The film holds a unique place in the franchise as the first movie to center specifically on a single crew member's growth rather than just the collective adventure.

While sailing the Grand Line, the Going Merry is launched into the air by a massive undersea geyser, causing Tony Tony Chopper to fall overboard. He lands on , a lush wilderness home to strange, talking animals.

Released on March 2, 2002 , Chopper’s Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals (or Chinjō Shima no Chopper Ōkoku ) marks the third theatrical outing for the Straw Hat Pirates. Clocking in at just 56 minutes , it was originally shown as a double feature with Digimon Tamers: Runaway Locomon during Toei's Spring Anime Fair.

The primary threat comes from (or Earl Battler), a violin-playing "genius zoologist" and poacher. Butler leads a group that includes: General Hotdog: A brute force fighter. President Heaby: A wily, snake-like combatant.