It’s never easy to choose just one favorite character from among the many we meet in our travels through fictional worlds. Even when we narrow the scope to just one year of television, movies, and more, defining what makes for a favorite or “best” character seems like a herculean task. And though we say this every year, this year, we truly were spoiled for choice when it came to nerdy offerings that graced our screens. From fantastical realms to multiverse shenanigans to spectacular season twos, spinoffs, and original stories, we received a veritable buffet of characters to love (or to love hating) in 2023. And so, despite the difficulty, the Nerdist team has set out to narrow down the greatest of them all. Here are Nerdist‘s picks for the best characters of 2023.

Monkey D. Luffy From Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece

Selected by Rotem Rusak

I went into the live-action One Piece series as cold as possible for a franchise that’s been around for so long. And though I had no prior love or loyalty to the series, Iñaki Godoy’s Luffy immediately had me signing on to become a Straw Hat Pirate. How could anyone resist when Luffy just wants you to treasure your dreams and be the best you that you can be?

Having now watched some of the anime, I can confidently assess that Iñaki Godoy’s rendition captures all the hallmarks of the original Luffy: his unbounded joy, his intent enthusiasm, his determined love of his crew, and his sometimes overly excited tendencies. But above and beyond that, Godoy injects Luffy with a tremendous heart and warmth that is all his own, which deepens, rounds out, and evolves the character, taking him to new heights and pulling us all along for the ride. 

With Iñaki Godoy’s Luffy as captain, it makes total sense that everyone he meets falls in love with him and decides to follow him to the ends of the earth, fans included. And that makes live-action One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy one of our best characters of 2023. 

Egwene al’Vere From The Wheel of Time

Selected by Amy Ratcliffe

We had to wait a couple of years, but The Wheel of Time season two finally happened. The adaptation of Robert Jordan’s books of the same name leveled up in a number of ways from season one, including character development. Egwene al’Vere was one of the MVPs, standing out as one of the best characters not just in The Wheel of Time, but in all the television I watched this year. Performed by Madeleine Madden, Egwene found herself pulled out of the White Tower in the worst way possible: betrayed by a member of the Black Ajah and given to the Seanchan to take as damane. Collared and enslaved by the Seanchan, Egwene faced horrors unknown to most Aes Sedai. The Seanchan controlled Egwene’s ability to use the One Power and used her as a weapon. They broke her.

But Egwene, powerful in every way that matters, fought back. She made a difficult choice, one that will impact her for years to come. But she made it. No one decided her fate for her. In season two, Egwene rose above pain. She showed her mettle and protected her friends. It was a moving, terrible, important step on her journey.

M3GAN From M3GAN

Selected by Eric Diaz

True horror icons come two, maybe three for decade. In 2023, it came in the form of a killer robot doll with a judgmental glare—and who has no time for your crap—going by the name of M3GAN. From the moment we saw M3GAN’s pre-murderbot rampage dance in the trailer for her big-screen debut, she was poised for star status. When Gerard Johnstone’s film was finally released in January of 2023, she earned that status. Screenwriter Akela Cooper created a true icon in M3GAN, and not one of us will ever hear the song “Titanium” the same way again. M3GAN is definitely one of 2023’s best characters.

Marie Moreau From Gen V

Selected by Tai Gooden

A world full of superheroes seeped in debauchery, lies, and murder leads to a lot of blood. For Gen V’s Marie Moreau (played by the brilliant Jaz Sinclair), the constant spilling of this bodily fluid works to the advantage of her ever-expanding hemokinetic powers. Marie’s enthralling and tumultuous journey throughout season one spans from an orphan grieving her parents’ accidental demise to a self-assured young woman who confronts internal and external shaming and bravely redefines what it means to be a hero.

As she further steps into her personal power, her abilities expand and allow her to rewrite her destiny. Marie Moreau has heart, but she won’t completely sacrifice herself for the sake of others. She’s broken and resilient, passionate and terrified, and socially awkward yet keenly aware of her place and space within society on multiple levels as a Black woman. Watching her conjure blood from the soaked grassy quad and shoot it like daggers was perhaps the most empowering moment in this universe so far. She’s a true gem in a mine of new TV characters.

Roderick Usher From The Fall of the House of Usher

Selected by Mikey Walsh

The full depth of Bruce Greenwood’s incredible performance on The Fall of the House of Usher couldn’t be totally appreciated until it was over. Long before his final moments, we knew the pharmaceutical CEO was responsible for a massacre of untold millions. Roderick Usher’s body count had few equals in history. Worse, he amassed his empire by sacrificing his kids’ future to a supernatural entity. And yet, even knowing all of that, Greenwood made Roderick compelling by making it hard to fully hate him. Hadn’t Roderick started out with good intentions? Didn’t he want to end suffering rather than inflict more? And wasn’t his punishment more than anyone deserved? Didn’t his mistakes and remorse make his story a tragedy because he was a flawed person rather than a real monster?

No. His final confession wasn’t about the murders he’d committed or the deal he’d accepted. It was about the greatest lie he’d told. He’d always known exactly what Ligodone was and what it would do to the world. It was only then we knew the truth—he really was the Devil, and he had tricked us into thinking he’s not. That’s why Roderick Usher is among 2023’s best new characters.

Caine From John Wick: Chapter 4

Selected by Kyle Anderson

The John Wick series has always offered action movie fans a cadre of wild underworld characters and hardened assassins to go up against our favorite gun-fu fighter. John Wick: Chapter 4 is easily the best of the bunch in this field, and while offering a number of cool new characters, none were as great as Caine, played by Donnie Yen. The sightless assassin with a sword in his walking stick and a pocket full of sound grenades gives John his toughest battle yet, and the fact that Caine is a reluctant combatant, an anti-villain trapped in a tough spot, endears us to him all the more. And yes, he kicks the most amount of butt; it’s Donnie Yen! Why wouldn’t he?!

O.B. From Loki Season 2

Selected by Mikey Walsh

This year proved it doesn’t matter which multiverse you find yourself watching, Ke Huy Quan is an absolute joy in all of them. The recent Everything Everywhere All at Once Oscar-winner joined Loki in season two and promptly stole all of his scenes. (No small feat considering his costars.) His brilliant, way-too-literal, wonderfully straightforward O.B. was a constant source of both humor and information. What really made Ouroboros one of 2023’s best new characters, though, was the way Quan was able to also convey the inherent sadness of the O.B.’s life, even if the engineer himself wasn’t fully aware of his plight. That gave the TVA employee a depth that easily could have been lost with a lesser performance. We wanted to hang out and listen to Ouroboros while also giving him a big hug. Just like we’d love to do with Ke Huy Quan himself in every universe everywhere.

The post Nerdist’s Best Characters of 2023 appeared first on Nerdist.

2023 was a big year for One Piece. Not only did the series finally get a live-action adaptation courtesy of Netflix, it got a good live-action adaptation and even a season two renewal. If that wasn’t enough, One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy transformed into a giant straw hat-wearing balloon for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. It doesn’t get any bigger than that, literally. (Even if he did deflate a little.) And, of course, 2023 marks the conclusion of One Piece‘s long-running anime arc, Wano Country. But there’s no rest of the future King of the Pirates. In a flashy new trailer, Toei Animation revealed our first good glimpse of the One Piece anime’s upcoming Egghead Arc and also shared its official release date. Take a look below.

One Piece‘s Wano Country arc took the series into its thousandth episode and lasted for over four years. But now, change is in the air as our favorite pirates head into a more sci-fi adventure. If the trailer for One Piece‘s upcoming Egghead arc is anything to judge by, we’ll be seeing a more futuristic side of One Piece emerge, complete with wild architecture, giant robots, punk records, and some truly magical anime science. Dr. Vegapunk, who the Straw Hats meet when they land on Egghead island, has us intrigued already. Of course, one of the best parts of any new anime arc is new costumes. We love seeing Luffy and co. in their best cyberpunk looks. (And someone needs to get us a pair of those space boots, stat.)

But One Piece‘s Egghead arc island arc is important beyond just the new adventure it brings. It’s actually the first part of One Piece‘s final act. Yes, after over 25 years , this piratey story is beginning its wind down. But, given that a One Piece arc can go on for many episodes, not to mention, many years, we won’t feel too sad yet. And in the meanwhile, we have all the goodness of an arc titled “Egghead” to look forward to.

When Will One Piece‘s Egghead Island Arc Release?

One Piece‘s Egghead arc will release on January 7, 2024, according to its new trailer. So, if you’re behind, or if you haven’t started yet, there’s still some time to catch up—just snag our guide to watching One Piece efficiently and dive right in.

This new chapter of the One Piece anime will begin with episode 1086.

The post ONE PIECE Egghead Anime Arc Shares Trailer and Release Date appeared first on Nerdist.

October is always full of excitement. This week, Netflix released The Fall of the House of Usher and gifted us with some truly gory deaths, McDonald’s revealed its latest Boo Buckets to the world, and A24’s The Iron Claw shared its trailer to the world. But that’s not all that took place. Plenty of other exciting happenings revealed themselves, and we wouldn’t want them to get lost in the shuffle.

Here are some of our favorite pop-culture news odds & ends that you don’t want to miss reading about.

This Week’s Odds & Ends in News

Jump to:

• New Digimon Adventure 02 Movie Heads to Theaters
• One Piece‘s Showrunner Reveals He’s Writing Doctor Kureha for Jamie Lee Curtis and Other Season Two Teases
• Ian McKellen Told Patrick Stewart NOT to Do Star Trek
• Ghostface Is Here to Cause Halloween Mayhem in Youtooz Line
• Netflix Has Renewed Castlevania: Nocturne for Season Two (But Canceled Vikings: Valhalla)
• Girl Scouts Have Discontinued Popular 2022 Flavor, Raspberry Rally
• Go Camping with Pokémon in Adorable New Live-Action Hybrid Series
• D&D Beyond Wants to Make Gameplay Easier with Maps Tool
• Mickey and Friends Celebrate Avengers and X-Men‘s 60th Anniversary with Disney What If? Variant Covers
• Gaming Highlights: Slimmer PS5 Coming for the Holidays, Logitech Shares Cool Star Wars Gear

New Digimon Adventure 02 Movie Heads to Theaters

Feeling nostalgic for Saturday morning cartoons of yore? Us too. That’s why we were excited to hear about a new Digimon Adventure 02 movie coming soon to theaters. A release shares more about Digimon Adventure 02 The Beginning:

This November the DigiDestined are back in theaters with a brand new movie.  Toei Animation and Fathom Events revealed today details for the U.S. theatrical release of “Digimon Adventure 02 The Beginning” as a two-day event on November 8 & 9. It is present day and the chosen children from “Digimon Adventure 02” have returned with all new adventures — but now they’re 20 year old young adults! 

If Kari, T.K., and Ken are among some of your favorite Digimon characters ever, like they are mine, then you’re in luck. You can snag tickets from Fathom Events. The film will screen in both the English dub (November 8) and in Japanese with English subtitles (November 9). Additionally, “the first 50 guests to arrive at each night’s screening will receive a complimentary Digimon Card Game Tamer Party Pack -THE BEGINNING- ver. 2.0, which includes 3 out of 14 possible cards from the new Digimon Card Game deck commemorating the film (first come, first served). Lucky recipients will be among the first fans in the U.S. to own these new “Digimon Adventure 02 The Beginning” themed cards before they are released to the general public in December.”

