one piece z movie review

A Piece of Anime

Just a guy who writes about anime for fun, one piece film z review.

Warning: This review contains minor spoilers for post-timeskip One Piece and the movie should not be watched until after the Fishman Island Arc.

Most shonen spinoff movies fall into one of two categories: recaps of previous arcs or moderately entertaining side-stories that aren’t as good as the original. That doesn’t make them bad, but they rarely impress. One Piece Film Z is a rare exception to that rule.

The story of Film Z is pretty straightforward: a former Marine Admiral named Z (pronounced “Zed”) who’s gone rogue steals a weapon called the Dyna Stones from the Marines with the goal of using them to destroy the New World. His reasoning is that doing so would also destroy the One Piece, which is the primary motivation for most pirates, even if it would also kill all the civilians living in the New World. The Straw Hats get involved when they discover him floating at sea after a battle and rescue him. Z seems friendly at first, but attacks them when he discovers that they’re pirates. His crew arrives and quickly overpowers them. One member uses Devil Fruit abilities to make Nami, Chopper, Robin and Brook 12 years younger (although it has no affect on Brook) before they manage to escape. The Straw Hats then set off to find Z and restore their de-aged crewmates.

The basic concept isn’t anything too special. A villain stealing a McGuffin to try and do some villain-y thing is pretty typical for shonen movies. What makes Film Z special is how well it’s executed. It occasionally has some repetitive exposition and the story slows down a bit near the middle, but it mostly avoids getting too bogged down in details and keeps things moving. Luffy himself is also unusual. Unlike most heroes, Luffy doesn’t care about saving the world or anything like that; he just cares about getting his friends back to normal and getting back at Z for defeating him in their first fight., which keeps things more grounded and makes him more fun to watch. This extends to the other Straw Hats as well. The movie starts out with all of them at sea on the Thousand Sunny just goofing around and arguing. The way the Straw Hats bounce off each other has always been one of the best parts of One Piece. Their personalities complement each other well and the crew as a whole has a lot of chemistry that makes them entertaining to watch. The movie gets darker as it goes on, but never completely loses its humor and sense of fun. Even the climactic fights have goofy jokes like Luffy carrying a giant hunk of meat on his back as a snack and Sanji using an ability called “Sexy Fire.”

Although the Straw Hats are the main characters, the real star of the movie is Z himself. Z’s hatred of pirates isn’t motivated by some abstract idea of justice as much as by a personal grudge. Pirates took almost everything from him and his hatred of them is understandable and even somewhat justified. That doesn’t make Z’s actions right, but it makes him more sympathetic. The movie even takes the time to delve into his background and his career in the Marines, which makes him less like a throw-away villain and more like a fully fleshed out character. It also makes it easier to understand why so many Marines respected him while he was still one of them. In comparison, his subordinates Ain and Binz don’t have much personality beyond being loyal to Z and are mostly just in the movie to give Zoro and Sanji opponents.

The movie also draws some parallels between Z and Luffy. Their actions are completely different, of course, but their ways of going through life aren’t. They’re both chasing crazy dreams and aren’t afraid to crush the dreams of enemies who stand in their way. It’s implied that Z understands this on some level and also knows that he’ll eventually have to face up to the consequences of his actions. By the end of the movie, you’re almost rooting for Z.

Of course, it wouldn’t be One Piece without plenty of cool fights as well. Luffy, Zoro and Sanji are the only ones who get one on one fights, but all the Straw Hats get a chance to fight and show off their post-timeskip abilities and it’s always cool. The direction in the fight scenes is excellent and uses a lot of CGI-enhanced camera movement to keep the fights intense. The final battle between Luffy and Z is noteworthy in that it doesn’t have a lot of named attacks being thrown around and is mostly a Haki-enhanced fist fight, which makes it even more brutal.

The animation in Film Z is what fans wish the rest of One Piece looked like. Colors are bright, characters stay on model and action scenes always impress. There’s a fair amount of CGI in the action scenes, but it’s mostly used for backgrounds and enhancing the 2D animation instead of replacing it all together. Distance shots occasionally lose detail, but it’s nothing significant. The attention to detail is also impressive. A lot of the background Marines are actually minor characters who appeared at various points throughout the main series (mostly Enies Lobby and Marineford). It’s a small detail, but having the background characters be familiar adds a nice sense of connection to the main series. The music is mostly original tracks for the movie, but fits in well with the series and is generally good quality. Ocean Guide, a song sung by characters a few times throughout the movie, is the most memorable song and is just great. It adds a sense of solemnity whenever it’s used and is worth listening to on it’s own. It’s also the rare case where a dubbed song sounds as good as the original Japanese version. The dub for Film Z is about the same quality as the dub of the main series: consistently good and excellent when it needs to be. There are some points where the Japanese is better, but the dub is good enough that both are viable options. Jeremy Schwartz gives a good performance as Z, especially since he hasn’t been in much anime before.

Overall, One Piece Film Z is exactly shonen movies should be. It tells a self-contained story that still manages to match the general quality of the main series. Z’s a great character and the movie manages to balance action, comedy and character development similar to the main series. It’s not quite as good as the best of One Piece, but it’s still a really good movie.

One Piece and One Piece Film Z are both available from Funimation and on RightStuf .

Final Score: 9/10

ANIME REVIEW: “One Piece Film Z”

Charles solomon.

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If any anime series succeeds in running forever, it will probably be One Piece . The TV series has racked up over 650 episodes (with more reportedly in production), in addition to 14 theatrical films, numerous specials, video games, light novels and a host of consumer products.

Writer-artist Eiichiro Oda said he began the manga in 1999 to create the story he wanted to read as a boy. It proved to be a story millions of other people wanted to read–and see. One Piece offers many of the same elements as other shonen (boy’s) series: an ambitious (if bizarre) hero, adventures, battles, exotic settings, strange villains and plenty of slapstick comedy. But it presents them with rare panache.

Monkey D. Luffy is determined to become King of the Pirates by finding One Piece, the legendary treasure that pirate Gold Roger hid in the Grand Line. Luffy once ate the Gum-Gum “Devil Fruit,” which turned his body into rubber. Bullets bounce off his torso, electricity can’t hurt him and his arms and legs stretch almost infinitely to deliver staggering kicks and punches. With his golliwog grin, trademark straw hat and outsized feet, Luffy is hardly a prepossessing hero. But his honesty, unswerving devotion and generous heart win him friends wherever he goes—and fans on both sides of the Pacific.

One of the more recent features, One Piece Film Z (2012) suggests Japanese animators and directors are experiencing some of the same problems adapting drawn animation to the increasing use of CG in their films as their American counterparts did during the ‘90s.

The plot of Z is boilerplate One Piece : Luffy and his ill-assorted crew encounter a seemingly insurmountable foe who’s bent on destroying them. Maddened by grief, rage and a thirst for revenge, Admiral Zephyr has vowed to exterminate all pirates. To simplify the task—and ensure its thoroughness—he and his lieutenants want to destroy the three volcanic islands known as the End Points, using explosive Power Stones. If all three islands explode, enormous pools of magma will engulf the known world, creating a blank canvas for Zephyr’s “Reboot.”

Even though Zephyr has a massive artificial limb with a hand-like appendage carved from Sea Prism Stone that negates the powers of the Cursed Fruits, Luffy is determined to take on this mad foe. Aided by nutty crew members Sanji, Usopp, Nami, Robin, Zorro, Chopper, Brook and Franky, Luffy leads the way into battle and wins in the end through sheer determination.

If the story is standard-issue One Piece , the visuals often feel odd, even by this series’ liberal standards. The designs of the characters have been cleaned up and made prettier, to the point where Nami looks like she walked in from some fan service series, and even badly scarred swordsman Zorro looks unusually dashing. The ships, trains, guns and other mechanical devices have the solidly dimensional realism of CG. But what does realism have to do with the metamorphic, cartoon-y world of One Piece ? Luffy’s arms can stretch for dozens of yards; making them stretch over realistic backgrounds looks incongruous. These distorted characters belong in a drawn, 2D world.

Given the chance to do elaborate, computer-generated camera movements, director Tatsuya Nagamine gets carried away, like the proverbial kid in a candy store. Tracking shots follow spins, which follow trucking moves, which follow rotations, until the viewer begins to feel seasick, even though most of the action takes place on land. Cramming in so much movement makes the battle scenes feel exhausting, rather than exciting.

As a result, One Piece Film Z (recently released on DVD and blu ray via Funimation) is more interesting to watch as an example of the technological growing pains of the Japanese animation industry than as an entertainment. It’s a film animation historians will refer to for years to come.

One Piece Film Z

A former Marine stands in the way of the Straw Hat Pirates. A former Marine stands in the way of the Straw Hat Pirates. A former Marine stands in the way of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Tatsuya Nagamine
Eiichirô Oda
Osamu Suzuki
Mayumi Tanaka
Kazuya Nakai
Akemi Okamura
30 User reviews
6 Critic reviews
4 nominations

Monkey D. Luffy
Roronoa Zoro

Tony Tony Chopper

(as Yûichi Nagashima)

Monkey D. Garp
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

Trivia This is the 12th One Piece film.
Connections Followed by One Piece: Episode of Luffy - Adventure on Hand Island (2012)
Soundtracks Zeal Music by Yasutaka Nakata Courtesy of Capsule

User reviews 30

pac-570-421809
Jan 1, 2013
How long is One Piece Film Z? Powered by Alexa
December 15, 2012 (Japan)
Official site (Japan)
One Piece: Z
Fuji Television Network
Toei Animation
Toei Company
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$74,223,861

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 48 minutes
Dolby Digital

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One piece film: z.

2012 ‘ワンピースフィルムゼット’ Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine

The most wanted pirate in history... is about to save the world!

Zephyr, now known as Z, rides the seas with only one goal: Destroy all pirates and their dreams at becoming King of Pirates. When Luffy and his crew encounter him at sea, not only are they utterly defeated by the man with an arm made of Seastone, Nami, Robin, and Chopper are turned 10 years younger due to Z's minion Ain. Luffy is so determined to win against him that he does not even notice Z's master plan that could sacrifice thousands of lives.

Mayumi Tanaka Kazuya Nakai Akemi Okamura Kappei Yamaguchi Hiroaki Hirata Ikue Otani Yuriko Yamaguchi Kazuki Yao Cho Hochu Otsuka Masami Suzuki Ryoko Shinohara Teruyuki Kagawa Unsho Ishizuka Fumihiko Tachiki Takehito Koyasu Masashi Hirose Mika Doi Kouichi Nagano Minori Matsushima Shun Takagi Yui Kano Hiroshi Naka Kumiko Watanabe Takkô Ishimori

Director Director

Tatsuya Nagamine

Writer Writer

Osamu Suzuki

Original Writer Original Writer

Eiichiro Oda

Songs Songs

Avril Lavigne

Toei Animation Yasahi-Mation Productions Toei Company

Releases by Date

15 dec 2012, 25 jan 2013, 01 feb 2013, 14 feb 2013, 21 mar 2013, 25 apr 2013, 01 may 2013, 15 may 2013, 15 sep 2014, 30 sep 2014, 23 feb 2018, releases by country.

