Film opened in Japan on Friday

One Piece Stampede opened in Japan on Friday, but on the day before the opening, manga creator Eiichiro Oda released a comment expressing his enthusiastic endorsement of the film.

"People were shouting from the rooftops about how much they were looking forward to this film," he wrote jokingly, "but you know what? It really is worth looking forward to! It's awesome! It's super well-made!"

Oda described One Piece Stampede as an "all star film" that brings together all the unique qualities of the One Piece anime over 20 years. "The director and producers say that this film is for the fans," he went on. "I totally agree with that. Seriously. It's a giant, once-in-20-years pirate festival! Please look forward to One Piece Stampede!"

The film opened in theaters in Japan on August 9 to mark the anime's 20th anniversary. Fuji TV describes the film's story:

The world's greatest exposition of the pirates, by the pirates, for the pirates - the Pirates Festival. Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Crew receive an invitation from its host Buena Festa who is known as the Master of Festivities. They arrive to find a venue packed with glamorous pavilions and many pirates including the ones from the Worst Generation. The place is electric.

A One Piece film opened every year in Japan between 2000-2009. The latest anime film in the One Piece franchise, One Piece Film Gold, opened in Japan in July 2016.

Source: Comic Natalie