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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2018 15:19:20 GMT -5
Episode 386: "Hatred Of The Straw Hat Crew! Enter Iron Mask Duval!"
Luffy, you should really consider visiting a psychiatrist. Your obsession with how other species poop is getting a bit unhealthy.
After they appeared at the end of the last episode, let's talk a bit proper about Camie the mermaid and Pappug the starfist. Camie is really adorable, friendly and hilarious (seriously, her shocked face is a sight to behold) as is Pappug who is both her pet and her master (and has the tendency to get ignored by others). For manga readers, this is not the first time we meet them since they played a big part in a Chapter Cover Page Story that was published during the Alabasta Arc (for those that followed the story, it also spoils who Camie's friend is, but more on that later...).
The encounter with Camie provides much of the humor of this episode, mainly due to the others insisting that Camie is the first mermaid they met (completely trying to get Granny Cocolo out of their heads) which is especially funny to watch with Sanji. Pappug's pun-ishing song is also neat as are his reactions at being ignored. In that regard this small mini-arc is really nice due to its more light-hearted nature compared to what it is immediately followed by.
Things get a bit serious when Camie learns that her friend Hatchin has been kidnapped by the Dopey Makro Gang and the Flying Fish Riders and asks the Straw Hat for their help (which they are eager to do since it means free Takoyaki for all...and who wouldn't, perhaps of the most delicious Japanese foods in existence). The Dopey Makro Gang was also a part of the chapter cover story but they are not that noteworthy compared to the Flying Fish Riders that are based on a motorcycle gang (the handles on their flying fish, their leather jackets, the fact that their Flying Fish make motorcycle sounds). Their Flying Fish are certainly a neat addition to the bestiary of One Piece for how long they are able to fly.
But could Camie's friend Hatchin really be the one that the Straw Hat members from the East Blue suspect? And why is Iron Mask Duval angry at the Straw Hat Crew and wants to kill the man who ruined her life? Questions among questions...
All in all, another good episode.
Manga Differences: -The scene on the Flying Fish Riders base where they get ready to move out is all filler episode. We don't see the riders in the manga until they engage the Thousand Sunny for the first time. -The usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2018 15:22:30 GMT -5
Episode 387: "The Fated Reunion! Save The Imprisoned Fishman!"
An octopus fishman that sells takoyaki for a living? That would be the same if Chopper decided to one day open up a reindeersteak house in Norway or somewhere.
What was hinted at before, now becomes certain. Camie and Pappug's friend Hatchin is none other than Hachi, former field commander of the Arlong Pirates, who makes his reappearance after about 340 episodes. He seems to be about the same, still a bit slow on the uptake but what we get to see is how much he cares for Camie and Pappug, rather being imprisoned and sold like this than bringing them into danger. Of course, the Straw Hats are incredibly reluctant to free him (well, those who were actually present during the Arlong Arc) but after Camie and Pappug getting captured and Nami assures them that it is alright, they have no problem helping him as well (I am sure Luffy had no problem getting convinced going by the takoyaki in his eyes).
The Dopey Makro Gang is mostly just comic relief so we can ignore them wholeheartedly. More interesting is Duval, the boss of the Flying Fish Riders, who seems intent on destroying the Straw Hat Crew for ruining his life (one man in particular whom we don't know yet). I am curious which character from the past this Duval could be: from a filler arc, from a manga arc? Questions among questions (among those being what the Sabaody Archipelago is and if there is really human trade there...that would put One Piece in a pretty dark corner).
All in all, another entertaining episode (mostly through some humorous scenes with the Dopey Makro Gang, the Camie/Pappug/Hachi trio and the Straw Hats) and I am looking forward to the fight with the Flying Fish Riders proper in the next episode.
Manga Differences: -Nothing major to report besides scene extensions and the short flashback to the Arlong Arc.
See y'all the day after today!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2018 10:05:20 GMT -5
Episode 388: "Tragedy! The Truth Of The Unmasked Duval!"
Who knew that Brook's way of fighting can put someone to sleep? I didn't.
The whole episode is basically the Straw Hats' fight against the Flying Fish Riders. It is more of a light-hearted battle since the Riders, despite their unique mode of transportation, are basically grunts that don't offer much of a work-out. The episode is still entertaining regardless, mostly due to some humorous scenes (Brook and Chopper trying to rescue a drowning Luffy causing them to drown themselves, Hachi easily getting rid of the Dopey Makro Gang after some big talk from them, Franky getting confused by the Riders' radio talk [has to be seen to understand correctly]). It is really good to see the Straw Hats working together flawlessly to take the enemies down (especially love Brook taking down several fish and showing that he has some more special techniques up his sleeves) and even Zoro and Hachi fighting side-by-side (and having some nice exchanges).
The big reveal of this episode however is the face of Duval (I won't tell what it looks like, I leave it for you to find out) which is also funny, don't get me wrong. But after all the build-up, I was hoping that we would see somebody from previous episodes instead of this. Oh well, one cannot have everything.
All in all, a good episode again. I liked it very much.
Manga Differences: -Besides the usual minor scene extensions, nothing major to report here. Perhaps one of the most true to the manga episodes we have had in quite a while.
