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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2019 19:34:00 GMT -5
Episode 503: "Take Good Care Of Him! A Letter From The Brother!"
Well... it was nice knowing you, Sabo.
The episode starts us off on a sad scene where the Celestial Dragon succeeds in sinking Sabo's boat, killing him in the process. Of this I am certain since the majority of One Piece deaths happen in the past so I doubt he survived. The scene is thus suitably somber and compositioned well with only Sabo's hat floating in the water.
Meanwhile, Ace and Dadan return home, having managed to subdue Bluejam and escaping the fire albeit heavily wounded. We get to know finally why Ace never runs from a fight which is something his birth father also did: Not because of some false sense of bravery but due wanting to protect those that are dear to him. From Garp's description we also get that Gold Roger was actually very similar to Luffy (Are we sure that Roger didn't actually father Luffy as well?).
Ultimately, Ace and Luffy learn of Sabo's fate which saddens them greatly. They also get a letter from him telling them about his plans and asking Ace to take care of their younger brother. This causes Ace to break down crying (something which he always scolded Luffy about) for the first time which shows how much Sabo meant to him. Luffy and Ace then decide to become stronger so that they can live as freely as they want.
Another good episode mostly in the drama department.
Manga Differences: -The whole flashback of how Ace and Dadan defeated Bluejam and escaped is filler material. We never got those scenes in the manga. -Sabo's parents reaction to their child getting killed is also anime material only. As mentioned in yesterdays episode, we never see them again at this point. -The scene with the Celestial Dragon parading around in the city had no dialogue originally. -The usual scene extensions.
Let us meet the day after today!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 17:19:27 GMT -5
Episode 504: "To Live Up To Their Promise! Departures Of Their Own!"
Well, if they are not the most polite thieves one has ever seen.
And so the flashback arc comes to an end with most of the episode showing Luffy and Ace growing up while still being inspired by Sabo's influence. Besides some fun scenes like both politely thanking the restaurant owner from which they stole and Dadan tearfully saying goodbye to them, I especially liked how you can see Luffy's base move, the Gum-Gum Pistol, evolving over time.
-Starting with Luffy proclaiming that his fist is fast as a bullet when talking with Shanks -When using it first, he is unable to keep his stretched arm in a straight line, causing it to bounce all over the place. -Eventually, he manages to keep the line straight but cannot cope with the recoil from his arm snapping back,losing his balance in the process. -Ultimately, as shown in his battle with the Sea King, he has perfected it into a useful attack.
All in all, another good episode and a fitting end to this trip down the past.
Manga Differences: -We now get Luffy's departure animated for the first time including being shown in detail how he defeats the sea king. While this scene also appears at this point in the manga, it omits Luffy defeating the sea King, a scene that was a part of the very first manga chapter. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2019 8:19:59 GMT -5
Episode 505: "I Want To See Them! Luffy's Mournful Cry!"
Those darn onion ninjas strike again.
An episode where there are very few events taking place but which are important ones as well. First, Garp gets confronted by Dadan over Ace's death which is a sharp contrast to the subservient attitude towards him we were shown in the past. Goes to show how much Ace and Luffy meant to her when she would even beat up Garp of all people. Makino also gets teary-eyed after remembering a funny moment during the young brothers' life about teaching them how to show gratitude; a stark contrast of a humourous scene when compared with the tragedy it is surrounded by.
However, the most important moment occurs to Luffy in this episode where Jinbei is finally able to bring him out of the doldrums by making him realize that even after his brother's death, there is still something he has left: his friends. In a pretty emotional scene, through Luffy's eyes we get reminded of all his friends through interactions Luffy had with them, causing Luffy to break down and rather than beating himself up over Ace's death, wanting to see his friends again. Among the best scenes in One Piece history and certainly a scene that brings a tear to one's eye.
All in all, a very good episode mostly in how it manages to tear at the heartstrings. Love it.
