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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2018 15:36:46 GMT -5
Episode 445: "The Dangerous Encounter! Blackbeard And Shiryu Of The Rain!"
What a fitting title...that was the most dangerous exchange of words I have ever seen.
Actually, the most interesting part of this ep is the fight on Level 4. First, we have the three Demon Guards who make quick work of the prisoners and the New Kamalanders...but get felled in one punch by the trio of Luffy, Jinbei and Crocodile in a neat scene. We also get a one-on-one fight between Sadie-chan and Ivankov with the latter fighting her as a woman after a brief hormone injection (though his voice is still very much male) that is entertaining to watch. Of course, we get some time-wasting filler here that was not needed but you get what you can take.
Otherwise, we get Hannyabal acting silly again (which is getting a bit old now) as well as the misadventures of Buggy and Mr.3 (with the former now apparently having a fan club who follow his every whim without question) that is fun to see despite being filler material again. And the titular encounter? Well, we get one sentence from each and then we don't know what happened (except that Blackbeard is moving forward), so it leaves us with the mystery of what happened exactly at least.
The level 4 and Buggy stuff still add up to a decent episode here.
Manga Differences: -The whole stuff with the Newkama Six group was anime filler. Such a group never appeared in the manga at all, we went straight to the demon guards attacking the prisoners. -Basically the whole Buggy/Mr.3 segment in this episode was added. None of it appeared in the manga and we don't see them again until they get up to Level 1. -The Hannyabal scenes in this ep were also invented for the anime. We don't see him until he engages the escape group on Level 4. -The usual scene extensions.
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2018 10:58:11 GMT -5
Episode 446: "Refusal To Be Defeated! Serious Hannyabal!"
Buggy? Next time, why don't you try pissing on the poison with the others? That might perhaps help next time.
Joke's aside, this is actually a much better episode than the preceding ones. First reason for that is the Luffy vs. Hannyabal "fight" (as in Luffy hits him with one Jet Gatling attack and he is practically down) which does paint a more shades of grey picture of Hannyabal then we were led to believe before. He is not merely a comic relief opportunist who wants to take the warden seat as soon as possible, but actually takes his duty so seriously that he is willing to fight Luffy to the death. And all this to protect the civilians outside the prison from the vermin of this earth so that they can sleep in peace. I have to say, after the CP9 introduction, it has become a bit more difficult to view the marines as the ambassadors of good in this world but then we get reminded that there are people like Corby, Smoker and also Hannyabal in this case who do their duty out of the belief that they do this for justice and to protect innocent people in this world. Definitely a good scene that has raised my opinion of Hannyabal considerably.
Too bad his valiant effort gets crushed (literally) by Blackbeard's arrival where we are reminded that Luffy met him one time on Jaya in the Sky Island Arc (some 300 episodes ago). Naturally, Blackbeard mocks Luffy for his good fortune that saved him from getting killed by Blackbeard and turned on Ace instead. It is probably true that Luffy in his current form is unable to counter Blackbeard's Darkness power, but we will see it next episode since Luffy in furious rage starts attacking Blackbeard.
Besides the above we get some funny filler scenes with Hannyabal's flashback and Buggy and Co. taking a piss break (literally) during which Blackbeard unbeknownst to them gets rid of the poison wall, allowing Buggy to take credit for that feat.
All in all, a good episode this time around.
Manga Differences: -Hannyabal's flashback to when he started as a jailer is all filler material. There is no flashback like that in the manga. -All the scenes with Buggy and Crew in this episode (including Blackbeard using his darkness powers to get rid of the poison wall) are also added and did not appear in the manga at all. We see them again in the manga when they are already on Level 1. -The usual scene extensions.
See y'all tomorrow, laddies!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2018 16:10:15 GMT -5
Episode 447: "Jet Pistol Of Anger! Luffy vs. Blackbeard!"
Have to say, those drawings of the character heads in the map screen (showing us where the different characters are in Impel Down) look kinda cute. Like the heads on those Funko Pop figures (were they even around back then in Spring 2010 when those episodes aired?).
So yeah, Luffy and Blackbeard have their encounter, consisting of exactly one Jet Pistol and one Vortex throw before Jinbei interrupts their fight. However, this brief encounter shows that Luffy definitely would have stood even less of a chance against Blackbeard than his brother did, considering that Ace at least could fight at long-to-middle range while Luffy can only fight in close quarters. Interesting to see that Blackbeard does not downright dash Luffy's hopes of saving Ace but saying that anything's possible in this age, even the existence of the One Piece. I still cannot figure out that man.
