“One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword” / 「ワンピース 呪われた聖剣」, Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 2004, B1 Size (72.8 × 103 cm) JA26

This is an original Japanese B1 theatrical release poster printed in 2004 for the first Japanese release of One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword (ワンピース 呪われた聖剣), the fifth theatrical feature film in the enormously popular One Piece franchise. Released in Japan on 6 March 2004, the film was distributed by Toei and formed part of the studio’s spring anime programme. This is the scarcer large-format B1 version, a highly impressive display piece for one of the darker and more visually dramatic early One Piece films.

The format: B1 impact

Printed in the standard Japanese B1 format (72.8 × 103 cm), this poster is significantly larger than the standard B2, giving the design much greater visual presence. B1 posters were generally produced in smaller quantities for prominent theatrical display, and surviving examples in strong original condition are distinctly less common than their B2 counterparts. For collectors of anime paper, the larger format gives the artwork a far more commanding wall presence and makes this version especially appealing.

Film background

Released in 2004, One Piece: The Cursed Holy Sword was directed by Kazuhisa Takenouchi, with a screenplay by Hiroshi Hashimoto, based on Eiichiro Oda’s hugely successful manga and anime property.

This entry is particularly notable within the early One Piece film series for its darker tone and more dramatic visual atmosphere. Rather than focusing purely on light-hearted adventure, the story centres on a conflict involving Roronoa Zoro, whose connection to his childhood friend Saga draws the Straw Hat crew into a far more ominous and emotionally charged narrative than usual. The mysterious Seven-Star Sword lies at the heart of the film, giving the story an almost supernatural tone and setting it apart from the breezier feel of some earlier franchise entries.

The film was shown in Japan as part of a double-feature programme, and this is reflected in the small billing block at lower left noting the simultaneous screening of the short feature:

「ワンピース めざせ! 海賊野球王」
(One Piece: Take Aim! The Pirate Baseball King)

Poster design

This Japanese B1 features a striking, high-contrast composition built around themes of fate, rivalry, and looming danger.

At the top, the familiar metallic ONE PIECE logo dominates the sheet, complete with the franchise’s instantly recognisable Straw Hat Jolly Roger integrated into the title. Immediately beneath appears the subtitle:

「呪われた聖剣」
— “The Cursed Holy Sword”

The title block is set against a vast blood-red moon, which fills the upper section of the composition and casts a threatening glow downward into the surrounding darkness. This celestial image gives the poster an unusually ominous feeling for a One Piece design and immediately signals the film’s darker narrative.

At the centre stands Monkey D. Luffy, rendered in vivid colour and lit from the front, adjusting his straw hat with a stern, focused expression. He is framed by two crossed glowing swords, which create a dramatic X-shaped structure behind him and visually anchor the entire design.

Emerging from the darkness on either side are the shadowed faces of Zoro and Saga, their grim, confrontational expressions reinforcing the film’s central conflict. This device gives the poster a strong psychological dimension: rather than simply presenting a heroic group adventure image, it emphasises opposition, tension, and destiny.

Running vertically down the centre is the principal Japanese campaign copy:

「封印できぬ、運命の闘い。」
— “An unsealable battle of destiny.”

Alongside it appears the smaller line:

「赤い月満つる時、海賊団を脅かす天地激震の戦闘が始まる!!」
— approximately: “When the red moon becomes full, a world-shaking battle that threatens the pirate crew begins!”

The overall result is a powerful and atmospheric country-of-release design, combining the instantly recognisable One Piece brand with a more severe, cinematic style than many contemporary franchise posters. The deep blacks, crimson moon, metallic title and luminous sword effects give the sheet exceptional impact in the larger B1 format.

Condition

Excellent original condition. Please review the photos carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.

The poster displays extremely well, with strong colour, clean imagery, and very good overall presentation. The reverse remains substantially clean.

This poster is an original Japanese B1 theatrical poster from the film’s 2004 first-release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 20 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.

Code: JA26