English Professor’s Thoughts on The East Blue Saga of One Piece (non-spoiler and spoiler)

[@madatz]

The big positive of mixing shonen and seinen up is you get more interactions from the community in comments(though inevitably there’ll be some asses who will treat that as a slight) excited to see your journey and perspective.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! I could always pretend I did it on purpose just to get more comments. 😁 Thank you for pointing out the silver lining!

[@wideeyewanderer1785]

I didn’t even know that distinction even existed 😮

[@Nastyn1nja808]

lol Algorithm!!!!!

[@Nastyn1nja808]

@@wideeyewanderer1785 one is aimed towards 8 to 13 yr Olds (Shonen.) and the other aimed toward older teens and young adults (Seinen) contained often very explicitly images

[@ShiroKage009]

😂😂😂😂

[@GrandLineReview]

Welcome aboard 🎉

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much! The welcome from the fans has been heartwarming and beautiful. I can see that this must be a very special story to inspire such devotion, and I’m excited to follow the journey!

[@GrandLineReview]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy The ride is quite something, I hope you continue to enjoy! It only ever gets better!

[@RarewareLover]

@@GrandLineReviewin a few months, he’ll be watching 2 hour theory breakdown videos! 😂

[@maruko8324]

​@@RarewareLover Nah he will become a rat just like Merphy lol (inside joke in agenda piece community btw, Philip)

[@Tytus_Albas]

Holy cow, a Liam in the wild!

[@metallord6960]

It is so, soooo, gratifying to finally see people in the professional english literature circle taking comics and manga seriously. We all grew up and had teachers who said that this wasn't "real literature", so it is incredible to see an actual professor saying "no, there's something here".

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great storytelling happens in every medium. There were plenty of people in Shakespeare’s day who thought his plays were rubbish. All the best!

[@No8Named8Shadow]

I’m glad Phillip picked up Usopp’s storytelling abilities this early on.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Usopp is fantastic -- he has a vital role to play among the crew, and I'm definitely in his corner. Cheers!

[@mobbs6426]

I think they translated that really well in the LA. A little disappointed they didn't do a little something with his nose, and he didn't really get much time to shine during the conflicts, but the storytelling was done perfectly. I know I'd happily sit and let him cook. He's just an entertaining expositor.

[@nishadkhudabux1558]

Phillip will be a great contributor to the One Pice community, having someone of his calibre breakdown the more nuanced and complex themes is so rare.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for your kind words! I’m grateful for how welcoming the One Piece community has been.

[@jossecoupe446]

​@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasythe fact that Murphy got through the entire series with (as far as I remember) zero spoilers says a lot about the fanbase, I think haha

[@butterflisty502]

I speak for everyone when I say that we need LONGER One Piece videos!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

We were doing a discussion series that got cancelled . . . But I hope there will be some future discussions!

[@bcool9272]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy got cancelled? Why?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@bcool9272 It was the comments that came after the livestream. It got to a point where Merphy had to take down the livestream on her channel.

[@noname3609]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy One big regret was that I haven't watched the livestream 😭

[@rtrslimjim]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasywhat were the comments saying?

[@NekoHanyouHanaru]

I once read something in a comment section that I thought was pretty profound. I wish I could remember exactly what they said because I’m going to butcher it, but here we go: The East Blue Saga is unique because it’s very “villain of the week,” as far as One Piece goes, however, each of those villains early on directly contrast Luffy’s core values and show the reader exactly who Luffy is. Buggy shows what being a big “flashy” captain can easily be about ego and valuing yourself over your crew. Kuro shows us the dark side of betrayal and deceit in nearly a direct foil to Usopp’s lies and how they can hurt people, and what a failing conviction and second guessing what you’re doing makes for a poor captain. Don Krieg shows us pride and relying too much on numbers and gadgets (as well as believing in your own hype) and Arlong shows us the dark side of someone who wants to rule through oppression (versus Luffy who wants to become Pirate King but do so in a way that is freeing. Because being Pirate King to Luffy is to be free) Each one shows us a very clear “these are common traits of what we think of when we think of pirates, and here’s how Luffy breaks all of those stereotypes.”

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@NekoHanyouHanaru I love that insight! Thank you for sharing it!

[@DavvaBG]

An underrated part about One Piece is that if you enjoy the first saga, it is all but guaranteed that you will enjoy the rest of the series as well!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That’s excellent news for me! All the best!

[@fojo]

So true. It only gets better from here

[@IronChief13]

For me the point the non return point is Nami asking for help. If you don't like One Piece at this exact moment you should probably stop.

[@ChefMonke07]

Funny thing is, my middle school English teacher was the one who forced me to read One Piece. Dude spent 7 whole years trying to talk me into it. He KNEW I would love the story to death, and I doubted him for that long. It's only because I kept in contact with him after I graduate middle school that I got the privilege to read this series.

