VariousOne Piece - Season 14 Voyage 1

At about this time last year those of us who were watching the new OP anime episodes on Crunchyroll were on the edge of our seats as the seemingly interminable battle between Luffy and Kaido was drawing to a close. In Luffy's biggest battles, something amazing always happens to turn the tide in Luffy's favor and this time around, Luffy's Gear 5 (the true Awakening of his Devil Fruit) was the weirdest and most badass development yet. Think Super Saiyan Goku crossed with Jim Carrey's Mask or Roger Rabbit. And now the U.S. DVD release of the almost 200 episode, four year arc is in sight and won't be finished until Voyage Sixteen releases sometime around December 2026.With an arc this long there are sure to be some characters and plot lines that made the narrative a bit too ponderous. Who needed the Orochi Oniwabanshu, the giant Numbers, or (as poignant as it was) the tragic story of Yasuie? Or the 11 Specials in this arc featuring the SD characters that anyone could have created with Scratch and containing purely pre-released footage? I hope these Specials aren't included; they only existed to buy Oda more time to keep the manga ahead of the animation. But some things about the Wano arc were very satisfying, most especially the distinct animation style of this arc. In creating a land very similar to feudal era Japan, Eichiro Oda was clearly inspired by the art and architecture from that time and place and everywhere you turn there are people and buildings that look like they've stepped right out of a 16th century Japanese painting (or perhaps a Kabuki theater). The Straw Hat Pirates and most of the main characters in this arc also adopt clothing and accessories to look the part. And another wonderful subtle detail. The DVD packages of each season have had a unique border design and the design for this season is truly special. It incorporates the Jolly Roger symbols created by Oda for each of 9 members of the Straw Hat Pirates. No telling if the symbol for Jimbei will be added in the later Voyages once he returns in the later episodes of the arc.So get seated for a REALLY long but mostly satisfying ride. I'm particularly looking forward to revisiting the story of Kozuki Oden, one of the most colorful and exciting characters in One Piece or indeed any manga/anime series. And of course, the present day story of Oden's son, Momonusuke as he literally grows into a man and his father's successor as Shogun of Wano. And also of Kaido's "son" Yamato (actually an immensely powerful but also attractive woman) who inspired by Portgas D. Ace, Oden, and by Luffy himself gains the courage to break the shackles of "his" cruel father and one day sail the seas with the Pirate King just as Oden did.