Sounds like some throwback fun to us. A synopsis for the new Digimon movie further shares:

It’s 2012, and ten years have passed since the adventure in the Digital World. Daisuke Motomiya is now twenty, and he and the rest of the DigiDestined seem to be changing bit by bit in terms of appearance and lifestyle. Then one day, a giant Digitama suddenly appears in the sky over Tokyo Tower. Daisuke and the others encounter a mysterious young man named Lui Ohwada, who informs them that he’s the first ever DigiDestined in the world…

For even more nostalgia, check out our Power Rangers throwback, here:

One Piece‘s Showrunner Reveals He’s Writing Doctor Kureha for Jamie Lee Curtis and Other Season Two Teases

Netflix’s One Piece defied the anime adaptation curse to become a much-beloved piece of the long-running franchise. Happily, Netflix green-lit season two of the show, and with the conclusion of the WGA strike, we can now hear more about it. Speaking to Deadline, One Piece co-showrunner Matt Owens discussed one of the most eagerly anticipated season two castings. For a while now, buzz has been circulating about Jamie Lee Curtis joining the live-action One Piece adaptation as Doctor Kureha. And it turns out, it’s more than just buzz.

Owens notes, “Doctor Kureha, very luckily, is a character who is coming up in our story, and is someone who is perfect for Jamie Lee Curtis.” And further adds, “After she won her Oscar, the writers’ room sent her a figure of Doctor Kureha with a nice note that said, ‘Congratulations on your statue, here’s another one to put next to it. Hope to speak to you soon.’ When she reposted that, it got a lot of fan interest, and I commented on it. We’re trying to manifest it.” Of course, with the current SAG-AFTRA strike still in play, no official casting can be confirmed. However, Owens shares of the writers’ room, “We’re writing for her — we really, really want her to come and play with us in Season 2.” Fingers crossed!

In a Reddit AMA, Owens further noted that he’d love to see live-action spinoffs, especially on starring a Young Mihawk, that One Piece’s Lougetown arc remains upcoming in the live-action, and that he can’t wait to adapt Law and Carrot.

Learn how to watch One Piece without filler episodes, here:

Ian McKellen Told Patrick Stewart NOT to Do Star Trek

In a different timeline on the multiverse, beloved actor Sir Ian McKellen almost destroyed the universe. Well, not exactly, but he may have convinced Sir Patrick Stewart not to go forward with Star Trek, thus denying us Stewart’s rendition of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Patrick Stewart’s memoir, Making It So, has given us many fun and fascinating tidbits about the actor’s journey. But recently, via Insider, we learned Ian McKellen urged Patrick Stewart not to sign on to Star Trek. Stewart reveals in his book, “When I told him I was going to sign the contract, he almost bodily prevented me from doing so… ‘No!’ he said. ‘No, you must not do that. You must not. You have too much important theater work to do. You can’t throw that away to do TV. You can’t. No!'”

It was an impassioned plea, but Stewart followed his gut. He writes, “There are few people, particularly with regard to acting, whose counsel I trust more than Ian’s… But this time, I had to tell him that I felt theater would return to my life whenever I was ready for it, whereas an offer of the lead role in an American TV series might never come again.”

Happily, Stewart says, “Ian has acknowledged that he was wrong and I was right… More than once, in fact – primarily because I like making him say those words.” What a delightful friendship and conclusion to this tale.

Check out more stories from Patrick Stewart’s memoir, here:

Ghostface Is Here to Cause Halloween Mayhem in Youtooz Line

You scream, I scream, we all scream for Ghostface. Who doesn’t love the ever-changing masked menace? As we wait for Scream 7, and whatever new kills and frights it will bring, you can take Ghostface home for yourself. On Friday the 13th, Youtooz will release three, dare we say, adorable Ghostfaces that we can add to our collections. They are classic Ghostface, Aged Ghostface, an Entertainment Earth Exclusive, and Glow in the Dark Ghostface, also an Entertainment Earth Exclusive.

You can check out the full Ghostface collection on Youtooz’s website.

Enjoy other Youtooz shenanigans, here:

Netflix Has Renewed Castlevania: Nocturne for Season Two (But Canceled Vikings: Valhalla)

Fans of Netflix’s gorgeous Castlevania series and its spinoffs can rejoice. Netflix has renewed Castlevania: Nocturne for another season. The Castlevania series follows Richter Belmont, weaving “a never before seen origin story” for the Belmont descendent and tells the tale of vampires in the French Revolution.

Its beautiful first season is now available to stream on Netflix. And we can’t wait to see what exquisitely intense tales Castlevania: Nocturne season two will reveal.

Sadly, it’s not all good news for spinoffs. Netflix has canceled Vikings: Valhalla after three seasons. Vikings: Valhalla existed as a sequel series to History’s much-watched drama Vikings, and fans will be sad to see it go. The third and now final season of Vikings: Valhalla, however, has not yet aired. The Vikings spinoff will arrive on Netflix in 2024. Hopefully, the season will bring the show to a fulfilling close.

Catch up with season one of Castlevania: Nocturne, here:

Jump to:

• One Piece‘s Showrunner Reveals He’s Writing Doctor Kureha for Jamie Lee Curtis and Other Season Two Teases
• Ian McKellen Told Patrick Stewart NOT to Do Star Trek
• Ghostface Is Here to Cause Halloween Mayhem in Youtooz Line
• Netflix Has Renewed Castlevania: Nocturne for Season Two (But Canceled Vikings: Valhalla)
• Girl Scouts Have Discontinued Popular 2022 Flavor, Raspberry Rally
• Go Camping with Pokémon in Adorable New Live-Action Hybrid Series
• D&D Beyond Wants to Make Gameplay Easier with Maps Tool
• Mickey and Friends Celebrate Avengers and X-Men‘s 60th Anniversary with Disney What If? Variant Covers
• New Digimon Adventure 02 Movie Heads to Theaters
• Gaming Highlights: Slimmer PS5 Coming for the Holidays, Logitech Shares Cool Star Wars Gear

Girl Scouts Have Discontinued Popular 2022 Flavor, Raspberry Rally

Cancellations are really everywhere. As if it weren’t enough that TV shows get canceled, now the Girl Scouts are canceling cookie flavors. We learned via Food & Wine that the Girl Scouts of the USA announced that they have discontinued 2022’s hit flavor Rasberry Rally. Rasberry Rally, a chocolate-coated Raspberry cookie, became an instant hit. The cookies sold out almost everywhere. I personally never got to try one. And now it seems they will not return. A Girl Scout representative offered the following statement, “Last year, Raspberry Rally cookies were introduced as part of a pilot online-only sales strategy… While Raspberry Rally was extremely popular last year, we are taking a pause this season to prioritize supplying our classic varieties.”

We guess Thin Mints couldn’t take the competition. But happily, many Girl Scouts cookies will return to us shortly. The next season of cookie-selling begins in January.

Learn how else you can enjoy Girl Scout Cookies, here:

Go Camping with Pokémon in Adorable New Live-Action Hybrid Series

Need something soothing for your soul? How about a live-action/CGI hybrid web series starring Pokémon nomming on delicious-looking desserts as they prepare to go camping? In all honesty, we have no notes. We could watch this Pokémon series all day. Camping with Pokémon will run for three episodes, but that doesn’t feel like nearly enough.

Next, we hope to see Pokémon telling scary stories around their Charmeleon campfire; maybe they can be joined by some ghost Pokémon for the occasion. And we also hope one day we can go camping with Pokémon ourselves.

We also want to give an honorable mention to Pokémon‘s Dream Plush collection. Could anything be cuter than soft, napping Pokémon plushes?

Indulge in more adorable Pokémon fun, here:

D&D Beyond Wants to Make Gameplay Easier with Maps Tool

Playing Dungeons and Dragons can feel intimidating. After all, there’s a lot to plot and execute in order to create an amazing campaign. But D&D Beyond has introduced a new tool that aims to help simplify gameplay prep and get players going.

D&D Beyond shares:

Prep less, play more. That’s our guiding star for Maps, the latest tool for D&D Beyond. Whether you play online or in person, we want Maps to offer a quick and easy way for DMs to connect with players and launch their adventures on D&D Beyond. 

With Maps, you can pull official maps and monster tokens from your D&D Beyond digital library to play with. You can also upload your own maps, drop in player tokens, and apply a fog of war. When you’re ready to play, you can invite players who have a free or upgraded D&D Beyond account into the shared play space. The Game Log will help you keep track of dice rolls on the fly. 

The Maps tool is still on the first step of its journey. So stay tuned for more updates.

You can now introduce Baldur’s Gate 3 characters into your D&D campaign. Check out our article about it, here:

Mickey and Friends Celebrate Avengers and X-Men‘s 60th Anniversary with Disney What If? Variant Covers

We love a good crossover, especially one that involves our favorite franchises. In celebration of the 60^th anniversary of two all-star Marvel teams, the Avengers and the X-Men, Marvel Comics will release 12 Disney100 Variant Covers that bring Disney and Marvel even closer together. These fun Disney What If? covers will see “Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and more take over milestone moments in both Avengers and X-Men history.” That’s what we call iconic. This “monthly variant cover program [adorn] select issues of Amazing Spider-Man.” The covers will also be available in black and white.

Click To View Gallery

A release further shares, “The first trio of covers kicks things off in the Silver Age with a spin on the Avengers and X-Men’s very first appearances in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s original Avengers #1 and X-Men #1 from 1963. Both homages also feature Peg Leg Pete as the group’s respective archenemies–Loki and Magneto! Then, Mickey and friends assemble for a turning point for the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Avengers #16, which saw Captain America lead a brand-new Avengers roster that included new recruits like Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver!” That Peg Leg Pete is always causing trouble.

To get your hands on these Disney What If? variant covers, check in with your local comic shop or keep an eye on Marvel’s website. The first three covers will go on sale on January 3, February 14, and March 6, 2023.

Learn more about the Avengers and X-Men’s Marvel Comics anniversary, here:

Gaming Highlights: Slimmer PS5 Coming for the Holidays, Logitech Shares Cool Star Wars Gear

The PS5 is getting a whole new look for the holidays, kind of. It doesn’t look that much different to me, but it is slimmer. According to PlayStation’s official blog, the PS5 has “been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models.” That does feel significant, even if it doesn’t necessarily look it. This new PS5 model also comes with “an attachable Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive and a 1TB SSD for more internal storage.” Nice. The updated PS5 will completely replace older models over time. Its rollout begins in November. In the US, a PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive is projected to cost $499.99, while a PS5 Digital Edition will cost 449.99 USD.

Meanwhile, Logitech G wants you to game in style with a new gaming mouse and mouse pads that celebrate Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. We especially love the mouse, which, among other excellent utilities, offers “custom Millennium Falcon-inspired thruster animations and graphics with 8-LED full-spectrum RGB lighting.” Plus, it just looks really cool. And it really ought to because it will cost you $159.99. Steep, but fabulous.

The Battle of Endor and Darth Vader editions of the Logitech G840 XL Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad will only set you back $49.99 each.

Game in style, we must!

