Manga - One piece : The Straw Hat Crew Celebrates 25 years of One Piece in Klépierre Shopping Centers in France

By Mulder, 07 march 2024

"At Klépierre, we have a unifying vocation; our centers are places for sharing, meeting and discovery. This partnership with Toei Animation Europe is an opportunity for our centers to celebrate one of France's most popular adventures, and to bring visitors together around a fun, immersive experience. Few universes are as popular as One Piece, so it was natural for us to turn to it to bring together friends, families and shopkeepers around this travelling animation," comments Salma Kharchafi, Klépierre's Marketing Director for France and Belgium.

In a spectacular pop-cultural celebration, the world of manga and the world of retail space are about to merge in an unprecedented way across Europe. The initiative, orchestrated by European shopping center leader Klépierre in collaboration with Toei Animation Europe, marks the 25th anniversary of One Piece, one of the world's most revered animated series. This exceptional event will see the iconic crew of Chapeau de paille, led by Monkey D. Luffy, the pirate with a big heart, take over 13 shopping malls in France and Belgium, starting on March 27, 2024.

The event, described as an immersive, playful adventure, is not only a celebration of One Piece but also a perfect illustration of Klépierre's vision. According to Salma Kharchafi, Marketing Director for France and Belgium at Klépierre, shopping centers are envisioned as spaces for gathering, discovery and exchange. The alliance with Toei Animation Europe and the One Piece universe embodies this desire to create enriching community experiences, bringing together families, friends and enthusiasts around a major cultural phenomenon.

The exclusive tour will offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in an action game specially designed for the occasion, inspired by the adventures of Luffy and his crew. Participants, aged 7 and over, will be invited to take on challenges of skill and memory to accumulate points, redeemable for exclusive One Piece gifts. The event highlights the undeniable popularity of the manga in France, the world's second-largest market for manga consumption after Japan, and celebrates the intergenerational infatuation with the saga.

The success of One Piece in France is undeniable, with over 42 million copies of its volumes sold by the end of 2023, and a loyal audience following the adventures of Luffy in his quest to become king of the pirates. The event at Klépierre offers a unique platform to honor this series, which for over two decades has captivated audiences with its stories of friendship, courage and self-improvement. In addition to the celebration, the event reflects the growing penchant of the French for indoor leisure activities, particularly during vacation periods.

The activities on offer, which are accessible to all and require little prior knowledge of the One Piece universe, range from sailing the Thousand Sunny to cooking with Sanji, via Usopp's shooting accuracy. Each test is an invitation to demonstrate your skills and imagine yourself alongside Luffy and his crew on their legendary quest. Rewards, offered in partnership with brands such as Bandai SAS, Konix and Ultra Pop, add a tangible dimension to the immersive experience.

Beyond entertainment, this collaboration between Klépierre and Toei Animation Europe testifies to the evolution of shopping centers as multifunctional living spaces. By transforming shopping visits into immersive adventures, Klépierre reinforces its commitment to innovative and memorable customer experiences. This event is also a tribute to One Piece, a series that has survived the years with charm and popularity, a testament to its narrative quality and deep cultural impact.

In conclusion, Klépierre's One Piece adventure is much more than just an event; it's a celebration of a cultural phenomenon, an immersive experience for manga fans, and an illustration of the ability of shopping centers to reinvent themselves as entertainment and community centers. As One Piece continues to fascinate millions of fans around the world, its arrival in Klépierre centers promises to be a memorable adventure, rich in challenge, discovery and sharing, true to the spirit of the series itself.

Tour dates :
March 27 to 30: Passages, Boulogne-Billancourt (92)
April 03 to 07: Val d'Europe, Serris (77)
April 10 to 14: Créteil Soleil, Créteil (94)
April 17 to 20: Arcades, Noisy-Le-Grand (93)
April 24 to 27: Tourville, Tourville-la-Rivière (76)
May 1 to 5: O'Parinor, Aulnay-sous-bois (93)
July 10-13: Portet, Portet (31)
August 28 to 31: Grand Place, Grenoble (38)
September 04 to 07: Ecully Grand Ouest, Ecully (69)
September 11 to 14: Grand Littoral, Marseille (13)
September 25 to 28: L'Esplanade, Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium)
October 23 to 26: Rives d'Arcins, Bègles (33)
October 30 to November 2: Mérignac Soleil, Mérignac (33)