FUNimation licenses One Piece Season 5 (episodes 264 - 336) and Movie Strong World

[WTK]

via PR... (http://www.funimation.com/rojas/blog/funimation-entertainment-announces-multiple-otakon-acquisitions/4470621)
Lastly, home entertainment rights have also be acquired for the following, with additional information to be announced at a later date:

One Piece Season 5 Season 5 (Episodes 264 – 336) will span the entire Enies Lobby Arc, as the Straw Hat Pirates continue their battle with CP9, and ends with the Ice Hunter Arc.

Fans can look for One Piece Season 5 to hit DVD in the summer of 2013.

But that’s not all for One Piece fans! FUNimation Entertainment also announced the acquisition of the One Piece feature length film, One Piece Film: Strong World.

One Piece Film: Strong World takes place between the Thriller bark and Sabaody Archipelago Arcs as the Straw Hats Pirates return to their hometowns in East Blue to face off against the infamous, Golden Lion Shiki. When Shiki abducts Nami to use as his personal navigator, the Straw Hats must place their very lives on the line to save her.

FUNimation Entertainment has yet to announce any information regarding the release of this film.

[FUNiOP]

Nice to see season 5 confirmed as season 4 is just starting. And Strong World! I'm really excited about that.

[Damius]

I may watch this stream on their site.

[Daichi]

Thank you based FUNi

[Mach Rider]

Ahhhhhghdghhdshshsdhgh

FUNi just blew my expectations for today completely out of the water.

[Rootsofjustice]

17:24:07 <bay|Ota|FUNi> Q: Thank you for more one piece, Release date for movie?
17:24:51 <bay|Ota|FUNi> A: Next year

Looking like a 2013 release date for Strong World. Wonder where exactly in the year they intend to insert it.

[SolidSnarf86]

Any word on HD release rights? Blu-ray's? Anything? Weren't we supposed to hear something about 207+ HD rights? I know they're releasing on DVD only but I figured for sure the hold up with more episodes was they were negotiating BD rights for the ones they had the rights to already.

[WTK]

Any word on HD release rights? Blu-ray's? Anything? Weren't we supposed to hear something about 207+ HD rights? I know they're releasing on DVD only but I figured for sure the hold up with more episodes was they were negotiating BD rights for the ones they had the rights to already.
The reason why S4 isn't on Blu-ray (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2012-05-18)

- One Piece S4 on BD - rights issue, not in Japan

Expect this issue to be the same for the rest of the TV episodes. The movie (Strong World) on the other hand will likely be released on Blu-ray.

[WTK]

So the actual PR (attachment) that was sent out was different than what was announced and posted @ FUNimation.com. I wonder what really happened...
One Piece Season 5 and 6

Season 5 (Episodes 264 – 336) will span the entire Enies Lobby Arc, as the Straw Hat Pirates continue their battle with CP9, and ends with the Ice Hunter Arc.

Season 6 (Episodes 337 – 451) marks the beginning of the Thriller Bark Arc and follows the Luffy and the gang all the way to the end of the Impel Down Arc.

This extremely popular series is based on the manga by Oda Eiichiro and follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his band of Straw Hat Pirates. The series is currently into its 556th episode. Fans can watch the simulcast episodes Saturdays at 10:00 pm EST on www.onepieceofficial.com (http://www.onepieceofficial.com/) .

Fans can look for One Piece Season 5 to hit DVD in the summer of 2013, with Season 6 right behind it in the summer of 2014.

But that’s not all for One Piece fans! FUNimation Entertainment also announced the acquisition of two One Piece feature length films, One Piece Film: Strong World and One Piece Film Z.

One Piece Film: Strong World takes place between the Thriller bark and Sabaody Archipelago Arcs as the Straw Hats Pirates return to their hometowns in East Blue to face off against the infamous, Golden Lion Shiki. When Shiki abducts Nami to use as his personal navigator, the Straw Hats must place their very lives on the line to save her.

