Hey kids - I’m back from the Supermarket with the milk and cigarettes! You know it’s been a long time when Substack itself sends a “Hey it’s been a while” message, and then you ignore it for like 2 months.
Life has done it’s utmost to stifle my energy, snuffing out any spark that dares exist. But regardless, I’m back and I’m going to talk about whatever I want - As is my modus operandi.
So how about that One Piece Netflix show? (Spoilers Ahead, Brace for Impact)
A wonderful treat to behold, excellent cast pulling out some utterly amazing performances, great clean and creative fight scenes, really interesting use of lighting and editing and make-up.
Amazing characterful make-up which adds such an interesting grit to Oda’s designs that by itself, in my opinion, justifies it’s existence as an adaption.
But in that adaption, a change was made that I’d like to talk about.
Legacy.
The entirety of One Piece is formed from this idea of becoming the new King of the Pirates, the previous Pirate King sent out a challenge Gol D. Roger:
This is the inciting incident of the entire universe, but it wasn’t the start of it. Prior to Gol D. Roger’s execution, there was an enitre world of pirates and marines and such. History we’re not entirely privy to as we follow Luffy and the Strawhats, but history that effects and colours everything.
The enslavement and eventual emancipation of the Fish Men, the creation of the World Government, the aforementioned reign of King Roger, etc. As well as thousands of smaller scale personal stories. So why does this matter?
Because as the show posits, it’s their turn now. Every character in this season is struggling with this idea of stepping up to the plate. The older generation vs the new is the propulsive theme of this arc.
Koby has own up to his desire to become a Marine, and what it means to be a good Marine.
Zorro comes face to face with his dream of becoming the World’s Greatest Swordsman and almost dies because of it.
Usopp stares down his cowardice and tendency to lie in order to become what want he wants to be: The Genuine Article.
Sanji confronts his committment to what he’s helped build in the context of what he wants to achieve.
And for the Monkey D Family - Garp is chasing his grandson across who knows how many knots because he can’t accept yet that it’s his time to bow out. Not enitrely, but the spotlight is no longer on him and his strata, it’s moving ever onwards to Luffy. Garp’s afraid, Luffy’ll burn up under that light.
Luffy knows, he was made for it. Luffy is a beacon of positivity and support that allows the characters around him to bolster their resolve and to continue ever onwards chasing their dream.
But keen eyed folks may have noticed, I didn’t mention Nami. Nami is tidally locked to a goal, her dream for herself has been usurped and chained to one man. One Fish Man.
Arlong.
Arlong is a Fish Man Supremacist who loathes Humans for their past crimes against his people. Seeking retribution, relitigation and recompense from abusers and colonisers is good. I’m far too Irish to deny that. Justice is owed, and its debt someone must pay. But Arlong is not actually interested in breaking that cycle of hatred. He acts in a manner one might call, colonial. He enslaved and branded Nami at a young age. Usurped her dream, used it to fuel his own. Endentured Servitude is not the same as the traditional idea of slavery or serfdom, but is of the same family. And usually it the debt could be paid off…
Arlong does not let Nami go free, nor does he allow Coco Village to go free. Because well…
It’s his turn to be the victimiser, the coloniser, the slaver, the King.
Which is why… It is so satisfying to see the Strawhats kick his ass. There is a lot more I could say about One Piece in general, the manga and the anime and this show. But it’s just a very good story that captivates you.
Once you understand what it means to be a Pirate, you want to be one.
I want to be one.
I want to chase my dream and one day, attain it. And when I do… I’ll be in a position to pass the torch, and tell the upstarts after me
It’s Their Turn Now.
Show me what you got!
Anyway… it’s good to be back.
Thank You For Reading.