One Piece’s Eiichiro Oda’s ‘Monsters’ Manga Roars To Life In New Anime

Before launching the renowned One Piece manga series, Eiichiro Oda released a one-shot manga titled Monsters: Ippaku Sanjō Hiryū Jigoku. At the One Piece Day 2023 event held last Saturday, it was revealed that this one-shot manga is slated for an anime adaptation.

Sunghoo Park, acclaimed for directing Jujutsu Kaisen and its prequel, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, is taking the helm for this project. In addition to directing, Park will also serve as the series composer. The adaptation will be brought to life under the aegis of Park’s own animation studio, E&H Production. It is anticipated that the anime adaptation will span the length of a single episode.

Debuting in the Shonen Jump Autumn Special on 30 October 1994, Monsters tells the tale of the legendary samurai Shimotsuki Ryuma. The tale centers on Ryuma, a wandering samurai who inadvertently gets embroiled in a twisted plot of deceit and treachery. A dragon’s horn, possessing magical powers, had been stolen years prior. Ryuma’s path crosses with Flare, a courageous waitress carrying the sorrow of her village being decimated by a dragon.

As the storyline progresses, Ryuma finds himself accused of theft and held responsible for summoning a dragon that wreaks havoc on a town. Despite these allegations, Ryuma eventually unveils his true might and nobility. He triumphs over the dragon, unearths the genuine culprits, and earns the title of the world’s greatest swordsman, demonstrating his genuine heroism in the face of adversity.

Fans of One Piece may find Ryuma’s name familiar, as he played a vital role in the Thriller Bark story arc of the series. In this arc, Ryuma’s corpse was resurrected by Brook to serve in Gecko Moria’s zombie army. Ultimately, Roronoa Zoro defeats the undead Ryuma, acquiring the samurai’s katana, the Shusui.

No matter the final form, the anime adaptation of Monsters presents an opportunity for fans to delve into Oda’s masterful storytelling beyond the vast universe of One Piece. The prospect of the screen adaptation has created a wave of excitement among fans, who are eagerly waiting for more details, including the release date and cast involved. As the wait continues for additional details and the final release, the enthusiasm within Eiichiro Oda’s fanbase is almost tangible.