Customer Reviews

One Piece: Season One - First Voyage (Uncut)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Can't wait to buy this! :) thank u funimation!

Some things i'd like to point out about One Piece:

1. Its really good! veeeeeeeeerrrrryy good :D funny, original, deep meaningful storylines, very cool and likable characters.... thats a brief description but i could honestly write pages on how good it is :)

2. It starts off just ok... but it gets better and better as it goes along... just like a snowball rolling down a mountain that eventually becomes an avalanche! i'm not kidding! i wasn't that into it at the start.. just watching it cos i heard it was good.. finally around episode 40ish (nami's story) i thought.. hey this is quite good! then the aribasta arc (around episode 90-125ish).. i was like wow! and it just gets better and better! and i'm not just saying that.. it really does! :)

3. Dont worry about watching the One Piece movies. they aren't written by Eiichiro Oda (the super cool guy that writes/draws One Piece manga), they're basically almost like filler episodes that dont really progress the main story. you can watch them once you've seen the anime episodes and dont have anything to do.. but dont watch them first! it might put you off and make you think One Piece is not great. I love One Piece.. and i dont even really watch the movies. I saw some reviews on amazon for the One Piece movie Desert Princess (forgot the exact title).. and some first time viewers got really put off by it.. which is a huge shame. the reason that movie is bad is they tried to condense 30+ anime episodes into a movie length feature... you lose so much emotional impact that way. just ignore the movies and maybe watch them after you've seen the series. you dont even really need to watch the movies.

4. if you are put off by the unusual way that its drawn.. dont worry.. you'll get so used to it.. and soon you couldn't imagine it drawn any other way! :)

5. Dont be put off by the length of the series. Trust me, once you're into it.. you'll wish that there was more episodes! :)

Well i hope this has helped you decide to give One Piece a try.. post a comment if u started watching the series and liked it! I hope you dont decide to quit your job in a few months and become a pirate! yohoho! hehe (i know i want to! :P)

One Piece is a great series and this uncut version will impress you more than the terrible botched job that 4kids released awhile back. One Piece is epic and full of heart. The characters are funny and their motivations for their journey will keep you watching. You'll cheer when they win and you'll hate the baddies that try to stop them. It's a cast filled with great characters and exciting stories. This uncut version is a must-have!

One Piece, for the first time in America, is going to be released, Uncut and with the new Funimation voice cast! If your used to the 4kids version, and like that version, then im sure you will love this version. Better voice acting, and completly uncut. The cover art looks pretty nice as well! I sure cant wait until more One Piece Releases come out, thank you Funimation for what you are doing!

...that Funimation is respecting this wildly popular show enough to give us One Piece in all it's uncut and unedited glory. Yeah, I really wish there were special features, and I hope and pray with all my might that future releases will contain more episdoes, since - as many have mentioned - One Piece is still going strong at 500+ chapters in the manga and 300+ episodes of the anime.

And it is all oh so good. I am consistently amazed by this show. Sure, it's goofy and adventurous. But it can also be utterly heartbreaking, gut-bustlingly hilarious, and violent enough at points to be wince-worthy. Not that any one of those things is merit enough by itself. It's just that One Piece is all of those things at once and it's so darn seamless. Really. I cannot praise this show highly enough.

That being said, since this is a review of a DVD set and not the entire show, I was unsure about buying this set because it only has the first thirteen episodes, but I bought it in hopes that my purchase would reflect the desire for One Piece among American consumers. Plus, it's fantastic to watch on a large television screen, instead of a small computer screen.

And if you are worried about the English dubbed voices, let me just tell you that I am in love with the original Japanese voices, but my 10-year-old sister has a hard time reading subtitles, so we watched it with the English dub. It does take an episode or two to get used to the new voices, but Funimation has really done a good job. Characters don't have outrageous and stereotypical accents like in the 4Kids dub, and Zoro is actually called "Zoro" instead of "Zolo"! Hurrah!

