© Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation
Volume 1 brings a modern look to the classic post-timeskip era.
It's difficult to objectively evaluate a remaster like this. Toei wanted to update certain anime arcs that had been going on for quite some time, and this is where they started. It's also clear that a lot of work has been done to update that interface to bring it more in line with what has become the expected norm since (roughly) Wano. Personally, I differ somewhat on the outcome, but this has less to do with the outcome and more to do with its philosophical aspects.
So obviously there's nothing “new” here in terms of plot or characters. These are the characters you remember doing the actions you remember at the time you remember them. That's fine, and if you like Fishman Island then you'll love this. Personally, I enjoyed these moments, despite not caring for Sanji's timeskip shenanigans. Chopper being completely wrong about imposters remains one of my favorite running gags in the entire series, and seeing Franky and Robin reunite made my heart so happy.
The actual visual upgrade is obvious. The depth of shadows, more vibrant colors, and increased level of detail are noticeable. In terms of pure fidelity, it's hard to argue that these don't go beyond the original run, and it clearly brings this one more in line with what modern fans are used to. From a pure consistency standpoint, this makes perfect sense.
But again, I wonder if this is really an efficient use of time and energy. Those old episodes are still the same and I think it would be a shame to miss out on that original episode completely. I'm glad this is presented as its own and not replacing the original episodes, because you can still pull them up and watch, but I fear that one day that may change. In an age of increasing challenges in media preservation, my concern is that this could become a Star Wars Special Edition type scenario where the remake/remake completely usurp the original and we lose access to it. In my opinion, that would be a disservice to everyone. But for newer fans who may not have the interest or inclination to enjoy older episodes and want a visual look more consistent with what's currently airing, this seems to be the a way to enjoy these older pieces.
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One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