[@the03k]

Was disappointed the group discussions were stopping, but super glad you're continuing the series and reviewing it. Speaking of hyperbole btw, one of the main things I love about OP is the ugly crying. I am so, so tired of watching movies or shows where an actor is crying, and it's just lil' bitty tear that doesn't ruin the actors makeup. Seeing characters screaming, bawling their eyes out, making weird, goofy, ugly faces will never not be a breath of fresh air, no matter how many times it happens in the series.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

When One Piece characters cry, you know it! Many thanks!

[@Gigididiggler]

Do you know why they decided to stop the group discussions? It's quite a bummer, I loved their insights and was looking forward to the next one.

[@mmem4264]

I'd like to know too.

[@Nastyn1nja808]

​@@GigididigglerI imagine hard to.organize maybe. they were immensely.

[@the03k]

@@Gigididiggler Short answer: Allen was getting a lot of hate in the comments. Longer explanation: People were getting upset because he would """""spoil""""" extremely minor shit like character names that get brought up 500+ chapters from now, or arc titles like Marineford. He started to make fun of/joke about the people complaining, and the other three joined in, while also making the point that neither Philip nor Mike, who both agreed with him, were not bothered by these "spoilers" and in fact neither of the two thought these were spoilers in the first place. However, unlike everyone else, he also kept bringing it up over and over, even when other people were trying to speak about other things. I wasn't paying too much attention to the stream chat, but I do believe it was mainly him bringing it up after it was established Phillip and Mike were fine with his comments. Could be totally wrong here though and the stream chat may have just been extremely obnoxious about it even after that. Because of the all this, the comment section under Merphy's now-privated discussion stream was entirely filled with people criticizing, complaining, insulting, Allen. I believe he mentioned his autism being a contributing factor to his overall demeanor, but don't think that was specifically in reference to any of this, aka he wasn't using it as an excuse or anything. To be extremely clear, I fully understand people's problems with Allen, however, literally no one in those discussions had a problem with him themselves, and if they did, would discuss it with him like the adults, and friends, they are. It also wasn't a one-sided decision. Everyone collectively agreed to stop. Mike was very disappointed in One Piece fans, which he expressed on Twitter. Merphy hasn't said anything I don't think, but it was her comment section that this happened in, so I'd imagine she wasn't happy either. Phillip is the only one who seems completely unbothered lol, if you read his other replies to people, he's more than willing to restart the discussions. Maybe if it's exclusively on his channel (get those views) it'd be better, who knows. Tried to make this as non-biased as possible, but also, I like Allen and thought he was really funny. Did wish he would let Phillip talk a bit more, but again, they're grown adults, it's up to Phillip to speak up, not the comment section.

[@nicholasavasthi9879]

One of the best descriptions of Zorro that I’ve ever seen is that he’s a normal Shonen protagonist who’s plot got highjacked by a Looney Toons character.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I love that! Thanks!

[@TannerOfTheNorth]

This video was lovely! I'm an English Teacher myself, and I think One Piece is the greatest story that I will experience in my generation. It starts off with incredibly humble beginnings, to a point where many are nostalgic for this era of swashbuckling and adventuring. If you continue onward, get ready to learn about an entire geopolitical history and join what feels like a look into a living world. You may have noticed underpinnings of racial tensions as part of the Arlong storyline. Most series would end it there, but One Piece not only doubles down on it but will examine it from multiple angles. It's an incredible work of fiction that I hope you stick around with all the way to the very end with us. I look forward to your thoughts on the next major arc!

[@camping11]

I absolutely love how the first word you used to describe Luffys powers is "ridiculous"

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Luffy is lovably ridiculous and ridiculously lovable!

[@xandex69]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Cant wait for you to read the world most ridiculous power in the world

[@cl86241]

This series comes off as a goofy pirate adventure………. Then hundreds of chapters later you realize you’re actually reading a dystopian nightmare rife with tyranny, genocide, slavery, censored/obliterated history, etc etc…. This story gets DARK. Really, really dark. But it goes over many people’s head because the seemingly happy-go-lucky tone and world.

[@superfuss1984]

It slowly snowballs into Epic... Punk Hazard is where it really blooms..

[@Jenna_Talia]

It feels like every arc hits you with something different and lowers the bar for just how depraved some characters get, until sabaody and punk hazard where said depravity comes to a head. Living in one piece would be brutal, we'd all be less crafty and less powerful than syrup village usopp, but there's so much to the world that being at such constant risk genuinely seems worth it.

[@theempyreansky]

I cannot believe that the Phillip Chase is reviewing One Piece! I'd love to see you and Mike talking about it together in the future!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That could happen! All the best!

