Thank you, for this is the One Piece in my mind Spoilers

October 11, 2023

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If you're someone who enjoys One Piece and is thinking about giving it a negative review, take a moment to reflect on what initially drew you to the series.

Is it because the characters are beautifully designed? Is it because the fighting scenes are exciting? Or is it because the painting style is fascinating and unique? ...

In a more straightforward question, do you enjoy One Piece solely because of its surface-level visual elements that catch your eye?

Buddhism has told us that “everything with form is unreal”.

If you identify as a One Piece fan but only pay attention to aspects like whether the actors resemble the characters from the comics or if the fight scenes are sufficiently thrilling, it's clear that you may not fully grasp the essence of One Piece.

The primary issue with adapting comics into movies is that it can never fully recreate the characters exactly as we had imagined them in our minds.

This happens because our imagination seeks perfection. When it comes to a beloved fictional character, the stronger our attachment, the more we believe that no one can genuinely match them in a movie.

This feeling of being "unqualified" is a way to protect the idealized image we've built of the character in our minds. We just don't want to see it diminished or tarnished.

Hence, fictional characters will never possess a fixed appearance. If they did, it would undoubtedly undermine our flawless imagination of these characters.

If you approach this with rationality or simply take a moment to calm down, you'll come to realize the underlying reason behind avoiding hasty negative reviews. It's because we acknowledge our inherent limitations when it comes to live-action adaptations.

After all, it is difficult to please everyone, and it is impossible to achieve perfection for everyone’s imagination.

Likewise, we shouldn't disregard the essence of One Piece merely due to an excessive fixation on outward appearances.

That's because the true essence of a work resides in the message it aims to impart, and nothing else holds the same importance.

So, has this live-action adaptation managed to capture the true essence of the original? Has it effectively conveyed the spirit of the original work? I believe that's where our attention should be directed.

Before this, we need to answer another question:

Do you think there is a concrete form of "freedom"?

In simpler terms, do you believe that "freedom" is something concrete with a defined form?

The majority of things that human beings desire have specific, defined shapes or forms.

Do you have a strong desire for money? Money always comes in a specific form and quantity.

Do you yearn for beauty? When it comes to beauty, the aspects of the face and body make it even more specific.

Do you have a craving for power? It's also very specific to whom you want to conquer.

Do you desire law and order? In this context, every provision in the law is clearly articulated in the penal code, leaving no room for ambiguity. The resources, such as weapons and personnel, required to uphold law and order are also tangible and well-defined.

So, what about freedom? Does freedom possess a physical form? I'd like to ask, where can one truly find genuine freedom?

No, there is no such place. Freedom is not something specific.

Freedom exists everywhere, and it knows no bounds. That's precisely why we continually seek it, embarking on an everlasting journey to attain it.

Human beings yearn for freedom. Freedom cannot be acquired with wealth or physical beauty; it remains impervious to the influence of power. Even the government or armed forces cannot quell it.

No matter how precise and potent these forces may be, they cannot obliterate freedom because freedom possesses "immortality."

Freedom is essentially a spirit, making it invulnerable. Those who yearn for freedom will ultimately overcome all limitations and constraints.

Yeah, Roger was eventually executed. But did they really kill him?

No, it's just a body. Even without executions, one will still die of old age or illness...

But no force can stop the spirit from pursuing freedom.

Sometimes, people need a decent and specific “excuse” in their relentless pursuit for freedom.

So Roger said to the people: My treasure? Find it!

Is there really a treasure?

I suspect that the substantial treasure might have been a spontaneous idea from Roger, but the pirates who embarked on the journey with unfettered hearts truly experienced genuine happiness.

Now, can you comprehend why both Roger and Luffy burst into such uncontrollable fits of laughter?

One of them was facing imminent execution, and the other was setting out on a perilous, uncertain journey where his life was constantly at risk. So, what could have possibly brought them such immense happiness?

When Luffy's wanted poster was shown, his friends who knew him well were genuinely delighted for him. What might have brought them such happiness?

Are they happy because Luffy's head is worth 30 million Belly?

Shanks also celebrated for Luffy. Could it be that he was rejoicing because Luffy was about to embark on a life-or-death journey similar to his?

Oh, by the way, I haven't answered the original question yet:

Has this live-action version captured the essence of the original animation? Does it convey the spirit of the original animation?

I think there is no need for an answer.

If we really need an answer, I can only say that the "only" treasure left for us by One Piece and Roger is not a tangible treasure.

……

Thanks to all the creators of the live-action version. It was you who reminded me once again of the feeling I felt when I watched One Piece for the first time.

Thank you for giving me the chance to find again that One Piece that I have had but I always forget.

I know that any evaluation will be overshadowed by this treasure.

However, I still want to say, thank you; this is the One Piece in my mind!

…

PS：

The ceremony in the 8th episode of the live-action version of One Piece corresponds to the 53rd episode of the original animation. Do we still remember it?