The One Piece Fan Letter Was Perfect

[@SD-Reunion]

The fact that there are thousands of stories that can be told like this makes the One Piece world feel as undiscovered as when I first started reading it.

[@rawrproductions5963]

Despite how the real world currently is, i think one piece is one of the few reasons, that makes me thankful being born in this time, where i can witness this marvel of a world develope and likely cherish it until the end of my life

[@Phillepindoz]

I was about to write something very similar. The potential for so many stories to be told

[@XxD0MINUSxX]

If we got a similar episode from random people’s perspectives for each arc, it would be amazing.

[@lucidasan2230]

i imagine a sole survivor children of a village in alabasta during years of drought, survivors of Sanji's sunken ship, a junior of zoro that went on a journey to following Zoro's step, life of an ex-slave teenagers from human auction.. There's ridiculous amount of story potential that can be retconnected to SH Journey.

[@chintastic_7503]

Need that pov of a number on whiskey peak

[@Thaik22]

"Hey ordinary marine, we have to fight with a Yonko who can make earthquake and possibly destory the planet and other powerful guys with powerful devilfruits." "So what we got?" "You got a musket gun, goodluck fam" 😂😂

[@anasmouada9538]

A musket gun is a debuff, it only gets you stuck on edges of cliffs, and if you have sloped shoulders it'll just fall off.

[@7thlittleleopard7]

Maybe 4kids had the right idea with the water guns...

[@harouin9263]

tbf, normal weapons in opverse still does damage. its one thing i like about this series. there's a chance that an ordinary knife can kill a logia or haki user

[@khol1611]

@@7thlittleleopard7 water gun are useless to them, unless it hit Crocodile. Gun with Sea Stone bullet would effective than your idea

[@Sam-w3i9q]

Didn't WB have gunshot wounds?

[@chiita3786]

Fan Letter is my new favorite One Piece thing ever. The emotions are on par with the series’s best. None of the One Piece movies, maybe bar one, comes close to this. Let Ishitani direct the next movie please.

[@Syco07-pm3iz]

Yeah, Baron Omatsuri was the only One Piece movie that I like as much as this special

[@felixowen2693]

@@Syco07-pm3iz Film Z had some nice emotion too it aswell.

[@andrewinat434]

​@@Syco07-pm3iz yeah , Baron Omatsuri is the best OnePiece Movie

[@RoderickThe13]

The movies care more about having world ending threats, highlighted by scenes of Garp and Sengoku or the Elders talking about what a big deal this is, than about having emotional stories that feel personal yet compelling. Oh, and you can't forget the forced appearance of every fan favorite character that has no reason to be there.

[@samjoshwilliams4713]

Well, depending if they change the pacing of egghead, we have 7 months till we get the Kuma flashback in the anime.

[@1996kylet]

The post credit scene where she is dressed up in her unique outfit is cool and objectively cute.

[@merphynapier42]

wait I never stayed to watch a post credit scene - time to watch it for the third time!

[@1996kylet]

@@merphynapier42 Let us know what you think!

[@Lynn-CA]

@@merphynapier42 Shocker!

[@notrixamoris3318]

Are ya super busy???​@@merphynapier42

[@fakepain4145]

It signifies that no matter how much you idolized a person, you should continue embracing the "you" instead of copying your idol's style

[@anonymousname5860]

“Fan letter” is a love letter to One Piece fans. It’s a thank you for more than 2 decades of dedication and continued following. It reemphasized why fans love it back.

[@banger320]

My interpretation of the puzzle pieces is a cute play on words. They all gave ONE PIECE of the puzzle

[@phisherton]

Exactly my thoughts as well.

[@CAPGOD1]

So the one piece really is the friends we made along the way.

[@yuukinoyuki9064]

​@@CAPGOD1 She didn't make friends with them, they just happened to be in the right place at the right time. If anything it says the One Piece is when everything comes together at thr exact right time.