Speaking of not figuring out, we still don't know what exactly Blackbeard's reason for coming to Impel Down is. We only know that he's gradually moving downward...or not, as Magellan appears, immediately poisoning him and his whole crew. I guess that's the end of him because how will he counter the poison that Luffy only barely escaped by a miracle? Such an unspectacular ending for all the effort he took.
In the meantime, Luffy takes out his anger on the Minotaurus (who recovered after being taken out earlier by the combined efforts of Luffy, Buggy, Mr. 3 and Mr. 2) with one hit while Buggy and Co. finally made it up to Level 1. Ultimately, Magellan (after a nice character scene with the downed Hannyabal) is on hot pursuit after Luffy and the others. Will Luffy be able to avoid Magellan this time?
Another good episode here.
Manga Differences: -Besides the detailed flashbacks to the Blackbeard/Ace fight and Luffy getting humiliated on Jaya by Bellamy as well as the "pep talk" afterwards by Blackbeard that weren't in the manga, nothing notable to see here besides the usual scene extensions.
Let us meet again on the day that follow today!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 15:46:52 GMT -5
Episode 448: "Stop Magellan! Ivan-san's Esoteric Technique Explodes!"
Well, that is a downer. I wondered why Jinbei's voice sounded different in his first appearance than in the ones following Hancock's visit. Turns out the VA who first voiced him died in 2010, forcing them to replace him (was a pretty famous VA too, most famous perhaps for voicing Mr. Satan/Hercule in Dragonball).
Not that this episode is something to end on an uplifting note either. In order to stop Magellan from pursuing them, Inazuma and Ivankov decide to trap him on Level 3 (by using Inazuma's cutting edge ability...*cricket cricket cricket*). I have to question Magellan's ability though, just standing there, letting Inazuma do his thing as if there is no pressing matter like, I don't know, a prison break underway or something. Anyway, although Ivankov puts everything on the line (including having to endure the humiliation of Magellan no-selling his attempts at joking), his winks and Newkama Kenpo is ultimately not enough and he gets slimed by Magellan (so does Inazuma for that matter).
Meanwhile, Luffy's group meets up with Buggy's group leading to some fun moments (Buggy and Mr.3 being hurt by Luffy's positivity, Buggy's reaction to learn that there are also perverts among the other group) and to Luffy's group getting rid of the Demon Guards one more time and even quicker.
Only a decent episode this time around.
Manga Differences: -Ivankov's reaction to Magellan no-selling his jokes is an anime only addition. He does not have a reaction like this in the manga at all. -Inazuma hesitating before finally "cutting" off the way to Level 2 is also filler that does not happen in the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2018 17:00:33 GMT -5
Episode 449: "Magellan's Tricky Move! A Foiled Escape Plan!"
Wow, sending the navy ships away so that the escapees don't have a boat to steal now counts as a tricky move? Man, they must think that the Marine only consists of a bunch of Spandams...
Anywho, Luffy now takes the offensive against Magellan although it is for a good reason (to buy time for Jinbei and the others to steal a Navy ship). And how does he do it? Easy, he gets some arm and leg coatings from Mr. 3 (in a pretty funny scene parodying transformation scenes from Magical Girl or Sentai series) and is now able to hit Magellan without getting poisoned. As it turns out, Mr. 3's wax proves to be a pretty effective defense against his poison (although Mr. 3 would like more to run away than actually stay and provide support for Luffy). Definitely an entertaining scene here and I look forward to see how Luffy will now fare against Magellan.
Meanwhile, Jinbei leads the charge to capture a navy ship accompanied by Crocodile, Mr.1 and...Buggy (who mistakenly thought he would be safer among those strong fighters when in reality he is right in the battlezone). Jinbei demonstrates some impressive techniques in water manipulation which is probably high-level fishman karate (and is wonderfully animated too). Buggy provides the humor in those scenes and the action here is pretty fast and furious and I look forward here too to see how those four...well, rather three will take over the navy ship.
All in all, a good episode in this case balancing both fun (Luffy being moved to tears by Mr.3's cool coating) and action pretty well. I am really interested to see how this arc will move along further.
Manga Differences: -Nothing to report here, besides the usual scene extensions.
Until the day that follows today!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2018 8:52:33 GMT -5
Episode 450: "The Escapee Team In Trouble! The Forbidden Move: Venom Demon!"
Who needs Aquaman when you have got a fishman like Jinbei?