[@riardomilos8014]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasybeware spoilers.. One Piece might not seem like a super serious series but the spoiler can definitely ruin your experience.

[@Plupert]

I think what makes Luffy really interesting is I believe aside from a few flashbacks at the very beginning, Luffy never says he "wants" to be king of the pirates. He says he is "going" to be the king of the pirates. As if him being king is already a 100% certainty, and with someone that deadset on a goal they will do so much to achieve that goal.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

His determination is otherworldly!

[@ThenosM_]

You’re in for a wild ride, sir. Welcome to the modern day Odyssey.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cheers!

[@m05513]

I think of all the East Blue antagonists, Smoker had my favourite introduction. Until this point, the only marines we've seen have been either horribly corrupt (Fullbody, Nezumi) or completely incompetent (that guy who thought firing a cannonball at Arlong was a good idea), And suddenly we meet this Marine Captain whos reputation is that he is a very competent marine, making us think he's going to be one of the horrible ones. Only for him to joke to a young girl who ran into him about how his pants ate her ice cream, and gave her money to buy not just a replacement but an even bigger ice cream. He then shows he also is very competent, with Luffy only escaping thanks to the help of a freak hurricane and the mysterious man Smoker refers to as Dragon. Smoker may have been opposed to the straw hats, but he is very much a hero in this world.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

The ice cream scene is brilliant!

[@bliss3705]

calling mihawk a mentor is a wild but accurate prediction

[@misterfuzzyflippers]

It's always fun to see new people getting into the series. As a fun bit of info, Oda mentioned before that the art style was partly inspired by Tom & Jerry.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I grew up watching Tom and Jerry, so that’s good to know!

[@Apriqott]

This arc was the beginning of my Usopp appreciation. I think it’s really cool to have him on the crew, especially because it's such a realistic representation of how every normal person who isn’t crazy strong in this insane world of one piece would react. He’s always going to be a coward; that’s not something you can just get over, but when the time calls for it, he will 100% be one of the bravest for his friends. It’s really cool to see the juxtaposition between him being a coward and then genuinely showing moments of bravery-bravery that he only shows because of how much he cares. It’s always been a back-and-forth in his character, wrestling with himself, constantly having such a big difference of what he wants to be and what he is. I really loved the moment of him literally on the ground thinking about what lie he’s going to tell his friends, as he’s getting flashbacks of all of his friends showing the lengths they’ll go to. He’s increasingly rubbing the dirt on faster, getting more manic in his movements, and then finally breaking down because he realizes what he’s doing. He realizes he doesn’t want to be like this. His shame is so realistic and so lovable. That’s the moment when I truly fell in love with his character. I also wanted to mention that in the original Japanese translation, it’s a lot more gritty. They get better in actually translating it as the manga goes on!! Luffy curses a lot, mostly just saying I’m going to kick your ass, constantly. And I find that the original Japanese is a lot more poetic. The English translation kind of dumb it down, the words actually sound like poetry in the original. They definitely get better as it goes on though lol!!! Another one of my favorite scenes in this arc is when Luffy admits that he’s not good at cooking, sword fighting, sailing, or lying. This moment is so goddamn powerful because it highlights how deeply Luffy values and appreciates his crew. Luffy is always ready to move the Earth for them, and he makes it known that he couldn’t achieve his dreams without them. I think I love this scene so much because it’s Luffy openly acknowledging his own weaknesses and showing his reliance on his crew. It’s such a beautiful reminder that being a great leader isn’t about being the best at everything; it’s about recognizing the strengths of those around you and valuing them. Luffy has so much humility and gratitude and show how much he cares for his friends and how important they are to him. thats what makes their crew so special. I think others have already said everything there is to say about Nami, and even though I could rant about it for literal hours because I love her character so much, I think I’m pretty happy with how other comments have talked about it. They honestly took the words out of my mouth. One thing I love about Nami is just about how much she grows. Her character arch is definitely not done yet, and as she becomes more comfortable in her new pirate family she becomes less tense(never less cranky though) besides zoro, I would say that Nami is the most loyal in the crew. She genuinely cares about everybody so much, and she becomes so soft with children, too, which is something I find so endearing. She’s definitely not the strongest character on the crew, but she makes up for it with her knowledge and street smarts. The characters make it very clear that she is a prodigy and that they couldn’t sail without her. Another thing I find really interesting is that, to my knowledge, Luffy never gives his hat to anybody else in the entirety of the series. But he gives Nami his hat multiple times throughout the series. I find that relationship and mutual trust between them so beautiful. Luffy really has different relationships with everybody on the crew, and all the relationships between the characters are so distinct. I think that Luffy and Nami are definitely in my top three crew relationships. This is controversial, but my top duo is definitely Usopp and Nami. They are literally siblings, and I treasure their relationship more than anything. you should look out for when they interact because the cowardly duo is probably one of my favorite things ever.