[@ohnaminami]

As a Nami fan, this absolutely made me so happy, my heart is so full that I couldnt stop crying at the end. I was so happy for the little girl and I feel so seen by her, everything she said sums up why I love Nami so much😭 As someone who grew up in an abusive family for half of her life, watching One Piece for the first time, Nami's story has always resonated with me. Seeing her growth as a person; from someone who avoided attachment and living in fear, to being surrounded by people who love her and being free, just inspires me. So this episode was just me bawling every time the little girl talked about her because that is ME😭

[@xios9749]

I took the puzzle pieces as everyone making a small change (when compared to the scale of strong people aka the war) to make a change (save the straw hats) whether intentionally or not, for exemple the brook fan didn’t know a thing about the girl or weapon but her wanting to see brook happened to save the girl which in turn saved the straw hats

[@merphynapier42]

oh I LOVE this interpretation!

[@Surfer669]

The puzzle pieces is like "butterfly effect", "Domino effect", "can't see the forest for the trees" great way of storytelling.

[@abraxolotl]

Yea, exactly! We're all the MC of our own story, but there are countless people and events affecting it, the pieces 'literally' falling into place.

[@beckhampang191]

All of them have 1 piece. And they all add up one by one and join together for everything to happen. No matter how small a piece you have, it makes a big impact when its with other people and everything will fall into place

[@TheGekko135]

I was a tad disappointed we didn't get more from the Brook fan. But the Nami fan was the focus. I just wish we would have seen a little bit more of the aftermath when her and the kids crashed into the jerk Marine

[@akarial2713]

The MarineFord pov from simple foot soldiers makes Coby's moment of bravery so much more impressive. He was also a simple foot soldier at that time, yet he had the courage to stand against one of the most powerful person's in the world.

[@carlosguevara5154]

Coby the future of the marines!!

[@tabo51]

The girl didn't recognize Usopp because "he" had no bounty and wasn't recognized as part of the crew. If only she had met Sniper King.....

[@DooDlingDulces]

I would've love to see the girl react to "god Usopp" bounty poster, is a really funny image to me

[@boboyo3140]

​@@DooDlingDulcesshe's not a big fan of the strawhats tho she's a Nami simp, I don't know if she would have a reaction to usopp like that. The only problem with her not recognizing usopp in that moment was that she couldn't ask him to bring her to meet Nami

[@jericnepomuceno3843]

I interpreted her not recognizing Usopp due to her not wearing her glasses. We saw a pov shot of how her vision was without them, and they were pretty blurry. So I'm assuming that combined with Usopp not having a recognizable bounty really made it so she wouldn't recognize him

[@phisherton]

@@jericnepomuceno3843naw, even Bart.. the simp king of the Straw Hats didn’t know who Usop was, it wasn’t until he was next to Robin and she mentioned he was part of the crew that it clicked.

[@MikeAngel-1995]

She also didn't had her glasses, the only reason she was able to see Nami from such a distance was cuz she finally put them on.

[@aaronupward]

I like watching your takes because you're never concerned with jumping on a trend as soon as it gets hot, you want to take some time and sit with it, reflect on how it made you feel and talk with other people about it. It makes me feel like I'm watching very considerate and deliberate content and I appreciate that.

[@felixowen2693]

So true. You can never judge immediately. You always have to let it set and mellow for a while.

[@merphynapier42]

this honestly means so much to me - thank you so much 🧡

[@haseoxv9508]

​@@felixowen2693lmao like a steak after grilling you can't just cut it right away , you have to let it side for a while😂

[@TheGekko135]

That's why Merphy's content is such high quality. Because she's not concerned about maximizing views.

[@alkeqq]

It's like merphy connects her own puzzle pieces in her mind with other people to form the picture that are her videos which are so worth watching and enjoying

[@felixowen2693]

Would love if the anime added them in the background of Vega punks speech when it gets animated as a reference

[@elfsatyr]

God i hope so!!!

[@clayrixj5822]

and the Straw Hats new bounty!!

