Latest News & Rumours
One Piece rescued by FUNimation; new version starting at 144 Fri, 13 Apr 2007

In a surprise announcement last night, FUNimation confirmed that they have picked up (some would say rescued) One Piece from 4Kids and intend to start producing the show with a new dub and the original musical soundtrack as soon as possible. Due to time constraints, FUNimation's version of the show will begin at episode 144 (Jaya arc, Japanese episode count), though they intend to eventually re-work all the 4Kids-produced episodes too. Completely uncut DVDs are also said to be forthcoming in the US, though again, these will only start at episode 144. Whether or not the UK will see this newer TV version or DVD release (most likely through Revelation Films) remains to be seen.

Originally, One Piece was licensed by and completely reworked at the behest of 4Kids - entire episodes were removed, dead characters never actually died and the original music was replaced by 4Kids electronic revision. FUNimation's version of the show, to the delight of the many One Piece fans in the anime community, promises to be much closer in theme, content and message to the original Japanese version.

Read the full statement from FUNimation, including extended interviews with their executives, over at AnimeOnLine.

Related: One Piece

Editorial Spotlight

Reviewing Ergo Proxy has actually been a pleasure, and, in the same sense, I imagine that most people making the informed decision of buying into the series are inevitably going.. Read more (1 comments)
Yotsuba&! chronicles the life of Yotsuba Koiwai, a five year old girl that has just moved to a new neighbourhood with her father, who is simply called Mr Koiwai. We follow.. Read more
It’s a high school story of unrequited love as old as time: tough guy Harima has a crush on the charming yet utterly air-headed Tenma, but she has a crush on the distant.. Read more (0 comments)

Got news?

Got some news? E-mail it to news@AUKN

Recent Comments

jeremy on Ergo Proxy #6

Well put! took the words from my mind and cleaned them up to make sense. i would call it a beautifully flawed series, if anything (Read more)

poppyman on Najica Blitz Tactics

Totally agree with your review,I think you could do a lot worse than spend a relaxing evening with Najica. (Read more)

Nemorivarex on Otogi Zoshi #6

I really love Mansairaku, although he wasn't with his lover Hikaru after all. Although his duty for his homeland was fulfilled but what about his... (Read more)

Taki on Black Lagoon #2

Great review. I am loving the Black Lagoon series so far. The first 3 episodes of Black Lagoon - Second Barrage are good enough to form their own... (Read more)

Travis on Elemental Gelade #2

i dont care about enthing about that i saw all 26 episodes and now im rly exited for the enxt series of elemental gelade believed to be comign this... (Read more)

About Anime UK News

Anime UK News has been going since 2004, want to contact us or learn a little more about the site? Head to the about us page.