So...that's it?

[Darklightz]

I started watching One Piece on YTV.I started out as something funny,but then I started notice the DBZ symptoms.So is it really like that?Luffy and his gang travelling beating up random pirates who happen to also have eaten a forbidden fruit?I noticed that the series is at 240+ episodes now.So does the story evolve or is it just pirate bashing?

[orochi X]

I'm reading the manga and pretty much up to date with it, I'm sure the anime pretty much follows the same story arcs except I believe the anime has a couple of filler arcs.

Yeah the first few story arcs just really revolve around the crew members, their past and beating up other pirates. After those story arcs, it gets going, other major players are introduced (pirate and marine wise) which you can tell will have a significant impact later on in the series.

I know what you mean the fights are a bit DBZ esque with villians seeming like their overpowered but later Luffy manages to pull out all his strength and win.

I think you should persist on.

[John Faulkner]

I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The beginning was good with lots of comedy and character development, but then it started becoming repetitive and predictable -- the fight with that hypnotist guy and the butler with large claws seemed to drag on forever -- and the thing is you know that Luffy is going to win in the end and everyone ends up happy.

My question is, are there any sort of surprises or shocks or major twists in the storylines? Do we see more sides of Luffy, or Nami, or Zolo? Even with DBZ, you get a few twists and turns, e.g. Android 16 beating up on Cell or even the appearance of Cell, and character development e.g. Gohan going to high school.

[orochi X]

There's definately some plot development later on, with major players being introduced, the goals and plans of the marines and such. But as for character development within the Straw Hat crew, there really hasn't been much except with Robin.

[dheu]

I honestly haven't been too impressed with the TV series while watching it on CN. Maybe it's a 4Kids syndrome, or maybe it's me. I like the manga; it's not my favorite, but it's fun, and Luffy's reactions are so off-the-wall that it's interesting seeing what he'll do next. I also like the other characters. The series manages to be serious even while being funny.

I haven't found any of that in the TV series at all. Is it the characters' dubbed voices, which seem to drain all the comedy from the situations that are supposed to be funny? Is it that I'm a manga elitist and just don't like seeing the changes in it? Or have I simply not seen enough?

I've heard that 4Kids has done some major editting to the series. Is that why it's not so much fun to watch?

No, wait. I've got it. It's the HORRIBLE opening theme, which is so freakin' awful that it sucks all vitality away from the show. Hah. Is that the original Japanese opening theme? I heard somewhere that it's a 4Kids addition....

Is this TV series better than it's coming across to me? Did 4Kids mangle it, or have I just not seen enough of it? Am I not giving it a fair chance? I just don't quite understand how a manga series that's so much fun can be twisted into... this.

[ACE2001]

I honestly haven't been too impressed with the TV series while watching it on CN. Maybe it's a 4Kids syndrome, or maybe it's me. I like the manga; it's not my favorite, but it's fun, and Luffy's reactions are so off-the-wall that it's interesting seeing what he'll do next. I also like the other characters. The series manages to be serious even while being funny.

I haven't found any of that in the TV series at all. Is it the characters' dubbed voices, which seem to drain all the comedy from the situations that are supposed to be funny? Is it that I'm a manga elitist and just don't like seeing the changes in it? Or have I simply not seen enough?

I've heard that 4Kids has done some major editting to the series. Is that why it's not so much fun to watch?

No, wait. I've got it. It's the HORRIBLE opening theme, which is so freakin' awful that it sucks all vitality away from the show. Hah. Is that the original Japanese opening theme? I heard somewhere that it's a 4Kids addition....

Is this TV series better than it's coming across to me? Did 4Kids mangle it, or have I just not seen enough of it? Am I not giving it a fair chance? I just don't quite understand how a manga series that's so much fun can be twisted into... this.

It's more or less of what you said dheu. 4Kids definately has done a poor job of handling One Piece. I much would've rather this have gone to Funimation as they are doing well with Full Metal Alchemist. 4Kids is trying to turn One Piece into a little kiddy show which it is not, so yeah 4Kids is definately screwing it up.

Also, I belive that One Piece is as of right now over 200 episodes, so if you just started watching it, stick with it as the episodes get more interesting and a little dramatic.

All in All, One Piece itself isn't a bad anime, it's just that it's getting handled terribly, with the voice actors and the ridiculous editing. If you can handle that much, then I say you're in for a real treat as far as the story is concerned.

[John Faulkner]

There's definately some plot development later on, with major players being introduced, the goals and plans of the marines and such. But as for character development within the Straw Hat crew, there really hasn't been much except with Robin.

Disappointed to hear about the lack of character development, but it sounds like it's still worth watching for the plot.

4Kids is trying to turn One Piece into a little kiddy show which it is not, so yeah 4Kids is definately screwing it up.
Would you say it's supposed to be teenager-oriented, or for all ages? From what I've seen, the show seems geared towards the 12-16 age bracket.

I haven't found any of that in the TV series at all. Is it the characters' dubbed voices, which seem to drain all the comedy from the situations that are supposed to be funny?

All in All, One Piece itself isn't a bad anime, it's just that it's getting handled terribly, with the voice actors and the ridiculous editing. If you can handle that much, then I say you're in for a real treat as far as the story is concerned.
We might have different tastes in dubbing, but I actually thought the voices weren't too bad (Zolo's voice was particulary fitting). A bigger gripe would be the fight scenes which are a bit static and predictable, and I don't think that's down to editing. I need to see more episodes though to form a better judgement.

[orochi X]

I've heard that 4Kids has done some major editting to the series. Is that why it's not so much fun to watch?

No, wait. I've got it. It's the HORRIBLE opening theme, which is so freakin' awful that it sucks all vitality away from the show. Hah. Is that the original Japanese opening theme? I heard somewhere that it's a 4Kids addition....


Some of the editting that I've heard of is that they changed the weapons such as guns and rifles into water pistols and popcap guns. It's mostly editting out violence.

Ohh that One Piece rap is horrid.

[Wolfpac]

Hey I like that song... It's catchy. :D

[John Faulkner]

Hey I like that song... It's catchy. :D

I think it's OK. It's not as good as the Pokerap though.

Apparently they showed One Piece uncut in Brazil. Another useless piece of trivia for everyone--