The seventh season of the One Piece anime series are produced by Toei Animation and directed by Kōnosuke Uda adapted from Eiichiro Oda's manga of the same name. The season was released in Japan as a single chapter, called "Escape! The Naval Fortress & The Foxy Pirate Crew". It deals with the Straw Hat Pirates' infiltration of and escape from a Marine fortress to reclaim their confiscated treasure. The Straw Hats later meet Foxy the Silver Fox and his crew, who challenges them to the Davy Back Fight, a competition involving battles between Foxy's crew and Luffy's crew. Soon after, they encounter Admiral Aokiji, a Marine admiral who is determined to capture Nico Robin, but spares the crew after defeating Luffy.
The season began broadcasting on Fuji Television on June 20, 2004 and ended March 27, 2005, lasting 33 episodes. One Piece began airing in high definition, wide screen format with the premiere of the 207th episode. Despite this, the Japanese DVD release remained in 4:3 fullscreen format until the beginning of the 8th season. The beginning of this season (through to 205) has had an English-language release by Funimation Entertainment. In October 2011, FUNimation announced they had acquired the remaining episodes of this season, along with the entirety of the following season for release as part of their own US "Season Four".[1] The press release stated that the episodes would be featured in 16:9 widescreen starting with episode 207 as had been originally broadcast. The press release also mentioned that the episodes would be released in "HD" hinting at a possible Blu-ray release, but made no direct mention of the high definition disc format.
The episodes use four pieces of theme music throughout the series. The first opening theme, titled "Bon Voyage" by Bon-Bon Blanco, and the ending theme, titled "Dreamship" and performed by Aiko Ikuta continues to be used for the beginning of the season. The second opening and ending themes, used from episode 207 onwards, are "Kokoro no Chizu" (ココロのちず, lit. Map of the Heart) and "Mirai Koukai" (未来航海, lit. Future Voyage), respectively performed by Boystyle and Tackey & Tsubasa.
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 196 | "A State of Emergency is Issued! A Notorious Pirate Ship has Infiltrated!" "Hijō Jitai Hatsumei! Akumei Takaki Kaizokusen Sennyū" (非常事態発令!悪名高き海賊船潜入!) |
June 20, 2004[2] | April 16, 2011(Online)[3] |
| The Marines are convinced the Going Merry is a ghost ship after it crashes inside their fortress from above. The crew members are scattered around the premises. | |||
| 197 | "Sanji the Cook! Proving His Merit at the Marine Dining Hall!" "Ryōrinin Sanji! Kaigun Shokudō de Shinka Hakki!" (料理人サンジ!海軍食堂で真価発揮!) |
July 4, 2004[4] | April 23, 2011(Online)[3] |
| In disguise, Sanji shows the Marine chefs the proper way to prepare a meal. | |||
| 198 | "Captured Zoro! Chopper's Emergency Operations!" "Towareta Zoro to Choppā Kinkyū Shittō" (囚われたゾロとチョッパー緊急執刀!) |
July 11, 2004[5] | April 30, 2011(Online)[3] |
| Zoro is taken prisoner as Chopper and Nami assist a nervous doctor in treating injured Marines. | |||
| 199 | "The Marines Dragnet Closes In! The Second Member Captured!" "Hakaru Kaigun no Sōsamō! Towareta Futarime!" (迫る海軍の捜査網!囚われた二人目!) |
July 18, 2004[6] | May 7, 2011(Online)[3] |
| Robin and Usopp both disguise themselves as the same visiting inspector, and Usopp is thrown in the brig with Zoro. Luffy and Sanji are discovered by Jonathan after a slight mishap. | |||