Physical PG
Physical 12 Blu-ray

Philippines

South korea.

Theatrical All
Theatrical 6+
Physical PG-13 Blu-ray / DVD

108 mins More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Corey ★★★★★ 2

NICKELBACK?!?!

Review by zac.blonded ★★★★★ 1

Young man beats up disgruntled war veteran

Review by Brandon ✝️ ★★★★ 1

Man, this should’ve fit right in with the lore of One Piece. The animation and action sequences were fantastic, and Z is a great villain and plays a role in the story very well. This was a good time!

Review by zac.blonded ★★★★★

They got my boy usopp lookin like a used car salesman for most of this

Review by ZombieTrex ★★★★ 2

Everyone talks about the Nickelback cover that plays in the credits, but nobody talks about the random Minion jumpscare in the first 10 seconds.

Strong World was already a great movie, but Film Z has actually managed to top it, owing mostly to its central villain, Zephyr. He’s not just a cool design with an interesting power set, but a legitimate character with fleshed out motivations and a believable personality. He’s a man that dedicated himself to justice, only for that same justice to ruin him, causing him to become judge, jury, and executioner. His mission of “destroy all the pirates” is simplistic and blinded, but it's hard not to feel sorry for him after all the world has thrown…

Review by Its_Reo ★★★★ 1

it just hit me that kizaru looks just like adam sandler

Review by London ★★★½ 1

Series: One Piece Ranked

Very very fun. I loved the animation, all the characterization was good, and Z is a pretty cool antagonist. The fights are excellent and there are some very funny moments. This theoretically should have been brilliant all the way through.

But that one line from Sanji is the creepiest most disturbing thing I have ever experienced in One Piece. What the fuck was Oda thinking? That made me super fucking uncomfortable and dragged the whole movie down.

BUT AT LEAST IT HAD A NICKELBACK COVER BY AVRIL LAVIGNE.

Review by Nikhil Das ★★★★ 4

Zoro vs Ain and Sanji vs Binz might be the coolest and well animated fight sequences. Ofc Luffy fight and Franky soloing the pacifistas were great too. The end credit scenes was so wholesome to watch.

Review by HectorPortillo ★★★½ 1

ONE PIECE… Y NICKELBACK!?!?!?

Me gustan demasiado las películas de One Piece! Son demasiado divertidas y siempre hay algo que me quiere hacer llorar.

Definitivamente mi favorita es RED pero ya llevo 5!

Review by Zoë

AVRIL LAVIGNE?!?!

Review by Genevieve ★★★★ 3

The emphasis on Nami and Robins titties is TOO MUCH! But the fact that Avril Lavigne did a song specially for this movie makes up for that entirely

Review by onion

i wish we saw skeleton penis

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One Piece Film Z Reviews

No All Critics reviews for One Piece Film Z.

One Piece Film: Z

View history

One Piece Film: Z is the 12th One Piece film, released on December 15, 2012. [2] The film was scripted by Osamu Suzuki, directed by Tatsuya Nagamine and executive produced by Eiichiro Oda . [3] Yasutaka Nakata wrote and performed the theme song.

2.1 Wrath of the Neo Marines
2.2 Z and the Straw Hat Pirates
2.3 Adventures on Secon Island
2.4 Z's Hatred
2.5 Battle for the New World
3.1 Episode of Luffy
3.2 Glorious Island
3.3 Z's Ambition Arc
5.1 Promotional
5.2 Art by Oda
5.3 Wardrobe
7 References
8 External links
9 Site Navigation

Synopsis [ ]

Said to be comparable to the Ancient Weapons , the Marines ' trump card the " Dyna Stones " have suddenly been stolen and the terrifyingly powerful man responsible, former Marine Admiral " Z ", stands in the path of the Straw Hat Pirates .

The Marine Headquarters finally moves forward to deal with the conspiracy that threatens to shake the very pillars of the New World , and Kuzan encounters the Straw Hat Pirates in the New World . Finally, Luffy and his crew move to take a stand against Z and his incredible power. [4]

Wrath of the Neo Marines [ ]

Z fighting Marine soldiers.

The story begins with Z singing a requiem, as he prepares for battle. His fleet of Neo Marines push past the defenses of Marine ships and invades Firs Island . He, along with his subordinates Ain and Binz , easily make their way past the Marines stationed there.

Eventually Z and his solders break into the Marine base, and acquire the Dyna Stones . As his men begin loading the weapons aboard their ships, Admiral Kizaru appears and begins a deadly onslaught, destroying their ships and blowing away the Neo Marine soldiers. Z rushes to their aid and clashes with Kizaru.

Kizaru vs. Zephyr.

As the two fight, Ain and Binz evacuate the Neo Marines onto the surviving ships. Kizaru asks how long it has been since the two last met, wondering what brings him to the island. Z warns that he relies too much on his Pika Pika no Mi abilities. Kizaru responds he is still stubborn as a rock, addressing him as Master Zephyr. Z responds that he abandoned that name. The two clash fiercely.

The destruction of Firs Island.

Kizaru tries to inquire why Zephyr wants the Dyna Stones. However, Z responds by using one of the stones to attack the admiral, firing it directly into Kizaru's face. The blast engulfs the entire island, destroying everything. Kizaru survives the explosion however thanks to his powers but Z is seemingly lost in the blast. The Neo Marines are safe from the blast and the Marines, but Ain is concerned for Z.

At the same time, Aokiji passes by the area and notices the destruction of the island.

Z and the Straw Hat Pirates [ ]

The Straw Hats celebrating Cherry Blossom season.

Meanwhile not too far from the location, the Straw Hats are having a "Cherry Blossom" party on the Sunny. Luffy, Zoro, Chopper, Franky, and Brook are goofing around. Usopp sprays his Pop Greens with pesticide (the smell of which interrupts the party for a bit). Robin watches and enjoys their antics while Nami is trying to read but cannot due to the ruckus from the others. Sanji naturally is serving and fawning over her.

Volcanic ash suddenly begins to rain from the sky much to their confusion. Nami studies her Log Pose and finds the needle spinning where the volcano had erupted from. She realizes that the needle must be spinning around because the volcano must have destroyed the island and the needle no longer has a magnetic field to lock on. Franky says it is impossible, but she points out that they are in the New World, anything is possible. Usopp whispers to her that they have to hide this from Luffy and choose a safer route. Despite it, Luffy notices the spinning needle, deciding to head in that direction. Usopp whines, but Nami tells him to trust in her navigational skills. He warns her that the paths they choose could cost them their lives, but she tells him the matter is out of their hands now.

As Usopp continues to whine, Luffy spots the battered body of Z clinging to life on a piece of driftwood out at sea, and attempts to rescue him. When he grabs ahold of his mechanical arm, he becomes weak and Sanji and Usopp having to help pull Z aboard. Chopper examines Z, but finds that he should be fine. Nami shows signs of suspicion, worrying that they picked up someone problematic. Robin notices his arm is built out of Seastone , the reason why Luffy became weak when he touched him. Sanji reminds them all that Seastone is used against Devil Fruit users with him and Zoro debating whether to throw him overboard. Chopper defends him, with Luffy ordering him to save his life and that he would deal with him if he was an enemy.

Luffy and Z meet.

Z awakens later in Chopper's infirmary, with Zoro and Sanji standing guard outside. He thanks Chopper for his care, calling him a great medic and meets Luffy who remained in the room during Z's treatment. Z immediately tags him as the ship's captain. Luffy asks him what he plans to do next, as Z tells him he is carrying a Vivre Card and his comrades should find him soon. Luffy begins asking questions about Z, his arm, and what he is doing. Things seem to go fine at first. At least until Luffy reveals he is a pirate.

Z instantly attacks and throws Luffy through the wall. He asks Luffy why he is a pirate to which Luffy proudly responds he will be the Pirate King. This comment infuriates Z, as he madly swings his Battle Smasher around. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji all begin fighting him with Z able to hold them all off with relative ease. Ain and Binz then arrive with a fleet of ships and board the Sunny, announcing they will be confiscating it. Franky attacks, with Binz summoning vines that are able to subdue him. Robin tries attacking, but he proves too quick for her to grab him with her arms.

Z subdues Luffy.

Usopp, Chopper and Brook rush to help, but Binz ensnares them all in vines as well. Nami briefly battles Ain, but she uses her Devil Fruit ability and shrinks Nami down to a small child. Chopper breaks out of the vines and charges her, but Ain evades him and uses her ability on him as well. She goes on to use her power on the subdued Brook. Robin tries to grab her before she can continue, and demands to know what she did to Nami and Chopper. However, Ain takes advantage of Robin's powers, and touches her duplicated arms to de-age her to the appearance of a young teen.

Ain explains she has the ability to revert things with a touch by 12 years . She tells Robin she would only need to touch her two more times and she would disappear.

Z overpowers the Monster Trio and throws them out into the deck of the ship. He grabs Luffy with his Battle Smasher, sapping away his powers and chastises Luffy's dream, telling him he will never be Pirate King with his strength. Curiosity piqued, he asks Luffy his name. When he tells him, Z connects him as Garp's grandson before throwing him onto the deck with the other Straw Hats.

The Marine summit.

He announces to the Straw Hats he will destroy all pirates and orders the Neo Marines to attack the Sunny, bombarding her with cannons. While Luffy wishes to continues his battle with Z, the pleas of his crewmates force him to retreat. He frees Franky from his bonds who quickly heads for the steering and he uses a Coup de Burst to escape much to the surprise of the Neo Marines.

Meanwhile at the Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki calls a summit meeting of his high ranking officers to discuss the recent events. Akainu states the Dyna Stones were a trump card against the New World.

He tells the Marines Z's plan is to use the Dyna Stones to destroy the End Points, which will destroy the entire ocean surrounding the New World. Kizaru chimes in that Z must have died from getting caught in the explosion at Firs Island. Tsuru disagrees, knowing that as a former Admiral he would have survived. Akainu laments the treachery of their former teacher, but resolves that he must be stopped along with the Neo Marines.

Garp at Firs Island.

Garp, Koby and Helmeppo, who are not attending the meeting, are near the remains of the still erupting Firs Island. Koby questions if the rumor of the End Points being destroyed was true or not. Garp tells Koby that if it was merely a lie they would not be taking such extreme measures. He tells the two that Z plans to destroy all the pirates in the New World with the End Points, but not only will it kill all pirates on the seas but everyone else living there too. One of the Marines asks Garp who exactly this Z person is. Garp briefly explains that Z was once a Marine who fought alongside him and the others during their youth. He worries that his anger and hatred will destroy the world.

