One Piecehas been around for a long time and even as the episode count gets higher and higher,it has retained a statusthat still manages to rope in new fans with something enticing. To that end, a recent episode that was all the rage might have made more than a few people consider watching the show, and it’s partially thanks to one particularly skilled animator: Akihiro Ota.
Episode 1061 aired Sunday, May 7, and featured a fierce battle between Sanji and Queen in the newest sakuga-heavy battle from the Wano Arc, and one moment from that battle made the rounds on Twitter. It’s a climactic moment where the animation doesn’t just jump in quality, but soars, leading commentators on social media to call Ota one of the best animators in the industry today.
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Who is Akihiro Ota
It’s quite the praise and in anindustry highlighted by animators like Yutaka Nakamura, Weilin Zhang, Bahi JD, and countless others, some might doubt the claim, but only if they haven’t seen what Ota is capable of. After all, if you don’t watchOne Pieceor any Toei Animation work for that matter, you likely haven’t seen his work before, because he is an in-house animator at the studio.
Another big reason why one might not be familiar with Ota is also a big reason why his rise has been so astonishing to watch. Ota has evolved significantly as an animator, honing their craft, and producing good work but without really showing off. But withWorld Triggerand the Wano Arc ofOne Piece, his name is starting to get out there.
In discussions of Ota’s animation techniques online, the word that often comes to mind is “freedom.” Do you ever notice how in anime,the visual quality might shift or arguably “increase"during a significant moment? Moments like these are foundational to understanding animation culture in Japan and the best animators have certain signatures that become apparent over time.
Advancing in animation is - traditionally - an upward climb through which even the most promising talent starts small and works their way up. Ota’s animation in the Dressrosa Arc is well done but restrained compared to his newer work. This can be a sign of his room to improve but also symptomatic of corrections made to keep the art in line with the rest of the episode. (Clip 1)
But as fans have noticed with his newer work, he’s been given far more freedom to animate these cuts with a far looser adherence to the rules, creating more advantageous shots. The angles are more daring, the shots have more depth,and the character animation is more expressive. Some cuts are more impressive than others, but his work adds a lot to the action. (Clip 2) (Clip 3)
The Wano Arc
And There’s his work onOne Pieceover the past year. #1061 is far from the first time his work has gone viral and in fact, it was only back in September 2022 that his work on #1033 similarly astonished audiences. The artwork can look distorted in a way thatshouldcome off as negative for how greatly it contrasts against the rest of the artwork, yet it absolutely works.
The line art is thinner, wispier, and - in a word - squiggly, but the characters have so much detail that, in motion, they convey that much more emotion. Additionally, the effects work is bright and bombastic, easily rivaling the prettiest cuts ofeffects-heavy shows likeDemon Slayer. And then there’s his most recent work: Sanji vs Queen in #1061.
Twitter user @SakugaRelux broke down some of what makes the fight so impressive on a technical level back when the episode aired. To put it simply, there is a lot of motion constantly, and despite it being meant to be appreciated in motion, it isn’t as if you’re able to’t find individual frames bursting with character. Plus, the blue fire effects are simply dazzling.
Furthermore,there are practical considerations when constructing a fightlike this, such as the size of the opponents and the strength of the attacks. Ota considers the weight behind the attacks, then creates long shots that hold focus on the characters throughout a flurry of attacks. As Relux points out, “[Ota] took no shortcuts.”
Over the course of the Wano Arc, Ota has proven himself to be a powerhouse at Toei, and his style is becoming recognizable even outside of hardcore animation circles. It’s awesome and also incredibly endearing to see an artist be given a level of freedom that is frankly shocking to craft such impactful work.
It will be very interesting to see what Ota will produce forOne Piecenext, andwhat other projects Toei will have him contributing to, especially if there are any upcomingDragon Ballprojects. As of right now, he truly may be one of the best in the business. So basically, don’t be surprised if people you know start contemplating watchingOne Pieceafter seeing Ota’s recent work.