[@khal2455]

Also like the detail where the guardian of the girl told her that a person can't live alone at the beginning, and then all throughout the episode the girl received a lot of help from the people to see Nami (her dream) and that's why we saw a lot of hands put back the puzzle pieces together, which is also a major theme of one piece, where luffy admitted that he needs the help of his friends to become a pirate king.

[@felixowen2693]

Pretty sure the grandma character was voiced by luffy too so it’s like luffy saying that to her. (I don’t know if it was actually luffy’s voice actor though, I just thought it sounded like her)

[@CelesticCF]

​@@felixowen2693It absolutely was Luffy's VA

[@scarr009]

The powerscaling discussion at the bar was hilariously on point 😂 I swear I've heard those exact arguments bar for bar in community forums and in person. Really felt like the writers of this episode were true fans as well 😁

[@333dae]

Complete with irrelevant suggestions to the discussion too

[@jonathan7skyfire]

The scene that gets me every time and I’ve seen this episode more than 5 times Is when the brother is drowning and being crushed by the leg; and at that moment he breaks free from the ice cause the ship Luffy is on lands. As the brother walks out seeing the horror and you hear that cry of desperation and fear from his little brother. And see him even with a messed up leg he goes towards him. As the explosions and lasers are everywhere the older brother gets scared and has doubts and as he takes those few steps back he hears his little brother shout run and he hears Luffy shout “I’m your Brother” seeing how that gives him the courage to go back for his brother. (I get those goosebumps and tears when I watch it.) I am going back to rewatch it. I love the episode.

[@ThyFloorestFloor]

I loved the whole Marineford flashback

[@ahmed61299]

the last scene where she said yeahhhhh copying the straw hats and she sail to her journy too from the dark narrow street to the bright big one was beautiful

[@clipsandsnipz1]

it was so bittersweet aswell

[@mentormachado4601]

Great react review, Luffy's voice makes me cry, him shouting let's set sail at the end on the boat makes me very emotional, with all due respect to other dubbings, but Luffy's Japanese voice, and his screams are so powerful

[@gntyh]

Ever since episode 1015 dropped, ive been saying that megumi ishitani needs to direct the next movie (and in a perfect world she directs everything one piece anime related) masami mori’s animation style is absolutely stunning and fits one piece so well, he also worked on the visuals for opening 26

[@felixowen2693]

When I saw that opening I said how I’d love to see a movie or special animated in that style I I’m glad we actually did get that. I hope more anime would experiment with changing the art style more for movies, specials or even filler.

[@snakewatch5468]

Masami Mori worked a lot on One Piece stuff other than Opening 26 and Fan Letter

[@gntyh]

@@snakewatch5468 well yea obviously, but these were the two most notable ones recently

[@omandomand]

This episode is perfect. Love that she never acrually met Nami, that seeing her from afar was enough.

[@DawnChaser-yn]

We will never meet Nami. But the strawhats still give us our own hope

[@JoyGal42]

I definitely want more fillers of that kind, something that adds to the world without affecting the story too much

[@BrahHD]

The one thing I absolutely love in this special was how it uses light and shadow. Example like how the older brother turned himself around to run, his face is blanketed in the shadows while Luffy, shouting for his brother, is illuminated in the light. And with those words, plus the pleas of his younger brother, he turns towards the light that he once feared. Or how with the little Nami fangirl, whenever she feels unsure of herself, she dips into the shadows such as when the blonde Marine belittles her or holds her down in place during the climax. The light symbolizes hope and dreams while the darkness is misery and despair. The shopkeeper is trapped in a dark shop, the Chopper fanboy locked in his dark office, the little girl stuck in her room; they all come out into the light to meet their idols and to not be ashamed of their admiration for the Straw Hats. It's definitely a special made to describe the love of fans across the world and is why it's so damn good!

[@beckhampang191]

Also want to add. When the girl is looking for Nami and sees fake nami and the pacifistas start attacking causing shadows and clouds... Luffy's PUNCH causes the smoke to disperse. Lighting up everyone.

[@thetruth3068]

I like how none of the characters have a name and they never actually got to meet the straw hats they idolized. They represent us One Piece fans, we never got to meet the straw hats, but their story still affected us.

