• One Piece: 10 Times Luffy Was Smarter Than He Lets On

    Monkey D. Luffy is the protagonist of the long-running One Piece manga and his journey sees him set out to sea in search of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger's treasure, the One Piece. Luffy is often considered to be dull-witted, which while true in some cases, doesn't always apply to his character. Since the beginning of the story, Luffy is shown to have a keen understanding of people.

  • Discover the Top 10 Must-Watch Anime Series of All Time

    Anime has become a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its diverse genres, compelling storytelling, and stunning animation. Whether you're a seasoned anime enthusiast or just starting your anime journey, there's a world of incredible series waiting to be explored. In this post, we'll introduce you to the ten best anime you should watch to experience the magic of this medium. Get ready to embark on a thrilling anime adventure!

  • Is Luffy Stronger Than Zoro ?

    The Straw Hat Pirates are a crew led by Monkey D. Luffy, the protagonist of One Piece and a fearsome pirate of the Worst Generation who hails from the East Blue. Luffy aims to be the King of the Pirates, and while his crew dedicates their lives to see him accomplish this dream, they also have dreams of their own.

Friday, April 26, 2024

Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 Production Update Reportedly Revealed

Netflix might be targeting a summer 2024 production start for the highly-anticipated One Piece Season 2. The live-action fantasy adventure series is based on Eiichiro Oda’s long-running manga of the same name.

Per What’s On Netflix, Netflix is reportedly planning to begin the production on One Piece Season 2 around mid-June 2024, which would last up to seven months until late January 2025. Just like the first installment, the cast and crew will be returning to South Africa to film the next season. This comes after over six months since the writers room for Season 2 officially opened, following the end of last year’s WGA strike. Until now, the streamer has yet to provide any official announcements regarding the show’s new cast members and current release window.

One Piece Season 1 was created and executive produced by showrunners Matt Owens and Steven Maeda. The series follows the story of devil fruit user Monkey D. Luffy, as he starts his journey to becoming the King of the Pirates by first recruiting members of his Straw Hat crew. The first installment featured Luffy meeting his first four crewmates: navigator Nami, swordsman Zoro, chef Sanji and marksman Usopp. While the Japanese dubbed version was voiced by the original anime’s voice cast, the live-action adaptation is being led by Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Taz Skyler, Jacob Romero Gibson, Vincent Regan, Morgan Davies, Jeff Ward, Peter Gadiot and more.

One Piece Season 2 Gets a New Showrunner

Ahead of Season 2’s production start, it has recently been confirmed that Percy Jackson and the Olympians writer Joe Tracz had officially joined the latest season’s creative team to replace Maeda as the new co-showrunner and executive producer. Despite this, Maeda will remain as an executive producer on the show. "I’ve been lucky to work on big adaptations of several beloved series, and they don’t come bigger or more beloved than One Piece," Tracz said in a statement. "I’m a huge fan of Oda-san’s incredible imagination, and I was blown away by what the live-action team created in Season 1. So it’s a dream and a joy to come aboard the Going Merry as it enters the Grand Line for an even more giant Season 2."

The first installment ends with the Straw Hat crew getting ready to sail off to the infamous Grand Line, following their battle with Arlong. Season 2 will include lots of new characters in the live-action adaptation, including fan-favorites Tony Tony Chopper, Captain Smoker, Dr. Kureha, Princess Vivi, Nico Robin and more. In a previous interview, Owens confirmed that Luffy’s next adventures will give more spotlight to his role as the captain of the Straw Hats. "Without saying too much, and speaking to any new characters that we might meet, I would say a major theme that we’re working with in Season 2 is the challenge of leadership," he teased. "From Luffy’s perspective, he’s got his crew now, and they are setting out to the Grand Line. They’re doing the thing, and there are a lot of challenges that come with that responsibility."

One Piece Season 2 is expected to debut sometime in 2025.

Source: What’s On Netflix

Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 Production Update Reportedly Revealed
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10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z is a legendary shonen series that’s arguably more popular than ever, even 35 years after its debut. Dragon Ball Z is a more mature and action-packed sequel to the original Dragon Ball that elevates Goku’s heroic exploits to even greater heights. Dragon Ball Z excels when it comes to raising the stakes of the original Dragon Ball’s story. That being said, there are certain areas in which it falls short, particularly when it comes to the original Dragon Ball’s lovable cast of characters.

Dragon Ball Z celebrates a wide array of new heroes and villains, such as Vegeta, Gohan, and Frieza. Unfortunately, this leads to many entertaining individuals from its predecessor fading into obscurity and not getting the attention that they deserve. Dragon Ball Z can’t cater to every single character that it introduces, but these are some of its more egregious oversights.

10 Fortuneteller Baba Is A Conduit For Incredible Knowledge

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 61, "Korin Tower"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 98, "The All-Seeing Crone"

Fortuneteller Baba, Master Roshi’s older sister, is a valuable resource in the original Dragon Ball who’s able to facilitate communication with the afterlife. Fortuneteller Baba’s Tournament is also a great way to showcase the character and it’s unfortunate that these didn’t become a recurring tradition in the series. Fortuneteller Baba has a decent presence during Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga, where she’s able to use her crystal ball to watch battle. However, her role is largely replaced by King Kai, who serves much of the same purpose, even if he doesn’t share the same emotional connection to Master Roshi.

There’s a lot more that Fortuneteller Baba could do in Dragon Ball Z and putting her magical resources up against Babidi would have been an entertaining development. There’s also plenty of value in putting her in a tribunal alongside characters like Shin, Kibito, and Old Kai. Baba doesn’t completely disappear, but her role in Dragon Ball made it seem like she was destined for greater things.

9 Android 8 Is A Gentle Giant Who Rises Above His Antagonistic Programming

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 38, "Five Murasakis"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 62, "The Ninja Split!"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

Evil Androids are a Dragon Ball staple as early as the original series when Goku befriends one of the Red Ribbon Army’s strongest weapons—A Frankenstein’s Monster-esque creation known as Android 8. Android 8 is much more rudimentary than Dr. Gero’s Androids that get revealed in Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga, but he’s a powerful individual who’s rarely seen after Goku’s take-down of Red Ribbon. Android contributes energy to Goku’s Super Spirit Bomb during his battle against Kid Buu.

This amounts to a cameo, rather than a proper return. Android 8 would be a fascinating rogue element for Goku to bring back into action during the Cell Saga. Android 8 would no doubt get along with Android 16 and there are many directions that the character could do once Android 18 sticks around. Bulma would also be more than capable of performing some upgrades on Android 8 so he can keep up with Dr. Gero’s later creations.

8 Yajirobe Is A Special Samurai Who Is Friends With People In High Places

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 104, "Mark Of The Demon"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 138, "The Weirdo With The Ball"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

Yajirobe doesn’t enter until the tail end of the original Dragon Ball, but he makes a big impression as Korin’s companion and a skilled samurai. He also executes Cymbal, one of Demon King Piccolo’s Dark Vassals, which makes Yajirobe come across as someone who will be important to the series’ future. Yajirobe’s greatest moment is likely when he slices off Great Ape Vegeta’s tail, disrupts the Saiyan’s transformation, and then runs away in terror.

Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z doesn’t explore further acts of cowardly heroism with Yajirobe. He’s often around Korin, including in the upcoming Dragon Ball DAIMA, but his combat days seem to be long gone. Dragon Ball Super at least treats Yajirobe with dignity and shows that his future counterpart from Future Trunks’ timeline is one of the few remaining humans to fight in the Goku Black Resistance.