| 200 | "Luffy and Sanji's Daring Rescue Mission!" "Kesshi no Rufi to Sanji! Kūshutsu Daisakusen!" (決死のルフィとサンジ!救出大作戦!) |
August 8, 2004[7] | May 14, 2011(Online)[3] |
| The real Inspector is thrown in the brig with Zoro and Usopp, while Sanji and Luffy race to rescue the two while avoiding detection. | |||
| 201 | "Enter the Hot-Blooded Special Forces! Battle on the Bridge!" "Netsuketsu Tokubetsu Butai Sansen! Burijji Kōbōsen!" (熱血特別部隊参戦!ブリッジ攻防戦!) |
September 5, 2004[8] | May 21, 2011(Online)[3] |
| Sanji and Luffy, after freeing Usopp and Zoro, try to escape Navarone. As the Burning Soul combat unit is deployed, Dr. Kobato leads Nami and Chopper to the docks. | |||
| 202 | "Breaking Through the Siege! The Going Merry is Recovered!" "Hōimō Toppa! Dakkan Gōingu Merī-gō" (包囲網突破!奪還ゴーイングメリー号) |
September 19, 2004[9] | May 28, 2011(Online)[3] |
| The crew meets at the docks and are surrounded by Marines. Using Nami as their fake hostage, they trick the Marines into letting them back on the Going Merry. | |||
| 203 | "The Pirate Ship Disappears! Fortress Battle, Round #2!" "Kieta Kaizokusen! Yōsai Kōbō Dai 2 Raundo" (消えた海賊船!要塞攻防第2ラウンド) |
September 26, 2004 | June 4, 2011(Online)[3] |
| The crew disguises the Going Merry as a Marine ship so they can get their treasure back. With the gold, they decide they’ll hire a shipwright. | |||
| 204 | "The Gold and Waver Recovery Operations!" "Ōgon Dakkan Sakusen to Ueibā Kaishū Sakusen!" (黄金奪還作戦とウエイバー回収作戦!) |
October 3, 2004 | June 11, 2011(Online)[3] |
| Usopp splits up the crew into two teams: the gold retrieval team and the waver retrieval team. Inspector Shepherd decides to catch Luffy on his own. | |||
| 205 | "The One Fell Swoop Plan! Jonathan's Surefire Secret Tactic!" "Ichimōdajin Keikaku! Jonasan Jishin no Hisaku!" (一網打尽計画!ジョナサン自信の秘策) |
October 3, 2004 | June 18, 2011(Online)[3] |
| Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Robin continue to search for their treasure. Luffy leads Nami to the captain’s quarters where they retrieve their gold. | |||
| 206 | "Farewell, Marine Fortress! The Last Battle for Escape!" "Saraba Kaigun Yōsai! Dasshutsu e no Saigō no Kōbō" (さらば海軍要塞!脱出への最後の攻防) |
October 10, 2004[10] | Summer 2012 |
| The Going Merry is grounded during a period of low tide and Jonathan believes they’ve reached “checkmate”. They cleverly use the impact dial to boost the ship and the breath and flame dials to inflate the octopus balloon again so they can escape. | |||
| 207 | "Big Adventure in Long Ring Long Land" "Rongu Ringu Rongu Rando no Daibōken!" (ロングリングロングランドの大冒険!) |
October 31, 2004[11] | Summer 2012 |
| Luffy and company come across a mysterious pirate ship after trying to escape a giant wave. Soon, they arrive on an island inhabited by strange animals. Going Merry is captured by the Foxy Pirate crew. | |||
| 208 | "The Foxy Pirate Crew and the Davy Back!" "Fokushī Kaizokudan to Dēbī Bakku!" (フォクシー海賊団とデービーバック!) |
November 7, 2004 | Summer 2012 |
| After Tonjit re-unites with his horse, they are soon attacked by Captain Foxy and his subordinates, who challenge Luffy in a Davy Back Fight, a contest of pirates where the stakes are members of the crew. | |||
| 209 | "Round 1! One Lap of the Donut Race" "Dai Ikkaisen! Gururi Ishū Dōnatsu Rēsu" (第一回戦!ぐるり一周ドーナツレース) |
November 14, 2004 | Summer 2012 |
| The first round of Davy Back Fight involves a race around the island with tiny boats. Zoro's and Chopper's boat is eliminated. | |||