[@maxspecs]

A puzzle is a bunch of moments, that when connected together, paint a bigger picture. Every time a puzzle piece snapped into place, it was the result of two different smaller stories meeting up or affecting each other. One piece as a whole is a puzzle, small pieces that will connect to show a grand story!

[@lordhughmungus]

Very well said.

[@HanaNoMaude]

I really like your interpretation of the puzzle pieces! I would add that, at least to me, the puzzle pieces also reinforce how these no name side characters, these avatars of the Everyman, also represent us - the real life One Piece fans because unlike everything else in the episode, the puzzle pieces are essentially a fourth wall break that breaks the fiction. It’s an element of metafiction that the characters interact with but “realistically” they wouldn’t be seeing or perceiving in-world. But it’s done so seamlessly and intentionally and beautifully, it doesn’t interrupt the story in the jarring way that most fourth wall breaking elements do by turning to look at the camera and say “hey you” to the viewer. It’s expert storytelling and characterization of the highest degree that subtly reinforces the idea that just like these characters in the episode, we are all touched by the Strawhats, and even though we’ll never meet these characters we love from afar or get to tell them in a letter how much they mean to us, that simple act of seeing them and participating in this larger community around them means we too become a part of this One Piece world that started with the writings of Eiichoro Oda, and continues in the shared passions of the fandom this franchise has inspired

[@mrlion8834]

It was a fan letter within a fan letter. Unbelievable masterpiece of an episode.

[@miecraftandmoregames]

the whole part of the strawhats giving the poeple of the islands their hope and will to fight back is pretty much exactly like how the revolutionary army operates, it warms my heart to see that in the end dragon and luffy are more much alike than they seem.

[@zetsubanned4308]

Theory-crafting and powerscaling in-universe in a micro-film called "Fan Letter" of all things is just... this might be my absolute favorite piece of OP media. It's truly special. I now need an entire series in this vein that shows the crazy conflicts we know from the POV of the strongest and show it from the POV of the civilians and weaklings of the world. I'd kill for one of these for Wholecake Island.

[@samfisher6606]

I loved this so much! I think my favorite was the older Marine brother. I loved that his love of Luffy was so personal. I loved the girl too. I loved that we never got a clear shot of the Straw Hats, except for that one fan of Brook’s but she’s a fan of Brook the singer, not Brook the pirate and she wouldn’t connect to who Chopper is.

[@atamswaroop1874]

I was just FLABBERGASKETED by this episode. The amount of parrallels, the easter eggs, the story telling, the animation was INSANE! And it all was just 27 minutes... felt like a WEEK for me to unravel the amount of stuff that was happening!

[@JustNotEverybody_]

The rewatchability of this episode is great. There are so many things in the background that add to the story!! Like the younger brother having been swarmed and kissed by Sanji's drop off crew off screen which makes him even later, the comic shop door being left open in her rush to catch Brook which makes it available and open for the older brother and Nami-fan, and the Benevolent King of the Waves probably being determined enough to stop her but when we see him again he has heart eyes because he sees Chopper... Just tons of fun

[@fish-rm6xl]

beautiful episode, i loved it. one of my favorite things in one piece is seeing the "rabble" talk about the straw hats and their reactions to the world around them so having an entire episode about it with super animation, i cant complain

[@SenseofNoneYT]

I felt like those flashes were like these unnamed characters giving a "piece" of themselves to this story. Their hopes, their dreams, and who they are as a person. And I agree with that sentiment of fangirl wearing her glasses at the end, in contrast to taking them off in the beginning just so she can be like Nami. It felt like this was the start of her own story now. Those glasses were such a good touch. So many little things and quick flashes that make this episode as a whole a masterpiece. And that little epilogue scene is the icing on top of the cake. It always gets me. Something about seeing that adorable little girl whisper-yelling "Yeah!" to herself with her fist in the air emulating the Straw Hats, and then gleefully walk out of the shadows and into the bright world while exuding so much excitement... It just hits different. I thought the episode was over and I'm just enjoying the Straw Hats VAs singing the theme song. But Megumi Ishitani wasn't done yet. She really squeezed out the last tear from my eye. I don't understand how those few seconds can hit so hard. Man... I wish I could change someone's life like Nami did to the fan girl. Or like Luffy to the Navy brothers. Or One Piece to us fans. Such a powerful episode.

