“One Piece” is now the best-selling comic series of all time, tied with “Superman,” and for good reason. Certainly one of Eiichiro Oda’s best strengths is writing characters which might be archetypal on the floor (the humorous one, the coward, the broody one), but have sufficient nuance, depth, and improvement to really feel like actual individuals. Each member of the Straw Hat Pirates is enjoyable to see, has a tragic backstory, and is important to the story. Collectively, they’re what make “One Piece” an epic journey value embarking on.
The issue is that, as necessary as these characters are, most of them aren’t launched till a lot later within the story. Of the ten members of the crew, one would not present up till episode 337, and one would not be a part of the crew till episode 981. Fortunately, Netflix’s live-action adaptation would not have these points.
This present has taken a distinct method with regards to the timeline of “One Piece. “It brings in a number of characters and moments which might be revealed a lot later, however alluded to have occurred close to the beginning of the story. Meaning introducing characters that will not play a giant half within the story for a number of hundred episodes. For example, “One Piece” season 2 proves a popular fan theory in episode 1 by showing a character earlier than in the manga.
However that is nothing in comparison with the massive debut of a future member of the Straw Hat Pirates. Episode 2 reveals a short flashback to when the enormous whale Laboon was, however a child who beloved listening to some pirates play him music. Amongst them is a tall man with an afro and a implausible voice. The present would not pay a lot consideration to him, however longtime followers know him as the long run musician of the Straw Hat Pirates, Brook.
Big spoilers for the anime forward.
Enter the Soul King, Brook
Martial Batchamen performs Brook, the joyful violin participant with a signature “Yo, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!” snicker. Like the remainder of the Rumbar Pirates, he loves music, and he loves the newborn whale Laboon. Probably the most emotionally devastating scenes in a season stuffed with them comes later within the episode when Brook says goodbye to Laboon and guarantees they will reunite in simply a few years.
In fact, that did not occur. Within the anime and manga, the Rumbar Pirates confronted tragedy after tragedy as soon as they reached the Grand Line. Their captain will get sick and has to stop their journey sooner than deliberate. Later, enemy pirates shoot all the crew with lethal, toxic weapons. Their reunion with the candy, cute whale by no means got here to be. In one of the best episodes of “One Piece,” and some of the memorable and heartbreaking scenes in all the anime, Brook and his crew determine to exit singing. They take out their devices and carry out one final joyful rendition of “Bink’s Brew,” the tune they used to sing to Laboon. Granted, as a result of Brook had eaten the revive-revive fruit, he got here again to life after his demise, changing into a skeleton.
Brook turns into a member of the Straw Hat Pirates on the finish of the Thriller Bark arc. He’s satisfied by Luffy to accompany them, as Luffy guarantees the musician will get to satisfy Laboon once more. Certain, they have not but, however at the least Brook has turn out to be a world-renowned musician named Soul King, in order that’s one thing!
Introducing Brook early is a superb adaptation alternative
Now, the inclusion of Brook within the episode is a implausible choice. The anime and manga embrace a short flashback to a nondescript pirate crew that Laboon frolicked with, which he deserted as a result of it was harmful for him to go together with them. It’s only a lot later that we uncover the connection between Brook and Laboon, making the already-tragic story of Laboon much more heartbreaking in hindsight.
To correctly present the Rumbar Pirates and already set up the connection between the violin-playing Brook and the newborn whale makes their relationship higher. For one, it establishes that the bond between the crew and the whale was an actual one. He is not only a pet deserted by any household, however a beloved companion who was left behind for his personal good — regardless of everybody being in opposition to it. It additionally provides Laboon a little bit of a persona by exhibiting him as a giant music lover within the episode, all whereas persevering with to point out the significance of “Bink’s Brew” as a well-liked pirate tune Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) acknowledges as a result of he used to listen to Shanks (Peter Gadiot) and his crew sing it.
Earlier than you accuse the present of spoiling the anime or manga, cease. If you happen to’re not aware of the supply materials, you haven’t any concept who Brook is. The present would not pay notably robust consideration to him or make a giant deal of his look. He is simply one of many pirates who sings to the whale. As a substitute, that is the very best sort of fan service. It is a alternative that does not distract or take away from the viewing expertise for those who do not acknowledge it, however for longtime followers, it’s an absolute deal with.
