Short Summary
This story takes place in an alternate reality version of 19th century Japan (in "The Grand Jipangu", an alternate version of The Grand Line). It began as a TV special before three more specials were made following the first one.The first special deals with Buggy the Clown making trouble in the town where Detective Luffy is stationed. And later, a mysterious girl named Vivi appears, being hunted by Buggy.
The second special has Buggy trying to sell Rika as a slave to pay off Pandaman's debt, who he thinks is Rika's father. And when the Great Mochimaki Race was running, Buggy attempts to steal the treasure before the festival starts.
The third special has the famous Sakura tree being stolen and the lead suspect is Detective Luffy himself.
The fourth special begins with the Mikoshi (portable shrine) race is about to take place with the Thriller LTD is sabotaging other competitors. Meanwhile, the gang meets up with Brook, who cannot remember anything other than his name.
While the first special is stand-alone, the others were aired as standard filler episodes in the middle of the main story, both during the Enies Lobby arc and between the Sabaody Archipelago and Amazon Lily arcs.
Main Summary
Boss Luffy arc has the following tropes:
- Achievements in Ignorance: In the second special, Zoro finds the special gold mochi but because he had no prior knowledge about the contest and since he couldn't eat it, he tossed it aside.
- Adaptational Location Change: Rather than the grand line, or even an ocean at all, this mini arc places the crew and many, many previously appearing characters in a land modelled after Feudal Japan.
- Adaptational Job Change: Since the Straw Hats aren't exactly a crew in this universe, they instead have different jobs from the main canon. To wit:
- Luffy is now a detective that patrols and investigates the kingdom's affairs with Usopp as his assistant.
- Nami and Sanji run a restaurant together, called the Pinwheel.
- Chopper is the kingdom's local doctor.
- Zoro is a traveling monk who unwittingly gets involved in whatever's going on at the time.
- Robin is a spy for the kingdom.
- Franky is a builder of Mikoshi (portable shrines, often used for races in Japan).
- Brook is a former criminal that worked for a crime syndicate, but left after their shady dealings and is now mostly a drifter.
- Aloof Ally: While Zoro does interact with the crew from time to time, he mostly just keeps to himself in this universe, only helping where needed (or if he can get something out of it, like food).
- Alternate Universe: Set in 19-century style Japan. Devil Fruits still exist but The Grand Jipangu is now a kingdom rather than a section of ocean.
- Amnesiac Hero: Brook couldn't remember anything except his name, but eventually regains his memory that he was a member of Thriller LTD and when he protested their methods, they tried to kill him.
- Ascended Extra: Pandaman still doesn't appear in person often, but his actions started the entire plot of one of the episodes.
- The Cameo: Several minor characters pop in from time to time.
- Character Catchphrase: Buggy gains a new one here.
- Christmas Episode: Episode 291 happens on Christmas Eve
- Continuity Nod:
- The first special has Igaram disguise himself as Vivi to allow her to go see the Straw Hats, just like in the main series.
- In the second special, Luffy sends Buggy flying with the same Pre-Asskicking One-Liner he said to him in the main story.
- Cute Clumsy Girl: When working as a waitress at the Pinwheel, Vivi ruins one dish by tripping over her sandals, and another by reflexively throwing it from fear of a still live fish. Fortunately, her cuteness is enough to bring in a lot of customers.
- Deus ex Machina: Chopper's abilities would have solved the problems of the first episode in 5 mins, so for the episode, he is busy delivering gifts.
- Fake Defector: Zoro, a traveling monk, is hired by Buggy to defeat Luffy. However, during their "fight", Zoro has Luffy intentionally hit all of Buggy's Mooks. And when Cabaji and Mohji tried to attack Vivi when Luffy was distracted, Zoro stopped them.
- Groin Attack: Sanji delivers one to Buggy for kidnapping Nami.
- Ink-Suit Actor: Mao, from the third and fourth episodes the series, is based off a famous Japanese actress, Mao Kobayashi
◊ - I Was Just Passing Through: In the first TV special, Zoro chose the exact time to "wake up" and protect Vivi from Buggy's crew.
- Mysterious Protector: Robin is one for Vivi in the first special.
- Mythology Gag: Zoro "works" for Buggy's crew. Oda's original plan for Zoro was to make him a member of Buggy's crew.
- Oh, Crap!: Buggy's face, when a strange hand popped out of nowhere to grab the torch he was about to use and set him on fire instead, says it all.
- Running Gag: Whenever Buggy goes flying, who would always shout, "Thank You For Your Hard Work" to Luffy. This a Japanese custom one does on New Year's Eve. Most of these specials / episodes were aired around Christmas and New Years, so it was mostly put in as a joke.
- Santa Claus: Chopper fulfils the role, showing up as a silhouette at the end of the episode 291, in a sleigh pulled by a single reindeer.
- Screaming at Squick:
- In the first special, Vivi after notices a fish in Sanji's dish was still alive. Cue a startled Vivi screaming and reflexively throwing the plate in the air.
- When a piece of cloth flies into Nami's face in one of the specials, she initially finds it nicely done, only to scream when she learns it's Franky's loincloth.
- She Cleans Up Nicely: The gang's reaction to seeing Vivi in her princess garb.
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: Zoro deliberately attacks Mohji and Cabaji while pretending to work for Buggy. Right afterwards, he says with a straight face "Sorry, my hand slipped", much to Cabaji's annoyance.
- V-Sign: In a funny little cameo, Wanze can be seen doing one to the audience as he passes by the camera.