Check out more on PlayStation’s latest updates, here:

The post ONE PIECE Eyes Jamie Lee Curtis, Girl Scouts Discontinue Cookie Flavor, and More News Odds & Ends appeared first on Nerdist.

There’s a lot happening in the entertainment world. The first season of Ahsoka came to a close, the second season of Loki is just beginning, and all kinds of cool creations have made their way into the world. But amidst all of that, there are some other fun (and some not-so-fun) things you should probably know about.

Here are some of our favorite pop-culture news odds & ends from this week.

This Week’s Odds & Ends in News:

• Animal Crossing and LEGO Announce Collaboration
• James Gunn Confirms Peacemaker Season Two Is in His DCU, Currently Writing Season
• Hayao Miyazaki Is Already Working on his Next “Final Movie”
• The Barbie Movie Releases on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on October 17
• Discovery+ Announces First Price Hike, Raises Cost of Ad-Free Tier
• $400 Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic Collection Comes with Foil Original Starters
• The Boys‘ Spinoff Gen V Creates Its Own In-World Social Network, “V”
• One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy Will Become a Float in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Dunkin’ Donuts Releases Inflatable Spider Donut Decoration

Animal Crossing and LEGO Announce Collaboration

Get ready to tend to your LEGO garden! Nintendo has officially teased a collaboration between Animal Crossing and LEGO. Both playing Animal Crossing and building LEGO masterpieces are two extremely calming activities, so we can only imagine how much fun they’ll be when they combine. Rumors of a collaboration have been floating for some time, and we can’t wait to see which official sets we’ll receive.

For more soothing LEGO builds, check out the latest LEGO Ideas set.

James Gunn Confirms Peacemaker Season Two Is in His DCU, Currently Writing Season

Rejoice, Peacemaker fans, Peacemaker season two is not only in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, but it is actively being written. A little while ago, Gunn noted Peacemaker season two would be his next project after Superman: Legacy. This news, of course, heavily implied that Peacemaker season two would be in the new DC Universe, but it’s always nice to hear some confirmation. In response to a fan question on Threads that read, “Will season 2 of Peacemaker take place in the new DCU/ new continuity?” Gunn replied, “Yes and Yes.” We saw this news via IGN.

Additionally, James Gunn revealed he is currently writing season two of Peacemaker and he’s “having so much fun.” We can’t wait to hear more about the future of the series.

To see what else is in store for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, check out our article, here:

Hayao Miyazaki Is Already Working on his Next Movie Despite “Final Movie” Buzz

Soon, Hayao Miyazaki’s latest “final movie,” The Boy and the Heron, will release in the United States. This movie was greatly touted as the last work by the animation genius. However, Hayao Miyazaki has announced many “final movies” before. So we were not very surprised to read that The Boy and the Heron would most likely not hold the title of the last Miyazaki movie.

French publication Libération recently spoke to Studio Ghibli President Toshio Suzuki. And Suzuki said, “He’s constantly thinking about his next project. I can’t stop him, in fact, I’ve given up. Suzuki adds, “He started talking about a new project, so I’m not stopping him. As long as he’s working, I won’t be able to retire.”

This fits in with news that came from the Toronto International Film Festival. Studio Ghibli executive Junichi Nishioka noted to the CBC, “Other people say that this might be his last film, but he doesn’t feel that way at all… He is currently working on ideas for a new film. He comes into his office every day and does that. This time, he’s not going to announce his retirement at all. He’s continuing working just as he has always done.”

To this, we say, bring on the next Miyazaki movie.

You can watch the trailer for Studio Ghibli’s latest movie, The Boy and the Heron, here:

The Barbie Movie Releases on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on October 17

It is time to say “Hi, Barbie!” once again. After an incredible theatrical run this summer, Barbie headed over to streaming to continue her reign of excellence. But now, she’s driving on back to the physical world. Life in plastic is fantastic! And also life in Blue-ray and DVD. The Barbie movie will release for purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 17. Alongside the movie, purchases of Barbie on physical media will see some special features, six featurettes to be exact. Plus, the 4K UHD, Blu-ray case is so pink and sparkly; how could anyone resist?

To learn more about we thought of the Barbie movie, check out our review, here:

Discovery+ Announces First Price Hike and Raises Cost of Ad-Free Tier, Netflix Rumored to Also See Price Increase

No streaming service is safe right now. From price hikes to ad-tiers to password-sharing crackdowns, streaming is becoming more costly and less welcoming than it used to be. The latest to throw their hat into the fray is Discovery+. Discovery+ recently announced its first price increase ever, focusing on its ad-free tier. In a change that became immediately effective, Discovery+ announced that in the United States, “the price of a new Discovery+ ad-free monthly subscription in the U.S. will increase from $6.99 to $8.99 plus applicable taxes. The ad-lite subscription will not change and remains $4.99/month.” Meanwhile, “Existing subscribers will see their monthly rate increase on their next billing cycle on or after November 2.” As always, the streamer frames the price increase as necessary for continued quality programming.

Elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal reports Netflix is also considering a price hike for its ad-free tier. Seems like basically every streamer wants to push subscribers to ads… Or have them pay the price. Good luck to all subscribers out there.

For more on the latest streamer shenanigans, check out what Disney+ is doing.

$400 Pokemon Trading Card Game Classic Collection Comes with Foil Original Starters

Pokémon Trainers of a certain age will soon be able to get a second chance at owning certain cards they coveted as a child. A brand new Pokémon set titled the Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic collection is on sale, and for $400, it will bring all your Pokémon dreams to life. This collector’s item, which we first saw on GameSpot, includes three 60-card Pokémon decks, comes in snazzy packaging, and promises the three original Pokémon starter cards in foil form. You may not get all the hours you spent hunting for a shiny Charizard back, but you will get the satisfaction of finally having the creature in hand. The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic collection also features a two-player game board, toolbox case with randomizer, and more.

For even more Pokémon adventures, learn more about the upcoming Pokémon live-action series:

The Boys‘ Spinoff Gen V Creates Its Own In-World Social Network, “V”

Can’t get enough of The Boys‘ spinoff, Gen V? Well, you’re in luck because Gen V and Prime Video have teamed up with gaming browser Opera GX to create a Gen V in-universe social network called V. Obviously, this is a bit of a play on Twitter’s new name—and that’s The Boys‘ universe for you.

A release shares:

Super-powered by Opera GX, V is the new social media arm of the fictional Vought International. V allows users to get to know the supes featured in Gen V, and interact with in-world profiles of their favorite members of The Seven, including characters from The Boys such as Homelander, A-Train, and dozens of other official characters from Gen V and The Boys.

V users can also explore the official in-world  Godolkin University, and catch up with some of its most popular students. Users will be able to keep up with Godolkin University’s latest student rankings as students battle for the top position and the opportunity to join The Seven, as well as access an array of exclusive Gen V content.

V will be continuously updated with new content throughout the season, echoing the hum of a real-world social network.

Sounds like a super fun way to get the most of your Gen V viewing experience. You can learn how to log-on to V, here.

Gen V is now available to watch. Check out our guide to all the new Supes and their powers, here:

One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy Will Become a Float in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

You know him, you love him, and now you’ll see him float in a parade. One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy is the latest nerdy character to become a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. On November 23, Luffy will set sail on his latest, biggest adventure yet, down the streets of New York City. The One Piece Monkey D. Luffy balloon will be 43-feet long, 39-feet wide and 50-feet tall. We bet this balloon Luffy eats A LOT. And while he won’t have his typical crew with him, we’re told “he will be led the entire way by his own pirate crew of skilled marchers—all honorary Straw Hats for the day.” We bet they’ll wear straw hats, too, and that’s honestly delightful. It’s truly what Luffy deserves.

It’s been a big year for One Piece as the series made the leap into live-action. Check out why we thought the series was truly successful.

Dunkin’ Donuts Releases Inflatable Spider Donut Decoration

 It’s October, the best month. There are many ways to decorate for the season, but Dunkin’ Donuts wants you to consider a new unique piece of Halloween fun. The coffee chain recently released an inflatable version of their iconic spider donut. No, you can’t eat it, but if this is your favorite Halloween treat, why not take it home?

As the description for the Dunkin’ inflatable spider donut aptly shares, “For everyone that’s ever said “Man, my yard could really use a 6-foot-tall, lit up Inflatable Spider Donut to turn my Halloween decor game up a notch,” this is for you*. 

*It’s also for everyone that’s never said that, too.”

Cheers to that! This fun inflatable is available at the Dunkin’ Shop for $99. Happy pumpkin spice season!

Dunkin’ recently released a line of hard iced coffees and teas. Check out what we know about Dunkin’ Spiked, here.

The post ANIMAL CROSSING Comes to LEGO, Streaming Price Hikes, and More News Odds & Ends appeared first on Nerdist.

Live-action adaptations of anime and manga don’t always go over well. There are many reasons why that could be, but the fact is, the format of most anime series and the expectations for live-action shows are just vastly different. But every so often, a show cracks the code. Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation appears to have made a smooth jump from its original forms to live-action. The show is full of endearing heart, over-the-top yet not ridiculous antics, and an appealing found family narrative at the core. New and long-standing fans have embraced the One Piece adaptation but found eight episodes to simply not be enough. But will there be a season two of the Netflix One Piece live-action series? Well, Netflix just gave One Piece an official season two renewal, aligning with producers who previously said a second season is ready to happen.

The renewal message came in the most adorable fashion on Netflix’s official Twitter (some call it X) page.

Speaking to Variety, Marty Adelstein, the CEO of Tomorrow Studios, which produces Netflix’s live-action One Piece, notes, “We’ve got scripts ready.” Meanwhile, Tomorrow Studios president Becky Clements offered insight into a timeline for One Piece season two’s release. She said another One Piece season is “realistically, hopefully, a year away, if we move very quickly, and that is a possibility… Somewhere between a year and 18 months, we could be ready for air.” Of course, the timing of One Piece season two will depend on the studios agreeing to compensate and support their actors and writers fairly, bringing an end to the current strikes.

Adelstein further added about One Piece season two, “I think [Netflix is] looking at various situations about how many episodes they do, do they break them up?… There seems to be a big impetus to keep this going and to come up with a long-term strategy. So we’re just waiting for that.”

That is all good news for One Piece fans. And we know it is happening because Netflix has officially confirmed a season two. It was our dream and there’s nothing more important than making sure our dreams come true. We’ll cheer on our favorite crew whenever they sail back onto our screens.

Originally published on September 8, 2023.

The post ONE PIECE Season 2 Scores Renewal and Sets Sail with Scripts in Place appeared first on Nerdist.

In Netflix’s live-action One Piece, no one dreams like Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy holds the pursuit of his own dream as his driving force. And in his cheerfully relentless path to achieving his dream, he gently pushes everyone around him to discover their dreams, and thus to evolve. Not a single character on One Piece is remotely close to achieving their chosen dream by the first season’s end. But every one of them has grown vastly, guided by first realizing and then stepping toward their dreams.

Following a dream is a common thread across fiction. Heroes often have dreams of achieving great victory, of finding a purpose, or of learning their place in the world. Sometimes, villains have dreams, too. Those tend to go less well. But in Netflix’s live-action One Piece, the concept of dreams is the central throughline of the story. Dreams are revered as tangible, powerful things. And although without one, a character is lost, a dream is not necessarily a guarantee of triumph. Instead, One Piece’s rendering of dreams focuses less on their completion and more on the idea that without a drive, existence becomes pointless and growth ceases. It is this spotlight on the messy journey of dreaming, and not on the destination or simple existence of dreams, that makes the series’ portrayal of them so salient. 