The technique advertised in the title is indeed as awesome as it sounds. After being unable to attack Luffy through his wax coating, Magellan unleashes his final technique Venom Demon...and it becomes immediately clear why he did not use it in the first place. The poison produced by Venom Demon not only seeps through immaterial objects like an infection but people poisoned by it also infect others they touch. Not to mention the attack with its skull face and general look just looks suitably terrifying and awesome at the same time. Ultimately though, Luffy manages in impressive fashion with Mr. 3's help to push even this strong attack back allowing them enough time to flee...
...towards the sea where Jinbei has called forth a herd of whale sharks to serve as boats so that the escapees don't fall into the ocean. The navy ship has been secured (thanks to the splendid efforts of Crocodile, Mr.1 and Jinbei's ocean attacks...and I guess Buggy's presence helped too) and even Ivankov and Inazuma go along, having somehow managed to survive Magellan's poison (with Ivan-san providing the final thrust by his Hell Wink to get them off Impel Down towards the sea).
All in all, another good episode with the Venom Demon attack providing good excitement as well as Luffy's final attack and Ivankov's final wink providing a fitting exclamation point over the Impel Down Arc. But how will they proceed now to stop Ace's execution?
Manga Differences: -All the scenes with Ivankov and Inazuma prior to the former crashing through Level 1's floor are filler scenes. -In the manga, Luffy's final attack only managed to push Venom Demon back a bit while in the anime, the attack is so strong that it pushes it against a wall. -The usual scene extensions.
On Sunday, I shall come again!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2018 16:58:13 GMT -5
Episode 451: "Come, Final Miracle! Break Through The Gate Of Justice!"
*salutes Mr. 2's sacrifice*
In something of a call-back to the end of the Alabasta Arc, Luffy gets again saved by Mr. 2 sacrificing himself to the marines. It is certainly lucky how Bon Clay managed to get Magellan's face and it came into usage in this final part of their escape from Impel Down. The ensuing heartbreaking Thank You/Goodbye speech by Luffy as well as the others' reaction to Mr. 2's sacrifice is also definitely an strong emotional moment in the episode (even mroe than it was in the Alabasta version because in Impel Down we saw more of Bon Clay giving his all for his friend, Luffy, as emphasized by a montage in the end). By the falling sakura petals, we can pretty much guess that Bon Clay did not survive his encounter with Magellan...but given the series's reputation until this point, I find it more likely that he will survive somehow, dampening the effect somewhat.
Jinbei also gets a nice characterization in this episode by being presented as a stoic, matter-of-fact person who still has his heart in the right place (by pointing out that there is no point in going back to get Mr.2 after sacrificing so many other prisoners and New Kamalanders as well as having to face Magellan again, but still giving Luffy the Transponder Snail to give him the chance for a final talk with Bon Clay). I am liking Jinbei more and more in connection with his awesome fighting style. Almost wish he became a Straw Hat member but how likely is something like that going to happen?
All in all, another good episode that was both emotional and action-packed due to the escape of the Luffy crew from the guns-ablazing Marine ships. Looking forward to how Ace's rescue proceeding.
Manga Differences: -Mr. 2 transforming into Magellan a second time to confuse the guard into closing the Gate of Justice again (by using the good old "Duck Season/Rabbit Season" maneuver) is in the anime only. After Mr. 2 transformed back, he stayed in his original form until talking to Luffy. -The long flashback to the Alabasta Arc as well as the summary of Mr. 2's actions in Impel Down were also anime filler. -Luffy and the others protecting their ship from the marine's barrage of cannon shots is more detailed compared to the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
Let us go into a merry Christmas episode tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2018 8:53:31 GMT -5
Episode 452: "To The Navy Headquarters! Off To Rescue Ace!"
At least you can brag on having been an apprentice, Buggy. Imagine coming clean and it turning out that you were only there to scrub the toilets.
With this episode, the Impel Down sub-arc in the Summit War Arc comes to a close with the escapees' navy ship cruising along the Tub Current towards Marineford. It is the very example of a calm wind-down kind of episode which draws its strength mainly from its character interaction: Luffy and Buggy coming to blows over Buggy's nose again, Jinbei and Luffy having a heart to heart (with Jinbei also reminiscing about Arlong in silence, hinting back at that he was the one who apparently set Arlong loose on the East Blue) and Buggy unbelievably managing to avoid a mutiny on the ship by appealing to the prisoners' past hopes and dreams (which seems the one thing that he is actually good at) in a fun scene. Unfortunately for Buggy, the navy now knows his identity and his past and, considering how the navy even persecuted Tom who only built Roger's ship, it is safe to say that even his status back then as an apprentice won't save him from being executed. But for now he seems to be enjoying himself at least.
