One Piece: Heart of Gold

When you read this, bare in mind that I've seen a lot of these films for long-running fighting anime that don't really affect the main story. I've become jaded as to the formula. Had I seen this made- for-television movie for one of my first anime, I probably would've had a higher opinion.

As is the case with many of these films, the heroes run into a person introduced solely for the movie who has to tackle her issues with the help of the heroes. It's not that her sad past isn't bad, it's just predictable. It is a decent film, it just doesn't stand out. The story, the villains, the humor, etc. are all good, they just aren't great. The most interesting part of the film is that it takes place in the stomach of a giant fish, which was different. However, even that wasn't utilized well enough to tempt me to watch this again.

I was surprised to learn that this in fact a prequel to the superior theatrical film Gold, which was kind of neat. You don't have to watch either film to get them, but it does add more to watch them both and see how they connect.

Animation is good. Isn't as good as theatrical but better than the show.

Overall, new viewers, hardcore One Piece fans, or younger audiences will probably like this. For everyone else, don't expect to hate this but don't expect to be wowed.