| Episodes: 1 | Score: 9.1 (62793)
Updated every at | Status: Finished Airing
Type: TV Special
Synopsis
Although the golden age of piracy is about to reach new heights, most people do not seek the glory of finding the elusive One Piece—a treasure signifying a new conqueror of all seas that was once embodied by the legendary King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. However, even if civilians generally despise pirates, they secretly cheer for at least one of them. One red-headed girl from Sabaody Archipelago is no exception: She reveres Nami, the ingenious female navigator of Monkey D. Luffy's Straw Hat crew. Determined to deliver a fan letter to her idol, the Sabaody child is prepared to challenge forces of authority who strive to prevent Luffy and his friends from departing for their next destination: the New World. But to succeed, Nami's fan may need to risk her life and interfere with the Marines' plans, potentially causing devastating consequences for the wider world. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Voice Actors
Kikuchi, Kokoro
Kase, Yasuyuki
Reviews
Caeruleus_CCXVI
7/10 ~ how did I get here So I dont one piece really, and this just auto played after I finished watching Dandadan, but I had no idea what I was watching but said fuck it, its only 24 minutes. And my god, this was a fantastic little piece here, im sure this would hit much harder if I truly understood what was going on during this little film. I did not know the events they were referring to but I could follow it all well enough. This felt like one of those pre-film Pixar shorts like the Oldman playing chess or w.e, and it waspretty refreshing to just sit back and watch the gorgeous animation with a pretty nice conclusion. If I do ever make the journey and do actually watch Once Piece in its entirety im sure ill come back and re-appreciate this one.
bergars
I hate that I'm a One Piece fan. The big arcs, the big backstories, the characters. There's always something that destroys me with One Piece, and I thought this was just a simple little thing. A fun episode, with great animation, and a great little plot. Like a short-film about the world, but even this little thing can get me crying. 20 minutes, that's all it took. We don't follow the original crew on this one, but the public perception on their biggest moment. Instead of a grand fight, or a grand moment, we just get people, and how from their simple, and outside outlooktheir lives changed. There's something about Luffy, a hotheaded kid, with an earnest desire to save the ones he loves against unsurmountable odds, which inspired a soldier, to save his brother. Something in Nami, a smart, non-powered human, changing the world with pure wit and tools, which inspires a little girl to change the world. Each character has that little something, which echoes throughout the world. Their efforts aren't meaningless, their efforts change lives, and motivate those around them. It makes their story not only being important to us, but important for the world around them. They save lives, not only with the actions they take, but with those who look at such actions. It's so fresh, seeing a positive chain reaction of pure hope. We always get the cycle of violence, the cycle of sadness, and despair. Not many times we get something so hopeful, that makes the world a better place by simply happening. It made me cry not from the tragedy of it all but from happiness. Not a good deal of anime cause that, and One Piece can certainly focus a lot more on the tragedy, but that's exactly what makes this so perfect. So many tragedies, so much horror in that particular world. For once, we get the glimmer of hope. These people, small, or big, old or young, all of them can change the world, piece by piece, action by action. Brilliant animation, brilliant characters, and an unmatched fast pacing that tells everything so fast, and so effectively. It was perfect. A perfect piece of One Piece. 10/10. We need more overwhelmingly happy moments like this.
AntoniusObamus
It's abundantly clear that pure heart and soul went into this project. Fantastic, impactful, and such a fresh perspective in the ridiculous world of One Piece through incredibly expressive animation. Fans of One Piece and animation will appreciate this special. In the past, Toei animation has not had the best reputation when it came to producing anime, especially when it comes to One Piece. I don't blame their dip in quality after the time skip. As an animator and artist myself, I fully understand that what they're doing to produce a 20 minute weekly series of animation is quite literally a miracle. Any viewer backduring the airing of Dressrosa arc of One Piece would most likely by turned off from the anime for years due to the incredibly slow pacing and cheap animation tricks. However, in these past few years I have seen tremendous increase in the quality of work that is honestly above and beyond what any fan of One Piece could have believed. Whatever they changed about their production, it has improved everything for the One Piece anime. I am not one for "glazing" only specific people of a production because in reality it is a team effort that makes the project possible. However, it is undeniable that Megumi Ishitani is a tremendous director, evident by the cinematography and visual, and deserves all of the praise that is coming her way. One Piece Fan Letter is a love letter not just to the characters and the world of One Piece, but also to the fans who have stuck with the franchise for all of these years. Thank you, Toei.
