Gather around, dear anime fans, it is time for another episode of…
Ok, so here we have what happened in the anime world recently and Toei Animation as well as opinions of the fans of “One Piece” and “Dragon Ball”. Of all the things that are anime-related, if you have been a lover of anime for a quite long time, you certainly know that both of these franchises are considered legendary in the anime universe. Legend is a theme which can be such a joy to watch that even legends can fight here.
First of all, one should definitely appreciate Eiichiro Oda and Akira Toriyama, the talented people standing behind the hits, “One Piece” and “Dragon Ball” respectively. All these series owe their existence to the anime and manga world and have played a huge role in making anime famous in other parts of the world. For a lot of people they were the first stepping stone to truly immerse themselves in the narrative style that is peculiar to Japanese culture. Be it Luffy who has always craved for an adventurous life or Goku, who will not spare a moment to turn hardcore in fighting his enemies, these characters are the constant companions in our lives now.
It has become increasingly common in the entertainment industry, but recently this year Toei Animation made a decision that raised some eyebrows among the fans. Notably, they chose to increase promotion of ‘’Dragon Ball’’ than ‘’One Piece’’. Finally, which was not appreciated by ‘One Piece’ fans as they believe, Eiichiro Oda’s manga needs similar treatment as this. For after all, “One Piece” has set records and is still very much relevant in the world of anime and manga, dominating the adoring community.
Well, if you are the fan of the series called “Dragon Ball” you might be thinking that “Dragon Ball deserves it too” and to that you will be right. Perhaps, “Dragon Ball” could be said to have been set into the background of anime-popular culture since 1980s. It is the very series a number of us have been accustomed to as young people, making us dream and also familiarising us with such principles as hard work and perseverance. But here’s the rub: it’s the manner in which both series are handled by the parent company that matters most.
The problem isn’t really to determine which of the two series is superior than the other because admittedly, they are both amazing in their respective ways. Right? It is about paying respect to each series and its creator, more so because of the fact that manga nowadays is not only adored by adults, but also by kids. From the very beginning of the “One Piece” series up to the present time, Eiichiro Oda has invested more than half of his life in creating the unique world, and the millions of fans around the globe are grateful for this. Monkey D. Luffy and friends are not mere characters; they are a culture to the fans, readers, and even the critics.
Well, in our quest to watch our favorite television shows and movies, so that we can then watch them over and over again, in regions of the world that do not have access to the kind of advanced technology that have dominated the American entertainment industry, these innovations represent a major coup for fans. That is true, we do care about these stories and the people who either write them or draw them. Whenever one of them is bench-warmed, it becomes like a personal issue. On one hand, “One Piece” and “Dragon Ball” both enjoy our devotion, both should be commercially successful, and both should gain the acclaim they are due.
So let us stand tall and be proud that shows our love for anime and embrace what makes such anals epic stories possible. Instead of falling for the great corporate cultural split, let’s appreciate the read stories that have entertained and inspired us. Still, this – how you may get to be a Straw Hat Pirate one day, and how I became a Saiyan warrior – all of this is about being a part of this incredible community.
Next time you stare at your television set glued to an episode of either “One Piece” or “Dragon Ball”, you shall consider the zeal and commitment poured. And perhaps, perchance, all of you out there can tell the other fandom that you like them too. Still, anime is to unite people, not divide them into ‘us,’ and ‘them.’
So keep on watching, keep on dreaming, and the most importantly, keep on being united!
Your fellow anime lover.
[…] Since its airing on October 20, 1999, ‘One Piece’ has penetrated into audiences’s hearts worldwide and even became more than a popular anime. Oda’s anime has not only survived but indeed blossomed in the context of more than a decade and a half of entertainment, providing viewers with dynamic narratives of exciting and touching stories as well as characters and melodramas. With One Piece now in its 25th year, it goes without saying that the series had extended its global appeal in the same way as other series such as ‘Dragon Ball’. […]