Every episode of Netflix’s One Piece remake, reviewed

One Piece Episodes 7 and 8: “The Girl with the Sawfish Tattoo” and “Worst in the East”

Tangerines are sweet, but friendship is sweeter.

If you have been holding out on the series so far (and yet read all of my episode reviews), now’s the time to jump aboard.

Episode 7, “The Girl With The Sawfish Tattoo,” takes us through Nami’s sad and painful past. It starts off with her childhood where she lives among gorgeous tangerine orchards with her mother Bell-mère and her sister Nojiko in Coco Village. The cinematography during this flashback is a visual treat after some of the darker scenes from the earlier episodes. As we peel away Nami’s layers, her heart-wrenching backstory unfolds, and it hits you like a cannonball to the chest. As a mom to two adorable little girls, I admit I was absolutely bawling my eyes out as Bell-mère said the most relatable lines ever.

"You deserve to live full and happy lives. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you… Buy you nice things, or cook you nice meals. I’m sorry I wasn’t a very good mother. Nami. Nojiko. I love you girls."

I promise I am not crying as I type this. Ok, I lied, this scene dismantled me as much as the original anime scene did.

Nami’s backstory is emotionally resonant, giving us a reason to care deeply for her and letting us know there’s much more to this thief and mapmaker.

After the emotional storm that was Episode 7, Episode 8, “Worst in the East”, does one hell of a job at closing the first (of many, hopefully) season of One Piece. Our favorite pirates confront the asshole Arlong, who actually turned out to be very intimidating and believable despite actor McKinley Belcher III having to act through layers and layers of fishy makeup. This fish-man gangster could have felt too silly, but Belcher turned into a credible threat with his deep, thunderous voice and expressive eyes.

And the spectacular dynamic between Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu) and Sanji (Taz Skyler)… This duo is a

hot hot hot

delightful blend of rivalry and respect, and I am here for it. They’re one of those “frenemies” who argue over who gets the last bit of food but also have each other’s backs in a fight. Mackenyu and Taz Skylar nail their chemistry, and their clashes with Arlong’s crew bring some welcome humor to the show, especially after how many tears I shed over Nami and Nojiko’s story.

And then there’s Monkey D. Luffy, played by the incomparable Iñaki Godoy. I absolutely adore Godoy. I wish I had a picket-sized version of Godoy’s Luffy in case I ever needed encouragement throughout my day. He remains committed to finding the One Piece, but puts friendship and his crew above all else. His principles make you wonder: can you actually be an ethical pirate? If Luffy is any indication, absolutely. Even fighting against his grandfather in the end, he never backed down or changed his views or morals. Luffy is the definition of “be yourself.”

In the end, what truly makes this finale so good is the sense of camaraderie and purpose among the crew. As they set sail, following their goal to get to the Grand Line, the spirit of adventure and excitement is palpable. As they put their feet on the barrel and recite their life’s goals, we see flashbacks to their younger selves wanting the same things, and you can’t help but smile (and maybe let a tear roll down your cheek because you’re known for being overly emotional).

My final thoughts on season one of Netflix’s One Piece

Before it was released, I was certain that One Piece would be bad. I have never been happier to be wrong. Out of all anime adaptations Netflix has attempted, this is by far the best.

Everything from the casting to the way Netflix embraced the weirdness of the show — fish-men, killer clowns, Devil Fruit powers, cat and mouse people — it was very fun to watch. I still say Godoy carried this show on his back. He was born to play Luffy. The rest of the cast members are also perfect for their roles.

These eight episodes contain emotional storytelling and awesomely choreographed action. The season ends on such a high note that I find myself itching for season 2, which can’t come soon enough. I honestly give this adaptation an overall ranking of 10/10. I know, bold, but I cannot put into words just how pleased I am with it. And how sorry I am for having been so negative and skeptical about it beforehand.

Stream it, love it, talk about it. One Piece is available to watch on Netflix, and if you haven’t caught these episodes yet, what are you waiting for?

All aboard!

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