What a time to be a One Piece fan! 2022 is definitely the franchise’s year, as it’s stacked up a buffet of peak entertainment for us to gorge on.
Not only are we witnessing the height of One Piece glory with the manga soaring above everyone’s expectations, but we even have a brand new feature film to look forward to – One Piece Film: Red.
We were initially given a heads-up on November 21st last year when a short teaser and visual featuring a mysterious new female lead was released in celebration of the anime’s 1000th episode.
But now that we’ve entered the year of the franchise’s 25th anniversary, we have fresh promo material to feast our eyes on.
On April 13th, One Piece dropped the film’s first trailer and a new character design on its official Twitter account. The highly anticipated flick is set to debut this year on August 6th.
1. What is One Piece Film: Red about? Trailer Breakdown.
One Piece Film: Red will focus on Uta and Shanks’ story. Its premise is centered on her performance as a famous singer on an unknown island that the Straw Hats, the Navy, and various characters of the One Piece world throng to witness her ‘world-changing’ melody.
Although the 46-second-long trailer was a fleeting moment, there’s a lot to unpack and explore.
It wastes no time in finally naming our female protagonist, Uta, and dubbing her the ‘World Greatest Diva’, right after it casually drops the nuke that she’s Shanks’ daughter.
However, the warm fuzzy feeling of a paternal relationship dies instantly as Shanks proceeds to leave her, wailing and struggling in the arms of her presumed mother, potentially amid a blazing fire.
It’s heavily speculated that the film will feature a clash of adoptive siblings, as Uta’s partially revealed past hints at the possibility of an estranged father-daughter relationship.
Based on Luffy’s statement at the end of the trailer, there’s a chance Uta’s turned villainous out of her grief of her father abandoning her and is possibly trying to get back at him, thus setting the stage for a potential conflict.
If he knows his daughter is doing this, Shanks won’t keep quiet.
But since she never expressed a glint of anger in the trailer, it’s also possible she construed her father’s parting words in a wrong way and is likely endangering herself.
Hence prompting Luffy to save her by reminding her that Shanks would disapprove of her actions. But regardless of our assumptions, Uta’s motivations will hinge on her father’s words –
There is no peace or equality in this world.
It’s also widely theorized that Uta’s a Devil Fruit user. With the significant emphasis on her ‘almighty’ voice and the prevalent presence of musical notes in the trailer and teaser, this prediction certainly seems right on the money.
Uta’s wings are another talking point, as it hints at her Skypiean roots. Curiously, it even points to the possibility of her being a hybrid or a genetically modified human since the trailer shows her wingless as a child.
There are doubts that she’s Shanks’ biological daughter, as father figures are a recurring theme in One Piece.
Speaking of our red-haired Yonko, the trailer perfectly emulates his once-in-a-blue-moon presence in the show.
But since it wouldn’t sit well with the audience if he were completely written off as a supporting character in his own movie, Shanks will likely have more involvement and depth than a deadbeat dad portrayal.
One of the striking details of the trailer is that half his face is suspiciously hidden – the scarred side until it ends with the logo being marred with an iconic mark. This hints at the probability of a confrontation with Blackbeard or a lead-up to it.
Besides our main cast and a slew of our characters – favorite and unknown, the trailer also revealed an entrancing crystal–decorated Colosseum-like platform for Uta’s performance.
With the trailer teasing a musical adventure of a lifetime, I’m pumped for another one of Oda’s masterpieces and can hardly wait for its huge debut.
2. Is One Piece Film: Red canon?
One Piece Film: Red isn’t canon as it’s confirmed to be an original film. However, it’ll likely follow the formula of previous flicks and sprinkle titbits of important lore that will impact the main story.
The canon-friendly material may vary from character introductions like Shiki the Gold Lion in One Piece: Strong World or new character designs like the Post-Timeskip marines in One Piece Film: Z.
However, we’re all hoping for a massive lore bomb similar to One Piece: Stampede’s “Laugh Tale” reveal or a juicy scene like Roger and Rayleigh’s conversation, which was later added in Chapter 968.
Fans are banking on either a setup to Blackbeard’s confrontation or a tease to Shanks’ rumored connection to the Celestial Dragons.
