Top 5 Anime by Ahmad Animasaun [Recommendations]

This is one anime I never expected to watch, let alone enjoy. But, to be honest, I’m delighted I did. Partly because I can now brag about it, but also because I had no idea what I was missing out on, and I can finally say I have experienced the masterpiece that is One Piece (which might be the greatest thing in human existence since sliced bread).

So, what exactly is One Piece about?

It all starts with Gol D. Roger, dubbed the “Pirate King.” He was the most powerful and infamous pirate to have ever sailed the seven seas. His final words before being executed disclosed the presence of the biggest treasure ever discovered, causing a shift in the world and ushering in a new Pirate era like one never seen before. Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old lad with a contagious smile who aspires to be the next Pirate King. After unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit, his body gained the properties of rubber, and he and his diverse crew of misfits, the Straw Hat Pirates, travel the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unravelling dark mysteries, and battling strong enemies, all in pursuit of the most prestigious of all treasures – the One Piece.

The detailed world-building and foreshadowing by Eiichiro Oda blew my mind as I progressed through the episodes. No detail is overlooked, and I was astounded at how a sliver of a character or a clue of some sort generally led to a big story element years later. The plot is threaded together in such an intricately complex fashion that I sometimes wondered if Oda had a time machine. The series certainly has its share of heartbreaking moments, including some really moving scenes that had me sobbing like a baby. Without giving away any surprises, one particular character, Senor Pink, had me visibly shocked by his character background narrative and had me sobbing for the story’s villain.

In the end, I think One Piece is perfect. I know I sound biassed and I probably am, but what else am I to call a show that has been running for over 22 years and has a thousand plus still leaves me craving for more?