Written by 8bitkevin / OPMerchandise
Uta (EB03-061) is the Manga Rare card for One Piece Card Game’s 3rd special set – EB03 Extra Booster: One Piece Heroines Edition.
Theme
EB03 Extra Booster: One Piece Heroines Edition’s theme focuses on various female characters in One Piece. This includes protagonists, antagonists, and various side characters.
While “One Piece Heroines Edition” is a fairly general theme, it doesn’t really offer much guidance for why Uta’s Manga Rare has the panels it does. However, when looking at the key art for the set, you can get at least some idea of what it’s going for.
Our Heroines are on stage. They’re the main attraction. From the royal red curtains in the background, the choice in fashion, the spotlight beaming down, the way they’re posed, and the way they seem to be viewed from below as if you were an audience member; these four are idols. And by “idols”, I mean like musical idols.
Now, who in the One Piece world is an idol? It’s Uta. The theme for her card is the importance of music and her journey to becoming an idol adored around the world.
To preface: Uta is a movie original character. She wasn’t official canon in the main story until her silhouette in Chapter 1055 and hasn’t been shown since. However, she did have three one-page specials release in Weekly Shonen Jump leading up to the release of One Piece Film: Red that were never localized. The specials are where her panels are pulled from.
Panels
Uta’s Songs: One Piece Film Red
The main image for Uta technically originates from the cover of Weekly Shonen Jump 2022 Issue #29. However, I attribute the use of this image to the album cover of Uta’s Songs: One Piece Film: Red.
On this album cover, Uta is a world renowned idol. She’s in the spotlight, performing for her fans. Her dream is one step closer to reality. This is the culmination of Uta’s hard work. Her music is reaching the masses. She was destined to be a musician. She was destined to be an idol. U-T-A! U-T-A! U-T-A!
New Genesis
In this special, Uta is listening to the cries for help from various people suffering from around the world through a Den Den Mushi. She becomes inspired and writes the song “New Genesis” on the walls, which she considers a masterpiece. As an idol, music is her way to help people look for a better tomorrow. She wants to create a world without suffering and where everyone is happy.
“Close your eyes, let’s all run away. I will show you something better than now, if you sing this song.”
Her fans resonate with her music and support her. They believe that she’s their savior. In return, she wants to lead them to this new world; the New Genesis.
The World’s Continuation
Uta was the musician of the Red Hair Pirates and the daughter of Shanks (not blood-related). They found her in a chest as a baby and raised her. She loved them and they loved her.
Unfortunately, there was an incident in Elegia. In order to protect her, the Red Hair Pirates shouldered the blame. She was left behind with Gordon and led to believe that Shanks had caused the incident.
“Let’s meet again in the continuation of our dreams.”
Even though the incident in Elegia caused her to hate pirates, she can’t forget her childhood with her family. The Red Hair Pirates always supported her. They were her biggest fans. Because of this, music is such an integral part of Uta. From her memories of them, she decides to finish the lyrics to a scrapped song “The World’s Continuation”.
Where the Wind Blows
As a baby, the Red Hair Pirates sing songs and dance for Uta to get her to stop crying. From a very early age, music is what brings her happiness. If it can do that for her, it can become the vehicle that carries her dream of a peaceful new era to every corner of the world. As if it were the wind itself, her music will reach everyone always, no matter what.
“Even if I disappear, the song will continue to echo. I’ll sing so that it will reach you forever.”
Final Thoughts
I think that Uta’s panel choices perfectly encapsulates her journey to become an idol. Albeit, there really wasn’t that much to choose from to begin with. Fortunately, this also means that all the panels are extremely cohesive within the theme. That being said…
Uta as the Manga Rare for this set felt like a complete miss. She only has the three pages and a panel. I would barely even consider her canon in the grand scheme since she doesn’t really impact the story as we know it. While her popularity is undeniable, there were definitely far more logical choices, such as Nico Robin or Nefeltari Vivi.
Robin doesn’t need much explanation. She’s a Straw Hat, extremely popular, and fans are demanding more Straw Hat Manga Rares. She’s just long overdue for one.
Aside from this set’s idol theme, Vivi was practically set up for the Manga Rare for this set. She was the sole Leader card, had a SR, had Alternate Arts, and was included as one of the nine SPs. Vivi is also integral to the story / lore of One Piece and is even considered a (honorary) Straw Hat.
But what does it matter? Are any of us getting product for this set anyway? While I’m part serious / part joking, I’m hoping that the reprints that Bandai announced help get more product to everyone. And maybe, just maybe, Bandai will choose more logical characters as Manga Rares.
If you want to learn more about Uta, check out One Piece Film: Red:
• Steelbook (4K + Blu-ray): https://amzn.to/4c1KAXR
• Standard Blu-ray: https://amzn.to/4tYTLyO
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