Toei Animation Celebrates One Piece Wano Arc Finale with Epic Office Bash

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the One Piece anime and the conclusion of the highly acclaimed "Wano Country" storyline, Toei Animation recently organized an unforgettable celebration at their office.

Henry Thurlow, a talented member of the Toei Animation team, shared his experience of the event on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). Thurlow expressed his gratitude for being able to attend the momentous One Piece anniversary and Wano-Kuni completion party. He had the pleasure of meeting Oda-sensei, witnessing mesmerizing live performances of the opening themes, and connecting with talented artists and directors he had not met before. Thurlow delighted fans by sharing captivating images of gigantic statues featuring beloved characters like Roronoa Zoro, Sanji, and Jinbe from the series.

Henry Thurlow holds the distinction of being the first American-born animator to direct an episode of One Piece. Thurlow's episode, titled "Here Comes the Main Act: Powerful Techniques of Fallout and Magnetism," captures a significant fight in the "Wano" arc between Eustass Kid, Trafalgar Law, and Big Mom. Episode #903 showcases Thurlow's debut work as he animates the intense battle scene between Monkey D. Luffy and Urashima.

The "Wano Country" arc is the longest-running storyline in Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga. In the anime adaptation, this arc spans from Episode 890 to 1076, with the latter episode showcasing the epic conclusion of Luffy's highly-anticipated clash with Emperor Kaido. The latter part of the arc also showcases Luffy's iconic transformation into Gear 5, which grants him unimaginable strength and the ability to manipulate reality. Toei Animation has commemorated Gear 5's introduction in the anime through various merchandise collaborations, such as Crunchyroll's Gear 5 "Battle Record" Collectible Figure and the upcoming "Monkey D. Luffy Gear 5 Edition" watch from Seiko.

Toei Animation's One Piece anime debuted in October 1999, just two years after Eiichiro Oda's highly acclaimed manga was released. Throughout the years, Oda has consistently supported Toei's adaptation of his beloved series. However, he specifically commended the anime's portrayal of "Wano Country," expressing how deeply it moved him to tears. In 2023, One Piece fans have much to look forward to, as the "Wano" arc concludes on Toei's platform and the first-ever live-action adaptation of One Piece premieres globally on Netflix in August. Despite this, Oda has reassured his fans that he is currently working on the final major arc of One Piece and that the series will not be concluding anytime soon.

Additionally, fans can enjoy streaming the One Piece anime on major platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. The English version of the manga is also available through VIZ Media.

Source: X (formerly Twitter)

One Piece Manga - Anime One Piece is an incredible adventure-filled series that has captivated its fans for over two decades. It follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the King of the Pirates. With its compelling storyline, diverse and lovable characters, epic battles, and themes of friendship and determination, One Piece has created a vast and immersive world that keeps fans eagerly anticipating each new chapter or episode. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to redefine the boundaries of the shonen genre, making it a must-watch or read for any anime or manga enthusiast.