Cyrose
(This story took place in “Return to Sabaody Arc” Ep 522) One Piece Fan Letter is a piece of tribute to the fans of the series 25th anniversary. Crafted in such fashion that celebrates both fans and its long-running volume by tying us viewers in a little story from the perspective of an ordinary side character, that just particularly deepened One Piece world beyond fiction. This little tale wasn’t just deep and well executed, but also woven a filler event into its main storyline that actually came out as a crucial turning point in the story. The Straw Hats impacted the whole world, but now theworld impacted One Piece storyline in an extent you haven’t seen much of anywhere. By tying the fans and the viewers of the series like they are actually part of the story. They are present in the journey of both the Straw Hats and in the series success. The way they gave characters personalities and topics to debate on the Straw Hats crew members based on the fans of the series made One Piece already huge world even wider. As it ultimately just brake down the boundaries between fiction and reality. By giving characters fannish-stereotypes and connections to helping the Straw Hats, admiring or hating them. It was all there and it was beautiful, it was emotional. Everyone is part of the puzzle, everyone is holding a piece of the journey. As the true OG viewers are now invested 25 years of their lives into this fiction, is really a recognition saying; They see us. They acknowledged the fans in such an incredible storytelling, that I have never seen anywhere else before. It definitely could be the best episode of 2024, but I could go even further to say this might just be the greatest episode of all times. It was truly exceptional. Definitely a piece of work that made me moved, even though I only watching the show since 2023. Personally, I really loved this type of animation they chose to go with. This loosely and curvy design as it gives you the feeling of freedom, the freedom of art. Which One Piece is all about and although it’s not fancy or super detailed, there wasn’t any static frame, it always had movements and colorful animations, which was also hand drawn by the way. So hats off to all the people who have worked on this project and may I address my highest respect to Toei Animation Studio for their 25 years of dedication and pure excellence. As an anime fan, you have to acknowledge greatness and this was: Marvelous Final Score: 9/10 ⭐️ Thank you for reading!
sneakylekon
Do you recall ever getting so invested in a few characters in a first episode that it felt like they were around for an entire series? In anything? No, right? Well, think again; In just a few minutes this episode manages to encapulate the magnitude of the One Piece world, which is so big, that doing so feels impossible, at least, before meeting this masterpiece. Beatifully using the scope of every day people that are, just like us, admirers from afar of this crew, even though they live in the same world, the creaters manage to in a very short 20 minutes; Introduce acharacter, her motives, and givie a fulfilling end to her journey without making it feel rushed at all, and, that, with a gorgeous animation. No words. Honestly, even if you're not a One Piece fan, Watch it. Set sail!
goldemarine
The special episodes of this anime are very touching, as a nakama who watches always spotlight on the main character, you are invited to imagine the side character's story. very simple packaging but very warm. this is my review as a common viewer. While this may be a side story to the main narrative, the anime has a strong emotional appeal. It highlights the sense of friendship, inspiration, and dreams that are at the core of One Piece. While it doesn't provide a major plot that relates to the main storyline, “Fan Letter” manages to provide reflective moments for viewers who have followed the adventures ofthe Straw Hats over the years. Overall, One Piece: Fan Letter presents high-quality graphics with a heartfelt story, making it the perfect offering for longtime fans looking for a more personalized experience in the world of One Piece.
johnbradshaw
I'm genuinely surprised by the quality of this One Piece's special episode. The animation, and characters designs are all on point. Props to Toei Animation. A refreshingly humane look at the wonderful world of One Piece, in this episode, you get to look at the 'normal' people that live there. What are their feelings and thoughts on the 'larger than life' Straw Hat? How to live in the world of super human when you're just everyday ordinary folks? Find out yourself since the special is only 25 mins long. I would love a series out of this concept. I love One Piece and I welcome thisaddition to one of the greatest shows of all time.
