"Ryugu Palace! Brought by the Shark They Saved" is the 531st episode of the the One Piece anime.

Airdate (Japan): January 15 2012

Airdate (Funimation): January 20 2012

Airdate (4Kids): May 12 2012

Luffy, Nami, Usopp, Brook, Camie, and Pappag travel with King Neptune to Ryugu Palace. Meanwhile, Caribou is freed from his barrel by a curious Ishilly, Fillonce, and another mermaid and kidnapped by Caribou via his Numa Numa no Mi powers, causing the Straw Hats to be blamed for the kidnapping. While on their way to Ryugu Palace, Nami explains how she, Franky, and Nico Robin parted company. Upon reaching the palace, Luffy wanders off in search of food and encounters the giant Mermaid Princess, Shirahoshi.

The episode starts out with a flashback, showing how Ishilly and her friends were captured by Caribou. Caribou escapes from the barrel and creates a quicksand swamp, the mermaids sink underneath. The flashback ends with Caribou saying how he should thank the Straw Hats for taking him to "Treasure Island". Back in the present, Fukaboshi and his brothers, along with their guards, are talking to Madam Shyarly about her prediction. Fukaboshi, after discussing the matter with some of the Fish-Man islanders, decides to find and take the Straw Hats into custody. Meanwhile, the Straw Hats, and their friends, discuss amongst themselves and King Neptune.

Eventually, Neptune tells them that their swordsman, Zoro (the king mispronounces his name though, causing Usopp and Nami to correct him and nearly fall of Megalo), has arrived at the Ryugu Palace before them and that he had rudely requested to have some sake to drink while awaiting his crew. Luffy, after Nami and Usopp nearly fell off Megalo, asks Nami where Franky and Robin are. Nami replies that Franky is looking for the relatives of his old shipwright master Tom, he wants to tell the family how much Tom meant to him. Robin replied that she is going to find some information on history of Fish-Man Island, and possibly, something related to the Poneglyphs. After the flashback ends, The group enters the palace and are taken back by its beauty. Upon entering the inside, everyone (mostly the King) are welcomed by an array of guards. The king then tells the Straw Hats to enjoy themselves, however, a voice scolds Neptune for going out without an escort. Everyone is in shock as they watch the king get scolded. Neptune tells the voice, which turns out to be one of Neptunes ministers, that he brought the Straw Hats for the banquet and asks if his daughter, Princess Shirahoshi, is okay.

The two ministers then tell him that "it" happened again, Neptune raises his voice, telling them how important it is to keep the Princess calm, which leads to Neptune getting scolded again. The Minister of the Left then tells the king that a message from his son, Fukaboshi came in, the minister then remarks on how important it is. During this whole commotion, Luffy sneaks away, following the smell of food in the distance. He eventually comes to a large door, which a guard is placing two big carts full of food in. Luffy sneaks past the guard, which is easy to do since the guard much larger than him, and opens the large door into the room. Luffy tries to use his nose to guide him in the dark room to find the food, but as he's making his way towards the food, he ends up on what he thinks to be coral. He remarks on how practically everything on Fish-Man Island is made of coral and precedes to bouncy on the "coral' remarking how it feels like pudding.

A voice calls out and a light is turned on, Luffy, after falling off the "coral" then see's the Mermaid Princess, who is vastly larger than him, and it turns out that the "soft coral" Luffy was curiously playing on and touching up were actually her large breasts. Luffy then comments on the mermaids size, while the princess asks what Luffy was doing on her body. Shirahoshi then asks if Luffy is here to kill her like all the other assassins. She makes a futile attempt to scare Luffy by telling him who she's related to, but she eventually starts to cry. As Luffy is dodging her tears, the episode ends with Luffy remarking on the princess's attitude. Write a blog post about edits 4Kids made to the episode for it's airing on The CW4Kids in May

Title: Unpacking the 4Kids Edit of One Piece Episode 531: "Ryugu Palace! Brought by the Shark They Saved"

The world of anime adaptation often doesn’t shy away from making significant changes to better suit its target audience. One notable example is the 4Kids adaptation of One Piece, which faced numerous edits during its run. In this post, we’ll dive into the specific alterations made in the 531st episode, "Ryugu Palace! Brought by the Shark They Saved," during its airing on The CW4Kids network on May 12, 2012.