[@AlexSeraphim]

I love how the shopkeeper is called “Afro lady” by the kids trying to get her mad, and she’s a Brook fan, who has his Afro as his own treasure 🥰🥰🥰

[@333dae]

Really loved this special, they should do more like this, One Piece saga from the eyes of the average person, not a big time pirate or marine, just people living their lives

[@dfbrand0n120]

GOda never fails to make me extremely emotional

[@subi7486]

i liked that those fans in the episode are unnamed too

[@DistantClover]

7:24 I just saw a reaction to marineford. The timing of the leg falling and luffy screaming matches. It wasn’t a reminded. Luffy lrt screams for his brother while the big bro almost ran away, giving him courage to turn around.

[@12neef]

I was hoping you would cover this. It was fantastic! 🤩🤩

[@jamesmelton2130]

You make the best One Piece videos. I’ve been watching so many one piece creators and you have the best breakdowns and explanations of every scene! I love your videos please don’t ever stop!!

[@boofhitter21]

I felt that the after credit scene was the real ending the episode was building up towards, the girl changing her looks and mimicing Nami and going on this adventure made her realize that, she is her own person, just like how Nami is her own, but she still holds Nami near to her heart and considers herself a crewmate, cause the Straw Hats changed her life, and without them, she wouldn't have found hope in such a vast world.

[@abraxolotl]

11:00 For me, the puzzle pieces represent the small ways in which we all affect the lives around us in countless tiny ways we can't even imagine. Having all those tiny pieces fall into place as part of someone elses story. As the older brother said: if ace wasnt caught, if they weren't caught under the leg, if the strap didn't break, if he hadn't heard luffy call out for ace, he and his brother wouldn't have been there at Sabaodi, at the very least not in the way they were. Which meant that they in turn were in the right place, at the right time, with the right motivation to prevent the toxic weapon from being triggered, placing their own pieces as part of the Strawhats' stories.

[@ChrisPalmer-s2v]

By the end of this episode, I had a MASSIVE smile on my face and tears in my eyes. It was perfect in so many ways! I love your interpretation of the puzzle pieces. Personally, I saw it more as symbolism for fate and how you can briefly connect with strangers. Think of all the things that had to happen for each character to be there at that exact moment and they all shared this puzzle piece connection to the straw hats. Amazing episode 10/10.

[@alexanderkenway]

This was truly a love letter to fans

[@Tapiteka]

I also liked the quick scene about the bubble that blew away from the guys arguing in the bar with the magazines and posters and how it popped. It dropped the magazine onto the little brothers face and made the chaos she needed on the ship to steal the letter

[@SirVampyr]

For people like me who watched it growing up, it's not only a beautiful story, it also takes me back FOURTEEN YEARS to when Marineford originally came out. That level of nostalgia hits extremely hard and I just love being part of this adventure that is somehow still ongoing. I just love how it puts me in the little girls perspective, because she sees the Strawhats how we see them. She's a fan, as are we. Seeing the "set sail" from her perspective. Seeing Luffy and Nami (and the others) take off to their adventure... man, I cried. It's so beautiful that we are TRULY blessed with this story. Life is good.

[@Rutabega_NG]

This is how I interpreted what you've said, something I've known since very early on: The residents of Sabaody putting their puzzle pieces back in and knowing that they can go on even after the Straw Hats have left shows the uniqueness of what the Straw Hats do. We haven't seen a lot of the Revolutionary Army in action, but it does seem they lean more towards expecting people to participate in their liberation. Luffy does the same. If you want it to last, you have to have the buy-in from the people who will be there when you leave. And that is something that a lot of people get wrong when they're trying to "help."

