Genre Action/Adventure
Age Rating Teen
Price $7.95

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy was inspired to become a pirate by listening to the tales of the buccaneer "Red-Haired" Shanks. But Luffy's life changed when he accidentally ate the fruit of the Gum-Gum Tree, and gained the power to stretch like rubber...at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years later, still vowing to become the king of the pirates, Luffy sets out on his adventure...one guy alone in a rowboat, in search of the legendary "One Piece," said to be the greatest treasure in the world...

Here's the quick low-down: it's funny, it's heroic (in the masochistic male sort-of-way), and just when you thought you've seen everything there is in the shonen genre, along comes this title which is absurdly different and fresh.

One Piece is the story of how our protagonist, Luffy, aspires to one day become the King of the Pirates. Except pirates in this series are very different. It's neither Pirates of the Carribean nor Waterworld. Instead, they're both heroic and anti-heroic, acting as heroes without losing their dangerous edge. In the first volume, we get Luffy's origin story (a pirate-wannabe who can't swim!) and two different antagonists which sets the mood for future stories: Luffy's enemies are both other pirates and the marines which hunt them down.

Oda has a distinct art style: on one hand, his characters easily fit the iconic and caricature bill. On the other, it's remarkably different that you don't mistake it from someone else's style. The background art for the most part is functional, not too detailed but there when necessary (and absent when not needed). In general, the art is nothing to rave about but not much to complain either.

The heart of the manga in my opinion are the characters. There are three significant characters introduced in this story and each have clear motivations as to their actions. Luffy being the main hero obviously gets the most build-up but over the course of the volume, he eventually runs into Zolo (if you substitute one of the consonants...), a sword-wielding pirate hunter whom Luffy intends on recruiting to be part of his crew. Zolo gets his fair share of build-up as well and is quite a complex character despite the initial stereotype.

The notes at the beginning of each chapter are enjoyable and funny, such as teaching you how to make your own Jolly Roger. This is pretty much a fun and adventurous read for me and one of my favorite running shonen titles. The first volume is pretty much self contained and a lot of story actually happens and ends on a perfect note: enough to lure you to the next volume yet giving you enough closure.

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