One Piece Film: Red review: A fantastic new character changes everything

Most of the over 1,100 characters introduced in one piece Franchises fall into two groups. The World Government — the despotic and oppressive world government that rules the franchise’s setting — naturally falls most characters to one side or the other. Some people support it, like its armies and the unruly tyrannical aristocracy of the World Nobility. Others are its enemies, like the pirates who count among the protagonists of the series.It is the decisive division in action one pieceand it’s such a simple split that it doesn’t seem like enough to keep the story going for 25 years, 103 volumes of manga (and countless!), and over 1,000 anime episodes.

However, there are significant differences between these two groups.Pro-world government characters include Secret government assassinations and intelligence organizations CP9 and CP0, the sold-out pirates known as the King Shichibukai, the Navy, and more. At the other end of the spectrum are pirates of all creeds and temperaments. Some want to rule the world. Others want freedom for themselves and their families of choice.

But in the end, the world of one piece It seems to be divided into two tribes — until now. Latest in the series, feature film One Piece Film: Red, Releases in American theaters on November 4th, it introduces an equally complex third camp that opposes both world government and piracy. That faction has enough power to convince people on both sides that it is a force to be reckoned with.

But the most attractive thing about this group is that it is made up of one person.

The new song is Shanks’ daughter. one pieceThe most powerful and most famous pirates ofShe is also a lifelong friend of the series’ protagonist Luffy.. and we first learned of her existence redGiven all of that, and the fact that her name is literally the Japanese word for “song,” fans who are fed up with the juvenile trope may be forgiven for dismissing Uta from the start. Hmm.

But the character is actually unlike anything fans have seen before. OP-Verse: A person who acts and fights for ordinary non-psychics. The Revolutionary Army, founded and led by Luffy’s father, Monkey D. Dragon, may seem basically the same thing, but Opposing the world nobility that supports slavery and actively fighting for the little people are two different things.Uta’s mission is to free people from suffering. Her willingness to ensure their happiness and her minimal moral qualms about how she does it help give her her own compelling identity.

Through the song, it also reveals how dystopian the world is one piece You can only feel those who don’t have Devil Fruit superpowers, those who train Haki’s mental powers, or their own pirate crew. Civilians around the world are constantly being killed by pirates, by Marines who act horribly within the law, or by the world’s aristocrats who are legally allowed to enslave ordinary people on a whim. Uta sets out on a journey to save those people with the power of music.

Image: Toei/Crunch Roll

Musicals aren’t universally popular, especially when non-musical franchises test the musical waters. One Piece Film: Red Uta is a singer with music-based powers, so don’t feel shoehorned. OP-At the same time, it naturally weaves in a brilliant musical number that takes full advantage of the medium of animation. Whether J-POP or R&B, each song is a spectacular spectacle.

All songs are written by Ado, a 20-year-old music prodigy who debuted in 2020. Youth rebellion song “Ussewa” This loosely translates to “shud up”. The song’s release caused a bit of a pearl crunch in Japan, with parents worried about how such “provocative” lyrics would affect their children. red Given its wide range of implicit, moving, and beautifully performed musical highlights, it might just change those people’s opinions of Ado.

“Incredible” is the best way to describe Ado’s singing. It’s literally hard to believe that someone this young has such a great musical and emotional range.she can clearly convey her joy and hope Uplifting songs like “New Genesis”, or bring visceral pain and despair Melodic hard rock “Tot Musica”.

Ad’s performance is a big reason why Uta might remain the best anime ever one piece Characters from previous films. But director Goro Taniguchi and screenwriter Tsutomu Kuroiwa are equally admired for creating wonderfully complex characters. At first, Uta seems like a typical hero type who fights for what he believes is right, much like Luffy. red The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates are relegated to more than a cameo, so it’s very Uta and Luffy’s escapades.

Uta has her own ideas about how to heal the world, and relentlessly pursues it without caring about her own well-being or the consent of others. eerily reminiscent of red As if by one of Uta’s supposed enemies, as a reminder that he’s seen this kind of action before. It never does anything as terrifying as it does, but insists she’s right and others just need to go with her, and it’s not far from Lucci’s dedication to “absolute justice.”

Image: Toei/Crunch Roll

But for all those nods one pieceof past, One Piece Film: Red Newcomers are fully accessible. Even people who have never seen a single episode or read manga can enjoy it redSome of the details will jump over their heads, but the vivid storyline and engaging songs should keep them entertained (even if they can’t hear Luffy singing).

Long time one piece However, fans want something magical.The song potentially represents a major shift in the balance of power one piece. The song itself appears in chapter 1055 of the manga, although the film’s events have not been confirmed as canon for the series. teeth part of the main story.If her character and motives carry over into the story’s official continuum, it’s most exciting. one piece The story is still ahead of us.

One Piece Film: Red It debuts in US theaters on November 4th.