One Piece Remake Inspired by 1998 Special

How a Forgotten 1998 Special Shapes the New One Piece Remake

Greetings, One Piece Enthusiasts! Curiously, have you ever thought about the motives of the performers that create our favorite anime remakes?

Well, you would think that the creators of the One Piece remake are inspired by the famous episodes of the anime, but nope. So let’s start with what this little known video game has brought to the cinematic table for the reboot of one of the most popular anime series of all time.

One Pieces key Visual from 1988 | Source: Fandom
One Pieces key Visual from 1988 | Source: Fandom

The Hidden Gem: 1998 Special

The 1998 special, known as “One Piece: Fight to death with the Pirate Ganzack!”, is a piece of One Piece lore that is not frequently touched upon. Unlike the typical episodes of the show, this special was aired way before the show became the phenomenon that it is today. Despite this controversy, it includes an original style of animation and an undiscovered plot that, to this day, many fans might not know about.

One Piece: Fight to death with the Pirate Ganzack
One Piece: Fight to death with the Pirate Ganzack

Why This Special?

One might ask, “Why is this particular special?” The studio explains that the 1998 special is thematically closer to the One Piece as many fans expect it to be: pure adventure and friendship. Because of its animation and the way it tells the story, people can feel the presence of the original spirit in the modern adaptation.

A Nod to Nostalgia

Nostalgia is present everywhere in the anime community, as people like to revisit things that they have once enjoyed and at times still do. Thus, referencing the 1998 special, the studio intends to show that the new version has been made for people who know the series and for those who do not, revealing continuity between the two temporal frames. Such an acknowledgement to the past guarantees that while One Piece is in the process of transformation, the fundamentals of the manga do not get lost.

Monkey D. Luffy
Monkey D. Luffy

Revamping the Animation

Another aspect of the remake that is very inspiring is the aspect of animation used in the movie. Whereas the 1998 special employed a more ‘conventional’ hand-drawn aesthetic with a very heavy focus on shading and ink-wash techniques, the new version incorporates state-of-the-art digital techniques with the fundamentals of the latter.

Such fusion allows for the graphic design that not only preserves the aspect of the game associated with the early stage of the series’ development but also takes into account the innovations of the contemporary world.

Storyline Enhancements

As for the storyline of the series, it has been expanded to reveal richer character scenes and more complicated storyline peculiarities. The studio has built upon the basic ideas from the 1998 special and has given deeper histories and basis for the characters’ emotions. This way, this approach is specifically recommended to work for both the brand new audience as well as the old one, as they will definitely find something to enjoy about the remake.

Fan Reactions

There are many happy moments on the forum and people are already actively discussing the fact of the remake, its merits and future possibilities. Some eagerly await the new adaptation of the series, and others are interested in how the almost forgotten 1998 special will possibly affect the new show. This specific source has certainly been chosen to produce controversy, and is making this remake one of the most awaited anime projects in the last years.

The Creative Process

Regarding the process of creating a remake, the creative team is rather unreserved. One thing that they have mentioned is that due to the opportunity of watching the 1998 special again, they could feel, how One Piece has changed. This has allowed them to bring both the spark of the replicate with the original story and preserve the special feel of the show, movie, or series.

Eiichiro Oda | Source: Fandom
Eiichiro Oda | Source: Fandom

A Tribute to Eiichiro Oda

Also, it is essential to mention that the remake is dedicated to Eiichiro Oda – the author of the One Piece. This way, the studio remembers and engages with the creator, as well as his imagination and ideas, which are usually overshadowed by the famous works. It also demonstrates a good gesture and respect towards the creator and his work that will always be remembered.

One Piece OVA - Defeat Him! The Pirate Gonzack - English Sub - 1998

Source: One Piece Archives

What to Expect Next

About the One Piece remake that fans are waiting for, fans should prepare to see both the familiar and the new. Such a strategy suggests that the studio shall bring a series, which will emulate the past while paving a way for future ones. Thus, regardless of whether the readers are loyal fans or those who are entering the universe of One Piece now, the remake will surely come as a joy.

Share Your Thoughts!

As for the decision of the studio adopting the 1998 special as the source for its inspiration, how do you feel about it? What do you think about the coming up remake? Please leave your comments below. We would also like to hear from you.

I want to thank you for being our guest on the exploration through the universe of One Piece. Tune in for more features and reviews as we look forward to the much awaited remake!

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