Manga Differences: -Garp shooting the pirate ships near Windmill Village was an anime-only scene. The respective sequence in the manga immediately starts with Garp's appearance in the village. -Makino asking Dadan to stop drinking in her bar is also anime filler. In the manga, we first see Dadan when she goes outside to beat up Garp. -The flashback to Makino teaching Luffy and Ace how to show gratitude is a lot longer compared to the manga. -Another small difference: *Anime: After knocking out Luffy for the first time, Jinbei sits down near him. *Manga: After knocking out Luffy for the first time, Jinbei sits down on him. Don't know really why they changed it like that. -The "flashbacks" to Luffy interacting with his friends are all anime added scenes. Originally, Luffy just counted down and with tears streaming down his face, declared that he still has friends without any flashbacks. -The usual scene extensions.
Until...later today!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2019 21:16:00 GMT -5
Episode 506: "Straw Hats In Shock! The Bad News Has Reached Them!"
And here I thought the shock was about the news that David Hasselhoff is making a musical comeback.
This is a weird episode in that its technically a filler episode but it brings up an interesting facet that is omitted in the manga: how the Straw Hats got to know about the Battle Of Marineford and the results.
Most focus in this episode is on the Zoro and Chopper episodes since those were the ones that needed more explanation than they got in the manga. With Zoro, we get a pretty action packed sequence where he has to fight off several weapon-studded baboons that give him a hard time. He gets rescued by Mihawk who makes his residence on this island, leading to their first meeting since some 480 episodes ago.
Chopper, meanwhile, finally manages to solve the conflict between the humans and birds on the island (after having to admonish them multiple times that he is not a raccoon in a funny bit 😅). With the others, only Sanji's and Usopp's are notable since that news manages to shake them out of their doldrums (in Sanji's case, even melting his make-up right off) but in general the news has the expected effect of shocking them to the core.
A good episode all in all.
Manga Differences: -Breaking News! This episode contains 100% filler material!
See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2019 22:31:09 GMT -5
Episode 507: "Reunited With Dark King Rayleigh! Decision Time For Luffy!"
Rayleigh could have really made it in the Olympics with that kind of breast stroke.
There's nothing much to say in this episode. Rayleigh arrives on the maiden island to talk with Luffy which is surrounded by some funny scenes (especially Hancock's obliviousness due to her being all lovey-dovey about Luffy. It is good to see her adorable side again in forbidding Jinbei to have any large helping of Luffy's meal or noticing Rayleigh at the very last moment) and also brings to light some events like why Kuma "teleported" the entire Straw Hat Crew away (due to certain connections with the Revolutionary army, i.e. Luffy's father) which clears up that part of the story. Lastly, Rayleigh makes a suggestion to Luffy based on them being defeated again if they meet now on Sabaody Archipelago. What could that be?
Otherwise, we meet Usopp again who is now eagerly trying to escape the island to meet up with Luffy despite the dangers the island represents which is refreshing to see after watching how he became a glutton in relatively short time. How will the other Straw Hats move forward after hearing the news? Guess we'll have to wait and see.
A decent episode to be seen here.
Manga Differences: -Nothing more to report than the usual scene extensions in this one.
Let us meet again the day after today!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2019 15:44:07 GMT -5
Episode 508: "Back To Our Captain! A Jail Break At The Sky Island And The Incident On The Winter Island!"
And the "Did I Do That?" award goes to...
This episode, as the title suggests, focuses mostly on Nami and Frankie's current situation. Nami's situation is the better one in this regard since it offers a variety of emotions from funny (seriously, those weather scientists who run around like plucked chickens whenever Nami does something unexpected) to sad (Nami crying about Luffy's situation which at first seems like a distraction tactic to fool the scientists but are actually genuine). We also learn that Nami, despite having a penchant for riding complicated vehicles like the Waver, is apparently not too good on riding a weather balloon as shown in this instance.
Frankie's episode is not too shabby either but it lacks something compared to the Nami episode. Though I love how they build up him pushing the self-destruct button after mistaking it for a pirate symbol.
Meanwhile, Luffy rejects Rayleigh's first suggestion but is willing to listen to the other offer he has. What could that be?
A good episode here.
Manga Differences: -The whole scene at the Maiden Island in this episode is anime filler. We don't see the Luffy, Rayleigh etc. group again until after they did the big action, which we will arrive at, in the manga. -In the Nami scenes, everything up until the scientists talk to Nami in her cell is anime-only content (including her escape attempt in the weather balloon). The manga part starts with Nami already being imprisoned and talking to the scientists. -The opening scene with Frankie at his saviors' house inquiring about possible modes of escape from this country is also added in the anime. The manga version opens with Frankie and his saviors standing in front of the laboratory. -The usual scene extensions.