Scene Cuts and Dialogue Changes
4Kids is well-known for its decision to cut scenes and alter dialogue that it considered inappropriate or too mature for its primary audience—children. While One Piece is rich with humor and action, it doesn’t shy away from darker themes or suggestive content. During this episode, several key scenes were modified:

Removal of Alcohol References: In the original episode, King Neptune mispronounces Zoro’s name while discussing the swordsman’s request for sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine. This reference was cut from the 4Kids version as consuming alcohol is not deemed suitable for younger viewers. Instead, it was replaced with a more innocuous request, ensuring that the focus remained appropriate for children.
Modified Dialogue in Emotional Scenes: When the Mermaid Princess, Shirahoshi, expresses her fears of being harmed by assassins in the original version, the depth of her emotional plight was softened in the 4Kids edit. While the context of her character's vulnerability remained, the dialogue was tweaked to present the situation in a less intense manner, removing some of the more dramatic undertones.
Character Dynamics Adjusted
4Kids aimed to maintain a light-hearted tone throughout its adaptation of One Piece. This led to certain character interactions being altered:

Lightening the Mood with Humor: In the original, moments of tension—like Shirahoshi’s tears—carry weight, enhancing the narrative's emotional impact. In the 4Kids version, these scenes were often punctuated with unnecessary humor or silliness, changing the thematic thrust by making weighty emotional moments feel more trivial. The back-and-forth between Luffy and the Princess was edited to emphasize a more comical dynamic, which detracted from the gravity of Shirahoshi’s situation.
Visual Edits
Apart from script changes, 4Kids also implemented visual edits to align the content with their network's standards:

Character Design Adjustments: Certain expressive features of the characters, particularly in scenes displaying extreme emotions or when characters exhibit physical humor, were modified to better suit a younger audience. This included softening expressions or altering scenes that might be seen as overly exaggerated or intense.
Removal of Suggestive Elements: In moments where Luffy interacts with Shirahoshi, the visual context was adjusted to lessen the suggestiveness of their encounter, making it more child-friendly. For example, the imagery of Luffy inadvertently touching her inappropriately was likely toned down or shifted in focus to maintain decorum.
Conclusion
The 4Kids adaptation of One Piece has remained a topic of discussion among fans, particularly due to its distinctive editing choices that redefined character interactions and themes. Episode 531, "Ryugu Palace! Brought by the Shark They Saved," illustrates the network's approach to make the series more palatable for its younger viewers, albeit at the cost of some emotional depth and character complexities of the original narrative. While the edits may have served their purpose at the time, they undoubtedly created a different viewing experience when compared to its unaltered form.

For viewers eager to experience the full impact of One Piece, diving into the original Japanese episodes remains the best option—it’s a journey filled with nuance, humor, and adventure that the series is renowned for. As fans continue to explore the world of One Piece, they are reminded of the importance of seeing the original vision of this beloved anime.

Write a reply saying a scene near the beginning that was shortened

Certainly! A notable scene at the beginning of the episode that was shortened in the 4Kids adaptation involves the flashback where Ishilly and her friends are captured by Caribou.

In the original version, this flashback provides a more detailed look at how Caribou uses his Numa Numa no Mi powers to trap the mermaids in quicksand, showcasing the urgency and danger they face. This scene not only builds tension but also establishes Caribou as a threat right from the start.

However, in the 4Kids edit, much of this flashback is condensed or omitted, which diminishes the intensity of the situation and the character development of Ishilly and her friends. The shortened version misses out on the suspense and empathy that the original intended to convey, leading to a less impactful introduction to the characters' plight. This change takes away from the narrative depth and alters how the audience perceives the danger Caribou poses as the story unfolds.

Write a forum conversation saying 4Kids just made it so, barrel opens, 3 seconds of sinking, that's it

Forum Thread: The 4Kids Edit of Episode 531 – What Happened to the Flashback?