Wyatt
The special begins on a recap of the Marineford War arc that moves too quickly. The sequence would be easier to process if it had been one continuous take moving horizontally. A later scene returns to the war at a slower pace but is blobby, not bloody. Outside of the level of consistency, nothing in the animation goes beyond what Masaaki Yuasa had done by 2014. After Ryuu Nakayama brought empathy to Chainsaw Man through nonstop naturalistic animation, and in the year where Midori Yoshizawa cut to a live action, all red POV shot of a mad dash down the street, it is hard tobe impressed by the cutesy, endearing but not profound idiosyncrasies of one sweet Nami fangirl. Compositionally, the girl zooming through town on a vehicular bubble is a dynamic delight, while other shots seem literally flat. The art style itself is affectation for its own sake. It doesn't express anything about the One Piece world that Oda's art style has not already. Ishitani indulges in the brilliant premise, but not enough. The depth of fandom is how celebrities appear liberated from the mundanities and cruelties of one's particular life. Easy references are insufficient to engage this deep, human subject. A rowdy bar argument about who may be the world's strongest swordsman seems too detached, as if we are watching from the vantage point of someone who does not share their excitement. A shopkeep in love with Brook's music sports deep black makeup under her eyes, a Goth touch implying an inner life that is otherwise unexplored. The protagonist's love of Nami, bluntly exposited as being predicated on Nami not having big muscles or a devil fruit, is not overpowering because Ishitani does not show us the suffocation of living in a world where only the strong are celebrated. The special's best scene, which is moving as opposed to pleasant, depicts the violent backstory of a Marine in love with Straw Hat Luffy. The Marine's leg is shredded by a falling boat, a harrowing, tactile detail that makes up for the film's other depictions of war. Though it contains the film's best expression of the awe a distant role model can inspire, the heart of the flashback lies in the relationship between the Marine and his younger brother. A reverse chronological montage conveys the older brother's understandable irritation and the younger brother's heart melting sweetness. The rest of the sequence uses a star of light as a primal symbol for Love. The best images are all contained in these few minutes: blood gushing from a screaming mouth, an admiring yet bitter gaze at the back of a hero running ahead, a coward turning from what is obviously right. The ending is saccharine, built around the lazy device of a vague speech set to music. The climax would be more affecting if the flurry of images shown were new, and not shots that were already shown earlier. The protagonist bravely chooses to focus on the moon instead of the finger, but the depth of that choice is under-emphasized. A post-credits sequence would have been unnecessary if the final scene had properly expressed the gravity of the situation. The film as is could use a beautiful epilogue, but the one we got expresses nothing that is not already in the story proper. We can use all the auteurs we can get, and as few show-boats as possible. One Piece Fan Letter toes the line. Ishitani would do right to sacrifice the noticeable for the substantive.
Bradley-I-Guess
''every little thing is changing my life little by little.'' One piece fan letter is without a shadow of a doubt a genuine masterpiece, and I don't say that lightly. I have been a one piece fans since I was 14, I remember reading syrup village in class as my friends urged me to keep reading. I fell in love with One Piece very quickly and since then it has been a monumental thing in my life and after watching this I truly think it always will. This is a love letter to One Piece fans, and Megumi Ishitani was the perfect person to direct this. Ishitani is apowerhouse and in recent years has brought us some of the most mesmerizingly beautiful animation I've ever seen through her sequences and direction on episodes of the One Piece anime and she doesn't disappoint here. The animation is beautiful with a stacked animation staff on clear display. The story is also something that caught me off guard, it's a story about the Straw Hats influence on every day people in the One Piece world and it's placed around the Return to Sabaody arc and Marineford arc. It's so heartfelt in a way I never thought a One Piece spin off could pull off and I was crying by the end and my friend who also watched this with me cried as-well, I have never seen him cry before this. One Piece is a powerful series and if you have any amount of love for it, watch Fan Letter. You will fall in love with One Piece all over again. 俺は海賊王になる!!! 10/10
meanotaku
* Made me emotional, happy and terrified of the one piece world grandeur. i can relate to the problems experienced by these side character and how small and powerless they are in the grand scheme of things just like in real world. 10/10 animation 10/10 story telling 1/10 cause i want 9 more episodes of this greatness. If you are a person who is interested in world building and every minor detail you'll love this whole series and this special fan letter. Btw i think the change in artstyle actually really complements the show. One Piece: fan letter is a masterpiece of world-building, storytelling, and animation. The episode is full ofemotion, happiness, and terror, as we are introduced to the vast and dangerous world of One Piece. The side characters in this episode are all relatable and sympathetic, and we can't help but feel for them as they struggle to survive in a world that is so much larger and more powerful than they are. The animation in this episode is simply stunning. Every detail is perfectly rendered, and the action sequences are both thrilling and visually impressive. The storytelling is also top-notch. The episode is paced perfectly, and the plot is both complex and engaging. However, there is one major flaw with this episode: it is too short! At only one hour long, the episode feels like it is just getting started when it is over. I would have loved to see at least nine more episodes of this greatness. If you are a person who is interested in world-building and every minor detail, you will love this whole series and this special fan letter. The change in art style actually really complements the show. Overall, One Piece: fan letter is a must-watch for any fan of anime or storytelling. It is a truly special episode that will leave you wanting more.