May we meet tomorrow again!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2018 15:11:59 GMT -5
Episode 389: "Explosion! The Sunny's Super Secret Weapon, Gaon Cannon!"
Hmm, I can think of a few situations in the past where the Gaon Cannon might have come in handy for the Straw Hats (during the days when they still travelled on the Going Merry)...
Yeah, we learn about another secret weapon of the Thousand Sunny, the Gaon Cannon: it definitely packs quite the punch, but given the cola it uses, it will probably not be used all that often (also kinda counterproductive that a Coup De Burst has to be shot at the same time to keep the Thousand Sunny to be sent to Gan Fall knows where). Personally, I find the Chicken Voyage mode the more enjoyable mechanism introduced (who knew that Sunny's mane would have a neat use like that).
This episode also marks the end of the fight against the Flying Fish Riders who are soundly defeated. Have to say that I cannot feel too sorry for Duval since he was kind of a jerk in his old village (granted not that kind of jerk to get so much unwanted attention but still...) and it is satisfying to see Sanji beat the everloving s*** out of him. Most of the episode is still played for laughs with the Straw Hats' reaction to Duval's face and Sanji's happy face after getting saved by Camie from the depths among others. We also learn that mermaids are the fastest beings under the ocean (as long as they aren't spaced out, says Pappug) and...apparently Luffy can subdue animals with his presence somehow? Odd...I wonder if that will ever come into play again.
Again, a good episode and a fitting end to this small fight.
Manga differences: -The whole flashback to Duval's days in his village is filler for the most part. While the manga mentions his backstory, it is relegated to one panel while the anime goes into more detail (and it is shown in a strange paper-cut-out style animation. Weird.) -The aftermath after Sanji kicks Duval into oblivion is anime only addition. Originally the manga chapter ends while Sanji does his parage shot on Duval and the next chapter, they are already on the ship relaxing. -The usual scene extensions.
Laddies, let us meet again tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 14:36:02 GMT -5
Episode 390: "Landing To Get To Fishman Island! The Sabaody Archipelago!"
That island is full of...f'n bubbles!
After the action-packed last few episodes, we get a bit of a quieter episode this time around. First we deal with the aftermath of the battle with the Flying Fish Riders...and now I am hungry for some takoyaki (curse you, One Piece!). Anyway, Sanji's skills as a cosmetic surgeon strike again (hopefully lasting longer this time than they did with Wanze) and this time, the recipient is actually grateful for it. Have to say that Duval (similar to Buggy) has become a bit more likable now being relegated to comic relief status in his obliviousness to how people react to his antics. It is quite funny seeing how the Straw Hats get increasingly annoyed with him and I have to wonder...is his total inability to blink due to his reconstructive facial surgery or having never had the need to blink with his blinking eye always being covered by his forelock?
Next, we get some exposition (and Pappug gets sadly ignored again) about how to get to Fishman Island, leading the crew to arrive at the next location: The Sabaody Archipelago. Another great setting by Oda, large mangroves that secrete bubbles made from a material that is used to coat the ships wanting to go to Fishman Island. Definitely a creative looking scenery though I am baffled by one thing: Why do all the official transcriptions call it "Sabaody" when it's actually "Shabondi"? I mean, the original has a good pun in it ("shabon" being a Japanese word for "bubble") and it is easier to say than Sabaody where I am not 100% certain what the official pronciation is. Did Oda officially declare that it's transliteration should be Sabaody or something?
Anywho, it is a delight seeing the Straw Hats react to this new place but at the very end the episode suddenly turns serious when Hachi mentions the one condition under which he will lead them to a coating specialist they can trust: that under no circumstances they are to touch a World Noble. And given how serious Hachi is when he says this...this must mean something bad. Guess we'll have to see.
Overall, a good episode again.
Manga Differences: -The opening scene with the Flying Fish Riders finding Duval and all of them discovering the change in Duval's facial features is anime filler. Originally, we don't see them again until they actually approach the Straw Hats. -Luffy climbing the bubbles to the top and then falling down when the bubbles pop and getting stuck in the roots for a bit is also an anime only addition. This part is only referenced in the manga a little bit later. -Scene Extensions as always.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2018 15:04:46 GMT -5
Episode 391: "Tyranny! The Rulers Of Sabaody, The Celestial Dragons!"
Darn, and this episode makes me hungry for those Grand Line First Half Snacks!
We get more of an inside into the Sabaody Archipelago and how it works by seeing various neat things like the Bubble Bike, how hotel rooms are made, various snacks etc.. One cannot say that Oda does not take the time to make us get a feel into a place (similar to how he introduced Water Seven to us). The Straw Hats are good audience surrogates in this matter, being enamored by the wonders of the Sabaody Archipelago just as we are. These scenes are also interspersed with some fun moments (like Luffy desperately wanting to buy a Bubble Bike instead of just renting it despite it being useless out of the Archipelago, Sanji and Usopp treating Zoro like a child when he goes off alone due to his terrible sense of direction, the group getting enamored with the Sabaody snacks etc.).
