A former Narutoanimator is sharing his thoughts on the series as the original anime nears its 23rd anniversary. Most importantly, he's revealing a grave error the franchise made during the height of its popularity.
Henry Thurlow, a longtime American animator living and working in Japan, shared his critical opinion of Naruto on X (formerly Twitter). "As I rewatch Naruto, I do have this critique," he said. "While the big-fight animations reach Increadible heights. Other moments almost never do. Naruto and Sasuke fighting these guys? Very 'normal.' I wish they used the mentality of Elevate Everything." Thurlow was credited as a key animator for Naruto: Shippuden and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. He was also a secondary key animator for The Last: Naruto the Movie.
Naruto Animator Made History as the 1st American Director of One Piece As I rewatch Naruto, I do have this critique:While the big-fight animations reach Increadible heights.
Henry Thurlow, a longtime American animator living and working in Japan, shared his critical opinion of Naruto on X (formerly Twitter). "As I rewatch Naruto, I do have this critique," he said. "While the big-fight animations reach Increadible heights. Other moments almost never do. Naruto and Sasuke fighting these guys? Very 'normal.' I wish they used the mentality of Elevate Everything." Thurlow was credited as a key animator for Naruto: Shippuden and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. He was also a secondary key animator for The Last: Naruto the Movie.
Naruto Animator Made History as the 1st American Director of One Piece As I rewatch Naruto, I do have this critique:While the big-fight animations reach Increadible heights.
- 8/2/2025
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
After almost 6 months of hiatus, One Piece is back with its continuation of the Egghead Arc. The series took a break with Episode 1122, which underlined major events such as the Straw Hats leaving Egghead Island and Garp being frozen by Aokiji, and so on.
In Episodes 1123 and 1124, Luffy, along with his crew, heads toward Elbaph. Things are only going to get exciting from this point onwards, or so we thought. This is mainly because of a major blunder on Toei Animation’s part that caused an uproar on the internet.
The Straw Hat Pirates in a still from the anime | Credit: Toei Animation
Particularly, their misrepresentation of Sanji as a sleazy character fueled more hate and stirred the pot. It had most fans throwing brickbats at the studio for their “hate” toward the character. Amid the conundrum, though, Toei animator finally spoke up, and this is what he had to say.
In Episodes 1123 and 1124, Luffy, along with his crew, heads toward Elbaph. Things are only going to get exciting from this point onwards, or so we thought. This is mainly because of a major blunder on Toei Animation’s part that caused an uproar on the internet.
The Straw Hat Pirates in a still from the anime | Credit: Toei Animation
Particularly, their misrepresentation of Sanji as a sleazy character fueled more hate and stirred the pot. It had most fans throwing brickbats at the studio for their “hate” toward the character. Amid the conundrum, though, Toei animator finally spoke up, and this is what he had to say.
- 4/14/2025
- by Himanshi Jeswani
- FandomWire
One Piece fans are again divided over the controversial treatment of one of the series’ most beloved characters. Sanji, the fifth member of the Straw Hat Pirates, has unfortunately found himself the victim yet again of Toei Animation’s questionable creative decisions in its adaptation of the "Egghead" story arc.
The One Piece anime TV series by Toei Animation resumed its adaptation of the "Egghead" story arc with a two-part premiere. Episodes 1123 and 1124 premiered during the weekend of April 5-6, 2025. However, what should have been a joyous moment for One Piece fans quickly soured for some due to the inclusion of anime-original material that negatively portrayed the Straw Hat cook. This latest incident, plus others in the past, was the straw that broke the camel's back for many viewers.
One Piece Episode Director Takes on Renewed Anime vs. Manga Sanji Debate If you didn't know that .. Toei consults with Oda...
The One Piece anime TV series by Toei Animation resumed its adaptation of the "Egghead" story arc with a two-part premiere. Episodes 1123 and 1124 premiered during the weekend of April 5-6, 2025. However, what should have been a joyous moment for One Piece fans quickly soured for some due to the inclusion of anime-original material that negatively portrayed the Straw Hat cook. This latest incident, plus others in the past, was the straw that broke the camel's back for many viewers.
One Piece Episode Director Takes on Renewed Anime vs. Manga Sanji Debate If you didn't know that .. Toei consults with Oda...
- 4/10/2025
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
In a weird twist of events, Sony Group Corporation is reportedly interested in acquiring Kadokawa, a Japanese media conglomerate responsible for the distribution of several famous anime, movies, and games. If this comes true in the next few weeks, Sony will have a huge part in the anime industry and its distribution, along with the gaming and film industry. However, the company already has its hands on other anime companies, such as Crunchyroll, Funimation, and others. Fans are more concerned than excited at this point.
Elden Ring, created by a Kadokawa subsidiary. [Credit: FromSoftware]
The main concern surrounding this possible acquisition is the responsibility of publishing anime titles falling on Western publishers. It’s something that has almost always guaranteed failure and nobody wants Sony to have this much control over the anime industry. The company already has a 2% stake in Kadokawa and owning them might be going too far for everyone’s comfort.
Elden Ring, created by a Kadokawa subsidiary. [Credit: FromSoftware]
The main concern surrounding this possible acquisition is the responsibility of publishing anime titles falling on Western publishers. It’s something that has almost always guaranteed failure and nobody wants Sony to have this much control over the anime industry. The company already has a 2% stake in Kadokawa and owning them might be going too far for everyone’s comfort.
- 11/19/2024
- by Bidisha Mitra
- FandomWire
Known for its unique storytelling and creepy, grotesque illustrations, Junji Ito’s horror manga Uzumaki is hailed as one of the most terrifying works in modern Japanese literature. Thus, fans’ anticipation was sky-high upon the announcement of Uzumaki‘s anime adaptation. However, despite the delays and the hype surrounding it, the series failed to tarnish the bad reputation that is associated with the anime adaptions of Junji Ito’s works.
