Am I blind? (Concerning One Piece art style)

[Insider2000]

I admit, I'm not the biggest Anime/Manga fan you will ever meet. I have a handful of favorite animes, and One Piece is the only Manga I've ever bothered to read.

I've been into One Piece long enough and liked One Piece enough (always on my mind sometimes) that I feel I'm a 100% fan. But I have one issue.

Whenever I mention One Piece to someone, they usually mention how they think the art style is ugly. Some might like the series, some might hate it.

Maybe it's just me, BUT I DON'T SEE IT! A part of me thinks maybe I'm too blind or stupid to see it.

I need to ask, is the art really that fugly compared to other manga or anime?

EDIT: Side note…this isn't a statement saying that anyone who says it looks ugly is stupid, nor am I defending One Piece's art style.

[l2agnarok]

I only thought the anime looked "old" when I first saw it. I guess that counts as odd.
Although it's impossible for me to see it now.

[Crossword]

Some probably call it ugly because it's so different from the norm. It doesn't help that the art was kind of plain and flat in the beginning compared to what it is now.

The anime did look a bit odd before they decided to cut down on most of the outrageous angling and said, ''Hey, let's get some more vibrant color up in this thing.'' during Baratie.

[Insider2000]

I did notice the massive shift in art style during Baratie. I do admit the art MASSIVELY improved over the years, but there is no way that people are still judging the series from episode 1.

That would be like comparing the graphics of Metal Gear Solid 1 to Metal Gear Solid 4.

Is THAT the real reason people freak out?

[King Calamari]

The thought never crossed my mind when I first started reading it. I thought it looked really cool.

[ybmc]

Oda's style differs pretty intensely from your average manga styles, which is why a lot of people are kind of put off by it. In some ways, it more resemble American style comics or European comics than Japanese ones, which is why I was pulled into it in the first place.

[Kaizoku Luffy]

I really think that the OP art style's amazing. As do my friends who aren't too interested in the series, but still recognize that it's got a certain uniqueness compared to the other more generic anime series.

Maybe it's the other people who are too blind to see One Piece's awesomeness!

[jack1000]

As far as character art is concerned, I think Kubo does it very well. But regarding the backgrounds and fine details, Oda is legendary

e.g. http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/218/14-15/

That's one of the most beautiful double page spreads I know

[Hakuro de Killer]

I want a few rather stern words with whomever thinks One Piece's art is fugly. It's not fugly. It's not exactly stereotypically anime-looking, but that's what's good about One Piece. It breaks the mold in so many ways! It's art style isn't like most other series, its story is a unique one with unique kinds of characters, the plot is like a living, breathing thing that keeps growing and expanding. That's precisely why we are fans of the series and I don't think that there is a problem with that, do you?

Also, on a side note, other than Nico Robin, there has been, to my knowledge, not a single character exhibiting emo tendencies as a major character in One Piece to date and Robin is more of a closet emo than anything. Watch Bleach and you'll find a lot of the characters seem to angst often, Naruto was molded from angst, but One Piece still goes on strong without relying on such a cheap, pathetic, and overused plot point. What does that say about Oda and what does that say about Kubo and Kishimoto?

[Insider2000]

Robin's nose used to bother me…A LOT.

And Robin isn't the only emo character...

!

I couldn't resist.

But One Piece does break a lot of rules.

[GuetaMinute]

The art style in One Piece is amazing, it differs from that of average mangas/animes, it is unique, it probably has a European/Western influence in style and art. The characters are very different, in the greatest way possible. The storyline is the exact opposite of cliched. Everything is just perfect, and what got me into the series was the art-style itself. So, no you're not blind, people are just stupid and think difference makes it bad.

[Zkaiser]

@Hakuro:

I want a few rather stern words with whomever thinks One Piece's art is fugly. It's not fugly. It's not exactly stereotypically anime-looking, but that's what's good about One Piece. It breaks the mold in so many ways! It's art style isn't like most other series, its story is a unique one with unique kinds of characters, the plot is like a living, breathing thing that keeps growing and expanding. That's precisely why we are fans of the series and I don't think that there is a problem with that, do you?

Also, on a side note, other than Nico Robin, there has been, to my knowledge, not a single character exhibiting emo tendencies as a major character in One Piece to date and Robin is more of a closet emo than anything. Watch Bleach and you'll find a lot of the characters seem to angst often, Naruto was molded from angst, but One Piece still goes on strong without relying on such a cheap, pathetic, and overused plot point. What does that say about Oda and what does that say about Kubo and Kishimoto?

Please don't start a flame war. This isn't about Naruto or Bleach.
But if you want LULZ go look at the art of Bleach's 1st chapter.
I am damn glad Kubo doesn't draw that way still.
Ultimate lol at Shinji.