7 Upa Is A Friendly Guardian & Friend To Goku During His Early Adventures

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 58, "The Land Of Korin"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 84, "The Karin Sanctuary"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

Upa and his father, Bora, are members of the Karinga Tribe who function as guardians of Koron Tower. Upa quickly bonds with Goku during their initial meeting and he's a child who experiences his share of trauma, like when Mercenary Tao assassinates his father. Upa would be a rewarding character to return to in Dragon Ball Z because he'd also be an adult, like Goku, and could be used in a different context.

Upa could have experienced tremendous growth since his last appearance in Dragon Ball. Upa appears to briefly donate energy to Goku's final Spirit Bomb, but it's not an amount of screen time that's deserving of Upa's connection with Goku in Dragon Ball Z's predecessor. Upa even gets a larger role in Dragon Ball GT than he does in Z.

6 Yamcha Gradually Transforms Into Dragon Ball’s Biggest Punching Bag

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 5, "Yamcha The Desert Bandit"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 7, "Yamcha And Pu'ar"

Yamcha is one of Goku’s most important allies in the original Dragon Ball. He’s one of the first friends that Goku makes, going all the way back to the anime’s fifth episode. Yamcha does valiantly during all of Dragon Ball’s martial arts tournaments and his clumsy romance with Bulma means that Yamcha gets a lot of attention in the original Dragon Ball. Yamcha, like many humans in Dragon Ball, never properly bounces back from his Saiyan Saga defeat. Yamcha is the only character to get taken out by a Saibaman, at that.

Yamcha also disappears from Bulma’s life after Vegeta becomes her surprising new suitor and, evidently, the perfect match. He understands that it’s probably a good idea to cut his losses and transition from martial arts to baseball. Dragon Ball Super also goes out of its way to avoid Yamcha whenever martial arts are concerned. Goku and Gohan actively keep away from Yamcha when it’s time to recruit fighters for the Tournament of Power. There’s no redemption in Yamcha’s future and he’s accepted his fate as a lovable loser comic relief.

5 Dragon Ball Lets Chiaotzu Slip Through Its Cracks

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, "The Rampage Of InoShikaCho"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, "Return To The Tournament"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball simultaneously introduces Tien and Chiaotzu as Master Shen’s darker counterparts to Goku and Krillin. Chiaotzu is supposed to resemble a more sinister take on Krillin, but he quickly grows out of this role and becomes more of Tien’s steady sidekick. Chiaotzu perishes in the original Dragon Ball by Demon King Piccolo and does so again against Nappa.

He’s not Dragon Ball Z’s strongest hero, but Chiaotzu possesses particularly unique powers that could do a lot of damage if he were given more opportunities to develop in Dragon Ball Z. His battle against the Ginyu Force on King Kai’s Planet is an entertaining filler episode, albeit one that makes it harder to accept that he’s absent through the bulk of the series.

4 Chi-Chi Regresses From Mature Martial Artist Into Problematic Parent

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 7, "The Ox King On Fire Mountain"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 11, "...And Into The Fire!"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

Chi-Chi meets Goku very early on in the original Dragon Ball, only for her character to return during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament and unexpectedly become Goku’s wife. Chi-Chi does well in the tournament and has genuine skills as a fighter. However, Chi-Chi’s priorities shift once she becomes a parent and she’s suddenly more interested in Gohan’s IQ level than his power level.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Chi-Chi focusing on her domestic life over combat, but Dragon Ball Z typically presents her as an angry obstacle who Goku is worried that he’ll set off. Chi-Chi’s complex nature gets seriously reduced in Dragon Ball Z and the limited screen time that she receives isn’t very flattering. Dragon Ball Z could figure out a scenario where Chi-Chi still gets to be a hero in her own way, whether it’s through fighting or providing other types of help.

3 Mercenary Tao Is An Arrogant Who’s Undergone An Unusual Upgrade

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 58, "The Land Of Korin"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 85, "Taopaipai The Assassin"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

The Red Ribbon Army don’t understand what they’re getting themselves into when they engage in a Dragon Ball hunt against Goku and friends. Goku has to work his way through multiple color-coded Red Ribbon grunts before he takes this evil organization out of commission. Red Ribbon hires Mercenary Tao, a top assassin, to accelerate Goku’s execution. Tao is one of Dragon Ball’s most heightened characters. He flies around on tree trunks that he hurls in the air and he successfully kills General Blue with just his tongue.

The character grows even more dangerous when his alleged death results in him returning for revenge as a cyborg. Cyborg Tao is an intimidating antagonist who has a genuine reason to hate Goku. Tao appears in a single filler episode during Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Games when he encounters Gohan, but he’s otherwise missing. This just scratches the surface of Cyborg Tao’s potential and what he'd bring to Dragon Ball Z as a recurring threat.

2 Launch Is One Of The Original Dragon Ball’s Best Female Characters & She Gets Completely Forgotten

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 15, "Look Out For Launch"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 26, "Who's That Girl?"

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z

The original Dragon Ball embraces more fantastical and magical ideas. Launch, a character who experiences a radical personality shift whenever she sneezes, is a perfect example of this. Launch is a reliable companion through most of the original Dragon Ball and she becomes a fun foil to Tien. Launch, unfortunately, disappears from the ether in Dragon Ball Z and Toriyama has admitted to forgetting about her existence.

Launch would likely have struggled to stay important, like the rest of Dragon Ball Z’s humans, but her unique ability and attitude make her an exciting player. There’s also truly a deficit of powerful female characters in Dragon Ball Z and Launch’s expanded presence could have amended this issue. Launch’s whole energy immediately brings a different quality to battle that’s not present in any other Z-Fighter.

1 The Original Dragon Ball Ends With Tien As One Of Goku’s Greatest Rivals

Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, "The Rampage Of InoShikaCho"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, "Return To The Tournament"

Tien’s growing absence in the Dragon Ball franchise stings especially hard since he’s Goku’s first true rival and someone whose strength was on par with his own for most of the original series. Tien should have been one of Dragon Ball Z’s most compelling characters, but he never truly recovers during his death against Nappa back in the Saiyan Saga. Tien struggles to stay relevant and his last hurrah is arguably when he deals some significant damage to Semi-Perfect Cell.

It’s understandable that Tien—like all of Dragon Ball’s humans—fails to keep up with superior Saiyan strength. This frustration could have been written into Tien’s character and fuel a story about his resentments over not being a Saiyan. Master Roshi and Krillin aren’t necessarily any stronger than Tien, yet Dragon Ball Z still gives both these characters a lot of attention, even if they're not on the battlefield.

10 OG Dragon Ball Characters Who Needed More Screen Time in Dragon Ball Z
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10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

Dragon Ball Heroes is fanservice at its finest. The over-the-top spin-off franchise has remained self-aware for nearly 15 years now, existing only to bring fans every fight they can imagine through a plot that only exists to set the stage. Super Dragon Ball Heroes serves as the game’s animated adaptation and is streamed online. The series showcases some of the best face-offs and plot twists that Heroes has had to offer. But even after mining the depths of the arcade title’s history, there are still several fan-fueled fights that have yet to happen.

Super Dragon Ball Heroes has given surprising spotlights to less-than-popular and less-than-canon characters. Despite that, there remain even deeper corners of conflict in the Dragon Ball Universe that it hasn’t found time to explore just yet — corners whose non-canon roots don’t give them a chance to be explored anywhere else. Fans likely won’t ask or complain about whatever excuse the game ends up using story-wise to make these non-canon matchups happen.

Cooler vs. Frieza is a Sibling Rivalry Waiting to Boil Over

Cooler’s Revenge and Return of Cooler rank among the most action-packed of DBZ’s anime-only film series. The eponymous villain was Frieza’s older brother, sporting an extra transformation and fun spins on his younger sibling’s soldiers, abilities, and even mechanical makeover. But through two movies and several cameo appearances in anime filler, Cooler and Frieza have never meaningfully interacted.