All that comes to a crashing hold though when the crew witness just what Hachi has warned them about. The Celestial Dragons, represented here by a father and daughter combo who nonchalantly talk about "ship captain collections" and "buying humans" like it was an everyday occurrence and who mistreat a runaway slave (whose slave collar exploded...have to say that he is still tough for essentially having his head blown off) kicking him and shooting him in cold blood. They do seem to be truly despicable beings. Through this runaway slave and Hachi's explanation we also get to see the terror of slavery in this universe with our own eyes and it acts as a good counterpoint to the light mood that preceded it.
We also get some subtle hints regarding Hachi and Camie's status on this island: more obvious ones like Hachi asking them to treat them like humans on this island and covering his mark on his forehead which Luffy notices (and Robin seems to have some deeper thoughts about) as well as more subtle ones like Hachi hiding his other four arms under a thick jacket and Camie wearing a long skirt that covers her whole fish tail. We know from the previous episodes that fishmen and mermaids are also sold but is there something deeper to it? Curiouser and curiouser...
Another good episode here.
Manga Differences: -The race between Hachi and Luffy on their Bubble Bikes is anime filler. There was never a race between them in the manga. -Scene extensions like usual.
Tomorrow will be a break to cover Manga Volume 53 so see you on Saturday!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2018 14:51:12 GMT -5
Episode 392: "New Rivals Gather! The 11 Supernovas!"
Well, Luffy, looks like you have 9 other pirates to defeat before you can become the King Of The Pirates...
Another fairly quiet episode (except for the brief fight scene at the start) that gives us mostly exposition. We get to know one of Hachi's friends on the Sabaody Archipelago named Shakki, former pirate, owner of Shakki's Rip-Off Bar (OK, definitely not an establishment I'd like to frequent) and wife of the coating craftsman Hachi knows who is named Rayleigh. A light-hearted scene in the bar with lots of fun moments (Camie getting flustered when Shakki asks if she is Hachi's girlfriend, Chopper's childlike happiness when he gets a portion of cotton candy) ensues where we learn that Rayleigh is not an easy man to get hold off.
We also get more exposition about the structure of the different groves on the Sabaody Archipelago as well as the focal point of this episode: 9 other pirates besides Luffy and Zoro who have gathered here and gotten a bounty of over 100 million (at this point I wonder if Oda-sensei intended for the bounties to serve as a counterpart to Dragonball's power levels...) and we get a brief look at each of them:
-Capone "Gang" Bege who looks like he came either from 1920's Chicago or the planet Sigma Iotia II -Jewelry Bonney, the only woman among this group who would probably be able to outeat Luffy and Goku in an eating contest. -Basil Hawkins, who apparently underwent an apprenticeship at Miss Cleo's. -Scratchmen Apoo, a weird looking fellow whose arms are really long. I bet he has no problems scratching himself. -Captain "Kid" Eustass, the only guy with a higher bounty than Luffy (due to hurting many civilians along the way) and who definitely gives off the vibe of a darn bastard. -Captain X Drake, a former marine member turned pirate. Certainly an interesting facet that we have not encountered yet. -Monk Urouge, a giant of a man and the one with the lowest bounty of all of them. -Killer, besides Zoro the only member of the Supernovas not being a captain. Guessing he will face Zoro sometime in the future. -Trafalgar Law, a creepy dude but he seems pretty unremarkable compared to the others. Guess we won't be seeing much of him in the future.
All in all, a good episode introducing us to a colorful bunch of new characters. I am looking forward to what else the Sabaody Archipelago will bring us.
Manga Differences: -The fight at the beginning of the ep is longer compared to the manga where we only get to see Luffy's final Gum-Gum Bazooka against the big bounty hunter. -We actually get to see how Kid got annoyed at Apoo sitting in a bar. The manga version sets in with the explosion. -The usual scene extensions (especially when Shakki goes around talking about what she knows about the Straw Hat crew and the scene in the restaurant where we meet three of the 11 Supernovas).
Let us meet again on the day after today!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2018 15:26:53 GMT -5
Episode 393: "The Target Is Camie! The Looming Clutches Of A Professional Kidnapper!"
They let bubble bicycles into Sabaody Park?...Does that mean you can also take a bicycle into Disney World?
This episode certainly shifts tones pretty quickly. For the first half, we have Luffy's group enjoying the attractions of Sabaody Park with Camie especially grateful that it happened since she dreamed about it since she was small. Her childlike fascination is certainly sweet to watch which makes what happens to her even more tragic. Until then, it's all fun and games (especially love Brook getting scared the bejeezus out of him, anytime he goes on a seemingly quiet ride).
On the other hand, we meet a Celestial Dragon again who is as disgusting a person as the other ones are, kicking down a guy on a stretcher, making a woman on the street his 13th wife out of nowhere (I guess the two women in chains behind him are 2 of his "wives") and is a complete asshole in general. The world would definitely be richer if Zoro cut him down but one of the other supernovas, Jewelry Bonney, manages to save him in time. This causes some other supernovae to get an interested look at the No.2 in the Straw Hat Crew. Also, Bonney apparently can make herself younger consciously (another devil fruit power perhaps? Also gotta love her mocking Zoro for assisting a person that was injured by a Celestial Dragon, since that's something that pirates don't do, when she did it earlier herself for Zoro). Last, gotta hate that Chafurin has to voice such a despicable character (since I really like him for his work as Inspector Megure on Case Closed).
