Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the popular manga and anime series One Piece, has another project coming to the screen soon. It is an anime adaptation of his one-shot manga Monsters, which he wrote when he was only 19 years old. The anime is titled Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation and it will tell the story of Ryuma, a legendary samurai from the land of Wano, which is also featured in One Piece.
What is Monsters?
Monsters is a one-shot manga that Oda published in Shonen Jump in 1994, before he started One Piece. It is set in a fictional world where dragons exist and terrorize humans. The protagonist, Ryuma, is a young and arrogant samurai who dreams of slaying a dragon and becoming famous. He encounters a mysterious traveler named Flare, who is looking for a doctor to cure her sick father. Together, they face a series of dangers and challenges, including a band of thieves, a corrupt lord, and a fearsome dragon.
How is Monsters related to One Piece?
Monsters was originally a standalone story, but Oda later incorporated it into the One Piece universe. Ryuma made his first appearance in One Piece in the Thriller Bark arc, where he was revealed to be a zombie who possessed the shadow of Zoro, one of the main characters. Ryuma was also shown to have a black sword called Shusui, which he claimed to have obtained after killing a dragon. Zoro later inherited Shusui from Ryuma after defeating him in a duel.
Ryuma’s legacy was further explored in the Wano Country arc, which is set in a Japan-inspired island that is ruled by a tyrannical shogun and his allies, the Beast Pirates. Wano is also the homeland of several important characters in One Piece, such as Kozuki Oden, Kozuki Momonosuke, Kin’emon, and Kiku. In Wano, Ryuma is revered as a national hero and a legendary swordsman, who is known as the “King of the Sword” and the “Dragon Slayer”. His grave is located in the Ringo region, where the tradition of sword burial is practiced.
When and where can you watch Monsters?
Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation is scheduled to premiere on January 21, 2024, on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The anime is produced by E&H Productions and directed by Tatsuya Nagamine, who also worked on One Piece: Stampede and Dragon Ball Super: Broly. The anime will feature some changes from the original manga, such as giving Ryuma the black sword Shusui and adding some references to One Piece. The anime will also have a new theme song, performed by the Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK.
The anime will be a single episode, with a runtime of 25 minutes. It will cover the entire story of the one-shot manga, with some additional scenes and details. The anime will be a spin-off of One Piece, but it will also be a standalone story that can be enjoyed by anyone, even those who are not familiar with One Piece or Monsters.
Why should you watch Monsters?
Monsters is a rare opportunity to see Oda’s early work and his creative vision before he created One Piece. It is also a chance to learn more about Ryuma, one of the most intriguing characters in One Piece, and his origin story. Monsters is a thrilling and action-packed adventure, with a touch of humor and romance. It is a showcase of Oda’s talent and passion for storytelling, and a tribute to his love for samurai and dragons. If you are a fan of Oda, One Piece, or anime in general, you should not miss Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation.
Source: sportskeeda, MSN