In Heroes, Cooler finds himself as a circumstantial ally of Trunks before being converted into Meta-Cooler by the villain Fu. While he eventually joins his brother in a team for the Super Space-Time Tournament, fans would love to see these two supposedly contentious siblings finally face off against each other.

Z Broly vs. Super Broly Could Destroy Planets

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

Drafting this match-up on paper doesn’t sound especially exciting. DBZ Broly’s ceiling has long since been surpassed by series regulars come Dragon Ball Super, and the new version of the character is training with Goku and the God of Destruction. That said, the fun of Dragon Ball’s fights is the spectacle, not the math.

A matchup between both versions of the Legendary Super Saiyan could be one of the most hard-hitting, destructive matchups Dragon Ball has ever seen. Two warriors who can level a city by breathing letting loose with no regard or remorse for the damage around them would be an incredible sight.

Gogeta vs. Vegito Deserves its Own Series

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

The two fusions of Goku and Vegeta are consistently shown as head and shoulders above the power of their competition. But if the cool-headed combination warriors were to cross fists with each other, fans would undoubtedly be excited to see how equally they match up. Unfortunately, two fusions of the same characters don’t have a lot of chances to throw hands.

Vegito and Gogeta represent uniquely separate power sets and equally terrifying takes on the concept of a Goku/Vegeta fusion. Super Dragon Ball Heroes briefly touched on the matchup as part of a larger skirmish, but a dedicated showdown would be a dream come true for most fans of the franchise.

Shenron vs. Black Smoke Shenron Could Answer a Lot of Questions

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

The eternal dragons are no stranger to conflict, in canon or non-canon instances. Shenron was on the receiving end of a vicious blast from King Piccolo, and even in Heroes, Dragon Ball GT’s evil Black Smoke Shenron was on the losing end of a skirmish with Gotenks. It’s a bit awkward seeing these magical beasts take on normal humanoids, but it would definitely be exciting to see them take on each other.

While the dragons themselves don’t seem to be especially powerful in a combat context, the spectacle of seeing them battle would be unforgettable. With no definition or limits to what they’re able to do, Heroes could have the chance to blend the best parts of Dragon Ball and Godzilla to make something fans could only see in their series.

King Vegeta vs. Bardock has a Thematic Interest

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

Goku and Vegeta have fought some of the greatest battles of the Dragon Ball franchise, but their fathers never got the chance to do the same. The two have never come to blows, despite many moments and alternate universes that could have explored it. The Heroes game teased a showdown between the two, but it didn’t go further.

Despite the extra-canon adventures Bardock has taken, a fight with the King of the Saiyans has never been in the cards. There’s nothing groundbreaking to be gained in a fight between the two, but seeing the fathers of the greatest Saiyans of their generation battling with the same ferocity as their sons would be a treat.

Gokule vs. Tiencha is a Long Overdue Grudge Match

The pair of joke fusions featured in Dragon Ball Z Budokai 2 have become quiet legends over the years. Both have been acknowledged in the series since, but neither have featured prominently in the Dragon Ball Heroes universe. In fact, while Gokule appears as a character, Tiencha has yet to make any sort of appearance at all.

With no canon appearances, Gokule's and Tiencha's power levels have never been measured. Hercule's lack of superpowered combat prowess could lower the fusion to the level of a combined Tien and Yamcha. But maybe the parts of Goku's world-beating powers that still exist in there would be enough to help one goofy hero grind out the other.

Ginyu Force vs. Cooler’s Armored Squadron Would be Flashy and Funny

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

As far as measures of power, the Ginyu Force against their Cooler’s Revenge counterparts doesn’t exactly redefine the scales. But for sheer flair, few could match the output of the two squads of stooges. Seeing the Ginyu Force in full force against Cooler’s Armored Squadron would be fun for the few minutes it would last.

Cooler’s Armored Squadron were obvious offshoots from the Ginyu Force. Dore had Recoome’s brutality and strength. Leader Salza was a mix between Jeice and a Backstreet Boy, even being retconned into the same race. Completing the trio was the lizard-like Neiz. They're not especially strong, but for a mix of hijinx and action, few matchups would strike the same balance as this.

Kale vs. Z Broly Would be a Legendary Throwdown

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

Dragon Ball Super initially shocked fans when the Saiyan Kale seemed to take Broly’s functional spot in the series’ canon. Direct comparisons between the two were common until Broly found a way back to the franchise in his titular film. While his reintroduction made the issue moot, there’s still beef to be explored on the battlefield.

Dragon Ball Z’s version of Broly has found plenty to do in the Heroes universe but has yet to match against his less direct Super adaptation. While the transformations and transmutations of Broly in the subseries likely put him out of Kale’s league, a fresher version of the character crossing paths with her would be good fun.

Janemba vs. Majin Buu is a Candy-Coated Gorefest in the Making

10 Fights We Want to See in Super Dragon Ball Heroes that Aren't Possible in Canon Stories

Janemba wasn’t a character as much as an object. Created as a more sinister pastiche of Majin Buu, the barely-speaking, barely-thinking creature played the villain in the non-canon Fusion Reborn. Its plot was a series of excuses to animate Goku firing pretty attacks, not bothering to give Janemba motivation or purpose. If cool animation and attacks were the goal, though, the team knocked it out of the park.

As a reflection of Majin Buu, Janema is the jagged edge to the pink villain’s soft exterior. His twisted horns and blade-based arsenal along with a maniacal sadism and power level that seems to match Buu’s own could make for a thrilling battle. Heroes seems to know this, teasing a flash of Kid Buu vs. Janemba in the Super Space-Time Tournament, but the match-up has yet to be meaningfully explored.

Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta vs. Super Saiyan Blue Gogeta Would Be Absolutely Epic

The battle between Ultra Instinct Goku and his Super Saiyan 4 counterpart was one of Super Dragon Ball Heroes’ best bouts — but it still left something lacking in the fanservice department. The Gogeta fusion has been displayed as the flashiest and most powerful version of Goku or Vegeta across several continuities, and those versions have yet to duke it out.

Heroes has given some impressive fights to Gogeta’s Super Saiyan 4 form. The Super continuity variant has likewise been given forms that fuse Goku’s Ultra Instinct and Vegeta’s Ultra Ego. Seeing the ceilings of their powers in battle against each other still represents the pinnacle of potential Dragon Ball fanservice.

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Every One Piece Main Character's Age

In anime and manga history, few titles have reached the critical and commercial success enjoyed by Eiichiro Oda's seminal work, One Piece. Monkey D. Luffy, the series' protagonist, sails the seas hoping to become the next King of the Pirates. To do so, he must first assemble a pirate crew worthy of challenging his many competitors. Luffy finds his first crewmate, Roronoa Zoro, in Episode 1 — on the other hand, Jinbe only accepts the position in Episode 876. Further, many fans suspect that Luffy isn't done adding more members to his main crew.

The Straw Hat Pirates currently have 10 members, each of whom plays a pivotal role in Luffy's journey and One Piece's overall narrative. Although they don't all share the same skills, all ten are critical to Luffy's goal of becoming the next King of the Pirates. That said, the ages of the Straw Hat pirates range across a 70-year span, making them one of the most diverse groups vying for the titular treasure. Here is a breakdown of all the One Piece character ages.

Updated on April 26, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Arguably one of the most iconic shonen anime series ever made, One Piece's popularity has led to a massive franchise. Many fans enjoyed the live-action adaptation on Netflix, but there's nothing like watching the original anime. That said, not everyone knows every One Piece character's age, which is why we've updated this list with some more relevant information.