[@CBMX_GAMING]

East Blue is a masterclass on how to introduce your audience to a world. The One Piece world is so massive that an intro like that is so important to get your readers in without being overwhelmed

[@Jenna_Talia]

Something you'll learn as the series goes on is just how insanely good a judge of character Luffy is. There's plenty of villains who he treats with respect because he knows that they're actually not that bad and just need guidance, same with allies. There's a moment where he teaches a child to be assertive because said child is royalty and everybody else was coddling him. He's got a loyal golden retriever type of personality, but unlike anybody with such a personality irl he just cannot be taken advantage of, and if he is then he spins it to his advantage/realizes there's more to the situation than meets the eye.

[@PetrikLeo]

Well well well... Philip. Seems like your channel will turn into a One Piece channel, too. Is this the fate of all Booktubers channels!? Seriously, though. So happy you're reading this amazing manga series!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! I guess I didn’t quite realize how popular this series is! I’m having a grand time with One Piece so far, and I’m excited to continue. Perhaps we should have a One Piece discussion someday, my friend!

[@PetrikLeo]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy It IS the most popular manga series of all time! For many good reasons. I'm game for sure! Let me know when. It will be amazing to chat One Piece with you. 😄

[@MattIsAMage]

Minor spoilers (no story aspects at least). Something that people have realised in the way the story is written: Luffy never has thought bubbles in the series. everything we know about Luffy is something he has done or said, as a reader, we never hear luffy's "inner voice". Also to do with Luffy: we the reader know all the characters backstories, however in the context of the actual world; Luffy never knows of these stories, only their goals. He does not know any of his crews origins, and cares about their goals instead. Thought I'd share these as its aspects most people don't notice until its pointed out, welcome to the crew!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Very cool! Thank you!

[@Girthquake42069]

The best part of One Piece is how it evolves over time, I think you'll love the later half of the series when the worldbuilding becomes on a level that transcends manga.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That sounds mind blowing! I look forward to it. Cheers!

[@m1raclw08]

I’ve never read a story that’s touched me quite on the level that One Piece has. I’m a pretty big literature nerd, and enjoy dissecting stories on each aspect. Unfortunately manga is often seen as childish since it’s similar to comics, so I don’t get taken seriously when I give One Piece the same attention I give Dostoevsky. It makes me so excited to see more people getting into it and taking it seriously. I’m definitely subscribing!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great storytelling happens in all sorts of forms. Anyone who dismisses all manga - especially without even trying it - is missing out. All the best!

[@tobikurashiki5800]

Merphy spreading her addiction. Love to see it.

[@SailingWitStrawHats]

Love to see it indeed :D So many new reviewers of this great epic thanks to her, that I now get to watch and relive the experience of reading one piece for the first time!

[@misti-step]

i love seeing how people from different backgrounds and different experiences/specialties have different perspectives on one piece

[@AnyMEmdq]

19:05 Pinocchio nose, yes, and also his name. Usopp = Uso (lie in Japanese) + Aesop (author of The Boy who cried Wolf)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Nice! Cheers!

[@mintman325]

I love this it truly transcends barriers. It’s not just anime or manga KZbinrs or book KZbinrs now it’s people who are academics. I’m convinced that this is one of the most consumable pieces of media ever.

[@mayursharma7594]

The eyepatch is important , oda hasnt let anyone use an eyepatch in the series until even now , and he has mentioned that the only eyepatch in the series is being saved for a certain charechter. look forward to that with us !!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cool!

[@iiswack]

It only ever gets better from here please make this a series

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Will do!

[@ThecutMENS]

I am really glad you enjoy it so far, i have been watching one piece for 10 years now and for me its the most beautiful story telling I have ever read. I saw a great comment about it somewhere, calling a "modern Odyssey" and I find it so fitting

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m glad to be embarking on this journey!

[@mew1023]

Man I can tell this guy gets it. I agreed with his takes on pretty much everything, and yeah he's a English Professor, but man it is refreshing to hear good literary analysis when you have a community with a lot of people more focused on the superficial aspects (to put it nicely lol).

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@mew1023 Thanks so much for watching! The latest saga I’ve read and reviewed is Water 7. I loved the series up until Water 7. After Water 7, I’ve decided I need to buy a Straw Hat and join a pirate crew ASAP. 😁

[@branchminer1]

I mainly judge a person’s media literacy by how they discuss Usopp. I don’t really expect everyone to like him, but if someone can see past the surface of his character, I instantly know they’ll get a lot from One Piece. This video was so good, and I can’t wait for more! Read at your own pace though, no use rushing this journey.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! I’m excited to find out where Captain Usopp and the rest go on this crazy adventure!