Kirie Goshima from Uzumaki | Credit: Adult Swim
Animator Henry Thurlow, known for his work on One Piece, recently weighed in on the reasons behind Uzumaki‘s tragic fate. He shared his perspective on social media, pointing to issues stemming from production mismanagement and the disconnect between Western producers and Japanese anime studios.
Henry Thurlow’s Insight into Uzumaki‘s Downfall
The animator and 1st non-Japanese episode director of One Piece, Henry Thurlow has shared his opinion on Uzumaki’s failure on his X account.
Kirie Goshima from Uzumaki | Credit: Adult Swim
Animator Henry Thurlow, known for his work on One Piece, recently weighed in on the reasons behind Uzumaki‘s tragic fate. He shared his perspective on social media, pointing to issues stemming from production mismanagement and the disconnect between Western producers and Japanese anime studios.
Henry Thurlow’s Insight into Uzumaki‘s Downfall
The animator and 1st non-Japanese episode director of One Piece, Henry Thurlow has shared his opinion on Uzumaki’s failure on his X account.
- 11/12/2024
- by Moumita Chakraborty
- FandomWire
Most animation studios are in the limelight for a bad reason. Be it pacing or inauthenticity, anime is being heavily criticized. This is especially true for Junji Ito’s magnum opus Uzumaki. With its botched visuals and inauthentic adaptation, One Piece animator couldn’t help but rant. This is especially true regarding the last few episodes of the series.
Monkey D. Luffy in a still from the series | Credit: Toei Animation
Henry Thurlow who has worked on Eiichiro Oda’s series went on a rant. He speculated several reasons for the anime’s failure. This further highlights the biggest problem in the anime industry. With the current scenario, it is equally disappointing for Ito to witness the betrayal as it is for the fans. To say the least, the mangaka is indeed plagued with the curse of horrid adaptations.
One Piece animator’s rant reveals the reason behind Uzumaki’s...
Monkey D. Luffy in a still from the series | Credit: Toei Animation
Henry Thurlow who has worked on Eiichiro Oda’s series went on a rant. He speculated several reasons for the anime’s failure. This further highlights the biggest problem in the anime industry. With the current scenario, it is equally disappointing for Ito to witness the betrayal as it is for the fans. To say the least, the mangaka is indeed plagued with the curse of horrid adaptations.
One Piece animator’s rant reveals the reason behind Uzumaki’s...
- 10/22/2024
- by Himanshi Jeswani
- FandomWire
Over the past week, Adult Swim's Uzumaki anime series has left many fans shocked and dismayed by the blatant drop in animation quality showcased in its second episode. In the wake of what some have referred to as the show's "downward spiral," Henry Thurlow -- a prominent animator known for his work on Toei Animation's One Piece series -- has placed the blame squarely on "Western producers" that he believes to be the root of the problem.
"I have so much I want to say about the Uzumaki adaptation, but it'll never fit into a series of Tweets," Thurlow begins in a series of impassioned X (formerly Twitter) posts. "While I don't have any actual bts [behind-the-scenes] knowledge of the Uzumaki production, it was advertised as a Production I.G. series for years, only to be marketed as Ig & _____ (not even an Ig subsidiary) at the last moment...at the end of the day,...
"I have so much I want to say about the Uzumaki adaptation, but it'll never fit into a series of Tweets," Thurlow begins in a series of impassioned X (formerly Twitter) posts. "While I don't have any actual bts [behind-the-scenes] knowledge of the Uzumaki production, it was advertised as a Production I.G. series for years, only to be marketed as Ig & _____ (not even an Ig subsidiary) at the last moment...at the end of the day,...
- 10/10/2024
- by Renee Senzatimore
- CBR
Animator Henry Thurlow who is popular for his work on One Piece, Boruto and other anime, recently put out a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) shedding light on what possibly could have gone wrong with the Uzumaki adaptation.
The anime has gone through an alarming downward spiral when it came to its animation quality, leaving everyone quite disheartened.
While Thurlow admitted that he was not fully aware of what happened behind the scenes of Uzumaki’s production, he lashed out at western producers for probably having ruined the show.
He pointed out that some producer from the anime, in a bid to just get done with production and release it, might have involved some subpar studio to work on the it.
“As for the Uzumaki production, at the end of the day it’s almost certainly *some* western producer’s fault. ‘This is taking too long so force...
The anime has gone through an alarming downward spiral when it came to its animation quality, leaving everyone quite disheartened.
While Thurlow admitted that he was not fully aware of what happened behind the scenes of Uzumaki’s production, he lashed out at western producers for probably having ruined the show.
He pointed out that some producer from the anime, in a bid to just get done with production and release it, might have involved some subpar studio to work on the it.
“As for the Uzumaki production, at the end of the day it’s almost certainly *some* western producer’s fault. ‘This is taking too long so force...
- 10/9/2024
- by Rohit Nair
- AnimeHunch
Cbr Anime Week is brought to you by Hulu Animayhem
Eiichiro Oda, the author and illustrator of the One Piece manga, revealed his early illustrations of Nami's outfit for the "Egghead" story arc. While some fans prefer her current look as shown in the anime, many others are expressing their disappointment over the outfit that Oda used for Nami over the other choices.
Pew (@/pewpiece), a One Piece fan account on X (formerly Twitter), shared Oda's concept art of Nami's latest outfit in the One Piece series. Although Oda's artwork is rough and loose (as is to be expected of concept art), it still conveys the various ideas that the Shonen Jump author initially had in mind for Nami. A common theme among these designs is that Nami is dressed in more clothes in general -- a sharp contrast to the finalized outfit, where Nami's arms and legs are fully exposed.
Eiichiro Oda, the author and illustrator of the One Piece manga, revealed his early illustrations of Nami's outfit for the "Egghead" story arc. While some fans prefer her current look as shown in the anime, many others are expressing their disappointment over the outfit that Oda used for Nami over the other choices.
Pew (@/pewpiece), a One Piece fan account on X (formerly Twitter), shared Oda's concept art of Nami's latest outfit in the One Piece series. Although Oda's artwork is rough and loose (as is to be expected of concept art), it still conveys the various ideas that the Shonen Jump author initially had in mind for Nami. A common theme among these designs is that Nami is dressed in more clothes in general -- a sharp contrast to the finalized outfit, where Nami's arms and legs are fully exposed.