Luffy Will One Day Become King Of The Pirates

Luffy May Be Young, But He Knows Exactly What He Wants

There are countless pirates sailing the Grand Line, but none rival the short-term impact of Monkey D. Luffy. Although the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates is only 17 years old when One Piece begins, he has toppled dozens of Marine officers, multiple Warlords of the Sea, and, by the end of the Raid on Onigashima, even an Emperor of the Sea. Luffy's rise parallels that of other Shonen protagonists like Naruto and Goku — his growth rate remains nothing short of spectacular.

As part of the Worst Generation, Monkey D. Luffy represents the long-term effect that Gol D. Roger's final words have on the pirate world. He grows up in the shadow of the greatest pirate of all time, and despite his young age, the Straw Hat Pirates' captain is well on his way to achieving a similar legendary status. There is no doubt that Luffy will find the One Piece and become the Pirate King before the story comes to a close.

Zoro Is Yet To Enter His Prime As A Swordsman

Zoro Was Once The Oldest Member of Luffy's Crew

Prior to the arrival of Nico Robin, Roronoa Zoro and Sanji were tied as the oldest members of One Piece's Straw Hat Pirates. However, while the master of the Three-Sword Style seems significantly more mature than his peers, he is only 19 years old when the series begins. Despite his youth, however, Zoro proves his swordsmanship to be beyond compare, defeating scores of overpowered enemies on the Straw Hats' adventures.

That said, Zoro's time as a bounty hunter gives many the false impression that he's closer to Robin's age than the other Straw Hat Pirates. Thankfully, after aging two years during One Piece's timeskip, Zoro is still yet to enter his prime as a swordsman, making his progress as a swordsman even more impressive in retrospect. Zoro's King of Hell Three Sword Style, as devised in Wano Country, is by far one of the strongest attacks to be seen in the entire story.

Nami Is One Of The Youngest Navigators Sailing The Grand Line

The Straw Hats' Navigator Is One Year Older Than Her Captain

As seen in One Piece's Arlong Park Arc, Nami spends much of her childhood under the control of Arlong and his pirate crew. They manipulate her until she joins the Straw Hat Pirates during the East Blue Saga, at which point she's already 18 years old. Although she manages to collect enough money to pay off the ransom demanded by Arlong, the vicious pirate steals her treasure and refuses to honor their previous bargain.

Nami is far younger than most navigators, and considering her incredible talents, it's astounding that she's spent so few years sailing the Grand Line. By the time of the Wano Country Arc, she's only 20 years old. Barring a premature end, the orange-haired sailor is poised to accomplish her goal of mapping all the world's oceans. Nami might be relatively weaker than the rest of the crew, but she has taken down countless enemies in One Piece.

Usopp Will Undoubtedly Make His Father Yasopp Proud

Usopp Isn't Just One Of The Youngest Straw Hats, He's Also The Most Immature

None of the Straw Hat Pirates is more immature than Usopp. The 17-year-old sniper spends most of his time in Syrup Village playing pranks on the townsfolk before the arrival of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew. However, Usopp's immaturity also makes him one of the most interesting characters in One Piece. In only two short years, Usopp has gone from a sniveling liability to a legitimate member of what is arguably the strongest pirate crew sailing the Grand Line.

Although he's a notorious coward who'd rather run away than face an enemy, Usopp has actually faced and defeated seriously dangerous opponents like Sugar, Perona, and Mr. 4. At the same time, he's still got a long way to go before he becomes a true warrior. When Usopp inevitably encounters his father, Yasopp, there's no doubt that the Red Hair Pirate will be proud of the man that his son has grown into.

Sanji Has Plenty Of Time To Hone His Skills As Both A Pirate And A Chef

Sanji & Zoro Are The Same Age, Sharing The Title As Two Of The Straw Hats' Oldest Pirates

At eight years old, Sanji renounced his family name and escaped the Germa Kingdom, eventually taking up life as a chef onboard the Baratie after two hard years at sea. There, he waited for almost an entire decade before being recruited to the Straw Hat Pirates. Sanji refuses to use his hands during combat because they are reserved for cooking. That said, his legs are probably stronger than most pirates sailing the Grand Line.

The third-youngest son of the Vinsmoke Family, Sanji was treated like trash by his father and brothers, forcing him to leave the seafaring Kingdom that he had once called his home. Among the Straw Hat Pirates, he found numerous peers who were almost exactly his age. Now 21 years old following One Piece's two-year timeskip, there's no denying that "Black Leg" Sanji still has plenty of time to hone his skills as both a pirate and a chef.

Tony Tony Chopper Is Presumably Yet To Reach His Physical Maturity

Chopper Is The Youngest Straw Hat, But Even That Is Complicated

Although One Piece has stated that Tony Tony Chopper is 15 years old, his interspecies nature makes that number a bit misleading. It's clear that Chopper is yet to reach his physical maturity, which would be abnormal for any reindeer that has been alive for a decade-and-a-half — which is the average lifespan for his species. Since Tony Tony Chopper has eaten the Human-Human Fruit, the relationship between his age and his anatomy can change in an instant.

However, regardless of what form he takes, Chopper's skills as a doctor are unwavering, making him one of the most underrated assets of any pirate crew in One Piece. Medical talents aside, he has also demonstrated a high level of combat expertise, even if Chopper needs to rely on his Rumble Balls in several fights. Chopper is just as cowardly as Usopp, but even he has no problem challenging a stronger enemy when his crewmates are in danger.

Nico Robin Has Been On The Run Since She Was 8 Years Old

The Gap In Age Between NIco Robin & Luffy's Original Crew Is Pretty Drastic

Nico Robin's addition to the Straw Hat Pirates marks a notable shift in Monkey D. Luffy's approach to filling out his crew. Before the Alabasta Arc, every new member of the Straw Hat Pirates was within a few years of Luffy's age (17). Robin, on the other hand, is 28 years old when she aligns herself with One Piece's protagonists. Since her home island, Ohara, was destroyed when she was eight years old, Nico Robin has been on the run from the World Government.

Labeled a threat because of her ability to read and decipher poneglyphs, she finally finds a home aboard the Thousand Sunny with a crew of like-minded heroes. Robin's Hana Hana no Mi is arguably one of the most versatile abilities in One Piece. She can use her powers for defense, offense, as well as assistance, although her Devil Fruit powers have significantly improved after the two-year timeskip. At this point, fans are desperately waiting for her Devil Fruit to Awaken.

Franky Earned A Storied Reputation Long Before Joining The Straw Hats

Franky Is Old Enough To Remember Gol D. Roger's Execution

Keeping in line with Luffy's trend of adding older and older members to his crew, Franky is easily the eldest Straw Hat Pirate when he joins the crew during the Enies Lobby arc. At 34 years old before the timeskip, the man formerly known as Cutty Flam had already earned a storied reputation as a shipwright prior to joining the Straw Hat Pirates. Thanks to Franky's age, he is the first person to join the Straw Hat Pirates who clearly remembers the execution of Gol D. Roger 22 years before the events of One Piece.

As a result, Franky is able to carry on the spirit of the shipwright who built Roger's ship, resulting in a much-needed addition to Luffy's crew. Franky was a cyborg long before meeting the Straw Hats, but his body modifications undergo numerous upgrades during the timeskip. He also built the Thousand Sunny after the Going Merry was rendered unusable, giving the Straw Hats a new and nigh-indestructible home.

Brook Is By Far The Oldest Member Of The Straw Hat Pirates

Brook Was Part Of Another Pirate Crew Five Decades Before Joining Up With The Straw Hats

Without a doubt, Brook is the oldest member of the Straw Hat Pirates — regardless of whether Luffy adds one final pirate to his crew, it's tough to imagine that their age will surpass Brook's. Many years ago, the 88-year-old swordsman consumed the Revive-Revive Fruit, allowing him to return to life after perishing a single time. Following the death of his former crew, the Rumbar Pirates, Brook roamed the Florian Triangle for over five decades.

