Definitely one of the more exciting “One Piece” films I have watched in a decade and definitely the best looking “One Piece” film created. If you are looking for a “One Piece” film with action, wonderful animation and awesome voice acting, definitely give “One Piece Film Gold” a try!
Image courtesy of © 2016 Toei Animation Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: One Piece: Heart of Gold
ORIGINAL TV AIR DATE: 2016
DURATION: 130 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, English and Japanese Dolby TrueHD5.1, Subtitles: English
COMPANY: FUNimation
RATED: TV 14
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Originally created by Eiichiro Oda
Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine
Script by Tsutomu Kuroiwa
Music by Kohei Tanaka, Shiroh Hamaguchi, Yasunori Iwasaki
Character Design by Keiichi Ichikawa
Art Director: Yoshito Watanabe, Yukako Ogawa
Chief Animation Director: Keiichi Ichikawa
Animation Production by Toei Animation
Featuring the following voice talent:
Mayumi Tanaka/Colleen Clinkenbeard as Monkey D. Luffy
Akemi Okamura/Luci Christian as Nami
Hiroaki Hirata/Eric Vale as Sanji
Ikue Ohtani/Brina Palencia as Tony Tony Chopper
Kappei Yamaguchi/Sonny Strait as Usopp
Yuriko Yamaguchi/Stephanie Young as Nico Robin
Kazuki Yao/Patrick Seitz as Franky
Ian Sinclair as Brook
Hiroyuki Yoshino/Akron Watson as Psycho P
Kiko Mizuhara/Kenneisha Thompson as Naomi Drunk
Kiyohiko Shibukawa/Bryn Apprill as Ashie Miskina
Minami Hamabe/Sara Ragsdale as Orga Miskina
Shun Oguri/Troy Hughes as Mad Treasure
“ONE PIECE†is a popular anime series based on the popular manga series serialized in Shonen Jump by Eiichiro Oda. Suffice to say, “ONE PIECE†is the highest selling manga for Weekly Shonen Jump and its popularity has extended to various anime (via the TV series, OVA and films) and video games in America and also worldwide.
The series is so popular, the episode count currently in Japan is in its 18th season and a total of over 776 episodes having been aired in Japan. Several animated films, many video games and for the most part, a very successful anime/manga series worldwide.
“ONE PIECE†is an adventure anime about a 17-year-old boy named Monkey D. Luffy who gained enormous strength (and stretching abilities) after eating a magical demon fruit. He eventually teams up with a group of pirates and have the name “The Straw Hatsâ€. Luffy’s driven to one day obtain the most sought out treasure known as “One Piece†and eventually become the King of the Pirates.
To help promote the 13th “One Piece” film titled “One Piece Film Gold”, a TV special (the eleventh) was released on television in July 2016.
The film begins with the World Government and a man known as Mad Treasure pursuing a girl named Myskina Olga. The reason why they are pursuing her is she knows the location of the Pure Gold, a substance that can buy the entire world.
While managing to escape, she approaches the Straw Hat Pirates and they make a deal to split the profits if they can find the Pure Gold.
And so it leads the group to the lost island of Alchemi, which is located inside the stomach of a large anglerfish known as Bonbori.
Unfortunately, Luffy and Olga are separated from the others but while hanging out, Luffy learns from Olga that she is actually 200 years old and she harbors a grudge towards her father for the death of her mother and most of all, making the Pure Gold which was eaten by Bonbori.
As Mad Treasure and his crew are able to capture Olga and the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy who is on his own ends up meeting Myskina Acer, Olga’s father. Who has no idea that his daughter is still alive. Meanwhile, Zoro and Sanji who were not captured, try to stage a rescue attempt. But standing in their way are Mad Treasure’s subordinates, Naomi Drunk and Psycho P.
Will Olga and the Straw Hat Pirates discover the Pure Gold?
VIDEO:
“One Piece: Heart of Gold” is presented in 1080p High Definition and the film looks vibrant. While a TV special, the animation looks fantastic and not too soft. Colors look great! Animation production from Toei Animation is magnificent!
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“One Piece: Heart of Gold” is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 . Both soundtracks are fantastic and dialogue and music are both crystal clear through the center, front and surround channels. But of course, with the English track having a 5.1 soundtrack is the better of the two.
Subtitles are in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“One Piece Film: Heart of Gold” comes with a theatrical trailer.
EXTRAS:
“One Piece Film Gold” comes with the Blu-ray and DVD version of the film.
The 11th “One Piece” TV special makes its way to North America along with the 13th “One Piece” film titled “One Piece Film Gold” and serves as correlation to promote the film.
Entertaining, fun and action-packed, the series features the Straw Hat Pirates teaming up with a young girl named Olga, who looks very young but is actually 200 years old and many people are pursuing her because she know the location of Pure Gold, which will allow anyone to buy the world.
While a fun film, Olga is literally a brat. Often arguing or critical, it’s part of her life of being alone since the death of her parents. And she has harbored a grunge towards her father because of the death of her mother.
While Luffy and Olga search for the Pure Gold, the others (except Sanji and Zoro) are captured by the main antagonist of the film, Mad Treasure. A formidable opponent, there to fight for their boss are Naomi Drunk and Psycho P.
For the most part, the special is like other “One Piece” films with a balance of humor and action but the only thing that was not as fun to watch was Olga, who is pretty much a major brat. But when you see her start to settle down as she sees others who are willing to fight for what they believe in.
While I don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t watch “One Piece Film Gold”, you will see a few characters from the film mentioned and certain actions that lead to the group visiting the location featured in the film. So, there is a solid connection from special to film and most importantly, make sure you watch the film after the ending credits, as there is a major teaser scene for “One Piece Film Gold”.
As for the Blu-ray, surprisingly there are no special features. It’s a barebones Blu-ray release that looks and sounds good in HD. Unfortunately, aside from the single trailer, there are no special features included.
Overall, an action-packed, entertaining and fun “One Piece” TV special worth watching. Especially if you are a big fan of the anime/manga series!