Whether One Piece can claim the title of a successful adaptation is a question we can debate forever. But the greatest strength of fiction lies in its ability to impact the world external to its own. In our reality, dreaming can be difficult. More than ever, a constant bevy of obstacles can make it feel pointless to dream. But One Piece’s true power is in its readiness to assure us that regardless of outcome, having a dream and following it is enough to have an impact, on ourselves and on the world. 

In the early episodes of the show, Koby, a character who had been trapped by circumstance, laments his newfound freedom. He notes, “Maybe I made a mistake, I never should have left Alvida.” In response, Luffy asks Koby to tell him about his dream and sets him on the course toward it. On Alvida’s ship, Koby was wasting away, frozen in an unhappy limbo, forced into being someone he wasn’t. Dreaming, figuratively, and Luffy, an agent of dreaming, literally, sets him free. 

Of course, the audience and Luffy know that Koby’s dream of becoming a Marine isn’t necessarily one that will resolve in the way Koby thinks it will. But regardless of the outcomes and the reality of the dream, the presence and pursuit of it is enough to move Koby into becoming the person he was meant to be. However imperfect the growth of dreaming is, it renders Koby alive, where before he was only existing. Staying stagnant without a dream may have been easier. But actively pushing toward one allows Koby to blossom as a fully realized person.

Similarly, One Piece’s chef Sanji held his dream of finding the All Blue, a mysterious One Piece location, close to his chest for a long time. But instead of pursuing it, he’d stubbornly stayed in one place. Having a dream, One Piece implies, is not in and of itself enough. Dreaming is an active sport. Although Sanji’s situation is better than Koby’s, it isn’t until Sanji has actively moved to pursue his dream that we see him evolve.

One Piece gives the impression that Sanji and his mentor Zeff have danced the same dance and had the same arguments over and over and over again for a long time. But when Sanji finally lets his dream drive him, he can also finally find the words to tell the one-time pirate what he means to him. While this has nothing to do with the goal of his dream, in acknowledging it, he transforms into the next version of himself. Following a dream is not about a literal destination, One Piece reminds us. Instead, pursuing a dream is the mechanism through which all growth is achieved. 

One Piece also understands very acutely, and very realistically, that dreaming can be dangerous—that following a dream can cause a person to make unfathomable decisions and can even leave them in a precarious situation, struggling to survive. The action of dreaming does not mean there are only purely good outcomes. Dreaming does not become enmeshed in a starry-eyed wonder more commonly seen in fiction. No, dreaming is a real and scary endeavor. But despite this, to simply stay dreamless, or worse, to take a step in defiance of a dream, is a far worse fate. 

After intent swordsman Zoro somewhat foolishly challenges Dracule Mihawk, a far better fighter than him, to a duel in pursuit of his dream, to become the greatest swordsman in the world, he ends up badly injured. Despite this, Luffy remains firm in his decision not to have intervened in the battle. He tells his disapproving crewmate, Nami, “I’d do anything to save him, anything. Except stand in the way of his dream.”

On the face of it, maybe Nami has a point. But more figuratively, Luffy and One Piece know that Zoro would never have survived losing the ability to follow his dream. If having and following a dream is the key to evolution, then defying it is akin to death. It’s that motion toward a dream, however chaotic, scary, and occasionally disheartening, that moves the characters forward. Zoro’s brush with his dream may have left him scarred, but it culminated in his assured pronouncement of his place in the world—as first mate to Luffy’s captain. And that certainly would not have occurred had Zoro been stopped in the pursuit of his ultimate goal. 

When they first meet on One Piece, Zoro tells Luffy he’s a Pirate Hunter. And Luffy responds asking, “Is that all you are? Is that all you want?” Who among us hasn’t asked ourselves those very questions? Of course, in our realities, dreaming is not as straightforward as it is on One Piece. And we don’t all have secret powers from a Devil Fruit to rely on in the pursuit of our aspirations. Luckily, One Piece has a pretty easy answer for us, one that works even in the real world. We become ourselves in the pursuit of our dreams, whatever they may be. And regardless of whether we do or can achieve them entirely or not, in taking whatever steps we can toward them, we flourish. 

The post ONE PIECE’s Portrayal of the Imperfect Journey of Dreaming Brings Resonance to a Common Theme appeared first on Nerdist.

Ahoy, matey! It is time to join the crew of the Going Merry and set sail for Netflix’s live-action One Piece series. The beloved manga will float onto our screens on August 31, which means it’s time for one final trailer for live-acton One Piece. Let’s take a look at what’s in store.

Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece Trailers

If One Piece‘s trailers are anything to go by, the live-action One Piece adaptation looks excellent and very faithful to its source material. We’re feeling the heart and cheer of One Piece coming through in the Netflix version. Iñaki Godoy’s acting is already infectiously charming. He seems like he’ll be an absolute delight as Monkey D. Luffy, even just from these sneak peeks.

The One Piece trailer asks, “Why would anyone want to be a pirate?” Well, because it’s the very best thing there is. But there’s nothing more important than a loyal crew by your side. And luckily for Monkey D. Luffy, he’s about to get one. The Straw Hat crew has arrived in Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation, flag and all. Although, of course, it’s not always smooth sailing when one is out looking for treasure. Still, Monkey D. Luffy has his heart set on being King of the Pirates, and no villainous rogues will stop his quest.

Monsters, sword fights, the high seas, and friendship, what more could we ask for? The One Piece series will even faithfully bring to life transponder snails also known as Den Den Mushi. That’s a true (and horrifying) commitment. It’s one thing to see these communicative creatures in animated form, and quite another to see them so realistic. But it gives us a taste of the humor Netflix’s live-action One Piece series is bringing to the table.

One Piece‘s Synopsis and More

A synopsis for Netflix’s One Piece revealed with the trailer shares:

Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, ONE PIECE is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.

We’re sensing a found family is right around the corner. And there’s nothing we love more than that. As mentioned, Netflix’s One Piece live-action series will release on August 31.

Originally published on June 20, 2023.

The post Final Trailer for Live-Action ONE PIECE Teases an Epic High Seas Treasure Hunt appeared first on Nerdist.

One Piece is a beloved manga that has entertained fans for decades. The manga was created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997 and follows a group of pirates called the Straw Hats, as they search for the famed treasure—the “One Piece”—left behind by the notorious King of the Pirates Gol D. Roger. They are led by their ultra positive and incredibly powerful leader Luffy. 

The manga has been incredibly successful, as Oda continues to develop new volumes. In 1999, the manga received the anime treatment, with over a thousand episodes out and counting. Due to its longstanding presence in anime, One Piece has tons of characters, but not all of them made the cut for the live-action adaptation that’s around the corner. So, here’s a guide to the main characters to watch out for Netflix’s upcoming live-action series. 

Jump to: The Straw Hat Pirates // The Marines // The Villains // Other Supporting Characters

The Straw Hats Character Crew in the One Piece Live-Action Series

Monkey D. Luffy

The central protagonist of this anime, Luffy is without a doubt the spirit of One Piece. He dons a straw hat, of which his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, get their name. Luffy has a huge appetite that matches the size of his heart. The captain of the Straw Hat Pirates also packs a punch thanks to eating the Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, essentially turning his body into rubber. While Luffy is incredibly light-hearted, don’t mess with his friends, or stand in the way of his dream of becoming King of the Pirates. Trust us, you’ll regret it.  

Played by: Iñaki Godoy

Nami

The skilled navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates, Nami is as charming as she is shrewd. While her navigation abilities drive her interest in drawing a map of the world, Nami has plenty of tricks up her sleeve, including being a talented thief who’s proficient in fighting with a staff. Money is on her mind and so is luxury, but she will protect her crew, no matter the cost. But then again, not everything about Nami meets the eye.  

Played by: Emily Rudd

Roronoa Zoro 

The first mate of the Straw Hat Pirates, Zoro is a man of few words and many swords. Well, this bounty hunter knows his way around a blade and carries three of them. Gruff, headstrong, and sporting a horrible sense of direction, Zoro plans to become a master swordsman, if he doesn’t get lost at sea first. This green-haired fighter is known to throw back a few (or several drinks) and loves a good brawl. His loyalty to his crew, especially to Luffy, is unmatched, as is his sword prowess. 

Played by: Mackenyu Arata

Usopp

Usopp is the Straw Hat Pirates’ sniper of the crew, but if he tells you his role, he’ll say it’s Captain. Known for his vivid storytelling and tall-tales, he can be just as lively as Luffy, but his courage is far from his captain’s. Usopp is known to run away in the middle of battle, but if you let him recount the events that transpired, he’ll claim he saved the entire crew. Still, Usopp dreams of becoming a brave warrior of the seas. 

Played by: Jacob Romero 

Sanji

The Straw Hat Pirates’ resident chef, Sanji trained under the master chef and former pirate Zeff aboard the Baratie, a floating restaurant. His dishes are as delicious as his kicks are deadly. His goal is to find the All Blue, a part where the East, West, North, and South Blues meet and is filled rich with wildlife perfect for his cuisine. But his infatuation with women, specifically Nami, might take reaching that goal a little longer. 

Played by: Taz Skylar

The Marines Characters in the One Piece Live-Action Series

Koby

A member of Alvida’s pirate crew, Koby is timid, reserved, and meek. When he meets a stowaway Luffy on Alvida’s ship, the young pirate lights a fire under the bespectacled, pink-haired youth. While Luffy plans to become King of the Pirates, Koby wants to follow his dream of becoming a Marine, but it might put him in direct opposition of his newfound friend. 

Played by: Morgan Davies

Helmeppo

Spoiled, entitled, and bratty, a lot of Helmeppo’s snot-nosed attitude comes from him hiding behind the authority of his father, Captain “Axe-Hand” Morgan. Not to mention, he’s quick to exploit his father’s ranking for his own gain. While he brandishes a sword, he’d rather use his privilege to intimidate pirates, and his fellow Marines to get what he wants.  

Played by: Aidan Scott

Captain “Axe-Hand” Morgan

The first main Marine captain to appear in One Piece, Captain “Axe-Hand” Morgan is also one of the first antagonists to show up as well. As his nickname alludes, Captain Morgan is known for wielding an axe for a right arm. He also sports a jawline that could kill, literally, since it’s made of metal. The father of Marine officer Helmeppo, the two share blonde hair and a penchant for abusing their positions of power.  

Played by: Langley Kirkwood

Vice-Admiral Garp

The character known as Vice-Admiral Garp is the quintessential Marine in One Piece. He’s known across the seas for his fighting ability and has famously placed many pirates behind bars. Garp plans to bring order to the chaotic seas that pirates explore. 

Played by: Vincent Regan

The Villains of One Piece

Buggy

What do you get when you mix a murderous pirate with the personality of a narcissistic show clown? Buggy. This nefarious pirate loves to be center stage and as the captain of his band of circus performer pirates, he places himself front and center. But he has plenty of power to keep him there as he is the wielder of the Chop-Chop Devil Fruit, which allows him to split his body apart and telekinetically control each piece. 

