The Cortez family arrived at One Piece Cafe in Little Tokyo after a long drive from Long Beach, excited to indulge in the world of their favorite anime franchise, One Piece.
Cammy Cortez, who discovered the beloved manga and anime through her older brother, expressed her enthusiasm for the visit, stating, “I was just sitting in the car like, ‘I’m going to be at the One Piece Cafe.’ It’s going to be a good day.”
Tied to the annual Los Angeles Anime Convention, One Piece Cafe is the second official location of this themed restaurant, which first opened in Las Vegas in May 2024.
Founded by seasoned entrepreneur Andy Nguyen, in partnership with Toei Animation, the cafe celebrates the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew of Straw Hat Pirates as they pursue the elusive One Piece treasure.
Fans eagerly line up to sample dishes inspired by beloved characters, such as Sanji’s “Diable Jambe” Chicken Katsu Sando and Zoro’s Onigiri, an homage to the character’s love of rice.
The restaurant’s interior features a nautical theme, creating an atmosphere that mimics a pirate ship’s deck.
Walls adorned with characters in portholes add to the immersive experience, attracting enthusiasts not just for the food but the overall ambiance.
Merchandise such as Luffy’s iconic straw hat and themed keychains also draw customers in, with drinks served in collectible cups.
Customer Imelda Cardenas praised the establishment, saying, “It’s not just [like] they slapped the name ‘One Piece’ onto a random restaurant. They really did it justice with the interior and the menu, and the merch they sell inside is really great too.”
The One Piece anime, which first aired in 1999, boasts over 1,136 episodes and remains a cultural phenomenon with a massive global fanbase.
The series, penned by Eiichiro Oda, is known for being the best-selling manga of all time, and 2023 saw a spike in interest due to Netflix’s live-action adaptation.
Karime Benmbarek, a fan from Northridge who bonds with his brother over the series, expressed his connection to the community and the show.
He noted, “If you’re a fan of ‘One Piece,’ then you think it’s the best anime of all time. Even if you’re just a chill fan, you still feel the love through the community.”
The appreciation for anime-themed restaurants is on the rise in Los Angeles, with establishments like Gudetama Cafe and Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe opening earlier this year.
The buzz surrounding One Piece, however, has reached mainstream recognition, evidenced by events like One Piece Night hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This event featured a limited edition card drawn by Oda, which has made waves among collectors.
Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers collaborated with One Piece during their February matchup against the Clippers, with exclusive merchandise from the game reselling for high prices.
Yassine Benmbarek, who accompanied his brother to the restaurant, commented, “‘One Piece’ has a pretty big community, and especially with the Lakers and Dodgers collaborating with One Piece, L.A. is bringing anime into their culture as well.”
The excitement surrounding the restaurant has led fans like Karime to revisit frequently, especially for popular dishes like the chicken katsu sandwich.
As the phenomenon of anime and manga grows, Kristin Fukushima, executive director of Little Tokyo Community Council, noted how this translates into a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and cuisine.
“If you become more into anime and manga, that means you’re seeing depictions of not just culture, but also food,” she explained, highlighting an increase in demand for authentic Japanese cuisine.
This curiosity is leading to a cultural shift where people seek out genuine experiences, moving beyond typical offerings found in American grocery stores.
Fukushima also acknowledged the timing of the cafe’s opening, as Little Tokyo recovers from recent tensions following protests.
These events initially kept many potential visitors away, affected by narratives surrounding the protests at nearby facilities.
Fans of the series often resonate with its themes of camaraderie and freedom, which Daniel Orozco recognized as being pertinent in today’s sociopolitical climate.
Orozco, who first learned about the restaurant at Anime Expo, appreciated how the show addresses nuanced themes related to governance and the struggles of oppressed people.
For many viewers, One Piece is more than entertainment; it serves as a source of hope in challenging times, reminding them of the protagonist Luffy’s quest for justice.
Citing her own experience, Imelda Cardenas reflected on how she discovered One Piece during the pandemic, binge-watching episodes as an escape.
She expressed, “There’s a message of hope in ‘One Piece’ because the protagonist Luffy wants to be the Pirate King, but underneath it all he’s just fighting for justice. There’s a lot of symbolism that can be taken into the real world.”
As excitement grows around One Piece Cafe, it stands as a beacon of community and culture within Little Tokyo, linking fans back to the heart of what they love — the connections forged through shared interests and experiences.
image source from：latimes
