Best One Piece Non-Canon Alternative Stories

Key Takeaways

One Piece non-canon plots offer unique perspectives on the series diverging from the main narrative.
One Piece Pirate Warriors 2 presents a post-timeskip storyline with contradicting elements, offering a new take for fans.
Shokugeki no Sanji delves into Sanji’s cooking skills in a slice-of-life manner, providing a fresh angle on established lore.

As a longtime fan of One Piece, I must say that the spin-offs and adaptations of this beloved series are always a delight to see. Having followed the Straw Hats’ adventures since their inception, it’s fascinating to witness how creators experiment with different genres and storytelling styles while maintaining the spirit of the original work.

The intricate storyline of “One Piece” is simply amazing and worth marveling at. Over the years, the thoughtful incorporation of plot twists – some planned well in advance, others spontaneously added – weave seamlessly into a dynamic tale that still feels innovative more than three decades after its conception.

In simpler terms, due to gaps in the original plot and the desire to market related products, additional stories have been created that don’t align with the main storyline. Sometimes, these side stories can seem connected to the main narrative in unexpected ways, either by predicting or contradicting it if they interact with it at all.

5 One Piece Film: Gold

Profiling Profiteers of Government Corruption

Best One Piece Non-Canon Alternative Stories

Medium: Anime (Movie)
A story exploring the Straw Hats being drawn to the Gran Tesoro, and ultimately fighting their way to freedom after incurring massive debt

In terms of its themes, the film “Gold” occupies a unique position within the broader series. Typically, “One Piece” explores the flaws in the World Government, which becomes evident through the frequent disregard or acceptance of crimes when committed by certain individuals. However, “Gold” is set on a ship that functions as a demilitarized zone and is acknowledged as having ties with the World Government.

Gild Tesoro is a powerful tycoon who has the ability to either bribe or financially ruin individuals through his casino operations, amassing wealth at the expense of those unable to repay. One of his employees, notably, can manipulate luck to steer more people into debt. The Straw Hats find themselves ensnared in this cycle of debt. However, they receive assistance from one of Tesoro’s associates, a fellow thief named Carina, who is as greedy as Tesoro but seeks control over the ship. Together, they plot to overthrow Tesoro, but in an ironic twist, it’s Carina who emerges victorious, having swindled both the ship and its riches from him. The movie offers a unique portrayal of a character who is neither a conventional pirate nor a hero, thriving under the protection of government indifference towards his criminal activities.

In the storyline, much like before, the marines encounter a new threatening group – the Cross Guild. This newly established gang is attempting to persuade people with wealth to betray the marines. Although primarily known as “pirates”, they hint at the possibility that even the government may not always hold the most powerful position.

4 One Piece Historical Drama Series: Luffy’s Detective Story

A Two-Part Special

Medium: Anime (Special Episode)
A pair of stories exploring the Straw Hats, as well as the broader cast of One Piece in an alternate version of 19th-century Japan

In contrast to typical episodes that span an hour and delve into past storylines or explore aspects of the show outside its main continuity, this special installment deviates from the norm. Rather than unfolding in our familiar series timeline, it transports us to an alternate 19th-century Japan setting. This unique episode alters the dynamic of the regular cast, assigning most characters new roles distinct from their usual ones within the show. Interestingly, Luffy assumes a role as a form of law enforcement, with Usopp acting as his companion. The primary antagonist for this two-part series is Buggy, who takes on the role of a feudal crime lord in this alternate world.

In this particular episode, which was released approximately a decade prior to the unveiling of Wano Country – reminiscent of Feudal Japan – the likenesses essentially stop there. The Wano Arc, on the other hand, was vast and intricately tied to the overarching narrative, with profound historical significance and far-reaching effects. In comparison, Luffy’s Detective Story offers a more laidback take on the world of One Piece, featuring two episodes that are relatively light in terms of stakes.

