Alright, Nakama! Let's talk about everyone's favorite topic (besides meat, of course!): the One Piece dub! Specifically, where were we back in 2021?
Think back to 2021. Remember those simpler times? Masks were maybe still a thing, but we were dreaming of going outside again. Where were Luffy and the gang during all this?
The Dub in 2021: A Pirate's Pace
In 2021, the English dub of One Piece was making steady, but maybe not lightning-fast, progress.
Imagine Luffy trying to study for a test. He's making an effort, but a giant piece of meat keeps distracting him. That was kinda the dub's pace in 2021 – determined, but taking its time!
Funimation's Voyage: Where Did They Reach?
Funimation (now Crunchyroll, after the merger – a whole saga in itself!) was the one steering the ship for the English dub.
Back then, they were usually releasing new batches of episodes every few months. This meant we were getting closer and closer to catching up with the Japanese subbed version… slowly but surely!
Think of it like Usopp trying to tell a story: he exaggerates a little, adds some flair, but eventually, he gets to the point! So, where exactly *was* the point in 2021?
Well, depending on when in 2021 you're thinking, the dub was roughly around the end of the Dressrosa arc and starting to sail into the Zou arc.
The Dressrosa Dilemma and Zou's Arrival
Dressrosa was a HUGE arc! Think of it as a massive buffet – tons of delicious characters, storylines, and battles to enjoy.
The dub covered all the epic moments, from Luffy's Gear Fourth transformation (boundman!) to the emotional clashes and the defeat of Doflamingo.
After that, we were starting to get our first glimpses of Zou, the mysterious moving island on the back of an elephant! Imagine that elephant trying to ride a bicycle – a challenging feat indeed!
Is It Far Behind? A Relative Rumination
So, was the dub really far behind the sub in 2021?
Compared to the Japanese broadcast, which was already deep into the Wano Country arc, the dub was a considerable distance behind. Think of it as Luffy racing against Zoro: Luffy's got the Gum-Gum powers, but Zoro's got the disciplined focus. Luffy might be faster in short bursts, but Zoro's a steady competitor.
But think of it this way, though! Being behind meant we had a treasure trove of episodes to look forward to. It was like finding a chest full of One Piece goodies!
The gap gave us time to re-watch favorite arcs, theorize about what's to come, and generally bask in the gloriousness of One Piece. After all, every moment spent in the One Piece world is a moment well spent!
So, while the One Piece dub in 2021 wasn't quite neck-and-neck with the sub, it was making progress. It was a voyage, a slow and steady march towards catching up, and that's okay! After all, the journey is just as important as the destination, right? Now, who's up for some meat and adventure?
