Apart from what separates it from most anime out there. One Piece is known for its whimsically fantastical style. One film in the franchise’s catalog; holds a special spot. Takes some of what is visually familiar to fans and takes it in a new direction. Along with its writing, and overall tone of the One Piece world. That film would be One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. The 6th installment in the One Piece films. It takes a different approach to the One Piece formula at the time of its release. Many fans did not like the movie, and many still don’t because of its creative differences. If you are currently on the fence about watching this film then please, continue reading.
Movie 6.
Due to its different art and animation direction, writing how it depicts the Straw Hat crew and the atmosphere. On top of that, it just being a non-canon movie. Many watchers of the series did not watch it upon release. Without diving into too much detail plot-wise in case one is trying to watch this film for themself, but needs genuine persuading to do so.
One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island takes place sometime between the Arabasta arc and the Water 7 arc. The Straw Hats receive a mysterious invitation to a secret island. With promises of the lap of luxury, gorgeous women, and incredible food beyond your wildest dreams. “If you are a pirate among pirates among other pirates and pirates, bring your trusted friends to this island.” Upon arrival, however, a few of the Straw Hats are apprehensive as the island does not look as described. After welcoming the Straw Hats the owner of the island. Omatsuri divulges that the crew must participate in a test of strength called the Trials of Hell. The crew’s looming suspicions proving correct. The Straw Hats decline, but of course, Luffy cannot pass up on a challenge. Accepting any challenge Omatsuri throws at him. While also having full faith in his friends.
As suspected, There is more to the trials, its inhabitants are not what they appear to be on the surface. One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island is One Piece’s darkest film to date. Not just in the atmosphere, and imagery. This film gives us fractures within the Straw Hat crew. Luffy losing all hope and his will to go on. To anyone that knows One Piece. That is truly horrifying.
Setting The Tone: The Secret Island.
If you have not seen Movie 6 and plan to. Then please, watch it, and come back to this page. A lot of the complaints about Movie 6 is its tone. It feels different from every other One Piece films. Typically starting with a whimsical score gives one that sense of great adventure on the horizon.
Movie 6 instead begins with no music and a quote that sounds much like the invitation to the Secret Island. The Secret Island lacks that fanciful music throughout where you would expect a waggish score. Instead just the sounds of the atmosphere around the scene. There is music though, especially in the more humorous or triumphant scenes. The scene where Luffy meets Captain Brief utilizes Mickey Mousing, a technique that syncs music and actions on screen. Music is this film, and the lack thereof drops this grand adventure story into a much more grounded space.
Another deterrent for many viewers is the Secret Island’s art and animation style. Muting the bright colors the series most associate the series with, and washing them out to more dryer tones. The only bright non-washed-out colors are the forest and Luffy’s straw hat. The animation is also an issue amongst some fans. As the characters have much more lanky-looking and simplified designs. This works in tandem with fluid animation giving Movie 6 the most unique style of the One Piece films. This style joined with the lack of music in certain scenes helps to put one off, inviting that uneasy feeling.
Understanding What Makes One Piece Film 6 Great
A bigger gripe one will find on the topic of Movie 6. Is The Secret Island a poorly written film? That doesn’t get the Straw Hats as characters at all. With that, there is major disagreement. Along with Mamoru Hosoda’s direction, Masahiro Ito’s exemplary writing, and Eiichiro Oda’s hand in writing the screenplay. The depiction of all of the Straw Hats is rather spot on and lacks any real Flanderization of the characters. Movie 6 is a great example of show don’t tell done right. From the start of the film. The second, the Straw Hats are on screen, they are all shown doing what they specialize in. The ones who aren’t introduced this way, their various vocations displayed in the background of their first time on screen.
Movie 6 is A Dark Masterpiece
Upon arriving on the island part of the crew is ready to cut their losses and leave. Showing their visible frustration with Luffy wanting to take on the Trials of Hell. With an already over-hanging suspicion that the island could be a trap.
Frustrated knowing how their captain is Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper do their best to get Luffy to reconsider. To which Luffy replies, “Even if it is a trap, you guys will be okay!” I have faith in you.” This line in itself encapsulates what we have come to understand about Luffy within the canon of One Piece. He wouldn’t put his friends in danger if he wasn’t confident in their capability.
Including more humorous scenes like Usopp’s lies during the goldfish challenge. Or Luffy jumping into the water after Chopper, and Chopper thanking Luffy instead of Sanji who saved them. These are other great examples of the writing understanding the characters. Who the Straw Hats are, and how they cherish each other’s friendship.
Following Pieces of the Formula: Show Don’t Tell
Where the complaints with the writing begin however are during the second challenge, the ring toss. The exchanges between Usopp and Nami, and Zoro and Sanji are examples given in the writing completely ruining the characters. Usopp insults Nami, and Nami slaps Usopp the second time. Zoro and Sanji actually fight instead of simply busting each other’s chops. These were all signs of what Lily Carnation was doing to them, not bad writing but the opposite.
Like stated before this film is show don’t tell done correctly. Because, much like a real flower, Lily Carnation was absorbing the Straw Hat’s friendship; fracturing it. Notice, after the goldfish challenge. While the Straw Hats are celebrating Omatsuri has such a sour expression, but not because Muchigoro lost.
But Because of the comradery between the Straw Hats. Even going so far as to mock the Straw Hats for being the close friends that they are. After the ring toss challenge as well, when the Lily Carnation began to root itself. Kerojee, Keroshot, Kerodehku, and Keroko weren’t upset they lost, but laughing that the Straw Hats were fighting. As Chopper and Robin dug up more information on what Lily Carnation and Omatsuri truly were. They were fed to Lily. Thereafter, one by one the Straw Hats are picked off partly due to the divisive abilities of Lily Carnation.
Luffy’s Desperation during the Trials of Hell
Aside from crawling under the skin of anyone with Trypophobia, or Dysmorphophobia. Movie 6 gets in your head. Connecting you to Luffy’s determination, desperation, and despair. Thinking that he lost all of his friends to Lily Carnation, Luffy is living his worst nightmare. His color is gone and he is barely responsive. Weighed down by the guilt that he cost his friends their lives because of his selfishness. Luffy is broken. Omatsuri has lost everyone he ever cared about and held onto them through the clones Lily Carnation created. He became a bitter selfish man only seeking to satisfy his disillusion. That is why he appears so frustrated by the Straw Hat’s friendship. Luffy’s sheer force of will pushing him to save them; is why he hesitated to finish off Luffy.
Despite the common trope of horror movies having a bleak or vague ending, Movie 6 ends on a happy note. Luffy smiles as his friends stand around him calling his name. It just melts your heart, especially following the events prior. But, then one is left to realize. Luffy is the only Straw Hat to remember the horrifyingly nightmarish ordeal with Lily Carnation and Omatsuri.
A Pirate Among Pirates
What makes Movie 6 the franchise’s scariest/darkest film? The fear of losing what you have. Focusing on the fear of being alone.
Everything that went into making this film works in its favor. The writing compliments the art and animation, which compliments the musical choices. Then everything together achieves the feat of turning an adventure series like One Piece. Into a dark fantasy with physiological horror worked into it.
One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island is not currently on any streaming services. As it had a Japan-only release. It can be bought through Amazon.
