Oda Eichirou (尾田栄一郎) is an artist and director best known for his phenomenally popular animated series “One Piece.” Oda was born and raised in Kumamoto, though he now lives in Tokyo. A Higokko made big, he is quite honored in his hometown - for example, a statue of one of his characters now graces the entrance to Kumamoto Prefectural Hall.
Kumanichi reports that a pop-up One Piece-themed cafe will run at Tsuruya for one month starting from 2/6. (Disclaimer: My son, also a Higokko, works in Tokyo for the movie company which produces One Piece. He tells me that Kumamoto is being looked at as a future base for animation.) - William