It's lovely to go back and relive the early days when all our favorite characters first met, and to viewers who are new to the world of One Piece, I want to put it on the record that when I first read One Piece (I read the manga before I saw the anime) it took me quite a while to get into it. Heck, I didn't even like pirates! But all good things take time, and I kept reading, and soon I was hooked. So give it a chance. And if it turns out it's not your cup of tea, then thanks for looking anyways. But you'll never know what you might be missing if you don't try it, right?

After waiting for years to see One Piece get some decent treatment in North America, Funi has finally delivered the goods in spades. These 13 episodes cover the beginning of Monkey D. Luffy's quest to become the Pirate King, including the introductions of crewmates Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and also Luffy's fateful childhood encounter with his hero Shanks. The set ends halfway through the "Kuro" arc, as the gang fight to protect a village from being pillaged by pirates. To be continued in volume 2.

As mentioned, this is not the horrid 4Kids dub, nor is it a merely serviceable dub like so many other anime shows are saddled with. There's care in the script and the acting, making the English adaptation just as valid and enjoyable as the original Japanese. The original music is intact as well, and even the openings and endings have faithful English counterparts. There's strong production value all around.

About the only thing that keeps this set from being truly "uncut and unedited" as billed would have been the inclusion of the original One Piece logo on an alternate angle (Funi uses their gold variation, which removes the Luffy caricature for an actual "I"). But it's a small quibble on what is otherwise an outstanding set.

Not many shows get a second chance, and few come back as good as this. Highly recommended.

I pre-ordered this box set from a different source and got it a couple weeks ago. I've watched the first few episodes, and of course am enjoying re-watching what I first saw fansubbed, only this time I get the pleasure of getting to see it on my TV instead of my computer monitor and of course owning it on DVD is great. I really like this anime a good deal, and to have it on DVD, uncut is a dream come true.

However, it isn't a perfect release. Toei Animation has a reputation for ripping some things off of their shows when they find their way to America. The good news: the eps indeed are uncut. We also get the episode previews (which is a treat to me since the fansubs I watched cut them out), the opening and ending themes, and eye catches. On a side note, but worth a mentioned, FUNi even writes "Zoro" in the subs, not the incorrect "Zolo". The bad news applies mainly to purist fans like myself. The opening, for whatever crazy reason, is textless. I loved the Japanese text when I watched the fansubs. Now there are no credits at all. The logo has been somewhat altered, so that instead of the katakana above the logo, we have the eyesore of the "Shonen Jump" title in its place.

The one other thing would be that while the ending has credits, they are entirely English. The original Japanese credits again are missing. I even checked to see if there was an alternate angle, but there wasn't. This is unlike FUNi. Normally I can always count on them to please both the purist sub fans and the American-style desiring dub fans but giving alternate angles, but their One Piece release completely falters in this area, which is disappointing. I can only assume that Toei is to blame for again stealing material from us.

In conclusion, however, the good certainly out-does the bad. We have the show in good quality, and more importantly entirely uncut, and we have the original Japanese language track as well as a new and improved English dub. Special features are pretty lousy, but that could be expected.

I definitely recommend this series. We're blessed to finally have it uncut, and this is a classic that you don't want to miss, and that people of various ages and preferences can enjoy. If you like anime or even a good story with excellent and lovable characters, get this box set. GO ONE PIECE!!

I've waited so long to have this seris in my collection. And anyone who watched just one ark of this show will agree. Every Straw Hat fan will be buying this series the DAY it comes out.

It's been FAR too long in coming, but this new subtitled/dubbed version -- uncut and with all the sweat, blood and tears intact -- is absolutely GORGEOUS. Clear, crisp visuals. Clean sound. NO EDITING. WOO HOO!!

One technical complaint is that the individual episode links don't seem to work on Disk 2. No matter which episode I select, it always starts on the first one on the disk. Annoying, but not deal-breaking. Marathon mode (where you can watch all the episodes on a disk in a row with titles and re-cap cut out) MORE than makes up for this minor production flaw. I just hope they get that sorted out on the next set.