Ultimately, he encountered the Straw Hat Pirates, providing him a second chance to pursue the life of piracy he had always desired. Many storylines in One Piece are interconnected, as fans learned when they discovered the link between the Rumbar Pirates and Laboon, the whale that the Straw Hats had met near the Red Line. Fans really want Laboon and Brook to be reunited at last, but that doesn't seem likely until Luffy locates the One Piece.

Jinbe's Wise Commentary Is A Much-Needed Addition To Luffy's Crew

Out of all the Straw Hat Pirates, perhaps none embodies their age more than Jinbe. The former Warlord was born 44 years prior to the events of One Piece, and as indicated by his mature tone and wise commentary, he's as well-traveled as any pirate. Jinbe once served under the legendary Fisher Tiger, and although his former captain perished at the hands of corrupt Marines, Jinbe carries on his spirit by fighting for equality between humans and Fish-men.

His addition to the Straw Hat Pirates signals their status as a legitimate, well-rounded crew capable of taking on even the most established powerhouses in One Piece. When Luffy first asked him to be a part of the Straw Hats, Jinbe was unquestionably stronger than all of them. Even after the timeskip, Jinbe consistently proves to be a formidable fighter with the strength to take down multiple pirate captains.

Every One Piece Main Character's Age
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"It Was a Financial Success": Chainsaw Man Producer Reveals Anime's Major Impact on MAPPA's Future

Makoto Kimura, one of MAPPA's formerly most senior execs and a key producer on Chainsaw Man, has revealed how the anime series has significantly impacted the studio and its future operations and strategies.

Kimura, who left the company earlier this year to found the new production company BLUE RIGHTS, explained Chainsaw Man's significance in a lecture to Cool Japan Fund Inc. Most animation studios work as contractors for production committees (TV stations, film distributors, film producers, etc.) who allocate a production budget that pays for the studio's services. Kimura says, "In a way, these companies are blessed to continue to receive requests and take on creative challenges, but at the same time, I think it’s quite difficult to break free from hand-to-mouth operations with such a setup. If pandemics and other unexpected issues arise and airing dates are pushed back, these companies will not be able to produce a finished product within the allotted production budget. This is a major risk for these companies." Jujutsu Kaisen 0 chief animation director Nishii Terumi explained how the incompetency of animators is also a major risk, predicting more anime studio bankruptcies in the near future.

MAPPA Wanted a 100% Investment on Chainsaw Man

One of the major disadvantages of being a contracted studio is that they largely do not reap highly lucrative secondary income like streaming rights, merchandise, or box office revenue in the event of a theatrical release. "It is quite hard to pursue new businesses and grow as a company in such a situation," Kimura says. "MAPPA implemented several approaches to change this environment and drafted growth strategies. One approach was to obtain rights to an anime through investments, and another was to produce a popular anime. A third approach was to pursue projects related to popular anime (merchandising, events, etc.). With Chainsaw Man, we were determined to try our hand at all three approaches with a 100% investment. We would create, deliver and sell products on our own. Several issues remained, but it was a financial success, and I hope we can apply this success to the next update."

Kimura explained in a recent interview why he left MAPPA, also sharing how he transformed MAPPA's copyrights department. This enabled the studio to secure overseas streaming rights to titles like Oblivion Battery and the highly lucrative Jujutsu Kaisen -- currently the world's most popular anime and the world's most in-demand TV series of any medium or genre.

Ex-MAPPA Producer Explains How MAPPA Secured 100% of the Rights to Anime Adaptations

Kimura gave an interesting breakdown of how to secure certain rights to popular adaptations, and in the case of Chainsaw Man and Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill, own 100% of the rights related to the anime. Some studios take massive loans from banks, like Studio Pierrot, whose president says the banks could seize some of its IP if it couldn't pay back. Others rely on presales agreements, where a distribution company will give the money for production before production is completed, and in some cases, before it even starts in earnest. This is based on their prior track record and projected success of the series. MAPPA similarly relied on bridge financing, where instead of a distributor, the funding company Cool Japan Fund stepped in based on MAPPA's prior and projected success. Kimura believes that with the impact of Chainsaw Man, "the need for JCF and other forms of bridge financing will increase in the future." His establishment of BLUE RIGHTS will help to solve these issues.

Chainsaw Man streams on Crunchyroll, where every view contributes directly to making MAPPA, hopefully, a more sustainable company. The series is described: "Denji is a young boy who works as a Devil Hunter with the “Chainsaw Devil” Pochita. One day, as he was living his miserable life trying to pay off the debt he inherited from his parents, he got betrayed and killed. As he was losing his consciousness, he made a deal with Pochita, and got resurrected as the 'Chainsaw Man': the owner of the Devil’s heart."

Source: Cool Japan Fund - CJ Insights

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10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

Despite debuting on the heels of Naruto's epic conclusion, Boruto still had an uphill climb to rise to the daunting task of living up to its legendary predecessor. Thanks to its impressive balance of honoring and graduating from Naruto, paired with new wrinkles added to the larger mythos, Boruto has become a reliable, action-packed continuation of the Naruto canon and a solid standalone watch.

More than adventures with a new cast of ninja fan favorites, Boruto is also a visual delight and isn't shy about embracing modern techniques and technology to serve animated feasts for the eye. While fans still squabble over its adaptation of the manga, which, like Naruto, doesn't shy from filler, Boruto benefits from modernity. Even the combat-heavy anime's quietest episodes include breathtaking visuals that time couldn't offer Naruto during much of its run. With its fresh aesthetic and compelling story, there's no shortage of stunning Boruto visuals.

10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

10 Episode 20, "The Boy with the Sharingan"

Visual Highlight: Sarada awakens her Sharingan

Boruto really started to hit its stride during the Sarada arc, which finally gave Sasuke and Sakura's daughter her rightful spotlight. In particular, Boruto's 20th episode "The Boy with the Sharingan" is a perfect example of the show's best merits, successfully placing its next generation of heroes like Sarada in conflict with the Naruto generation, putting familiar abilities on display with stunning new animation styles.

The episode continues Sarada's hunt for her father, who she tails Naruto in hopes of following him to her father's door. While she shadows Naruto in secret, an action-packed encounter with a Sharingan-wielding boy named Shin forces her to reveal herself and Naruto to save her. The fight between Naruto and the boy, while impressive, is not the episode's biggest visual treat. That, instead, comes at the episode's closing moments when Sarada's love for her father and excitement about meeting him finally awakens her own Sharingan.

9 Episode 192, "The Past"

Visual Highlight: Kawaki's Goldfish Fantasy

10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

"The Past" is a heartbreaking installment recounting young Kawaki's abusive upbringing. Traumatic imagery and innovative, borderline psychedelic animation help imbue the episode with a nauseating aura befitting the gruesome abuse Kawaki suffers. Kawaki struggles to survive under his alcoholic father's oppressive rule over their shared household, woozily bouncing from one painful, heart-rending memory to the next.

Kawaki's one respite throughout the episode is a kind goldfish salesman in his village. He clings to the image of those goldfish in his lowest moments. First, they dreamily swirl around him when he tries to distract himself while locked in a shed by his father, and then most painfully when running away from the very same goldfish salesman, now revealed as a child trafficker.

8 Episode 216, "Sacrifice"

Visual Highlight: Boruto's reaction when Isshiki breaks his arm.

10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

Boruto's impressive visuals aren't exclusive to glorious acts or heroism. They're often found in moments of devastation, too, like in "Sacrifice," the 216th installment of Boruto. The episode features numerous notable visual displays to pair with the episode's emotionally impactful moments, which all resonated with audiences as pivotal to the canon as soon as the episode aired in 2021.