Let us meet tomorrow again (not later today since today is the day for Manga Volume 63).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 0:39:29 GMT -5
Episode 509: "Encounter! The Great Swordsman Mihawk! Zoro's Self-Willed Deadly Struggle!"
If I were Brook, I would feel pissed off at the title for it implying that only Zoro's struggles are on display here...
In Zoro's story time, he indeed struggles to get off the island which is hindered by the finally named Humandrills; apes that mimic human behaviour and, having been born on an island that was ravaged by a long civil war, have become fierce warriors that impressively are able to mimic Zoro's sword techniques to a T. We also get more interaction between Zoro and Mihawk with the latter still showing a sort of respect for his younger swordsman colleague by letting him know of a boat he can use and allowing him to stay at his castle where it is safe from the Humandrills. Finally, the fans of the Peronoa ship also get their money's worth by Perona being all defensive about being questioned whether or not she cares about Zoro or not which is honestly kinda cute to see. As it is, it seems Zoro is now at an impasse.
With Brook meanwhile, he finally manages to overcome the Long-Arm Tribe somehow (whether with the help of the people who "summoned" him or not) and we learn that there is some latent racism going on with the Long-Arm Tribe looking down on those with only one joint in their arms that they consider inferior. This does have some funny scenes with Brook threatening the Long-Arm Tribe with a curse, the other people fervently believing that they can summon devils with their underwear and Brook being abducted. How will he get out of this?
Finally, Luffy takes Rayleigh up on his second suggestion which starts with Luffy...going back to Marineford? Huh? What's that all about?
A decent episode here.
Manga Differences: -The only thing that came from the manga in the Zoro story was the Mihawk/Perona discussion about Gecko Moria and the Zoro/Mihawk talk about the humandrills near the destroyed boat. Otherwise, everything else was filler. -Everything in the Brook part before the capture of the Long-Arm Tribe is filler as well. -As was the Luffy/Rayleigh scene at the end. -The usual scene extensions.
See y'all...later today!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2019 15:26:41 GMT -5
Episode 510: "A Disaster For Sanji! The Queen's Return To The Kingdom!"
And it continues with Chopper's and Robin's involvement in this episode being marginalized in the episode title...
Though both of them do get the first act devoted to them. Chopper bids farewell to the Kingdom of Birds after having played a crucial part in ending the fight between them and departs in a funny bit aboard a bird. While this one is presented as light-hearted, Robin's episode is more somber where we again get to see the cruelty of the Celestial Dragons; building a bridge with no real purpose that is so big that it inhabits ghost towns (worker's lodges that got abandoned as the bridge moves forward) and which is built on many workers' deaths as detailed by one of the revolutionary army members to Robin. Though with the parting from Soran, this part of the episode also has a sweet heartwarming moment in it.
The titular Sanji episode though is the highlight of this ep, contrary to the previous instalments in this part of the Straw Hats' Whereabouts. The interactions between Sanji and Ivankov are hilarious to watch (especially Sanji fiercely denying that it is him on the Wanted poster and him being confused by Ivankov's female body when the latter first arrives) and it also comes with a quick fight scene that leaves Sanji utterly defeated. Definitely a surprise this instalment was (though I am still confused about the symbolism with the clams).
What the parts in this episode share is that something is written about Luffy in the newspaper. Something he did returning to Marineford. What could that possibly be?
A good episode mostly due to the Sanji part.
Manga Differences: .The opening part with Luffy, Jinbei and Rayleigh aboard a Navy ship entering Marineford is all filler that does not appear in the manga. -In the Chopper part, the insert about him learning more about the plants on the tree until he actually flies away is all added to the manga. As is the stunt the big bird pulls that almost causes Chopper to fall into the ocean. -Nico Robin's farewell to Soran is also anime-only content (considering Soran is a filler character) and the only non-manga part in her story. -Everything up until Ivankov questioning Sanji on the Wanted posters is again anime filler that was not in the manga. Sanji's fight against Ivankov is also given more prominence compared to the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
See y'all morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2019 15:19:57 GMT -5
Episode 511: "Unexpected Relanding! Luffy, To Marineford!"
