The Darkest One Piece Movie Might Have Been a Revenge Against Studio Ghibli After a Feud Went Too Far

SUMMARY

• One Piece has a portfolio of movies and this one directed by Mamoru Hosoda is the darkest one yet.
• Fans speculate the grim direction of the movie was due to his feud with Studio Ghibli.
• The feud caused Hosoda to step down from directing a famous Ghibli movie.

One Piece, one of the most beloved anime series created by Eiichiro Oda, also features several movies to support the ongoing anime. There’s an endless plethora of stories within the One Piece universe, but not all of them carry the same light-hearted tone. One movie in particular, One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island, is possibly one of the darkest movies created. The director, Mamoru Hosoda, flipped the script and made fans uneasy.

The Straw Hat crew in One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Many spectate the grim direction of One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island is partly due to the director’s frustration during his feud with Studio Ghibli. There’s an entire history between Hosoda and the studio after the director, who was originally set to direct Howl’s Moving Castle, left allegedly due to creative differences and pressures from the studio. How much fruit does this theory have though?

One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island Was Not a Typical One Piece Story

A chilling shot from One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. [Credit: Toei Animation]

One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island was the first time fans felt no hope or positivity out of One Piece, even from the ever-goofy Luffy who undeniably has had his share of suffering. It was a psychological thriller, a unique choice by Hosoda, who blended themes of betrayal, grief, and sacrifice. The movie was a cinematic experience for fans and more thought-provoking than the usual shenanigans we’re used to. The main antagonist, Baron Omatsuri, is a genuine threat with an unstable mentality.

It is revealed that Baron lures pirates to the titular island to sacrifice the crews to the Lily Carnation in order to give life to his own crew. He wanted the other crews to go through similar hatred and grief he went through to feed his own greed. We witness a more human side of Luffy, who experiences instant regret and guilt for losing his crew, but is also pushed to be stronger. Although this isn’t canonical, it truly is a masterpiece worth watching, purely for the horror and humanity.

Did Hosoda’s Revenge Against Studio Ghibli Inspire the One Piece Movie’s Direction?

The Lily Carnation’s real form One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. [Credit: Toei Animation]

While there are no true similarities between Hosoda’s and Studio Ghibli’s directions, people can’t help but assume that the disturbing elements of One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island stemmed from his frustration over giving up Howl’s Moving Castle. However, the director has been immensely successful in his own right with gorgeous masterpieces like Belle (2021) and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006). So, was revenge even on his mind?

Despite all the rumours and his turbulent past with Studio Ghibli, the One Piece movie was a unique, darker perspective into the already grim world. It’s a non-canon story that deserves more attention. Moreover, his direction only highlighted his talents. It’s more likely he collaborated with Eiichiro Oda, who gave him more creative freedom that allowed his work to shine.

One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island is available on Crunchyroll for streaming.

Written by Bidisha Mitra

Articles Published: 34

Bidisha is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with years of experience in writing for all realms. If she's not busy watching reruns of Bungo Stray Dogs for the hundredth time, she is studying Kanji to bring out the best cultural nuances to her anime writing.