- 7/6/2024
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
Cbr Anime Week is brought to you by Hulu Animayhem
In a surprise to fans, popular animator and the first American to direct One Piece, Henry Thurlow, has publicly announced his departure from the anime's series staff as well as Toei Animation as a whole.
Thurlow revealed via an X (formerly Twitter) post on July 1, 2024, that he had left One Piece's staff and animation studio. The popular director was not only the first American but also the first non-Japanese staff member to direct an episode at Toei Animation. He is known for his work throughout the "Wano" arc -- notably the iconic "Aokiji Episode" 1093 and directing Episode 1066. Thurlow added that he had left over a month ago but was announcing his departure now that his final involvement had aired. Readers can check out his departure post below.
Related One Piece Anime Remake Studio Provokes AI Concerns Ahead of Upcoming...
In a surprise to fans, popular animator and the first American to direct One Piece, Henry Thurlow, has publicly announced his departure from the anime's series staff as well as Toei Animation as a whole.
Thurlow revealed via an X (formerly Twitter) post on July 1, 2024, that he had left One Piece's staff and animation studio. The popular director was not only the first American but also the first non-Japanese staff member to direct an episode at Toei Animation. He is known for his work throughout the "Wano" arc -- notably the iconic "Aokiji Episode" 1093 and directing Episode 1066. Thurlow added that he had left over a month ago but was announcing his departure now that his final involvement had aired. Readers can check out his departure post below.
Related One Piece Anime Remake Studio Provokes AI Concerns Ahead of Upcoming...
- 7/4/2024
- by Chike Nwaenie
- CBR
The latest One Piece episode brought with it a lot of exciting events, but it also may have triggered the fans of the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates, Sanji. In episode 1105, which was released on May 18, 2024, fans were able to point out a change in one of the scenes from the manga that resulted in Sanji missing out on his epic moment.
Sanji – One Piece | Toei Animation
This led to fans getting angry with Toei Animation for not doing justice to the character of Sanji, and some even claimed that the studio is biased towards Zoro and favors the swordsman between the two. Zoro and Sanji already have a rivalry going on, and fans believe that cutting out scenes like this undermines Sanji’s importance as a character.
Some fans even targeted the One Piece animator Henry Thurlow, who is part of the One Piece anime staff at Toei Animation.
Sanji – One Piece | Toei Animation
This led to fans getting angry with Toei Animation for not doing justice to the character of Sanji, and some even claimed that the studio is biased towards Zoro and favors the swordsman between the two. Zoro and Sanji already have a rivalry going on, and fans believe that cutting out scenes like this undermines Sanji’s importance as a character.
Some fans even targeted the One Piece animator Henry Thurlow, who is part of the One Piece anime staff at Toei Animation.
- 5/20/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
The anime industry’s outward shine might temporarily blind you to the dark inner workings of studios. But it won’t be too long before more animators expose the industry’s failures.
The latest person to speak up is Terumi Nishii, the chief animation director of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. While this isn’t the first time that Nishii has warned people about the struggling industry, her latest tweet exposes the naked truth to anime worshippers.
Is the anime industry going bankrupt? Experts Share
In a recent X post (formerly Twitter), Terumi Nishii made a grim forecast of an upcoming bankruptcy in the anime industry.
“In the future, the capacity of each company will be completely exhausted. We expect to see more and more bankruptcies due to the fact that a production scheduled for 3 years from now will be finished in 5 years, but the budget has been spent on another production. I...
The latest person to speak up is Terumi Nishii, the chief animation director of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. While this isn’t the first time that Nishii has warned people about the struggling industry, her latest tweet exposes the naked truth to anime worshippers.
Is the anime industry going bankrupt? Experts Share
In a recent X post (formerly Twitter), Terumi Nishii made a grim forecast of an upcoming bankruptcy in the anime industry.
“In the future, the capacity of each company will be completely exhausted. We expect to see more and more bankruptcies due to the fact that a production scheduled for 3 years from now will be finished in 5 years, but the budget has been spent on another production. I...
- 3/31/2024
- by Aaheli Pradhan
- FandomWire
Warning: Spoilers For One Piece Episode #1093
One Piece anime episode #1093 showcases the potential of good filler material to make villains more intimidating than in the manga. The episode includes an anime-only scene featuring a flashback battle between Kuzan and Cracker, which adds depth to the storyline. The filler scene demonstrates the effectiveness of exploring characters and events not covered in the manga, highlighting the skill of the anime team.
One Piece's anime did the unthinkable by providing filler material that was not only epic but successfully made two villains more intimidating than the manga, the type of filler the anime should do more. The Egghead Island arc has delivered some incredibly well-animated and exciting episodes so far, but episode #1093 might be the best yet. Law suffered an ambush from Blackbeard who proved to be One Piece's greatest threat. However, an anime-only scene in the episode proved the true...
One Piece anime episode #1093 showcases the potential of good filler material to make villains more intimidating than in the manga. The episode includes an anime-only scene featuring a flashback battle between Kuzan and Cracker, which adds depth to the storyline. The filler scene demonstrates the effectiveness of exploring characters and events not covered in the manga, highlighting the skill of the anime team.
One Piece's anime did the unthinkable by providing filler material that was not only epic but successfully made two villains more intimidating than the manga, the type of filler the anime should do more. The Egghead Island arc has delivered some incredibly well-animated and exciting episodes so far, but episode #1093 might be the best yet. Law suffered an ambush from Blackbeard who proved to be One Piece's greatest threat. However, an anime-only scene in the episode proved the true...
- 2/17/2024
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
Warning: Spoilers For One Piece Episode #1093
Blackbeard's crew, particularly sniper Van Augur, displayed surprising strength, easily defeating one of Luffy's toughest opponents. The epic confrontation and defeat of Charlotte Cracker by Van Augur and Kuzan was shown in episode #1093, expanding on the manga's cover story. Van Augur's supernatural marksman skills, combined with his teleporting Warp-Fruit, make him an impressive and fearsome character in the One Piece world.