| 210 | "Foxy the Silver Fox! A Violent Interference" "Gin Gitsune no Fokushī! Mōretsu Bōgai Kōsei!" (銀ギツネのフォクシー!猛烈妨害攻勢) |
November 21, 2004[12] | |
| With only Luffy, Nami, and Porche's boat remaining, it's an all out war to the goal, but after Foxy exposes his Devil Fruit powers, Porche wins and takes Tony Tony Chopper from Luffy. The second round prepares to start. | |||
| 211 | "Round 2! Shoot into the Groggy Ring!" "Dai Ni Kaisen! Buchikome Gurokkī Ringu!" (第二回戦!ブチ込めグロッキーリング) |
November 28, 2004[13] | |
| Without Chopper, Sanji and Zoro must face the Foxy Pirates in a ball game, but are hampered by their blatant cheating and the crooked referee. | |||
| 212 | "Rapid-Fire Red Cards! Groggy Ring" "Reddo Kādo Renpatsu! Gurokkī Ringu" (レッドカード連発!グロッキーリング) |
December 5, 2004[14] | |
| The bickering rivals Sanji and Zoro manage to overcome the opposing team by working together. Luffy chooses Tonjit's horse, Sherry over Chopper. | |||
| 213 | "Round 3! Round and Round Roller Race!" "Daisan Kaisen! Guruguru Rōrā Rēsu!" (第三回戦!ぐるぐるローラーレース!) |
December 12, 2004[15] | |
| The Straw Hats face Foxy a race around a giant ring on roller skates. | |||
| 214 | "Burning Roller Race! Dash into the Final Round!" "Hakunetsu Bakusō Rēsu! Saishū Raundo Totsunyū" (白熱爆走レース!最終ラウンド突入!) |
December 19, 2004[16] | |
| Thanks to some quick planning, the Straw Hats win the race. | |||
| 215 | "The Screaming Speed Serve! Pirate Dodgeball!" "Unaru Netsukyū Gōkyu! Kaizoku Dojjibōru!" (うなる熱球剛球! 海賊ドッジボール!) |
January 9, 2005[17] | |
| With Luffy's victory, he takes Chopper back, but foolishly accepts another challenge by Foxy. | |||
| 216 | "Final Match on the Edge! Dharma has Fallen!" "Dangai no Kessen! Daruma-san ga Koronda!" (断崖の決戦!だるまさんがころんだ!) |
January 9, 2005[17] | |
| Foxy decides to take Robin from Luffy this time because of her Devil Fruit ability. The next match is a race to the top of the island. | |||
| 217 | "Captain Confrontation! The Last Fight: Combat!" "Kyaputen Taiketsu! Saishūsen Konbatto!" (キャプテン対決!最終戦コンバット!) |
January 16, 2005[18] | |
| With Chopper gone again from Luffy's crew, Luffy and Foxy face off in the final game: a battle of brawn aboard Foxy's ship. | |||
| 218 | "Full Power Noro Noro Beam vs The Invulnerable Luffy" "Zenkai Noro Noro Kōgeki vs Fujimi no Rufi" (全開ノロノロ攻撃VS不死身のルフィ) |
January 23, 2005[19] | |
| Luffy continues to battle Foxy with the odds not in his favor, and the fight continues inside Foxy's ship. | |||
| 219 | "Heroic Fierce Combat! The Fateful Last Battle" "Sōzetsu Nettō Konbatto! Unmei no Saishū Ketchaku!" (壮絶熱闘コンバット!運命の最終決着) |
January 30, 2005[20] | |
| Luffy manages to finally defeat Foxy by using his ability against him. After dismissing his new crewmembers, the Straw Hats leave in search for a shipwright. | |||
| 220 | "You Lost Your Memory? It was Taken Away? Who are You?" "Ushinatta? Ubawareta? Omae wa Dare da?" (失った?奪われた?おまえはだれだ?) |
February 6, 2005[21] | |
| A mysterious figure appears during the night and steals the memories of the crew. In the morning, Robin is the only one who remembers the Straw Hats adventures together. Her attempts to keep the crew together fail as Nami and Zoro go separate ways. | |||
| 221 | "The Mysterious Boy with the Whistle and Robin's Deduction" "Fude o Daita Nazo no Shōnen to Robin no Suiri!" (笛を抱いた謎の少年とロビンの推理!) |
February 13, 2005[22] | |
| Robin suggests that only those who were sleeping lost their memories. Luffy and the others then remember seeing the mysterious boy who played some kind of flute. Later that night, they discover the boy outside and Luffy tries to fight him. At the last second, he proclaims his memory has returned. | |||