Good thing that there were so many reporters at Marineford, otherwise Luffy's (or rather Rayleigh's) plan would have been a disaster.
As the title suggests, the main part of the episode deals with Luffy, Jinbei and Rayleigh landing at Marineford, engaging in some fisticuffs with the Marine contingent there and Luffy doing the thing that was the reason his crewmates were puzzled about in the new newspaper: ringing a bell and paying homage to the ones fallen in the Battle At Marineford. Everybody is suitably confused about this action, drawing conclusions from declaring war to the Marines to declaring the new pirate era to be his. Nobody knows yet what his intention is. Otherwise this part of the episode lives more through the mystery of Luffy's behaviour than anything else though the small fight scenes are nice and the anime-only reporter is cute.
Besides that part, the episode is a bit all over the place, jumping from location to location: -We learn that Sengok has retired from his position as Fleet Admiral and suggests Aokiji as successor -Smoker getting his transfer request to Marine Base G5 in the New World granted -Coby learning that the reason he can hear people's voices is because his Haki has awoken which is the most interesting part of them all. I wonder how Coby will move forward from that?
Besides the marines, we also look at a few of the supernova pirates who have now made it to the New World which is apparently even weirder than the first half of the Grand Line with ship-attracting floating structures, islands where it rains lightning etc.. Kinda neat contrasting the pirates talking about the first half of the Grand Line as paradise after encountering the New World with the descriptions of the Grand Line itself at the beginning of the show as the Pirates' Graveyard. Guess there's always something more terrifying out there, isn't it?
All in all, a decent episode.
Manga Differences: -The whole Marineford bit involving Luffy, Jinbei and Rayleigh is all filler material. Except for one brief flashback panel showing them standing tall at Marineford, we only get mention of this event in the manga by other people talking about it. -Otherwise, it is mostly the usual scene extensions for the most part.
Let us meet again on the day that follows today!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2019 1:26:17 GMT -5
Episode 512: "With Hopes It Will Reach My Friends! Big News Spreading Fast!"
Damn, Luffy does not know how lucky he is with so many ladies touching him (not his private parts though but still...).
In this instalment of the wind-down phase in the Summit War Arc, most of the Straw Hats finally get the message that Luffy was trying to get across. Well, except one who still has not figured it out by the end of the episode (kudos to Zoro though for instinctively knowing that there must be something there for him to figure out). But we are still left vague about what this message is exactly, so we have to wait for the next episode to find out.
Some fun scenes in here like Luffy having gotten pretty nonchalant about the Kuja Pirates pulling on him to their hearts' content (even Jinbei and Rayleigh get some piece of the action) or some of the scenes involving the Straw Hats (like Franky's exoskeleton being exposed due to the explosion he was involved in, frightening his saviors or Usopp still not being able to free himself from eating all the stuff in the forest). There are also some more scenes:
-We visit the Alabasta Kingdom again and see all the characters there with Vivi, having been a Straw Hat Pirate member for a time, also noticing something odd about Luffy's behaviour (through her we do realize it has something to do with the numbers on his arm). It also appears that King Cobra has gotten a new VA for some reason. -Crocodile and Mr. 1 discussing the current events and making their way to the new world. -Buggy and his fellow prisoners meeting up with his crew again (where Mohji and Cabaji waste no time in showing the prisoners how awesome they are while Richie thinks about food as always). I still don't get what's so special about Captain John's Treasure Mark that even Alvida is surprised by it though the more important stuff is that Buggy gets a message from the government. What do they want from him? -Duval and his Rosy Life Raiders fiercely protecting the Thousand Sunny (with Duval being as oblivious as ever when it comes to his effect on women) when suddenly Kuma appears for some reason. -Otherwise we see the news arriving all over the places the Straw Hats visited (except Skypiea because how should a newspaper travel up there).
All in all a good episode here.
Manga Differences: -The quick montage of the newspaper arriving at different locations the Straw Hats visited (incl. Dadan going to the Three Brats' old hideout to tell Ace the news that Luffy is alive) is anime filler that was not in the manga. -Otherwise, the scenes are from the manga with only the usual scene extensions expanding things.