In poison regards, it appears that Magellan's power is somehow less powerful than previously thought. Not only seems Inazuma apparently capable of getting rid of the poison by proper rest, but in Impel Down, Shiryu got his hands on an antidote that completely counteracts Magellan's poison, healing the Blackbeard crew in an instant without them having to rest. So, perhaps his unbeatable poison was just a rumor? This also shows that Shiryu has indeed joined the Blackbeard pirates as a new crewmember.
All in all, a decent episode and a neat cap-off to the Impel Down mini-arc. Now off to indeed rescue Ace!
Manga Differences: -Buggy getting drunk and shakily walking up to the mourning group around Luffy was anime filler. The first time we see him in the manga he is already drunk and making his disrespectful comments towards Mr. 2's demise. -The scene where the transponder snail rings on the marine ship is terribly longer than it was in the manga. Probably among the longest scene extensions ever. -The scene at Marineford with the civillians getting evacuated is also an anime only addition that does not happen in the manga. There, the citizens have already been evacuated. -The scene extensions we are used to.
Until tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2018 15:22:16 GMT -5
Episode 453: "The Friends' Whereabouts! The Weatheria Report And The Cyborg Animals!"
I am sure some countries in Real Life would love to have a service like Weatheria provides...
Yeah, as a bridge towards the actual meat of the Summit War Arc, we take a break to look at what the other Straw Hats have been doing while the events at Impel Down unfolded. In this one, we take a look at Nami's and Frankie's exploits...
Nami's is the far more interesting because it introduces at least a glimpse into the structure of Weatheria. The weather is studied there and for their research funds the old men go to the ground and offer their weather expertise to anyone who can pay them for it (as shown in this episode where the old man that took in Nami provides rain for a town that suffers from a terrible drought). While not action-packed, the explanation of the workings of Weatheria I found very intriguing and humor is also provided with Nami's violent reaction to any foolishness by the old man. But I sure hope Nami finds a way to speed up Weatheria's progress or she might be an old maid by the time Weatheria arrives at the Sabaody Archipelago (due to Weatheria being subject to the winds).
Frankie's episode meanwhile is less entertaining, dealing mostly with the little boy who found him to turn him back to his old self (we might remember that due to cola shortage, they had to give him tea which turned him into a relaxed but boring gentleman). Eventually, they stumble upon the titular cyborg animals (who have a very boring design, consisting of them each having the same visor and metal parts) who manage to, well, beat the gentleman out of him. Afterwards, he comes across the house of Dr. Vegapunk where the episode (or rather Frankie's episode) ends on a cliffhanger which is not cool considering that it will take a while for us to get back to this part.
The balance of both parts still manage to make this a good episode.
Manga Differences: -Besides the brief depictions of Weatheria doing business and Frankie escaping the cyborg animals and coming across the birthplace of Dr. Vegapunk (all of which were part of very short chapter cover page stories), everything else here is filler.
A break tomorrow not for Christmas but for Manga Volume 58, so see you all on Thursday!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2018 15:38:08 GMT -5
Episode 454: "The Friends' Whereabouts! A Cheeper Of Giant Birds And A Pink Showdown!"
Sadly, the pink showdown is not Jigglypuff vs. Clefairy.
Sanji and Chopper this time around with a clear winner this time around. Sanji's part is...well, weird. First off, I am not against a plot where a person, be it male or female, comes to realize his true gender identity and embraces it wholeheartedly. But considering from what I know from the manga is that Sanji will stay the same as he ever was moving forward, making this whole "realization" of his true identity completely pointless. Although Sanji looks kinda cute in his outfit and it is funny seeing him turning into this shy maiden before our eyes, the pointlessness of this whole affair makes it really hard to get into it. I also have to question why Oda decided on this uniform ugly design for the inhabitants of Kamabakka as if there are not any cute queers, as if there are only ugly ducklings among them. No no no, this does not do.
The Chopper part meanwhile is pretty pedestrian but is still decent with Chopper taking care of one of the chicklets from the giant birds that has hurt itself. Chopper's idea of using this bird when it has grown up to fly to the Sabaody Archipelago is clever but of course (as with Nami's) it will take a long while to get there. The chicklet has a cute design (though what's with the strange curl atop his head?) and the punchline when Chopper realizes how long it will take for the chicklet to grow is suitably hilarious. Definitely a good part.
All in all, the Chopper part gets this episode to a decent rating. Hopefully, the next installments will be better.
