1x01 ROMANCE DAWN

So, this turned out to be a live-action which kind of tries to imitate the anime/manga, after all. To be honest, I was skeptical beforehand that this can work out, but I think given that’s where they go for this is a pretty good and fun attempt. It’s kind of dumb fun similar to the anime/manga, although some things definitely work better than the others (I started to actually enjoy it once Nami appeared).

Things in the first half were rather rough, given that Alvida and Koby didn’t impress, and the actor of Luffy was also pretty stiff, but it got definitely better once Nami and Zorro appeared and they could play off of each other. The group dynamic so far definitely works, Luffy and Nami’s antics were a definite highlight. The fights are also well-made, the direction is dynamic and while they do try to capture the vibe of the source they take more liberties in how to execute plot events which makes it kinda fresh and fun. The characters also aren’t exactly the same as the source, either.

I will definitely watch more and see how this goes, but so far, I enjoy this. Good dumb fun, they also have some good gags. First half was kinda eh, but the second half was much better (the final score for the episode is kinda in-between the two).

(840-word review) This appears to be a commonly held opinion, and I shared it: the first half, or everything with Luffy, Koby, and Alvida, was a difficult start, even to "get through." It primarily concerned the acting of all three characters by Iñaki Godoy, Morgan Davies, and Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, with Iñaki's acting requiring some immediate adjustment, same with Morgan's acting (particularly the voice/accent, including the line delivery) to an extent – while Luffy and Koby's interactions had a bit of a whiplash, partially stemming from that, in addition to the characters themselves and their characterizations – and most notably, Ilia's acting, which was the most effective at throwing you for a loop; her and Morgan were the most distracting as far as that's concerned. You can ascertain what I'm insinuating. While Iñaki only required the continual exposure of the entire episode.

Fortunately, as the episode continued past that point, it became better and better, steadily improving. It spiked once Zoro appeared, who effortlessly stole the show for a variety of reasons, including Mackenyu's dominating presence, the fight choreography and his execution of it, and the subtle comedic tones at moments when Zoro was on-screen. Then Nami appeared – fantastic stuff; I liked the progression of her, Luffy, Zoro, and their arrival at the same place and the lead-up to them being together: a Luffy-proclaimed crew. But they're "not a crew/not together." Mackenyu and Emily Rudd, especially him, were the most distinctive highlights; all three characters, when together, stole the show collectively, aided by a palpable and genuine dynamic filled with chemistry that Luffy and Koby lacked.

Other aspects, such as the world-building and production value, were, understandably, prominently featured, as this world is vast, detailed, and particular; it was well-depicted, but I'm looking forward to the rest of the season for more of that aspect to see its overall scope, not because it wasn't good in this episode (it was), but because it can be better, and I'm sure it improves throughout. That's one reason to want another season: a larger budget and a better understanding of how to improve on many components through trial and error in this one by everyone involved with all facets of this show's development, utilizing the experience and knowledge gained here.

Going deeper into that, the set design stood out, namely the spaciousness, which I appreciated, probably more than I should have because I have no idea why. It may be summed up by saying it looks appealing; additionally, it may represent the magnitude of the entire world itself to an extent. Their environment-related details were notable, such as Helmeppo's self-portrait, the statue, paintings, the square sections of the ceiling, and the thing on the wall showing several axes in Axe-Hand Morgan's office. That gave the environments life, giving them identities and the impression that they were actual characters. You can see that a lot of thought and care went into it.

Specific things that were effective for me and great: (1.) the direction/editing regarding the close-up shots on faces – primarily the close-up shots on eyes (e.g., Mr. 7 and Zoro's at the beginning of their fight sequence) , the telescope shot of Nami, the split-screen one, akin to Western-genre films and also manga panels, before the fight sequence against Axe-Hand Morgan kicked off (all that was missing was the starting pistol shot signaling to begin), and the rocky (hand-held...?) camerawork in the scene of Garp and Bogard – (2.) the score, which was unsurprisingly a hit, especially the one when the crew set sail, aside from the "Wealth Fame Power" track.

Followed by various funny moments: "I even have to paint her toenails," Luffy slapping Koby (for "You being dumb"), "A bottle for me, and one for my friend: he's had a rough day," "You stupid, stupid girl," – Helmeppo's laugh, the scene of him naked, enjoying his reflection in the mirror while swinging Zoro's sword, then the majestic arrival of Zoro, and his final appearance, especially Luffy and Zoro laughing at his new haircut, courtesy of Zoro; his entire character and Aidan Scott's performance was phenomenal, forming the desire to want more of him – "Get lost. I am...lost," and finally, Jeff Ward's performance, which is already somewhat stealing the show with so little screen time; Buggy will surely be a highlight of this season.

Zoro (Mackenyu), Helmeppo (Aidan Scott), Nami (Emily Rudd), and Buggy (Jeff Ward), along with the scenes of the crew together, where the fun began, were the ultimate show-stealers. I suspect Iñaki Godoy, who was decent despite the outstanding competition, will achieve that level during the season as he settles into the part and grows accustomed to it, making the character his and as effective as possible. There's undeniable heart at work – already in the series premiere, and that's paving the way for a larger-scale, likely successful execution of that, on top of the feeling of pure, genuine fun that took over the screen once our three central characters teamed up; little do they know what awaits them.

