Toei Makes History with 1st Non-Japanese Episode Director for One Piece

The One Piece anime series makes history by appointing an American director, Henry Thurlow, to direct an episode for the first time in the series’ decades-long history. News of Thurlow’s directorial role was first reported in the July issue of Newtype magazine.

Henry Thurlow, an American animator working in Japan, revealed on Twitter on Friday that he is the episode director for Episode 1,066 of the One Piece anime. Thurlow and the Toei Animation production team believe he is the first non-Japanese episode director for One Piece or “possibly any Toei Animation television series.”

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Henry Thurlow’s directorial debut, episode 1066, is expected to premiere on June 25. Based on the series’ current adaptation pace, the episode is anticipated to focus on the conclusion of the conflict between Trafalgar Law and Eustass Kid versus Big Mom.

Thurlow has worked on notable projects, including Sweetness & Lightning, Nurse Witch Komugi R, ClassicaLoid, Naruto Shippuden, and Tokyo Ghoul. In July 2021, he began working as an animator at Toei Animation, contributing to the One Piece series and the One Piece Film Red.

This cross-cultural collaboration shows that while anime is a traditional Japanese art form, the creativity and work that go into it are becoming global. Well, that’s our take on this. Let us know your opinion in the comment section.

About One Piece

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.

The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!

Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.