Adventures on Secon Island [ ]

Franky making repairs to the Sunny.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hats are recovering on a nearby island , where Franky goes to work on fixing the Sunny. He tells Luffy to go after Z while he repairs the damage done. Chopper regrets saving Z's life, but Sanji tells him a pirate should live without regrets of what he believes in and the crew do not blame him for what happened. The crew then discuss their next course of action with finding Z and restoring those who were de-aged being their top priority. Nami proposes gathering intel on their enemy as the first place to start.

Mobston , an old man approaches them and asks if they had a run in with Z. He tells them many pirate ships that have come to the island have been attacked by him and as such, lose their will to continue and gave up piracy. He is pleasantly surprised that Luffy still wishes to fight after losing so badly to him and offers up his finest equipment to use in their quest. Nami tells the crew to not arouse suspicion, they need a new change of clothes first. They are told their best place to start is to take the Sea Train to neighboring island, Secon Island .

Robin working as a dancer.

As they head to their next destination, they divide their into groups and split up. Luffy, Brook, Sanji, and Zoro all relax in a local hot spring to rest, recover, and prepare for the upcoming fight. While Luffy wants to go find Z, Sanji tells him to keep a low profile since the island is crawling with Marine soldiers.

Elsewhere, Nami and Robin have gotten work at a bar. Robin woos the crowd with her good looks and dancing, as Nami works as a server. Usopp is disguised as Robin's manager, and Chopper works outside as a shoe shiner.

Somewhere else on the island, Z and his crew finish planting the Dyna Stones over the active volcano. Z promises when it erupts the Marines will know his fury.

As Luffy and the others relax in the hot springs, Luffy vows to not let his guard down around Z again. Sanji tells him as long as he is a Devil Fruit user and lets himself get caught by his arm he will lose, offering to let him and Zoro to fight him instead. Luffy turns him down, knowing to avoid his arm for their next fight. However, a familiar voice calls out to them, claiming he was getting tired waiting for them. The group finds it belongs to Kuzan who is resting in a nearby bath. The group instantly go on guard. Save for Brook who does not recognize him, but panics when they fill him in that he is an Admiral.

Straw Hats Encounter Kuzan in Hot Spring

Kuzan with the Straw Hats.

Kuzan reassures them he is not there to capture them, and had given up being an Admiral. Brook asks what he is then, with Kuzan finding being questioned bothersome. He thinks on the question, and is unable to think of a proper answer confusing them further. However, he tells them again he is not their enemy anymore and reminds them if he was he would not be in a hot spring where he cannot use his powers. As Kuzan gets out of the water, the Straw Hats see his battle scarred body, and his missing leg that he regrows with his ice powers. Noticing their shocked expressions, he merely notes he "got into a bit of mischief".

Nami and Usopp meet up with Chopper to share information. Chopper reports he heard rumors of some Marines showing up because of Z. Usopp says there are lots of Marines where he was, but is unsure if it has to do with Z or Robin's popularity. Though on aside, they did make some good money (which Nami instantly takes when Usopp shows Chopper). Back at the spa, Kuzan and Luffy's group talk some more, with Luffy asking him what happened to his leg. But Kuzan does not wishes to answer, likewise when questioned why Akainu and he fought. He does answer he wishes his only reason for coming was to enjoy the hot springs, but is chasing Z. Kuzan also correctly guesses that the Straw Hats has fought against Z, remarking how strong he is.

Nami makes her rounds pressing for information from local Marines, learning Z is currently on the island. One of them spills information of his plan on destroying the End Points. One Marine Captain becomes suspicious of her, and asks her why she is so curious about him. Panicking, she points the blame to Usopp. The Captain tries to escort her away for questioning, but Robin subdues the Captain and the group take off, their cover blown.

Kuzan warning the Straw Hats about Z.

Kuzan and Luffy's group soon leave the spa as he talks about the great age of pirates. He ponders to himself if pirates are made from the One Piece existing, or if the One Piece exists because of the pirates. Telling them how when some follow their dreams, it can lead to pain and sadness of others. He tells them that Z plans to destroy piracy by destroying the One Piece. He has chosen to follow Z's journey, but is unsure what actions he himself must take. He then departs, telling Luffy he will find Z on the island.

Luffy thinks back to his encounter of Z questioning Luffy's dream, until the rest of the Straw Hats catch up with them with a group of Marines on their tail. Luffy dispatches them all with his Haoshoku Haki save for the captain whom he ask where Z is. Reluctantly, the Marine Captain tells him the location of Z, explaining they were planning to ambush him. His squad of soldiers are then shown trying to subdue Z who easily beats everyone around him. Kibin , the last standing, clashes with him. He uses his Tekkai , but Z breaks his defense with the power of his Armored Haki and defeats him. The Dyna Stones explode, causing the volcano to erupt. Z informs his men the destruction the Second Point has been a success and they need only destroy one more island. Stating his plan as the "Grand Reboot", to which he wishes to purge the seas of pirates and start everything anew.

Luffy vs. Z.

Luffy, along with Zoro, Usopp and Sanji find their location and he instantly attacks. Z blocks it, showing mild surprise to see Luffy. Luffy demands Z change his friends back to normal. Ain and Binz attack which Sanji and Zoro intercept them. Z tells Luffy if he wants something, he has to take it like a pirate. Luffy and Z both strike, the shock setting off the volcano to explode forth with magma. Kuzan saves the lives of some civilians by knocking away a volcanic rock and tells them to get to the Sea Train. Kuzan looks on at the devastation, wondering if Z has finally lost his mind.

Luffy and Z battle with Luffy managing to counter most of his attacks. As they fight, Z questions Luffy if he has the resolve to be the pirate king and that if he is willing to sacrifice his crew to make his dream happen.

Z takes Luffy's straw hat.

Elsewhere Zoro and Ain exchange strikes, but she breaks off her attack promising she would kill him the next time they met. Sanji begins to overpower Binz, sending powerful kicks to his face but Binz breaks off the fight and escapes with a smoke bomb along with Ain. Luffy and Z clash furious blows, with Z mocking Luffy telling him if he keeps being afraid of his Battle Smasher, he will never land any hits on him. He strikes the ground, sending Luffy flying away. In the process, Luffy's hat is sent flying from his head.

Z fires more bullets at Luffy who deflects back at him, stating his bullets will never harm him, until Z pulls out a small pistol and fires a bullet into his shoulder made from Seastone, incapacitating Luffy. Mocking Luffy further, he tells him the strongest people in the New World would have never have let themselves be hit with it and he relies too much on his Devil Fruit power. He takes Luffy's hat, promising to bury it himself once he has finished destroying the age of pirates.

Kuzan freezing the flow of lava.

Luffy manages to get up and tries to reclaim his hat, telling Z the hat was given to him by Shanks . Z grabs Luffy in his powerful grips and tells him Shanks, along with the rest of the Four Emperors will all die before they know what is happening. Luffy becomes enraged, screaming at him to not mock Shanks. Z responds by blasting Luffy with the Smasher's Cannon, ultimately defeating him. Usopp, Zoro and Sanji regroup and find Luffy. As they do, the volcanic ash begins to cover the whole island forcing the group to run for it.

Usopp uses one of his Pop Greens to make a banana shaped boat to ride down a slanted areas of the town but they're knocked off at a crossroads. Just as their deaths seemed imminent, Kuzan appears and encases the magma and ash in a gigantic layer of ice giving them time to escape. The Straw Hats board the sea train and flee, just before the island blows taking the once thriving town with it.

Z's Hatred [ ]

Z is shown watching the island exploding from one of his ships, with Ain wondering of Luffy's fate. Z reflects on the One Piece and becomes angered over how much suffering and death its existence has brought to the world. That pirates consider it a symbol of freedom, but he will destroy that and bring a close to the great pirate age.

Z during his youth.

Meanwhile, Garp and Sengoku are seen discussing Z's actions. Sengoku notes how tragic Z's history has been, but destroying the island and putting innocent civilians in danger was unacceptable. Garp remarked that not everyone could see things as black and white like him. Koby asks Garp about Z, wondering what kind of man he was like. Garp obliges and tells the two of Zephyr's past. Explaining that Zephyr was always a serious man, that he was always fighting in front of men on the battlefield. He had become an Admiral when he was still young, and led a happy life until his wife and son were killed by a pirate who hated him.

That hatred and sadness stayed with him as he continued to perform his duties. He had become a teacher who had trained many of the high ranking Marines who now serve the World Government today and was loved by many. However he suffered another tragedy when he had lost his right arm and was unable to stop a powerful pirate from slaying a crew of trainees he tried to protect, with Ain and Binz the only survivors. Zephyr took this defeat into a new goal to hunt down pirate with Devil Fruits with his new mechanical arm that was built for him.

Shortly afterwards, the pirate who had taken his arm and his crew was nominated by the Government to become a Warlord of the Sea . This was Zephyr's final straw, he left the Marines after this in great disgust. Unable to rely on the Marines anymore to inflict proper justice, he formed the Neo Marines as an enemy to both marines and pirates alike. Koby asks why Zephyr is called Z now, to which Garp confesses he does not know.

Zephyr meets Kuzan.

Some time later, the Neo Marines arrive on Piriodo. Z leaves his crew for a bit to go to a makeshift grave where he finds Kuzan singing the requiem song from the beginning of the movie. He tells Z he always hated that song, before giving him a bottle of his favorite wine as a peace offering. He tells Z he used to drink that because of him, looking up to him. While Z is humbled that Kuzan is lecturing him, he states he plans to continue to go forward with his plan no matter what.

Kuzan tells him he might die, as Z responds that is no problem if he can rid the world of evil. Z tells him to step aside and the two come to a tense stand off, but each side is unwilling to fight one another as enemies. Kuzan backs down and leaves Z to his machinations.

The Straw Hats return to Dock Island, as Luffy is patched up and has the Seastone bullet removed. Kuzan appears before the crew again, telling Luffy to stop moping. Nami, Usopp, Chopper and Robin are shown terrified, but Luffy assures them it is alright. Kuzan explains Z's plan to the crew of destroying the three Endpoints with the Dyna Stones to release the Grande Imbuto, a fissure line underneath the Grand Line. If Z destroys the last one, this will allow the magma flow to be release and flood the sea with fire. Though doing so will not only kill pirates, but innocents as well.

Kuzan explaining the Marine's knowledge of the Endpoints.

Now that two of the Endpoints have been destroyed, Z is about to go to the last one, Piriodo , and unless the Straw Hats stop him, the Pirate Era will end. The Endpoints had been considered a legend, with most thinking it was nonsense. The government covered up the truth about them, to dissuade pirates from using it. Thus only the World Government and highest ranking officers of the Marines know about it. He laments that it is an Admiral abusing this knowledge above all else. He reminds them that he is not doing this out of power, but to punish pirates.

