The third season of the One Pieceanime series, subtitled Enter Chopper at the Winter Island on home video, was produced by Toei Animation, and directed by Konosuke Uda based on Eiichiro Oda's manga by the same name. The third season deals with the Straw Hat Pirates trying to find a doctor after Nami falls sick. They sail to Drum Island where they face off against the Wapol Pirates. There they meet Chopper who joins the crew.
The third season originally ran from August 26 through December 9, 2001, on Fuji TV and contained fifteen episodes. In North America and other territories, it was first licensed by 4Kids Entertainment and dubbed as part of a heavily edited localization.[1] The total number of episodes was reduced due to some 4Kids episodes covering multiple Japanese ones. This version aired on August 27 though November 12, 2005, on the Fox Broadcasting Company and February 11 through February 18, 2006, on Cartoon Network, consisting of only twelve episodes. After 4Kids lost the license it was acquired by Funimation, who released the season on home video in 2009. This uncensored release contained a new English dub and the Japanese version with subtitles.[2]
Three pieces of theme music are utilized by the season's episodes (one less than before): one opening theme and two ending themes. The opening theme is "Believe" by Folder5 in Japanese and Meredith McCoy in English. The ending themes are "Shouchi no Suke" (しょうちのすけ, lit. That's a Fact!) by Shōjo Suitei in Japanese and Stephanie Young in English for the first 4 episodes and "Before Dawn" by Ai-Sachi in Japanese and Leah Clark in English for the remainder of the season. The 4Kids dub uses Russell Velasquez' "Pirate Rap V2" as opening for the whole season, except for the final episode, which uses his "Pirate Rap V3", and "Pirate Rap Instrumental" as ending theme.
4Kids title/Funimation title Original Japanese title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
English air date
78
48
1
"Saving Nami" "Nami's Sick? Beyond the Snow Falling on the Sea!" Transliteration: "Nami ga byōki? Umi ni furu yuki no mukō ni!" (Japanese: ナミが病気?海に降る雪の向こうに!)
While looking for a doctor, the crew meets the pirate Wapol, who attacks them while trying to eat their ship with his Munch-Munch Fruit power, but only makes Luffy send him flying. Meanwhile Smoker manages to intercept the conversation between Mr. 0 and Sanji and plans to go to Alabasta. Back with the crew they arrive at last to an island only to find out they're not welcome.
80
48–49
3
"Saving Nami"/"Rabid Rabbits" "An Island without Doctors? Adventure in a Nameless Land!" Transliteration: "Isha no inai shima? Na mo naki kuni no bōken" (Japanese: 医者のいない島?名も無き国の冒険!)
The Straw Hat crew manages to gain the trust of the people that attacked them, and are taken to the village, except for Zoro and Carue, who guard the ship. Luffy and Sanji must take Nami to the island's sole doctor who lives on a mountain-top. Vivi and Usopp discover the past of the island, and about the pirate Wapol from Dalton.
81
49–50
4
"Rabid Rabbits"/"Avalanche!" "Are You Happy? The Doctor Called Witch!" Transliteration: "Happī kai? Majo to yobareta isha!" (Japanese: ハッピーかい?魔女と呼ばれた医者!)
While Sanji and Luffy fight off the wilderness, the islander's worst nightmare turns true, as Wapol returns to the island. Dalton turns into a bison with his Zoan type Ox-Ox Fruit: Model Bison powers to confront him. The doctor is discovered to be on the other side of the island, and Usopp, Vivi and Dalton rush to find her. Dalton however returns as he hears of Wapol's return.
82
50
5
"Avalanche!" "Dalton's Resolve! Wapol's Corps Lands on the Island!" Transliteration: "Doruton no kakugo! Waporu gundan shima ni jōriku" (Japanese: ドルトンの覚悟!ワポル軍団島に上陸)
Dalton faces Wapol, but only gets himself hit by arrows thrown by his former comrade Chess. An avalanche stops the battle, but injures Sanji. Luffy must carry both Nami and Sanji to the doctor, and begins his ascent.
83
51
6
"The Big Climb" "The Island Where Snow Lives! Climb the Drum Rockies!" Transliteration: "Yuki no sumi shima! Doramu Rokkī o nobore!" (Japanese: 雪の住む島!ドラムロッキーを登れ!)
The Lapahn help Luffy escape from Wapol, giving him enough time to climb to the castle where doctor Kureha lives. Vivi, Usopp and Zoro deal with the king's army in order to save Dalton. The recovering Nami meets a strange creature.
84
52
7
"Tony Tony Chopper" "Blue-nosed Reindeer! Chopper's Secret!" Transliteration: "Tonakai wa aoppana! Choppā no himitsu!" (Japanese: トナカイは青っ鼻!チョッパーの秘密)
Nami asks Chopper to join the crew, but he isn't interested. Kureha tells Nami that Chopper is a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit and some of what was his background. After realizing the abilities that Chopper has, Luffy is eager to make him join the crew.
85
53
8
"Freaky" "An Outcast's Dream! Hiriluk the Quack!" Transliteration: "Hamidashimono no yume! Yabu isha Hiruruku!" (Japanese: はみだし者の夢!やぶ医者ヒルルク!)
Doctorine continues to tell how Chopper lived his life and how the quack doctor Hiruluk took care of him.
86
54
9
"The Impossible Dream" "Hiriluk's Cherry Blossoms and the Will that Gets Carried On!" Transliteration: "Hiruruku no sakura to uketsugare yuku ishi!" (Japanese: ヒルルクの桜と受け継がれゆく意志!)
More of Chopper's past is revealed, including the fate of doctor Hiruluk and Wapol's cruelties as the king. Meanwhile, Wapol reaches the castle where the crew is residing.
87
55
10
"Defending the Flag" "Fight Wapol's Crew! The Power of the Munch Munch Fruit!" Transliteration: "VS Waporu gundan! Bakubaku no mi no nōryoku!" (Japanese: VSワポル軍団!バクバクの実の能力!)
Chopper demonstrates the abilities of Rumble Balls when fighting Chessmarimo. Dalton is uncovered from the avalanche.
89
57
12
"The Once & Future King" "When the Kingdom's Rule Ends! The Flag of Faith Flies Forever!" Transliteration: "Ōkoku no shihai owaru toki! Shinnen no hata wa eien ni" (Japanese: 王国の支配終る時!信念の旗は永遠に)
After trying every trick in the castle, Wapol is finally hunted down by Luffy. The villagers along with Zoro, Vivi and Usopp start their ascent to the castle through a ropeway.
90
58
13
"Doc Rock" "Hiriluk's Cherry Blossoms! Miracle in the Drum Rockies!" Transliteration: "Hiruruku no sakura! Doramu Rokkī no kiseki" (Japanese: ヒルルクの桜!ドラムロッキーの奇跡)
After finally being convinced to join the team, Chopper announces his intentions to Dr. Kureha, who doesn't take it too well; but after escaping from the castle, she has decided to give the whole Straw Hat crew a farewell gift.
91
59
14
"Heading For Disaster" "Goodbye Drum Island! I'm Going Out to Sea!" Transliteration: "Sayōnara Doramujima! Boku wa umi e deru!" (Japanese: さようならドラム島!僕は海へ出る!)
Crocodile appears to stop rampaging pirates. Luffy and his crew meet Mr. 2 (Bon Clay) who shows off his devil fruit power and Vivi sees a shocking sight.
Uncut English & Japanese versions: Funimation Entertainment (USA, Region 1), Manga Entertainment (UK, Region 2), Madman Entertainment (Australia, Region 4)