Manga Differences: -Except the images of the queers chasing Sanji with butterfly nets and Sanji as a fully embracing queer as well as Chopper witnessing the bird/human conflict from afar, everything was 100% Grade A filler, my friends.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2018 15:19:09 GMT -5
Episode 455: "The Friends' Whereabouts! Revolutionaries And The Gorging Forest's Trap!"
Nope, not doing the Scott Steiner joke again.
Nico Robin and Usopp this time around with both being good in their own way. Robin's is of course the more desolate one with her being imprisoned in a prison tower, tortured by the guards in order to reveal the location of the other Straw Hats. Meanwhile, we also get a real feeling again of the hopelessness of Tequila Wolf with the workers being worked to the bone until they die and even those who snitch on others (like the woman who betrayed Robin) feeling no satisfaction despite the goodies they receive from the guards. It really gives off a melancholic air that turns more hopeful with the Revolutionary Army freeing Robin and her finally being able to get revenge on her tormentors in a satisfying scene. All in all, a very moving part in this first act.
Usopp's part on the other hand brings not much in terms of story but his interactions with Heracles are fun to watch and hey, who wouldn't love a forest with everything that you'd ever want to eat growing everywhere? OK, one should exercise restraint or else ending up a balloon like Usopp does. His location also turns out to be one of the most dangerous with the whole island being a living entity setting out to eat something from time. Will he survive now as fat as he is? We shall see.
Overall, an entertaining and good episode with a good counterbalance of drama and humor.
Manga Differences: -Besides Nico Robin meeting the revolutionaries and Usopp going to the Gorging Forest and becoming a sumo wrestler weightwise, everything else is filler here. Interesting to note is that the first chapter cover story page of Robin's part makes it look like she escaped her captors when that is not the case in the anime at all.
See y'all lader!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2018 15:41:26 GMT -5
Episode 456: "The Friends' Whereabouts! A Huge Tomb And The Panty Debt!"
And to finish off the Wherabouts saga, we go to Zoro and Brook now.
Zoro's part again emphasizes that this guy would not find his way out of a bathtub if there was nobody leading him. What makes Zoro's predicament funnier than usual is Perona's hilarious reaction and dumbfoundedness about the former's total lack of direction, almost giving her a nervous breakdown. Their scenes together are very funny and make this part fly by quickly. In the end, they discover a big tomb (rather a cross carved out of a tree) and are attacked by creatures currently shrouded in shadows. What those creatures are...will have to wait for later because it is a cliffhanger.
Brook meanwhile gets confused as Satan himself by the inhabitants of the island he landed him and who misunderstand his question to see a girl's panties as him wanting to see all their underwear (leading to some great Brook reactions). Things take a turn for the serious when a girl gets kidnapped, leaving Brook perplexed why the inhabitants rely on him so much instead of helping the girl themselves. Regardless, he has to do something for now and will postpone his trip to the Sabaody Archipelago for now. Again a good act that just went by.
All in all, a good coda to this Whereabouts portion.
Manga Differences: -Zoro and Perona finding the large tomb as well as Brook watching a girl get kidnapped and doing a composition afterwards are the only parts from the manga, everything else is filler.
See y'all ashita!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2018 14:49:31 GMT -5
Episode 457: "A Special Retrospective Before Marineford! The Vow Of The Brotherhood!"
And so we get closer and closer to Marineford...
...through a rather boring episode that gives us hardly anything new. I mean, we get some scenes of Luffy battling Ace as children and learn that Ace was pretty strong before even getting his Devil Fruit power (indicating that he did not have it in his childhood), but for the most part, this episode is just:
-One sentence uttered by Luffy/Jinbei/Ace in the present. -Flashback -Repeat at infinitum.
It is perhaps helpful for those who did not watch One Piece from the start to see the last meeting of Luffy and Ace back in Alabasta, how Luffy first met Blackbeard on Jaya, the battle between Ace and Blackbeard etc. but for others that have been there from the start (cannot believe it is now 1 1/2 years since I started this whole shebang!), it is a fairly uninteresting episode with nothing much to say about it. Hopefully, the next one will be better.
Meh this time for this episode.
Manga Differences: -Wanna be startin' something? Like filler, perhaps?
Later days!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2018 7:33:22 GMT -5
Episode 458: ""A Special Retrospective Before Marineford! The Three Navy Admirals Come Together!"
They indeed come together! And the Seven (well, Five) Warlords Of The Sea are there, too!
Yeah, unfortunately, this follows much of the same procedure as the last episode though it is:
-Get shown a Warlord/Admiral -Get a flashback of them interacting with the Straw Hats in the past -Rinse repeat.