Played by: Jeff Ward

Arlong

In One Piece, you’ll notice that the fantastical is possible and so is the existence of fish-men like Arlong. Arlong is as ruthless as he is powerful.The sawshark fish-man is the leader of the Arlong Pirates who are known to pillage and plunder the seas. Friend nor foe will ever want to get on his bad side. 

Played by: McKinley Belcher III

Alvida

Alvida is a no-nonsense pirate captain who’s used to getting her way by force. Koby can attest. She terrorizes her crew as much as she terrorizes the seas. 

Played by: Ilia Isorelys Paulino 

Other Supporting Characters in the One Piece Universe 

Shanks

Shanks is a carefree pirate who Luffy looks up to immensely. As a child, Luffy would follow Shanks and his crew around while they were stationed in his village. Luffy tagging along never bothered the red-headed pirate, as he’s also quite fond of Luffy. 

Played by: Peter Gaidot

Dracule Mihawk

The mysterious, hawk-eyed Mihawk is revered as a warlord of the seas. He’s an expert sword fighter who’s respected by pirates and Marines alike. 

Played by: Steven Ward

Kaya

Kaya is a rich heiress who is also Usopp’s friend. Unfortunately, she was stricken with a mysterious illness that keeps her home bound. While Klahadore keeps her alive with a special tea, Usopp’s stories give her hope and joy.

Played by: Celeste Loots

Klahadore

Meticulous, poised, and pompous, Klahadore is Kaya’s loyal servant. He’s always by her side, whether to administer her medicine, run her affairs, or dismiss people he perceives as problems, like Usopp. Still, something doesn’t sit right with this steely right-hand man. 

Played by: Alexander Maniatas

Zeff

A former pirate-turned-chef, Zeff is the owner of the floating restaurant Baratie. He expects nothing, but the best from his team of chefs, including Sanji. He’s a little rough around the edges, but his dishes are completely polished.

Played by: Craig Fairbrass

Originally published on August 22, 2023.

The post All the ONE PIECE Characters You Need to Know for Netflix’s Live-Action Series appeared first on Nerdist.

One Piece is one of the longest running anime in the game. Created first as a manga by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, the beloved series received an accompanying anime in 1999 by Toei Animation. The show follows a crew of pirates called the Straw Hats who are in search of the famed treasure—the “One Piece”—left behind by the notorious King of the Pirates Gol D. Roger. The crew of the Straw Hats is forever expanding, with the initial team consisting of the captain, Luffy, the navigator, Nami, the sniper, Usopp, the chef, Sanji, and the swordsman, Zoro.

One Piece may be long with 1000 episodes and counting, but getting into this series isn’t as daunting as it seems. If you’re looking for an anime that can be finished in a day, well, this is not the one for you. However, if you’re looking to catch up to One Piece fans who’ve watched this show for years, there are definitely ways to do so. 

If you’re one to not sleep, eat, or leave your house for several days, then you could watch 1000 One Piece episodes without a problem. But chances are, you’re a human being with a variety of commitments who will need breaks (and food) in between. With the anime streaming service Crunchyroll being the best place to watch One Piece, here are some ways to watch the series without making it seem like such a haul. 

You Can Skip the One Piece Movies

To many newcomers, this might sound counterintuitive, especially when you consider that some of these films are truncated retellings of certain arcs. But other movies are simply side stories that expand the Straw Hats’ story in fun, but in non-canonical ways. So, in a time-crunch, feel free to bypass these films:

• One Piece
• Clockwork Island Adventure
• Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals
• The Cursed Holy Sword
• The Giant Mechanical Soldier of Karakuri Castle
• The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta
• Episode of Chopper Plus: Bloom in Winter, Miracle Sakura
• One Piece 3D: Straw Hat Chase

You can return to them at your leisure. You have plenty of work ahead of you already.

Leave These One Piece Filler Episodes Behind

To date, there are 32 arcs within One Piece and Crunchyroll has segmented them into 13 seasons online. Not all of the episodes are canon (9% of it to be exact). And any anime fan knows that it’s ok to skip certain episodes (or arcs) that aren’t crucial to the overall story. This isn’t going to be full of filler episodes like other anime (sorry Boruto). However, there are still chunks that can go to the wayside on your pirate adventure. Thanks to some guidance from Anime Filler List, you can skip the below episodes:

54-60, 98-99, 102, 131-143, 196-206, 220-226, 279-283, 291-292, 303, 317-319, 326-336, 382-384, 406-407, 426-429, 457-458, 492, 542, 575-578, 590, 626-627, 747-750, 780-782, 895-896, 907, 1029-1030

Sure you’ll miss Zoro getting lost on side quests and some eccentric side villains as anime appetizers, but you’ll get to the meat of One Piece. 

The One Piece Intros and Outros Are Fun, But They Add Up

Real ones know that anime intros (and outros, for that matter) are top tier in the world of animation. Theme songs are as fire as the animation sequences and they change up every few episodes. So, who wouldn’t want to watch these 2-3 min intros and outros? A person who needs to get through tons of One Piece episodes in a short amount of time, that’s who. Those minutes can add up if you’re short on time.

You can check out all of the intros and outros that are out so far on YouTube after watching the main content. But you should watch absolutely watch the original intro below.

The One Piece Arcs You Should Watch for the Live-Action Show

If you really want to narrow it down, you can watch what’s covered in the upcoming live-action Netflix adaptation. Again, One Piece has several arcs to cover, but the live-action series’ first season will only cover the following arcs: Romance Dawn Arc (episodes 1-4), Orange Town Arc (episodes 4-8), Syrup Village Arc (episodes 9-18), Baratie Arc (episodes 19-30), Arlong Park Arc (31-44). Why, you ask? Well, that’s because these arcs properly introduce each of the first five Straw Hats. 

With 44 episodes clocking in at 20 minutes each, you have 880 minutes, or 14.6 hours of One Piece to watch. That’s almost an hour of One Piece a day over 14 days. That seems pretty doable, right?

For the brave soul that seeks more adventure and time on their laptop, you can watch One Piece as is. The anime is thrilling, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and, most of all, incredibly entertaining. There’s a reason why this battle shōnen anime has lived on for decades. But if you need to get through this journey a little quicker, hopefully the tips above with help you get into the Straw Hats’ adventures.

The post How to Watch ONE PIECE Faster Without Filler Episodes appeared first on Nerdist.

Rejoice, fellow Straw Hats, Netflix’s One Piece live-action adaptation has found its core cast. Previously, Netflix shared that it was partnering with Tomorrow Studios and Shueisha to bring to life one of the best-selling manga ever. And now, this pirate adventure has found its core live-action cast in Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero Gibson, and Taz Skylar. Netflix has also announced the casting of other One Piece friends and foes. Additionally, the platform has confirmed that One Piece will arrive on Netflix in 2023 and revealed a first-look character teaser.

Jump to: First-Look and Release Date // Straw Hats Casting // Other Casting // More About One Piece

One Piece First-Look Teaser, Status, and Netflix Release Date

Netflix recently teased its One Piece story with a first-look image of live-action Monkey D. Luffy. Of course, this look is more of a teaser because we only get to see this iconic character from behind in the artwork. But there’s no mistaking that straw hat. We’ll take what we can get.

Additionally, Netflix commented on the release date window for One Piece in a release. Although it didn’t give much specific information yet, the streamer has confirmed that live-action One Piece will be arriving to stream in 2023. At least it’s something to look forward to!

Recently, One Piece‘s creator, Eiichiro Oda shared an update with fans about there series, confirming they were in the final process of finishing the show’s eight episodes.

Hopefully, all of this means a trailer soon.

One Piece‘s Straw Hat Pirates Casting

Here’s how the One Piece live-action casting breaks down. Firstly, Iñaki Godoy (he/him) will play Monkey D. Luffy.

Next, Mackenyu (he/him) will play Roronoa Zoro.

Mackenyu is Zoro pic.twitter.com/g3BGmjNvz8

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 9, 2021

Additionally, Emily Rudd (she/her) will play Nami.

Emily Rudd is Nami pic.twitter.com/Jz33qbhemU

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 9, 2021

Jacob Romero Gibson (he/him) will play Usopp.

Jacob Romero Gibson is Usopp pic.twitter.com/my1WozJK5B

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 9, 2021

And Taz Skylar (he/him) will play Sanji.

Taz Skylar is Sanji pic.twitter.com/u5HlUDAnNP

— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) November 9, 2021

Other Members of One Piece‘s Live-Action Cast

Recently, Peter Gadiot joined the One Piece live-action cast as Shanks. Shanks is a “legendary and powerful pirate in the Grand Line” and Monkey D. Luffy’s childhood idol. So we feel there are great things in store for Gadiot. Here’s what he had to say about the show.

Additionally, six more actors will round out the One Piece cast.

In a release, Netflix shared the following information:

Morgan Davies (they/them) will play Koby.

Ilia Isorelýs Paulino (she/her) will play Alvida.

Aidan Scott (he/him) will play Helmeppo.

Jeff Ward (he/him) will play Buggy.

McKinley Belcher III (he/him) will play Arlong.

Vincent Regan (he/him) will play Garp.

From the sound of things, some of these new characters will cause trouble for our favorite Straw Hat pirates. Additionally, this casting seem to reveal Netflix is setting sail towards One Piece‘s Romance Dawn arc.

More about Netflix’s One Piece

In a release, Eiichiro Oda, the author of the manga series and executive producer of the show excitably shared more about the show. He wrote:

We’ve been working with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios on the massive project that is the Hollywood live action series adaptation of ONE PIECE! How many years has it been since it was announced, right? I know, I know! But rest assured we’ve been making steady progress all along! It’s not easy when you’re working with people from different cultures! But it’s precisely that process that can yield something special! For now, we’re able to announce the main cast! Rather, we need to hurry and announce it or else it’ll be leaked, apparently! Hilarious, lol.

Their face, the size of their mouths and hands, their aura, the way they carry themselves, their voice, their acting skills, their height, the balance amongst the Straw Hat Crew, etc…! We decided on this cast after numerous discussions involving people around the world! These are the people who will be our Straw Hat Pirates! It’ll take a bit more time to get this show done, but we’ll continue to do our best to deliver a show that we’re confident will be enjoyed by everyone around the world! Look forward to more updates in the future!

Oda even created special shirts for the equally excited, newly minted-cast. And with all this excitement, we can’t help but be excited ourselves.

Showrunner, writer, and executive producer Steven Maeda and writer and executive Producer Matt Owen added:

Finding the right people to pull off the looks, emotions, and actions of the iconic Straw Hats was a long and challenging (and fun!) process. Much like the search for the One Piece itself. But we have finally found the perfect fits! They have already begun working very hard to bring these characters to life. You will come to know and love them just as much as their manga counterparts. All of us can’t wait to show you what we’ve come up with! Onward to adventure!

We can’t wait to join the Straw Hats and see how this tale of the high seas unfolds. Ahoy, live-action One Piece.

Originally published on November 9, 2021.

The post Netflix’s Live-Action ONE PIECE Finds Its Cast, Shares Plot and Production Updates appeared first on Nerdist.