One Piece's anime made Blackbeard's crew scarier than ever, especially their sniper Van Augur, whose surprising strength easily wiped out one of Luffy's toughest past opponents. During the Whole Cake Island arc, Big Mom and her children displayed some over-the-top and powerful abilities, including two of her sons who forced Luffy to go all out to defeat them barely. However, one of those sons quickly crumbled against one of Blackbeard's Titanic Captains.
Law and Blackbeard's anticipated fight in One Piece episode...
Blackbeard's crew, particularly sniper Van Augur, displayed surprising strength, easily defeating one of Luffy's toughest opponents. The epic confrontation and defeat of Charlotte Cracker by Van Augur and Kuzan was shown in episode #1093, expanding on the manga's cover story. Van Augur's supernatural marksman skills, combined with his teleporting Warp-Fruit, make him an impressive and fearsome character in the One Piece world.
One Piece's anime made Blackbeard's crew scarier than ever, especially their sniper Van Augur, whose surprising strength easily wiped out one of Luffy's toughest past opponents. During the Whole Cake Island arc, Big Mom and her children displayed some over-the-top and powerful abilities, including two of her sons who forced Luffy to go all out to defeat them barely. However, one of those sons quickly crumbled against one of Blackbeard's Titanic Captains.
Law and Blackbeard's anticipated fight in One Piece episode...
- 2/16/2024
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
Marshall D. Teach, infamously known around the world as Blackbeard the Pirate, shows no mercy against Trafalgar D. Water Law in One Piece Episode 1093.
After being pushed back in favor of a recap, Episode 1093 of One Piece proved to be worth the one-week delay. Continuing the strong showing of the "Egghead" story arc, the latest episode featured numerous pieces of standout animation by the top animators of Toei Animation. Key animator Vincent Chansard -- who previously animated Law in Episode 957 of the "Wano Country" arc -- collaborated once again with storyboard artist Katsumi Ishizuka for the highly anticipated match-up against the two pirate captains.
Related One Piece Creator Is Heavily Influenced by Tarantino's Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs One Piece's Eiichiro Oda reveals his inspiration from popular Western titles, such as Quentin Tarantino's classic Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. On the Trafalgar Law side, of course I expect strong scenes.
After being pushed back in favor of a recap, Episode 1093 of One Piece proved to be worth the one-week delay. Continuing the strong showing of the "Egghead" story arc, the latest episode featured numerous pieces of standout animation by the top animators of Toei Animation. Key animator Vincent Chansard -- who previously animated Law in Episode 957 of the "Wano Country" arc -- collaborated once again with storyboard artist Katsumi Ishizuka for the highly anticipated match-up against the two pirate captains.
Related One Piece Creator Is Heavily Influenced by Tarantino's Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs One Piece's Eiichiro Oda reveals his inspiration from popular Western titles, such as Quentin Tarantino's classic Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. On the Trafalgar Law side, of course I expect strong scenes.
- 2/12/2024
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
Warning: Light One Piece Egghead Island Arc Anime Spoilers
Law's epic fight against Blackbeard has been teased to appear in the upcoming episode #1093 of One Piece. The fight is expected to be extended beyond what was shown in the manga chapter, and constructed by very talented animators. The filler episode about Law's backstory gave the anime team more time to prepare for his biggest fight, building anticipation for fans.
One Piece's Egghead Island arc is filled with incredible battles, but the anime has primed Trafalgar Law fans with a filler episode before his best fight yet. Law became a fan-favorite character with an incredible design and serious personality that often clashed (hilariously) with Luffy's during their several arcs together. Now that they have split up, Law and his crew are about to have their hands full when Blackbeard and his crew ambush them with some of the strongest...
Law's epic fight against Blackbeard has been teased to appear in the upcoming episode #1093 of One Piece. The fight is expected to be extended beyond what was shown in the manga chapter, and constructed by very talented animators. The filler episode about Law's backstory gave the anime team more time to prepare for his biggest fight, building anticipation for fans.
One Piece's Egghead Island arc is filled with incredible battles, but the anime has primed Trafalgar Law fans with a filler episode before his best fight yet. Law became a fan-favorite character with an incredible design and serious personality that often clashed (hilariously) with Luffy's during their several arcs together. Now that they have split up, Law and his crew are about to have their hands full when Blackbeard and his crew ambush them with some of the strongest...
- 2/7/2024
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
Starting on Nov. 12, One Piece episodes have begun airing during a different time slot when they premiere in Japan.
According to a post from One Piece's official English-language X (formerly Twitter) account, One Piece Episode 1083, in addition to all subsequent episodes of the beloved shonen title, will air at 6 p.m. Pt. Recently, the hit series concluded its famous "Wano Country" arc and is now sailing into its long-awaited "Final Saga" storyline. Although the post does not specify the reason for the time change, many One Piece viewers support the change because it makes it easier to follow programs that air earlier in the evening in various time zones.
Anime NYC Invites Attendees to Challenge Real-Life Marines in One Piece Battle Dome
Moving forward, One Piece episodes will launch at a new time of 6 Pm Pt. Please look forward to tonight's episode! — One Piece (@OnePieceAnime) November 11, 2023 One hour early...
According to a post from One Piece's official English-language X (formerly Twitter) account, One Piece Episode 1083, in addition to all subsequent episodes of the beloved shonen title, will air at 6 p.m. Pt. Recently, the hit series concluded its famous "Wano Country" arc and is now sailing into its long-awaited "Final Saga" storyline. Although the post does not specify the reason for the time change, many One Piece viewers support the change because it makes it easier to follow programs that air earlier in the evening in various time zones.
Anime NYC Invites Attendees to Challenge Real-Life Marines in One Piece Battle Dome
Moving forward, One Piece episodes will launch at a new time of 6 Pm Pt. Please look forward to tonight's episode! — One Piece (@OnePieceAnime) November 11, 2023 One hour early...
