Are the ‘One Piece’ Movies Canon? Including ‘Film Red’

One Piece has always been Shounen Jump’s most popular manga and anime since it was first released on July 22, 1997. It is now more popular than ever, with the manga entering its final saga, the anime with high-quality production, and the new animated feature One Piece Film: Red just coming out around the world. With the release of the new movie, some fans started to wonder where these events fit on the One Piece timeline and if the One Piece movies are canon or not.

1. One Piece Film: Strong World – Canon

This is the 10th One Piece animated feature and the first one by its original creator, Eiichiro Oda, who was involved in the production. Eiichiro Oda wrote the script of the movie and produced it. In previous films, Oda only supplied character designs and approved story ideas.

The events of the movie are supposedly set between the Thriller Bark Arc and the Sabaody Archipelago Arc since Brook is seen as a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. The film also features Golden Lion Shiki as the villain, a canonical character in One Piece, who was one of Gol D. Roger’s rivals, a former member of the Rocks Pirates, and the first person to ever escape from Impel Down. These pieces of information appear first in the manga, not in the movie.

Since the movie features One Piece characters that actually exist throughout the story, provide important information to the series, and were written and produced by its original creator, Eiichiro Oda, it is safe to consider the movie canon. However, it is not an obligatory watch since you do not have the absolute need to watch this movie to read or watch One Piece.

2. One Piece Film: Z – Mixed Canon

One Piece Film: Z is the 12th One Piece animated feature and the second one to have its original creator, Eiichiro Oda, involved in production. Instead of writing and producing this movie just like he did with the previous one, Eiichiro Oda only executive produced this movie and did not write it.

Although being produced by Eiichiro Oda, this movie doesn’t have much content that would lead to it being considered canon. The only thing special about this movie in relation to the original manga is that it was responsible for the debut of many Marine members after the time skip since they still had not appeared in the manga when the film was released.

3. One Piece Film: Gold – non canon

One Piece Film: Gold is the 13th One Piece animated feature and the third one to have its original creator, Eiichiro Oda, involved in production. Much like he did with the previous one, Eiichiro Oda only served as executive producer on this one and did not write the script. Actually, he collaborated on the script by storyboarding the film’s climax and its final ten minutes since he did not agree with the film director’s vision on it.

This movie cannot be properly set in the One Piece timeline since it does not make much sense. It supposedly happens after the Dressrosa Arc, since Luffy has already defeated Doflamingo and Sabo has the power of the Mera Mera Fruit, and before the Zou Arc, since Nami still does not have her upgraded weapon. However, during the period between these two arcs, the Straw Hat crew was not together, thus making it impossible for this movie to happen.

4. One Piece: Stampede – mixed canon

One Piece: Stampede is the 14th One Piece animated feature and the fourth one to have its original creator, Eiichiro Oda, involved in production. This time, however, Eiichiro Oda only served as a creative supervisor and did not produce or write the movie. He also stated he would have not allowed for this movie to be made if it was not a celebration of One Piece’s 20th anniversary.

This is also the first movie that Eiichiro Oda was involved in that did not have the subtitle “One Piece Film:.”

Just like the previous one, this movie does not fit correctly into the One Piece timeline. This movie should have happened between the Whole Cake Island Arc and the Wano Country Arc, but again, the Straw Hat Pirates were not together at that time, making it impossible for this movie to happen during the proper One Piece timeline.

The movie does feature important information to the One Piece canon. It is the first time that the correct name for the final Grand Line island is revealed, Laugh Tale, as opposed to its first debut in the manga long after. It also features a Log Pose to Laugh Tale, a compass that would lead directly to the island.

5. One Piece Film: Red – mixed canon

One Piece Film: Red is the 15th and latest One Piece animated feature and the fifth one to have its original creator, Eiichiro Oda, involved in production. In this movie, he served as a general producer and supervisor and again did not write the script.

This movie also does not fit well into the One Piece timeline. It should happen after the Wano Country Arc since Jinbe is alongside the Straw Hat Pirates and Luffy can use Gear 5, but Luffy is still referred to as the Fifth Emperor, and Big Mom appears undefeated also as an Emperor. However, this movie does have canonical qualities as the new character Uta briefly appeared in the manga and has been confirmed by Eiichiro Oda to have existed in the canon.

By now, you should already have great knowledge as to how canon the One Piece movies are and whether they are obligatory to watch or not. Nevertheless, these movies are as much fun as the original content and are totally worth your time. Hope you are ready to marathon all these movies and get even more into this amazing series.

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