Director: Konosuke Uda
Starring: Mayumi Tanaka, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Kazuya Nakai, Christopher R. Sabat, Akemi Okamura, Luci Christian, Kappei Yamaguchi, Sonny Strait, Hiroaki Hirata, Eric Vale, Ikue Ohtani, Brina Palencia, Yuriko Yamaguchi, Stephanie Young
Running Time: 650 minutes
Certificate: 12
Taking us into the land of Skypiea, this 7th collection of One Piece episodes, taking us from episodes 157-182, adds a new dimension to the usually water set saga. Although the water is pretty much just replaced with clouds, there are plenty of new dynamics, interesting beasts, and a world of religious intrigue, which all helps to prevent the series from getting stale..
The characters are once again split up, which does allow for a lot of individual character development. Best of all, this development usually presents itself in the fight sequences. Being an archaeologist, Robin is more concerned with her surroundings when fighting and the damage done to ancient relics. Choppers, as a doctor, worries about damage he has caused and how best to help people. This makes the fights more than just action sequences, although they excel in that regard too. Now we’re in the sky with some flying beasts, the fights also feel very different to previous adventures.
The themes tackled in this collection are also very relevent and well handled. The big one here is religion, as a number of powerful beings have declared themselves as gods. Blind following is questioned, but the power of faith is also celebrated. It’s a great contradiction that adds a more meaningful slant to what could easily be labeled a “kid’s adventure show”.
Although the beautiful sketch like art remains, these episodes have a greater focus on visual comedy. There’s more slapstick in teh fights, but comical expressions are even more exaggerated than they have been in the past. Eyes literally pop from the heads of our protagonists, adding more of a Tex Avery vibe than that of traditional anime. There are a few annoying characters to put up with once again, with even more villains who make repetitive noises between lines, but other than that it’s more of the wonderful entertainment we’ve come to expect.
[usr=4]ONE PIECE Collection 7 is released on DVD on 11th August via Manga Entertainment.
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