Every episode of Netflix’s One Piece remake, reviewed

One Piece Episodes 5 and 6: “Eat at Baratie” and “The Chef and the Chore Boy”

Finally, the producers have lifted the shroud of darkness that overtook the first four episodes, giving us a chance to soak up the sun (no pun intended) and the vibrant settings. Why the show initially looked like it was filmed during a lunar eclipse, we’ll never know. But this is One Piece, where grandiosity is the name of the game. We can overlook a CGI sea that looks plucked from an Age of Empires game when the stakes (and steaks at Baratie) are this high.

Episode 5, “Eat at Baratie” tosses up a flavorful dish of drama and comedy, featuring the complicated dynamics between Luffy and his marine vice-admiral granddad as well as introducing the irresistibly charming chef Sanji, portrayed to perfection by Taz Skylar. We also witness the evolution of Vincent Regan’s Vice Admiral Garp, who’s finally getting the narrative seasoning he deserves.

Episode 6, “The Chef and the Chore Boy,” serves as the main course, offering a nice combination of emotional parts and action sequences. We get an emotional deep dive into Sanji’s past, with Christian Convery delivering a truly amazing and touching performance as young Sanji. But just when you think you can sit back, take a deep breath, and wipe away a tear, the villainous fishmen arrive, setting the stage for some excellent fights that you can actually witness because they take place in glorious daylight! Sure, the special effects have their flaws, but who cares when the action is this engaging?

In summary, Episodes 5 and 6 are a feast for both the eyes and the soul. Iñaki Godoy’s portrayal of Luffy continues to be the north star guiding this ship, with Godoy’s charisma flooding the screen. He continuously infuses each episode with his infectious optimism. The series is doing an amazing job of exploring the power of friendship and the deep human connections that make the dangerous journey worth it.