Ultimately, Camie is kidnapped by a guy named...Peterman who is dressed in green tights (never thought I'd see a Peter Pan reference in here). To top it off, he kidnaps Camie while disguised in a bear mascot costume which I thought at first was the origin of the Pedobear meme but that one came six years earlier than this episode. But with his voice, Peterman certainly gives off a pedophile vibe.
Ultimately the ep ends with Sanji deciding to call the Flying Fish Riders for support since they know the situation best. I wonder if they'll be really that helpful...
Another good episode in a row of them.
Manga Differences: -The flash back to young Camie approaching the shores of the Sabaody Park is anime filler. No scene like that was in the manga. -In general, the scenes at the Sabaody Park are more fleshed out from the manga version with more focus on the different attractions (including the destruction of the tea cup attraction) as well as Peterman approaching where we cut off while he is still not disguised. -In the manga the scene of Peterman being informed about the presence of a mermaid on the ARchipelago is set before the crew arrives at the Park while in the anime it is set in between Peterman disguising himself. -The usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2018 14:53:50 GMT -5
Episode 394: "Rescue Camie! The Archipelago's Lingering Dark History!" Don't worry, Motobalo, you are doing your best and don't let anybody tell you otherwise... OK, now we are getting into a bit of a darker territory in this show. First, we get the shocking truth that the merfolk (whom until this point we only encountered as a strong race due to the Arlong Pirates mostly) were treated subhuman and are still getting treated in a racist way on the Sabaody Archipelago for the most part (which is why Hachi and Camie hid their appearance as merfolk to begin with). This especially surprises Nami given her history with the Arlong Pirates and it really is also to the audience. While it does not lessen Arlong's role as an equally racist asshole, it kinda puts it into a shades of gray area where we perhaps wonder if he endured racism in this area of the ocean as well. Certainly makes it less of a clear-cut black and white. Second, the scene in the human shop is just heartbreaking, seeing Camie get mistreated by the Human Shop employees and especially Disco, the owner, who puts on a friendly front but has no hesitation in hitting Camie in the face and getting ready to put the time-bomb collar on her himself (and some of the dialogue like how the employees beg him to hit her in areas where injuries won't be visible to a buyer is equally horrible as well). Just a disconcerting scene all around...poor Camie. To lighten the mood a bit, there are some fun scenes involving Duval's continued obliviousness to his own annoyingness and the highlight in the fun department being Usopp of all people smacking Chopper and Brook upside the head for relaxing too much waiting for them to pick them up. Also moving is the scene where Luffy declares that all of the three merfolk (including his former enemy Hachi) are his friends now. And so the human auction will be starting soon with both the terrible Celestial Dragons being present and also two of the other supernovas, Kid and Law. With the Straw Hats also on the way, this should come to a definite collision in the next few episodes... Another good episode. This is getting into a really good stretch now. Manga Differences: -For the first time in a long, long while we get this: Anime: Law smugly looks at Kid and turns away. Manga: Law smugly looks at Kid and flips him the bird. Yeah, that is a really strange edit. Guess Oda-sensei should have drawn Law doing the "Bi Da" thing instead. -Zoro bringing the man shot by the Celestial Dragon to the hospital (and also getting questioned about the man having a collar perhaps which draws the ire of Zoro) is anime filler. We don't see Zoro again until he is outside the hospital in the manga. -How Peterman applies his sale of the mermaid to the human shop and presents Camie is also an anime-only addition. Originally, we only see him leaving the human shop in the manga. -The flashback to Duval's try at hitting on some girls is also anime-only material. It is mentioned in the manga but we don't see it. -The usual scene extensions. Let us meet again on the day following today!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2018 14:46:52 GMT -5
Episode 395: "Time Limit! The Human Auction Begins!"
Another day, another intro that Crunchyroll could not get the rights to...
Unlike the last intro, this one is a real shame because the song "Share The World" is a very good song and it is used well with the scenes depicted in the intro including some foreshadowing of events to come. All in all, this is definitely an intro I miss seeing everyday and having to listen to "Jungle P" for the next episodes.
Something I forgot to mention during the last episode...at the end we get to see an old slave who turns out to be Rayleigh, the coating craftsman the Straw Hats were looking for...who also is introduced via text as the former vice captain of the Roger Crew in a nonchalant manner. Uhm, OK, you'd think a character with such a high reputation would get a bit more of an introduction, but I guess it works as the WHAM moment for ending the last episode.
During the course of this episode, the picture behind the various hints thrown about in the past episodes ever since the Thriller Bark arc begins to form fully in this episode, informing us about Ace being sentenced to be publicly executed and how this might mean war against Whitebeard (who surely does not want to see his commander getting killed like this). This is certainly treated with the gravitas this requires with one of the supernovas even mentioning that this means war. It also explains the relatively small marine presence on the Sabaody Archipelago.