- 11/13/2023
- by Renee Senzatimore
- CBR
Toei Animation recently held an unforgettable in-office party to celebrate One Piece's 25th anime anniversary and the completion of the famous "Wano Country" story arc.
Henry Thurlow, an American staff member at Toei Animation, wrote about the celebration on his X (formerly Twitter) page. "I had the honor of being able to attend One Piece's 25th year celebration/ Wano-Kuni-completion party this weekend," Thurlow commented. "I met Oda-sensei, saw live performances of opening themes, and met artists and directors I hadn't before." Thurlow also showcased images of large-scale statues of iconic characters from the series, including Roronoa Zoro, Sanji and Jinbe.
One Piece to Stream Non-Stop for a Year
I had the honor of being able to attend the One Piece 25th year celebration/Wano-Kuni-completion party this evening. I met Oda sensei, saw live performances of opening themes & met artists & directors I hadn’t before. I can’t post photos from inside the venue,...
Henry Thurlow, an American staff member at Toei Animation, wrote about the celebration on his X (formerly Twitter) page. "I had the honor of being able to attend One Piece's 25th year celebration/ Wano-Kuni-completion party this weekend," Thurlow commented. "I met Oda-sensei, saw live performances of opening themes, and met artists and directors I hadn't before." Thurlow also showcased images of large-scale statues of iconic characters from the series, including Roronoa Zoro, Sanji and Jinbe.
One Piece to Stream Non-Stop for a Year
I had the honor of being able to attend the One Piece 25th year celebration/Wano-Kuni-completion party this evening. I met Oda sensei, saw live performances of opening themes & met artists & directors I hadn’t before. I can’t post photos from inside the venue,...
- 10/28/2023
- by Renee Senzatimore
- CBR
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead has been a massive hit on Crunchyroll, but it has been plagued by delays caused by production issues. The anime's opening highlights its biggest problem on a technical level. While Zom 100 has been a big hit for the summer 2023 season, a big problem with it has been the anime’s constant delays. The delays became so bad that the staff had to outright say that they didn’t have confirmed release dates for the last three episodes, and it has all served to greatly hamper the show’s momentum.
Production delays have been the biggest problem with Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, and nothing illustrates that better than its opening theme. Zom 100’s opening theme has been notably minimalist with little imagery and egregious use of clips from previous episodes, but episode #8 showed an updated version with new visuals and animation...
Production delays have been the biggest problem with Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, and nothing illustrates that better than its opening theme. Zom 100’s opening theme has been notably minimalist with little imagery and egregious use of clips from previous episodes, but episode #8 showed an updated version with new visuals and animation...
- 9/22/2023
- by Joshua Fox
- ScreenRant
A One Piece animator has teased the peak of a key arc and fight in the popular anime.
The long-standing franchise, over 1000 episodes strong, is currently embroiled in the "Wano" arc. The story is highlighted by the arrival of 5th Gear Luffy and his fight with the mighty dragon Kaido. Even without the 5th Gear, the anime has been praised for how the two's clash has been rendered on screen. Now, animator Henry Thurlow has revealed that an upcoming episode will conclude Luffy and Kaido's battle.
Related: One Piece: Luffy's 7 Most Triumphant Victories (& His 7 Most Humiliating Defeats)
Ladies & Gentlemen, we have arrived! This weekend the "Year of the One Piece anime" & the entire Wano-Kuni storyline reaches it`s climax! The battle between Luffy & Kaido concludes, and a certain pink dragon must overcome his doubts & believe in himself. See you this weekend. 😠pic.twitter.com/2OMWFFuaVM — Henry Thurlow (@henry...
The long-standing franchise, over 1000 episodes strong, is currently embroiled in the "Wano" arc. The story is highlighted by the arrival of 5th Gear Luffy and his fight with the mighty dragon Kaido. Even without the 5th Gear, the anime has been praised for how the two's clash has been rendered on screen. Now, animator Henry Thurlow has revealed that an upcoming episode will conclude Luffy and Kaido's battle.
Related: One Piece: Luffy's 7 Most Triumphant Victories (& His 7 Most Humiliating Defeats)
Ladies & Gentlemen, we have arrived! This weekend the "Year of the One Piece anime" & the entire Wano-Kuni storyline reaches it`s climax! The battle between Luffy & Kaido concludes, and a certain pink dragon must overcome his doubts & believe in himself. See you this weekend. 😠pic.twitter.com/2OMWFFuaVM — Henry Thurlow (@henry...
- 9/12/2023
- by Todd Black
- CBR
Warning: Spoilers For One Piece Anime Episode #1074Wano, the One Piece anime series' longest and debatably best arc that saw Luffy unlock Gear 5, is finally coming to an end, and the release date of the climax has been revealed. Luffy and most of his Straw Hat crew arrived on Wano and officially began the arc in July 2019 on episode #892. Several episodes in the arc have been regarded as "peak cinema" by fans. Still, the series' best-looking arc only has a couple of episodes left.
The ultimate battle between Emperors of the Sea, Luffy and Kaido, began to hit its final stretch in the anime's episode #1074. After Luffy used his Gear 5 powers on a cloud to extract and use its lightning against Kaido, the One Piece world's strongest creature had had enough. The fearsome foe began beating the Straw Hat Captain with some of his strongest attacks yet. Luffy knew he couldn't hold out much longer,...
