Long interview with Oda also slated to air on same day as One Piece Film Gold's debut

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda appeared on television for the first time on Sunday on Fuji TV 's Densetsu no Shunkan: Hakkutsu File ~Anime-hen~ (Legendary Moments: Discovery File Anime Edition) program. Most of him anyway—as part of the deal, the cameras couldn't show his face.

The story began when soccer player and One Piece fan Shinji Kagawa, who plays for German soccer club Borussia Dortmund, received a surprise gift from Oda: signed cleats and shin guards with drawings of Luffy. To return the favor, Kagawa produced a signed Dortmund jersey for soccer fan Oda, and expressed his wish that Oda confirm on camera that he received it.

His wish came true. On the program, Oda met with Fuji TV announcer Daijirō Enami, also a One Piece fan, and drew a signed picture of Luffy before accepting the jersey. He immediately put it on and commented, "It feels really good to wear. I want to jump out on the field right now."

At the end, he added a short message to his drawing of Luffy: "To Kagawa, thank you!"

Oda will appear on Fuji TV again for a full interview with Enami on July 23, the day One Piece Film Gold premieres in Japan. (Though he will probably keep his face hidden again.) Oda is serving as the film's executive producer.

Sources: Daily Sports, Oricon Style via My Game News Flash

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