But the main focus of this episode is on the Human Auction...and it is every bit as depraved as I imagined with an audience looking at the humans being presented as toys, Disco emanating the attitude of a sleazy car salesman and the slaves being dragged around and looking every bit as miserable as the scenery warrants. If only an airplane crashed into the building killing everyone except the slaves...the world would be richer for having lost them. Seeing Camie especially is heartbreaking considering how bright and cheery she usually is.
Some fun moments with Duval keep this episode from getting too dark as well as Nami showing for the non-believers that she is willing to part with her money for a good cause like freeing a friend. And it is also nice to see the Straw Hats taking all the willpower to not just beat everyone in the audience into a bloody pulp seeing the scene on display.
Overall, a good episode.
Manga Differences: -The whole bit with Disco having fake bidders in the audience to drive up the prices is an anime only thing. Nothing like this was mentioned in the manga. -The focus on this old couple in the audience and their tastes in slaves is also anime filler. The only bidders in the audience we ever focus on are just the Celestial Dragons. -Zoro encountering some bounty hunters and getting them off his back with his presence only is also an anime only addition. The only scene with him that is manga-based is him noticing that he is now on Grove 2. -Our usual scene extensions to be witnessed here.
See y'all tomorrow...and what exactly are minks as written on the slave trade pricing chart?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2018 10:13:01 GMT -5
Episode 396: "The Fist Explodes! Destroy The Auction!"
Don West: "Luffy hit him...RIGHT IN THE FAAAAACEEEE!!!"
And so the Summit War Arc comes to its first peak with Luffy hitting one of the Celestial Dragons right in the kisser. The scene leading up to it, I would rank as one of the best in the entirety of One Piece so far. From the moment that Hachi gets shot by one of the Celestial Dragons to Luffy hitting that fateful right hook, it is just a wonderful moving scene. No BGM during the scene where the shot Hachi falls down and we only hear his body falling down the stairs to Luffy's determined look down to Hachi's gasping plea to Luffy to not do anything rash because of him (that speech in turn also serves as a sort of apology to Nami and what Hachi did to her as part of the Arlong Pirates) until finally the uniquely animated punching scene in a sort of sketch drawing black-and-white. It definitely lends gravitas to this scene and what it means since we already know what it entails to cross a Celestial Dragon.
Up until that moment, the episode certainly was among the more serious of One Piece episodes with scenes like a slave biting his own tongue to kill himself rather than become a slave (leading to a very cynic reply from Sanji), Camie's desperate cries for help, the seemingly hopeless situation after the Celestial Dragon buys Camie for 500 million (only to plan for her to be chased by his piranhas in his aquarium) and the audience's disgusting racist attitudes towards Hachi when they realize that he is a fishman. Really, the only fun scene was the scene with the lost Zoro but for the most part, it is among the more melancholic episodes in One Piece.
Still, it is safe for me to say that this was a very good episode. And now to wait for the aftermath...
Manga Differences: -The whole scene with Zoro getting lost and finally getting picked up by Luffy is anime filler. We don't see Zoro and Luffy again until they crash into the courthouse. -The usual scene extensions as always.
Later days!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2018 8:57:14 GMT -5
Episode 397: "Major Panic! Desperate Struggle At The Auction House!"
Well, seems like one of the Celestial Dragons was good for something after all. Otherwise, Usopp would have hurt himself really bad.
After the punch heard around the world, the Straw Hats fight for Camie's release against the various guards and employees of the court house. Although it is not a terribly exciting battle (mostly due the guards and employees being nothing more than grunts), it is still enjoyable to see all the Straw Hats engaged in battle. Also love the scene where Luffy basically tells his crew what his punching the Celestial Dragon will lead to but they all take it non-chalantly like they are used to stuff like this happening. And how Usopp casually lands on one of the other Celestial Dragons, knocking him out is also a hilarious scene to watch (considering that he does not even know what he just did).
Things get pretty tense when the last Celestial Dragon standing is about to shoot Camie out of spite but gets knocked out somehow. And then appears Rayleigh who somehow was able to get rid of the exploding collars and apparently knows a technique to make people unconscious...I wonder what kind of technique that is? And so he finally gets to meet Straw Hat Luffy while the Marines are already circling the Auction House. Looking forward to what happens next...And why does the pirate Trafalgar Law have a bear?
While not reaching the emotional heights of the previous episode, this one is still good and the arc continues on its strong pace.
Manga differences: -All the scenes showing Usopp, Robin and Brook on their way to the Auction House are filler scenes. We don't see them until they actually arrive at the spot. -In the manga, Usopp gets thrown off the Flying Fish downwards to the auction house. In the anime, he boastfully steps on the edge of the hole in his usual bravado, sees how high it is, gets flustered and has to be pushed by the flying fish that sends him crashing down. -All the scenes showing Rayleigh and his fellow giant prisoner prior to them appearing in the main room of the auction hours are anime only additions (aka the scene with him in his cell deciding that the time is right since his booze has run out and him stealing some money from one of the fleeing auctioneers). -Some scene extensions.