[Crossword]

The only thing that really bugs me about Oda's current style is that some of the characters don't look as, clean, I guess, as they used to. The Robin in my copy of Vol. 19, for instance, looks like it was draw with much more finesse than the Robin in the above scan.

Maybe that stuff would look better if I had an actual copy of Vol. 46 in my hands though, seeing how the volumes use better paper and ink and stuff.

[Super Puppy]

I never was bothered by the art style in One Piece, but that's because it's basically the first anime I followed. (Well, Pokemon came first, but I don't count that.)

Anyway, I do see how, compared to other anime, it can be called poorly drawn, but I know Oda has fantastic artistic ability.

[Youshi Semenjyu]

I'll be honest.

Years and years ago when One Piece first began to make the scene, I was incredibly turned off by the art style. I thought it was strange and a bit…ugly is not the word I would have chosen, but I thought it was not very appealing to my eye.

So I completely ignored it.

Fast Forward to a year and a half ago. A fewfriends ask me nicely to cosplay Zoro. I agree even though I'm like, "Meeeeehh, okay." They tell me a little about the series and to not worry about the art style because it gets better and the story is amazing and the characters are phenomenal. All things I love in a good story.

So I sit down and watch it.

And promptly died laughing. First episode, and I was hooked.

I don't even notice the strangeness of the art style as being strange anymore. I just think that all other popular animes look a lot the same now.

[wildfury]

Well, I thought it looked ugly when I first saw the (early) art. That was the style I saw first, so I don't know what my impression would have been if I saw the current style.

I started reading it anyway (in the English shonen jump)-after a while, I ended up loving the story so much, the art didn't matter to me anymore.

Then it improved of course, but it was so gradual, it never really registered with me.

Now I love Oda's new style-I think it really suits the story. It definitely wouldn't have the same flavour if everything was drawn in a generic style.

There are so many artists who do aesthetically pleasing work, but I can't tell a lot of them apart…at least One Piece has something unique.

Now I love the artwork in One Piece, but I still think his early style was pretty unappealing. The proportions just didn't look as good, especially in the face.

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

are we talking about the anime…
without a doubt its nothing compared to series like cowboy bebop or others... its looking childish and to colorful

but when we talk about the manga ,we can sure say oda has a great art style,so much details...great angels...
yeah it`s good..
sure some mangas can top these art cause of "cooler looking" backround or close up charas with long hair orso...hehe

[Hiroy]

I don't even know what you are talking about. I started reading the manga around the Davy Back Fight, and thought the style was none but insane. In a good way. Zoro and Sanji in the groggy ring won it for me, though it was my fist look at the manga, ever. Then it was Aokiji. The detailing of the ice without the cheap use of screentones was really cool.

As for comparing to other manga, it's not really fair or nessecssary. It's like me comparing everthing I read with Beserk.

[Qualms]

A lot of my friends used to think that the art was ugly (circa 14 years old), but now some of them even became admirers of it (18-19), one a fan.

My friend who did become a fan is one of the best amateur artists I've ever known and he believes One Piece actually has an imagination and professionalism not typically found in most manga. From the character designs (Kuma, Moria, etc) to the vivid settings (Sabaody, Enies Lobby), quite the opposite, I'd say it's them who unable to see past the surface details and understand what the art is really supposed to encompass.

I think it was said at Jump Festa once during the Oda x Kishimoto thing that Oda draws for pure fun and romance. I guess people are supposed to look at it and find a fascination in discovering strange new things, not just seeing pretty girls, daring men and abilities/attitudes centered around making the character look cooler.

[Dragon Warrior Steve]

If people criticize One Piece for the art style, for starters you can say they don't know jack shit about art, any art for that matter. Second, you can pretty much assume they expect all anime and manga to look exactly the same: big glistenin' eyes and hot anime babes/dudes.

[Unrequited]

@Dragon:

If people criticize One Piece for the art style, for starters you can say they don't know jack shit about art, any art for that matter. Second, you can pretty much assume they expect all anime and manga to look exactly the same: big glistenin' eyes and hot anime babes/dudes.

Hmm… I think the OP characters are very sexy. But yeah, I suppose the newer generation of anime viewers got their first fix on the "modern" artsyles. Meh, I think the art of OP is amazing and unique.

In short, One Piece is awesome; everyone else is just crazy. (So you're not blind.)

[Gaerolth]

I actually enjoy the art. Plus it's unique art for a manga. I also like how the characters don't look "Typical." They're all unique.