[@michaelwelge7857]

Thanks for the video. Your thumbnail alone convinced me to try the episode and I am so glad I did.

[@angelicasalas9524]

i love the episode. it brings new pov from other characters💯

[@Vyhox2000]

My interpretation of the puzzle pieces is based on what the older brother says during his flashback, how small events in his life changes him little by little, similar to how small puzzle pieces slowly make a larger picture. These pieces are key moments and experiences that builds a person up, and each person contributed their own experiences and interconnect with others' pieces, culminating to the ending where everyone's stories come together in just the right way to help the main character achieve her dream. Even from the very beginning, her mom says that no one can live alone.

[@yuvi-ssss]

Hope they make more pf these fan letters 😢

[@gntyh]

Probably not, they adapted all the novel chapters this was based off

[@ukay3134]

Because of this adaptation, I hope that the spin off of Ace's story can be adapted too.

[@mdsxlxxmxn]

The crazy thing is, we dont even know the characters name. Every single one. But still manage to deliver that emotion. Because we understand, all those characters are basically us. Relatable.

[@uddaloknag1751]

The atmosphere of the special probably was my favourite part. You could almost smell the mangroves from the screen.

[@coreybananas]

The scene where the girl sees Luffy take down the Pacifista in a single blow filled me with so much childlike joy and wonder. Instant flashbacks to seeing Luffy stretch for the first time while fighting Alvida's crew in episode 1 when I was little, especially with the exact same track playing in the background. "Oh... He's looking great."

[@piplupz1586]

It was so moving and good

[@r.gentleman]

The meaning behind this message is that we the fans are the ones that save the straw hats by loving them soo much, its really because of us that a remake a live action and a reanimation arc were possible, Like it was a fan letter from Oda to us the fans, like its obvious to say Oda is a fan and follower of the community we created, as they mentioned the discussions of who is stronger, theories, jokes and memes we created. Its shows they care that we care. ❤

[@ShaheerS2]

If megumi ishitani directs the Kuma flashback episodes, i will never recover. Give her everything!

[@arhanmukherjee9270]

Love how thought out and heartfelt your thoughts sounded this episode Merphy! This was one of the few episodes of media I have ever seen that has mentally shattered me with overwhelming joy. My parents who are very old fashioned said this was probably the best animated thing they have ever seen, and they haven't seen much but this sets a high bar!

[@means_well]

The Paramount War Ace Luffy/Ace flashes, combined puzzle pieces, Fangirl seeing Nami, and Fangirl giving her best "Yeah!" post credits get me choked up every time

[@timewizardking]

True and real peak cannon in our hearts right next to sniper island

[@Ytinasniiable]

I got a "the fans make the adventure possible" vibe, that each puzzle piece was a nod to how these little things done by fans of the strawhats added up to something like ensuring the strawhats could set sail safely. An analogy for the fact that the series is still going strong thanks to the passionate fans

[@MysticXombie]

Loved the nostalgia and seeing people from everyday life's point of view. Was a fantastic episode!

[@labradog05]

You actually look like her 😲 Kid Meprhy with orange hair

[@H4licarnassus]

Best filler episode of all time and it's not close I hope they do more of these occasionally.

[@HeavenlyDemon.]

I Love how the Nami fan bears a resemblance to Ishitani 😊

[@aaliyaayasha]

Thats why I love one piece, in this story, every character matters, no one's left behind, everyone has their cute little story, everyone has their pov and I love it, how much whole crew matters ! Specially Luffy ♥️♥️

[@Sammysapphira]

Megumi GETS one piece and GETS Nami. I'm so glad Nami got so much love in this special. It feels like she's often left out in the "greatest character" discussions because most of her development happened so early on and many people have forgotten.

[@joyboyreborn2043]

I see One Piece Fan Letter on title, I click (and cry).

