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Anime is jumping off the screen and into immersive territory at this new exhibition now open at Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology in Lower Manhattan. The sprawling, 11-room installation focuses on the beloved ONE PIECE anime adventure series and was created with help from Toei Animation.
Visitors can walk through the Land of Wano Arc as they live like Monkey D. Luffy, the show's main character. Expect trippy mirrors, floral motifs and dragons along the way. The ONE PIECE installation is open now and runs through November 30 at 21 Dey Street.
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You'll enter through the Window Room, which features a circular ceiling screen evoking the scene in which the Straw Hat Crew—the protagonists of the anime—set sail for Wano, an isolated, samurai-filled nation. Next, the Infinite Room presents a massive screen surrounded by a mirrored corridor that appears to unfold into infinity, where the sea and sky are reflected endlessly. Keep an eye out for the Thousand Sunny, the series' iconic ship.
After that, brave the Dragon Room where you'll be met with thousands of LED neurons forming a volumetric light installation that depicts the climactic battle between the characters Zoro and King. Finally, the Cave Room—covered entirely in pink hydrangeas and framing a circular screen—portrays Momonosuke, a character from the franchise, in dragon form, creating a space where the organic and digital converge.
"With ONE PIECE, we're not just displaying animation; we're inviting fans to experience the artistry, imagination, and enduring spirit of the franchise," Roy Nachum, co-founder and creative director of Mercer Labs, said in a statement.
To couple with the immersive exhibit, Nachum has debuted a new original oil painting of Luffy, the main character of the anime. In the portrait, Luffy stands among cherry blossoms and holds Nachum's signature gold crown.
For the past 25 years, the ONE PIECE franchise has delighted viewers with its tales of adventure and colorful characters created by Eiichiro Oda. That's why Mercer Labs' manager of special projects Nasir Dean called this partnership "an instinctive choice."
"It's a legendary brand that has ignited imaginations worldwide. Now, we're inviting fans to immerse themselves in its universe through a dynamic fusion of culture, technology and sensory exploration," he said.
Tickets are on sale now with general admission priced at $55 with $50 tickets for kids and seniors. Mercer Labs is open on Monday–Wednesday from 10am to 7pm and Thursday–Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Expect to spend about 60–90 minutes exploring the experience.