One Piece Film Z is the upcoming feature length film set to be release in Japan on December 15, 2012 When a mysterious and deadly weapon of the Marines goes missing, it is up to the Straw Hat Pirates to chase down the man who stole it. Little did they know, they would be facing one of their most powerful opponents yet, former Marine Admiral “Z.”

FUNimation Entertainment has yet to announce any information regarding the release of these films.
via OnePiecePodcast Twitter (https://twitter.com/OnePiecePodcast/status/229629974016057344)
We asked @FUNimation to address rumors today, and they reiterated that S 5 and Strong World are the only two announcements they have for OP.

[MelancholicMariya]

Wow Funimation you kinda just leaked a huge deal of information.

I wonder if them saying they got One Piece Film Z will get them in any trouble? I doubt it, but information on that film is very minimal.

[Mach Rider]

Very strange...when I read that on ToonZone I thought it had to be a mistake, especially the Film Z thing. And shouldn't Season Six be just Thriller Bark? Why would Saobaody and Impel Down be included?

[WTK]

Very strange...when I read that on ToonZone I thought it had to be a mistake, especially the Film Z thing.
They have fixed their article: LINK (http://www.toonzone.net/2012/07/otakon2012-pr-funimation-entertainment-announces-multiple-acquisitions-at-otakon/).

[MythicalFangNZ]

Now THIS is the best news to come out of the convention. Season 5, I loved the Enies Lobby arc. I am glad to see that after the year hiatus between Season 3 and 4, they seem to be rushing to get new One Piece out. It seems that FUNimation does have real dedication on continuing One Piece in the US even for a long on-going series, and I am glad that One Piece won't get the Case Closed treatment and FUNi stopping the series. The sales must be good to justify releasing more One Piece. It was unexpected though, seeing that everyone was worried that once Season 4 was over we would have to play the waiting game yet again, but I am happy we don't.

The Movie, was a complete surprise to me as well. I didn't expect that, it seems like we will have a good run with One Piece on DVD until 2014 . Maybe even before FUNimation finishes release Season 5, they will license season 6. Who knows.

I really do hope they go back to dubbing the Theme Songs as well, I have been wanting to hear Brand New World dubbed for a long time. Make it happen FUNimation :P

[Rootsofjustice]

Strong World will start recording early next year for a late Summer-early Fall 2013 release.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=292374947548393&set=a.223740164411872.47847.151318594987363&type=1&theater

http://i.imgur.com/oPn3M.png

[Damius]

I ended up watching it... now I hope they will release at least 2 episodes a week until they catch up episode 391...

[WTK]

The Unofficial One Piece Podcast - Episode 260 (http://onepiecepodcast.com/2013/03/18/episode-260-pardon-our-guests/) with FUNimation brand manager Josh Kocurek

Some notes (or just listen to the podcast):
- One Piece Season 4 sale is "good"
- Sticking with 2 to 3 months turnaround time between voyages (releases); not slowing down
- One Piece DVD Collections "sell extremely well"
- Season 5 Voyage 1 to be released in July 2013.
- Just got materials last month for Strong World...goal is a holiday release (DVD and Blu-ray confirmed).
- Film Z: on the timeline...just don't know when; trying to get it as soon as they can
- Simulcast: our strongest; numbers keeps getting higher and higher; keeps growing exponentially; improvement on numbers

EDIT: http://bayoab.info/live/old.php?panel=262
16:51:33 <bay|SC|Con> And I believe one piece strong world should be around this holiday season

[blaizevincent]

The Unofficial One Piece Podcast - Episode 260 (http://onepiecepodcast.com/2013/03/18/episode-260-pardon-our-guests/) with FUNimation brand manager Josh Kocurek

Some notes (or just listen to the podcast):
- One Piece Season 4 sale is "good"
- Sticking with 2 to 3 months turnaround time between voyages (releases); not slowing down
- One Piece DVD Collections "sell extremely well"
- Season 5 Voyage 1 to be released in July 2013.
- Just got materials last month for Strong World...goal is a holiday release (DVD and Blu-ray confirmed).
- Film Z: on the timeline...just don't know when; trying to get it as soon as they can
- Simulcast: our strongest; numbers keeps getting higher and higher; keeps growing exponentially; improvement on numbers