Very cringe-inducing first episode. Everything already looked terrible from the trailers, but I still decided to give the first episode a chance. I was cringing so hard during the entirety of it that my face was hurting (hopefully it didn't get frozen in that expression).

Everything looks so fake that I believe they may have done it on purpose. It's hilarious how you'd expect the green, pink, and orange hairs to look fake, but you wouldn't expect that they'd manage to make actual hair colors like blonde and red look fake too. Along with the very plastic-looking accessories and scenography, and fake clothing, it was impossible to immerse myself in the story because I couldn't stop thinking that I was watching bad actors playing on a set.

Special note to the bad acting too. Whoever did the casting had a talent for casting terrible actors for every role, who never once managed to deliver a single sentence naturally and have the range of facial expressions of an animatronic. The worst one is Luffy's, who was the one giving me most of the aforementioned cringes. It's amazing how you can sense that someone is a bad actor even before seeing their acting; just look at the posters or photos featuring him with that forced and unnatural smile he sports all the time. And it's ten times worse when he actually moves and speaks.

I wish I could say anything about the story, but being so distracted by how poorly everything was set up and played, I could barely go any deeper. I could say that none of the characters or their motivations (none of which are explored) are relatable, but it's impossible to relate to anyone when you can't stop seeing them as actors.

I know people defending the show will say that this style was made on purpose in order to make it goofy and cartoony, as if you're watching an anime and not a real thing. That can be positive or negative depending on how well it's played out, but "pathetic" would probably be the most accurate word to describe what they came up with.

I have no idea if it improves or worsens [even further] in the following episodes because I'm not subjecting myself to watching the second one, and I definitely don't recommend this first episode to any One Piece newcomers. The anime may be overly long, but you only have to watch the pilot to see how infinitely superior it is, from the very first episode.

As Kiba Snowpaw, the alpha ice wolf with a mane as white as the eternal snows of HowlStrom, I sat before the flickering warmth of my ice-fire, a magical flame that burns cold and illuminates my icy abode. The eternal winter had returned, a time of reflection and solitude, and with it, the opportunity to indulge in the human world's offerings. My paws, imbued with the ancient ice magic of my lineage, danced over the remote, bringing to life the images of a new show that had breached the icy barriers of my world.

"Ah, the tale of Monkey D. Luffy, a story as wild and untamable as the blizzards of HowlStrom," I mused, my breath misting the icy air. The live-action adaptation of the beloved manga had arrived, a spectacle of action, adventure, fantasy, and science fiction. But as the alpha, my senses, honed and sharp, could discern the strengths and frailties of any beast, any story.

The icy winds howled outside, a symphony of nature’s raw power, as I delved into the world of pirates and treasures. The first episode, a sinking boat, a carefree Luffy, a journey initiated. Yet, amidst the waves and winds, something was amiss. The actors, like young pups, stumbled, their performances as stiff as the frozen lakes of my world.

“By the frosty fangs of Fenrir!” I exclaimed. The portrayal of Alvida and Koby was as uninspiring as a blizzard without snow. The actor of Luffy, though filled with the spirit of adventure, lacked the fluidity of the icy streams that graced my world.

Yet, amidst the storm of my discontent, a glimmer of warmth. Nami and Zorro, like the first rays of the sun after the eternal night, brought life to the frozen tundra of performances. The group dynamics, as unpredictable as the icy winds of HowlStrom, invoked a chuckle, a growl of approval from the depths of my frosty soul.

“Even in the coldest winters, a flame of creativity burns,” I mused, quoting the ancient litRPG scrolls that lay nestled in the icy caverns of my abode. The fights, well-crafted, the direction, dynamic, yet liberties taken with the sacred texts of the manga were as jarring as the sudden thaw of spring.

As the alpha, my verdict, as cold and unyielding as the icy peaks of HowlStrom, echoed in the silent expanse of my world. A journey begun, yet a path untrodden, a tale told yet a saga unfinished. The show, like the eternal winter, held the promise of majesty, yet delivered the chill of discontent.

I, Kiba Snowpaw, with the wisdom of the ancients and the strength of the eternal ices, decree - a spectacle for the ages, yet a masterpiece, it is not. In the icy silence of reflection, the howls of potential echo, a song of what could have been, a ballad of frosty magnificence yet unrealized.

As the icy flames flickered, casting shadows of dancing wolves upon the icy walls, I pondered the impact of this tale. Would it soar as the mighty blizzards of the north, or would it fade, as the weak rays of the sun amidst the eternal winter?

In the heart of the storm, amidst the icy majesty of HowlStrom, the verdict of the alpha echoed - a tale told, a saga begun, yet in the icy embrace of reflection, the warmth of fulfillment remained as elusive as the thawing rays of the spring sun. The show, like a young pup, held the promise of the alpha, yet the journey to the icy peaks of greatness, long and treacherous, remained untrodden.