We are back... kind of! This episode is also available on the main One Piece Podcast feed, and is presented ad-free. Look forward to new episodes of Fight Together, and specifically about the use of One Piece as a protest symbol, in the coming weeks and months! This week we’re sitting down for a conversation about the recent widespread use of the Straw Hat flag in international protests - how it gained prominence, reflects on the themes of the series, and what the future might hold now that the iconography of One Piece is entering the political sphere. Featuring special guests GolferGareBear (TikTok sensation) and Dr. Raylene Bentlin (Cultural Anthropologist and One Piece scholar)! CHECK OUT OUR SOURCES SUPPORT HUMANITARIAN AID: https://www.wateraid.org - WaterAid brings clean water systems, toilets, and feminine hygiene products to communities across 22 countries, including Madagascar and Nepal. https://www.pcrf.net/ - The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund sends volunteer medical teams on missions to provide free specialized healthcare for children across the Middle East. https://www.nilc.org/ - The National Immigration Law Center is fighting to protect the legal rights of immigrants across the United States on both the state and national level. SUBSCRIBE TO US ON PATREON! We’ve opened up a BRAND NEW “Sticker of the Month Club” tier on Patreon that entitles you to a patron-exclusive sticker of one of our amazing episode images every month! You also get access to ad-free episodes and our 800+ episode archive, our exclusive series 4’ced to Watch 4Kids with Steve & Alex, our full-length film OPPJapan, exclusive episodes with our special guests and a lot more. NEWS & UPDATES Check out our most recent short “Steve Strikes Out” and keep an eye on our YouTube channel for more OPPieces coming soon! Want to know when One Piece is going to end? So does our man in Japan and OPLA live action series advisor Greg Werner! Check out his column “The End of One Piece,” posted exclusively by the OPP! The OPP is officially British Famous! Read what Zach had to tell the good people of England about One Piece as it lands on BBC iPlayer in “One Piece: From ‘niche within a niche’ to global phenomenon” by Samuel Spencer! OPLA! is back for a whole new season! Check out interviews with the cast including Aidan Scott (Helmeppo), Alexander Maniatis (Kuro), Craig Fairbrass (Zeff) and Chioma Umeala (Nojiko)! Don’t miss out, subscribe at patreon.com/onepiecepodcast to get the full One Piece Podcast experience!  We have an all new series about the history of 4Kids … as told by the people who were actually there. Check out 4Kids Flashback every Wednesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this second episode of our third season we talk about asexuality and aromanticism, its portrayal in One Piece and how it relates to the real world. On this episode we have co-hosts Zach Logan & Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh) with guests Tommy Rae (artist, writer and cosplayer), Sai (artist and OPP artist), and Jo (OPP Discord Moderator and contributor)Edited by Dan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this first episode of our third season we talk about colonialism and assimilation: its portrayal in One Piece and how it relates to the real world. On this episode we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh) Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) and guests Carol Grant (screenwriter) and librarian Paula Gaetos!New episodes premiere the first Thursday of each month, and premiere a month early on Patreon!We'll be back next month for our episode on Asexuality & Aromanticism! It premieres next week on Patreon!Important Links & Texts, thanks to Paula Gaetos:Queering The Global Filipina BodyMoral Evil, Economic Good' Whitewashing The Sins of ColonialismPleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling GoodFighting from a Distance: How Filipino Exiles Helped Topple a DictatorBrown Skin, White Minds: Filipino-American Postcolonial PsychologyHow to Fight Book Bans and Challenges: an Anti-Censorship Tool KitKaetrena Davis Kendrick on Low Morale Among Public LibrariansVocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell OurselvesManifest Technique: Hip Hop, Empire and Visionary Filipino American Culture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this final episode of our second season we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh) Bryan Newton (animation director for Rugrats, Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) talking about the second season of Fight Together and the strings connecting all of the episodes.Edited by Dan!Season 3 starts in early 2022:- Colonization & Assimilation- Asexuality & Aromanticism- Global Fandom & Latin America- Disability & Disfigurement- Music & Musicians- Mental Health & Mental Illness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this fifth episode of our second season we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) and introducing Tommy Rae (artist, writer and cosplayer) with Carol Grant (writer, screenwriter), who makes her return!On this episode we discuss neurodivergence and neurodiversity (simply put, the variety of ways we as people neurocognatively function, i.e., autism, OCD, ADHD, dyslexia, bipolarity) as fans, and present in the series itself. We delve into how society views our neurocognative diversity and how its viewed in the One Piece world.Edited by Dan!We’ll see you for the next episode where hosts Zach, Shannon & Bryan wrap up the season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this third episode of our second season we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go)  with Gizem in Germany, Adil in Pakistan and Germany, and Guillaume in Belgium and Japan!On this episode we discuss the treatment of One Piece and fandom in Western Europe -- specifically Belgium and Germany!We’ll see you for the next episode about Neurodivergence & Neurodiversity in August Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this third episode of our second season we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) with the crew of Toho Yaro -- special guests Joey Weiser (podcast host for Toho Yaro, Eisner Award nominated artist and author of Mermin, Ghost Hog and Dragon Racer), Alex Kazanas (podcast host for The One Piece Podcast and Toho Yaro), and @VriskaChat (podcast host for Toho Yaro).On this episode we discuss the influences in One Piece in Japanese and international film. How it has influenced One Piece and Eiichiro Oda, and vice verse. To have this discussion we have the Toho Yaro gang on the show!We'll see you for the next episode: Global Fandom and Western Europe this July! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents our topic-focused series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this second episode of our second season we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) with special guests @CarolAveryGrant (writer featured in VICE, IndieWire, Medium), @TheDrMonkey (NB game developer), and @VriskaChat (podcast host for Toho Yaro).This month we discuss what's done well ... and what's done not-so-well ... in One Piece's representation of transgender and gender-fluid characters. The contradictions in Eiichiro Oda's portrayals of transgender characters, and how we wrestle with those contradictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents an all new season of Fight Together: In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On this first episode of our second season we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, @criticalbitcast & @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) with special guests @ZeroReq011 (writer for Anime Feminist, Anime News Network, Crunchyroll and more), @EdwardEOnePiece (co-host on The One Piece Podcast and curator at @WeebTrailers) and @PaulaGaetos (Library Generalist, founder of The Tokusatsu Network and co-host of The Comfort Society Podcast). This month we discuss Fascism & Tyranny -- government and governance. How  real-life political figures, regimes, administrations, and nations have influenced Eiichiro Oda's One Piece -- and what characters/stories particularly resonate today.Articles discussed on this episode:History and Momotaro in One Piece's Wano Country Arc (Anime News Network, ZeroReq011)Pirates, Justice and Global Order in the Anime "One Piece" (Global Affairs)Authoritarianism Goes Global: The Challenge to Democracy (John Hopkins University)Australian University in Censorship Row Over China's Hong Kong Policy (Financial Times)Momotaro's Devil General (All The Anime)Harvard Professor's Paper Claiming 'Comfort Women' in Imperial Japan Were Voluntarily Employed Stokes International Controversy (The Harvard Crimson)The Attractions of Fascism: Social Psychology and Aesthetics of the 'Triumph of the Right' (John Millful) - Chapter 16: The Ritual and Stage Management of National Socialism: Techniques of Domination in the Public... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents an all new mini-series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We  critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On the fifth episode we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, Kim on @criticalbitcast @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) with Anthony Holden (Precious Rascals), Ashleigh aka Pyawakit (Concept Artist at WayForward), Lauren Orsini (OtakuJournalist, Forbes and Anime News Network), Daniel Dockery (Senior Staff Writer at Crunchyroll) and David Bednar (UI Designer for mobile games).This month we discuss Parents & Children. How do your views of One Piece change when you become parents? When do you let your kids watch One Piece? What do you hope your children can take away from the series? We also discuss a lot more about consuming media (including One Piece) as a kid and as a parent.Subscribe to us on Patreon for early releases, exclusive episodes and more! You can hear an extended version of this episode if you subscribe on Patreon at $5+ right now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents an all new mini-series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We  critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On the fourth episode we have co-hosts Zach Logan, Shannon Strucci (video essayist, @struccimovies, Kim on @criticalbitcast @strugglesesh)Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) with Erica Friedman (Speaker/Writer/Editor/Adapter), Kelly (our Editor-in-Chief), Jill Knight (our contributor) and Kendra (MHA Podcast & Haikyuu! Podcast host)!This month we discuss Women & Shonen. What has Oda done well and poorly with his portrayal of women in the series? What are some of the best and worst examples? How does it compare to other shonen series?Subscribe to us on Patreon for early releases, exclusive episodes and more! You can hear an extended version of this episode if you subscribe on Patreon at $5+ right now!Next month: Parents & Children! We'll see you on October 2nd! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents an all new mini-series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We  critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On the third episode we have co-hosts Zach Logan & Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go) with Steve Yurko (Rick & Morty, Duncanville, Robot Chicken & Hot Streets), Alex Kazanas (web designer, Super Art Fight), Joey Weiser (Eisner Award nominated author of Mermin and Ghost Hog). David Bednar (UI Designer), Maddie (our official artist), and Sai (designer of our Fight Together logo)!This month we discuss Art and Artists. What designs are their favorite to draw? What has Oda done well in his design, and what has he done poorly? How has One Piece influenced each of our artists?Subscribe to us on Patreon for early releases, exclusive episodes and more! You can hear an extended version of this episode if you subscribe on Patreon at $5+ right now!Next month: Women & Shonen. We’ll see you then! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents an all new mini-series: Fight Together. In this series we explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We do not shy away from the uncomfortable. We  critique and criticize, and we explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On the second episode we have Erica Friedman (Speaker/Writer/Editor/Adapter), Josh McKenzie (Storyboard, Comic Artist & Swimfans Podcast host), Mike Nordstrom (animator on Teen Titans Go, storyboard artist), Shannon Strucci (video essayist and Crtical Bits), Allen Ortega (Games PR & Marketing/Indie Developer), Jill Knight (contributor), and Bryan Newton (animation director for Rick & Morty & Teen Titans Go).This month we discuss LGBTQ+ and One Piece. What has the series done right and wrong? What does this series mean to those in the community? All that and a lot more on this month's Fight Together.Subscribe to us on Patreon for early releases, exclusive episodes and more! You can hear an extended version of this episode if you subscribe on Patreon at $5+ right now!Next month: Art & Artists. We’ll see you then! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The One Piece Podcast presents an all new mini-series: Fight Together. In this series we will explore the major themes, stories, influences and ideas in One Piece, as well as the reverberations it has made in the real world. We will not shy away from the uncomfortable. We will critique and criticize, and we will explore topics that polarize. We hope you listen with open minds and open hearts.On the first episode of our series we explore race and politics with Bryan Newton (Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go), Godswill Ugwa (That's Dope Entertainment), and Jill Knight. Support the Black Lives Matter movement. Find out how: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/Subscribe to us on Patreon for early releases, exclusive episodes and more!Next month: LGBTQ+ & One Piece. We'll see you then! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices