One Piece: The Movie

On the high seas a legendary pirate named Woonan pursued gold so vast it became a legend. Years later, the Great Gold Pirate's treasure is said to lie on a remote island, drawing treasure seekers from all shores. The Going Merry crew is hungry and restless when a thief steals their own stash, forcing Luffy to chase the thief across dangerous waters. A kidnapped boy named Tobio, tied to El Drago's pirate crew, steers the pursuit toward a map to Woonan's island. El Drago, obsessed with gold, tracks the treasure with ruthless cunning, while Luffy and his crew must reunite to stop him. Along the way, they face traps, rival pirates, and tests of trust for new and old fans.

Released in 2000 and directed by Junji Shimizu, One Piece: The Movie adapts Eiichiro Oda's manga with a screenplay by Michiru Shimada. Produced by Toei Animation, it marks the first feature film in the series and showcases early digital effects.

As the inaugural One Piece movie, it helped establish the franchise's cinematic voice, blending brisk pirate action with humor and camaraderie. The rivalry over Woonan's treasure echoes the series' themes of greed versus friendship, leaving fans curious about where the voyage might lead next. It hints at future arcs.

Critics praised the film for energetic set pieces and its faithful tone for young audiences, while balancing comedy and danger. It centers on loyalty among crewmates, the lure of gold, and the choices characters make when faced with temptation and the costs of greed.

Toei Animation produced the film, adapting Eiichiro Oda's manga with Michiru Shimada scripting and Junji Shimizu directing. The voice cast includes Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, and Yuka Imai, bringing the Going Merry crew to life on cinema screens and future films within the franchise worldwide.