
Overview
Imagine an adventurous young sea pirate who dreams of becoming the King Pirate by finding a legendary treasure out in the seas — except he can’t swim. In fact, he traded his swimming abilities for the superpower to stretch his body like rubber.
This is the strange yet intriguing premise of One Piece, an extremely popular manga series written by Eiichiro Oda. It is one of the longest-running manga series and also has an anime TV show adaptation. If your child is interested in manga, or if they just love a good story, then One Piece may be right up their alley. Let’s find out more!
Harmful Content ❗️
Some have described One Piece as having nuanced and complicated themes that may go over young kids’ heads. However, some younger audiences have been able to enjoy it all the same. Oda’s story involves a corrupt government in which oppression and slavery are present. But similar to Marvel, Harry Potter, and other hero stories, tons of kids have enjoyed the high action and interesting characters.
Language
There is some mild, infrequent language such as “damn” or “hell.”
Sex
Some sexual implications, such as females drawn in skimpy clothing with unrealistic proportions. There are some frequent innuendos and mentions of peeping toms.
Violence
One Piece has a fair amount of violence and gore. There is some blood in the illustrations. As sea pirates who are fighting to get a highly coveted treasure, the characters are frequently in battle and dangerous situations. However, much of this violence is very fantastical and exaggerated.
Positive Value 💫
One Piece is a story that will draw you in and leave you wanting more — so good thing there are 110 volumes. Not only will your child be entertained, but they’ll also see real examples of courage in the face of injustice and friendship that can withstand anything. Additionally, a persistent theme is the importance of pursuing freedom and independence, which is the main character’s chief motivation.
So, should my kid read it?
We’d say this series is appropriate for kids 12 and up, but this certainly varies depending on your family’s values. You may consider reading the first volume with your child to gauge the content and have conversations with them as needed.