The battle between Luffy and Kizaru in One Piece’s Egghead arc has ignited a fierce debate online. While many fans are praising the jaw-dropping visuals and explosive choreography, others are complaining that the animation is "too much." The term “overanimated” has been tossed around, with critics suggesting that the stylization is distracting or excessive. But one key voice behind the scenes is not having it, and he is not afraid to push back.

Animator Vincent Chansard, who worked on the much-talked-about episode, has responded directly to the criticism via the u/SunGodLuffy6 on Reddit. His take is that the whole idea of “overanimation” does not even make sense in the context of the fight. When one character literally becomes the sun and the other is the embodiment of light itself, how could anything but wild, reality-bending animation be appropriate? His defense raises important questions not just about One Piece, but about how anime fans perceive spectacle, effort, and creative expression.

What “Overanimated” Really Means, and Why It Does Not Apply to One Piece

The Luffy vs. Kizaru Fight Deserves the Madness

The accusation of “overanimation” often gets thrown around when a scene is packed with dynamic camera work, fluid motion, and extreme visual flair. But Chansard’s response reframes the criticism about what else should viewers expect from a fight between two nearly godlike beings? Luffy’s Gear 5 form literally reshapes the world around him like a cartoon character, while Kizaru moves at the speed of light. To underplay that with restrained animation would be a disservice to both characters and the story.

More importantly, Chansard's comment shows a key artistic philosophy about how animation should elevate the moment. For the animators, these are not just fight scenes, they are storytelling devices meant to convey emotion, scale, and stakes. Calling such efforts “overdone” suggests that spectacle cannot be meaningful, a sentiment many creators push back against. In high-stakes battles, pushing visual boundaries is not excess, it is intention.

The New Era of One Piece Demands a New Visual Style

This Is Not the Old One Piece, and That Is the Point

The anime adaptation of One Piece has entered a new phase, particularly with the shift in direction under Megumi Ishitani and the influx of talented freelance animators. This evolution is not just cosmetic, because it reflects a broader ambition to give the series the cinematic energy it deserves. Scenes like Luffy vs. Kizaru are not just animated; they are composed like short films, full of nuance and layered expression.

Chansard’s work reflects this shift, merging Western cartoon sensibilities with traditional sakuga intensity. This fusion might look “extra” to some, but it is part of One Piece’s visual identity in this new era. The series has always been grand and absurd, and the animation now mirrors that more accurately than ever. So when someone says One Piece is “overanimated,” Chansard and many fans would argue it is finally just animated enough.