Luffy remains undeterred despite being defeated twice by Z, vowing to chase him down and get his hat back. If he lets Z keep his hat, he could never face Shanks or be worthy of the Pirate King title. Kuzan then gives the crew an Eternal Pose leading to Piriodo. Nami asks why he is helping them, but he ignores the question and warns them that their journey will be very dangerous. If they lose to Z, they will be destroyed along with the New World. However if they win they will be surrounded on all sides by the Marines, so it is lose-lose either way. With that said he leaves them to their own fates. The crew begin making their preparations to leave, as Kuzan and Robin share a small moment.

The Straw Hats head out to battle.

Franky reminds the crew about the equipment they were promised earlier, showing a large stash of armor and weapons Mobston had saved up from the previous crews that suffered from Z's wrath. Mobston gives Usopp his bicorn hat, believing they can bring down Z. They suit up in their new gear and head out. As they are leaving, Gari approaches Luffy telling him he wants to grow up to be a hero but cant decide whether he wants to be an Admiral or a pirate. Sanji flatly states pirates are not heroes. But Luffy chimes in saying if both feel the same, then it is okay and just do whatever he pleases. Gari watches the Straw Hat Pirates leave, filled with admiration for them.

Battle for the New World [ ]

The Straw Hats intercept a blockade of Neo Marine warships guarding Piriodo. They blast through their defenses with the Gaon Cannon before landing on the beaches with an army waiting for them. The Straw Hats begin fighting, using their new weapons to help. Chopper fights off the hordes using his Guard Point, holding many rifles within himself. Luffy tries fighting with two sabers, but he quickly discards them shouting for Z to appear. Zoro finds himself separated from the group, and is met once again by Ain. She announces she will not let Zoro reach her master. Zoro tells her he has nothing against her, but will fight with everything he has. Ain admits she probably will not win, but will buy Z as much time as she can and will gladly die for him. Zoro remarks he felt hesitation in her sword, angering her.

Luffy victorious over the Neo Marines.

Sanji is shown fighting with Binz once again, as he tells him how tired he is of listening to him talk about his master, wondering if the Ain and he are merely kids. Luffy finishes fighting off a large group of Neo Marines, as he had used his large meat stick as a club. Feeling tired, he eats the emergency food gaining his stamina back for the fight ahead.

As the Straw Hats fight with the Neo Marines, Kizaru and a large fleet of Marines arrive on the island. Kizaru cheerfully says that he will kill every one of the Straw Hats along with Z. Meanwhile, Z himself is sitting in the mouth of the volcano surrounded by Dyna Stones placed to blow. After a swig of his wine, he stares eagerly at Luffy's straw hat awaiting his inevitable arrival. Luffy is shown fighting off more Neo Marines trying to stop his advances. He uses his Haki, dodging multiple shots from cannons gradually getting closer.

Zoro and Ain battle as she uses her powers to turn the hardened volcanic rock around them back into flowing magma. Zoro slashes the magma aside easily. Meanwhile Sanji breaks through Binz vines landing hard kicks to his body. Robin uses her Gigantesco Mano move, summoning giant legs to stomp the surrounding enemies. Brook unleashes Soul Solid, freezing a large number of soldiers in place. Chopper uses his Kung-Fu point, able to physically hold off the soldiers and dodge their every moves. Usopp uses Hissatsu Midori Bosshi, summoning a forest of strong bamboo sticks pulverizing the soldiers. Nami uses her Clima-Tact to summon down a lightning storm on the battlefield, striking both enemy and ally alike.

The Pacifista's arrival.

The Straw Hats win their battles, standing victorious over the defeated Neo Marines. However an army of modified Pacifista appear and begin their onslaught. The crew are forced to run until Franky arrives in the Franky Shogun to turn the tide. Franky takes on the Pacifista, able to fight them all off with his superior strength. Once clustered together, he destroys them with a powerful Radical Beam.

Zoro chases Ain through the volcanic lands, both of them clashing their swords against one another. Zoro is shown to be physically dominating the match, as she desperately tries using two pistols against him. Zoro cleaves through the bullets easily and then cuts the guns out of her hands. He finishes the match by performing his Santoryu Seiryu In: Ryusui slash. Ain collapses to the ground, as Zoro stands victorious.

Sanji and Binz are battling it out in the air, with Sanji maneuvering around his vines keeping to the air with his Sky Walk . Binz throws his large shuriken stars that Sanji kicks aside with his Diable Jambe footwork. His anger against attacking Nami fuels him during his match, landing multiple kicks to Binz who struggles to keep up. Sanji bursts into a ball of flames, using his new Sexy Fire move to finish him off. His powerful kick sends Binz crashing down below, as Sanji takes a moment to light a cigarette.

Upon Ain's defeat, her effects begin to wear off. Nami grows back to her adult size, with the armor she is sporting now barely fitting her body. Chopper reverts back growing slightly, along with Robin and Brook (though it does not seem to show any signs of change on him). The group head on to catch up with Luffy.

Z's final battle with Luffy.

Luffy finally finds Z waiting for him inside the volcano. He discards his jacket, as the two engage in a furious battle. Luffy pounds away against his Battle Smasher arm, with Z calling his efforts useless. Their fight grows more intense, Luffy's shirt incinerating off him from Z's raw strength. He tells Luffy he cannot defeat his justice. Luffy unleashes his Gatling Gun punches, able to land a few brief hits on Z's body and break the rigging supporting the Battle Smasher on Z's arm.

Z compliments Luffy on having courage for a pirate, remarking he is far braver than the Marines. Luffy inflates his fist to Gear Third, using his Gigant Pistol move at Z. Z matches Luffy's hit with his Smash Blaster, both unable to push each other back. Z begins showing signs of fatigue, as the two rush and smash each others fists against one another as hard as they can. The force of the impact sends rippling shock waves along the volcano.

The Straw Hats catch up to the battle, seeing Luffy had managed to leave an imprint of his fist inside Z's giant metal fist. Z asks him why he wants to fight him so much. That even if he defeats him, nobody will thank him for his efforts for the stigma of being a pirate. Luffy responds if he cannot defeat him, he will never be able to become the Pirate King. The Battle Smasher breaks then and there and falls from Z's arm, revealing a smaller mechanical arm he can still use. Z tells Luffy he is going to dedicate his life to ending his ambition, challenging him for a final bout.

Z and Luffy battle with their Haki.

Z and Luffy activate their Armament Haki, their arms turning a hardened black. The two engage in a brutal fist fight, both striking each other with imbued Haki. Kuzan is seen watching their match from a distance, stating "Black Arm" Zephyr has returned. Z and Luffy both give each other hard punches to the chest and stomach, giving Luffy a moment to recoil and puke. Luffy strikes back a punch that knocks Z's glasses right off.

A brief flashback is seen in his mind of his early childhood, rattling his early memories. Z becomes elated, that he is being given such a good fight. Both Luffy and him are worn out, still pushing each other with punches back and forth. He corners Luffy and begins pounding on him, with Luffy showing little sign he can defend himself anymore. As Z begins to gain the upper hand, Luffy pushes him back with a kick.

Fighting on their last reserves, Luffy shouts he is going to be the Pirate King with Z shouting his name in absolute confidence. After exchanging a few more blows to one another, Luffy finally collapses from exhaustion. Z falls to the ground after, unable to fight anymore too. Z bitterly says he has gotten old, and his body cannot keep up with him anymore. He finds it disappointing, telling Luffy he was enjoying fighting him.

As the battle ends, the Straw Hats rush over to Luffy's aid, with Ain and Binz doing the same for Z. Z tells Luffy to finish him, but Luffy merely tells him he is already satisfied as he regains his straw hat, giving him a smile. He offers to continue fighting him but Z turns him down, also being satisfied. Z apologizes to Ain for giving her so such work. Ain begins crying for him, telling him she is happy he is alright.

Kizaru arrives with the Marine army.

However, the reunion is short-lived as Kizaru then arrives with his army, telling them he is going to kill them all. Z says he has done everything he has wanted to do, and now will face the price for it as he marches towards the Marine army. He dismisses Luffy, and tells him to leave the rest to him. Ain tries to rush to his side, but Kuzan summons a giant wall of ice dividing everyone from him. Z begrudgingly accepts he has been given a place to die, as he faces the Marines head on.

Even near death, his raw strength overpowers all the soldiers around him. Kizaru unleashes his Yasakani no Magatama attack, filling the sky with thousands of beams of light than rain down upon Z. He is hurt badly, filled with burning holes in his body but still stands against them. The Marines begin weeping, shedding tears for being forced to kill their beloved teacher. Z announces he will give them all their last training lesson, as he barrels forth giving his all for one last battle.

The Straw Hats depart the island, watching the battle unfold in grim silence as Z gives up his life to save them. Eventually Z is defeated and passes away (offscreen). Ain and Binz visit his gravestone that has his Battle Smasher arm wrapped around the cross, still with the fist imprint on where Luffy struck it. Kuzan tells the two not to cry for him, for he lived the way he wanted without any regrets. Kuzan remarks he was an incredible man.

Zephyr as a child.

The movie ends in a flashback as a young boy dressed as a superhero and wielding a log on his right arm beats up bullies that were harassing a young girl. As other kids cheer him on, the boy claims himself a hero of justice under the name "Z".

During the credits, it is revealed that after Z's defeat, the Straw Hats returned to Dock Island one last time, to return the gear and weapons Mobston had given them. They bid them farewell, and Gari decided to become a pirate.

Related Episodes [ ]

Episode of luffy [ ].

Crash landing on an island after escaping a fight against the Marines , the Straw Hat Pirates decide to explore while Franky repairs and move the ship .

Luffy befriends a wax sculptor , and after being told that his apprentice had joined the Marines and subsequently been imprisoned due to knowing how to create incredibly solid wax, Luffy decide to meets with the others and go out to find the apprentice, facing up against Bilić and his inventions.

Glorious Island [ ]

Luffy, Nami and Brook are relaxing in the pool as a Sea Horse attacks them. Sanji tell Luffy that he can make soup from the attacker so Luffy defeat the animal while the rest of the crew prepare for the party. This special leads directly to the beginning of the film.

Z's Ambition Arc [ ]

After leaving Fish-Man Island the Straw Hats meet Lily Enstomach who tries to free her father from being sent to Impel Down . They agree to help her and after finding Momonga and the Marines escorting him they begin the rescue mission.

During the attack, Shuzo lead the Neo Marines attack in an attempt to kill Panz Fry and a three way battle commence. The Straw Hats eventually succeed in rescuing Panz Fry and escaping their adversaries, and start preparing the ingredients for Panz Fry's famous volcano cooking. The group is suddenly attacked by Shuzo, who tracked them using a Vivre Card he attached to Panz Fry and restart his attack on the Giant .

Luffy and Lily tries to fight back but are beaten. Lily asks Usopp to fire her into Shuzo's mouth in order to defeat him using her Devil Fruit powers , but Shuzo uses Luffy as a shield and Lily enter his mouth instead. Nonetheless, Lily still deactivates her power and with Luffy's own abilities combine, they defeat the Neo Marines. Momonga capture and arrest Shuzo and head to Impel Down.

