On August 22nd, 2022, the live-action One Piece adaptation’s filming wrapped up. From its manga debut in 1997 and its anime release in 1999 to its upcoming live-action Netflix version, One Piece has come a long way. With over 500 million copies sold, the One Piece manga is the highest-selling manga of all time.
Given One Piece’s well-deserved reputation, the live-action adaptation is on everyone’s radar, with extremely high expectations. But before hopping on the live-action series, it’s a good time to look back at the best One Piece films and relive the anime experience.
One Piece: Giant Mecha Soldier Of Karakuri Castle (2006) – 7.22
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One Piece: Giant Mecha Soldier of Karakuri Castle is the seventh film in the One Piece anime and Manga series, and it takes place before the events of the Water 7 Arc. The film is only about a treasure hunt, but the engaging ensemble makes it entertaining. Despite being average, it is enjoyable with some twists and typical crew comedy.
The film serves only as a filler and is not devoted to any one staff member either. The crew puts their riddle-solving skills and Luffy’s instinct to the test as they try to unravel the mystery of Mecha Island and its hidden treasure. Even if it doesn’t have the best plot, it is nonetheless enjoyable for One Piece fans.
One Piece: The Desert Princess And The Pirates: Adventures In Alabasta (2007) – 7.33
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The eighth film in the series, One Piece: The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta, is a retelling of the Alabasta arc. It is a long, and one of the best side arcs in One Piece with a compelling plot. It is the Crocodile Saga’s concluding chapter. However, the film significantly condensed it. The crew fights, Ace’s appearance, and other events were trimmed short.
Overall, the film enhances the visual effects and offers a compelling recap of the Alabasta arc. But those who haven’t seen the Alabasta arc yet would be perplexed the entire time. The film is only enjoyable for viewers who are looking for filler content that takes them back to the story, regardless.
One Piece: Episode Of Chopper Plus (2008) – 7.47
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The ninth film in the One Piece series, Episode of Chopper Plus, is a film adaptation of the Drum Island arc in which Chopper joins the Straw Hat Pirates. One Piece movies are infamous for being filler or retellings of earlier chapters. As a modest alteration, Franky and Robin were made a part of the film along with the original five main characters.
Fans of the youngest straw hat, Chopper, will adore the film because it is devoted to his backstory. Despite having a good heart, Chopper sometimes loses control of his emotions. More thoroughly than in the series, the movie explores his history and tells his tale.
One Piece: Dead End Adventure (2003) – 7.55
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Dead End Adventure, the fourth film in the series, is set in the Anabaru harbor. It supposedly happens after the Navarone arc. The straw hats compete in a competition organized by the neighborhood casino for a substantial financial prize. The narrative centers on a pirate race and is quirky and original.
It is a non-canon One Piece movie, just like all the others. However, the two giants introduced in the film, Shuraiya, and Gasparde, are well-developed and fulfilling to watch. It’s exciting to see the fights between Luffy and Gasparde’s gang. Action, 3D effects, and sound are the main drivers of the movie’s success.
One Piece: Baron Omatsuri And The Secret Island (2005) – 7.73
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Luffy’s crew experiences Baron Omatsuri’s Ordeals of Hell in the sixth film, One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. It is well known that One Piece has one of the unique settings in the anime world. The secret island’s casinos, spas, gorgeous ladies, and delectable food lure the team there. But before they can have fun, they have to overcome several obstacles.
The movie’s premise is intriguing and will likely entice audiences to watch it. Characters, humor, and an emotional plot are all typical yet excellent. The mixing of 2D animation and CGI is one thing that jumps out. It’s interesting to see the Straw Hat Crew clash, argue about everything, and still manage to get by.
One Piece Film: Red (2022) – 7.88
The most recent film in the series, Red, debuted on August 6th and quickly rose as the tenth-most popular film in Japanese history. Uta, Shank’s daughter, who plays the lead role in the movie, reveals herself to the world at a live concert after performing with a concealed identity all her career. The film is incoherent despite not following any actual anime timeline.
In comparison to other One Piece movies, Red has a distinctive narrative. Uta’s songs are a huge draw and give the film a light musical undertone. Highlights of the movie include comedic portions, battle scenes, sad scenes, and a beautiful environment. Unsurprisingly, Red’s animation and art outperform all other One Piece films.
One Piece Film: Gold (2016) – 7.91
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The thirteenth and canonical film in the One Piece series is Gold. The odds of winning the jackpot entice the Straw Hat Crew to the casino as they board the Gran Tesoro ship. The audio, animation, and scenery in the film are all perfect. With amusing plot twists, the pacing is also good.
The spectators were not left unsurprised by Gold. Fans of One Piece can anticipate seeing characters from previous arcs. It’s adorable to see the straw hat crew in aristocratic attires having a family-like time at the casino. Having a respectable villain like Gild Tesoro enhances the movie’s appeal. Gold is a kind of film viewers would not want to end.
One Piece Film: Strong World (2009) – 8.11
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Eiichiro Oda was involved in creating Strong World, the tenth movie in the franchise. The news that the islands in East Blue have been devastated prompts Luffy and his team to investigate. Shiki abducts Nami after consuming the Float-Float Fruit and escaping Impel Down. Shiki stood out as an exceptional character despite the crew being excellent as usual.
The costumes in the movie are fan service. With her slightly altered and mature appearance, Nami, who plays the movie’s main character, can draw in an older audience. For comedy, viewers can count on Sanji, Luffy, and Brook. The plot is a bit of an old tune and may not seem amusing to everyone.
One Piece Film: Z (2012) – 8.15
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The movie takes its name from the character Z, a formidable former Marine Admiral who serves as the plot’s adversary. It is the One Piece series’ twelfth film. The Straw Hat crew sets off on a mission to stop Z from causing trouble as they navigate the choppy waters of the New World in search of the lost jewels. The movie goes into considerable depth to explain Z’s past and Marine history.
Z has outstanding music that ranges from tense to depressing themes. Additionally, viewers will notice that animation is more fluid, particularly in battle situations. If Strong World left you unimpressed, fans should see Z to gain confidence back in One Piece movies.
One Piece: Stampede (2019) – 8.24
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The fourteenth movie in the One Piece series tops the MyAnimeList rankings. Stampede follows the Straw Hat crew to the Pirates Festival, the world’s largest celebration created by and for pirates. The plot is not unique or amusing, but every moment as the film progresses is fun. Given the setting, the film features a huge number of characters, with most of the pirates making an appearance.
The film excelled at animation and artwork. With improved, excellent cinematography, the battle scenes are entertaining. Even though Stampede is pure fan service, it makes the most of its non-canon status. It is passionate and brimming with colorful moments and the perfect eye candy for One Piece fans.
