Remembering Akira Toriyama

Our resident One Piece "first-timers" — InBetweenDrafts EIC Allyson Johnson and Games Editor Evan Griffin — are back on Rookie Pirate Radio, this time to discuss the first half of the Grand Line! That's right, Ally and Evan are watching/reading One Piece for the first time, and after checking in with them last year on their thoughts about East Blue Saga, they've returned to let us know all their feels for the Alabasta Saga all the way through the Summit War and right up until the time skip. We discuss their favorite arcs, Straw Hats, story moments, gags, and so much more.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or anything else fun to add, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord!

Extra Credits

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork was created by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our guest Allyson Johnson is the Editor in Chief of InBetweenDrafts and Evan Griffin is the Games Editor of InBetweenDrafts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a more somber episode of Rookie Pirate Radio than usual, Jon and Travis discuss the legacy and cultural impact of the late Akira Toriyama, best known for creating the long-running Dragon Ball manga and anime. We celebrate the history of Toriyama's prolific career, from his early success with Dr. Slump to the worldwide domination of Dragon Ball Z through the 1980s and 90s. Plus we get into much of the other great work Toriyama produced over the years, ranging from movies to video game designs. We end the show talking about what we've been watching, including Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete and Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or anything else fun to add, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord! 

Discussion points:

• How Akira Toriyama's work, particularly Dragon Ball Z, influenced anime and manga for generations
• Our specific connections to Dragon Ball Z as kids. And why it was so successful for people of various backgrounds and ethnicities
• Toriyama's early influences and what inspired him to make Dragon Ball
• Why characters like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo endure and resonate (and how Gohan is totally misunderstood!)
• Toriyama's storytelling and artistic design and why it's so iconic
• The uncomfortable, but necessary discussion around the toll on manga artists' health

Extra Credits:

Our intro music this week is ”Makafushigi Adventure," the original opening of Dragon Ball composed by Hiroki Takahashi. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Piece 1109 is here, and we’re ready to talk about it on Rookie Pirate Radio, a podcast dedicated to the world of anime and manga. This week, Jon Negroni (me) and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Interception.” But you don't have to wait 10 whole minutes to start listening because the episode is out right now! One Piece 1109 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, you can email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) and/or join our Discord! 

Discussion Points (Spoilers!):

• The new cover story! Looks like it'll focus on Wano/Onigashima and tie up loose ends from the previous arc.
• Vegapunk's message about the "truth of the world" is delayed (10 minutes or 10 CHAPTERS?!)
• Luffy's attacks are ineffective against Saturn, indicating a potential power resistance or familiarity with Nika.
• Kizaru's seems down for the count and his fate is uncertain, so Jon theorizes he may join the Cross Guild.
• Vegapunk's upcoming speech indicates that this may be his last hurrah in the story.
• The cover story suggests a connection between giants and Wano, adding to the world-building of the arc.
• The skull/sword of Onigashima raises questions about the history and origins of the island and Kaidou's Oni race.
• The artwork and dynamic action scenes in the chapter are a real high point since Oda's eye surgery.
• We speculate on the communication abilities of the five elders and Jon theorizes Luffy's potential battle with them could lead to his possible capture and being summoned to Marijoa by Imu.

Extra Credits

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1109 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Piece 1108 is here, and we’re ready to talk about it on Rookie Pirate Radio, a podcast dedicated to the world of anime and manga. This week, Jon Negroni (me) and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Come In, World." So you should come on in and listen along as we reveal the truth of this podcast. One Piece 1108 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, you can email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) and/or join our Discord! 

Discussion Points:

• The color spread featuring Reiju and Tashigi is a little early for Pride Month.
• Caribou successfully persuades Van Augur and Catarina Devon to take him to Blackbeard, potentially revealing crucial information about Shirahoshi/Poseidon and Pluton.
• The battle between the navy and Bonney-controlled pacifistas escalates, leading to the vice admirals' decision to eliminate Bonney.
• Giant Luffy confronts Kizaru while Vegapunk's message beams out of the island, teasing the revelation of the truth of the world. This upcoming, highly-anticipated revelation in One Piece is could have a seriously significant impact on the story.
• The Giants, Elbaf, and/or Buccaneers may play a crucial role in what Vegapunk reveals next.
• Are we about to get another flashback and/or return to Wano and Fishman Island?
• Bonney joining the Straw Hats feels inevitable at this point, supported by Vegapunk's dying wish and the huge threat she faces.

