WhileOne Piece’s Egghead Island arc has delivered several phenomenal episodes adapting Eiichiro Oda’s manga, director Megumi Ishitama’s work on the recentFan Letterfiller episode was not only a solid stand-alone experience; it might be one of the greatest anime short films to release this year. After learning that theOne Pieceanime was entering a hiatusfrom adapting Egghead material, fans were concerned for the series, whose releases have become a weekly tradition, but theFan Letterepisode substituted those fears with unbridled glee.
One Piece Fan Letteris currently ranked at n.2 on My Anime List’s best anime of all time list.
One Piece Fan Letterfollowed episode #1122 after the news that the anime series that’s released an episode every week since 1999 would take a break from its current arc until April 2025. In its place, the series is gearing up to remaster and condense the controversial Fish-Man Island arc. This news lowered the guard of fans enjoyingOne Piece’s excellent recent episodes, making them woefully unprepared for a filler episode that brilliantly spun a self-contained taleshowing how huge, varied, and emotional the world Monkey D. Luffy inhabits can be.
Fan Letter Proves How Narratively Rich Oda’s World Can Be
One PieceIs Written and Illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, Anime Produced by Toei Animation
One Piece Fan Lettertakes the focus away from Luffy and his Straw Hat crew and instead centers around people living in the Sabaody Archipelago. This decision gives viewers a unique look at what it’s like to live in the super-powered pirate world through the eyes of the people trying to live everyday lives, making Eiichiro Oda’s fictional world feel even more alive. Even though the filler episode barely includes the Straw Hat crew, it’s a significantly emotional and moving peak into big moments in the series' history from an angle fans didn’t know they needed to see.
Much of the episode focuses on a young girl annoyed by the world’s fascination with pirates until an image of Nami’s wanted poster catches her eyes and imagination. Her wonder grows as she strives to emulate the Straw Hat, who made a name for herself with her brains instead of the brawn the young girl also lacks. When the girl discovers that there is a chance she’ll be able to meet Nami when the Straw Hats reunite, she goes on her own adventure, where audiences find out that she isn’t the only one whom Luffy and his crew have inspired.
Throughout what many may consider one of thebestOne Pieceepisodes, plotlines explore several characters fighting to better themselves, thanks to the inspiration that Luffy and his crew’s actions have caused. Jaw-dropping sequences spoil anime fans throughout the episode, especially scenes during the chaotic Marineford battles from the perspective of Marines trying to survive while monstrous fighters, including Mihawk and Crocodile, wreck havoc, uncaringly affecting those around them, which exposes a terrifying perspective the series rarely conveys. Still, the episode isn’t without the franchise’s signature balance of drama and comedy, as well as clever cameos from the Straw Hats.
The stories featured in the episode resonate deeply with the franchise’s themes of adventure and the benefits its inspiration can have on people of all shapes, sizes, and affiliations. During its short runtime,One Piece Fan Letterfeels more like an award-winning short film than an episode of a weekly anime, especially with its ability to effectively introduce several original characters that feel layered and easy to root for, and that is also in part due to director Megumi Ishitani’s talent.
Director Megumi Ishitani Once Again Spoils One Piece Fans
One Piece Fan LetterIs Adapted from a Novel calledStraw Hat Stories
One ofOne Piece’s best episodesis #1015 for its artistic rendition of Yamato’s flashback involving Ace, Gol D. Roger, and how Luffy is poised to become the next King of the Pirates. Megumi Ishitani directed the legendary and cinematic episode, which featured the talents that have propelled her to heights that have many believe she’s one of the best anime directors of the generation. Her work on theFan Letterepisode did an excellent service in establishing that claim.
Fans do not need to be caught up onOne Piece’s anime to enjoyFan Letter, but it does contain heavy spoilers for the Marineford and Return to Sabaody Arcs.
Paired with some of Toei Animation’s best animators, Ishitani’s project readapts moments from the dramatic Marineford arc and the Straw Hat’s return to Sabaody afterOne Piece’s two-year time skipfrom different perspectives.Fan Letter’s impressive storyboarding and symbolic framing, especially in the scene showing each character’s one piece of the puzzle coming together in the finale, is also in a class of its own and proves that Ishitani and everyone who worked on the episode deserve a raise and more creative freedom.
Megumi Ishitani has lent her talents to directing several notable anime episodes and openings. However, after proving her skills in crafting a moving and satisfying stand-alone story in theOne Pieceworld, asking Megumi Ishitani to adapt a manga chapter for an episode now feels like an underwhelming use of her talents. Given the opportunity, budget, and time, Ishitani and her team have proven capable of crafting emotionally poignant storytelling with skills that could produce an excellent full-length film. Still, no matter what they decide to do next, fans are excited to see more of their work.
A Brilliant Prologue To What’s To Come
Fan Letter Takes Place Right Before The Fish-Man Island Arc
Re-exploring the series' world-changing moments from the viewpoints of less-known characters makes the world feel more alive and is a remarkable example of top-tier worldbuilding. While the episode serves as an extreme example of how lushOne Piece’s world is with storytelling potential in the hands of other creatives, it also serves as a wonderful transition into the Fish-Man Island remaster theOne Pieceanime will be airing during the Egghead arc’s hiatus. Hopefully, it also opened the door to more creative freedom for director Megumi Ishitani and other talented storytellers to craft original stories inside Eiichiro Oda’s world.
One Piece
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The One Piece anime began in 1999 and follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy with rubber-like abilities, as he embarks on a journey to find the legendary treasure “One Piece.” Inspired by the pirate Shanks, Luffy aims to become the King of the Pirates, accompanied by a diverse crew.