I'm a purist, I admit it. Personally, I listen only to the Japanese track. I know a dub is essential for marketing in the US, but honestly, one is missing SO MUCH of the One Piece experience if one only listens to the dub.

Part and parcel of the One Piece package is the INCREDIBLE voice acting on the part of the Japanese seiyuu; only they seem able to bring these amazing, inspiring, crazy characters to full life. Just watching Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Bazooka or Zoro's Oni Giri in motion doesn't quite do it... you need to *hear* them. Especially the always wacky and delightful Kappei Yamaguchi (more commonly known for his role as Inuyasha) as Usopp the Liar and the series-favorite Kazuki Yao who creates distinctive voices for many of the more, um, *unique* villains along the way (until he finally joins the crew much later!).

I'd really like to see the Japanese versions of the title/ending songs as extras next time too, in addition to the English re-works (which actually are pretty decent). You did *so* much better then 4Kids with this one, Funimation, that it's no real comparison. I like to pretend that horror doesn't even exist, actually. (Now if we could just get Viz to show the manga more respect too.... *heavy sigh*)

THANK YOU for saving One Piece, Funimation. It more than deserves the chance to be as big over here as it still is in Japan after 10 years!

Keep up the good work and... when does the next set come out? I want to buy it right now! *happy grin*

First, I would also like to join in with most of the other reviewers in thanking FUNimation for their handling of this show. I used to hate you guys just as much if not more than 4kids, if you were around in the 1990's you'll probably understand why, but after watching your conduct after you licensed the series and up to it's CN debut I've had a complete change of heart. You guys really fought for us fans, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for you all now. (Hopefully CN will come to their senses and pick up the series again, but if not you can always fall back on the knowledge that most self-respecting One Piece fans are more than willing to buy your releases. (Heck, I bought Movie 8 along with this despite knowing it was utter crap just to help fund your future efforts.)

Anyways, there really isn't much left to say about how awesome this box set is.. Because as it stands most of the other reviewers have already covered everything I was going to say.
However, I can still say that the FUNimation dubbed track for this series is one of the best I have ever come across, almost as good as FMA's dub, and you really should give it chance even if you're a subtitles purist. You can really tell that the actors love their roles and are trying their hardest to do right by the series. I honestly like their portrayals just as much as the performances given from their Japanese counterparts, and given how long I've been watching the series in Japanese that's saying a lot.

One nitpick though: More extras next time please... D:

The Story

One Piece is a story set in a time called the Great Pirate Era focused on one ragtag group of pirates. In this DVD set you'll meet: Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the crew and user of the Gum Gum fruit; Roronoa Zoro, master swordsman and former bounty hunter; Nami, skilled thief who preys on pirates, and; Usopp, an infamous liar and wannabe pirate. Although by the end of this set they won't be officially a crew, the observant will notice their visages on the box art, so you know it's coming.

The entire first season tells the story of how Luffy brought his crew together before they headed to the Grand Line. We'll also get to see the back-stories for all of the characters, which is a real treat indeed, but we'll only get to see that for two of them in this set. We actually don't get to see all the members of Luffy's crew in this set, we'll need to wait until the next one for that.

When I started watching One Piece using fansubs, I was turned off by the romantic hero-pirate gag. "Pirates don't act like that, how dumb," I said to myself. The very premise of the show, Luffy's wholehearted desire to get the mystical 'One Piece', didn't fit with the character initially. Luffy is a self-serving pirate aiming for riches and glory, but then he does many self-less things, so how can he really be a pirate?

However, like I did with Naruto (which I also needed to get used to), I gave One Piece a chance to show its muster. Man am I glad I did. After a while I ignored the only passing resemblance to pirates that the crew had and let myself get lost in the story instead.

One Piece's story is dynamic. At times it is hilarious and fun, and then moments later it can be intense and dramatic. The story is top-notch and certainly deserving of the reader's interest. I saw the snowball metaphor used to describe this story and I would have to concur.