3 One Piece Film: Z

A Look at Marine Mutiny

Medium: Anime (Movie)
A story where the Straw Hat Pirates face off against the Neo Marines, a splinter movement that wishes to massacre all pirates, led by the ex-admiral, Z

The movie, “One Piece Film: Z“, centers around Admiral Zephyr, a defiant marine in his seventies. He’s the founder of a renegade faction known as the Neo-Marines, who oppose the government’s policies and aim to eradicate all pirates without hesitation. Due to their actions, they are considered outlaws by the World Government. Z’s enmity arises from the government granting the title of “warlord” to a pirate who stole his arm and crew, though the specific pirate isn’t explicitly named (it’s speculated that it could be Dracule Mihawk, known for dismantling crews and pursuing marines).

Considering the larger storyline of “One Piece,” this film presents an intriguing contrast since it was released in 2012. The character Z’s vendetta against pirates and their alliance with the government is deeply personal, but similar sentiments are expressed by Issho, a marine admiral who joined the force the following year. Issho, better known as Fujitora, opposes the warlords, primarily due to the corruption that thrives when the government allows them to operate unchecked. Eventually, the warlord system was dismantled. Moreover, SWORD, a clandestine naval organization, has been formed, essentially granting some marines a free hand to carry out their actions without fear of reprisal from the broader system. It’s thought-provoking to ponder how the narrative might have unfolded if Z had remained longer within the canon, potentially opening up avenues for more vigorous anti-pirate campaigns.

2 One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2

An Interesting Rewrite of the Greater Narrative

Medium: Video Game
After a mysterious dial is used to brainwash the majority of the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy and Nami are forced to team up with whoever they can to find their crew and take on a variety of foes along the way.

In its gameplay, One Piece: Pirate Warriors needs to strike a unique balance. It must remain true to the Dynasty Warriors series it borrows from, while at the same time providing an engaging experience for fans of One Piece. The second edition accomplished this by deviating from the main storyline.

The tale unfolds as a continuation set after a significant gap, blending aspects from the earlier timeline while presenting conflicts that diverge from it in various ways. Interestingly, in this alternate version, Blackbeard and Gecko Moria, who were initially portrayed as adversaries in the original narrative, form an alliance. To challenge this union, key pirates and marines, including the Straw Hats and Whitebeard Pirates, join forces out of necessity due to the dire situation. The appearance of the Whitebeard Pirates, whose leaders were shown to have perished in Marineford (as depicted in this story), adds a striking contrast. Additionally, this narrative features unusual situations such as Garp abandoning his marine duties to save his family, Blackbeard’s alliance consisting only of characters not from his actual crew, and several characters being manipulated into becoming villains, all indicative of an effort to create a compelling story using a smaller pool of characters with established skills.

While the latest “Pirate Warriors” games don’t stick closely to the original material, they offer a wider variety of characters and strive to mimic the source more effectively. Notably, “Pirate Warriors 2” provides an entertaining take on how familiar characters react in situations that contrast sharply with their usual circumstances, much like the “Warriors Orochi” series does.

1 Shokugeki no Sanji

Six One-Shots from the Creators of Food Wars

Medium: Manga
From the creators of Food Wars, this One Piece spinoff takes extra focus on Sanji and his cooking.

Among all the spinoffs, this one seems to be the closest in connection to original content. It’s a series of standalone manga stories that primarily adhere to Sanji’s established background. However, it should be noted that many of the specific events depicted in these stories fall outside of what we usually see in the series. Since it is being created by a different team (specifically Yuto Tsukada and Shun Saeki), the visual style and narrative tone differ significantly from the typical One Piece aesthetic.

In essence, the narrative frequently diverges from the action-packed roots of its origin, instead emphasizing Sanji’s culinary skills. This shift gives the series a more everyday, or lifestyle-oriented flavor, aligning more closely with the creators’ initial visions. The storylines often coincide with actual events, such as before the Straw Hats visited Baratie or during Sanji’s apprenticeship with Ivankov. Regardless of the tale, Sanji’s cooking never fails to impress and often converts skeptics into supporters.

2024-09-26 19:34