The King of All Animes? I’d Say It’s ‘One Piece’

A Crew that Eats Together Bleeds Together

By Rodley Charles Class of 2022

The Straw Hat crew eating their first meal together after being apart for two years.

Introduction

I bet you read the title … but first let me explain. The show “One Piece” is a story that takes place over the course of four months. The series was written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda and has appeared in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997. The show has also been running for 23 years. The series is about a boy named Monkey D. Luffy (aka Straw Hat), who has the strong ambition from his childhood to be “The King Of the Pirates.” To be said king, Luffy puts together a crew of the best people and skills to set out and find the hidden one piece ‒ a mysterious treasure. The one piece was said to be hidden by the legendary pirate king Gol D. Roger (who was executed publicly by the World Government at which time he took it upon himself to announce this to the world). 

The legend has it that the one who finds the one piece will be declared “The King of the Pirates”. Those who dare to go in search of the treasure journey across seas riddled with peculiar islands and their creatures, luxurious kingdoms, and ominous societies of people. 

Meet the main characters:

Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy is a fun, spontaneous, and seemingly ignorant character who sets out to become the “King of the Pirates.” He is also incredibly strong and doesn’t back down from a fight no matter how daunting it may look. Although he is strong, he values friendship, loyalty, and the individuality of those around him; especially his crew.

“Cat Burglar” Nami

Nami is a smart and cunning character who specializes in robbing pirates and making maps. As a child she was adopted by a marine soldier who raised her and was shot by pirates in a raid on their home. She is the crew’s navigator and weather forecaster.

Vinsmoke“Black Leg” Sanji

Sanji is the cook of the crew and is the fifth member. Although he is a cook he is one of the main fighters second to Roronoa Zoro the swordsman. He has an extreme affinity for women.

Roronoa “Pirate Hunter” Zoro

Zoro is the swordsman and fighter of the crew and the second member and the first to join. He is pretty nonchalant about things that happen but his sword skill is to be wary of because of the fact that he wields three swords.

Nico Robin

Robin was formerly an antagonist of the crew solely to pursue her dream of finding the Rio Poneglyph which holds the true history of the world especially the Void Century (nothing was recorded about this gap in history). Robin has a pessimistic outlook on life but can be described as nonchalant and “real”.

“God” Usopp

Usopp is a very comical character and serves as the sniper of the crew.  After working with the Straw Hats to defeat Kuro and the Black Cat Pirates, he was invited to join the crew. Usopp can be characterized as a pessimist with no courage until it matters most.

 Tony Tony Chopper

Chopper is a reindeer who has gained the abilities of a human after consuming a Devil Fruit. He serves as the crew’s ship doctor and was raised by a doctor who accepted him on his island and did not shun him for being different.

Franky

Franky is one of the main characters in One Piece and the shipwright of the Straw Hat Pirates. He is a cyborg that is all metal with the exception of his back. He used to be leader of the Franky Family, a group of ship dismantlers.

Later Crew Members:

“Soul King” Brook

Brook is the musician of the Straw Hat Pirates and one of the main characters of One Piece. He is a skeleton that the Straw Hats found on board of a ghost ship after drifting into the Florian Triangle.

“Knight of the Sea” Jinbe

Jinbe is the helmsman of the Straw Hat Pirates. He is the tenth member of the crew and the ninth to join. Jinbe is a fishman and was formerly part of the Sun pirates. He was the master of Fishman Karate.

Plot

Luffy and his crew set out to make new friends and enemies all over the world while sight-seeing, fighting, and indulging in the diversity of their world. They will also fight the World Government Navy, its admirals, ferocious beasts, and agents of the government. In some instances the crew will also pay for the blunders and comically adventurous spirit Luffy has, while also forging trust and a willingness to stick it out in the very end.