The ultimate battle between Emperors of the Sea, Luffy and Kaido, began to hit its final stretch in the anime's episode #1074. After Luffy used his Gear 5 powers on a cloud to extract and use its lightning against Kaido, the One Piece world's strongest creature had had enough. The fearsome foe began beating the Straw Hat Captain with some of his strongest attacks yet. Luffy knew he couldn't hold out much longer,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
The year 2023 is a special time to be a One Piece fan. It has brought on several milestones for the franchise, with the over 25-year-long manga finally reaching its final stretch of the story, the live-action series at Netflix getting a release date, and the anime’s stellar animation and upcoming Gear 5 episode, which sees Luffy get a legendary (and powerful) transformation. Each episode leading toward the climatic reveal of Luffy’s new form has garnered critical acclaim from critics and fans alike on Twitter, elevating freelance animators like Vincent Chansard and Henry Thurlow into household names within the fandom. At Anime Expo 2023, TV Insider got the chance to speak to the One Piece Series Director (Yasunori Koyama), Animation Director (Kenji Yokoyama), and Production Manager (Tetsushi Akahori) ahead of One Piece Day (July 21 and 22) to discuss their favorite moments in the current Wano Kuni arc and the upcoming Egghead Island arc.
- 7/22/2023
- TV Insider
Warning: Spoilers for One Piece Anime Episode #1066One Piece episode #1066 contained Big Mom's ultimate showdown against Law and Kid with many jaw-dropping moments, including top-tier animation that fans can't stop analyzing or talking about. While Luffy continues to battle Kaido, fellow Worst Generation Pirates Kid and Law are fighting another one of the series' more unstoppable characters, Pirate Emperor Big Mom. Episode #1066 not only expanded on the battle in ways the manga could not, it was also a major One Piece anime milestone by being the first episode directed by an American named Henry Thurlow, who brought in many talented animators from around the world.
Anime has grown a considerable audience worldwide since the 1990s. Many people inspired by the Japanese medium have developed their art styles based on the series they grew up loving, like Dragon Ball Z. While creating anime was once a Japanese-only profession, Episode #1066 of One Piece...
Anime has grown a considerable audience worldwide since the 1990s. Many people inspired by the Japanese medium have developed their art styles based on the series they grew up loving, like Dragon Ball Z. While creating anime was once a Japanese-only profession, Episode #1066 of One Piece...
- 7/1/2023
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
Warning: Spoilers for One Piece Anime Episode #1066Kid and Law's monumental battle against Big Mom finally reaches its climax in One Piece episode #1066, showcasing the fearsome Pirate Emperor's ultimate form and powers like never before, with her most devastating attack, 3,000 Leagues of Misery, using the full extent of her Devil Fruit abilities. Since the Whole Cake Island arc, the Big Mom pirates have proven why they are one of the world's most feared pirate groups. Characters like Katakuri and Perospero are intimidating in their own right. Still, they and the rest of Charlotte Linlin's familial pirate crew are terrified by their Mother Captain, and episode #1066 proves why.
Former Rocks Pirates and fearsome Yonko, Big Mom and Kaido formed a temporary alliance in Wano with plans to secure the One Piece. The monstrous duo joined in battle on top of Onigashima's Skull Dome to put an end to members of the Worst Generation Luffy,...
Former Rocks Pirates and fearsome Yonko, Big Mom and Kaido formed a temporary alliance in Wano with plans to secure the One Piece. The monstrous duo joined in battle on top of Onigashima's Skull Dome to put an end to members of the Worst Generation Luffy,...
- 7/1/2023
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
Warning: Spoilers for the One Piece Manga and Anime Episode #1066
One Piece episode #1066 showcased the ultimate battle between Kid and Law against the Pirate Emperor Big Mom, but it also revealed details from Kid's past that the manga never covered. The anime is approaching the end of the Wano arc, which it's adapted beautifully with an updated art style and improved pacing. However, One Piece anime's first American director had something to prove with episode #1066. Henry D. Thurlow delivered a stylish and unforgettable battle against one of the series' most unstoppable villains, Big Mom. Besides the epic fight scenes, the episode also provided some incredibly dramatic moments regarding Kid's past.
David Tako (@TakoDavid) who I met through Tephlon Funk (@tephlonfunk) is the illustrator we all have to thank for the amazing black & white illustrations of Kid`s past at the beginning of the episode. A professional comic artist, I was...
One Piece episode #1066 showcased the ultimate battle between Kid and Law against the Pirate Emperor Big Mom, but it also revealed details from Kid's past that the manga never covered. The anime is approaching the end of the Wano arc, which it's adapted beautifully with an updated art style and improved pacing. However, One Piece anime's first American director had something to prove with episode #1066. Henry D. Thurlow delivered a stylish and unforgettable battle against one of the series' most unstoppable villains, Big Mom. Besides the epic fight scenes, the episode also provided some incredibly dramatic moments regarding Kid's past.
David Tako (@TakoDavid) who I met through Tephlon Funk (@tephlonfunk) is the illustrator we all have to thank for the amazing black & white illustrations of Kid`s past at the beginning of the episode. A professional comic artist, I was...
- 6/28/2023
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
After a stellar episode that brilliantly hints at the action to come, One Piece is unfortunately taking a short break to prepare for episode #1066. Luckily, the break won’t be too long, as after a quick recap episode the anime will be back on its regular schedule. This is great for fans who are eagerly awaiting more of the fights happening on Onigashima.
What Time One Piece #1066 Releases
One Piece's episode #1066, titled "The Main Attraction is Coming! Ultimate Attack of Shockwave and Magnetism", will air on Sunday, June 25 at 9:30 am Japanese Standard Time (Jst). It will then be simulcast on Crunchyroll on June 24 at 7:00 pm Pacific Time, 9:00 pm Central Time, and 10:00 pm Eastern Time in the US. It will release on Sunday, June 25 at 3:00 am British Summer Time for One Piece fans in the UK. Fans of the English dub will have to wait...
What Time One Piece #1066 Releases
One Piece's episode #1066, titled "The Main Attraction is Coming! Ultimate Attack of Shockwave and Magnetism", will air on Sunday, June 25 at 9:30 am Japanese Standard Time (Jst). It will then be simulcast on Crunchyroll on June 24 at 7:00 pm Pacific Time, 9:00 pm Central Time, and 10:00 pm Eastern Time in the US. It will release on Sunday, June 25 at 3:00 am British Summer Time for One Piece fans in the UK. Fans of the English dub will have to wait...
- 6/16/2023
- by Ben Sockol
- ScreenRant
Ulti, the quick-to-anger member of the Beasts Pirates, is portrayed as the refined lady she sees herself as in this stunning One Piece cosplay.