The Art

The characters in One Piece are imaginative and well drawn, as are the locations that they go to. One Piece's animation and artwork are good, but not great. You're not going to be awed by any special effects in this or any future sets. This doesn't detract from the show for myself, but if you're the type that desires excellent art, you may want to look elsewhere. The art here is probably comparable to the art in Naruto or Pokemon, which is something you'd expect from a longer running show.

The Acting

Voice acting is alright. I might be a bit biased in this regard, since I've watched so much of One Piece with Japanese dubs, but I prefer the Japanese dubs to the English ones. Fortunately, you have your choice of both English and Japanese in this set, so there's no need to choose.

I would have to say that the translation is better than those found in fansubs. When Luffy pops out of the barrel in front of a couple of pirates, he says, "Who the hell are you?" and they reply, "Who the hell are YOU?!", which is far funnier than the fansub translation you'll find on the internet. This is just one example, but you'll find that the acting is pretty decent. Personally, I think their choice to have certain 'rough' characters enunciate their words perfectly to be a little off-putting, but it could be that the Japanese is the same way. I don't know since I don't speak Japanese.

Over all, I'd say that the voice acting is well done, but so far there hasn't been a real chance for the actors to flex their vocal talents (although I'm sure it takes a lot for them to speak in some of the more raspy voices like Luffy's or Buggy's).

One thing parents will want to take note of is that there is a plentiful supply of swearing. If you're looking for a show for your youngin's to watch, you may need to look elsewhere. Otherwise, you'll find the word choices to be tasteful and fulfilling.

The Music

Ah, music, one of the more important aspects of video entertainment. Since One Piece is about pirates, you'd expect 'piratey' music, which you'll find plenty of. When there is an action scene, there is fast-paced music to set the mood. Likewise for dramatic moments.

The music in this part of One Piece doesn't drive the mood as much as it does in later episodes, but it certainly isn't a let down either. Many of the characters will end up having their own theme music played when they are in intense fight scenes, and that is when you'll really notice the quality of it.

The Hardware

This set comes in two attractive slim-cases with an equally attractive cardboard sleeve to keep them together. The episodes included on each disc are listed on the back of the cases, rather than listed on a small slip of paper nestled in some large casing holding multiple discs. This set up is easier and more convenient than the Naruto uncut boxed sets which have the aforementioned large case. I don't have much of a plastic fetish, so the physical media and casing don't matter to me much. It does its job well and doesn't get in my way.

The Set

The set is called One Piece - Season 1, First Voyage. It's important to note the qualifier 'First Voyage', since this set doesn't actually contain the whole first season. If you check IMDB, you'll find out that the first season contained a whopping 47 episodes, which means that it will take four sets like this one to cover the entire first season of One Piece. That's a lot of money to get just the first season of a cartoon that is 360+ episodes strong.

FUNimation could have at least finished out the Usopp storyarc rather than leave us hanging, but this seems to be standard anime studio practice since the Naruto boxed sets also have a comparable amount of episodes per set. It's a stupid, greedy, practice in my opinion. You can get the Heroes or House M.D. first seasons for nearly the same price, but while with this set we get 312 minutes of entertainment, with those sets you get 1035 and 1050 minutes respectively. That's over three times as much content! This is the main reason this set doesn't get five stars from me. One would have to have a very convincing reason other than greed to justify this aspect of this set and other comparable sets.

Conclusion

So now comes the recommendation. To buy, or not to buy? That is the question. My heart yells a resounding "Yes!", but my mind says to be cautious with such a purchase. I bought this set largely to support the creation of the show itself, since I have already watched the entire series through fansubs I downloaded. This means that I already knew what I was getting in to and that I was already prepared to be gouged by FUNimation for such a measly amount of content. I wasn't sold on this series until around episode 30, which is approximately two sets away.

I'm an unrepentant downloader of fansubs and an equally zealous purchaser of the anime series I watch. I recommend a try before you buy approach. I strongly urge you to buy this set if you like the contents, since a purchase of the set is a vote for more One Piece!

EDIT: I paid $37 for this set and reviewed it with that price in mind, but a week after that the price went down to $22, which is a very good price for what you get. As long as the price stays down, don't pass this set up!