blaavane
The best episode of One Piece?? The animation was stunning from the first second to the last! The level of detail in each frame was astounding, with every single one possessing the beauty to serve as a standalone wallpaper.👌 The art style reminded me a lot of the scene in episode 1015 where Yamato hears Roger and Luffy's dream🔥 Witnessing the Marineford battle through the eyes of an ordinary marine was a powerful experience. The chaos of relentless explosions and the marines' inability to do anything about it was quite cool to see. I actually want this type of filler episode to be more common, if they could make onfor every arc that would be perfect! WOW WOW WOW WOW is all i got to say👍
bossunhimeswitch
This is a kind of cute little short set just before the Fishman's Island arc in One Piece. It was an interesting exploration into world building and seeing how the Strawhats might function as celebrities in their world. I liked how it also illustrated how difficult it must be to live in a town that is a Marine outpost. I would definitely watch more of these little world building special episodes. If you like One Piece, then you'll likely like this. Admittedly I wish that it could have dug a little deeper but it was decent for what it was.
MrMordicai
This is the best episode I've ever seen in my life. I don't think anything will ever top this, at least for a very long time. Everything about it was perfection and it perfectly captures the soul of what One Piece is. In a single 24 minute episode it made me care for characters I've never seen until today and these characters and their stories have completely changed my perspective on the series as a whole. We never think about the lives of the average citizen or marine while watching/reading One Piece, it really shows us that these characters have lives, family's, friends people theylove and care for too. The perspective of the Marine soldiers in war broke me into pieces. Don't want to say too much but this is a Masterpiece, and if you haven't seen One Piece I beg of you do to so, it will change your life.
Fuelex
This is simply one of the best anime works ever made and the director Megumi Ishitani is guilty of it. First of all, in order to fully understand this episode and being able to appreciate all its details, it is needed to watch/read until the "Return to Sabaody" arc (included), since the whole plot is set in this framework of events. All the stories that appear in the episode are told from the very own perspective of the characters that participate in it. All this characters are normal persons (at least they are far away from the usual extravagant characters that Eiichiro Oda has all of usaccustomed to) and all of them are fans of the Straw Hats. This is what it makes them feel really special and very close, they are truly in tune with the wonders and amazing things the Crew has accomplished and are also inspired by them, making Megumi Ishitani suceed in connecting with the spectator, almost to the point of feeling to be part of the story. Regarding the visual part, the animation is impeccable. The scenes are incredibly fluid and the drawing style is precious. But the best point of the visuals is the amazing visual language that Ishitani always brings into the episodes she directs, specially regarding the ilumination effects and light symbolisms full of meaningful messages without saying a single word. Here, we could talk about, for example: on how the girl is positioned in the dark when hope is fainting and how the light comes back when hope arises again; or how she is seen behind metal bars when she wants to be free and claiming liberty. Furthermore, there are tons of details to pay attention to, many of the main events of the episode are consequence of side and secondary actions of the crew members that one could not even imagine when seeing the original series for the first time. To state a few examples: the concert Brook gives in Sabaody originates huge crowds of people that make the little girl impossible to keep moving forward; the iconic scene of Rayleigh stoping the marines from pursuing Luffy is a big deal for the marines of this story; the enormous bugs and insects that Usopp bringed are incredible menaces for the protagonists; it also appears the comical scene of the World Government secret agents catching the fake Chopper, crashing with the girl and making her stumbling; and many more. In few words, this episode tells the stories of fans of the Straw Hats, that, as well as the spectator, admire the crew. The great amount of feelings and emotions this episode awakens is what it makes it a "must see" for every One Piece fan.