The only exceptions are Doflamingo of the Warlords (who we don't know much about yet except that he was allied with the Human Shop on the Sabaody Archipelago and the Bellamy Pirates on Jaya; the incident where he let Bellamy and Sarquiss on Jaya battle each other was the flashback provided here) and the third Navy Admiral Akainu (whom we don't even have a flashback to go back to). Nevertheless, this is not enough to solve the same issues as the last episode: it's great for new viewers having joined recently but rather tedious for those familiar with the show.
Another meh episode here.
Manga Differences: -Then when he's found who he's looking for, listen in awe and you'll hear him...bark at the filler!
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2019 15:09:22 GMT -5
Episode 459: "Ticking Down To The Time Of Battle! The Navy's Strongest Lineup In Position!"
Oh my god! Could it be? Can it really be true? Yes! It is! And what I mean is...finally Crunchyroll has finally updated its intro to the current one! While the other was not annoying or anything, I am glad to finally say goodbye to "Jungle P" and welcome to this intro:
And an awesome intro I got. Love the music and the pictures it is set to with its main focus on the current arc and its overarching theme of Luffy wanting to find his brother Ace and rescue him. Nice shots of the various players in this Summit War and a glimpse into their powers (certainly more concise than what the last two episodes were in that regard), even those that we don't have met yet (aka the Whitebeard Pirates). A very strong intro that is definitely in my Top 5 so far and that I'll gladly look forward to hearing more during the duration of this arc.
And this episode definitely sets us on the right foot by giving the right ambience of what this execution means. We get live connections to some places in all four oceans as well as the Sabaody Archipelago where the people comment on this execution and its significance and possible consequences, giving us the gravitas of the situation. The same goes for Marineford itself where we get to see Ace being escorted to the execution platform in eerie silence except for the short orders of the executioners (Stand Up, Climb etc.) giving a strange feeling of uneasiness (though what's with the fixation on the shoes that Ace gets? In fact, why would the marine even care to give someone sentenced to death shoes?). Finally, we get an overview of Marineford and how all the drafted persons involved with the Marine take their positions in order to intercept the attack by Whitebeard. It certainly is even more impressive than the force that was gathered at Enie's Lobby.
Then, the episode ends with a big revelation: that Ace is the son of the pirate king Gol D. Roger (and not Dragon as we assumed from him saying that he is Luffy's brother...so they aren't real blood brothers?) as revealed by Fleet Admiral Senghok (and which Garp also knew). Through flashbacks we find out that Roger asked Garp to take care of his son and that Ace's mother managed to evade Ace's discovery...by being pregnant for basically 20 months...um, yeah, OK. I guess the Moses trope would have been too easy and too cliché (as well as useless considering what the Marines were looking for), but that solution...I don't know what to say about that. It is original, I give Oda-sensei that.
All in all, a good episode setting up the actual Summit War. Looking forward to it.
Manga Differences: -We linger longer at the different live connections and get extended scenes compared to the manga. -The whole scene on the navy ship Luffy rides is anime filler. We don't see them again until Ivankov has his talk with Luffy about Ace's father later. -The scene with Garp and Senghok in the latter's office is also an anime-only addition. We don't see them in the manga until they walk to the execution platform. -Ace being escorted from his "waiting room" to the steps towards the execution platform is filler as well. In the manga we join him as he walks up the steps. -The usual scene extensions.
Until the day that follows today's night!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2019 10:57:51 GMT -5
Episode 460: "A Vast Fleet Appears! Here Come The Whitebeard Pirates!"
Thar she...rises out of the ocean?
We go more into the circumstances of Ace's birth and find out...that the marine is even more horrible than I imagined after the Water 7 arc. Searching for a possible offspring of Roger for months by inspecting any pregnant woman or recently born child and being allowed to kill any suspicious woman without repercussions is truly a deplorable and atrocious act. I won't put characters like Coby and Smoker up to task for it since they are so down in the Navy hierarchy that they will probably never find out (and Senghok probably does not go into that much detail during his speech). We also get to see Ace's mother, Portgaz D. Rouge, who was quite a beauty (certainly cannot mock Gold Roger for not having an eye for beauty) and who also seemed able to hold a slender figure despite carrying her child for 20 months (or Ace was particularly slim in his baby years). Interesting is also the role of Garp who was a fervent enemy of Roger and despite this, he was the one Roger entrusted with his child's safety and which Garp did without regrets (probably because he is still a man that has a morality and who does not blindly follow everything the Navy says) in spite of his career and having no blood relation to Ace. I especially like the montage sequence where we go through the months, seeing the Marines questioning various women and doctors all the while Rouge tells her unborn child continuously "Not yet." in a calm manner that is both suspenseful and haunting as well as being marvelously composed.
