With over 1,000 published chapters and episodes, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is undoubtedly one of the most popular manga/anime series of all time. The series has amassed huge sales and 14 feature length movies, 15 now with the release of One Piece Film: Red. One Piece Film: Red opened in Japan in August 2022, but fans overseas need wait no longer as the latest installment in the One Piece franchise hit U.S. theaters this November, and Popverse’s Veronica Valencia is here to share her thoughts on this latest animated feature film.

One Piece Film: Red brings Luffy and the Straw Hat pirates together, alongside a new character Uta, who is Shank’s daughter, and shares a childhood relationship with Luffy. Uta is a singer with fame and influence, drawing in fans with her voice, however, behind Uta’s beautiful voice lays someone with a complicated past, and a goal to create a better future at all costs, no matter the consequence. Full of action and emotion, this film explores elements such as betrayal, loss, relationships, and hope, with a variety of original music performances, amplifying each scene.

One Piece Film: Red is directed by Goro Taniguchi, who is no stranger to the One Piece franchise having directed an original video animation back in the late '90s. Goro Taniguchi, along with producers Shinji Shimizu and Hiroaki Shibata celebrated the U.S. premiere of One Piece Film: Red in New York City on November 6, 2022. Check out our video coverage of the premiere below:

Following the U.S. premiere and a main stage panel held at New York Comic Con 2022, Popverse’s Veronica Valencia caught up with Goro Taniguchi to discuss the film, the challenges faced directing the movie, and the film’s message to fans.

One Piece Film: Red marks the latest animated feature film having received an international theatrical release. Other titles include Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Demon Slayer- Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train, and JUJUTSU KAISEN 0. You can read all about the anime theatrical experience in our exclusive interview with Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll's senior VP of global commerce.

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