Netflix begins streaming a new spin-off of the Japanese anime One Piece today. One Piece is one of the world’s most sought-after anime series. It follows Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the legendary treasure known as the One Piece while chasing their dreams.
A beloved pirate anime puts its heroine center stage on Netflix today
Unlike the action-packed original, viewers can watch the fresh arrival in a relaxing way, as this heroine-centric story portrays the protagonist in a colorful, expensive outfit using her brain instead of a sword. The new special premiered on Japanese television before making its way to Netflix for a worldwide premiere.
The 24-minute special adapts Jun Esaka’s One Piece: Heroines light novel series, which highlights the franchise’s female characters. Today’s episode, titled One Piece novel HEROINES – episode: NAMI, focuses on Nami, the Straw Hat Pirates’ navigator. Along with her friend, Nico Robin, Nami confronts the bad guys. The new special will completely replace the original’s pirate violence with the heroine’s intelligence and trickery.
The lighter, cool new standalone will also feature Nami’s day-to-day life and her soft personality, making it a big departure from the One Piece universe.
The official synopsis read, “Nami and Nico Robin turn a luxury fashion show into a high-stakes heist after discovering designer Lebno Listchaque is using stolen pirate treasure to decorate his creations. To reclaim the treasures, Nami models for the show while partnering with Robin to execute a clever theft under the designer’s nose.”
Toei Animation, the famous studio behind the entire main One Piece series, officially produced the One Piece: Heroines anime special. The crew led by director Haruka Kamatani includes Momoka Toyoda as screenwriter, Takashi Kojima as animation director, and Alisa Okehazama as composer. The popular Japanese musical artist AiNA THE END performed the episode’s catchy theme song, “Blue Shining Star.”
The special began streaming worldwide on Saturday, July 11, with Netflix releasing it at 3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT in the United States.