| 222 | "Get Back the Memories! The Pirates Land" "Iza Kioku o Dakkan seyo! Kaizokudan Shima ni Jōriku" (いざ記憶を奪還せよ!海賊団島に上陸) |
February 20, 2005[23] | |
| During the night, Usopp, Chopper, and Sanji question what brought them to the Going Merry. In the morning, Usopp builds them a raft and they sail to the island where they meet Nami again. Meanwhile, the boy sets his sights on Zoro. | |||
| 223 | "Zoro Sharpens His Fangs! A Fight With a Wild Animal" "Kiba o Muku Zoro! Tachihadakatta Yajū" (牙をむくゾロ!立ちはだかった野獣!) |
February 27, 2005[24] | |
| On their way to "The Palace of the Sea God" Robin's group meets an entranced Zoro. It looks like Zoro wants to fight so Luffy urges the others to keep going without him. They apprehend the kid but the whistle was what was really stealing their memories. Zoro returns, still entranced, but Luffy's nowhere to be seen. | |||
| 224 | "The Real Memory Thief's Final Counterattack!" "Honsei o Arawashita Kioku Dorobō no Saigo no Gyakushū" (本性を現した記憶泥棒の最後の逆襲!) |
March 6, 2005[25] | |
| Luffy returns and knocks some sense into Zoro. Cornered, the sea horse spreads illusions of the people in their memories to distract them. It steals their complete memories and claims that it has become a Sennenryu. Luffy defeats it and returns all the memories but the townspeople are convinced they're the memory stealers. | |||
| 225 | "The Man of Pride! Foxy the Silver Fox" "Hokori Takaki Otoko! Gin Gitsune no Fokushī" (誇り高き男!銀ギツネのフォクシー) |
March 13, 2005 | |
| Luffy rescues Foxy, Hamburg, and Porche from a storm at sea. When they reunite with the Sexy Foxy ship, they find it captained by somebody new. Foxy accepts a Davy Back Fight in order to regain his ship and crew. Donning the afro once again, Luffy vows to defeat the captain. | |||
| 226 | "The Nigh Invincible Man? And a Very Dangerous Man!" "Mottomo Muteki ni Chikai Yatsu? To Mottomo Kiken na Otoko!" (最も無敵に近い奴?と最も危険な男!) |
March 20, 2005[26] | |
| Once Foxy wins back his crew, he captures the Strawhats. Nami and Luffy fight Foxy and although he's defeated, his crew accepts him back. Later, they sail to an island where they meet someone Robin knows; a Marine named Aokiji. | |||
| 227 | "Navy Headquarters Admiral Aokiji! The Threat of the Greatest Power" "Kaigun Hombu Taishō Aokiji! Saikō Senryoku no Kyōi" (海軍本部大将青キジ!最高戦力の脅威) |
March 27, 2005[27] | |
| The man they met, Marine High Admiral Aokiji, appears to be incredibly lazy. He first displays his Devil's Fruit ability by freezing the sea so some deserted people can get off the island. Unfortunately, he's determined to catch Robin. Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro attack but they seem to be no match. | |||
| 228 | "Rubber and Ice One-on-One Fight! Luffy vs Aokiji!" "Gomu to Koori no Ikkiuchi! Rufi VS Aokiji!" (ゴムと氷の一騎打ち!ルフィVS青キジ) |
March 27, 2005[27] | |
| Robin is frozen by Aokiji and Luffy tells the others to escape with her. In the Going Merry, Usopp and Chopper try to thaw her in the shower. Luffy gets defeated (frozen), but his life is spared as Aokiji believes he must repay the debt the marines incurred from Crocodile's defeat at Luffy's hands. With the crew defrosted, they continue sailing as usual. Zoro spots the giant frog they heard about and they chase it to an island with a lighthouse, but it appears they'll sink before they get there. | |||
|
||||||||||||||