One Piece: Stampede (2019)

Directed by: Takashi Otsuka | 101 minutes | animation, action | Original voice cast: Felecia Angelle, Major Attaway, Greg Ayres, Tia Lynn Ballard, Brian Barber, Johnny Yong Bosch, Anthony Bowling, Duncan Brannan, John Burgmeier, Charles C. Campbell

In its home country of Japan, ‘One Piece’ is a much loved franchise. This animated series is immensely popular and started as a manga series. As the popularity of these comic books increased, it was decided to continue their success by creating an animated series. These cartoons also scored well, after which a cinema film followed. After that, a heap of computer games was also kicked out of the ground. ‘One Piece’ is now ready for its fourteenth (!) cinema film. The special thing about this part is that this ‘Stampede’ also made it to Dutch cinema. Why did this thirtieth part succeed and the predecessors fail?

One Piece: Stampede revolves around the pirates of the Straw Hats. This crew participates in a competition in which a special treasure can be won. Gol D. Roger is offering this prize, but not everyone is happy with it. One of Roger’s former crew members wants to sabotage things and decides to set up deadly booby traps. How does this end?

What makes this film special is that it is a standalone film that you can also watch without much prior knowledge. Nice since this is the fourteenth edition in the series. This part features some of the most iconic characters that have ever appeared in the mangas and movies. A feast of recognition for loyal viewers and an ideal way for newcomers to become acquainted with the bizarre universe of ‘One Piece’.

A lot of energy has clearly been put into the animation. ‘Stampede’ is without a doubt the most beautifully animated anime of the franchise. Where this part also excels is in the storytelling. Director Otsuka Takashi keeps up the momentum, but keeps his busy film from getting muddled. The motives of the characters are clear and the characters are portrayed quickly and skillfully. Speaking of the characters: there are no boring Piets among them! The cast of ‘One Piece’ consists of flamboyant, extroverted and downright grotesque figures with a completely individual face.

What also makes this anime a relief is that the atmosphere is nice and light and the action is reserved with a big wink. At a time when cinema films seem to aim for a length of at least two and a half hours and in which even playfully dressed superhumans struggle with the heaviness of existence, this crazy ADHD cartoon is a relief. ‘One Piece’ wants to entertain. Mission accomplished!