Some jobs are truly the stuff of dreams, like selling ice cream in the Caribbean. But this job truly is the cream of the crop. Stylist Alexander-Julian Gibbson, an anime fan, had the pleasure of styling Jonathan Majors for his recent Ebony Magazine cover shoot. That alone is enough to make anyone deeply envious. However, Gibbson took it to another level by combining their styling genius with nerdiness and creating an anime-inspired look for Jonathan Majors, who rocks a pink coat that makes him look like One Piece’s Donquixote Doflamingo.

This is pure perfection and quite clever. Jonathan Majors is absolutely crushing the One Piece looks. How can we get him involved with the live-action anime coming to Netflix soon? Also, those boots are truly iconic. In addition to the pink coat, Gibbson drew anime inspiration for some of his other looks as well.

Also, no one can stop staring at Jonathan Majors in general. Just look at him.

For more on the shoot, you can take a look at Ebony Magazine‘s behind-the-scenes video of the day.

Anyway, it is always fun to see nerdy things and fashion cross paths. Now, how can I get Jonathan Majors to cross my path? (I’m joking… sort of.)

The post Stylist Reveals ONE PIECE Inspiration for Jonathan Majors Photoshoot appeared first on Nerdist.

Honestly, it’s a good time to be a One Piece fan. For one thing, a brand new adaptation of the material will sail in very soon. Netflix is working on a live-action One Piece adaptation, and filming is now in progress. We also have met a good deal of our live-action One Piece cast. Unsurprisingly, all the actors look amazing. But if that doesn’t seem like enough, fans can soon experience the franchise in a whole new way, as an RPG game. Bandai Namco Entertainment recently announced the new video game, One Piece Odyssey. 

The official website for the One Piece game shares that fans have long awaited this RPG project:

One Piece Odyssey is an RPG project filled with the unique elements of adventure from One Piece that has been highly desired by fans. This project has been in the works for many years so that fans can truly touch the world of One Piece and now is ready to be unveiled!

But what will this One Piece game be about? Well poetically, the One Piece RPG describes itself as follows, “A broken Thousand Sunny… Scattered crew members… Luffy’s missing straw hat…” Very mysterious. And it does leave us at the edge of our seats. Luffy missing his hat? We can’t have that. Someone better rescue that hat, stat.

But more concretely, we learn the following about the One Piece video game. The official website shares:

During their voyage, the Straw Hats, led by Monkey D. Luffy are swallowed by a huge storm at sea. They end up on a mysterious island full of nature amidst the storm and become separated from each other. The crew sets out on a new adventurous journey filled with wonders of a raging nature, powerful enemies, and strange encounters with island locals. Work together with Luffy and his crew to set sail once again!

It does sound like an exciting adventure. And a great way for fans to really immerse themselves in the world of One Piece. Additionally, Eiichiro Oda, the author of One Piece, will produce the new character and monster designs for the game. So we know the game will feel authentic. Finally, “the game is also complemented by the beautiful music of Motoi Sakuraba, a composer well known for his various contributions to video games such as the Dark Souls and Tales of series.” So it will sound amazing as well. We call that a big win.

In this RPG, “you can play as Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Frankie, and Brook.” And, of course, you can take the role of Monkey D. Luffy if it calls to you. Basically, all your favorite characters can star in this One Piece game.

One Piece Odyssey will release for PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox series X|S. We don’t yet know a release date except that the game will “release soon.” In the meanwhile, hold onto your hats, everyone, and get ready for this next journey. We have a feeling if you love the manga, anime, or anything in between, you’ll love One Piece Odyssey.

The post ONE PIECE ODYSSEY RPG Coming Soon Across Gaming Consoles appeared first on Nerdist.

With so much anime out there, it can be hard to keep track. But if you want to stay in the know with the people around you, CenturyLink has put together an interesting resource: a chart of each state’s most searched anime. The thought is, the more a state searches for an anime, the more people in it are likely watching it. Makes sense to us. So which states are watching which anime? And which anime is the most-watched of all? Let’s take a look.

Well. The votes are in. That data reveals that the most-watched (a.k.a. searched) anime out of the 100 most popular anime around is… One Piece. And overwhelmingly so. Twenty-five states saw One Piece topping their search charts. That doesn’t surprise us at all. Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have quite the following. Who doesn’t love pirates, after all? And it can’t hurt that Netflix has a live-action One Piece adaptation in the works right now. Not to mention, this anime has been sailing since 1991 and it’s still going. Other shows out there feel very, very jealous.

Other shows clocking in at the top? Pokémon, Naruto, and My Hero Academia. Pokémon, of course, has captured the heart of generations. It inspires new artwork, games, and more continuously. Naruto, meanwhile, is a classic in its own right. And My Hero Academia‘s anime take on superheroes definitely locks it in as a crowd-pleaser.

Meanwhile, other anime fared less well. Sailor Moon and Attack on Titan only snagged one state each. Obviously, both are wildly popular anime. But we guess they just don’t find themselves at the very top. I’m sure if we dug deeper into the data, we’d find them ranking plenty high in many states. In the name of the moon, I command you to give Sailor Moon her due.

We also don’t see some of our personal favorites, like Yu-Gi-Oh!, on this list. And all we have to say is. People don’t know what they’re missing. In the meanwhile, our straw hats are off to you One Piece. Congratulations on taking the crown.

The post Which Anime Is Most-Watched In Your State? appeared first on Nerdist.

If you’re a manga fan, then you’re very familiar with One Piece. The Japanese series, written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, has been around since 1997. It began as a serialized story in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine and is compiled in 95 different volumes. The story is so popular, it jump-started an entire media franchise. To date, it is best-selling manga series of all time.

That makes it perfect fodder for adaptation, which is exactly what’s about to happen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a live-action television series based on One Piece is coming to Netflix. The streaming service is teaming with Tomorrow Studios—a partnership between producer Marty Adelstein and ITV Studios, which is also producing the Cowboy Bebop adaptation—for the 10-episode series. Steven Maeda, who previously worked on shows like Lost and The X-Files, and Luke Cage‘s Matt Owens will adapt the manga, with Adelstein and Tomorrow Studios’ Becky Clements executive producing. Creator Eiichiro Oda will also executive produce.

The story of One Piece follows a character named Monkey D. Luffy, a boy who gained the properties of rubber after eating a mysterious thing known as a Devil Fruit. Inspired by the travails of Red Haired Shanks, a pirate he idolized as a child, Monkey D. Luffy embarks on a quest to find a fabled treasure known as “One Piece” and to become king of the pirates. Along with his pirate crew, he travels to magical, fantastical locations, populated by humans and fish people and dwarves and giants.

One Piece has already spawned a number of animated feature films, television specials, and an anime series which began airing in 1999 and was produced by Toei Animation, the same company behind series like Sailor Moon, Digimon, and Dragon Ball. That series aired on the Cartoon Network in the United States. It’s also been the subject of trading card games, video games, novels, guidebooks, and more. One Piece even has its own indoor theme park in Japan, called the Tokyo One Piece Tower.

In 1997, the series made history when it won the Guinness World Record title for having the most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author. Eiichiro Oda’s manga has, to date, published over 460 million copies worldwide.

The live-action series already has its own Twitter account, and has posted announcements in various languages—including in One Piece‘s native Japanese.

尾田先生監修のもと、スティーヴン・マエダ氏とマット・オーウェンズ氏 がタッグを組む実写版 #OnePiece @NetflixJP @Eiichiro_Staff pic.twitter.com/46efZM46zu

— onepiecenetflix (@onepiecenetflix) January 29, 2020

We’re so excited to see Netflix venturing into the world of manga, and for breathing live-action life into beloved and long-running series like Cowboy Bebop and now One Piece. It’ll bring these wonderful international stories to new audiences, and give them the big-budget treatment they deserve. We can’t wait to see the magical, aquatic worlds of One Piece brought to life this way.

No word yet on a potential release date for the One Piece series. We also don’t have any casting or director information at this time. We’ll have our eyes peeled as more information for this exciting project is made available.

Featured Image: Toei Animation

The post Live-Action Adaption Of The Manga ONE PIECE Is Coming To Netflix appeared first on Nerdist.

With over 800 episodes and counting, One Piece is one of the longest-running anime series in Japan and one of the most popular to boot. Since its debut, One Piece has become a worldwide phenomenon, with broadcasts in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. While sometimes it may be hard to envision the extent of an IP’s popularity, a recent impromptu fan engagement between soccer fans in Russia not only showcases One Piece‘s global popularity, but also illustrates the instant bond individuals foster due to a shared fandom.

Meilleure moment de la journée : chanter la musique de One Piece avec les Japonais après le match 🇸🇳🇷🇺🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/IbQIqOJoVN

— Sulo (@JohnSulo) June 24, 2018

After Senegal and Japan faced off in a fierce tit-for-tat match during the World Cup on Sunday, a few fans from each team gathered to rejoice in the strong efforts of both… and to sing the One Piece theme song together. Captured by comedian John Sulo, who himself led the lively outburst of song, the video is a heartwarming display of the unifying power anime can bring about between sports rivals. They may root for different teams, but at the end of the day, these folks share the same love for soccer. And, apparently, One Piece. Although the match ended in a 2-2 draw, supporters of both teams were all smiles and high spirits after what was a well-fought match between two seemingly undercard teams. Also, if this interaction between One Piece fans wasn’t wholesome enough, fans from both Senegal and Japan have also been seen staying behind after games to help clean up their mess. There is still good in this world.

This is my favourite moment of the World Cup so far; Japan fans picking up litter after their victory vs Columbia. The lessons in life we can take from the game. Why I support 🇯🇵 #class✅#respect✅#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FyYLhAGDbi

— Christopher McKaig (@Coachmckaig) June 19, 2018

Image: Viz Media

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The post Opposing Soccer Fans Come Together to Sing the ONE PIECE Theme Song appeared first on Nerdist.

Crossovers and cinematic universes are all the rage in Hollywood, but what if the assembled heroes and villains were never meant to encounter each other? At Microsoft’s E3 2018 press conference, Bandai Namco offered the first teaser for Jump Force, a new fighting game that will incorporate characters from the wildly popular manga series Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece. In the clip below, Dragon Ball villain Frieza unleashes senseless carnage on a city as a rematch with Goku begins to take shape. But this time, Goku has new allies: Monkey D. Luffy and Naruto!

The beginning of the teaser also offers a glimpse of Thousand Sunny from One Piece and nearly destroyed Hokage statues from Naruto. The city itself doesn’t seem to be from any particular series, but it does offer an interesting opportunity to see the heroes in a different context. Watching Naruto, Monkey, and Goku team up also makes the game feel like the manga/anime Avengers.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the teaser came in the closing seconds, as Death Note‘s Light and Ryuk watched over the city before jumping into the battle.

The common factor between these manga series is that they were all published in Shonen Jump. Hence the name, Jump Force. Many additional characters from other Shonen Jump manga series will likely be added to Jump Force before it will be officially released in 2019.

Are you excited to see some of the fan favorite heroes team up and fight in Jump Force? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Bandai Namco

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The post E3 JUMP FORCE Trailer Unites ONE PIECE, DRAGON BALL, and NARUTO appeared first on Nerdist.

