Reviews

I started this series expecting it to be a conquest. I wanted to be able to say that I had watched this ridiculously long anime. Little did I know that this show would change my life. What starts off as a fun and goofy adventure with a weird-looking art style-- yet dripping in 90s and early 2000s nostalgia-- quickly becomes one of the most heartfelt and cleverly written narratives that I had the pleasure of experiencing over the course of many years. It may be over 1000 episodes, but the series is still aiming at the unanswered questions that it posed on day one. Every arc delivers with a familiar formula, yet I am still regularly shocked by the amazing twists and turns that this story takes, which are often built on forshadowing that can be traced back many years. Eiichiro Oda never fails to deliver with a story that is cohesive and fully utilizes the well-developed characters and world that he has taken time to lovingly build. I have recently realized that the goal of the story that was clearly set out in the beginning feels entirely achievable and realistic after 1000+ episodes, and that this feeling was built up gradually without taking any shortcuts. Every arc gets the characters and the world one step closer to what will be the grand finale of grand finales. This show has moments that will bring you to tears, cover you in goosebumps, freeze in shock, and a soundtrack that perfectly enhances all of these moments. The "weird" artstyle delivers characters that look larger than life, yet are entirely believable and unforgettable. If you are looking for adventure and love, do not let 1000+ episodes intimidate you. You just need to start at the beginning-- as we all did-- with a desire to get whisked away into an exciting and emotional journey. And if you do get whisked away, just know that the adventure of a lifetime is a guarantee.