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2018 14:22:21 GMT -5
Episode 398: "Admiral Kizaru Takes Action! Sabaody Archipelago Thrown Into Chaos!"
Well, he only leaves his seat to go to the Archipelago, so I would not call that really going into action just yet...
A bit of a quieter episode this time around with only the end providing a bit of action. The Straw Hats are clearly mystified by this strange old man who not only can cause people to fall unconscious with the blink of an eye but who is also able to free people of explosive collars without any real problems. And that's most of this episode really...the Straw Hats being in awe of him.
We also get some other scenes with Disco reporting this event to his superior who turns out to be one of the Seven Warlords, Doflamingo (a guy that we have not seen in a very long time, I'd say roughly 200 episodes) and who gives another hint that the Seven Warlords have been drafted into this Marine/Whitebeard business. The other Supernovas who are in town take their own actions after hearing what Luffy did; some of them preparing to set sail (Bege, Drake), others wanting to stay behind and see what'll happen (Urouge, Apoo) while the others are just doing their own thing (Bonney, Hawkins...although it seems Bonney is the most pissed about the Straw Hats's actions).
Ultimately, to escape the surrounded auction house, the three captains decide to fend off the Marines (though it is mostly Kid who takes the initiative with Luffy and Law tagging along because they don't want to get orders from him) which gives us the only real action scene of this episode. Luffy using his well-established rubber powers, Kid seemingly having magnetic/gravitational powers and Law...I don't know (he can create a room, cut up things and replace their placement....dunno what to call this power really). Anyway, they have no problem fending off the Marines which leads us into the next episode. I do wonder though if we will ever see that giant again who says that he will repay the Straw Hats for freeing him one day? And what are the marines referring to that will arrive as deployment before Kizaru?
Overall, still a decent episode though not as good as the previous eps.
Manga Differences: -Franky in the backstage area of the auction house looking for the keys is anime filler material. We don't see him again until he appears with the keys on stage. -Really weird choice of scene arrangement where we at first don't see how Rayleigh gets rid of Camie's collar and later get a flashback to it. None of this happens in the manga where the actual removement is shown in real time. -The three captains walking bickering amongst themselves towards the entrance of the auction house is also anime only material. In the manga, they appear before the house in a flash basically. -The sequence where Luffy engages the marines alone for some time is also anime filler that does not happen in the manga.
See y'all morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2018 0:17:18 GMT -5
Episode 399: "Break Through The Siege! The Navy Vs. The Three Captains!"
I'll ask again: why does Law have a talking bear in his crew? Another model of Human-Human Fruit? Just thought he was a human the whole time like Pappug? Questions among questions...
A pretty straight-forward episode dealing with the three pirate crews making their getaway from the auction house. Although the fighting is not of high quality due to it being mostly normal marine soldiers on the Navy side, it is still fun to watch the Straw Hats working together in keeping the Marines at bay and seeing the extent of Kid's and Law's powers (the latter of which I still cannot quite grasp what it is based on). Their crewmembers are nothing to sneeze at either with Kid's containing a firebreather and a swordsman with some interesting blade weapons in Killer. Not to mention the aforementioned bear in Law's crew who provides some comedy relief. Also love Franky reworking Duval's Motobalo into being speedier than before.
But as said this is the episode in a nutshell so it does not leave much room for talking. A decent episode overall. Have to say that the Straw Hats really are lucky to not have run into Kuma at the end like Kid and Law have.
Manga Differences: -The scenes with the Navy Rescue Team are anime filler that do not appear in the manga at all. -Zoro's swords and the weapons of the unconscious guards in the auction house getting attracted at Kid's magnetic power is also an anime only addition. We don't see the crew again until they enter the outside of the auction house. -The detailed getaway scene of the Straw Hats on the Flying Fish including Franky "updating" Motobalo and driving by Peterman's hide-out is also exclusive to the anime. After meeting Duval and the Rosy Life Riders, we don't see them again until they arrive back at Shakki's bar. -The usual scene extensions.
Let us meet the day after today!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2018 7:27:06 GMT -5
Episode 400: "Roger And Rayleigh! The King Of The Pirates And His Right Hand Man!"
Arrived at Episode 400 now...getting closer and closer to that elusive Half-Way Point.
One of the quietest episode in a long while, mostly about Rayleigh telling the Straw Hat Crew a bit about Roger (what kind of man he was, what really happened that led to his public execution, how he was able to leave a message in Porneglyph writing on Skypiea etc.) which is certainly fascinating to hear, given that Roger is the character the whole Great Pirate Age is built on (although Rayleigh does not know what Roger's intention truly was). We also get some nice character work with Robin who declines Rayleigh's offer to tell her everything about the blank century, deciding instead to continue her travels with her friends. Finally, we get to see Luffy getting pissed off at one of his friends in a long while, not wanting to hear anything about the One Piece from Rayleigh, even going so far as declaring that he'd rather give up being a pirate than him being told everything by Rayleigh (in turn impressing Rayleigh who seems to start to share Shanks's impression of Luffy being very similar to their captain).
