Specifically, an interview with writer Tsutomu Kuroiwa was shared on the movie’s official website. There, he shared many interesting details about the movie’s initial concept, including how the film was supposed to feature an academy of Devil Fruit users.
One Piece Film: Red’s Original Story
Without going into heavy spoiler territory, the new One Piece film follows the Straw Hat Crew as they attend the concert of Uta, the world’s most popular singer. However, it’s soon revealed that Uta is the daughter of the legendary pirate, Shanks. The film centers around Uta and is set in the ruins of a once-prosperous island. Though in the original concept, Kuroiwa revealed that the film’s initial story was about an academy of Devil Fruit users. In this concept, Luffy will be involved in an incident at the academy, and there, he will be transported to the past by the Devil Fruit users. He will then find himself meeting the previous user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi (via @newworldartur). Details about Luffy’s Devil Fruit were revealed in the Wano Country Arc, and these were key reveals that are expected to matter in the series’ final saga. Given this, it would’ve been interesting to see the One Piece movie dive deeper into the Gomu Gomu no Mi’s origins. But regardless, One Piece Film: Red still revealed lots of interesting info about Luffy and Shanks’ past. READ MORE: Is One Piece Film: Red Set After Wano? Timeline Explained
Uta’s Original One Piece Red Concept
Aside from the change in the original story, Uta’s initial identity was also different from her current pop star image. Specifically, the original concept for Uta was that she was an opera singer, with the island of Elegia being an orchestra stage. Along with being an opera singer, another idea for Uta was also for her to be a country music singer. But in the end, it was decided for Uta to be a pop idol singer instead. Another change in Uta is her ability. In the movie, Uta’s ability is tied to her singing, but the original concept for her is wildly different. The original idea by series creator Eiichiro Oda was for Uta to have a book-related Devil Fruit ability. However, this was scrapped as Charlotte Mont-d’Or already has a similar power. Soon, director Goro Taniguchi suggested for Uta to have a song-related ability. One Piece Film: Red is now screening in cinemas in the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland, and more. Discover more of our insights and the latest anime news by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime. READ NEXT: Is One Piece Film: Red Canon?
