One Piece: Heart of Gold

One Piece: Heart of Gold is a 2016 anime special set in the expansive One Piece universe, serving as a prequel to the film One Piece Film: Gold. Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, the special is an adventurous detour for the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the legendary treasure, Pure Gold, while encountering a young girl named Olga who holds the key to its location.

Visually, Heart of Gold maintains the vibrant and energetic style fans expect from One Piece, with expressive character designs, fluid animation during action scenes, and creative settings. The world of Alchemi and the monstrous fish Bonbori showcase imaginative designs, blending fantastical elements with the pirate aesthetic. The special stays true to the anime's colorful and dynamic presentation, albeit without the cinematic polish seen in the main films.

However, the plot suffers from a familiar pitfall in anime specials: feeling like an inconsequential side quest. While the Pure Gold treasure is hyped up, its significance is ultimately shallow since the events have little impact on the overarching story. The villain Mad Treasure, despite a unique ability to control anything he touches, is a predictable and one-dimensional antagonist whose motivations are underdeveloped. He serves more as a stepping stone for the Straw Hats than a compelling threat.

Character interactions remain the special's strongest asset. The Straw Hats' camaraderie and comedic banter shine, especially in moments of downtime. Olga's character arc of overcoming trauma and loneliness could have been poignant but ends up feeling rushed. The emotional beats lack depth, and the bond between her and the crew feels underdeveloped, making the climax less impactful.

Overall, One Piece: Heart of Gold is an entertaining but ultimately forgettable entry in the One Piece universe. It's a fun watch for die-hard fans who enjoy spending more time with the crew, but it doesn't offer anything groundbreaking or essential to the series' lore. For those unfamiliar with One Piece, the special can feel chaotic and uninviting due to its reliance on existing character relationships. It's a side adventure that captures the series' spirit but lacks the narrative weight of the main story.

RATING 7/10.

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.