On Twitter, a cosplayer who goes by the handle of @/____82c uploaded photos of herself as one of the six strongest Shinuchi in the Tobiroppo division of the Beasts Pirates. Her cosplay of Ulti is set under the night sky, portraying the character as more innocent than her actions would suggest. Ulti's long-sleeved minidress is accurately rendered, along with her dark-blue cape.
Related: Bocchi the Rock Kikuri Hiroi Cosplay Depicts the Gloomy Bassist in Her Element
【コスプレ】 Onepiece／飛び六胞 うるティ pic.twitter.com/7FJaXivkMH — 香...
On Twitter, a cosplayer who goes by the handle of @/____82c uploaded photos of herself as one of the six strongest Shinuchi in the Tobiroppo division of the Beasts Pirates. Her cosplay of Ulti is set under the night sky, portraying the character as more innocent than her actions would suggest. Ulti's long-sleeved minidress is accurately rendered, along with her dark-blue cape.
Related: Bocchi the Rock Kikuri Hiroi Cosplay Depicts the Gloomy Bassist in Her Element
【コスプレ】 Onepiece／飛び六胞 うるティ pic.twitter.com/7FJaXivkMH — 香...
- 6/13/2023
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
Uta and Yamato get reimagined as modern-day besties in this amazing One Piece fan art.
An artist named Takeuchi Ryosuke (@/ryosuketarou) uploaded their modernized One Piece fan art on Twitter. In Ryosuke's artwork, Uta and Yamato are having a night on the town. Among the crowd in the background are familiar faces from the One Piece series.
Related: One Piece 1086 Is Either Confirming Fan Theories or Hardcore Trolling
ウタちゃんとヤマトぼっちゃん pic.twitter.com/JVVe0iUC5Z — タケウチ リョースケ (@ryosuketarou) June 13, 2023 One Piece Character Cameos in the Fan Art
Of course, the most obvious cameos are Roronoa Zoro, Trafalgar D. Water Law and Tony Tony Chopper. However, there are deeper cuts in the crowd, such as Jango the Turncoat from the East Blue Saga. The person to the right of Jango appears to be the back of an older Koby, the Marine Captain that Monkey D. Luffy first met as a...
An artist named Takeuchi Ryosuke (@/ryosuketarou) uploaded their modernized One Piece fan art on Twitter. In Ryosuke's artwork, Uta and Yamato are having a night on the town. Among the crowd in the background are familiar faces from the One Piece series.
Related: One Piece 1086 Is Either Confirming Fan Theories or Hardcore Trolling
ウタちゃんとヤマトぼっちゃん pic.twitter.com/JVVe0iUC5Z — タケウチ リョースケ (@ryosuketarou) June 13, 2023 One Piece Character Cameos in the Fan Art
Of course, the most obvious cameos are Roronoa Zoro, Trafalgar D. Water Law and Tony Tony Chopper. However, there are deeper cuts in the crowd, such as Jango the Turncoat from the East Blue Saga. The person to the right of Jango appears to be the back of an older Koby, the Marine Captain that Monkey D. Luffy first met as a...
- 6/13/2023
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
Warning: Spoilers For One Piece Anime #1065Episode #1066 of the One Piece anime will include a first for the series and Toei Animation, with Henry Thurlow becoming the first non-Japanese person to direct an episode in the series' 24-year history. The One Piece anime's upcoming episodes are coving the Wano Arc's final battles, including Luffy's Gear 5th fight with Kaido. However, the series' Worst Generation have more than one Yonko to take down before the Raid on Onigashima can be considered a win for Luffy and his allies. With episode #1065 pushing Law and Kid to their limits in their battle against Big Mom, what happens next will surely be a spectacle.
One Piece episode #1066, titled "The Top Billing is Coming! Deadly Attack of Shockwave and Magnetism," will be directed by an American for the first time in the anime's history. Henry Thurlow tweeted the news (via Crunchyroll) after finding his...
One Piece episode #1066, titled "The Top Billing is Coming! Deadly Attack of Shockwave and Magnetism," will be directed by an American for the first time in the anime's history. Henry Thurlow tweeted the news (via Crunchyroll) after finding his...
- 6/13/2023
- by Jason Hon
- ScreenRant
For the first time in history, an American animator will have the honor of directing an episode of One Piece.
As detailed on Anime Senpai, Toei Animation has cast Henry Thurlow, an American animator residing in Japan, as the Episode Director for Episode 1066 of One Piece, which is due to premiere on June 25. Initially reported in the Japanese anime magazine, Newtype, Thurlow later confirmed the news on his Twitter page. This is a historic move for Toei, as it is the first time the studio has ever tasked a non-Japanese animator with directing an episode of one of its television series.
Related: 15 Best-Selling Manga Of All Time (& How Many Copies Were Sold)
Reported in Newtype: I, Henry Thurlow, am the episode director of One Piece 1066 airing this month. As far as I can tell (& as far as the production staff knew when I asked) there has never been a non-Japanese ep director for Op,...
As detailed on Anime Senpai, Toei Animation has cast Henry Thurlow, an American animator residing in Japan, as the Episode Director for Episode 1066 of One Piece, which is due to premiere on June 25. Initially reported in the Japanese anime magazine, Newtype, Thurlow later confirmed the news on his Twitter page. This is a historic move for Toei, as it is the first time the studio has ever tasked a non-Japanese animator with directing an episode of one of its television series.
Related: 15 Best-Selling Manga Of All Time (& How Many Copies Were Sold)
Reported in Newtype: I, Henry Thurlow, am the episode director of One Piece 1066 airing this month. As far as I can tell (& as far as the production staff knew when I asked) there has never been a non-Japanese ep director for Op,...
- 6/10/2023
- by Renee Senzatimore
- CBR
The epic showdown between Zoro and King in the latest episode of One Piece featured an unexpected Among Us cameo.
