The world of One Piece is filled with legendary tales, but one story stands out as the most requested by fans for a big-screen adaptation: the God Valley Incident. As other major anime like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen bring canonical stories to theaters with great success, the One Piece community is urging Toei Animation to do the same for this pivotal event from the series’ history.
The Perfect Story for a Movie
The God Valley Incident is a legendary battle that took place 38 years before the current story. It involved the most powerful figures of the era, including the pirate Gol D. Roger, the marine Monkey D. Garp, and the fearsome Rocks D. Xebec. This single event reshaped the entire world’s power balance and led to the birth of the Yonko era.
Fans and critics point to several reasons why this story is perfectly suited for a movie. The event is a self-contained story with a clear beginning and end, making it ideal for a single film without disrupting the main anime’s flow. It features an all-star cast of legendary characters in their prime, without any members of the current Straw Hat crew, offering a fresh perspective on the One Piece world.
If done right, the Straw Hats could still make an appearance or maybe get some extra scene in post-credits that would tease towards the events taking place in the Elbaf arc.
The scope of the incident allows for a focused, high-quality production that the weekly anime format sometimes limits. A film could present the battle with cinematic visuals, tighter storytelling, and the visual grandeur that such a monumental event deserves.
Learning From Other Anime’s Success
Recent years have seen a shift in how anime films are produced. Major series are now bringing canonical stories to theaters rather than creating standalone, non-canon adventures. Demon Slayer‘s “Infinity Castle” and the upcoming Chainsaw Man Reze movie have demonstrated that this approach can lead to massive blockbuster success while serving the main story.
This trend has shown that canonical movies can heighten emotional stakes and provide the breathing room for higher-quality animation and direction. For a complex event like the God Valley Incident, a two-hour runtime would allow the story to be told completely, free from the constraints of weekly television production.
While some worry that a movie without the series protagonist, Luffy, might not appeal to all fans, the historical nature of God Valley offers a unique opportunity. It could serve as a prequel to the current timeline, exploring the past of characters who are now legends and filling in crucial backstory that impacts today’s events.
The Mystery and Importance of God Valley
The exact details of what happened at God Valley remain one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece. What is known is that the island was the location for a “Native Hunting Competition” hosted by the Celestial Dragons. The Rocks Pirates arrived to reclaim a stolen treasure, prompting both the Roger Pirates and Marines led by Garp to converge on the island.
The battle resulted in the disbanding of the Rocks Pirates, the presumed death of Rocks D. Xebec, and the complete erasure of God Valley from the map. The aftermath saw Garp celebrated as the “Hero of the Marines,” while the World Government covered up Roger’s involvement. Around 500 enslaved people managed to escape during the chaos.
Recent manga chapters have begun exploring the Rocks Pirates’ past, bringing fans closer than ever to understanding what truly occurred. The current Elbaf arc in the manga promises to reveal more about this legendary incident, further fueling interest in seeing it fully animated.
A Theory Connecting to Past Adventures
An intriguing fan theory suggests that players in the current story may have already encountered the remnants of God Valley without realizing it. The theory proposes that Thriller Bark, Gecko Moria’s island-sized ship from a much earlier arc, is actually a fragment of the destroyed God Valley.
This idea is supported by several clues. Both islands originated in the West Blue, and the zombie versions of several Rocks Pirates, including Captain John, appear on Thriller Bark. Given that the Rocks Pirates were defeated at God Valley, this would explain how Moria obtained their corpses for his zombie army.
The theory suggests that after God Valley was destroyed in the battle, Moria found a surviving piece of the island and repurposed it into his massive ship. If true, this would mean Luffy and his crew have already visited what remains of the legendary location, adding another layer of connection between the present story and this past event.
A Growing Demand Among Fans
The push for a God Valley movie comes at a time when the One Piece franchise is reflecting on its future. Recent reports indicate manga sales have hit their lowest point in 16 years, even as the story approaches its final saga. Simultaneously, Toei Animation has announced a massive $3.2 billion 10-year plan to expand into a global powerhouse, aiming to become the “Disney of anime.”
This combination of factors has created the perfect environment for Toei to consider new approaches to the One Piece franchise. A canonical movie about one of the series’ most talked-about events could generate significant interest from both longtime fans and newcomers.
The God Valley Incident represents everything that makes One Piece special: its deep history, complex characters, and world-changing events. Bringing this story to the big screen would celebrate the rich mythology that has captivated audiences for over two decades.
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