Gotta love Zoro's and Nami's annoyed expressions at the mention of Buggy being a former member of Gold Roger's crew and Luffy getting told for the first time that Shanks was a member on Roger's ship (something we already knew for about 75 episodes now). Brook also gets some nice scenes, nonchalantly mentioning that he heard about a rookie named Roger during the time he was alive and getting moved to tears at hearing that Crocus joined Roger's pirate ship to search for Brook and his crew.
In conclusion, the Straw Hats have to hide in secret for the next few days until Rayleigh is finished coating their ship for their journey to Fishman Island. Well, that should not take too much an amount of episodes until they can go to Fishman Island...shouldn't it?
A good episode to see here with the icing on the cake being that Peterman got beaten the crap out of him (though off-screen sadly) and also love the mood and scene representations by the Sabaody bubbles from time to time. But with Admiral Kizaru now arriving on the island, hopefully the Straw Hats can manage.
Manga Differences: -Originally, the pirates on the harbor commented on Kizaru riding a cannonball to the island. The anime version leaves those comments out. -The usual scene extensions.
Later days, laddies!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2018 11:13:25 GMT -5
Episode 401: "No Escape?! Admiral Kizaru's Light Speed Kick!"
OK, does Bartholomew Kuma have identical siblings, does he know the Shadow Clone technique or how is he able to change from location to location?
So much to talk about here:
-First we get to see Admiral Kizaru in action for the first time. I don't know if he has taken a bucket full of Nyquil before arriving at the archipelago or if that is how he usually is...but he seems even slower and lethargic than Admiral Aokiji (who does represent "lazy justice"). Guess it serves as a counterpart to how his attacks seem to be based on light, i.e. very speedy attacks (and powerful too, given that he is able to fell a giant mangrove with just one attack).
For now, he seems to take on three of the rookies (with a fourth one, Apoo, watching nearby) by himself, so we get to see some of their powers:
*Hawkins seems adapt at fortune-telling and...creating voodoo dolls or attack dummies or something (at least, he can redirect attacks against him to other people even if they are farther away though who gets the attack seems to be decided at random). *Uruoge can increase his size which is impressive considering that he already was pretty big to begin with. *Although Drake also joins the fight, we do not know yet what his mode of attack is.
-Two other rookies, Jewelry Bonney and Capone Bege, fight off some marines to make their escape:
*Apparently Bonney cannot only change her age on herself, but can also change the age of her opponents as she manages to turn several marines into either small children or old men. *And Bege is...apparently a robot or something since the inside of his body seems to be made out of steel and everything and, in addition, people from outside can get shrunk down by entering his immediate area...and vice-versa as seen when his men fire their cannons, taking out some of the marines nearby (though it is funny seeing how the smoke from his cigar keeps obstructing their view).
-Kid and Law continue fighting against one of the Kumas with their shown powers which is pretty fun to watch (though I don't get why Law is suddenly unable to slice this Kuma in half despite him being within his room when he switches the places of Bepo the bear and his new subordinate...strange).
-Last, The Straw Hats encounter another one of the Kumas and prepare to engage him in battle although they do know that something's off about him compared to their meeting on the Thriller Bark (becomes especially obvious when we see the palms of his hands that only have the muzzle of a gun instead of the paw symbol we saw before). Gotta love Luffy and Chopper's childlike fascination with a beam despite the seriousness of the situation. Let's see if the Straw Hats will make it through.
Lots of entertaining stuff happening, making it a good episode. But who is this Sentomaru fellow who sounds either like an old grandma or a bratty kid?
Manga Differences: -We actually see Sentomaru earlier in the manga, during the scene where Luffy and friends first get to witness a Celestial Dragon, commenting on the pirate slave that just get put down by the exploding collar. That bit was not animated for the anime so this episode marks the first appearance of Sentomaru in the anime. -Jewelry Bonney age-regressing the marine messenger who reports the situation is anime filler. That brief scene in the manga already ends after Bonney laughs at the misfortune of the marines. -The pirate trying to shoot Kizaru tries a second time in the anime. He does not in the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
Let us see each other tomorrow for another go-around!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2018 10:54:47 GMT -5
Episode 402: "Overwhelming! The Navy's Fighting Weapons, The Pacifistas!"
Well, good on the anime to spoil the reason for the several Kumas in its episode title.
A fighting-heavy episode continues although contrary to the title, it is mostly Kizaru in action against the four rookies from last episode. Regarding the latter, we learn furthermore:
-Drake has the Devil Fruit Power of turning into a Tyrannosaurus Rex which is mighty powerful (though he is quickly felled by the combined power of a Pacifista and Kizaru). -Hawkins can cover his body with what I guess is straw (same as his damage-taking dolls) though the purpose is not made clear. What is clear is that he can probably only make a finite number of damage-taking dolls before taking damage himself (as shown when Kizaru hits him eight times, clearing eight dolls, and the ninth time makes a direct hit on Hawkins). -Apoo, who until now only watched the fight, can do what Heath Slater probably longed for in his old gimmick: be a one man band. Literally, he is able to turn every part of his body into an instrument and hits his enemies with...the sound, I guess?