Ever since we realized that Michael B. Jordan is a low-key otaku, we have been suspiciously eyeing every celebrity we see, wondering if they stay up late at night bingewatching Dragon Ball Super or reading One Piece scanslations. As it turns out, the celebrity anime superfan is much more common than we realized: Kim Kardashian West is a Darling in the Frankxx fan; Serena Williams has burning questions about Avatar: The Last Airbender (which qualifies as an honorary anime–fight me on it); and John Boyega is such a big Naruto fan that he wants to become the “Hokage of the entertainment world.” We’ve known that the Star Wars and Pacific Rim Uprising star was an anime fan for a while now, but now we know just how deep his otakudom extends. You might have guessed it from his recent reddit AMA, but Boyega nerded out hardcore about anime with us when our ace reporter Erika Ishii sat down with him to talk about his new film, Pacific Rim Uprising.

[brightcove video_id=”5751644555001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=“rJs2ZD8x”]We’ve already covered why Pacific Rim Uprising looks and feels like a live action anime, but Boyega’s passion for Japanese anime runs so deep that we had to give it its own video. During our interview, Boyega revealed who he would want to play in the American live-action adaptation of Attack on Titan and auditions for it on the spot, considers which of his favorite anime series are ready to make the leap to live action, and which anime character he most identifies with most.

via Giphy

Considering that Boyega’s star is on a meteoric rise in Hollywood right now, hopefully he can help make his top picks for live-action anime a reality unlike so many projects that wilted and died in development hell. If nothing else, we’ll be able to see Boyega living his live-action anime dreams while piloting a giant Jaeger mech in Pacific Rim Uprising when it hits theaters on March 23.

Editor’s note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Entertainment

Want more anime goodness?

• Why Speed Racer deserves to be remembered
• 8 anime guaranteed to make you cry like a sad, little baby
• Here’s the real reason Hayao Miyazaki came out of retirement

Why do Jaegers require two brains?

[brightcove video_id=”5751678949001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=“rJs2ZD8x”]

Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter (@DanCasey).

The post John Boyega is Just as Obsessed With Anime as We Are appeared first on Nerdist.

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Anime likes to exaggerate bodily functions and we’re looking at one of the signature ones, the nosebleed. But just how powerful are these bloody propulsions? Kyle has the sanguinary physics on this week’s Because Science!

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The post The Power Behind Anime Nosebleeds appeared first on Nerdist.

Or making anime intros with no budget, at least. Jintatat Rugsaraj has taken the Homemade Movies approach to various top flight shonen series and “Sweded” their OP’s in his bedroom. He might even be taking the whole ethos a step farther (or back?), because these are largely one-man productions don’t even leave his room for the most part. It’s just him, some toys, some make-up, some markers, the occasional pet tortoise, and a whole bunch of enthusiasm for anime.

A lot of the time, the resemblance of what Jinatat does on his webcam can get a fair bit interpretative, so he’s actually super-imposed the original video feed onto the bottom corner of the frame for comparison. At every moment, you’ll at least know what the young man’s going for. He may not be as loud about his love as the kid whose viral video once so infamously proved that Super Saiyans are in fact real, but he’s certainly mirthful about his mimicry. Some of these re-staged openers come complete with Jinata’s renditions of the shows’ theme songs, too.

Here, the man belts out a cover of Daisuke’s “Moshimo” while pulling off some jutsus from Naruto‘s OP12. While it’s fun to see a treadmill enable a signature anime run, the most clever flourish may be the use of flour to recreate an Earth-shaking ninja chop.

Jintatat doubles for Luffy, and Zoro, and Sanji, and every single character featured in One Piece‘s first OP. He even marks his forearm up with green and makes it wiggle like a snake to replicate the giant sea serpent slinking alongside the Strawhats while they’re at sail.

No otaku has ever gone long without donning a spiky, yellow wig to copy the look of those all-powerful Super Saiyans, but few have ever worn it with the kind of gusto Jintatat exudes when paying tribute to Dragon Ball Z‘s first opener.

Which tribute here impresses you most? Have you ever dared to Swede an anime? Share everything in the talkback!

Featured Image Credit: Jintatat Rugsaraj

The post Making Anime Intros With No Budget appeared first on Nerdist.

When it comes to pirates, many of us have preconceived notions. We expect to see rum-swilling, peg-legged, eye-patch-wearing ne’er-do-wells who are obsessed with shivering their timbers, keelhauling people, and the brackish storage unit known as Davy Jones’ Locker. But the Straw Hat Pirates of One Piece aren’t like any pirates you’ve encountered before, either in pop culture or in your history books. No, these pirates are a motley crew imbued with incredible powers which they’ll use to kick butts, take names, and get the booty. Okay, so maybe they’re not that different that the pirates you’re used to after all. But, longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike will get a chance to experience the madcap majesty of the Straw Hat Pirates in this exclusive clip from One Piece: Gold, the new feature film which Funimation is bringing to select theaters from January 10-17.

In One Piece: Gold, the Straw Hat Pirate crew makes their way to the glittering, golden city of Gran Tesoro, which looks a bit like Las Vegas, but somehow even gaudier (and that’s saying something). With the promise of beaucoup bucks awaiting them, Captain Luffy and his crew set sail for Gran Tesoro in the hopes of hitting the jackpot, only to discover something far more sinister behind the scenes. In our exclusive clip, which you can view above, you’ll get an inkling as to why it’s probably a bad idea to go up against the Straw Hat crew — especially if you come between them and their money.Will you be seeing One Piece: Gold? Read Kyle Anderson’s review, then let us know in the comments below!

[brightcove video_id=”5123781053001″ brightcove_account_id=”3653334524001″ brightcove_player_id=”2bfa565b-5412-4cfd-9211-6269880b8a5e”]

Image: Funimation 

Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter and ask him about all things anime (@Osteoferocious).

The post ONE PIECE: GOLD Clip Reveals Why You Don’t Mess With the Straw Hat Pirates appeared first on Nerdist.

I would classify myself as a fan of anime, but I would be exaggerating greatly to say that I’m a student of all that the vast Japanese art form has to offer. I’m well-versed in the films of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Mamoru Hosoda, have lots to say about Akira and Ghost in the Shell, and consider Cowboy Bebop one of the best TV shows in any medium. But I have several major blindspots. This is why, when it came time to review One Piece Film: Gold, having never seen a second of the 770 episodes of One Piece nor any of the previous 12 feature films, I was a bit apprehensive. Would I understand even one second of what was happening? Turned out… not really. But then again, it didn’t really matter!

What you (and I) need to know is pretty much set up in the opening action scene: a crew of weird ragtag pirates, each with a different off-the-wall power or ability, sail the seas in search of treasure so that the rubber-appendaged young Captain Luffey can become the king of the pirates. They are chased by bounty hunters to a massive gold island that’s also a sailing vessel. This place is called Gran Tesoro, a huge, shimmering casino and gaming community catering only to the highest of rollers. After disrupting the show of the island’s ruler, Gild Tesoro, the Straw Hat Pirates are treated to opulence the likes of which they’ve never seen.

Unfortunately, this is all a ruse on the part of Tesoro and his gang of bosses, which include the literal embodiment of Lady Luck, who can grant and remove luckiness to suit her purpose, a weird floating nightmare who can move through any inorganic material, and a muscle-bound psycho who longs for pain to feel alive. The crew, given their unbelievable luck, get tricked into betting 10 times what they have and wind up losing it all, forcing them to join the ranks of the island’s indentured servants. How can they get out of this debt, and how can they overcome a foe who has dominion over all the gold in the world?

What makes the movie work for a complete newbie such as myself is that it reveals character through action and not through exposition, which has become the downfall of most “introductory” sci-fi/fantasy/action movies. The characters are all long established, so people who know nothing get to experience them entirely through doing what they’re good at, and their eccentric personalities speak for themselves. There’s very little needless dialogue or exposition, and instead we’re treated to a number of really impressive and frenetic action sequences, including a Mario Kart-style race, a straight-up Ocean’s Eleven heist, and a finale in which there’s lots of flying around and powers being used.

The story really resonates, especially after the year we’ve just had, in a way I wasn’t expecting. It’s all about the fight between the haves and the have-nots, the oppression of the poor by the absurdly rich, and the way we all take enjoyment in watching the suffering of others. Tesoro is a wonderfully detestable villain who can physically control and manipulate gold; if he has gotten some of his tainted AU on you, you are powerless to fight against him. He plans to hold a public execution of arguably the most badass of the Straw Hat Pirates and relishes the crew’s public defeat with the chilling line, “The moment hope turns to despair! That, ladies and gentlemen, is the greatest entertainment in the world.” As with the best pieces of art, we see our real world reflected in the likes of One Piece Film: Gold and Tesoro. If we didn’t already like the Straw Hats, we appreciate their strife even more.

There were a few things in the film that I didn’t care for; in fact, these were the sort of things I dislike about a certain variety of anime in general, and the stuff that I’m sure is part and parcel to the One Piece brand. For one, characters’ penchant to scream the name of the various special moves they’re about to enact as they power them up. Additionally, the goofy art style of the comedic characters juxtaposed against the physics-defying anatomy of the female characters. Finally, the over-the-top slapstick of several characters that really overshadows the more dramatic moments. But, in the 13th film in a long-running series, I’d hardly expect these things to be completely absent, and they didn’t detract too much.

As a total newcomer to the franchise, I was overall very captivated and charmed by One Piece Film: Gold. It had action to spare, a totally relatable good-versus-evil storyline, and a cast of lovable rogues that each get a moment or two to shine, even if you might not remember their names all the time (thankfully, the movie opens with a roll call). One Piece fans will likely already want to check out the theatrical run of the movie in select theaters from January 10-17, but anyone who likes anime will find a lot to enjoy here. I did.

4 out of 5 delightfully confused burritos

Images: Toei Animation/FUNimation

Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. He’s the writer of Studio Ghibli retrospectives Miyazaki Masterclass and Takahata Textbook. Follow him on Twitter!

The post ONE PIECE FILM: GOLD Dazzled a Franchise N00b (Review) appeared first on Nerdist.

Well, who wouldn’t want in on this fight? After polling fans, Nintendo has expanded Super Smash Bros‘ roster even wider, adding Corrin (from Fire Emblem), and bringing in guests Bayonetta and Cloud. These challengers are coming with their own stages, and a new bunch of new Mii skins will also let brawlers dress up as characters like Tails and Knuckles.

While it’s cool to see Nintendo and its rivals embrace such cooperation-through-combat, it’s hard to look at these add-ons without some disappointment. We all know popularity polls don’t work. The masses don’t always know what they really want. If only non-Nintendo could’ve picked third-party guests who were less obvious, but far more fitting?

Heihachi from Tekken

Image Credit: Sony

We need at least one more fighter whose dourness looks hysterically out-of-place beside Jigglypuff. Like, even more so than Solid Snake. This evil karate master/business tycoon already filled that roll quite sharply in Playstation All-Stars, leaning more Dick Dastardly. Maybe he can match moves with Ryu, but his willingness to strap cute characters to a rocket and fire them into orbit truly justifies his inclusion.

Vault Boy from Fallout

Image Credit: Bethseda

The same creativity that turned Mr. Game & Watch into a formidable fighter could craft a versatile threat out of the nuclear wasteland’s favorite safety mascot. Added delight could come from this innocuous-looking fella suddenly whipping out some big friggin’ guns from Fallout‘s exhaustive arsenal. Put him against Mega Man, and we already know who’s outgunned. Plus, he’s already got the perfect win pose ready.

Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece

Image Credit: FUNimation

There have been enough Pirate Warriors installments, by now. Chopper totally counts as video game character. And he hits both sides of Smash Bros‘ particular dynamic at once, too. At first, he’s such a cuddly critter, you’d think he popped right out of a PokeBall. But when he starts doping–watch out! That’s when the all-screen hulked-out rampages start, switching the match up at the drop of a red, felt top hat.

Bonk from Bonk’s Adventure

Image Credit: NEC Home Electronics

Remember Bonk? He’s the baby neanderthal with the thick skull. Bonk’s Adventure was a fav on the original Game Boy–an underrated gem from the classic era of platformers like Super Mario Bros. So, it’s about time this cantankerous caveman child got to butt heads with a certain plumber. Plus, him spearing through his opponents like so many clueless, evil dinos is just a gimme for a special move.

The Angry Birds

Image Credit: Rovio Entertainment

As in, all the Angry Birds. It’s easy to imagine a tag-team gimmick (similar to the Ice Climbers, perhaps) where Red, Bomb, and Chuck alternate attacks depending who’s needed. And the sprawling, layered platforms of most Smash Bros‘ stages work just like the levels in this app. Just picture the long-range projectile mayhem of thwacking Pit with big, old Terence from all the way across the screen?

Those are our picks for the third party fighters who’d finally make Smash Bros‘ line-up whole. But perhaps you disagree. Let us know down in the talkback–what button mashin’ brawlers would you prefer?

Featured Image Credit: Nintendo

The post 5 Non-Nintendo Fighters Who Belong in Super Smash Bros. appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s a vexing dilemma for the aspiring otaku. You’ve heard about this cool anime series. You’d like to get into it. You want to see what all the fuss is about. But… there’s a mountain of material to sift through! And good luck trying to just pick up the latest episode. Purists will demand you watch from the very beginning and “power through” years of installments before earning the right to enjoy anything current.

Obviously, there’s a gulf in anime fandom here, and it ought to be bridged. This stuff isn’t as far afield from mainstream TV as it’s made out to be. In fact, plenty of easy comparisons can be drawn to Western pop culture, and they’ll make even the most storied and esoteric anime easier to grasp for any neophyte. Nobody should need to take an entrance exam to watch a TV show. That’s no fun.

So, if you’ve always wanted to climb on board with One Piece, please enjoy these Cliff Notes…

Photo Credit: VIZ Media

One Piece is the brainchild of cartoonist Eichiro Oda, and it currently reigns as the world’s most successful anime and manga. As in it regularly sells millions of print volumes and has tallied more than 700 episodes (airing almost every week) since its debut in 1999.

The series stars Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of heroic pirates, the Straw Hats. They’re searching for the “One Piece,” a mythic treasure the King of Pirates hid somewhere just prior to his execution. Whoever finds it will take his title. Of course, like Dragon Ball, while this series is named for a prize (and is ostensibly about the heroes’ quest for it), the One Piece is really just a McGuffin.

It’s the journey, not the destination! The series is about these pirates sailing from one strange island to another: protecting innocents, beating villains, and trying to do right wherever they wander.

Photo Credit: VIZ Media

So, how is this like The Wizard of Oz…?

Well, we’re not referring to the MGM talkie so much as the markedly-more-fanciful book it’s based upon (which, for one, includes three other pint-sized species in addition to the Munchkins). Over dozens of sequels, L. Frank Baum and his successors expanded the borders of Oz to include characters like Rinkitink and the Shaggy Man who were even kookier than the Scarecrow or Tin Woodsman.

And though Oda’s art style resembles Edward Gorey’s, at times, his imagination works quite similarly to Baum’s. The pirate theme is only a starting point, really. He has created a constantly-expanding sandbox which he can keep filling with whatever flights of fancy tickle him. Skeleton musician swordsmen! Tugboat cyborgs powered by soda pop! Hulked-out reindeer doctors! (That’s only mentioning some of the oddballs on the Straw Hats’ crew, too).

Photo Credit: FUNimation

In many ways, One Piece is a successor to DBZ, but Oda puts even less limits on what’s possible in his universe. You can tell he’s making it all up as he goes along. Tracking the steps of his creative process is a big part of the fun, actually. Again, it’s the journey, not the destination. Just as there’s appeal in simply exploring the Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City alongside Dorothy, the plot at hand in One Piece is really just secondary to watching this whimsical world be built one island at a time.

Of course, you aren’t likely to ever see Dorothy pound the snot out of the Wicked Witch. This is a shonen anime, after all.

If Dragon Ball started as cheeky comedy and unexpectedly evolved into something more bellicose, One Piece has been mercurial with its tone since the beginning. Some episodes will be low-stakes fluff (Luffy has to chase down a poodle) while others will be dire tragedies (the Straw Hats must pump the stomach of a girl who’s overdosed on drug-laced candy). There’s little hesitation about which is more “appropriate.”

Photo Credit: FUNimation

If that sounds jarring, well… look at Oz again. Aren’t the flying monkeys nightmare fuel? And how many were taken aback by how “dark” the more book-faithful Return to Oz is? The most enduring all-ages franchises skirt the line between suitable for children or adults. They’re different things to different audiences at different times.

Since the Straw Hats are a ten-strong team, there’s a wide spread of personalities for viewers to identify with, but the show’s balance of tones is still best represented by Luffy himself. His stretching powers might invite comparisons to Mr. Fantastic or Plastic Man, but he’s more a combination of Peter Pan and Popeye the Sailor–recalling heroes from classic children’s lit and gag strips alike.

For the most part, Luffy is a carefree Pollyanna. A man child with no romantic interests; only a bottomless belly and an unceasing enthusiasm for adventure. However, if his friends are imperiled by a villain, you’ll see him get nasty. Real nasty. He’ll literally “shift gears” until his fists are hard enough to smash teeth.

Photo Credit: FUNimation

While his personality remains constant throughout the series, he still goes through this character cycle in almost every story arc. That’s another part of the appeal. It’s akin to how fanfic fantasies come true in Kingdom Hearts. There’s just something compelling about seeing a typically harmless Disney character like Goofy (or the Cowardly Lion, to bring this back to Oz) toughen up to take on despicable anime villains. And that happens all the time in One Piece.

So, hopefully this has given you, the curious and discriminating viewer, a better sense of why this series has captured so many imaginations. If you want to start watching, longtime fans say you should pick the “Arlong Park” arc as a primer, since that’s when most of the Straw Hats assemble. However, that’s still hundreds of episodes back so, honestly, you might as well just jump into the latest one. Your head may spin over the dense tangle of whimsy, but that’s always how things work in the wonderful world of One Piece.

Featured Image Credit: FUNimation

The post If You Like the Wizard of Oz, You’ll Love One Piece appeared first on Nerdist.

Sometimes you just need a good laugh. Anime has plenty of comedy, but it can be hard to pin down a show that suits your sense of humor when they’re produced in another culture. As I built my list of recommendations, I quickly discovered that much of the humorous anime is rooted in school life. Some quirks may be lost on people from Western culture, but don’t worry. I have several goodies that will have you grinning no matter where you’re from.

If you want to watch something popular, you may enjoy One Piece

Photo: Toei Animation

One Piece is one of the most popular anime series out there—millions of people can’t be wrong! And I assure you, if One Piece sucked, it wouldn’t be on this list. Monkey D. Luffy’s life mission is to become the king of the pirates by finding the world’s greatest treasure known as the Legendary One Piece. The show is wacky, colorful, and lighthearted—but also chock-full of action, adventure, and hilarious personalities. One Piece doesn’t take itself too seriously, but when it does, it hurts oh so good.

If you like adorable comedy, you may enjoy Azumanga Daioh

Photo: J.C. Staff

Growing up can be hard, but it can also be incredibly silly. Azumanga Daioh follows the lives of six girls and their teachers across three years of high school. Instead of having overarching plots, the stories are told as multiple five-minute shorts smushed into one episode. I can’t elaborate more on the plot because there really isn’t one, and it’s so adorable you may need a shot of insulin every few episodes. If you find that you enjoy the comedic style, you might want to try School Rumble, which is a romantic comedy with a similar feel.

If you like parodies, you may enjoy Excel Saga

Photo: J.C. Staff/Victor Entertainment

Secret organization Across plans to take over the world, mwuhahaha! But before they take over the whole world, perhaps it would be wise to start by taking over a single city—you know, test it out, fix the bugs, etc. Excel and Hyatt are two agents for Across. One is a complete idiot, and the other is a complete idiot who often falls over dead, but they’re lovable idiots nonetheless. What makes Excel Saga so hilarious is that each episode parodies a genre in the most ridiculous way possible. It’s fast-paced and utterly silly…until the last two episodes. You’ve been warned. Hail Lord Il Palazzo!

If you like fast wit, you may enjoy Cromartie High School

Photo: Production I.G

Kamiyama is a straight-laced guy who has somehow ended up in a high school for delinquent boys. On his quest to become a tough guy, he befriends a group of very strange students. But at Cromartie High, having a robot, a gorilla, and Freddie Mercury in your social circle is a perfectly normal thing. The comedy comes in short bursts that punch you in the face and move on to the next gag before you can recover. The English vocal cast does a great job of conveying the fun attitude, so yes, I do recommend the dub.

If you like action comedy, you may enjoy Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu

Photo: FUNimation

I hadn’t seen the original Full Metal Panic! when I tried Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, but for your sake, I’ll back it up a little. Teenage super spy Sousuke Sagara meets willful schoolgirl Kaname Chidori. There are giant robots. That’s all you need to know. Now take that concept and pour a few dozen cans of energy drinks down its throat. Sagara’s militant behavior is deadly serious, but these deadly serious overreactions to everyday life is what gives the show its humor. Fumoffu gladly makes fun of itself, yet stays accessible to those who are unfamiliar with the original work.

If you want a classic, you may enjoy Ranma 1/2

Photo: Viz Media

Ever hear the one about the boy who fell into a cursed pond and turns into a girl anytime he’s in cold water? This is the one. Martial artist Ranma Saotome and his father Genma—the latter of whom is cursed to turn into a giant panda—plan to wed Ranma to Akane Tendo. Akane’s father is also a martial arts master, and she’s just ask skilled in kicking butt as Ramna. Naturally, the two butt heads over pretty much everything. Ranma has to fend off Akane’s other suitors, however things get complicated whenever Ranma’s more feminine side makes an appearance.

For the more advanced anime student, you may like Is this a zombie?

Photo: Studio Deen/FUNimation

Chainsaw-wielding-magical-girl-cross-dressing-zombie-harem-anime. Yeah, that’s about the best way to describe it. Is This a Zombie? is a supernatural action series that seasoned anime fans will enjoy. Ayumu is a zombie, but not your typical foot-dragging, wanting to eat your brain zombie. He’s just a normal undead guy who can reattach his limbs after a fight. No big. He lives with a powerful necromancer, a magical girl, and a vampire ninja. Kind of like Buffy meets Puella Magi Madoka Magica meets Love Hina. It’s certainly an accessible story to newcomers, but most of the humor derives from how it mocks anime genres–mystery, horror, magical girl, and harem–by tossing them in a blender and hitting the puree button.

Feature image credit: FUNimation

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