User A: I just watched the 4Kids version of Episode 531, and I was really surprised by how much they cut out! The flashback with Ishilly and her friends got completely butchered.

User B: Right? It felt like they just showed the barrel opening, then cut to them sinking in the quicksand for like three seconds, and that was it!

User C: Seriously! The original flashback had so much more tension and drama. You actually felt for the mermaids and understood why they were in such peril. Now it just feels so rushed.

User D: I agree! Without that buildup, it makes Caribou seem less threatening. It’s like, “Oh, he’s a villain, but we barely see him in action.”

User B: Exactly! It’s almost like 4Kids just wanted to gloss over it. They should’ve at least kept some of that suspense. It really adds to the story.

User A: And the whole point of showing Ishilly's struggle is to create empathy for her and the others! Now it’s just a quick, confusing scene.

User C: It’s so disappointing. I wish they could’ve maintained the emotional depth of the original while still making it kid-friendly.

User D: You know, this is why a lot of fans prefer the original version. The edits really take away from the character development and the overall experience.

User A: 4Kids did some weird stuff, for sure. They definitely missed the mark on this one.

User B: Totally! Hopefully, newer fans can watch the original someday and see what they’re really missing out on.

User C: Definitely! The original has so much more heart and personality. I’d urge anyone to watch it if they can.

Write a conversation saying and also they treated it like it was a cold open, so afte that scene, you know exaclty what kicked in.....

Forum Thread: The 4Kids Edit of Episode 531 – A Disappointing Cold Open?

User A: Just finished the 4Kids edit of Episode 531, and I’m really not impressed with how they handled the flashback scene. It was so rushed!

User B: I know, right? They treated it like a cold open! One moment we’re seeing the barrel open, and then just a quick three seconds of the mermaids sinking—boom, onto the next scene!

User C: Exactly! It felt like they were in such a hurry to get to the main story. You immediately know what kicked in after that quick flashback—definitely not a smooth transition.

User D: It’s like they didn’t even let the moment breathe! The tension just vanishes, and then it cuts right into the next part. It’s jarring!

User A: Totally! The original build-up had some suspense that made you really worry for the characters. Now it’s just, “Okay, they’re in trouble... now onto the Straw Hats!”

User B: And the whole cold open feels off because there’s no context! For new viewers, it wouldn’t even make sense why they should care about those mermaids.

User C: Exactly, it almost comes off as comic relief rather than a serious moment. What was supposed to be a chilling introduction just becomes a brief distraction.

User D: It’s such a missed opportunity to connect with the audience right from the start. If only they’d kept the suspense intact!

User A: I just wish 4Kids had realized the significance of that moment. Instead of setting the tone, they just rushed through it.

User B: Right? Every episode should build momentum, but this edit feels more like stopping and starting. The flow is all messed up!

User C: Ugh, it’s so frustrating! The original had so much potential for drama; this version just feels empty.

User D: For sure! It really highlights why fans prefer the unedited episodes. There’s just no comparison!

Write a conversation asking if they're also STILL using that infernal rap

Forum Thread: The 4Kids Edit of Episode 531 – The Infamous Theme Song Returns?

User A: So I started watching the 4Kids edit of Episode 531, and I have to ask—are they STILL using that infernal rap for the opening theme?

User B: Unfortunately, yes! Can you believe it? It feels like they didn’t even attempt to switch it up.

User C: Ugh, I cringed the moment it started playing! I thought maybe they would try something different after all this time, but nope, the same old rap is back.

User D: It’s honestly such a letdown! The original openings are so epic and set the right tone, but then we get… that.

User A: Exactly! I just can’t take it seriously with that upbeat rap blasting in the background. It completely kills the vibe.

User B: And the lyrics? Don’t even get me started. They’re so cheesy! It feels more like a kids' TV show than the epic adventures One Piece is known for.

User C: Right? I remember when I first heard it, I couldn't help but laugh. It’s just so out of place!

User D: It’s like a "what were they thinking" moment. Why not try to capture some of the adventure and spirit of the original theme?