The Straw Hats enjoy Panz Fry cooking and after promising to meet again, they go their separate ways. Elsewhere, Zephyr and the rest of the Neo Marines prepare their attack on Firs Island .

Gallery [ ]

Promotional [ ], art by oda [ ], wardrobe [ ].

The red themed character designs:

The Armani outfits used in the movie:

This is the the first film which takes place after the timeskip.
The new Marine Headquarters in the film is different from the one in the manga.
However, this part could be considered canon if one were to say he was promoted to commodore very late in the timeskip, just before the Dressrosa Arc .
Robin was shown unable to catch Binz with her Hana Hana no Mi powers because he was moving too fast with Soru . This contradicts the Dressrosa Arc when she had no problem catching Hakuba (that was moving at equal or even higher speed). She even says that speed is useless while fighting her.
In an interview with Toyo Keizai, director Tatsuya Nagamine said that he suggested the titles of "Dream Crusher" or "Dream Smasher" because of Z's effort to crush pirates' dreams. However, Oda did not think those titles were catchy and preferred to name it "Z" after the antagonist. [5]
The film premiers the post time-skip appearances of the following characters: Former Fleet Admiral and new General Inspector Sengoku , Fleet Admiral Sakazuki (face not shown), Admiral Borsalino , Former Admiral Kuzan , Former Vice Admiral and new Instructor Monkey D. Garp , Vice Admiral Tsuru , Vice Admiral Smoker , Vice Admiral Doberman , Vice Admiral Strawberry , Vice Admiral Yamakaji , Vice Admiral Onigumo , Vice Admiral Momonga , Vice Admiral Comil , Vice Admiral Dalmatian , Vice Admiral Stainless , Vice Admiral Lacroix , Vice Admiral John Giant , Vice Admiral Lonz , Vice Admiral Mozambia , Vice Admiral Cancer , Vice Admiral Jonathan (non-canon character), Rear Admiral Yukimura (non-canon character), Commodore Brannew , Commodore Daigin , Commodore Kibin (non-canon character), Former Master Chief Petty Officer and new Captain Koby , Captain Tashigi , Captain Hina , Captain T Bone , Captain Shu , and Former Chief Petty Officer and new Lieutenant Commander Helmeppo
The film marks the debut appearance of the new Marine Headquarters (formerly G-1 ) after the timeskip, though it is different from the manga.
The film follows the manga fact that Sanji does not need to spin to activate his Diable Jambe mode, something the anime ignores completely.
This is the second movie referred to as a "film", the first being One Piece Film: Strong World , the third being One Piece Film: Gold and the fourth being One Piece Film: Red . All these movies were directly overseen by the creator of One Piece , Eiichiro Oda .
This is the second movie featuring an ex-Marine as the main antagonist, the first being Gasparde in the fourth movie, Dead End Adventure .
Two of this film's theme songs are sung by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne . [6]
Eiichiro Oda selected outfits designed by the fashion label Armani for part of the film. [7]
Those who attended the theatrical releases of the film received Volume 1000 , similar to how Strong World attendees received Volume 0 .
The film's credits feature the animation and color-scheme of some characters who were depicted as children in the SBS Question corner: Sengoku, Monkey D. Garp, Kuzan, Sakazuki, Borsalino, Jinbe , Dracule Mihawk , Boa Hancock , Bartholomew Kuma , Marshall D. Teach , Donquixote Doflamingo , Perona , Scratchmen Apoo , Trafalgar Law , Basil Hawkins , and Eustass Kid . The credits also showed Brook as a child.
This is the second One Piece film, Strong World being the first, to get a theatrical release in France.
This is the third One Piece film to be dubbed in English by FUNimation.
This is also the first of the post-timeskip One Piece content to be dubbed in English.
This film marked Takkō Ishimori's final performance as Sengoku before his death on June 5, 2013.

The exclusive volume sleeve.

Chopper 's autograph from Sogeking that he got in the Enies Lobby Arc (unaware it was just Usopp in disguise) can be seen hanging up in the medical room.
A magnetic signal on the Sea Train route reads, " Magnetic Signal Company ", "Los Angeles, CA", marking the first time a real world location and company have been explicitly named in One Piece .
Some of the pirates seen as Kuzan explains how it would be a disaster if pirates took advantage of the Endpoints are modeled after Oda's unused character design sketches, such as Jabra with spikier hair and a lanky figure, and Apollo, a prototype character for CP9 who would be replaced with Kumadori .
The film shows Kuzan missing part of his left leg after his battle with Sakazuki, which would later be confirmed in Chapter 1081 over a decade later.
To celebrate the film's release, Weekly Shonen Jump 2013 #4-5 included an alternate volume sleeve featuring characters and events from the film, complete with an exclusive Author's Note from Chopper's perspective. [8] [9]

References [ ]

↑ FUNimation
↑ Toei 2012 Film lineup.
↑ New movie announcement
↑ Movie 12 Website , first plot summary revealed
↑ Shonen Jump — Volume 47, year 2012 , Avril is stated to sing for two theme songs.
↑ Anime News Network — One Piece Film Z Cast Wears Armani Exchange Suits in Anime , several from the Straw Hats wearing the outfits.
↑ Weekly Shonen Jump 2013 Issue 4-5.
↑ 週刊少年ジャンプ 2013年4・5号　ワンピース FILM Z 劇場版名場面特製JCカバー , onepiece-figure.blog.jp

External links [ ]

Wayback Machine, internet archive of official movie website

Site Navigation [ ]

1 Story Arcs
2 Chapter 1112
3 Devil Fruit

Anime movie review: One Piece Film Z

While I had watched a few episodes of the One Piece anime many years ago, for whatever reason I stopped watching it. Then when the Netflix live-action series came out a few months ago I watched it immediately and was really impressed––it seemed like one of the best anime to live-action adaptations to date. The only problem is that it left me wanting more.

I went back to the regular anime episodes and watched around ten from the beginning, but I was starting to lose interest because one of the arcs kept dragging on and on, not to mention the art quality isn’t that great (keep in mind it’s over 20 years old). For better or worse I think One Piece has a lot of similarities with Naruto, and that’s only natural because they came out around the same time.

When I checked on Netflix I saw there were also a bunch of One Piece anime movies available. I randomly chose “One Piece Film Z” and it ended up being a really enjoyable film. With so many mediocre movies on Netflix that I never finish, just the fact I made it to the end tells much about the quality level.

While this movie is from 2012, the production values are quite high and the visuals were beautiful, not to mention the wonderfully done fight scenes (some which have those crazy camera movements that you can only find in anime). In some ways this move reminded me of what made me really get into Anime in the 90s. The story was quite epic and enjoyable, and there was a good balance of slow scenes of dialogue and action scenes.

One thing that was a bit surprising is that Luffy himself plays a relatively small part in the movie, although he does kick butt in some key scenes. But I think with such a large number of characters, it’s hard to give everyone time without taking some away from Luffy.

Hardcore One Piece fans will probably say it’s not a good idea to skip ahead to story that is over a decade later, and to be sure there were some dramatic changes to characters that I wondered about. There were also a bunch of characters I had never seen before, which I assume joined sometime in the many episodes I skipped. But overall I feel like the story is somewhat self-contained compared to the regular anime series, and didn’t really ruin any major story points for me. The fact that characters are drawn totally different was initially a surprise, but overall I think it is a good thing.

I haven’t seen any other One Piece films all the way through, but I’ve heard Film Z is one of the best. So if you are a fan who hasn’t seen this one yet, I would definitely check it out.

The only thing to beware of is that the Netflix English translation (in the subtitles) is pretty bad. There was a lot of stuff missing, wrong, or just made up from nowhere. While I think I would have understood the majority of the Japanese w/o subtitles/translations, it’s always a good exercise to compare between English and Japanese while I watch (not to mention I was watching with someone else who wanted the subtitles on).

Anime / One Piece Film: Z

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https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Z_Poster_4356.jpg

One Piece Z is the 12th film, and 2nd Film label, in the long running anime and manga franchise, One Piece . Released on December 15th, 2012. It's the first One Piece movie to be set after the time skip.

As the title suggests, it focuses on Z, a former Marine Admiral who now leads his own version called the Neo Marines, with the intent of wiping out every pirate on the Grand Line. To do this, he has stolen one of the Marines' trump cards, the Dyna Stones (stones that create explosions with immense destructive power when exposed to air) for his own ends. The Straw Hats unwittingly get involved when Z attacks their ship while crossing their path, gaining Luffy's anger and leading up to a battle that will determine the fate of the Grand Line.

See also Z's Ambition Arc , a short mini arc of the anime that takes place before and leads into this movie.

One Piece Z contains examples of the following tropes:

