Ask John: Is One Piece Worth Watching?

Question:
How has One Piece fared as a series spanning over 400 episodes so far, in your opinion? In other words, what I’d like to know is how well the story has progressed, how consistent the animation has been, if there are pacing issues, things like that. I’ve gotten several adamant recommendations, but I’m unsure if it’s worth it to make the necessary investment in such a long show that, from what I’ve heard, is still nowhere near a conclusion.

Answer:
The One Piece television series premiered on October 20, 1999. I’ve been watching it since late 1999. I got hooked after a penpal began sending me videotaped episodes a few weeks after the series began. My access to the show temporarily evaporated for a while in 2003, as a result, out of the show’s 400+ episodes, I’ve never watched the beginning of the “Skypiea” story arc. But I did catch the end of it, and all of the episodes before and after. Since I’ve been watching the series for over ten years, it’s a little difficult for me to recall very specific details about early episodes I watched so long ago. My reaction to the show may also be more forgiving than some because I find that I’m simply a lot more receptive to anime – all types and varieties and qualities of anime – than many American viewers are. So my appreciation for it may not be transferable to every other viewer, but I do think it’s a show that interested viewers should try watching.

The argument has been made that One Piece starts slow and doesn’t get really involving and exciting until the “Arlong Park” story arc that begins with episode 31. I can appreciate that observation, but I’m hesitant to place too much emphasis on it. One Piece is an adventure comedy from the outset, and from the very beginning it’s not afraid to be a bit violent. The series’ early episodes are amusing, and they introduce characters and circumstances that have reappearances and repercussions even 400 episodes later. But the anime television series’ earliest episodes feel insubstantial; an amusing divergence, but not really addicting viewing. The “Arlong Park” story arc solidifies the series’ voice, introducing the themes of unshakable loyalty, genuinely life-threatening danger, and a strong balance between lighthearted humor and serious tension. The viewer who enjoys the series’ first 30 episodes is rewarded by the “Arlong Park” story arc that gives new depth and personality to the characters and the show itself. And any viewer that doesn’t fall in love with One Piece after the “Arlong Park” story arc probably just doesn’t like shounen anime.

The production values of the One Piece TV anime have never been exceptional, nor have they ever been unreasonably poor. Unlike lengthy shows such as Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon that exhibit drastic evolution in art design and animation quality through their progression, the production values and look of One Piece remain fairly consistent, although the inclusion of minor CG elements well into the series is jarring when it initially occurs. Viewers that watch only the anime series will find that it progresses slowly but rarely seems to obviously stall. Strictly speaking, the television series doesn’t include any “filler” episodes not adapted from the manga until 50 episodes in, and includes only a about a dozen original episodes in its first 130. The One Piece story primarily moves in story arcs of varying length, usually with one or a few transitional episodes in between adventures. Granted, the number and frequency of “filler” episodes and short story arcs increases after episode 130, the end of the Alabaster story arc, but most viewers that have already watched 130 episodes of the show are, by that time, devoted fans likely to keep watching. Dragon Ball certainly has its merits, but Dragon Ball is frequently criticized for carrying on its fights for much too long. Battles in One Piece are also periodically very long, but unlike Dragon Ball Z, One Piece concentrates a lot of time on developing character personalities and motivations. So even when One Piece stories start to feel prolonged, they’re still involving because the episodes offer more than just the physical action. Viewers that enjoy watching One Piece enjoy it precisely because simply watching the characters, being around the characters, is fun, so it doesn’t especially matter if the pacing is as brisk as could be.

Once Piece certainly is an investment, both in money and time because there’s so much of it. Viewers disinclined to like typical shounen adventure anime may be better served to stay away. However, viewers inclined toward the show should give it a chance. It does take a little while to become addicting, but it also avoids most unpleasant surprises. The series’ production values remain consistent throughout. And unlike contemporary shounen adventure series including Bleach and Naruto, One Piece doesn’t indulge in extremely lengthy “filler” story arcs that take the story off-track or discourage loyal viewers. It’s for very valid reason that One Piece is such a tremendously popular, successful, and long-running series. The show may not frequently reach exceptional heights of narrative or technical excellence, but it also rarely declines to terrible depths. The One Piece TV series is so beloved because it maintains a consistently good, interesting, and entertaining level of quality week after week, year after year. And unlike other long running hit shows, One Piece never feels especially formulaic, predictable, or redundant. Its story arcs are unique so that viewers never feel like they’re watching a rehash of a previous adventure, just this time with a stronger opponent.