One Piece stars reflect on anime’s 25th anniversary in exclusive interview.
Get ready for a Grand Adventure! The stars of the epic shonen franchise One Piece dive into the series’ twenty-fifth anniversary at San Diego Comic-Con!
While Marvel, DC, and Image may dominate the San Diego Comic-Con scene, the beloved event always makes room for all things anime! And boy, did the anime community get a special treat when One Piece dropped in on the California convention, lending its biggest voice talents to the fun. Our team at ComicBook got an exclusive chat with Kent Williams (Dr. Vegapunk), Rob McCollum (Donquixote Doflamingo), and Chris Rager (Blackbeard and Arlong) to talk about their recent San Diego Comic-Con visit and One Piece turning the big 2-5! Let’s dive in!
Chris Rager, who’s been with the show for over two decades, beamed with excitement, “Working on this show has been an absolute blast, especially seeing its massive rise in popularity. It’s an incredible feeling to see it getting the recognition it truly deserves!” Rob McCollum jumped in, echoing Rager’s sentiment, “It’s been awe-inspiring to see how huge One Piece has become. Not many shows get to experience a resurgence in popularity at this level, especially one as dedicated as the One Piece fandom. Everyone’s enthusiasm is infectious, and we feel lucky to be a part of it all.”
25 Years of Epic Adventures!
McCollum mused, “One Piece used to be niche, but now it’s mainstream. You can see costumes everywhere, and Luffy’s face is plastered on merchandise galore. We’ve come a long way from the early days when anime fans had to explain what it is!”
What’s next for the Straw Hats and their crew? One Piece fans shouldn’t miss One Piece Day on August 10th and 11th in Japan! Rumor has it that this annual extravaganza will bring some explosive announcements across all mediums, including TV, movies, and more! Stay tuned!