Really sad to see them continuing with the 2-3 month schedule. Its far too slow. For those of us only watching this series Dubbed. Its really hard to wait this long between each release when you marathon each voyage. Waiting from December to now was such a long time.

why don't they release them quicker? then they can start on the collections a bit quicker and make more sales. Everyone's happy then aren't they? << Simple view XD

I just keep thinking about Toriko getting 3 volumes in that same time frame and wondering why One Piece Voyages couldn't have a slightly tighter schedule closer to 4-6 weeks.

At the current rate if we assume they release a new voyage every two months (which they won't but for examples sake) then to get to episode 500 will take 38 months. So we are looking at Summer 2016 minimum before we get to the Timeskip?

If we make it a voyage every 3 months it becomes 2018/19.

Which is crazy, especially since of course this doesn't allow for a break which they'll probably be.

[Rootsofjustice]

The Unofficial One Piece Podcast - Episode 260 (http://onepiecepodcast.com/2013/03/18/episode-260-pardon-our-guests/) with FUNimation brand manager Josh Kocurek

Some notes (or just listen to the podcast):
- One Piece Season 4 sale is "good"
- Sticking with 2 to 3 months turnaround time between voyages (releases); not slowing down
- One Piece DVD Collections "sell extremely well"
- Season 5 Voyage 1 to be released in July 2013.
- Just got materials last month for Strong World...goal is a holiday release (DVD and Blu-ray confirmed).
- Film Z: on the timeline...just don't know when; trying to get it as soon as they can
- Simulcast: our strongest; numbers keeps getting higher and higher; keeps growing exponentially; improvement on numbers

What I find pretty interesting is the part about One Piece's Toonami run and how they're talking about starting it up in Mid-Late April. As far as I recall, Tenchi's run doesn't end until mid-May. I wonder what the plan is, it seems to me that they want to get it going on the same night TOM 5 goes live.

[WTK]

Really sad to see them continuing with the 2-3 month schedule. Its far too slow. For those of us only watching this series Dubbed. Its really hard to wait this long between each release when you marathon each voyage. Waiting from December to now was such a long time.

why don't they release them quicker? then they can start on the collections a bit quicker and make more sales. Everyone's happy then aren't they? << Simple view XD
That's just unrealistic and probably not ideal (business wise) from their perspective. They do have other anime releases that could/should be working on. And I'm assuming from time to time, there could be other issues as waiting for additional part of materials, approvals,...
I just keep thinking about Toriko getting 3 volumes in that same time frame and wondering why One Piece Voyages couldn't have a slightly tighter schedule closer to 4-6 weeks.
Different series (even though both are from Toei) gets treated differently. Toriko was given a bigger amount of episodes for home video releases around select regions around the world (the number is said to be around 75). And FUNimation has slowed down on the Toriko releases and it's not clear when they will release Part 5.
At the current rate if we assume they release a new voyage every two months (which they won't but for examples sake) then to get to episode 500 will take 38 months. So we are looking at Summer 2016 minimum before we get to the Timeskip?

If we make it a voyage every 3 months it becomes 2018/19.

Which is crazy, especially since of course this doesn't allow for a break which they'll probably be.
It's a long, continuing series. What do you expect? I don't expect the pace to get picked up (I wouldn't be surprised if it slows down from the current pace from time to time). From my perspective, a monthly release is just unrealistic and you simply leave yourself with no room for any sort of error.

[Baroque25]

Personally, I think a six week release schedule would be perfect for everyone. Remember, these sets are only 20$. Most fans tend to watch all of it in two days. The only issues with a six week release schedule is how fast the episodes can be dubbed and how long of a break for more licensing is needed.


If it were entirely up to me, I'd like a voyage every other week. :P

[AKX20000]

Most fans tend to watch all of it in two days.