Considered one of Boruto's best episodes by any metric, "Sacrifice" sees the Uzumaki boys put their lives on the line for the greater good. The perilous circumstances make way for Naruto's first Baryon Mode transformation and a bone-crunchingly good battle between Isshiki and the title character. The Baryon Mode is impressive but isn't fully revealed until the next episode. The episode's most heartbreakingly perfect animation occurs when Boruto reacts in agony as Isshiki shatters his bones.

7 Episode 80, "Mitsuki's Friend"

Visual Highlights: Mountainside heart-to-hearts

10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

Boruto's 80th anime installment sports no action to its name. With a bit of old-fashioned hearty, emotional retrospection, a beloved element of Naruto's universe, the episode transcended its subdued story and enthralled audiences.

Despite its scaled-back plot and introspective pace, the episode, titled "Mitsuki's Friend," used Sekiei's power-drained state as an impetus to wax poetic; the episode highlights character and visual depth in spades. Sekiei and Mitsuki spend the episode cliffside, swapping philosophy and thoughts on humanity as Sekiei is on the ment. In a meaningful moment with imagery not to go unnoticed, Mitsuki, while bathed in golden sunlight, describes Boruto as his "sun" — an elusive, fleeting partner he relies on just as much as he mourns the absence of.

6 Episode 204, "He's Bad News"

Visual Highlight: Jigen vs. Sasuke and Naruto

While not the first reunion between old compatriots Sasuke and Naruto on Boruto, there's enough evidence to argue their encounter against Jigen is the most must-watch. "He's Bad News" puts three of the canon's most formidable fighters face to face and unleashes their full strength.

Kawaki's fate hangs in the balance of the high-stakes battle, lending cause for Naruto and Sasuke to release their Kurama and Susano'o forms. Sasuke's Susano'o, a majestic avatar of indomitable force, clashes with Jigen's swift and precise movements, each one a masterstroke of combat finesse. Naruto's Kurama roars with fiery determination, its tails swirling in a mesmerizing display of power that rivals its best outings on Naruto. Jigen proves to be a more-than-worthy opponent, elegantly air dancing as he penetrates Susano'o's defenses and shatters swords to pieces with ease.

5 Episode 65, "Father and Child"

Visual Highlight: Sasuke and Naruto reuniting.

Boruto kept fans waiting for 65 episodes before unleashing the joint powers of Sasuke and Naruto once again. The esteem its creators held for two of its most important characters was evident in their showcase here, with each second of Sasuke and Naruto's fight against Momoshiki rendered in meticulous detail.

Sasuke and Naruto's movements were a symphony of precision and power, an evolved version of a familiar dance performed by two of anime’s fiercest warriors perfectly in sync. Up until that point, the consistency of Boruto's animation was a point of criticism, but each carefully captured strike felt loaded with promise for the show’s future and a reinvigorated legacy for the Uzumaki and Uchiha clans.

4 Episode 189, "Resonance"

Visual Highlight: Kawaki vs Garo

10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

By the time "Resonance" hit the small screen, manga-current Boruto fans had been eagerly waiting to see Kawaki's unique and powerful skillset unleashed in anime. A quick and acrobatic super-shinobi, Kawaki's limbs shift between forms and get uniquely weaponized as he debuts in fisticuffs against a lumbering Garo. Their fight is a controlled frenzy, cutting through the green countryside like a tornado.

Kawaki and Garo's fight is fun while it lasts for the audience, but miserable the entire way through for Garo, who rarely gets the upper hand before dying at Kawaki's killing blow — a walloping punch through the torso. Notably, the fight's most breathtaking moment might come at its most idyllic, when, after receiving a Garo suplex, Kawaki capitulates to gravity and falls back down to Earth enveloped by the quiet breeze.

3 Episode 254, "The Spiral of Revenge"

Visual Highlight: Ikada and his Sea Dragon saves Boruto

10 Most Visually Stunning Boruto Episodes

Some fans malign Boruto's Funato War arc for offering a less-than-exciting adaptation of a well-liked arc in the manga. While those criticisms hold merit, it does have one of the most breathtaking sequences of any Boruto arc.

The full potential of Ikada's power had been hinted at before, audiences even bearing witness to a flashback in Episode 241 depicting its awakening. Though it was known his family could control the sea, what occurred when Ikada rescued a drowning Boruto was grander than fathomable. Harnessing the ocean itself, Ikada gloriously introduces his Sea Dragon and spirits Boruto away from death.

2 Episode 217, "Decision"

Visual Highlight: Naruto goes Baryon Mode vs. Isshiki

The power of the Nine Tails has always been inside Naruto, but when in Baryon Mode, the jinchuriki works alongside him. Studio Pierrot knew they had a momentous occasion for the canon on its hand when rendering Naruto's Baryon Mode in Boruto's 217th episode. Successfully Naruto's beyond-Kage-level-power was no small feat, but the results did not disappoint.

Baryon Mode's imbued Naruto with quite literally next-level confidence and prowess, and Studio Pierrot spared no expense in showcasing the raw new power in every frame. As Naruto volleyed Isshiki across terrain and seas enacting vengeance, it was clear a legendary new Boruto entry was unfolding.

1 Episode 292, "Hunger"

Visual Highlight: A possessed Boruto fights Kawaki

Boruto's best animation arguably came in its mid-series finale episode. While the sequel series will eventually come back, fans will have to wait for years before more Buroto arrives in their feeds, and with a time skip all but promised, the characters that await them will not be the same as they were left. Luckily, the epic intermission left fans satiated, with the show delivering another impressive clash, this time between a Momoshiki-possessed Boruto and Kawaki. Fans had long fantasized about what this encounter might look like, but never under those circumstances.

Boruto kicks off the bout devastatingly, using his last bit of agency to distance himself from his concerned father so that he can do battle with Kawaki. The two, once like brothers but now embattled thanks to Momoshiki's influence, go blow for pulse-pounding blow. Boruto is powerful, made even more savage now that Momoshiki corrupts him — but even with all that strength, he cannot overpower Kawaki, who himself is fueled by the promise to oblige Boruto's wish to be killed if it meant defeating Momoshiki once and for all. In that way, Kawaki and Boruto outlast Momoshiki together. As the events unfold, its animation ebbs and flows in perfect synchronicity with its emotional highs and lows, swinging between slow and steady motion, zooming in and out between opponents, and taking everyone on an emotional rollercoaster that ends with Boruto's death.

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America Gets First Official One Piece Café

America's first official One Piece café is about to launch its grand opening in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it has already had a soft launch and will likely appeal to fans from all over the seven seas.

Via Andy Collectz on X (formerly Twitter), the official One Piece café had its soft launch yesterday on April 25 in Las Vegas, ahead of its grand opening on May 11, 2024. The café will be open from Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., with a menu inspired by food from the anime series, such as Zoro's Onigiri, Sanji's Seafood Fried Rice, The All Blue Mocktail and the Mighty Meats Pirate Platter. Readers can check out images from the One Piece café below.

One Piece's Official U.S. Café Will Offer Not Just Themed Food But Also Merchandise Collectibles

In addition to food and drink, the One Piece café comes with collectibles such as Luffy plushies, Zoro keyrings, One Piece lanyards, and a mug and coaster set inspired by the wanted posters from the series. The café follows past similar initiatives, like Café Mugiwara in Japan, bringing the excitement of One Piece to an indoor setting. Café Mugiwara was part of the One Piece indoor theme park, Tokyo One Piece Tower, which unfortunately shut down after COVID-19.

