The Cortez family left his car and stretched his legs. Finally, after an hour and a half by car from his house in Long Beach, they had arrived at Little Tokyo, specifically a coffee.
“I was sitting in the car like 'I will be at the One Piece Café,” said Cammy Cortez, who was presented to the popular manga and anime franchise by his older brother and now directs a fan account of “One Piece” in X. “It's going to be a good day.”
Controlled to the Los Angeles Anime Convention, the greatest exhibition dedicated to Japanese pop culture in North America, the new permanent restaurant is the second official location of One Piece Cafe, in collaboration with Toei Animation, by Andy Nguyen, a series entrepreneur behind several thematic restaurants. The first one -piece coffee opened in Las Vegas in May 2024.
“One Piece” follows the adventures of the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, who dreams of becoming the Pirate King, and his straw hat pirate band while looking for the “One Piece” treasure. Anime fans have gone into the windows of Little Tokyo, eager to try Japanese dishes inspired by “One Piece” characters such as the “Diable Jambe” Katsu Sando de Sanji “Diable Jambe”, with the 24 -hour head of the head of 24 hours cico in its precision as a spear.
1. The Katsu Sando chicken “Diable Jambe” of Sanji with the feeding review of Robin's flowers, the left and the dragon fruit strawberry blow. 2. Mighty Meats Pirate Platter of orange salsa chicken, Korean barbecue style ribs, Kurobuta and Galbi sausage in the style with one side of rice. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The interior puts a nautical theme, with walls that mimic the wood cover of a pirate ship and characters represented inside the biblicals. The brand merchandise includes Luffy's straw hat, the thematic key and even a “search” plate. Drinks, ranging from hailstones to Matcha Horcata, come in collectible cups.
“That is not [like] They only slapped the name of 'One Piece in a random restaurant, “said Client Imelda Cárdenas.” They really did justice with the interior and the menu, and the merchandise they sell inside is also really great. “
Initially it premiered in 1999, the anime “One Piece” has 1,136 episodes and counting, with burning fans deeply immersed in tradition. The manga, of the creator Eiichiro Oda, is the best -selling manga of all time. New audiences were also introduced in the franchise in 2023, when Netflix launched a massively successful live action interpretation of the anime.
“If you are a fan of 'One Piece', then you think it is the best anime of all time,” said Karime Benmbarek, who came with his older brother Yassine from Northridge to experience the Little Tokyo restaurant. “Even if you are only a relaxing fanatic, you still feel love through the community.”
José Cruz and his grandson Noah Cruz visit One Piece Cafe. José's daughter, Lulu Villalpando, on the left, is a one -piece fan.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Restaurants with the theme of Japanese pop culture have won a support point in Los Angeles, with Gudetama Cafe and Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, both within the Sanrio Universe, opening in 2024. Local emotion for “One Piece”, however, seems to be approaching the mainstream. In June, the Los Angeles Dodgers organized a piece of one piece, with a “One Piece” limited editing card drawn by Oda. The Los Angeles Lakers collaborated with “One Piece” for their February confrontation against the Clippers; Merch exclusive to the party now reveals for up to $ 250.
“'One Piece' has a fairly large community, and especially with the Lakers and Dodgers who collaborate with a piece, it is also bringing it anime to their culture,” said Yassine, who immediately alerted his younger brother after seeing a Tiktok about the opening of the restaurant. The brothers come together to see the program and, attracted by the Katsu chicken sandwich in particular, quickly made a plan to visit in person.
Karime, who tried the Katsu chicken sandwich and the curry, said: “I would definitely come back, if my brother can take me.”
A tail is formed in One Piece Cafe in Little Tokyo.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
As an anime, manga and other elements of Japanese pop culture have become the main current, the understanding of Little Tokyo as a place where people can participate in those interests has also shot each other, said Kristin Fukushima, executive director of the Community Council of Little Tokyo. This interest in Japanese subcultures, evidenced in the virality of Café de One Piece, can have a positive impact on other small businesses in Little Tokyo.
After the Benmbarek brothers finished their food, they planned to make a day of wandering for the little Tokyo. Another group of friends planned to hunt a collectible in nearby stores after visiting the restaurant.
“If you interest more in anime and manga, that means you are seeing representations not only of culture, but also of food,” said Fukushima. “So you have more people who know what the real ramen is in front of Maruchan's snapshot, or people who want real sushi and not only California rolls that can buy in Ralphs.”
“I think it's just a growing familiarity with what the little Tokyo has to offer,” he said. “As, how do I participate even more in this?”
The time of the opening of One Piece Cafe occurs when little Tokyo is emerging from June ice protests. Located minutes from the City Council and the Metropolitan Detention Center, Fukushima said that many small business owners were found in a “situation of losing Si-Pasar”, with images of the local news that keep the people away from the center out of fear.
A multitude of lunch in One Piece Cafe in Little Tokyo.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
“One Piece” fans, with their themes of friendship and freedom, are prepared to be in tune with these tensions.
“I really like how 'One Piece' has many nuanced messages about government powers and how oppressed people can join,” said Daniel Orozco, who first found out about the Anime Expo restaurant. “It's really great and especially relevant at this time with everything that happens politically.”
Cárdenas began to see “One Piece” during the pandemic and quickly updated 12 episodes a day. When describing that time, he said: “Everything was really scary and uncertain, and people just wanted answers and a distraction.”
“There is a message of hope in 'One Piece' because the protagonist Luffy wants to be the Pirate King, but under everything he is fighting for justice,” he said. “There is a lot of symbolism that can be taken to the real world.”
One Piece Cafe is located in 241 S. San Pedro Street and open at 11 am to 10 pm daily.