3. Who’s the cast of One Piece Film: Red? Characters Revealed.
One Piece Film: Red’s main cast comprises Uta, Shanks, and the Straw Hats. While the popular diva takes the stage as the central protagonist, followed suit by our favorite pirate crew, our elusive red-haired Yonko’s role is currently up in the air.
Shanks’ limited presence in the trailer hint at a supporting role, but the iconic scarring-bearing logo suggests otherwise.
It would seem absurd for him only to be restricted to cameos and flashbacks, especially with promos heavily advertising him. But until we get a solid confirmation or a full-length trailer, we’ll never know for sure.
In addition to our leading cast, here’s a list of confirmed characters that are also set to star in this musical adventure –
- Trafalgar Law
- Bepo
- Bartolomeo
- Koby
- Helmeppo
- Sakazuki/Akainu
The trailer also features a new face joining Uta as an original character. Gordon is an eerie, Frankenstein look-a-like, set to make his first debut on the big screen.
Although nothing much is known about him, save his character design that you can check out below, many fans are speculating that he’s the final villain or a perpetrator in leaking Uta’s secret to the public.
Therefore #Eiichiro Oda Newly drawn! Uta Shanks Gordon Setting picture lifted Therefore A mysterious man involved in the story Gordon’s setting picture is also lifted. How do you get involved with Luffy and others? Stay tuned for future updates! ️ #OP_FILMRED #ONE PIECE
English Translation, Twitter Translate
Oda has outdone himself with his unique pirate-themed take on the punk rock style.
One of the most eye-catching details of the cast’s outfits is the superb contrast between pink-hued accessories and jet black leather clothing. The spike embellishments and the classic Mohawk hairstyle are also neat touches to the overall look.
While the Straw Hats rock their fabulous makeovers, Uta shines with her vibrant style and techno vibe. You can check out his fantastic character designs on the movie’s official Twitter account.
4. Who’s working behind One Piece Film: Red?
Toei Animation will be taking charge of One Piece Film: Red’s production alongside executive producer Oda. While Goro Taniguchi has signed on as director, Tsutomu Kuroiwa is credited as the flick’s screenwriter.
Even though we’re relieved Oda’s included in the project, the extent of his involvement is always a hot topic – especially with the hype surrounding the 15th addition to One Piece’s movie collection.
Thankfully, Shinji Shimizu, a producer of the studio, reassures us that Oda’s thoroughly invested in the film. In fact, his participation even tops that of the previous movies!
Besides supervising its production, the mangaka’s also the flick’s character designer and script reviewer. Oda even praised the script after two years of deliberation, stating, “It’s fantastic!”.
Shimizu even affirmed the film’s nothing like we’ve ever seen before, as the animation team will be employing a harmonious blend of 2D animation and 3D CGI to amp up the overall effect.
Besides Oda, the movie’s also blessed with a renowned director, Goro Taniguchi, and an experienced lead writer, Tsutomu Kuroiwa.
Taniguchi is famously known for his stunning work on the Code Geass franchise and his recent success as the director and storyboard artist of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;Surrection.
He’s also surprisingly familiar with Oda’s wacky world, as he has previously directed the series’ first manga adapted special, ‘One Piece: Defeat The Pirate Ganzak!’.
However, the most promising aspect of Taniguchi’s involvement in the project is his sincere conviction to fashion the highly anticipated flick into a mind-blowing and memorable iteration of One Piece.
Tsutomu Kuroiwa has already built a brilliant rep and an amicable relationship with Oda, thanks to his role as the screenwriter of One Piece Film: Gold and its special, One Piece: Heart of Gold.
Moreover, he’s also assured fans that it is “a great movie that will touch many people’s hearts.”
With an ensemble of talented professionals, it’s safe to say One Piece Film: Red will be a smash hit no one can afford to miss.
5. Where will One Piece Film: Red be released?
One Piece Film: Red will premiere exclusively in Japan as a roadshow theatrical release.
However, much to the dismay of the show’s international audience, a worldwide release date hasn’t been given. But, going by the release window of One Piece: Stampede, it’ll likely be 4-8 months after the film’s domestic debut.
While it’s disheartening to imagine the never-ending wait and the spoilers it’ll bring, we’re keeping our fingers crossed and hoping that Funimation or Crunchyroll will stream the massive event on the same day.
6. 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.
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