Extra Credits

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1108 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Rookie Pirate Radio, we chat about One Piece 1107 in our usual overload of detail, speculation, and free-wheeling analysis. The Blackbeard Pirates finally show up on Egghead! Caribou betrays...well the readers, really. Bonney gets a martial arts lesson. Do we have to talk about Zoro and Sanji power-scaling? Because we will. It's almost like the powers and abilities of One Piece characters have to do with the complex circumstances and context for a given fight! Who knew!

One Piece 1107 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com). Or join our Discord! 

EXTRA CREDITS

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1107 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Negroni (me) and Travis Hymas discuss the two latest chapters of the One Piece manga, titled “The Height of Folly” (1105) and "On Your Side" (1106). And yes, missing last week was the height of our folly, but we hope you all stay on our side!

We chat about One Piece 1105 and One Piece 1106 in our usual overload of detail, speculation, and free-wheeling analysis. Saturn digs Vegapunk into a hole. Luffy stops for lunch then Kizaru stops for punch. Bonney stares into the sun. And there are some giant implications happening right outside of Egghead Island...

One Piece 1105 and One Piece 1106 are currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord! 

EXTRA CREDITS

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recaps of One Piece 1105 and One Piece 1106 are based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jon Negroni and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Thank You, Daddy.” And hey let's take this moment to thank YOU! The listeners! For not overly criticizing us for when we get our theories wrong! Also, we finish the show with a super brief anime check-in.

We chat about One Piece 1104 in our usual overload of detail, speculation, and free-wheeling analysis. This week, Kuma arrives with some punch. Saturn shows off a party trick with his arm. Monkey D. Luffy has vanished. Franky has a radical idea, Sanji isn't annoying, and Bonney grows up. See you all next week for Buster Call Saul.

One Piece 1104 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com). Or join our Discord! 

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1104 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special guest Evan Griffin joins us to discuss Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Based off of both the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley and the cult hit movie adaptation (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) directed by Edgar Wright in 2010, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off powers up the familiar tale with a fresh take on the story that sees the return of the film's live-action cast as its voice actors.

We kick off our roundtable with a spoiler-free discussion before giving plenty warning as we dive deeper into what makes this new Netflix anime series so instantly fascinating.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or anything else on your mind, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord and hang out with us on the anime server (or any server!) 

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Evan Griffin is our Video Games Editor and opening podcast narrator.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jon Negroni and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “I'm Sorry, Daddy.” We're sorry too for how late this episode is...

We chat about One Piece 1103 in our usual overload of detail, speculation, and free-wheeling analysis. This week, we get a new mystery (who gave Luffy food this time?!) Kuma cleans up a spider-web. Bonney wants to LIVE. Kizaru, who are you? Vegapunk would've voted for Obama a third time if he could've. Saturn needs to get spaced.

One Piece 1103 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, please email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord! 

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1103 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Piece 1102 is here, and we’re ready to talk about it on Rookie Pirate Radio, a podcast dedicated to the world of anime and manga. This week, Travis Hymas (me) is joined by oft-mentioned but never before heard Quinn Paruils to discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Kuma’s Life” plus we talk about Quinn’s history with manga, anime, and InBetweenDrafts!

We chat about One Piece 1102 in our usual overload of detail, speculation, and free-wheeling analysis. This week, the Kuma flashback concludes by finally showing us important moments in the story from Kuma’s perspective, culminating in a heartbreaking conclusion. We discuss the impact of death scenes in One Piece, Bonney’s potential future, and what this chapter reveals to us about Dr. Vegapunk. Travis also makes a big mistake, see if you catch it!

One Piece 1102 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, please leave us a comment below. You can also email us (rookipirateradio@gmail.com). Or join our Discord! We’ll be back to discuss One Piece 1103 after it comes out, but in the meantime, be sure to subscribe to Rookie Pirate Radio on your favorite podcast app, so you can stay up to date on all our releases.

Extra Credits

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Quinn Parulis is a contributor to InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1102 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.