Chansard Vincent, a key animator on the series, recently highlighted the sneaky nod to the hit video game on Twitter, as reported by ComicBook. He shared an image of a zoomed-in key frame from the fight, which showed the design of an Among Us avatar within Roronoa Zoro's aura. The blink-and-you'll-miss-it Easter egg was hidden deep within the quick-paced animation, with very few managing to spot it before Vincent revealed it.
Related: One Piece Theory: Shanks Is a Holy Knight of Mary Geoise
And don't forget a moon gooz pic.twitter.com/WCESsQ8XTZ — Chansard Vincent (@Sparkleredpanda) May 21, 2023 The Among Us Hidden Plain Sight
When looking at the image, you can clearly see the outline of one of the astronaut avatars. A green line makes up the character's shape, with...
Chansard Vincent, a key animator on the series, recently highlighted the sneaky nod to the hit video game on Twitter, as reported by ComicBook. He shared an image of a zoomed-in key frame from the fight, which showed the design of an Among Us avatar within Roronoa Zoro's aura. The blink-and-you'll-miss-it Easter egg was hidden deep within the quick-paced animation, with very few managing to spot it before Vincent revealed it.
Related: One Piece Theory: Shanks Is a Holy Knight of Mary Geoise
And don't forget a moon gooz pic.twitter.com/WCESsQ8XTZ — Chansard Vincent (@Sparkleredpanda) May 21, 2023 The Among Us Hidden Plain Sight
When looking at the image, you can clearly see the outline of one of the astronaut avatars. A green line makes up the character's shape, with...
- 5/23/2023
- by Michael John-Day
- CBR
Henry Thurlow, an American animator working for Toei Animation in Japan, assures fans that the year of One Piece is far from over.
Per Anime Senpai, Thurlow used his personal Twitter account to buildup excitement among One Piece fans for the upcoming episodes of the Wano Country arc. "You've gotten tons of great sequences already, with the most insane, historic episodes still head," Thurlow said. Thurlow had this to say when asked about competing with series like Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen: "The longest One Piece saga in the whole series is ending with (I promise you) the best-animated episodes in the series. Bleach and Demon Slayer etc are not showing their biggest climax battles. 2023 is One Piece's year. No doubt."
Related: Demon Slayer Is Under Fire for Its Sexualization of Nezuko
The longest One Piece saga in the whole series is ending with (I promise you) the best animated episodes in the series.
Per Anime Senpai, Thurlow used his personal Twitter account to buildup excitement among One Piece fans for the upcoming episodes of the Wano Country arc. "You've gotten tons of great sequences already, with the most insane, historic episodes still head," Thurlow said. Thurlow had this to say when asked about competing with series like Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen: "The longest One Piece saga in the whole series is ending with (I promise you) the best-animated episodes in the series. Bleach and Demon Slayer etc are not showing their biggest climax battles. 2023 is One Piece's year. No doubt."
Related: Demon Slayer Is Under Fire for Its Sexualization of Nezuko
The longest One Piece saga in the whole series is ending with (I promise you) the best animated episodes in the series.
- 5/7/2023
- by Leo Reyna
- CBR
D’Art Shtajio is a Tokyo based 2D animation studio. More recently, it has gotten acclaim and notoriety for being Japan’s first American anime studio and first Black-owned anime studio. It was founded in 2016 by animator Henry Thurlow and background artists (and twin brothers) Arthell Isom and Darnell Isom.
Related: 7 Underrated Studio Ghibli Movies That Deserve More Attention
The name “Shtajio” is a play on words combining the phrase “shtaji ga daiji” (“The Foundation is Important'') and the word “sutajio” (Studio). The studio aims to bridge Eastern and Western sensibilities to revolutionize storytelling and create innovative animation all through the traditional anime art styles.
Arthell currently serves as D’Art Shtajio’s CEO and Art Director.
Related: 7 Underrated Studio Ghibli Movies That Deserve More Attention
The name “Shtajio” is a play on words combining the phrase “shtaji ga daiji” (“The Foundation is Important'') and the word “sutajio” (Studio). The studio aims to bridge Eastern and Western sensibilities to revolutionize storytelling and create innovative animation all through the traditional anime art styles.
Arthell currently serves as D’Art Shtajio’s CEO and Art Director.
- 5/16/2021
- ScreenRant
This fall Netflix will begin streaming Sound & Fury, an anime film based on a story by Grammy-winning country artist Sturgill Simpson, the singer-songwriter announced tonight during a Comic-Con panel.
The movie is produced by Simpson and set entirely to music from his forthcoming album, also called Sound & Fury. The film and the album, from Elektra Records, will be released simultaneously.
Simpson merges American rock and Japanese animation in the film. The movie was written and directed by Jumpei Mizusaki, founder of renowned CG animation studio Kamikaze Douga (Batman Ninja).
Additional directors include Masaru Matsumoto of Grayscale Arts (Starship Troopers: Traitors of Mars), Michael Arias (The Animatrix), Henry Thurlow and Arthell Isom of D’Art Shtajio, and Koji Morimoto (Akira).
Takashi Okazaki, creator of Japanese manga series Afro Samurai, served as the film’s character designer. Shunsuke Ochiai executive produces.
Sound & Fury is the latest addition to Netflix’s growing slate of animated content.
The movie is produced by Simpson and set entirely to music from his forthcoming album, also called Sound & Fury. The film and the album, from Elektra Records, will be released simultaneously.
Simpson merges American rock and Japanese animation in the film. The movie was written and directed by Jumpei Mizusaki, founder of renowned CG animation studio Kamikaze Douga (Batman Ninja).
Additional directors include Masaru Matsumoto of Grayscale Arts (Starship Troopers: Traitors of Mars), Michael Arias (The Animatrix), Henry Thurlow and Arthell Isom of D’Art Shtajio, and Koji Morimoto (Akira).
Takashi Okazaki, creator of Japanese manga series Afro Samurai, served as the film’s character designer. Shunsuke Ochiai executive produces.
Sound & Fury is the latest addition to Netflix’s growing slate of animated content.
- 7/21/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.