga volume, and finally, anime episode 1000. Alongside these memorable milestones were numerous large and small events. This contributed to One Piece ranking 6th in the 2021 best-selling manga with a total sales figure of 7,002,583 copies.
Looking at leading manga like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, or even newcomers like Tokyo Revengers, it's evident that anime adaptations have significantly boosted the original manga's sales. However, is One Piece anime doing this as effectively?
Firstly, it must be acknowledged that Oda has fulfilled his promise by creating a captivating, surprising, and unpredictable Wano arc, the most anticipated in the series' history. Every character, no matter how minor, is logically portrayed by Oda, adding depth to the Wano arc. This creates intrigue for the series rather than mere fighting scenes like some other manga. However, in the adaptation, the beloved anime essence of One Piece is gradually fading.
Firstly, there are details added by filmmakers, most of which fans criticize as running ahead of the car. In the manga, Oda leaves it as a question, meaning readers have to speculate and come up with theories. However, in the anime, filmmakers have often decided what that doubt is, making many people uncomfortable.
Another thing that many fans find frustrating is that while Oda's manga drawings are becoming sharper and more soulful, especially during battle scenes, in the anime, it turns into a colorful spectacle reminiscent of another Dragon Ball installment. Most recently, Luffy's Gear 4 appearance in episode 1001 suddenly became excessively flashy, grabbing the attention of many viewers and drawing comparisons to Dragon Ball's Saiyan transformations.
The final issue plaguing One Piece anime is its pacing. There are too many unnecessary additions, with plot points that could fit in a single chapter stretched into entire episodes, leaving many viewers to exclaim, 'Am I watching a soap opera?' Previously, One Piece anime always felt closely tied to the manga, but now these prolonged sequences are gradually eroding its essence.
Of course, we cannot deny that One Piece anime's Wano arc has made significant strides, particularly in character design and costumes infused with Japanese flair. However, to truly make a breakthrough in the original manga's revenue in 2022, perhaps the One Piece filmmakers need to seriously reassess and find a direction for this prolonged production.
What do you think about the excessive controversies surrounding One Piece anime? Is it contributing to the fame of the original manga? Share your thoughts on this issue!
