I have a kinda weird experience with this movie but in the end I definitely consider it a positive one.
First of all, after never being in the country when Z, Gold or Stampede aired this was the very first time I actually managed to watch a One Piece movie in Japan itself. That alone I consider as one of my life goals achieved. But secondly I think the emotional impact is what I was and am very thankful about.^^
To start from a different perspective. Overall while watching, the movie didn't really resonate that much with me. Generally I'm not too fond of the OP movies because I feel like they delve a little bit too much into the fanservice aspect rather at times. But again, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I just like when the fanservice and actual fun adventure strikes a good balance like Gold did. This movie however did a bit something different. While throwing in some characters for fanservice, which nobody who's not a OP fan cannot related to, it did something to appeal to a more general audience. Making this pretty much a concert with one of the very popular singers current day Japan being the one who sings. If you know Japan then you know how much they are into music, idols and the like. And Ado is very popular here especially because her Song "Usewa" pretty much speaks to the heart of so many young Japanese people, who have a problem with the oppressive system that's omnipresent in the social system over here.
So I had a hard time getting into the movie, when I was sitting there and disecting the components that it consisted off, fanservice to fans paired with a popular singer that attracts non-fans. It's hard to ignore it once you see it. But once I actually just accepted this it and just went with the flow it was ok ish. However what the movie really did that realled me in was not only Ado's voice but pretty much the endcredits when the beautiful song played showing all the different One Piece locales we've witnessed over the years. Yes, it was just a montage but I definitely reminded me of all the adventures I was part of as a reader and all the touching emotional moments that left a huge impact on me. These days I feel like I'm seeing too much of the negative things in the manga and while I think that it does not make one a lessor fan if pointing out something that just doesn't sit well for oneself, it's kinda saddening that much of the wonder is gone. Of course I will continue to express disappointment when I think that something was not just handled well, but it's really nice to have a reminder to show me, how magical and fantastic the One Piece ride has been so far. And for that I'm very grateful to have watched the movie. Plus it was nice being in the screening where they actually showed the live broadcast from the voice actors in a cinema in Tokyo.^^
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