[shinpanman]

That's funny because the art style was actually what drew me to the series in the first place. I thought it was really good and expressive for all of Oda's small imperfections. Then again, my favorite artist is Toriyama so the unconventional doesn't bother me as much… Come to think of it, if people are used to stuff like Dragonball why is One Piece such a freaking leap?

[Buuhan1]

I love OP's artstyle. Reason why so many people hate on it is cause they are weeaboos who love their bishie dudes.

[DesertSpada]

I also love the art style. It's unique and specifically Oda. I like the way he does it, and he has improved in it as well. I've heard some people bash it because of this….but that's all they knew. You can't know a series from looking at one picture or two.

[Gaerolth]

@Buuhan1:

I love OP's artstyle. Reason why so many people hate on it is cause they are weeaboos who love their bishie dudes.

I fully agree with this.

[Ao Kiji]

Yes, you are blind.

[King Kobra]

the current art style is awesome for fighting sequences.

And really, the discussion about the anime's style should go to that thread about the guys in charge of drawing it. It would be ridiculous to judge all of them at once since there's plenty of differences between their styles.

If anything I only watch the anime when it comes to scenes like Jet Gattling, Storm, and some of the flashbacks. The Buggy fillers are also like the only ones I stand watching.

[Ao Kiji]

I love OP's artstyle. Reason why so many people hate on it is cause they are weeaboos who love their bishie dudes.

Zoro and Sanji are clearly bishounen characters.
Even the japanese were iffy about the art as Luffy's seiyuu mentioned in an interview (she thought the art was weird the first time she saw it).

I wouldn't call it ugly,but the art is odd and that stands out much more because of how the majority of manga follows the same, generic art style.
Once you get used to it, the art fits the style and is amazing,but…you have to get used to it. Also, people in general tend to be biased against anything that seems weird or "different" from what they're used to.

[tigerlilly]

You need some time to appreciate the artstyle, I guess most people on the forums made this experience…
the artstyle looked comical and pretty arkward the first time I got into OP... But luckily the story got me hooked and you get used to it the more you get into the series.
Today the artstyle grew very dear to me, and in retrospect it improved a lot. I just love how the characters look,
it's part of the series special charm, I can't imagine another artstyle could get the point across.

But there's the anime, though...mainstream makes first contact with one piece through that medium.
For me the Anime-style sucks (don't kill me for this, it's just an opinion)
It looks like the animators tried hard to adapt Oda's (rather exotic) artstyle...and failed.
It's acceptable but never reaches the Manga... The only thing that does it for me is the great voice acting and the incredible music
There are some episodes that make me go "Woow this looks so good, almost like the manga" but it's rather sad that I have to make this comparison at all...

[Ao Kiji]

I agree with you.
The anime streamlines the art a bit and creates a slightly more generic look for the art than the manga has.

[King_Ty]

i always liked it so…yeah

while i hate normal manga drawings like 70% of those on onemanga

[LuffyLover]

I'll be honest, the first time I saw the anime, I thought it looked really weird, to say the least. It made me unsure about whether or not I should watch it at all, but I did anyway, which was one of the greatest choices I've ever made. It took me a few episodes to get used to, but I never thought it was ugly. Anyone who says that are, themselves, blind.

[Dark Lord Zenigame]

@Ao:

Zoro and Sanji are clearly bishounen characters.

Zoro's just a regular dude. He can be drawn as a bishounen, but that depends on artstyle.

In all the manga, there was Sanji and one other person that I can not fucking remember who could be called "bishounen." Maybe Hawkins, depending on who you ask.

Then there's guys like Lucchi who are supposed to be "handsome gentlemen," but there isn't very much in that area in this series.

Oda's women, on the other hand, are all either beautiful or disgusting. Funny how that goes.

[stockwell]

Imho the anime looks like SHIT, but it has nothing to do with Oda's art-style, which kicks ass.
The few directors who make the characters look like they do in the manga can't produce fluid animation and vice versa.
Thin lines, hardly any shadowing, much too bright colors.
I know I'm being a nitpicking asshole here, but ever since the early eps Luffy's hat has been bothering me, since it's almost constantly visible.
The brim's waaay too narrow, and it's frickin' orange-yellow instead of straw colored.

The manga just looks awesome.

[SeriusReader]

@stockwell:

Imho the anime looks like SHIT, but it has nothing to do with Oda's art-style, which kicks ass.
The few directors who make the characters look like they do in the manga can't produce fluid animation and vice versa.
Thin lines, hardly any shadowing, much too bright colors.
I know I'm being a nitpicking asshole here, but ever since the early eps Luffy's hat has been bothering me, since it's almost constantly visible.
The brim's waaay too narrow, and it's frickin' orange-yellow instead of straw colored.