Action Prologue : The movie doesn't waste time beating around the bush to introduce the main villains, as it opens with a fight scene between them and the Marines.
All There in the Manual : Z's backstory is revealed more in detail in the complementary book Volume Z, which was given as a present to the Japanese movie-goers.
An Arm and a Leg : During the hot spring scene, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Brook are stunned when Kuzan comes out of the tub minus one leg which he fixes with his ice powers. In canon, this was from his fight with Akainu and the Straw Hats were told of that by Jimbei on Fishman Island, they just never expected to see how severe the wounds were for themselves.
Antagonist Title : The titular Z.
Z sports a gigantic robotic arm on his shoulder. It's a wonder he can even lift the thing, let alone attack with it. After it's destroyed in his fight with Luffy. It's revealed there's a regular prosthetic hand underneath it.
Kuzan uses his ice powers as a prosthetic for the leg he lost in his fight against Akainu.
Badass Longcoat : Z and Ain on the villains' side, and several of the Straw Hats in their battle outfits on the heroes' side.
Beware the Silly Ones : Bins makes a lot of weird facial expressions and sounds in battle but as proven in his first encounter with the Straw Hats, he is a force to be reckoned with.
Believe it or not, Kuzan saves Luffy, Usopp, Zoro and Sanji during their escape from a resort island as it's exploding.
Franky does one as well when Usopp, Nami, Chopper, Robin and Brook get cornered by the Neo-Pacifista. Using his General Franky to turn them into scrap, and finishing them off in proper fashion with a Radical Beam.
Bolivian Army Ending : Z's final fate as, after his battle with Luffy whom he came to respect, the group are beset by Kizaru and his troop of marines. Having nothing left to lose, Z goes to fight them and hold them off to allow the Straw Hats to escape, despite knowing it means certain death. Unlike most examples though, this one isn't ambiguous: Z doesn't make it. His death isn't shown, but Ain, Bins and Kuzan are seen mourning at his grave.
Book Ends : The movie opens with a fight scene between the Marines and the Neo Marines, partially set to Ocean's Guide. The movie ends likewise, with a tearjerker of an awesome fight between Z and the Marines, once again set to Ocean's Guide.
Catch-22 Dilemma : When the Straw Hats prepare to go after Z and the Neo Marines one last time. Kuzan warns them it's a pretty much one way deal. If they don't stop Z's plan, all of the Grand Line will be destroyed. If they do, they're be surrounded by Marines, lead by an admiral no less, and be captured. Sure enough the latter does happen but Aokiji and Z prevent the Marines from going after the Straw Hats and Z's subordinates, subverting this trope.
Co-Dragons : Two of Z's henchmen were introduced in the material, namely Ain (a shapely young woman with a Marine-like Badass Longcoat ) and Bins (a large man dressed as a Highly-Visible Ninja ). They're also Devil Fruit users: Ain's Modo Modo no Mi allows her to revert the age of whoever or whatever she touches , and Bins' Mosa Mosa no Mi allows him to to make plants grow at a ludicrous speed .
Combat Breakdown : By the end of their final battle, Luffy and Z have already used their big, showy techniques. Z's Battle Smasher is broken and they're both so tired that they're reduced to simply slugging it out with haki-enhanced punches.
Contemplate Our Navels : Kuzan does this while talking to Luffy's group after coming from the hot springs. Wondering if the One Piece treasure was responsible for the Pirate Age or just the actions of the pirates themselves.
Convection, Schmonvection : You really shouldn't be able to get so close to magma without some sort of Devil Fruit power, even if you're Made of Iron . Z keeps Luffy's straw hat a foot or two above the magma, with no ill effects on it .
Continuity Nod : Robin and Kuzan's past is alluded to when they share a small non-speaking moment before the climax.
Cool Shades : Z again.
Crazy-Prepared : Don't think Z's mechanical arm is the only thing he has up his sleeve. He used to be an Admiral, long before he got that arm. Not only does Z have Haki, but he's also got Kairoseki bullets in case someone No Sells his regular bullets, and a regular-sized prosthetic arm to attack with in case his huge mechanical arm is destroyed or rendered useless .
Cue the Sun : After Luffy regains his resolve from his second defeat and vows to beat Z no matter what. The sun breaks through the stormy clouds.
Darker and Edgier : This film is much less optimistic in tone than Strong World , starting with the Big Bad Z, who has little comical qualities in comparison to Shiki.
Dark and Troubled Past : Z. He joined the Marines at a young age, wanting to become a hero, but soon realized that the Marines aren't exactly what they seem. He got married to a beautiful young woman and had a son, both of whom were killed by a pirate he had arrested some years later. This event led to him quitting his Admiral position to become a Marine trainer. However a pirate had invaded his ship and killed all his trainees (save Ain and Bins) and cut his arm only for said pirate to become a Warlord of the Sea during the timeskip and all his crimes were forgiven by the Marine. This was the last straw for Z, who left the Marines to form the Neo Marines . No wonder he hates pirates.
Heck it could barely even be considered a win. It only ended due to Z's admittance when he clearly was on his feet after the final hit. Dropping to the ground right after Luffy as it's obvious both men are too tired to continue. Though Z does lampshade that he had gotten old and couldn't fight like he used to.
The idea of Luffy fighting a Navy Admiral on much more equal footing now that he has Haki abilities had long been hoped for by the anime, in this film it finally happens - and it's nowhere near as glorious or flashy as you would think. Luffy and Z's battle is little more than a bloody fist fight between a teenager and a man long past his prime that ends in a way that's somewhat unsatisfying for both parties.
The Dreaded : Z yet again , as the Marines are terrified of him. And with good reason, he trained a majority of the major players such as Aokiji and Kizaru when he was with them.
Dual Wielding : Ain uses two knives for close-range attacks, and a pair of guns for long-range.
Dying Moment of Awesome : Z's death aided wonderfully by a orchestrated version of his Leitmotif , Ocean's Guide, as he goes to town on the Marines attacking him.
Especially true for the English Dub as the series has yet to reach the end of the first half, and it had been reported that the anime dub was slowed due to work on this movie. At the time Funimation released this simultaneously with the first half of the Thriller Bark arc . So if you're following exclusively with the dub and watch this movie, prepare to be spoiled.
Empty Piles of Clothing : Subverted. During the Straw Hats' first fight with the Neo Marines, this seemed to be all that remained of Nami and Chopper after Ain hit them with her power, until it was revealed they were merely de-aged into kids - turning this into Shapeshifting Excludes Clothing .
Even Evil Has Standards : Fleet Admiral Akainu’s type of Justice is legendary but even he thinks Z’s plan is going too far. Also despite the battle with Kuzan over the Fleet Admiral position he still spared his life.

Face Death with Dignity : Zephyr at the end when he goes to confront the battalion of Marines set to capture him and the Straw Hats .
Fanservice : A hot bath scene with the Monster Trio, Brook and Kuzan, for the female audience, boob shots of Nami and Robin (Especially Robin) for the male audience, and just for laughs, a shot of Brook's ass as he returns to his proper age .
Final Solution : Z's plan, which he calls Grand Reboot, is to exterminate all pirates by destroying the three Endpoints, islands that seal a huge amount of subterranean magma. If all three Endpoints are destroyed, the magma is released, flooding the entire Grand Line, New World included. This will obviously kill all pirates, but also cause way too many civilian casualties and collateral damage for even Akainu to approve .
Touch of Death : However if Ain continues touching you with said power, she can regress you into nothing . It is only an Informed Ability , as she never does it on-screen, but the idea itself is still unpleasant.
Freak Out : Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Brook (who has to be told why they're freaking out as he wasn't with them at the time when they first met him) understandably have one when they run into Aokiji at a hot spring, though luckily by that point he's resigned from the marines and isn't interested in fighting them anymore. Likewise later in the film, Usopp, Nami, Chopper and especially Robin aren't too thrilled to see him when he comes to see Luffy.
Get A Hold Of Yourself Man : Kuzan of all people to the Straw Hats, after their second defeat at Z's hands.
A Good Way to Die : Few men have the chance to die on their feet, foes before him, with tears of love and respect shed for him, even by his enemies. Zephyr is a truly fortunate man to have had this honor.
Green Thumb : Bins' Devil Fruit power, which allows him to make plants grow incredibly fast.
The Gunslinger / Guns Akimbo : Ain, who uses two guns for long-ranged attacks.
Heroic BSoD : Luffy suffers a minor one after his second battle with Z.
Hoist by Their Own Petard : Double whammy for the heroes during their first fight with the Neo Marines. Thanks to Bins' Devil Fruit, which can control plants, their own lawn deck is used against them. And when Robin puts Ain in a submission hold, the latter manages to rejuvenate her by touching her duplicated limbs.
It's Personal : As often, this is the reason why the Straw Hats want to beat the hell out of Z. He attacked them after they healed him, his subordinate rejuvenated Nami, Chopper, Robin and Brook, and later, he even stole Luffy's straw hat.
Knight Templar : Z and his crew. You know a villain is hardcore when even fucking Akainu disapproves of his plan to dispose of all pirates in the New World .
Late-Arrival Spoiler : The movie expects you to be up to date with the manga, or at least to have read/watched the Fishman Island arc, as it spoils Aokiji's duel with Akainu, and his subsequent resignation from the Marines .
Little Miss Badass : Nami may have been turned into a little girl, but that doesn't mean she can't kick ass.
Little Miss Con Artist : Nami also takes advantage of her cuteness to get some info about Z and his plan from a group of Marines on Secon Island.
Lock-and-Load Montage : When the crew head off to fight Z for the final time, they dress themselves in the equipment left behind by Z's previous victims.
Meaningful Name : "Z", Zephyr's alias, turns out to be the name he used when playing superhero when he was a kid.
Mecha-Mooks : Z's crew has their own models of Pacifista, named Shiro Kuma. True to Z's crew being Neo Marines, the Shiro Kumas wear white outfits, instead of the real deal's black outfit. They don't seem to be much different than regular pre-timeskip Pacifistas in terms of strength, though.
Left the Background Music On : A noncomedic example; there is a slow, somewhat haunting song about the sea that plays three times during the movie, each time acting as Z's Leitmotif . The second time around, it's eventually revealed that Aokiji is the one singing.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished : The Straw Hats meet Z after fishing him out of the ocean which he landed in after his battle with Kizaru. Initially he's pretty cordial with them and thankful for saving his life.... right up until Luffy reveals they're pirates. Then Z instantly turns hostile since, despite the crew not being evil, he hates all pirates regardless and shows no mercy.
Noodle Incident : Kuzan (Aokiji) had one with Sakazuki (Akainu) on Punk Hazard, which permanently altered the island's climate, and led to Sakazuki's ascendancy to Fleet Admiral and Kuzan's resignation from the Marines. Exactly what transpired is still unclear (as in the series itself at this point), but he's missing his left leg at the knee, and his body has a variety of new burns and scars.
No MacGuffin, No Winner : One of Z's main motivation to plan Grand Reboot, is try to destroy One Piece , thus invoked this trope. But the plan didn't finish anyway.
Non-Serial Movie : Several things later in the manga contradict the movie such as the new Marine headquarters is different, Brannews rank, and Robin's powers contradicting what she's capable of in Dressrosa. That and most obviously the movie doesn't seem to fit within the manga's timeline.
Nuke 'em : The Dyna Stones basically do this when exposed to oxygen.
Believe it or not, Kizaru himself has one just before Z unleashes one of the Dyna Stones right in his face, destroying the island they were fighting on. Though of course, being a Logia, he came out of it unscathed.
Both Ain and Bins have one during the respective final fights against Zoro and Sanji. The former when Zoro slices through her cannonballs, disarms her and rushes her with a finishing move. The latter when Sanji sets himself aflame and about to slam into him with a final kick.
Nami, Chopper, Robin, Brook and Usopp have one when the Shiro Kumas go after them.
The Oner : Yes, in an animation movie of all things. The climax battle scenes are surprisingly smooth and fast-paced, with barely any cuts in between them.
Outrun the Fireball : When the volcano erupts, Sanji, Zoro and Usopp with Luffy on his back, attempt to outrun the lava flow and ash cloud. They only succeed thanks to Kuzan using his Devil Fruit abilities to freeze the flow and cloud in place.
Pintsized Powerhouse : Nami and Chopper as kids. They may be weaker than normal, but they're still strong enough to wipe the floor with the Neo Marine troops.
Prequel : Two supplementary materials. The aforementioned Z's Ambition Arc , which takes place before the movie, and the smartphone-exclusive (though later featured on the DVD) short Glorious Island , which actually takes place in the movie up to a certain point (Around the same time the Neo Marines invade Firs Island , to be exact).
Rule of Symbolism : Brook holds a yellow umbrella over Luffy's head. The yellow umbrella being a symbol of kingship .
Two former admirals and a current one all in the same movie ? This goes beyond Strong World.
Shapeshifting Excludes Clothing : This fate befalls Nami after she's de-aged by 12 years. Since all she was wearing was a skimpy bikini, let's just say it's a very good thing that she decided to put on a modesty jacket for when Z had woken up.
Single Tear : Doberman sheds one during Z's last stand.
Soundtrack Dissonance : A beautiful rendition of Ocean's Guide, sung by Z, is heard in the beginning of the film as a fierce battle is taking place.
Spit Take : Early on in the film, Nami and Usopp see that one of the Log Pose's needles is spinning wildly, which means that whatever island it used to point to is either destroyed or way too dangerous to go to, and decide not to show it to Luffy. You get exactly three guesses as to what happens next.
Start My Own : Z's Neo Marines, which he started after leaving the main ones in disgust when the pirate who massacred his trainees (save Ain and Bins) and cut off his arm was promoted to be a Warlord of the Sea.
Storyboarding the Apocalypse : Kuzan describe what'll happen if Z isn't stopped and blows up the final End Point. We get a brief visual of this as well.
That Man Is Dead : Z's real name is Zephyr, but he changed it when he started his own army. When Kizaru calls him by his real name, he angrily states that he's no longer called that.
The Unreveal : We never find out which of the Seven Warlords was the one that massacred Z's troops back in the past and later being promoted which caused his resignation and disillusion with the Marines. The only thing we do know is that said pirate was promoted during the Time Skip , but even that is All There in the Manual . Given that the only options are Buggy , Law , and Weevil , Weevil seems like the most likely candidate.
Trailers Always Spoil : The last few trailers to the movie spoil the final battles with Sanji fighting Bins and Zoro taking on and defeating Ain . At least they don't show the actual finishing moves .
Undying Loyalty : Similar to the Straw Hats, Ain and Bins are willing to go to great lengths to follow Z.
Yep, it happened again . Just like Strong World , this is how the crew meet the villain in the first place. They fish Z out of the ocean (where he landed after narrowly escaping Kizaru) and nurse him back to health. Of course, once Z realized they were pirates, he instantly attacks them.
Then again, considering his past, who can blame him? The last time he showed mercy to a pirate, the asshole came back, cut his arm, and slaughtered his entire division. Note also that he was actually quite grateful for the save, until he learned they were pirates.
Would Hit a Girl : Zoro had no trouble fighting against Ain. Though he did hold back by use the back of his blade in order to knock her out to release her power from the rejuvenated Straw Hats, she is later shown to be fine not long after.
You Shall Not Pass! : Z sacrifices himself to buy enough time for the Straw Hats, Ain and Bins to escape.
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One Piece Film: Z

