One Piece has become one of the most internationally popular series of all time. Just last year, it even dwarfed domestic sales of Batman himself, putting the series right behind Superman. The popularity doesn’t stop there, as the show now has a live-action Netflix adaptation in the pipeline. With both the anime and manga into the Wano arc, the hype has hit incredible levels. We also have a movie known as One Piece: Red coming out in August. The movie is expected to focus on Red-Haired Shanks. As production continues for One Piece: Red, it seems series creator Eiichiro Oda has decided to give this one his personal touch.
One Piece: Red Promises Something New
The newest film for One Piece is expected to bring a lot to the table. First of all, it has been confirmed that Shanks will have some type of role to play in it. This mysterious character has only appeared a few times in the series but is the driving force behind Luffy’s ultimate goals. He’s also an incredibly powerful Emperor of the Sea, one of the four strongest pirates in the world. Beyond the presence of Shanks, an entirely new, non-anime director has been brought in. This is apparently at the direction of Oda himself, who has been more involved than any One Piece movie ever before.
Beyond the change to the usual direction, it seems Oda has also wanted female characters in critical roles in the plot. The series creator seems to take hold often lately, not just with One Piece: Red. With the announcement that we’re in the final stages, it makes sense. Oda has been very attached to this story, even making himself sick from overwork in the past. This may be one of the last movies for the series in general. And with it on the way out, Oda wants to make sure everything is perfect. Fans will have to wait until August for the first impressions, and longer still for an overseas premiere.