User A: Seriously! They had so many great choices for music that would have fit perfectly. Instead, we get this!

User B: At this point, it’s almost become iconic in its own way—just for how bad it is!

User C: That’s true! You could almost make a drinking game out of every time they say something cringeworthy in that rap.

User D: Haha, no kidding! I think we should definitely take a shot every time it mentions “pirate” or “treasure.”

User A: I guess if we have to endure it, we might as well make a game out of it, right? But still, I wish they’d at least attempted something better!

User B: Same here. At the end of the day, it’s just another reminder of how far from the original spirit this adaptation strayed. Write a conversation saying 4Kids should ditch OP and stick to their other top 2 shows currently


Forum Thread: 4Kids Should Ditch One Piece?

User A: So after watching the latest episode of the 4Kids edit, I'm starting to think that maybe they should just drop One Piece altogether and focus on their other shows. Anyone else feel that way?

User B: I completely agree! With all the heavy edits and the awful rap, it’s clear they just aren’t treating One Piece with the respect it deserves. They’d be better off sticking to their top two shows, whatever those are.

User C: Right? 4Kids has some decent series that fit their whole kid-friendly approach better. Why not go all in on those? It’s clear they can’t properly adapt a show as complex as One Piece.

User D: Exactly! It feels like they’re just forcing a square peg into a round hole. Instead of cutting out significant moments and ruining the storyline, they should focus on shows that were made for their style.

User A: Yeah, what’s the point of trying to adapt such a rich and layered series when they can’t even get the basics right? I'd rather see them put effort into something that’s already family-friendly.

User B: Have you guys seen how they handle their other shows? They actually keep the humor and spirit intact while making it suitable for kids! One Piece just seems like a hassle for them.

User C: And let’s be real, if they think they’re doing One Piece any favors, they’re really just diluting the experience. It’s such an iconic series, and they’re making it into something unrecognizable.

User D: Exactly! It would be nice to see them invest their resources into improving the quality of their existing shows instead of continuing to butcher One Piece.

User A: Right? There are so many other properties out there that could benefit from their style of editing without losing their essence.

User B: Maybe it's time for them to admit defeat with One Piece and let it go. The fans deserve to see it done right!

User C: Totally! The animation and storytelling deserve better. We all just want to see the real adventures of Luffy and his crew without all the unnecessary edits.

User D: Here’s hoping they realize this soon enough. Until then, I guess we’ll have to keep watching the originals to get our One Piece fix!


Write a reply saying the 2 shows they should just concentrate on, they do well on the block, Aalso bring back Chaotic


User E: I totally see your point! Honestly, 4Kids should just concentrate on the two shows they really do well on their block—like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon. Those series seem to fit perfectly with their target audience and maintain their core themes without the heavy edits.

Plus, wouldn't it be amazing if they could bring back Chaotic? That show had such a unique premise and an engaging story that really captured the audience! They’ve got plenty of opportunities to focus on original content that doesn't require all these messy adaptations.

It’s clear that less focus on One Piece means more attention could go toward making their current offerings even better, as well as potentially reviving something like Chaotic that has a devoted fanbase. They could be hitting it out of the park instead of trying to make something fit that just doesn’t!


Write a follow up saying they should just accept, the Funimation dub has them beat, and 4Kids are always weeks behind it


User F: I couldn't agree more! At some point, 4Kids really needs to accept that the Funimation dub has them beat in every way possible. The quality of the adaptation, the voice acting, and the fidelity to the original content is just leagues ahead. Plus, they're always weeks behind, which only adds to the frustration!

Fans are always buzzing about the latest thrilling episodes of One Piece that Funimation dubs and airs, while we're left waiting for the heavily edited versions from 4Kids. It’s like, why even try to keep up when it’s so clear that they can't compete?

Honestly, it just feels like a losing battle for them at this point. If they focused on their strengths, they could create a more cohesive viewing experience with their existing shows, rather than trying to play catch-up with a series that doesn't fit their style. Embracing that reality might actually lead to better content overall!


Write a follow up saying 4Kids need to drop the license, and maybe slot in a second Viewtiful Joe rerun