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One Piece Film Z Review: Simple Does It

My wife and I went to a special screening of One Piece Film Z a few days ago. While we were waiting in line I couldn’t help but compare the One Piece line to the Iron Man 3 line. This was a special screening that wasn’t highly publicized, while it was the height of the Iron Man craze. I was sure all the people lined up to see Monkey D. Luffy instead of Tony Stark were quite the fans of the series, and my guess was proven right when I noticed a teenage girl ahead of us – she was wearing Trafalgar Law’s hat.

One Piece Film Z was touted as the most anticipated anime film of the decade. While I might contend the claim, it is true that this One Piece film has been a decade in the making – not literally, but figuratively. It’s been over ten years since the One Piece series began and the Strawhat crew has only recently begun their conquest of the New World, the last part of the Grand Line. Film Z is the first movie that occurs in the New World and the first to showcase the Strawhat pirate crew in full force (after a fashion) after the two year time skip. Furthermore, the movie was also spearheaded by Eichiro Oda, the mangaka of the series. I’m sure the teenage Law ahead of us had the same high expectations as I did.

The plot for the movie is simple: a disgruntled former Marine Admiral creates his own force of soldiers called the Neo Marines in an effort to end the Great Pirate Age by destroying One Piece, Gol D. Roger’s legendary treasure. He intends to do this by using top secret weapons-grade stones called Dyna stones that react to oxygen and external forces by exploding in a grand fireball that can effectively turn islands to ash. He targets the three “End Point” islands of the New World, integral points of the Grand Line where underground magma flows converge, and the destruction of which would cause catastrophic upheaval of the underground magma belt and the utter devastation of the Grand Line.

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With the entire Grand Line gone, the former Marine Admiral Zephyr – who now calls himself Z (Zed) – will have also destroyed One Piece and ended the grand era of pirates, successfully eliminating the single most powerful lure to piracy. Somehow, Luffy finds himself smack in the middle of Z’s vendetta, as usual, and the entire Strawhat crew wages a small war to stop him.

The events of Film Z occur sometime after the Fishman Island arc and before the Punk Hazard arc, probably right after the canon episodes of the anime where Luffy encounters and defeats one of Z’s commanders (those few episodes were awful, by the way). When Z’s Neo Marine forces attack the End Point island protecting the Dyna stones and successfully infiltrate it, the Marines respond by sending Admiral Kizaru. Z and Kizaru exchange a few blows that end with Z detonating one of the Dyna stones, destroying the entire island. Floating offshore, Z is picked up by the Strawhats, who tend to his wounds until he wakes up, whereupon all three of the Strawhats’ monster trio – Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji – notice how powerful their guest is probably through their Haki . After Z finds out that Luffy leads a pirate crew, he attacks, and a small skirmish ensues as the rest of Z’s forces converge on his location. The Strawhats are taken by surprise and Luffy falls prey to Z’s special weapon meant to disable devil fruit ability users, and soon enough, they were forced to retreat lest they be sunk.

With the Strawhats temporarily out of action, the Marines heads meet and a plan of action is undertaken to stop Z while he proceeds with his plan to destroy the second End Point island. The recently resigned Kuzan Aokiji offers some information to the Strawhats regarding Z, and a small group headed by Luffy manages to fight Z’s forces again before the island is destroyed, leading to Luffy’s second defeat at the hands of the former admiral. This time, Z takes Luffy’s Strawhat with him to the third End Point. So far everything is par to standard One Piece plot advancement where Luffy is defeated a few times before getting serious and the Strawhats in general are at a disadvantage (a few members have been reduced in age thanks to a devil fruit user and the Thousand Sunny is still undergoing repairs). Things get real, however, when Luffy wakes up to find his Strawhat gone.

The Marines mobilize in full force as the third End Point is at stake, and Aokiji leads the Strawhats straight to Z’s Neo-Marines. The crew lays waste to the Neo Marines as Zoro and Sanji take care of Z’s top leaders and Franky and Franky Shogun take on and destroy a number of modified Pacifista on his own. Luffy and Z duke it out, and soon the duel downgrades into an armament Haki imbued fist fight ala Yusuke Urameshi versus Chu from YuYu Hakusho . Luffy wins out by a small margin, and Z accepts his defeat. Luffy takes his Strawhat but before they could leave, the Marine forces led by Kizaru surround them. Z decides to take them on his own as Aokiji encircles them in a wall of ice, also freezing the remaining Dyna Stones. Z dies on the battlefield.

While I was disappointed to find the plot so simple (the current arc of the manga is quite complex, and I wanted to see a bit more of this complexity reflect in the film), I was impressed by its execution. The film fleshed out the antagonist well, presenting a slight backstory along with the opening sequence (which was quite well done) and offering more glimpses of his past through stories told by those who knew him. Unlike other antagonists of the One Piece world, however, Z was not a disgusting creature (think Caesar Clown or Arlong). Marine Admiral Zephyr was betrayed by a principle he believed in so much he lost his family for it, and he took to extreme measures to see his final mission through. Another good point for the plot was it stayed true to classic One Piece standard – from the progression of events to Luffy’s intent: he couldn’t care less about the New World being destroyed, he just wants to win and take his Strawhat back. He states it plainly: he’s there because he wants to be Pirate King and he can’t do that if he loses to Z.

The animation styles were classic, some appeared cell-shaded, and not a lot of CGI was involved. I would have liked some fancy CGI but I suppose it would not have gone well. The fight scenes did not disappoint – even Sanji and Zoro’s fights, despite their being several levels stronger than their opponents, were well animated and executed. If I had one qualm about the fights it’s probably that these two didn’t have worthy opponents. I would have liked to see more out of Luffy, however, and his fight against Z seemed somewhat contrived and restrained. Franky proved to be quite the asset again, dealing with modified Pacifista as if they were fodder.

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More importantly, the fight sequences in the film gave fans some insight on how strong the Strawhats currently are. In the manga and the anime, not a single one of the Strawhats has fought seriously since the time skip. It’s becoming hard to gauge how strong Luffy is now, but the film answered that: he can go head to head with a retired Marine Admiral and win. There’s no doubt as to Franky’s strength too and Zoro and Sanji’s sensory Haki prowess. The rest of the crew – even Nami – can dispatch hundreds of soldiers each without breaking a sweat.

Unfortunately the film had limited time to unravel the plot, and the plot itself had to be straightforward enough to fit into one film. The film itself added little to the entire series aside from showcasing the strength of the Strawhats, and perhaps giving some insight into what actions the mysterious Aokiji would take in case of such a dire situation (Aokiji seems to be being set up for a major role in the manga). The storytelling was a touch dramatic and quite cinematic, though I cringed somewhat when I found out it was Aokiji singing that soulful, creepy ode to the fallen. Was the film worth ten years? Perhaps not, but it was well worth the trip to the cinemas. [by G Dino ]

There is 1 comment

Film Z sounds fantastic. I’ve only just seen <a href=”

http://www.mangauk.com/post.php?p=one-piece-strong-world “>Strong World</a> and a lot of people have told me Z is even better!

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Review: ‘The Wiz’ Eases Back to Broadway

Almost 50 years after it debuted, this classic Black take on “The Wizard of Oz” tries to update its original formula.

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A still from the Broadway musical production of “The Wiz” shows the Lion, Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow, arms interlocked onstage.

By Maya Phillips

Let me start with a confession: I’ve never liked “The Wizard of Oz.” But give me a retelling with, say, a Black Dorothy and Black Oz, and I’m immediately clicking my heels.

When “The Wiz” debuted on Broadway in 1975, it was a colorful exclamation of Blackness on the stage. That’s to say a Black score, by Charlie Smalls, including gospel and R&B; a Black cast; and Black audiences at the forefront.

Then three years later the beloved Motown film adaptation, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor, pulled a Black Dorothy from her home, not in Kansas but in Harlem, and the New York City boroughs were cleverly transmogrified into the stylish, futuristic Oz.

Now “The Wiz” returns to Broadway in a revival directed by Schele Williams and an updated book by Amber Ruffin , with the aim of creating a take “ through the Blackest of Black lenses .” This new production, which opened at the Marquis Theater on Wednesday, showcases creative visuals and some standout performances, but stops short of bringing modern Blackness to Broadway.

Here, Dorothy (Nichelle Lewis, in her Broadway debut) is a city girl who’s moved to Kansas to live with her Aunt Em (Melody A. Betts, who later doubles as the deliciously brass-throated witch Evillene). But Dorothy doesn’t feel at home and is being bullied by her classmates. A sudden meteorological anomaly flies Dorothy to Oz, where she seeks the counsel of the great and powerful Wiz (Wayne Brady) on how to get back home. Along the way she’s joined by a scarecrow (Avery Wilson) in need of a brain, a tinman (Phillip Johnson Richardson) wanting a heart and a lion (Kyle Ramar Freeman) desperate for some courage. (Sorry dog-lovers, there’s no Toto.)

