To start, I must make it known that I have never read the manga or seen the anime the new Netflix series ONE PIECE is based on. So I have nothing to compare it too. I entered this series with fresh eyes as someone who knew nothing about what came before. If I’m being honest, I tuned in because of Mackenyu.

One Piece. Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro in season 1 of One Piece. Cr. Casey Crafford/Netflix © 2023

But within the first five minutes I completely fell in love with Iñaki Godoy’s Monkey D. Luffy.

One Piece. Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in season 1 of One Piece. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023

Luffy is this bright-eyed and optimistic ball of bumbling energy, whose one desire is to become the King of the Pirates – which doesn’t seem to fit his personality at all – which only adds to his goofy charm. When we first meet him, he’s talking to a bird about joining his crew as the little ship he’s on starts to sink. Hiding in a barrel he finds himself in a battle waged by Alvida (Ilia Isorelýs Paulino). Mistaken for booty, he’s stuffed into the haul of the ship where he meets Koby (Morgan Davies) a restless cabin boy (read: Alvida’s slave) who dreams of becoming a marine.

Discovered, before he and Koby can escape, Luffy has no choice but to fight Alvida. When he does, it’s revealed his body is made of rubber (he reveals later it’s because he ate a devil’s fruit as a child). With Alvida defeated, Luffy and Koby escape to the unknown in search of a map that will lead them to the One Piece once owned by the former Pirate King Gold Roger (Michael Dorman). It’s all Luffy needs to fulfill his dream of becoming the new King.

Along the way, the two meet Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu) a brilliant (and beautiful) swordsman and bounty hunter and Nami (Emily Rudd) a brilliant (and beautiful) master thief. Both of whom, reluctantly find themselves a part of Luffy’s crew.

One Piece. (L to R) Emily Rudd as Nami, Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro in season 1 of One Piece. Cr. Casey Crafford/Netflix © 2023

The villains of the series are delicious. Helmeppo (Aidan Scott) is the flamboyant culmination of every bully I ever had in high school, who has daddy issues. But, if my father were named Captain Morgan (Langley Kirkwood) and the Captain of the Marines, I might have daddy issues too. While I don’t know if this will be explored, but (in my opinion) Helmeppo totally has F*ck Me eyes for Zero(but again, so do I).

One Piece. (L to R) Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo in season 1 of One Piece. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023

So, on first watch. I’m already hooked, and not just because of Mackenyu. It’s a laugh-out-loud romp of adventure. I am looking forward to binge-watching the entire thing this weekend.

More ONE PIECE soon so…

Stay Tuned!