Finally Finished Binge-Watching One Piece (No Spoilers)

I started watching anime more than a decade ago, but I never had a lot of interest in watching long-running series like Naruto or One Piece due to not having patience with its sheer length. I’ve also never been a fan of the drawing style back then (One Piece started in 1999—I was only 5!!) so I really had no reason to. On the other hand, Dane has been an avid reader of the manga since around 2008.

There was so much hype when Netflix released the Live Action of One Piece in August of 2023 that I got curious and decided to see what it was about, so Dane and I decided to watch it.

Needless to say, it was a rabbit hole from there. It definitely piqued my interest enough to consider watching the anime comprised of around 1070 episodes at that time. And since Dane is updated on the manga and familiar with the anime, it was very much encouraged. Our binge-watching started on September 19, 2023 and we just finished the final episode in the anime as of writing, today, January 1, 2023. That’s 104 days!

I remember how many times he looked at me during key moments in the anime to see how I would react or speculate about the connection of the characters or the future of the story.

What made me a One Piece fan

The kinds of shows I love typically fall into two categories. The first one is for the chill, no-brainer, can-be-white-noise kind like Campfire Cooking, and the second is for those with complex, intertwined, and well thought out plots like One Piece.

I have to admit One Piece was difficult to watch during the start due to the old anime drawing style, but once I got passed that, it was very enjoyable.

What made me fall in love with this anime are the backstories that really make you appreciate the characters more (including villains) versus most shows with characters that exist purely as part of the plot surrounding the main character. In addition, one of the things that I most appreciate in the execution of the anime is the inclusion of maps that tell you the location of the characters and what they’re doing in every arc. Having this visual reference makes it easier to absorb and appreciate the complex stories.

Yes, some episodes are stretched out a bit too long, but outside of that, everything that is included in the story has a part in a much bigger story.

Now to the questions that no one asked but I want to answer:

Favorite One Piece devil fruits

5. Venom Venom Fruit of Magellan

4. Press Press Fruit of Fujitora

3. Barrier Barrier Fruit of Bartolomeo

2. String String Fruit of Donquixote Doflamingo

1. Op Op Fruit of Trafalgar Law

Favorite One Piece characters overall (personality and ability)

10. Buggy

9. Charlotte Linlin

8. Brook

7. Dracule Mihawk

6. Charlotte Katakuri

5. Bartolomeo

4. Nico Robin

3. Fujitora

2. Jinbe

1. Trafalgar Law

And, on the other end of this list. My least favorite is Saint Charlos, Sterry, Dellinger. And from the Straw Hat crew, Usopp.

Watch it!

For anyone who has doubted watching this very lengthy and still ongoing show, I highly encourage it. If you’re someone who likes complicated storylines, plot twists, and a generally well-executed anime, then you’ll likely enjoy One Piece!