![]() ![]() “Red” also accomplishes the dual task of keeping its story feeling self-contained amidst the expansiveness of the “One Piece” universe while also cramming in as many characters from the franchise as possible - so much so that at certain points it feels like a movie about characters showing up places while other characters say their names to remind the viewer of who they are and whether they’re good guys or bad guys. The film was announced in commemoration for the one-thousandth “One Piece” episode in 2021, and its release corresponded with the 25th anniversary of the original manga and a number of tie-in episodes of the show. It’s also a clever bit of tie-in marketing that has helped the film top the Japanese box office: it’s the highest-grossing film of 2022 in Japan so far, the ninth highest-grossing of all time, and has ranked at number one for 11 consecutive weeks. (The J-pop singer known as Ado, who similarly keeps her real-life identity concealed, provided Uta’s singing voice.)Īnyone who enjoyed Mamoru Hosoda’s fantastic fairytale retelling “Belle” from last year will dig this. One of them gives Uta a magical girl transformation sequence, and another driving ballad soundtracks a climactic fight scene. ![]() Uta plans to use her concert (and her mysterious magical hologram powers) to bring the whole world together and end all suffering, a totally normal aspiration and definitely not something someone on the edge of becoming a supervillain would say.īecause the movie takes place during a concert, it’s a bit of a musical, with a total of eight pop and rock songs providing the background to the action onscreen. Not only that, Uta and Luffy were friends when they were children, until Uta left the pirate crew to become a singer. To everyone’s surprise, she turns out to be the daughter of pirate captain Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors and Luffy’s childhood hero. The film opens on Uta’s first live in-person concert, where she plans to reveal her true identity. One Piece Film: Red is the best movie in the franchise and an entertaining experience for its audience, who should be ready to shed some tears, too.Enter pop star Uta, the World’s Greatest Diva, known for her infectious earworms and her tendency to keep her identity a secret. ![]() There are some added surprises and an innovative and refreshing look that comes from its strong musical component. One Piece Film: Red is ultimately a successful endeavor that will please fans. While One Piece is mostly known for its action and humor, almost every major character has a past history of tragedy and loss, and these two themes coalesce nicely. The ending of the movie proves that One Piece Film: Red really stays true to the series' spirit. Luffy briefly uses his Gear Fifth at the end of the movie, and other elements - such as Nami having her pet thundercloud, Zeus, or Luffy being recognized as a Yonko - position it chronologically after the end of the Wano Country arc. O ne Piece Film: Red does create some continuity problems. It would have worked better as an entire arc, like in the manga or anime, but it's clear from the quality of the story that this is Eiichiro Oda's material. Elements of the story, including Uta's background, Shanks' role, and the presence of the Straw Hats (who often feel like mere extras), are compressed into the movie's two-hour runtime. If anything, the story of the movie is too rich and complex. That said, the final revelation regarding Uta's past and the disaster of Elegia is a bit disappointing and predictable - but it still works. That is, until Shanks and his Red-Hair Pirates arrive to team up with the Straw Hats and save the day. While Luffy and his friends have to fight an all-powerful Uta inside her virtual world, the Marines and the World Government try to kill the girl in the real Elegia. Motivated by her childhood trauma and by the desire to create an ideal world for everyone, with no conflict or struggle, Uta traps everyone on the island in an illusory world created by the powers of her Uta Uta no Mi Devil Fruit. However, the festive atmosphere of Elegia soon dissipates as Uta reveals she is hiding a dark secret. Right off the bat, the movie reveals that Uta is the daughter of the legendary pirate Red-Haired Shanks, and she and Luffy are childhood friends. One Piece Film: Red opens in the middle of the action: The Straw Hat Pirates are gathered on Elegia (aka, Music Island), along with people from all over the world, for the first live concert of Uta, the superstar singer. ![]()
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