[@Scyl_]

As a person who is caught up on One Piece I can tell you its going to get a whole lot better and more emotional from here on out

[@TheBigFrasier]

Congratulations! this is now a one piece channel.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! I’m going to enjoy getting immersed in One Piece!

[@TheBigFrasier]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Its a wild ride! I look forward to more insightful analysis!

[@hmoadhajali]

I have respect and appreciation for someone who’s not willing to spoil something. Even through that thing has been out for over 20 years.

[@Viddax5476]

Bros life is about to change forever

[@bladeefangirl]

There's a special place in my heart for One piece it's a truly beautiful story, you've barley scratched the surface of what it has to offer and i love watching people experience it for the first time. I hope you enjoy it as much as i did. Eagerly awaiting your next review!

[@sethsenpai9074]

This man gets Usopp’s character right off the bat. This is going to be a really good review.

[@Omegateck16]

I agree, Nami asking Luffy for help is the best part of this first saga. Im glad your enjoying your read! When you catch up to Mike after the next saga id love to hear you both talk about the series moving forward!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I did get a little choked up there! I would love to chat with Mike once I catch up to him. Let's see. All the best!

[@mehulnagle3710]

I think, one thing about Buggy that goes on under the radar because of the Nose joke is that he's actually really protective about his body. The fact that he decided to dress himself as a clown just because his nose is deformed is insane to me. He was taunted so much by the society about his nose that he started dressing himself as a clown, so people will think he's wearing makeup and that it's not actually his nose. Him having a devil fruit that can detach that insecurity from his body and yet it doesn't really help is quite poetic imo. It's quite a sad story behind such a funny character.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great insights on Buggy -- thank you!

[@Nemui89]

10:09 "That hat becomes more and more meaningful as the series progresses." Hit the nail on the head, just keep reading!

[@RCJones560]

One piece has some of the best worldbuilding and flashbacks/backstories in manga. Glad you get to experience this hilarious laughter tale

[@joshaskew5035]

😉

[@ReturnOfGodEnel]

The best 🔥

[@kathryngriffin3197]

Please consider being very careful reading comments so you can avoid spoilers. This is a long haul series and the surprises are best left for you to discover on your own. Enjoy the adventure!

[@TheCcrizZ]

Love it, man I'll never get tired of seeing people who have a deep appreciation of storytelling discover One Piece. Hope you enjoy the ride Philip 🏴‍☠

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks! I’m excited to find out where this series goes - what a wonderful start!

[@សេរ៉ាហ្វ]

This analysis made me smile so much, because a lot of the thematic observations here will be present, expanded and recontexualized a thousand chapters later. Therein lies One Pieces biggest strength, I think. Its ability to maintain focus in this expansive saga

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Having just finished Skypiea, I am really seeing how Oda carries his themes forward. It’s a great pleasure to watch this odyssey unfold!

[@steelymarlin1120]

giving a spoiler warning for the East Blue? you're a real one

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cheers!

[@lucasmyers20]

I've been reading OP for 15 years, grew up with it. It always brings me joy seeing someone joining the adventure, hope you enjoy where the series goes.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! 😊

[@kingoofnoobs7863]

Welcome to the One Piece table. You might take six months to catch up, you might take a year. We don’t care we’ll help you through the tough chapters until you’re caught up. Good luck, brother.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My deepest thanks! I am grateful for the encouragement and the fellowship!

[@calebshorten8909]

Looking at the playlist, it unsettles me to see how well your face fits some of these character models.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@calebshorten8909 Especially the old ones! 😂

[@mmem4264]

So happy to hear your thoughts. I was pretty bummed the chaotic discussion group you and Merphy & co just disappeared, but I'm relieved your still enjoying the story anyway. Hope you continue making videos on One Piece in the future! Now to watch your video lol.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks! It's a shame about the group chats, but I'll keep going!

[@TheDemonscott]

As someone who has grown up reading one piece weekly for the past 20 years. I will say that the story has absolutely grown with its audience and it only continues to progress in depth. The way oda manages to slowly build characters who feel not only well rounded but relatable with the wrapping of the pure absurdity of the world of the story is just gloriously done. Somehow, he manages to pit political, ethical, and philosophical ideas against each other in a way that doesn't feel contrived and i'll never understand how he makes me care about characters i just met, Like a certain dog in this saga lol I am excited to have you on the journey, and trust that the one piece community will appreciate your contribution to the larger conversation about oda-sensei's magnum opus. Please try not to spoil yourself on the story, as without out a doubt, this story is one of the greatest slow builds of the modern era.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks!