In the present, the Gate Of Justice to Marineford gets unexpectedly opened before Luffy and his crew for some reason. Also, an armada of 43 ships of pirate crews allied with Whitebeard appear (with each pirate captain being uglier than the other) while Whitebeard's ship called Moby Dick appears from the ocean floor in the midst of Marineford's bay in a surprise. Now, the fight will probably begin in earnest.
All in all, another good episode telling us another fact about Ace's life as well as making the Whitebeard armada appear as very big deal. So far, this main part of the Summit War Arc has been off to a great start.
Manga Differences: -We only see Rouge's face hidden in shadows or not clear in the manga, while we get to see her in all her glory in the anime. -The scene at the Sabaody Archipelago in this episode is filler only. -Otherwise, the episode follows the manga closely but extends the scenes very often (especially the montage mentioned above which is not that long in the manga). Going into details would be too exhausting so I leave here with my usual scene extensions comment.
Another break tomorrow for Manga Volume 59 so see you on Friday!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2019 15:46:51 GMT -5
Episode 461: "The Beginning Of The War! Ace's And Whitebeard's Past!"
Thank goodness, I thought for one moment that Whitebeard cracked my screen.
As the episode title mentions, we delve into Ace's past from when he left Luffy to set out to sea until setting out from Whitebeard's ship to go after Blackbeard. It is a very good recollection of all the major bullet points and IMHO is even better than the manga counterpart because it fleshes out certain parts of the story, for example why Ace went to challenge Whitebeard in the first place (to challenge the strongest man in the world) or letting us see more of Thatch, the commander that Blackbeard killed to get the Darkness Devil Fruit. After a long time, this is a really good use of filler the right way.
Seeing Ace's career is certainly a sight to behold, showing him as an accomplished pirate captain (much to the chagrin of his "grandpa") and formidable fighter that impressed Whitebeard enough to take him under his wing. And despite Ace trying countless times to take Whitebeard's life, he was not thrown overboard but was allowed to stay. It is curious what changed Ace's mind though: Marco admitting to him that it makes him and his crewmates happy that Whitebeard refers to them as his "sons" to which they refer to him as "father" in turn. Why does this seem to touch Ace so much?
Neat to also see Ace subduing some of the pirate crews that we will see in the war down the line and to get a bit more detail on how Blackbeard killed Thatch in a pretty gruesome manner. In the present meanwhile, we get an inkling of Whitebeard's power by him showing off his Tremor-Tremor Fruit power, enabling him to create earthquakes (which would make him persona non grata in Japan). Next episode seems to be the start of the war, so looking forward to that.
All in all, a very good episode giving us a good overview over Ace's past and using filler material the right way.
Manga Differences: (In general, Ace's flashback has much filler material so I only mention the important bits) -Ace's conversation with Shanks about wanting to take on Whitebeard is anime filler. Originally this bit ended after Shanks being surprised that Ace is Luffy's brother. -Ace waking up on Whitebeard's ship and being confused where he is until Thatch speaks to him is also an anime only addition. In the manga, that segment goes directly to Thatch talking to Ace. -Ace subduing two pirate crews (one with assistance by Thatch) are two scenes that do not happen in the manga. -Ace's celebratory banquet after being declared the new 2nd division commander is also anime filler that does not happen in the manga. -The whole segment depicting Thatch having found a devil fruit and Blackbeard killing him is also an anime only addition. Originally there was nothing between Ace's admission to Whitebeard that he is Roger's son and Ace setting out to catch Blackbeard.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 15:45:39 GMT -5
Episode 462: "The Force That Could Destroy The World! The Power Of The Tremor-Tremor Fruit!"
Whew, the One Piece makers are lucky that this episode did not air several months after in the rotation.
After two very good episodes, this episode is a bit lower on the quality scale, dealing mostly with the build-up to the extent of Whitebeard's powers. That being able to create tsunamis as a side effect of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit power. And those waves are certainly a sight to behold in their size. Luckily for the marines, Aokiji's ice powers are able to take care of it pretty quickly. His powers also gives the pirates a ground to walk upon...
...which starts the opening segment of the battle with all the commanders and pirate captains as well as their crews entering the fray while the first front line of the marines, the Vice Admirals, are on standby to engage them in battle. Suddenly, Mihawk sends a flying sword slash onwards towards Whitebeard. Will he be able to counter this attack from the one who is said to be the strongest swordsman in the world?