The One Piece café joins several exciting other projects taking place this year. Toei Animation Europe announced that multiple giant inflatable Luffy balloons will take off simultaneously this May, releasing 15 new One Piece visuals to celebrate. Meanwhile, the One Piece anniversary game One Piece Odyssey confirmed its Nintendo Switch release date earlier this month.

One Piece streams on Crunchyroll, which recently announced a massive drop of new episodes and specials in English dubbed for Luffy's birthday. The platform describes the series: "Monkey. D. Luffy refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become the king of all pirates. With a course charted for the treacherous waters of the Grand Line and beyond, this is one captain who'll never give up until he's claimed the greatest treasure on Earth: the Legendary One Piece!"

America Gets First Official One Piece Café

Source: Andy Collectz via X (formerly Twitter)

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Dragon Ball's Goku Gets Major 'Shojo' Glow-Up in Official Super Gallery Entry

Saikyo Jump is celebrating 40 years of Akira Toriyama's beloved shonen franchise, Dragon Ball, with its monthly Dragon Ball Super Gallery showcase -- a lineup of fresh artistic takes on classic Dragon Ball covers. This month's entry is from Hiroyuki Asada, creator of the steampunk fantasy manga Tegami Bachi, or Letter Bee.

Shonen Jump News (or @WSJ_manga), a Dragon Ball-focused news hub on X (formerly Twitter), recently showcased Asada's entry for its followers. This piece, which pays tribute to the cover of Dragon Ball Volume 35, features a version of Spirit Goku drawn in Asada's signature shojo-esque art style. Surrounded by sparkling accents, the spiky-haired Saiyan is shown bidding farewell to his friends before departing for the other world -- a design that was potentially chosen as a heartwarming sendoff to the late Akira Toriyama, who passed away in early March.

Naruto, Bleach, Spy x Family and Other Creators Have Previously Paid Tribute to Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball's 40th Anniversary Super Gallery is a long-running franchise tribute that kicked off in Saikyo Jump's September 2021 issue. Each month, the magazine features a piece of artwork inspired by one of Dragon Ball's original volume covers. Out of the planned 42 entries, 34 have already appeared in the pages of Saikyo Jump. The event is scheduled to conclude with the final entry this November. Iconic artists from all across Japan have already contributed to the gallery, including Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), Tite Kubo (Bleach), Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man), Koyoharu Gotouge (Demon Slayer) and Tatsuya Endo (Spy x Family). Naho Oishi, the main artist for Dragon Ball SD -- a version of the original story designed for young children -- was last month's participant. Her entry paid tribute to Volume 18, which playfully depicted Goku's son Gohan as a drag-racer.

The next Super Gallery entry will be drawn by none other than Toyotarou, who serves as the main official illustrator for the Dragon Ball Super manga series. While the series went on hiatus shortly after Toriyama's death, the franchise has since confirmed that the manga will eventually return to the pages of V-Jump magazine. Additionally, Toei Animation has also assured fans that it is not halting production on the upcoming anime series Dragon Ball Daima, which Toriyama was closely involved with prior to his death. Currently, the series is still scheduled to premiere this fall.

Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee Is a Steampunk Shonen Jump Series With Shojo-Esque Character Designs

Hiroyuki Asada's Letter Bee manga was originally serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump magazine from September 2006 to June 2007. The series featured a novel combination of action, fantasy and steampunk elements that quickly set it apart from Shonen Jump's usual fare. Set in an underground world known as AmberGround, government agents known as "Letter Bees" are trained to deliver packages while dealing with large armored insects known as Gaichu who frequently target them. The main protagonist is a young man named Lag Seeing, who is inspired to become a Letter Bee after a fateful childhood encounter with an agent named Gauche. One day, Gauche mysteriously disappears, only to turn up later with no memory of his past. Meanwhile, the Letter Bees begin to encounter opposition from a resistance movement known only as "Reverse." Asada is also known for their work on Tezuka Productions and MAPPA's 2019 anime adaptation of the Dororo manga.

Both Letter Bee and Dragon Ball are available in English from VIZ Media. Toei Animation's respective anime adaptations, which include Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, are available to stream on Hulu and Crunchyroll for viewers in most major regions.

Dragon Ball's Goku Gets Major 'Shojo' Glow-Up in Official Super Gallery Entry

Source: X (formerly Twitter)

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Dragon Ball Z's Greatest Trick Only Made Goku More Special

As the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise, Goku was always bound to be special. He was a mysterious boy with a tail who grew up in the mountains, and who had supernatural strength the likes of which was rarely seen in his world. Those traits made following his journey exciting, but DBZ introduced an interesting new formula that made Goku even more heroic. By the time Dragon Ball Z began, Goku was already named the World's Strongest as the champion of the Tenkaichi Budokai tournament.

He also had saved the world several times, and befriended most of the strongest fighters on the planet over the course of his travels. All these feats added up to make Goku the hero fans always knew would save the day. However, Akira Toriyama had an interesting trick up his sleeve which he used to continue to make Dragon Ball Z's greatest fights so enthralling to watch, even when fans knew Goku would always save the day in the end.

Goku's Role in OG Dragon Ball Was Very Different From DBZ

Goku's Early Years Were Marked By His Constant Journey to Become the Hero

Goku's Journey in early Dragon Ball was all about his growth into becoming a hero. He started out as a naive, ignorant young boy, unaware of what the world was like outside the forest where he lived. Through his training with Master Roshi and his battles against deadly foes like the Red Ribbon Army, Goku learns what it takes to be a hero. After his final fight against King Piccolo, Goku was firmly established as the world's savior. Later, his winning the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai proved he was the Earth’s strongest martial artist. That set the stage for his new role in DBZ, which would be notably different from who he was in Dragon Ball's narrative.

Goku was no longer trying to become the hero in Dragon Ball Z, because he was long-established to be just that. That gave DBZ the opportunity to focus on other battles featuring the other Z Fighters in order to show each villain's power – only for Goku to later swoop in and save the day at the last moment. DBZ was no longer about Goku's journey to find the Dragon Balls or become a master fighter, since he had already accomplished both those things multiple times over. Instead, DBZ put focus on other characters like Gohan, Vegeta, Krillin, and Piccolo in order to make Goku more special when he did finally did show up at the last moment to play the hero.

Goku Fading Into the Background Made Him More Heroic

Giving the Other Fighters Time to Shine Showed Just How Powerful Goku Had Become

The first instance of Goku stepping into the background and giving the other characters their chance to shine in Dragon Ball Z was in the Saiyan Saga. Following his death during the fight with Raditz, Goku was sent to the Other World where he underwent training with King Kai. During that time, Gohan became the main focus along with Piccolo, which was largely by design. Gohan was meant to take up the mantle of the hero in Goku’s stead, and his training under Piccolo set that up well. When the Saiyans finally did show up on Earth as Raditz said they would, Goku was nowhere to be found, and the only ones who could stand up and fight them were the remaining Z Fighters, including Gohan.

The ensuing battle left several of Goku's friends dead; namely Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Piccolo. The the strongest warriors on Earth being killed with relative ease by Nappa and Vegeta made the need for a hero all the more clear. It also showed how incredibly powerful the Saiyans were, making Goku's defeat of Nappa even more amazing to witness. Had Goku been part of the fight from the beginning, the most shocking parts of the Saiyan Saga would never have happened, such as Piccolo's sacrifice to save Gohan's life, Yamcha's death to the Saibamen, and Chiatozu's self-destruction on Nappa. After how poorly the rest of the Z Fighers faired against Nappa and Vegeta, it would be impossible for audiences not to cheer when Goku finally arrived, stronger than ever.

Up to that point in Dragon Ball, Goku had firmly established himself as the hero who always saves the day, so his absence only added to the tension. It wasn't just about whether Goku could beat the bad guy anymore: it was about whether he would even show up in time to rescue his friends before it was too late. Unlike in early Dragon Ball, when Goku was still trying to learn the skills necessary to become the hero, Goku in DBZ is well-known to be the strongest. As long as Goku was involved in the fight, the Z Fighters always had a chance to win, but he was often kept away from the battlefield in a myriad of ways.

How Dragon Ball Z Kept Goku Out of the Action

Goku Was Always the Last to Show Up in Any Serious Battle Due to Him Constantly Recovering From Injuries or Being Killed

As the Saiyan Saga showed, the best way to keep Goku away from the fighting in DBZ was through death. Death infamously became far less important in DBZ as the heroes could always wish everyone back in the end. With Goku dying, however, there was an added dynamic to death because Goku's demise meant he couldn't fight alongside the Z Fighters on Earth. It wasn't just through a literal death that Goku was prevented from fighting, though.

Often, Goku would simply take a vast amount of damage from a fight, resulting in a more symbolic defeat that would keep him away from the fighting while he recovered. This was the case after the fight with Vegeta and later Captain Ginyu. In both cases, Goku was beaten to a near-death state, only to come back even stronger when the heroes needed him most. When Goku finally showed up on Namek, easily dispatched of the Ginyu Force and even read Krillin's mind, it became apparent that he had become an almost divine savior whose mere presence turned any fight in the Z Fighters' favor.

After Goku was nearly killed in the fight against Ginyu, it left Gohan, Krillin, Piccolo, and Vegeta to fight Frieza on their own: a battle which they never had a chance of winning. When Goku finally arrived, not only did he have a massive Zenkai Boost, he later became a Super Saiyan, making him the legendary hero that had been hinted at ever since Nappa's offhand comment during the Saiyan Saga. As fans could expect at this point, the result of the fight against Frieza left Goku behind to seemingly die on Namek. With Goku missing, this left room for Future Trunks to appear against Mecha Frieza.

When Goku did make it to Earth, he was once again an even more god-like, heroic character, able to block Trunks' sword with a single finger and even teleport using his new Instant Transmission technique. Every time Goku is kept away from the action in DBZ, it not only gives the other characters their moment in the sun, it grants Goku a chance to get a new – usually off-screen power-up – that makes him the strongest once again. Interestingly, Goku's absence from the fighting was set up particularly early during the Android Saga.

As soon as Goku met Future Trunks for the first time, he was warned of the Heart Virus which took his life in Trunks' own timeline. This premonition inevitably came true during the fight with Androids 19 and 20, when Goku succumbed to the Heart Disease and was out of the action until the Cell Games. As always, Goku came back from his absence even stronger, with both him and Gohan being able to retain their Super Saiyan forms for days on end with little effort. Even though Gohan was the hero of the Cell Saga, Goku's emergence from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber while still in his Super Saiyan form gave him an almost angelic quality that made him seem larger-than-life, just as he had during his first appearance on Namek several arcs earlier.

Goku Being Brought Back To Life May Not Have Been Intentional

Keeping Goku Out of the Action Takes On New Meaning When Considering How Gohan Was Supposed to be the Hero

During the early Buu Saga, Gohan was supposed to be the hero, having defeated Cell and even becoming a literal superhero during the Great Saiyaman arc. Goku refusing to be revived after dying against Cell was the perfect way to keep him away from the action and give Gohan time to shine, but it didn't quite go that way.

During his time in the Other World after dying, Goku trained with the Other World’s Heroes like Pikkon and Olibu, eventually reaching his Super Saiyan 3 form. However, Goku getting a new power-up and becoming a hero once again wasn't in the cards at first. It may have very well been that case that only after Gohan proved to be less interesting as a main character Toriyama decided to bring back Goku again. If Gohan were as beloved as Goku at the time, Gohan's Ultimate form would likely have been more than enough to defeat Buu in Goku’s absence.

Instead, Goku came back into the fight one last time, and even Vegeta was forced to admit that Goku was the only one who could beat Kid Buu. Whether it was always intended to be that way, or happened inadvertently due to Akira Toriyama's struggle with making Gohan the hero, fans may never know for sure. Whatever the case, Dragon Ball Z developed an interesting rhythm with Goku. Goku would show up at the last minute, defeat the villain while sustaining major damage or even dying, and be forced out of the fight while he recovered. Then, Goku would show up once again at the last moment and the cycle would repeat.

As a result of this formula, Goku was the last one to show up in nearly every major battle, making it all the more special when he finally did. Goku became a true superhero in DBZ, even if he didn't wear a cape and a mask like the Great Saiyaman. Goku's new role in Dragon Ball Z made him into something of a messianic, savior figure. Early Dragon Ball turned Goku into the perfect hero who always found a way to save the day, and DBZ leaned into the aspect of his character more than ever. By allowing him to play the background in every fight and show up to save the day at just the last minute, Goku's appearances became far more special.

Dragon Ball Z's Greatest Trick Only Made Goku More Special
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Dragon Ball Unearths Nearly 40-Year-Old Calendar Featuring "Retro, Stylish" Akira Toriyama Artwork

A nearly 40-year-old Dragon Ball calendar has been unearthed, letting fans turn back the clock on three of the original characters from one of the most iconic manga series to date.

The official Dragon Ball website recently posted the "1986 Jump Dragon Ball Original Calendar" in a now-deleted entry for its Toriyama Archives section. The calendar was first released on Dec. 20, 1985. It features a young Son Goku riding Kinto'un/Flying Nimbus and focuses on the adventures of Yamcha and Puar. Readers can check out the calendar and official description below.

Akira Toriyama Was Known Not Just for Dragon Ball But Also His Iconic Mech & Vehicle Designs

Dragon Ball Unearths Nearly 40-Year-Old Calendar Featuring

The calendar spread was described: "This bonus pull-out Dragon Ball calendar took up six whole full-color pages in Weekly Shonen Jump. The page for November and December features an illustration of Yamcha and Puar on the warpath. Although the car is battle-ready and mounted with machine guns, the design is understated, giving the vehicle a retro, stylish feel."

Akira Toriyama's vehicle design was among his most praised talents, with some of the legendary creator's never-before-seen designs just released in V Jump Books' new "SAND LAND MASTER MECHANICAL PLAN." The book dropped alongside the Sand Land game and was teased, "If you're into Toriyama mechs, this book can't be beat!" Toriyama's art more generally continues to be honored through the Toriyama Archives series online, which recently rolled out rare concept art of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero's Cell Max vs. Gamma 2 fight and the early draft art work for old Dragon Ball manga spines.

Weekly Shonen Jump's Old Dragon Ball Calendar Will Be Usable Once More in 6 Years

According to the site "When Can I Reuse This Calendar?" Toriyama's 1986 spread will sadly only become usable again in 2030 and 2041. Fortunately for fans, however, the official Dragon Ball account began a calendar series that will span the whole of 2024 at the minimum, debuting with two variants: Goku vs. Vegeta and the Saibamen. Dragon Ball anime studio Toei Animation also released a new calendar featuring the upcoming Daima series, which provoked some annoyance from fans over perceived lackluster promotion for the anime.

VIZ licenses the Dragon Ball manga, describing Volume 1: "Meet a naive young monkey-tailed boy named Goku, whose quiet life changes when he meets Bulma, a girl who is on a quest to collect seven "Dragon Balls." If she gathers them all, an incredibly powerful dragon will appear and grant her one wish. But the precious orbs are scattered all over the world, and Bulma needs Goku's help (and his super-strength)! With a magic staff for a weapon and a flying cloud for a ride, Goku sets out on the adventure of a lifetime..."

Dragon Ball Unearths Nearly 40-Year-Old Calendar Featuring

Source: Dragon Ball official website

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