I didn't realize how much I'd miss the Straw Hat Pirates until I watched Netflix’s LEGO One Piece special event.
It brought back all the magic with a few tweaks from Usopp and Chopper. Thanks to Chopper insisting that Usopp tell the whole story, we've been able to revisit the story we fell in love with. For me, that was the 2023 live-action series on Netflix, but for many, like my husband, it was the anime series that has been airing since 1999, or the manga from 1997 onward. No matter when you fell in love with Luffy and his crew, you're welcome here. I may be a newbie, but this story finally pulled me in.
After Usopp finishes plunging the ship's toilet, he finally jumps back into the LEGO storybook. Eventually, the Straw Hats will meet Chopper and more new characters before the end of their two-part special.
Loguetown
Usopp jumps a little too far ahead in the story during their time in Loguetown: Luffy is now trapped by Buggy the clown on top of a building. Thanks to Chopper, Usopp realizes he needs to back up. I'll be honest, I'm a little lost, too. He backs up to when they first arrive in Loguetown to pick up some supplies. Luffy also wants to see the place where Gold Roger had his final moments.
Just as Luffy is raving about Gold revealing the One Piece to the world at this building and where his dream began, danger strikes. He wanted to see the building from the top, but not handcuffed by Buggy the clown in the middle of a storm.
Chopper and Usopp disagree on whether Usopp's slingshot skills or the lightning saved Luffy’s life. By some miracle, Luffy escapes Buggy the clown’s revenge plan and the building crumbling with him on it. His crew digs him out of the rumble and he's stoked to be alive.
The danger isn't over. The Marines led by Captain Smoke arrive on scene. With sheer windy luck, they were blown back onto their boat. They weren't out of harm’s way just yet because they were approaching Reverse Mountain.
They land on the other side of the mountain safely, until a whale swallows them whole, but they aren't alone. The others — Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 — fight their way out, and then jump overboard. As Usopp says, we'll see them again later. In the meantime, Nami and Luffy spot their first island on the Grand Line.
Who is Miss Wednesday?
At first, they think they are in danger as Luffy causes a scene when he sees food. When Major Igaram finds out they are pirates, he welcomes them to his home, where they love pirates. Nami and Luffy spot Miss Wednesday and follow her. Meanwhile, the party lands Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp in the middle of a cupcakes sword fight.
Luffy and Nami find Igaram with Miss Wednesday when they catch up to her. As they are trying to explain, an enemy from Baroque Works comes to get pay back for her betrayal. The guy immediately chucks booger bombs at the group due to him eating the Bomb-Bomb Devil Fruit.
Finally, as they are hiding from him, Miss Wednesday reveals her true identity: Nefertari Vivi, Princess of Alabasta. Igaram is Captain of the Alabaster Royal Guard, which is why they were talking. They are on a mission to get information to Vivi’s father before Baroque Works destroys her home. Without a second thought, Igaram sends Vivi with Nami and Luffy so they can help her. As a bomb explodes in the distance, the crew races off the island and towards Alabaster.
Little Garden
While everyone is excited to explore Little Garden, Usopp is scared by the jungle noises. It turns out they aren’t alone on the island, as Baroque Works followed them. Miss Valentine pulls off a sneak attack, Miss Goldenweek covers them in paint, and Mr. 3 traps them in wax.
Everyone but Usopp is trapped, and he has to hatch a plan to not get captured. He meets the Island’s friendly giants, Brody and Dory. They encourage him to face his fears and save his friends.
*It is to be noted that who is and isn’t captured is tweaked for the purpose of Usopp’s storytelling dramatics.*
Booger Man throws his explosives at Usopp on top of the trap and ends up melting the statue. The rest of the crew are free and able to attack the enemy. Back at the ship after winning the battle, the giants help them on their way. They aren't out of the woods yet, as Nami is bitten by something dangerous. They're too far from Alabaster, but the freezing wind alerts Vivi that they are close to Drum Island where the best doctors are in the Grand Line.
Drum Island
Luffy pulls the crew up the tower and Sanji bangs on the door with Nami in his arms. The crew finally meets Chopper when he answers the door (he tweaks his character a little but not as much). Dr. Kursha yells for him to bring the guests in and that she will see them now.
After Dr. Kursha reveals she and Chopper are the only doctors left, Chopper diagnoses Nami's condition as a Kestia bite. Even though Nami has late-stage symptoms, she should be fine if they get her help soon.
Chopper, Usopp, and Zoro journey to the hideout for the medicine that he made with the late Dr. Hiriluk. After the hideout explodes, Chopper goes to his bigger size and carries the guys and medicine to Nami.
In the castle, Luffy tells the doctor why they are here and the doctor explains what happened to the king. Then, King Wapol comes through the door looking for a fight. Devil Fruit powers are going crazy around the room when the others make it back to the castle. Without powers, Vivi saves Luffy from the king and shuts him up. He plunges the king out the window.
Finally, Nami takes the medicine and wakes up. As Chopper is cleaning up, Luffy invites him onto their adventure. He pleads his case with Dr. Kursha, who ends up packing his medical bag for him. Now, he's officially the doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates Crew. While the LEGO part ends, the live-action Nami lets Usopp and Chopper know they are arriving at Alabaster soon.
The LEGO One Piece two-episode special is now streaming on Netflix. Read our recap of episode 1 here.
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