The manga just looks awesome.

Well OP looks only good when its made same way as that TB episode where was Zoro and Kumas lil talk and pain.

[aegisrawks]

Pfft, Dont think so higly of detractors.
They just think the art is cartoony and not really what anime looks like. The first glance at luffy and or ussop make people barf(Bear with me they re one of my favorite characters). But Ironically is is the ANIMEs fault as it emphatizes the sillines of the art. Most gulty of this are sadly the first episodes(Off Model and Badly drawn scenes notwithstanding) Let us celebrate OP Art by checking out the manga or some fanart by coral snake, her sister?, avro and kalei chan, or E1N that do worders with the artstyle.

Example:One Badass Afro-Usopp

OOOOPS Somebody else already said this…

[Buuhan1]

You would think anime fans would be more opened to it considering they grew up watching Dragonball Z, another series with a fairly unique art style.

[aegisrawks]

I always thought that! The king of Mainstream anime isnt really THAT animeish

[xinyingho]

I always thought that Oda style was pretty unique until the release of Fairy Tail. Sure, it isn't ugly but it isn't that appealing too. And I actually don't care, we're not here to see some bishoujo or bishounen just talking to themselves. We're here for awesome storytelling, overwhelming actions and astounding twists.
A friend told me that he didn't like the few episodes he saw, because the main character was a silly boy which can extend his arms. I tried to tell him he'd better get over this…but with no luck. He's all for Naruto -_-; A real shame...

[Smore]

@Buuhan1:

You would think anime fans would be more opened to it considering they grew up watching Dragonball Z, another series with a fairly unique art style.

It's because most fans love Dragonball Z. And Dragonball Z is almost non-stop action and fighting, while One Piece… is not.

[Ao Kiji]

^Actually it's because most fans were introduced to DBZ BEFORE they had a canon idea of what anime was supposed to look like. ANND before most american cartoons sucked.

Zoro's just a regular dude. He can be drawn as a bishounen, but that depends on artstyle.

Not really. Zoro is clearly the "Wild Type".
Watch Ouran Host Club and you'll know what I'm talking about.
The closest to a normal guy is probably Luffy but even he has this bishie Shota thing going. Zoro and Sanji are defintely meant to be lady pleasing physically though. Just look at the stylish outfits Oda-sensei dresses them in during Skypiea or Arlong. You don't have to be femme to be a bishie. Zoro's the brooding bishie which is just as common as the metrosexual types, dude.

[Dark Lord Zenigame]

Bishounen are literally "pretty boys." Zoro's supposed to be a handsome fellow and whatnots, but he is not a "pretty boy."

…actually, he'd probably murder anyone who would try and suggest that he was. ^_^;;

...and I remembered the other one... Ace. His case is pretty damned blatant, actually... heh.

[Mokenda_mint]

Some of my friends are the same way.
I call them idiots and they go on with their lives

[pitch]

I have a friend didnt like one piece. He didn't want to read One Piece.

Yesterday i got message from him said that "Bro, One Piece is Cools too".

[Ivotas]

This post is deleted!

[Xylo]

@Hakuro:

I want a few rather stern words with whomever thinks One Piece's art is fugly. It's not fugly.

It's called opinion.

its story is a unique one

Lmfao. Is this a godamn joke? One piece is a perfect example of a generic shonen plot.

That's precisely why we are fans of the series and I don't think that there is a problem with that, do you?

That's not why I love the series. I love it because it's good, not because of some "mold breaking" elitist tripe.

Watch Bleach and you'll find a lot of the characters seem to angst often,

And? You fail to some up with any reason why this are bad. Providing it is used correctly, angst is an immensely powerful plot tool.

but One Piece still goes on strong without relying on such a cheap, pathetic, and overused plot point.

That's because One Piece is a happy-go-lucky series. Bleach isn't.

What does that say about Oda and what does that say about Kubo and Kishimoto?

It tells me while Oda wants to carry on with lighter stuff, Kubo wants a slightly darker theme. There is nothing wrong with this other than your crazy fanwanking.

[Luffy Batter]

While One Piece does contain certain key shonen characteristics, they are executed in a much more enjoyable and unique way (IExample: powerups have reasonable explanations rather than generic magic crap). By large however, the story of One piece is extremely original.

[aegisrawks]

It Is the PREMISE that is cliched, the flow, execution, and quality of the plot ARE something else.

[Dark Lord Zenigame]

@Luffy:

While One Piece does contain certain key shonen characteristics, they are executed in a much more enjoyable and unique way (IExample: powerups have reasonable explanations rather than generic magic crap).

I would have agreed with you before Oda decided to introduce Haki.