[@pietarimajuri9753]

Please continue this! I'm also on my first journey through One Piece and I'd love another crewmate!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’ll be continuing! Best wishes!

[@vspence2]

One of my favorite things these past 6 months since the live action came out is seeing so many western people get into One Piece, especially experts in literature (see also- the Mom Piece series on The Drawk Show KZbin/Twitch channels). When knowledgeable readers break down a series to show how well crafted it is, I get excited because it means more people will be exposed to the quality and craftsmanship of Oda-sensei’s work. For the longest time, no one outside of the fandom took this series seriously, but that’s changing, and it couldn’t make me happier.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It’s really fun to encounter great storytelling in any medium. Thank you for being so welcoming to us newbies!

[@vspence2]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy with the insight and care with seeing the meta-structure of a work, not just the shallow events and actions within the plot that most readers/watchers experience, you are going to absolutely love this. The symbolism and tropes are so good and humor ends up being not just a device but an integral theme in the narrative. It’s fun, and deep, and heart-breaking, and mysterious, and inspiring, and on and on. I know it’s a stretch (pun intended) to call it a modern day Odyssey, but it definitely exists in that space of epic fantasy storytelling

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@vspence2 Sounds like my cup of tea!

[@jayko473]

Yeah I feel you totally agree !

[@curtishammer748]

The hardest part about the new breadth of audiences starting the One Piece journey is wanting to talk about later arcs and sagas, but not spoiling anything!

[@gamerperspectiv]

Looking forward for this run guys! Mom Piece it’s close to be catch up…

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks!

[@paulcallahan7727]

Didn't think acedamia would evaluate One Piece this early

[@JPRequiem]

Love that teachers/professors are doing videos on One Piece, my other favourite is 'the drawk show' with his teacher mum reading through it. I like seeing different perspectives to the story from a range of ages and professions

[@Infiniteimpossibilty]

Ussop is a coward, but i think that makes him the bravest member of the crew. Luffy and Zoro and Sanji really dont blink in the face of danger, at the threats to their lives-- they are willing to die for their goals and enter this almost mythic, Greek hero tier of character because of it. Ussop on the other hand has to fight his own fear, his rational and (irrational anxiety) in order to stand alongside his allies, and he does! I love a brave coward!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Infiniteimpossibilty Well said!

[@Luffy-yz9gj]

Another professional review of One Piece. I'd love to follow you on this grand journey, that is One Piece :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! I’d be honored to have you along!

[@honorary.senior]

"luffy... help me" is THE moment people get hooked on one piece.

[@alwaysraining3014]

When you see how deep the rabbit hole goes in this story you’ll be blown away. The depth of the lore and the size of the world is unreal. To me the world building in One Piece is hard to rival

[@woshinideaihao]

It's amazing how I can improve my English by listening to your videos while having fun with your One Piece journey. Great video, Professor!

[@larrykylemoose]

The moment when Nami asks for help locked me into this series for life. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the series going forward!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I admit I got pretty choked up!

[@TheTurtle1100]

Man I’m so glad one piece worked for you. I’ve been a lurker on this channel for awhile and been awaiting this day. It’s really a lighthearted fun time at its foundation and I think that sets the story up for success

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks! I appreciate your support and encouragement!

[@sammoses836]

I love coming across new people giving One Piece a chance. I’ve been reading/watching one piece for the past 15 years and seeing people from different walks of life enjoying One Piece brings me so much joy! Welcome to the fandom, excited to see more from you!

[@ziggystardust8235]

One Piece really is such an incredibly written series. One of my favorite uses of symbolism that's so often overlooked comes from chapter 1, when they show Rogers execution. If you look at it abstractly, the way the swords cross under his smiling face... he dies, quite literally, a Jolly Roger. ☠

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Nice!

[@Jenna_Talia]

I connected those dots (not him being jolly and called Roger though) when I looked at him in one of the intros and I'm now 100% certain One Piece authorities use that specific execution as a way to provide background lore for why the jolly rodger exists in one piece and why it's so intensely prevalant.

[@PoisonTrainerCody]

Always happy to hear a new readers thoughts on the series. Welcome aboard!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cheers!

[@wusspoppinjimboalt7107]

If theres one thing I love to do, its watch people talk about things I love. Hearing you talk about the beginning of One Piece brought back so many great feelings that I got to experience reading it for the first time

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the video - thank you for watching!

[@waltcruz1631]

I like your analysis of Ussopp, I love the character because he’s just a normal guy with good aim so he should definitely be scared by the world and people around him being so much grander than he is. Your input added a whole other level, thanks

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Usopp is the most relatable of the Straw Hats, I think. The fact that he’s always struggling against his fear is actually a form of courage. All the best!

