Vicky the Viking question

Beet28 · July 3rd, 2012, 10:16 AM

I'm a really big fan of One Piece, and it's come to my attention that Oda was inspired by Vicky the Viking as a child.

I have to ask, would most One Piece fans be interested in the Vicky the Viking series? And has the connection with Oda led to a resurgence of interest/popularity for it back in Japan?

**John** · July 3rd, 2012, 10:34 AM

I've only watched the first episode of Chiisana Viking Vicky, and I watched it several years ago, so my recollection of it is a bit faint. Based on my recollection, I don't see anything in the 1974 anime that would appeal to the average contemporary One Piece fan. Little Viking Vicky is a relatively slow-paced and subdued lighthearted drama similar in tone to the Moomin anime. If Oda was inspired by Little Viking Vicky, I have to presume that it was the concept of a boy going out to sea that inspired him, because Chiisana Viking Vicky doesn't include any of the exaggerated action or slapstick comedy or tension & suspense or wild cast of characters that One Piece has.

Germany did produce a live-action Vicke the Viking movie in 2009, but I'm not aware of any recent revival of interest in the title in Japan.

Beet28 · July 3rd, 2012, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the response!

I don't care how boring how old this show is, "inspired Oda" is more than enough for me!

One part of the question, could you elaborate more on Vicky's popularity in Japan and if OP led to a renewal of interest in it?

Mits · July 3rd, 2012, 05:56 PM

In my impression, most children in Japan won’t know the title now. The anime is so old and wasn’t re-aired for a long time. The DVD of Vicky the Viking was released on 2007, but seems to be out of print now. However, the original novels are translated to Japanese and sold as juvenile literature, so there will be some popularity in a certain extent.

The hit of One Piece might have encouraged the DVD release of Vicky the Viking, though I can’t see any influence of OP on the popularity of Vicky.

Beet28 · July 3rd, 2012, 08:53 PM

I'd love to see it fansubbed.

Just the fact that it inspired Oda, that's a big thing. Like, the OP shows a flying boat. It's like Oda just took the show and made it so much more freaking epic.

Soluzar · July 3rd, 2012, 09:05 PM

It was shown on TV in the UK. I find it hard to think of any similarities between it and One Piece, but then it's been decades since I saw it. I was a child at the time.

July 3rd, 2012, 10:16 AM	#1
Beet28 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 582	Vicky the Viking question I'm a really big fan of One Piece, and it's come to my attention that Oda was inspired by Vicky the Viking as a child. I have to ask, would most One Piece fans be interested in the Vicky the Viking series? And has the connection with Oda led to a resurgence of interest/popularity for it back in Japan? __________________ http://cherrysoul.easter.ne.jp/forever.htm I just signed the "50000 sigs and Shaman King will continue petition", did you? (1st bar name, 2nd address, 3rd personal message) And yes, Shueisha really will continue it if they get that many numbers.

July 3rd, 2012, 12:03 PM	#3
Beet28 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 582	Thanks for the response! I don't care how boring how old this show is, "inspired Oda" is more than enough for me! One part of the question, could you elaborate more on Vicky's popularity in Japan and if OP led to a renewal of interest in it? __________________ http://cherrysoul.easter.ne.jp/forever.htm I just signed the "50000 sigs and Shaman King will continue petition", did you? (1st bar name, 2nd address, 3rd personal message) And yes, Shueisha really will continue it if they get that many numbers. Last edited by Beet28; July 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 PM.

July 3rd, 2012, 08:53 PM	#5
Beet28 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 582	I'd love to see it fansubbed. Just the fact that it inspired Oda, that's a big thing. Like, the OP shows a flying boat. It's like Oda just took the show and made it so much more freaking epic. __________________ http://cherrysoul.easter.ne.jp/forever.htm I just signed the "50000 sigs and Shaman King will continue petition", did you? (1st bar name, 2nd address, 3rd personal message) And yes, Shueisha really will continue it if they get that many numbers.

July 3rd, 2012, 09:05 PM	#6
Soluzar Double rainbow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: All the way across the sky... Posts: 13,579 Blog Entries: 45	It was shown on TV in the UK. I find it hard to think of any similarities between it and One Piece, but then it's been decades since I saw it. I was a child at the time. __________________ One day men will ask... "Where did it start?" We shall tell them it started here. Join the ranks of Team Soluzar! Protect the forum against the threat of unexpected Prons incursions. Your forum needs YOU.

July 3rd, 2012, 10:34 AM	#2
John Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,105	I've only watched the first episode of Chiisana Viking Vicky, and I watched it several years ago, so my recollection of it is a bit faint. Based on my recollection, I don't see anything in the 1974 anime that would appeal to the average contemporary One Piece fan. Little Viking Vicky is a relatively slow-paced and subdued lighthearted drama similar in tone to the Moomin anime. If Oda was inspired by Little Viking Vicky, I have to presume that it was the concept of a boy going out to sea that inspired him, because Chiisana Viking Vicky doesn't include any of the exaggerated action or slapstick comedy or tension & suspense or wild cast of characters that One Piece has. Germany did produce a live-action Vicke the Viking movie in 2009, but I'm not aware of any recent revival of interest in the title in Japan.

July 3rd, 2012, 05:56 PM	#4
Mits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 180	In my impression, most children in Japan won’t know the title now. The anime is so old and wasn’t re-aired for a long time. The DVD of Vicky the Viking was released on 2007, but seems to be out of print now. However, the original novels are translated to Japanese and sold as juvenile literature, so there will be some popularity in a certain extent. The hit of One Piece might have encouraged the DVD release of Vicky the Viking, though I can’t see any influence of OP on the popularity of Vicky.