The clearest thing we get out of this fight though, is that Kizaru is pretty powerful, barely breaking a sweat in taking out four rookies, proving that he is deservedly of admiral rank.
Meanwhile, the Straw Hats start their offense against the other Pacifista (well, mostly the Monster Trio of Luffy, Zoro and Sanji) and are pretty successful so far (though Zoro becomes exhausted rather quickly due to still suffering from his ordeal on the Thriller Bark against the real Kuma). I wonder if they will succeed...
Overall, not as diverse as yesterday's episode, but still a good one due to the diversity of fighting styles.
Manga Differences: -The short cut-away to the Kid/Law Crew fighting another Pacifista is anime filler. In addition, yesterday's cutaway was also filler since we do not return to this fight in the manga at all after the initial stand-off. -We see Sentomaru's face a lot more in the anime compared to the manga where we see his face only when he arrives at the scene of the Straw Hat fight in the next episode. -A few more of the usual scene extensions.
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2018 16:18:56 GMT -5
Episode 403: "An Even Stronger Enemy Appears! The Battle Axe-Carrying Sentomaru!"
I guess even Raiden had a bigger chance of survival against the Metal Gear Rays than the Straw Hats have against Sentomaru and another Pacifista.
But first, a team effort by the Straw Hats manages to take down the Pacifista that they have been fighting for two episodes now. It is really sweet to see everybody contributing to bringing him down with Luffy providing the finishing blow. It is almost like it wants to punctuate this being the last team effort in a while...but that must be my imagination.
Enter Sentomaru (who does wield a battle axe, leading to a funny exchange with Franky) who talks a lot despite proclaiming himself to be the most tightlipped man alive. But despite that, he is actually quite powerful, being able to take down Luffy in spite of not being a devil fruit user...Odd, Luffy's grandfather was also able to hit Luffy despite the latter's body being made of rubber. Is there a connection? (Then again, Nami is also able to hit Luffy without effort...).
Things are turning for the worst when they try to flee but Kizaru appears as well and is ready to take out Zoro without much of a fight (since it took all of their power to defeat one Pacifista). Will the Straw Hats still get out of this OK?
All in all, a good episode mostly for the team fight of the Straw Hats which was neat to watch and a decent amount of drama with the escape attempt by the same.
Manga Differences: -The scene at the Kid/Law vs. Pacifista is again anime filler. As mentioned yesterday, this fight did not get developed in the manga beyond the initial confrontation. -The usual scene extensions.
Tomorrow will be a break for Manga Volume 54 so see you all on Friday!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 15:20:13 GMT -5
Episode 404: "Admiral Kizaru's Fierce Assault! The Straw Hats Face Certain Death!"
Wow, Usopp, that's a bit harsh, calling Zoro's current status as being more useless than you are...
We are now entering the final part of this turn of events with Rayleigh appearing suddenly and actually being able to hold off Kizaru quite well...something that nobody else seems to have been able to until now. What is it that makes him able to hit Kizaru who, as he himself notes, ate the Glint-Glint Fruit making him a light human with no discernable body to attack? Really strange.
It also gets more and more heartbreaking seeing the Straw Hats struggle to escape as they realize that they cannot take on the forces of Kizaru, Sentomaru and the Pacifista with everybody trying to cover everybody (Zoro, who is so beat up that he cannot move, asking Usopp to leave him behind; Sanji sacrificing his leg to keep the Pacifista from going after the Usopp group; Chopper again overeating on Rumble Balls turning him into the monster from the Water Seven Arc) and in general giving off the vibe that this is their most desperate situation.
Ultimately, the real Kuma shows up and he...lets Zoro disappear...What happened there? Guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Another good episode because the tension and drama gets built up more and more and one wants to know how it will end. Definitely among the most exciting episodes in One Piece History.
Manga Differences: -Again, all the scenes with the Kid/Law team against the Pacifista is anime filler. -Some of the usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow, laddies!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2018 16:43:06 GMT -5
Episode 405: "Eliminated Friends! The Final Day Of The Straw Hat Crew!"
Geez, Wiki must have lied to me. It said there are now 860 episodes but apparently there are really only 405...and what a way to end a series on a depressing note...
It indeed an episode that punches you straight in the gut. Luffy has to watch everyone of his friends disappearing at the hands of Bartholomew Kuma until he is the only one left. The VAs give it their all to lend some gravitas to this scene (with Mayumi Tanaka as Luffy putting the helplessness and agony across). Love the symbolism of seeing nine Sabaody bubbles at the start of the episode with them popping one by one as each crew member gets sent away. What really emphasizes this loss however is the filler scene with a still shot of the crew during one of their evenings together and the following montage of how each of the members joined, all set to a somber violin rendition of "Binks's Sake"...really tugs right at the heartstrings (though it is interesting that they go from Brook to Zoro instead of the chronological way).
With the final bubble popping (and us pondering what Kuma told Rayleigh during their brief interaction), we end on a depressing note, not knowing how it will go forward. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
All in all a very good episode for its drama and emotion alone.
Manga Differences: -Besides the above mentioned filler scene, only the usual scene extensions apply here. Nothing else.
Until 'morrow!
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