[@foxfoley3664]

An underappreciated aspect of Usopp, when compared to the rest of the crew, is that his dream is the most intangible. While everyone else has a goal that is either an object/place or definitive title, Usopp's dream is to "be brave". It makes him unique because he can progress or regress through the journey and go through some real character development.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Well said!

[@FLNG_]

don't get me wrong, i love me some powerscaling but there's just something about listening to people with backgrounds in literature talk about one piece that just hits so well.

[@serrotnodnarB]

i finally took the plunge and started watching One Piece in December and i'm currently almost 800 episodes in. it's truly a one of a kind experience! i have never read manga in my life but the moment im done catching up on watching i am immediately reading from the beginning. enjoy and welcome aboard!

[@edwardserfrostymartinez1538]

The first box set just restocked last month. I’d highly recommend getting it since last time it was gone for almost 3 years before this restock

[@serrotnodnarB]

@@edwardserfrostymartinez1538 thank you so much for this! i'll definitely get on it now.

[@galaxyvita2045]

The community looks forward to your journey sir. The first review was already great and you really put a nice spin on it, brining a fresh breath of air into a review scene that has gotten stale.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!

[@da_pikmin_coder8367]

Something you said that intrigued me is when you pointed out the "moral complexity" of One Piece. All too often I see people think the morals are black and white. Luffy and his friends are good, and other pirates and Marines are bad, end of story. But this isn't true, as the Straw Hat crew does not approach every situation with the best moral stance. In Baratie for example, Mihawk posed a grave danger to the innocent people still on the ship. But he didn't want to hurt the Straw Hat Pirates, he just wanted to finish off Don Krieg and leave. The best course of action would be to quietly let him finish off the Krieg Pirates and leave. Instead, Zoro provokes Mihawk, and challenges him to a duel amidst all the chaos. We the audience know why Zoro chose to do this, but it was not a heroic deed, or even a smart one.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Well said! As much as we love Luffy and the other Straw Hats, they have a lot to learn in the course of their adventures. Cheers!

[@carronline1]

oda truly is one of the greatest story tellers, not just with the fact how long one piece has been going but also being able to make each arc better than the last and being able to reference things that happen 100s of chapters prior and making it a big deal later on in the story as well as developing all characters in a strong way without it just being the main characters that have strong development

[@kumajin3621]

I love that the nami scene is THEE scene of the east blue saga that seems to stick with everyone.

[@joshuamontemayor6]

It's nice hearing the insights of an English professor.

[@Lebowski92]

PLEASE continue this series (for us and for yourself) 😁🙏🏻! One Piece is not for everyone but the way you've described it and how you've liked the characters, their backstories, the world and its atmosphere... I PROMISE there is so much more for you to explore 🙏🏻! Would love to see your perspective on this epic story!

[@ShiroKage009]

Nothing is for everyone, but One Piece really has very very wide appeal. It's so widespread because it's actually for most people.

[@Lebowski92]

@@ShiroKage009 Can't argue with that 🙏🏻.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! I’ll keep going!

[@Detolsoap]

Fun fact: Usopps name is a play on aesop, as in Aesops fables

[@sariathebrave5259]

And wait til you see what “fable” is backwards.

[@bliss3705]

@@sariathebrave5259 thats actually crazy

[@mpms-upsb868]

@@sariathebrave5259that actually just blew my mind and made me smile

[@TTqtfreze]

The more you read the deeper the rabbit whole goes and things never stop connecting and making more sense, in my opinion it’s not just a story it’s an actual journey especially because of the length but the payoff is sooo worth every second. Please make this a long series 🙏

[@madao3549]

Philip, great review! You were right when you said Luffy will learn that he doesn't always need to fight. When that moment happens, I think you will like it a lot. Greetings from Brazil

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to that moment very much. All the best in beautiful Brazil!

[@Ghostreader198]

Something you’ll notice as you go through the series is that Oda doesn’t do character development in a traditional Westeen sense so much as exploring character depth through the use of literary foils. The best One Piece villains act as foils for multiple characters. For example Kuro being a liar like Usopp but for evil instead of good, while his views on being a captain is directly opposed to Luffy. Neither Luffy nor Usopp change much over the arc, but you get to see new depths of their character by way of contrast. Oda’s skill at teasing out these foils only improves over time and really helps with the longevity of the series

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Sounds fantastic! Thank you!

[@Ghostreader198]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy also, I don’t know if this is in your wheelhouse but I’d love to hear a professor’s view on how OP compares to the Romantic literary movement in its themes and ideas. It’s something I’ve done a little research into myself but I’ve never formally studied that sort of thing so it’d be cool to hear your thoughts.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Ghostreader198 I’ll keep it mind as I read!

