When you ask most people about One Piece, they will probably shudder and ask about something else. Well this isn't the One Piece we try to forget about. The dubbing in this one is good, and the edits are minimal. The story is the same in this one as well as the prior english version: Some time before the start of the story a pirate with the name of Gold Roger acquired much wealth and infamy that he was called the Pirate King, upon his execution he mentions that all his treasure is being kept in "one piece" in a dangerous part of the ocean called the Grand Line. A golden age of piracy emerges and a young boy named Monkey D. Luffy is encouraged to become the Pirate King. To achieve his goal he brings along Zoro: a swordsman, Nami: a navigator, Usopp: a sniper, and Sanji: a cook. Each of them has their own goals.
Highlights
Disk 1
The disk begins with a girl escaping a Marine ship during a storm. When we finally come to the ship carrying our heroes each make a vow of their respective dreams: Luffy to be King of the Pirates, Zoro's is to be the greatest swordsman in the world, Nami's is to make a map of the world, Usopp's is to be a brave warrior, and Sanji's is to find the Great Blue (a part of the Grand Line that holds every fish in the sea). Just by chance they spot a small boat in the horizon and with Luffy's help they grab the girl and learn her name is, Apis. After getting taken back to her home island named Warship Island (It looks like a warship), Luffy and Nami come across a Millennial Dragon and escape the same Marines that had Apis captive and try to find the Dragon Nest. Apparently the bones of dragons can be used to create an elixir of immortality.
After drifting around they learn that they must go back to where they started and get surrounded by Marines and it is up to Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji to take down the fence that is blocking them. As soon as it looks like they are about to succeed, the Marines are betrayed by a mercenary they hired by the name of Eric who has the powers of the Sicle-Sicle fruit, his ability is to create winds that are as sharp as sicles. Luckily the dragon that the Straw Hats were taking to his home arises and blows Eric away before being killed by the Marines himself.
Disk 2
After the Millennial Dragon arc, the crew finally makes it to across a huge mountain that can only be crossed by a channel that causes the water of the ocean to go up the mountain. After making it across, they meet up with a whale named "Laboon" and after learning his tale and learning a little bit about the Grand Line, the crew go to an island named 'Whiskey Peak' and are surprised to see that they are welcomed. Sadly this is a ploy by a group of villains named Baroque Works. What happens next is just one of the examples of just how badass Zoro is.
Overall
What I liked about Funimations take on the series is that what you see is what is to see in the original version. Sanji smokes cigarettes, blood from cuts, the Devil Fruit called Devil Fruit and not Cursed Fruit, and important plot points that explain very important details that were left out when 4kids had cut out. In fact, all but the last two episodes were cut when first shown on television.
ComicsOnline gives "One Piece Season: 2 First Voyage" 4.5 out of 5 Devil Fruits.
