On July 23, the notoriously reclusive author of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, will make a rare appearance on Fuji TV to promote One Piece: Film Gold. The interview will include discussion about the forthcoming movie. It will also feature interview with Gaku Hamada who will be voicing Tanaka in One Piece: Film Gold. The interview will air July 23 at around 10:25 AM Japan Standard Time (JST). This will mark his first long-form interview appearance on television.

One Piece author Eiichiro Oda is an executive producer for One Piece: Film Gold, much like his role for One Piece film Z. In an interview late last year, Eiichiro Oda spoke about his role on the movie:

So, I’ve accepted the role of “executive producer” again. Time to make a movie!! The film director is Mr. Miyamoto, a trustworthy man who has been integral to the [One Piece] anime for six years. The script, written by the clever Mr. Kuroiwa, does not disappoint! The animation is done by this guy, and the music by that guy… wait, how am I supposed to advertise this thing without revealing anything!? … We’ll present to you a cool and gorgeous One Piece like you’ve never seen before! Please hold on tight to your seats as you wait for it in excitement and anticipation!

Fuji TV is also set to premiere One Piece: Heart of Gold on Saturday, July 16 at 9:00 PM JST. This tie-in anime special revolves around a mysterious treasure that the antagonist of Gold, Gild Tesoro, also desires: “Pure Gold.” In this television special, the Straw Hat Pirates meet a girl who knows where this infamous treasure lies, and they head for the legendary island “Alchemy.”

The One Piece: Film Gold specials don’t end there! Fuji TV will also be airing a short special on Tuesday, July 12: Life is Learned from One Piece airing at 12:25 AM JST.

Finally, there will also be a broadcast of the last One Piece film, One Piece film Z, on Friday, July 22.

One Piece Film: Gold is set to release in theaters in Japan on July 23. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda will reprise his role as the executive producer of the movie. The film will be directed by Hiroaki Miyamoto, who also worked on Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island as the assistant director, and was written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa, who wrote the live action Liar Game: The Final Stage and Liar Game: Reborn films, as well as the live-action Black Butler film. The veteran actress and musician Mayumi Kojima will provide the theme song “Gold & Jive ~ Silver Ocean” and GLIM SPANKY will provide「怒りをくれよ」(ikari wo kureyo) for One Piece Film: Gold. The original soundtrack for the movie is scheduled for release on July 27.

Besides Japan, One Piece Film: Gold has been confirmed to get a theatrical release in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Italy, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Indonesia.

SOURCE: Natalie – thanks to Sandman for the tip