[@nottcrimson]

Luffy quickly became my favorite as well! His emotional intelligence really shined early on. He didn’t know what happened to Nami, or what was happening in her village. As soon as his friend asks for help, he would do anything in his power to help them. He was just waiting to hear it from her. Very beautiful character. Glad you’re enjoying the manga!

[@13andit6]

The fact an older gentlemen is reading One Piece is amazing I wish you the best on your pirate adventure friend. Keep your eyes open and a smile on your face.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! One Piece is definitely helping with the smiles!

[@ammahdgrant]

one piece is not my favorite manga, it's my favorite "piece" of fiction ever and doesn't matter how many times...seeing new people starting this masterpiece is always exciting to me and sooo many more one piece fans, they can be hard to deal with sometimes especially when it comes to spoilers (which be sure to avoid cuz they are a lot on the internet) but when it comes to newcomers they are always pretty supportive! the story is just going to get better and better as it goes on which is insane to think about that this is still valid after more than 1000 chapters, you can find a lot of people saying that the current story arc in story is their favorite. loved your take on the east blue saga, can't wait to see you on the grand line...

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much! I’m deeply grateful for that encouragement from the One Piece veterans - it means a lot!

[@g_g...]

21:38 actually, Ussop wants become a brave warrior of the sea. As the story progresses, what a brave warrior of the sea entails become more and more apparent.

[@barbz2741]

One piece is one of those stories that really has the capability to reach basically anyone if they give it an honest chance. Its themes are so wholesome and inspiring amongst some really dark ones, its hard not to get sucked in.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Well said!

[@grimspy]

I like how you point out the references to other media I feel like someone whose very media and historically literate will enjoy the inspiration Oda draws from.

[@franks6349]

you are in for a treat if you’re enjoying the story this early, the author dives into heavy topics at points, constantly bobbing and weaving thru different themes tones etc it’s just a roller coaster, a true adventure of a reas

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It’s proving to be every bit as wonderful as the fans promise!

[@franks6349]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy please stay as blind as possible to the future, i hope the algorithms do not spoil anything for you… one thing you will notice is there is a lot of fore shadowing and even minor characters can show up and make huge impacts later. The author is really great, watching your journey closely and love seeing your analysis so far, im catching up on your videos!

[@vinscent7172]

Someone else already said this but you really did hit the nail on the head about one piece is about (especially the east blue saga) and I’m so excited to see your thoughts on the rest of the series.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much! The kind responses to this video have been heartwarming and encouraging!

[@Emiliaiaiaaa]

One thing I do find myself saying often is ‘this isn’t long enough’ 😭 very very different from my ‘this is way too long’ mindset from the start

[@IdFk-l9v]

I wish non-one piece fans could understand this lmao

[@fumomofumosarum5893]

i really like that you use the term "hyperbolic" instead of "exaggerated" , it's refreshing.

[@tsa1tama]

Two of my favorite moments from East Blue are when Luffy tells Sanji to join his crew and when Nami asks Luffy for help. 1. Luffy doesn't even NEED to eat Sanji's food to want him on his crew. He has no idea what Sanji's food tastes like, but he knows Sanji's heart from seeing Gin being fed. And that is enough for Sanji to belong on the crew! 2. Luffy doesn't even NEED to hear Nami's backstory to know that she needs help. All he knows is that his friend is in pain and he wants to be there to help her. And yet, he doesn't help immediately. He waits for her to ask for help to get her to realize that she wasn't on her own and had friends that she could rely on and ask for help, which Luffy does in a heartbeat. Then, all of the other 3 crew members, with their hearts and loyalty, are on the same page as Luffy. As you will see throughout the manga, Luffy is incredibly emotionally intelligent and has a way of liberating people from their troubles, physically and mentally. It really solidifies him as one of my favorite main characters ever!

[@Segmented]

Alvida losing weight because of her devil fruit is a visual gag I believe. "The weight slid right off" as it were.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yet another brilliant example of the word play - thank you!

[@Argorox]

I find what makes the scene where Nami asks Luffy for help especially powerful is how it demonstrates Luffy's emotional intelligence. Luffy doesn't care about Nami's reasons and doesn't listen to her backstory; he doesn't need a reason to help someone he considers a friend. But he also intuitively understands Nami as a person that he shouldn't take away her agency by helping before she asks for it.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said!

[@Merchantic]

A little thing about Usopp's name that you might not have caught is that it's a combination of Uso (Japanese "To Lie" or "lying") and Aesop from Aesop's Fables, so his name is literally "Lying Stories" xD

[@ShinDDDragon]

2:33 the fact that you smiled just talking about how much you liked the humor in One Piece makes me so happy, because I love One Piece, I hope you continue to have a good experience and enjoy One Piece.