[@Dre420i]

The bar scene where he refused to speak about the pirates was after the timeskip, that's why the younger brother said his choice would be Luffy, and also why he now had a captain's jacket. Plus the bar was on Shabondy just before the event as they were mulling over the return of the crew

[@lordhughmungus]

Don't worry, everyone says Sabaody wrong. They pronounce it in the show. SHA BON DEE. Not SA BA OH DEE. The name comes from the Portuguese sabão (which is pronounced like “sabon”) meaning “soap,” from which the Japanese シャボン or “shabon” is derived.

[@alphakowaclips]

Japanese people say s as sh lots so you wouldn't always trust their pronunciation if it's not a japanese word

[@maxjohnson6377]

The fan letter gave such a great depiction of war. All this hellfire and screams, people fighting and dying. It was such a powerful scene

[@livi_bwop]

this made me cry all over again . thanks for helping me put my feelings into words 💜

[@YOUTUBE_clips2002]

The best episode full of meaning and philosophy of life 🥺😭🙏

[@RaymondVanJC]

This was the most beautiful and emotional episode of one piece i've ever seen. It was so well done. I can't even describe my emotion but i felt something so strongly about this episode.

[@lawless130]

The video Ive been waiting for

[@DeeeJay07]

The fact that we didn't learn all the characters name is so amazing. Like we were just following their story, how they are being a fan of the Straw Hats I really want to see all these characters at the end of One Piece especially the Nami fan girl, like in the cannon story. To know what they have been doing, that would be perfect

[@brianrainer]

It's interesting how you emphasize the puzzle pieces. We all contribute ONE PIECE of hope and courage to create something big and better than all of us. Thanks for sharing!

[@MissAstoria19]

Megumi Ishitani is so talented and has such a strong vision which is so easily identifiable. Can't wait for her star to rise some more.She'll be a giant in the future like Miyazaki.

[@peterepeatepete2845]

My interpretation of the puzzle: the girl is just “One Piece” of the puzzle that on her own doesn’t do much. But when everyone puts their one piece of the puzzle together it can make a beautiful picture and even save the world when it all comes together. So it’s a metaphor for us, as fans, who have no direct impact on the story itself, but together we form bonds to become part of the story in our own ways. We form our own fuller picture, one piece at a time.

[@mimmikyute]

I haven't seen this episode, but hearing your description of it made me cry just the same. This is the kind of stuff that made me love this show as much as I do.

[@amuro9624]

This felt more like a movie than a filler episode. The realisation and animation were top notch

[@ZincFrog]

One of the elements that shines so brightly about Fan Letter to me, is how hope can come from anywhere, it's not just Roger setting the stage for future pirates to bring the Dawn he couldn't. That contrast between the fantastic and the (comparatively) mundane. Even the smallest incidental actions can spark hope, such as the kids in the bookstore encouraging Brook's fan to go and see him, letting her know that she has a chance to see him.

[@stevebryan5069]

Been waiting for this!!

[@rrbhdz5178]

I believe that the puzzle pices are for us (that is why it is named fan letter) they give us (and the island people) hope, it is a beautiful letter for our future and our drems. it is (at least for me) a letter for what One Piece means for us (the fans). one of the most meaningful episodes of anime ever. It is not perfect, but it is for us.

[@TechInspected]

18:13 - Zoro was in the bar too, before Sanji

[@DistantClover]

The flashbacks are marineford and everything else is the day the straw hats get together again.

[@animeheven4641]

I think the puzzle pieces are all the people the Strawhats helped either directly or indirectly, that then help the Strawhats too as we saw with the fan girl when she stopped the poison from being launched at them.

[@abenezermurid6269]

I like this episode was majestic i like the perspective it got me emotional who ever did this need to do kumas story

[@chinesemassproduction]

I have seen other series attempt at something like this before, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I really enjoyed the special for doing this type of story correctly.

