Six One Piece Films Depart Netflix: Essential Viewing Guide
Netflix will remove six films from its streaming library on September 1, 2023. As the platform invests heavily in the One Piece franchise, including a live-action series and new anime from Wit Studio, fans are encouraged to watch these films before they disappear. While many of these titles exist outside the series canon, some recount significant sagas or touch upon ongoing plot points. Here’s a guide to prioritize your viewing.
Understanding the One Piece Films
The One Piece films vary in importance, with some providing essential context for the overarching narrative while others are less critical. Below is a ranked list of the films, from least to most essential, to help fans navigate their viewing experience.
6. One Piece: Episode of East Blue
This TV special attempts to condense the 61 episodes of the East Blue saga into just an hour and 45 minutes. While it introduces Monkey D. Luffy‘s quest, it sacrifices key character development for Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Many long-time fans deem this special skippable.
5. One Piece: Episode of Skypiea
Similar to the previous entry, the Skypiea special overlooks critical moments that define the saga. This abridged version omits numerous gags, action scenes, and notable characters, making it far more beneficial to watch the complete 43-episode saga instead.
4. One Piece: Heart of Gold
Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, this TV special follows a girl named Olga, pursued by both the World Government and a treasure-seeker named Mad Treasure. While entertaining, it is not essential for understanding One Piece Film: Gold, despite some loose connections.
Key Films to Consider
3. One Piece: Adventure of Nebulandia
Often seen as a spiritual successor to the G8 arc, this TV special is engaging and showcases lesser-highlighted Straw Hat members. The plot revolves around the Foxy Pirates seeking revenge against the Straw Hats, leading to adventures on Nebulandia, an island that nullifies Devil Fruit powers.
2. One Piece: 3D2Y: Overcome Ace’s Death! Luffy’s Vow to his Friends
This special covers Luffy’s two-year training after the Marineford arc. It includes entertaining non-canonical moments but could spoil events for viewers who have not caught up to the Dressrosa arc. It serves better as a recap for those familiar with the series.
1. One Piece Film: Gold
Released in 2016 and co-written by series creator Eiichiro Oda, this film is widely regarded as one of the franchise’s best. The Straw Hat Pirates travel to Gran Tesoro, an extravagant amusement park on a grand ship, where they face off against casino boss Gild Tesoro. This film is a more relaxed watch, providing a fun escapade without the high stakes of world-ending threats.
For fans looking to explore the One Piece universe, these films offer varying levels of connection to the main story. With the impending removal of these titles from Netflix, viewers are encouraged to prioritize their watch list to ensure they capture the most essential elements of the franchise.