whiteflame55
So much joy packed into 24 minutes. I was grinning ear to ear throughout. It shouldn't be hard to believe that One Piece can grace us with a one-off special that hits this hard, but it still blew me away. The fanservice was perfectly timed and didn't overstay its welcome, the perspective shifts were awesome and recontextualized a lot of what happened during two pivotal arcs without changing them, the new characters were a joy to watch, and yes, the animation was incredible (checks the team behind it... oh yeah, no wonder - same director behind Where the Wind Blows and instrumental in OP26). Other studiosand directors, take notes: this is how you do it.
k3woru
genuinely so good and a must watch for a longtime one piece fan, chronicles like a slice of life from right before they reunite in the timeskip and really reminds you about all the positive perspectives towards the straw hats (from the navy, from the young girl) that the paramount war amplified for everybody. from very early on we have been reminded how even their 'enemies' can be their biggest supporters, and that there is a greater moral good than just being on the side of black and white. i think it's hard to remember that when it's not said out loud, and this fanletter really captures raw perspectives we otherwise don't get because we are always seeing things from the straw hats' pov. the straw hats are so loved and this was truly a fan letter to one piece itself. the ending theme was so nostalgic - really love how it fully throws us back to the timeskip arc with the same theme song redone!
Avalynnn
Megumi Ishitani blessed us with another top-tier directing technique. After following One Piece for years, seeing another side of the story is just so beautiful. We are really put in other character's shoes on how they perceived the One Piece world and the Straw Hat Pirates. Seeing Luffy's development, Zoro and Sanji debate (LOL), and other characters in this point of view brings some sort of happiness as a fan. Not to mention the animation, cinematography, and all the other techniques used in this special episode is just like seeing episode 1015 for the first time again. These techniques make me relate to how thesenormal people think about the Great Pirates Era. It shed a tear of happiness from my eyes. Definitely recommended, especially if you've been following One Piece for so long!!
Odd_flame
Honestly one of the BEST episodes in all of One Piece. Getting to see just how inspirational all of the Strawhats are-not just Luffy-on a personal level, as well as a great mix of humour (Sanji getting mad no one was talking about him xd) but also some surprisingly deep moments I didn’t expect, all animated and directed absolutely beautifully. A fantastic range of characters, all of whom felt really human-like, something very impressive for a 25ish minute episode! Also, on a side note, the young girl may be the most relatable character of all time now because I would act the exact same wayif I heard I had the chance to meet Nami. Overall, incredible. One Piece fans stay winning!!
Saltmachine
Honestly, what an episode! One Piece Fan Letter showcased the feeling of yearning to meet the people you admired so much and how events in life can change what we believe in. Most importantly, this episode is a celebration of the 25th anniversary of One Piece. The animation, overall story, directing, music, and other aspects are really well made, and you can see it through the episode itself. With the same quality as the continuous Egghead arc in the anime (though it is on break, upon writing this review), this episode goes hard! I mean, really hard! I honestly relate to the characters in the episode, especially thegirl main character. The yearning and wanting to express how much you admire that person through a letter and letting them know about it despite the danger and challenges it comes with is dedication and fulfilling in the end. While watching the episode, I ended up cheering for the girl to meet the person she admires (of course no spoilers, but anyways). Overall, One Piece Fan Letter (in my opinion) is a touching and well-made episode.
hirensuva30
Megumi Ishitani’s Cinematic Masterpiece I was left with chills in almost every scene, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. The blend of emotion, action, and storytelling was absolutely beautiful, reminding me of exactly why I love this series so much. The marines, in particular, stood out for me. The reanimation of Marineford was visually stunning, and seeing Oars Jr. in that heartbreaking moment hit hard. The Straw Hats brought their signature humor, adding a refreshing contrast to the heavier themes. What really struck me was how we were treated to a brief but powerful revisit of the Marineford war, a pivotal arc forany fan. One of the standout moments for me was when a marine, initially about to abandon his brother, saw Luffy's relentless determination to save Ace and turned back to help. That shift in resolve, inspired by Luffy's sheer will, was truly touching and beautifully handled. Megumi Ishitani’s direction felt like a love letter to the fans, a reminder of the series' emotional depth and epic scale. This episode was a much-needed refresh, and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
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