[@riduanaqil1452]

The best way i can describe it is that it is a love letter from one piece to the fans. It's for the people that had been on this journey growing up with the straw hats. All of the characters is meant to reflect all aspect of the fandom and I had never felt so seen as a fan of anything before. Also, there is this repeated theme of the MC staying in the dark unable to do the things Nami was able to do and all of this imagery comes after the big blond spoiled rich boy said that she is worthless. If you look at the climax she is always in the shadow and the light keeps "running away" from her but Nami inspired her to move and do smth herself and so she burst into the light and in a way she got her grand adventure

[@anugrahshrestha8208]

One Piece Fan Letter might be my favourite episode. Megumi Ishitani (director) & Masami Mori/Soty (animation director) are an incredible duo. In regards to the puzzle pieces, my interpretation is that they represent desire, inspiration, etc. which in turn form a core crux of their respective identities that lead to connections. For the little girl, Nami is her hope, for the big brother, Luffy represents his brotherly love. Each of the characters has wants or desire that help them get through their days. The Strawhats form their personalities and relationships. Nami inspires the little girl to forge her own identity which she completes by wearing her glasses. They're putting together pieces of what makes them whole.

[@Sgt_Killersnow]

Minor note about the shoulder strap moment, it wasn't memories of Luffy and what he was doing at Marineford, it was happening real time alongside it all. His younger brother initially wanted help, but after the pacifista barrage, he likely realized he'd be luring his older brother to his own death, so he yells for him to run... but the older brother already heard the warcry of a determined younger brother from Luffy, and he realized, "I don't like my brother... but he's MY brother, and I WILL do whatever I can to save him." It was a series of fated moments, those moments that make people like Luffy and Marco stand by the wayside and watch because the chance for the future to change is too great to not witness. An ironic and narrative beautiful sibling situation swap in no less than 3 ways

[@thetillter2228]

LETSGOOO ITS HERE !!! You’re the best, Murph! Hope you are yours are happy and healthy!

[@Tapiteka]

It’s also fun to see in the last scene as the people are putting the puzzle together they are sometimes arguing with each other as if saying “no this is what is most important, this is the best part”

[@bearzerger]

If there's anyone who actually hated the Fan Letter they have no heart. It was a beautiful little story.

[@thinkublu]

I think you got the timeline a bit wrong? The powerscaling in the bar happened post-timeskip, no? It's why the older brother idolised Luffy even if he'd never show it

[@lobsterbisque333]

It is registered as a short film and it truly is a film

[@LuffyLuffynoMi]

It is so cool that they centered this story on the Return to Sabaody. It is basically the Lougetown for the Strawhats. It is where there story ended and began again, and I feel that this theme of renewal is reflected in Nami's Fan and the Big Bro Marine.

[@Nastyn1nja808]

17:02 Wow just Wow Murphy! ill Never forget finding your Harry Potter and Avatar Videos years ago and then so happy when you Started One Piece and now.. ..All Hail The Rat Queen! love this analysis

[@StealthBlack210]

Imagine the episode where Kuma’s running scene reminiscing all his life and Bonney’s Happy 10th Bday scene directed by Megumi Ishitani? That would end us all one piece fans. We’d be crying the whole month. Please Toei, you have 6 months. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

[@PamaduRanasinghe]

She chooses on what she makes. Not TOEI. It looks like sheis going more and more into not being limited some pictures. Thats why she went from episodes>music vid>OP>specials The next step is a movie

[@beckhampang191]

Oh my god. I can already see them making Bonney continue crying at the "to be continued" screen. Like instead of cutting out the sound to the "DUN" credit part it just doesnt cut her off... so we just sit there crying as she is.

[@navysingh5454]

It is amazing how little I have thought of the no name common people in the world of One Piece because the focus is always on these larger than life quite superhuman characters and their journey. It is amazing to think how difficult life is for common citizens such as the Nami fangirl, the brook stan and even the no name marines. And despite these roadblocks, they each find some inspiration from somewhere to keep fighting on. This was beautiful and heartwarming in so many ways. Grateful to ishitani san and mori san for bringing this to life. Hope for more such POV episodes in the future, now that this has been received so well. (Trending no 2 on Myanimelist). Also, I hope Oda sensei can include some of these characters in a panel when we see the bounties for the straw hats next time. That will bring this full circle beautifully. Thank you as always for your perspective on this masterpiece. Take care.