In Season 1, Episode 5 of the Netflix series One Piece, titled “Eat at Baratie!,” the narrative continues the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), Nami (Emily Rudd), Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), and Usopp (Jacob Romero Gibson). The episode begins with Vice Admiral Garp (Vincent Regan) pursuing the Going Merry until Luffy deflects one of Garp’s cannonballs, destroying Garp’s ship’s front mast. This allows Luffy and his friends to escape through a mist to avoid capture. To find a quicker solution, Garp calls Dracule Mihawk (Steven Ward), one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the greatest swordsman in the world, via phone and orders him to capture Luffy alive. Koby disagrees with Garp’s decision to use a pirate to capture another pirate instead of having the Marines do it. In response, Garp gives Koby a lesson that the world is not black and white but morally gray.
Soon, the Going Merry finds its way to an ocean-going restaurant called the Baratie because of the smell of the restaurant’s delicious food. The Baratie is run by its head chef, Chef Zeff (Craig Fairbass), who founded the restaurant alongside his student and fellow chef Sanji (Taz Skylar). Sanji is trained by Zeff to cook and also fight with only his legs due to the lesson that hands should be reserved for cooking, and using them for combat would tarnish the food they prepare. Sanji is also a womanizer, which is noticed when he briefly attempts to flirt with Nami due to her beauty, much to her annoyance. After Luffy and his friends finish their meal, they are unable to pay for the food because they don’t have the money to cover their expenses. Frustrated, Chef Zeff punishes the group by having Luffy work in the kitchen to pay his debt, while the rest of the group cannot leave Baratie until Luffy finishes.
At the Baratie bar, Nami, Zoro, and Usopp are confronted by Mihawk, who demands they tell him where Luffy is. Zoro is shocked that the warlord in front of him is the best swordsman in the world because Zoro’s dream is to be the best swordsman in the world to honor the memory of his deceased friend Kuina. For this reason, Zoro challenges Mihawk to a duel to the death to the interest of Dracule, who accepts the challenge. The next morning at dawn, Zoro duels Mihawk and loses badly. Despite the loss, Mihawk grows to respect Zoro’s courage and honors that respect by not capturing Luffy for Vice Admiral Garp.
Dracule Mihawk: One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea
In One Piece Season 1, Episode 5, Director Tim Southam, Writer Laura Jacqmin, and the legendary Eiichiro Oda skillfully presented an engaging live-adapted introduction of two significant characters, Sanji and the iconic Baratie ocean-going restaurant.
The episode masterfully captures the essence of the Baratie Arc from Eiichiro Oda’s manga. The introduction of Sanji is portrayed in a manner that aligns with the source material. Sanji’s culinary and combat skills, as well as his unique philosophy of using only his legs for fighting to preserve the purity of his hands for cooking, are well-executed. The dynamic between Sanji and Chef Zeff is showcased, emphasizing the mentor-student relationship that adds depth to Sanji’s character.
The adaptation also successfully incorporates elements of humor and romance, showcasing Sanji’s womanizing tendencies and his brief flirtation with Nami. These moments not only add levity to the narrative but also highlight Sanji’s charismatic and sometimes comical personality, a key aspect of his character in the original manga.
Additionally, the episode effectively introduces Baratie, an ocean-going restaurant with a captivating aroma that draws the Going Merry crew. Chef Zeff, portrayed by Craig Fairbass, is presented as a central figure in Baratie’s operation, and the episode captures the essence of the restaurant’s unique concept within the One Piece world.
The inclusion of Dracule Mihawk in the narrative is a significant nod to the broader One Piece story. Mihawk’s introduction and subsequent duel with Zoro, mirroring events from the manga, add a layer of complexity and foreshadowing to the series. The episode captures the gravity of Zoro’s dream to become the world’s greatest swordsman, and Mihawk’s acknowledgment of Zoro’s courage establishes a foundation for future developments in the storyline.
Overall, Season 1, Episode 5 successfully adapts key elements from Eiichiro Oda’s manga, providing a well-rounded introduction to Sanji and the Baratie while seamlessly incorporating the broader narrative involving Vice Admiral Garp and Dracule Mihawk. The creative team’s ability to capture the essence of the source material contributes to the episode’s excellence in presenting these crucial story arcs from the One Piece series.
Rating: 9/10