The main problem here is that the build-up to the tsunamis is painfully slow and interspliced with a long and rather pointless filler scene on Luffy's navy ship. This episode also really dwells into building up Mihawk, talking in detail about his reputation, sword etc., probably again to bring newcomers up to speed but which only seems to buy some minutes from the episode's running time. The scenes with Whitebeard and Aokiji make up for it a bit though.
All in all, a decent episode, I'd say.
Manga Differences: -The whole sequence on Luffy's ship is all filler. We do not actually see them again until they appear on the battlefield. -All the persons talking about Mihawk is anime added. None of those comments were made when Mihawk stepped forward to attack Whitebeard. -The usual scene extensions.
See you the day after today!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2019 15:25:58 GMT -5
Episode 463: "An All-Consuming Inferno! Admiral Akainu's Power!"
Well, I guess Akainu is not really hot for this war all in all...
This episode is a bit more interesting since we stay at the battle all the time. We get to know the devil fruit powers of the two "highest" ranking commanders in Whitebeard's crew: 3rd Division Commander Jozu (who has a power enabling him to turn his whole body into diamond, making him pretty popular with a certain white unicorn, and also enables him to deflect Mihawk's sword slash. Guess Mihawk, despite being the best swordsman in the world, has not yet mastered the power to cut diamond) and 1st division commander Marco (who ate an animal-type fruit that allows him to turn into a phoenix whose flames make him pretty much also a Logia-type). The latter also has quite an intense short fight with Kizaru and is able to hold him off for a bit. BTW, I quotation marked "highest" above since Oda-sensei mentioned that there is no ranking system in the Whitebeard fleet. All 15 commanders are on the same level position-wise and are not subject to a commander with a higher division.
Of course, we also get to see Akainu's power for the first time, the last of the three admirals to show us what he can do. And he is no slouch either having a magma-based power, enabling him to melt an ice block the size of a cliff in seconds. He also appears to be the most serious of the three admirals compared to Aokiji's laziness and Kizaru's lacksadaisicalness. Interesting note is that his VA previously voiced Don Krieg way back in the beginning of the show. I like trivia like that.
Otherwise, we get an interesting scene with Coby and Helmeppo questioning themselves whether they should be here at all considering how week they are and if it is not more important to stay alive (especially for Coby so that he can follow the dream of being an admiral someday). Finally, a captain allied with Whitebeard turns out to be a descendant of Oars, Little Oars Jr., who is nevertheless as big as his ancestor is and who might turn the tide for the Whitebeard pirates. We will have to see next episode.
Definitely a good episode here again.
Manga Differences: -The Coby-Meppo scene was all filler that does not happen in the manga. Originally, we don't see Coby at least again until he sees something truly horrific next time. -Otherwise, we have the usual scene extensions.
Let us all meet again the day following tonight!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2019 11:11:55 GMT -5
Episode 464: "A Descendant Of The Beast! Little Oars Jr. - Full Speed Ahead!"
This whole "Descendant Of Oars" plot point does not have a leg to stand on...um...
The leg of the war featured in this episode deals with the descendant of the continent puller Oars, Little Oars Jr....who despite his name is as large as the reanimated corpse the Straw Hats fought on the Thriller Bark. He has a vested interest in rescuing Ace as seen in a rather sweet flashback where Ace made a straw hat for him protecting him from the heat and which he continued to wear through every kind of weather. Little Oars Jr. also proves to be a very powerful ally, dwarfing even the giants in the Marine employ (among them a rather cute female giant marine soldier who probably made many fetishes happy) and being a formidable fighter in several powerful scenes (throwing a navy ship against the bay and making mincemeat out of one giant soldier).
However, being the size of a mountain does not protect one from the power of the Warlords as Bartholomew Kuma and Doflamingo manage to immobilize Oars Jr. (the latter in a rather graphic scene by cutting his leg off...somehow...we still don't know exactly what his powers are). In the final moments of the episode that are rather sad to watch, Oars reaches out to Ace before getting impaled by Gecko Moria's shadow lizard attack.
Otherwise, we again focus on Coby and Helmeppo being overwhelmed by the battle happening around them as well as a strong focus on the Giant unit this time around which serve as a welcome breather from the Oars drama unfolding.
Another good episode here.
Manga Differences: -In general, we get a lot more focus on the Marine Giants Unit than we get in the manga (the manga basically only featured the comment by one of the giants that he never had to look up to someone before [in regards to Oars Jr.] and one of the giants getting defeated by Oars in a sword fight). -Again, the Coby-Meppo scene was entirely filler that did not occur in the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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