There’s plenty of gold to be found along this yellow brick road. Deborah Cox’s Glinda, the good witch, in a shimmering gold gown, looks like a jewel and sounds like one, too, with her crystalline voice switching from jazzy scatting to a sparkling falsetto in “He’s the Wiz” and later offering a triumphant performance of “Believe in Yourself.”

Glinda’s not the only one with flashy fashion; the costume design, by Sharen Davis, draws from a wild, unpredictable range of time periods and trends. Ozians with blue Afro puffs, green extensions and multicolored braids flounce around in bright petticoats during a scene meant to replicate a New Orleans second-line parade; Evillene’s army of evil poppies slinks around in ’70s-style Afros and flare-legged jumpsuits, and the denizens of Emerald City saunter in Afro-futuristic outfits with ornate collars and fringe.

There’s just as much color in the choreography, by JaQuel Knight, which offers an evocative mélange of styles. Dorothy’s tornado is summoned with a flurry of pirouetting dancers in billowing gray fabrics. Later those stiff-backed, graceful turns are just as quickly swapped for hunched, down-low Afro-Cuban steps and crisp hip-hop moves.

The best performances in the production are likewise grounded in movement: Wilson is a playful scarecrow, his wobbly knees and freely flinging limbs showing off impressive flexibility and acrobatic skill. Freeman’s dramatic prancing and marching as the lion pair perfectly with his character’s … well, leonine theatricality.

Add to the mix a popping-and-locking Tinman who also drops a soulful “What Would I Do If I Could Feel” and the charming showmanship of Brady’s Wiz (armed with a lively exit number even more delightful than his entrance), and you’ve got a cast of sidekicks who outshine the hero.

As Dorothy, Lewis dutifully hits the notes but is dwarfed by the stage and the performers around her. Though Ruffin’s book offers a few modern updates to the lingo and gives her companions new back stories, Dorothy still lacks dimension, and Lewis struggles to fill her in with any emotional shading.

Despite its freewheeling fashions there’s a hemmed-in quality to most of the production. This Dorothy and her adventure, like the overall direction, is bright and tidy but falls short in character. The animated backdrops of Oz often have a cutesy, over-glossed Pixar-movie feel. The pacing doesn’t quite “ease on down” as it does race through the show’s two-and-a-half-hour running time; the settings and characters pass by in a blur. Even the musical arc of the show slumps into a routine, with a predictable build toward each big solo climax.

All of which is to say that “The Wiz” is a pleasant, serviceable time at the theater, but as a new production of a musical with a legacy of bringing Blackness to one of Hollywood’s and Broadway’s favorite fairy tales, it’s less satisfying.

There is a fresher production hinted at in the ecstatic array of costumes and mix of choreography. There’s a stronger, more daring representation of modern-day Blackness suggested in the faint touches of New Orleans’s Tremé neighborhood and a character’s quip about discovering their hair’s curl pattern.

In the past this paper’s critics weren’t impressed by productions of this musical. In 1984 Frank Rich rashly dismissed the “tacky” Broadway production of a musical that he deemed “hardly great” but “a once-fervent expression of Black self-respect and talent.” In his review of the original, in 1975, Clive Barnes wrote of a production with “vitality” and “style” that was nevertheless “tiresome” — perhaps because, he ventures, for him such fairy tales are only appealing when they’re grounded in one’s own experience. Does the show “say different things to Blacks than to whites?” asked a Black writer in The Times several months later. His answer was yes. So is mine.

Nearly 50 years later, with a similar degree of ambivalence, I wonder if a revival of one of theater’s beloved Black musicals is truly a Black experience. It feels more like just another night at the theater.

The Wiz Through Aug. 18 at the Marquis Theater, Manhattan; wizmusical.com . Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes.

An earlier version of this review misstated the opening day of “The Wiz.” It was Wednesday, not Tuesday.

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Maya Phillips is an arts and culture critic for The Times. More about Maya Phillips

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One Piece Film: Z
One Piece (Movie 12) Film: Z Review. Story (9/10) Great. Film Z's story was great as it is the first movie set in the Shinsekai and it bring a good original story. Due to the similarities shared with One Piece Film: Strong World, this film's canonicity was often subject of discussion. However, Eiichiro Oda himself and, later, Chapter 700 of the ...
One Piece Film Z (2012)
10/10. One Piece Film: Z, Last in the Alphabet, but First in Cinema. cpm606 1 October 2014. One Piece, written by Eiichiro Oda, is the best selling manga of all time, selling over 345 million copies worldwide. Oda has been writing One Piece since 1997, and in 2010 he finished the first half of the manga.
One Piece Film Z
Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/16/22 Full Review Audience Member Everything a One Piece movie should be. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read ...
One Piece Film Z Review
Z's a great character and the movie manages to balance action, comedy and character development similar to the main series. It's not quite as good as the best of One Piece, but it's still a really good movie. One Piece and One Piece Film Z are both available from Funimation and on RightStuf. Final Score: 9/10
ANIME REVIEW: "One Piece Film Z"
ANIME REVIEW: "One Piece Film Z". By Charles Solomon. October 25, 2014 12:01 am. If any anime series succeeds in running forever, it will. probably be One Piece. The TV series has. racked up over ...
One Piece Film Z (2012)
One Piece Film Z: Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine. With Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi. A former Marine stands in the way of the Straw Hat Pirates.
One Piece Film: Z
One Piece Film: Z is a 2012 Japanese anime fantasy action adventure film directed by Tatsuya Nagamine.It is the twelfth feature film based on the shōnen manga series One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. The film stars the regular television cast of Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Otani, Yuriko Yamaguchi, Kazuki Yao, and Chō.
One Piece Film: Z
Read reviews on the anime One Piece Film: Z on MyAnimeList, the internet's largest anime database. The Straw Hat Pirates enter the rough seas of the New World in search of the hidden treasures of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger－One Piece. On their voyage, the pirates come across a terrifying, powerful man, former Marine Admiral Z. Z is accused of having stolen the "Dyna Stones", weapons ...
‎One Piece Film: Z (2012) directed by Tatsuya Nagamine • Reviews, film
Zephyr, now known as Z, rides the seas with only one goal: Destroy all pirates and their dreams at becoming King of Pirates. When Luffy and his crew encounter him at sea, not only are they utterly defeated by the man with an arm made of Seastone, Nami, Robin, and Chopper are turned 10 years younger due to Z's minion Ain.
One Piece Film: Z
Movie (1 ep x 108 min) Toei Animation. 2012. 4.197 out of 5 from 8,869 votes. Rank #343. Screenshots. Said to be comparable to the Ancient Weapons of old, the Marines' trump card, the "Dyna Stones," have suddenly been stolen by a group of renegade vigilantes. The terrifyingly powerful man responsible, former Marine Admiral "Z", now stands in ...
One Piece Film: Z (2012)
Tatsuya Nagamine. Director. Osamu Suzuki. Writer. Zephyr, now known as Z, rides the seas with only one goal: Destroy all pirates and their dreams at becoming King of Pirates. When Luffy and his crew encounter him at sea, not only are they utterly defeated by the man with an arm made of Seastone, Nami, Robin, and Chopper are turned 10 years ...
One Piece Film Z
All Audience. Verified Audience. No All Critics reviews for One Piece Film Z. Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. The definitive ...
One Piece Film Z review by zorospride; Warning: Long Read ...
One Piece Film Z review by zorospride; Warning: Long Read! (Mostly Non-Spoilers, with a few spoilers in hidden text) ... The action scenes were animated better than anything I've ever seen in a One Piece movie or the anime before. Nothing was off model or made to look different simply because it was a movie.
One Piece Film: Z
One Piece (Movie 12) Film: Z Review. Story (9/10) Great. Film Z's story was great as it is the first movie set in the Shinsekai and it bring a good original story. Due to the similarities shared with One Piece Film: Strong World, this film's canonicity was often subject of discussion. However, Eiichiro Oda himself and, later, Chapter 700 of the ...
One Piece Film: Z
One Piece Film: Z is the 12th One Piece film, released on December 15, 2012. The film was scripted by Osamu Suzuki, directed by Tatsuya Nagamine and executive produced by Eiichiro Oda. Yasutaka Nakata wrote and performed the theme song. Said to be comparable to the Ancient Weapons, the Marines' trump card the "Dyna Stones" have suddenly been stolen and the terrifyingly powerful man responsible ...
Film Z is PEAK One Piece
You're about to hear an unapologetic gush-fest. Film Z is that good. #onepiece #onepiecemovie #onepiecereivew ️ One Piece Movie Reviews ️Playlist: https://w...
Anime movie review: One Piece Film Z
In some ways this move reminded me of what made me really get into Anime in the 90s. The story was quite epic and enjoyable, and there was a good balance of slow scenes of dialogue and action scenes. One thing that was a bit surprising is that Luffy himself plays a relatively small part in the movie, although he does kick butt in some key scenes.
One Piece Film: Z (Anime)
One Piece Z is the 12th film, and 2nd Film label, in the long running anime and manga franchise, One Piece. Released on December 15th, 2012. It's the first One Piece movie to be set after the time skip. As the title suggests, it focuses on Z, a former Marine Admiral who now leads his own version called the Neo Marines, with the intent of wiping ...
One Piece Film: Z
A limited dual edition ticket for both One Piece Film: Z and Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods sold for the screenings of both movies at ¥2,600 the year they premiered, which contained special art by the mangaka of both series. Regular editions of the DVD/BD in Japan included one of nine different holographic stickers, while the deluxe edition included all nine stickers as well as other bonus ...
One Piece Film Z Review: Simple Does It
Argo Review (DVD): It's the Director, Not the Actor. With the entire Grand Line gone, the former Marine Admiral Zephyr - who now calls himself Z (Zed) - will have also destroyed One Piece and ended the grand era of pirates, successfully eliminating the single most powerful lure to piracy. Somehow, Luffy finds himself smack in the middle ...
100% BLIND Review: Every ONE PIECE Movie (Part 3): Strong World, Film Z
I've covered Dragon Ball primarily for years. And since then I've managed to cover all of One Piece (so far)... And so since I've covered all the Dragon Ball...
When & Where Does 'One Piece Film: Z' Take Place?
The plot of the movie is actually connected to the Z's Ambition mini-arc from the anime series, which actually served as a prequel for the movie. In this article, we have decided to tell you when and where One Piece Film: Z takes place. One Piece Film: Z came out on December 15, 2012. It is a follow-up of the Z's Ambition anime filler arc ...
Review: 'The Wiz' Eases Back to Broadway
April 17, 2024. The Wiz. Let me start with a confession: I've never liked "The Wizard of Oz.". But give me a retelling with, say, a Black Dorothy and Black Oz, and I'm immediately clicking ...

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