International star-studded World Series pushes 'One Piece' back
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LOS ANGELES -- On this side of the Pacific Ocean, Shohei Ohtani’s stature and unprecedented performances have rewritten the sport’s record books.
On the other side of the world, Ohtani’s larger-than-life prominence in his home country has grown so otherworldly that his quest for his first World Series ring will take precedence over an established cultural touchstone.
It might not register as much to fans in the United States, but it made a huge splash in Japan when the anime series “One Piece” announced that it will push back the premiere episode of its “Fish-Man Island Saga” series by a week -- from Sunday to Nov. 3 in Japan -- to avoid conflicting with the live broadcast of the World Series, featuring Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
What might that mean for fans unfamiliar with the magnitude of the show? Let’s ask Jazz Chisholm Jr., MLB’s resident “One Piece” superfan.
“I think that's like saying you've got the NBA Finals and you push it back,” Chisholm said.
Though Yamamoto confessed that he had never seen an episode, the numbers for the show have been staggering even outside Japan. Per Netflix, the live-action version was the No. 1 title globally on the streaming platform, reaching the top 10 in 93 countries and debuting in the top spot in 46 countries.
Chisholm is such a big fan that he wears a chain representing “Luffy,” the main character of the show, and said his glove manufacturer is in contact with “One Piece” representatives in Japan for a potential partnership -- and as he recognizes the significance of the delay, he’s also grateful so he knows he won’t be missing out as he chases his first World Series title.
“I appreciate them pushing it back for me so I can focus on baseball instead of watching ‘One Piece,’” Chisholm said with a laugh. “Thank you!”
Consider this another indication of the extent to which Ohtani has become a global phenomenon -- bringing with him the Dodgers and this World Series matchup between the two most recognizable brands in the sport.
Remember the nationwide frenzy around Japan in scenes posted to social media when Ohtani and the Japanese national team won the 2023 World Baseball Classic? Now, imagine that nation of baseball fans cheering along as Ohtani -- the presumed NL MVP favorite, coming off the first 50-50 season in history -- takes on Aaron Judge, with one set to emerge with his first ring.
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“I think that's what's going to make this World Series so special, so unique,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “You could easily argue that on a global scale, the Yankees and the Dodgers are the most followed, the most supported, the most visible. … I still stand by the fact that more eyeballs are going to be watching this World Series than any other series in history.”
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Chisholm will still carry the series with him on the field, though, as he -- of course -- compared the Yankees’ pursuit of a championship to the central plot line of the show.
“The main thing about ‘One Piece’ is that, together, they’ve got to go find this treasure,” Chisholm said on YES Network earlier this month. “That’s what we’re about to do: We’re about to go win the championship, and that’s our treasure.”
And for those viewers in Japan who were anticipating a weekend premiere -- Chisholm hinted that he might still be able to bring some of the program with him to the baseball stage.
“I think the cleats that I'm wearing tomorrow, I haven't worn in the playoffs yet,” Chisholm said. “I'll leave it to you guys [to figure it out]. They might be connected to ‘One Piece.’ You never know.”