*looks at unwatched One Piece DVDs from all the way back to Arlong arc*

Clearly, I'm not most fans.

[vizhater]

Most fans tend to watch all of it in two days.

*looks at unwatched One Piece DVDs from all the way back to Arlong arc*

Clearly, I'm not most fans.

Same here. I prefer to spread it out and watch an episode or 2 every week to really absorb what I'm watching . As a fan, marathoning seems like a waste of a quality anime.

[blaizevincent]

Personally, I think a six week release schedule would be perfect for everyone. Remember, these sets are only 20$. Most fans tend to watch all of it in two days. The only issues with a six week release schedule is how fast the episodes can be dubbed and how long of a break for more licensing is needed.


If it were entirely up to me, I'd like a voyage every other week. :P

I couldn't agree more. I mean the latest Volume is a crazy 11 episodes?? Like come on!? Its not as if the next few volumes aren't already fully dubbed. I just don't like it being dragged out so far. In fact in this 3 month wait more than 11 episodes were broadcasted weekly in Japan. So at that rate any chance of ever getting closer to the Japanese timeline is impossible.

Most fans tend to watch all of it in two days.

*looks at unwatched One Piece DVDs from all the way back to Arlong arc*

Clearly, I'm not most fans.

Same here. I prefer to spread it out and watch an episode or 2 every week to really absorb what I'm watching . As a fan, marathoning seems like a waste of a quality anime.

What are you talking about!?! I marathon each set because i love the show. I don't marathon it by choice, its basically i can't stop watching. I do this with all Anime i truly love and I'm a fan of. The definition of a fan would be someone who wants to watch as much of it as they can.

I couldn't possibly watch two episodes a week and feel as consumed by it as i do watching the whole lot at first chance available.

You might want to look up the definition of a fan. Not to say you aren't a fan as that would be a childish claim to make, But to call someone out on being a fan when they watch more than you do makes no sense at all

[vizhater]

Most fans tend to watch all of it in two days.

*looks at unwatched One Piece DVDs from all the way back to Arlong arc*

Clearly, I'm not most fans.

Same here. I prefer to spread it out and watch an episode or 2 every week to really absorb what I'm watching . As a fan, marathoning seems like a waste of a quality anime.

What are you talking about!?! I marathon each set because i love the show. I don't marathon it by choice, its basically i can't stop watching. I do this with all Anime i truly love and I'm a fan of. The definition of a fan would be someone who wants to watch as much of it as they can.

I couldn't possibly watch two episodes a week and feel as consumed by it as i do watching the whole lot at first chance available.

You might want to look up the definition of a fan. Not to say you aren't a fan as that would be a childish claim to make, But to call someone out on being a fan when they watch more than you do makes no sense at all

I'm not calling anyone out; didn't mean for it to come across that way. But technically, unless you guys are watching the same episodes over and over several times between each release, you aren't watching any MORE than I am :P

I get the "can't stop" feeling too, but since there's a limited quantity I like to take a bit of time to think about what's going to happen next as opposed to just diving right into it and not having any left. Sure, I'd watch a new one every day if possible but Japan only gets one per week, so eventually we will too. And I feel more comfortable knowing I have a steady supply of things I like as opposed to having a void to fill.

& I'm well aware of the definition of fan; I have all the graphic novels, figures, t-shirts, etc!

EDIT: But I admit this discussion is giving me the urge to marathon the S4V4 I bought yesterday...

[WTK]

http://bayoab.info/live/old.php?panel=263

11:47:26 <bay|SC|FUNi> one piece season 5 eps 264-336 late summer 2013
11:47:29 <bay|SC|FUNi> strong world winter 2013

[WTK]

via TRSI...
One Piece: Season 5, Part 1 - 320 minutes - $39.98 - 7/23/13 (http://www.rightstuf.com/i/fun09180)

[WTK]

https://twitter.com/ItachiIshtar/status/335219277009408000
According to @joshkocurek , One Piece: Strong World releases this November! First time we got a month, I believe! #OnePieceMarathon