See you...later today (yeah, I have been a bit slow with these. Hopefully, today I will get back on track).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2019 16:33:30 GMT -5
Episode 513: "Pirates Get On The Move! Astounding New World!"
You should work on your inside voice more, Chopper.
First part of the ep is looking at the remaining Supernova Pirates and their exploits in the New World + a quick look at Doflamingo and Law deciding to stay in the first half of the Grand Line for the time being. Decent stuff but the most curious was Blackbeard catching Jewelry Bonney and using her as an exchange offer to get a ship from the Marines. It misfires, however, and they have to flee, leaving Bonney to be captured by Akainu. That part leaves some questions open, the most pivotal being what it is that Bonney cannot forgive the Marines for? In general, she seems to be the most mysterious of the Supernovas so far.
Otherwise, we get the first instalment of what the Straw Hats will do in the near future for the time being with Chopper starting. Chopper will be studying the plants on Birdie Kingdom to create some powerful new medicine with the help of the local inhabitants. Some funny scenes here like Chopper trying to fake a new identity as Chopper Mask in order to avoid being embarrassed at returning so soon (which of course fails) and obliviously insulting the Island Inhabitants to their faces. We also get a reminder on what Luffy means to Chopper in a nice flashback for those joining just now.
All in all a decent episode.
Manga Differences: -The whole bit up until Chopper's appearance as Chopper Mask is anime filler. The manga content originally started with Chopper Mask already being present and the islanders saying bluntly that they know it is him. -The usual scene extensions (also note that the chicklet Chopper regularly interacts with is an anime-only character that does not appear in the manga).
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2019 15:24:19 GMT -5
Episode 514: "Living Through Hell! Sanji's Fight For His Manhood!" Well, Sanji...at least they won't try to give you a vasectomy. Continuing on from Chopper in the last episode, in this one we get a look at what three other Straw Hats will be doing in the near future: -Nami will stay on Weatheria to study the weather in the New World and, maybe, even get to adapt some of their research into use for weapons. It's funny to see how Nami has those scientists wrapped around her finger and gets immediate redemption from them (well, except for Haredas who is used to her game by now). We also get to see a nice reminder of the moment when Nami knew that she would follow Luffy (the moment he kept her from stabbing herself at Cocoyashi Village). -Frankie (still in his burnt-off form, making him look more robot-like than previously) will stay at a previously hidden laboratory of Dr. Vegapunk to enhance his body further in order to be more helpful to Luffy. Gotta love his two companions being freaked out by his burnt-off appearance yet they are completely OK with it once he has a tiger rug on him (oh the jokes I could have made if it were a bear skin rug). And Franky leaves us with a bang by scaring some marine soldiers off and creating a legend as a side effect . -Sanji will stay in the Kamabakka Kingdom and fight several masters of Newkama Kenpo in order to first, improve his fighting and second, obtain recipes of the vital cuisine which he intends to use for the crew. The interactions between Sanji and Ivankov continue to be funny and Sanji even manages to impress him to the point that he even gives him the chance to do this. And as with Nami, it was also nice to see his original reason for joining Luffy again. Hopefully, Sanji will stay a man following that ordeal. All in all, a good episode here. Manga Differences: -After Sanji's declaration, the start of him fighting several of the Kamabakka inhabitants that ends the episode is all anime filler. The declaration is what ends this part in the manga. -The first scenes with Nami until her suicide fake-out with the scientists are also anime-only. The manga part immediately started with her declaring to commit suicide. -The usual scene extensions. See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2019 11:15:49 GMT -5
Episode 515: "I Will Get Much, Much Stronger! Zoro's Pledge To His Captain!"
So that was the whole mystery? Kinda disappointing.
Yeah, the whole message that Luffy wanted to get across to his friends is that instead of meeting in 3 days (like they originally planned while on the Sabaody Archipelago), they will meet in 2 years. Why 2 years and not 1 year or 3 years etc. though is anybody's guess.
Anywho, we wrap up with Luffy's friends in this episode: -Usopp will stay with Heracles'n on the Bowin Islands and learn about the weapons the latter uses (which are apparently a type of plant named Pop Green) to become the King Of The Snipers. It is neat to see that Usopp really now thinks that he can make a difference for Luffy as we remember from the time when his words of encouragement gave him the final push to finish off Rob Lucci. Otherwise, nothing much to say here.
-Nico Robin will go with the revolutionaries to Bartigo to see Luffy's father Dragon...and she will apparently do this by staying on deck the entire time (which the revolutionaries gladly accommodate her with by bringing everything she might need upstairs). Good to see that Robin moment (I WANT TO LIVE!) again, I have a soft spot in my heart for that scene.
-Brook will...apparently, sing in captivity and learn how to lean forward in a 45 degree angle or something. Weird but not bad or anything.
-Finally, Zoro asks Mihawk to train him in sword fighting to which the latter agrees since he can feel that Zoro has a deeper meaning behind asking his enemy for tutelage. A really nice interaction between Zoro and Mihawk here...also PETA will probably want to have a word with Zoro regarding him slaughtering all those baboons.
All in all, a good wrap-up to the Straw Hat plans for the next two years. But what about Luffy?
Manga differences: -Zoro and Mihawk stepping outside to face off against the leader of the baboons is filler material. Zoro's part originally ends in the manga after he finishes his talk with Perona. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions.
See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2019 11:16:44 GMT -5
Episode 516: "Luffy's Training Begins! To The Place We Promised In 2 Years!"
Seasons change 48 times a year on this island? Is this where they shoot "Detective Conan" by any chance?
And so, One Piece's longest arc, the Summit War Arc, comes to a close with only one Straw Hat member left to see what they will be doing in the next 2 years. After saying goodbye to Jinbei who will wait for Luffy on Fishman Island when he arrives in the next two years, Luffy gets instructed by Rayleigh on the various forms of Haki that exist: -Observation Haki where one can sense the direction of enemy attacks and the presence of people. -Armament Haki where one hardens his body to gain more offensive power (sort of like a movable version of CP9's Iron Armor) which is also the only method besides a Devil User's inherent weakness to attack a Logia-type user. -Conqueror's Haki, the one we have seen the most prominent use of in the past, where a user's presence causes the one around him to fall unconscious.
This is emphasized by various examples from past episodes where we encountered these forms of Haki (going as far back as Shanks rescuing Luffy from the Sea King or how Eneru and Aissa from the Sky Island Arc had their own form of Observation Haki) which is a neat way to bring these forms of Haki to mind again.
Besides the interesting exposition, this episode also has some humor brought by Hancock continuing to be as cute as a button when showing her infatuation with Luffy. Seriously, she might be the most adorable character in the show when she does that./)^3^(\
Finally, after Luffy takes off his Straw Hat to symbolize his "break" as a pirate, we get a neat little ending montage set to "We Are", the first opening song, showing all the Straw Hats again and what they will be doing for the next two year which is a neat little wrap-up to this whole arc.
A very good cap off to this arc all in all.
Manga Differences: -Jinbei calling the whale shark is an anime-filler moment. The manga part starts with him already on the whale shark. -The montage at the end is also anime-only content that does not appear in the manga. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions.
Oh well, see you tomorrow for what will surely be a dreadful beginning to the next arc...shudder...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2019 10:57:24 GMT -5
Episode 517: "The Beginning Of The New Chapter! The Straw Hats Reunited!" Darn, those two years left the Straw Hats in horrible shape...(could not find any good pic from the anime). Well, let's get this over with as fast a-... ... Wait... ... We are immediately starting with the manga content after the time skip?...No 75 episodes of filler content to let the manga get a head start? No nothing? ... *sniffles* Is this the real life? Or is it just a fantasy? *wipes away tears* OK, now I am definitely ready to go. Speaking of going, a new intro: While it takes a bit for the song to get going (no pun intended) and it is not really one of the best opening songs, I do like the visuals presented here: showing the Straw Hats off in their new looks 2 years later, the sequence with the Straw Hat going around from Roger to Shanks to Luffy and the foreshadowing of characters that we will meet in this arc. Not in my Top 10 One Piece openings, but it is still decent. And so the Fishman Island Arc begins, the first arc after the 2-year timeskip and unlike the previous one, it clocks in at a reasonable 58 episodes. Most of the episode is spent on showing the various Straw Hats arriving at the Sabaody Archipelago with the most focus on Nami (who looks very good wearing her hair long now) and Usopp (who is now pretty svelte and muscular and thus not in the league to get the Scott Steiner vid thrown his way anymore) who seem to have acquired quite the new techniques (Usopp's plant weapon and Nami's bubble thunder clouds certainly look like they pack a punch). The victims of these new attacks are the ones seen above: the Fake Straw Hat Crew, an assembly of guys who must have escaped from the State Home For The Ugly. I cannot believe the other people on the Sabaody Archipelago are able to be fooled by guys that look nothing like the Wanted posters (must be as stupid as rocks). I do find it hilarious that it appears like the Fake Straw Hats are voiced by the regular Straw Hat VAs though in different roles (Sanji's VA voices Fake Luffy, Chopper's VA voices Fake Nami and Franky's VA voices Fake Sogeking). Otherwise, we learn that Brook has become a successful music star in the meantime that does world tours and sells out concert halls (although he seems to have said something to his managers that pisses them off. Then again, they were the ones that captured him two years ago, so I cannot feel too sorry for them). Good for him. Sanji is also happy (and unlike Owen Hart he managed to grow a damn beard in) to finally see real girls again and Chopper, despite him wanting to become a monster to help Luffy, appears to be cuter than ever. We only get brief shots of Robin, Frankie and Zoro but they appear to be in good spirits too. All in all a good overview and start to this arc showing us what all the Straw Hats have been up to. But things might get tense when Luffy appears and accidentally brushes Fake Luffy. What will happen next? Manga Differences: -The animals on Rusukaina in the anime single out and want to pounce on Margarete in a tense scene. The manga scene is more about the animals growling in general at the group of Kuja Pirates than singling out Margarete in particular. -The Fake Straw Hats enter the bar after Nami talks with the bartender about the changes in the world while in the manga, they were already present (or at least they weren't shown entering the bar in the manga). -The scene with Rayleigh at Shakki's bar and Zoro arriving as the first is all anime filler that was not there in the manga. -Brook's song is a lot longer in the anime than the manga (where it was only the first line). Also the scene with the angry managers afterwards was anime-only content. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions. Let us meet again on the day that follows today!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2019 10:07:38 GMT -5
Episode 518: "An Explosive Situation! Luffy vs. Fake Luffy!" Navy Superior after seeing the Robin the Marine Agents captured: "You idiots! This is not her! You've captured her stunt double!" And so we get to meet the rest of the fake Straw Hats: a Fake Zoro who ate one too many octopus balls it seems, a Fake Sanji who probably should have had those octopus balls they had too much of, a Robin where the Fake Straw Hats did not get that she was an 8-year old girl at one time but should not be now and a Chopper...where they just captured a fox and gave him a moustache for some reason. Somehow I think those Fake Straw Hats are not the brightest bulbs around. But of course, the innocent, naive Chopper falls hook, line and sinker for these fakes, not even being fazed by Fake Zoro and Fake Sanji getting along just fine and Fake Robin offering him a cucumber for...some reason as well as the fakers' first reaction to Fake Robin being abducted by Marine Agents to inform their boss. But I guess he thought two years is a long time for people to change. Meanwhile, we get the tense confrontation between Luffy and Fake Luffy which is just awesome due to one scene when Fake Luffy tries to shoot Luffy, everything going slo-mo while Luffy evades the bullet and using Conqueror's Haki to knock out the Fake Straw Hats. Just an impressive first look at the progression Luffy has made since two years ago when he used that power subconsciously. The scene is preceded by a small funny flashback when Luffy said goodbye to the Kuja Pirates (seriously, I am gonna miss Hancock and her adorable care for Luffy like packing him so much that he could do a voyage around the Grand Line ten times over) including getting a sorta Groucho moustache as a disguise . Finally, Sanji finds Zoro where we get a good first look at him. Apparently, he lost his left eye since training with Mihawk (or at least he has a scar there now) but he is still desperately helpless regarding his sense of direction (apparently he must have thought the fisherman has the biggest ship in the whole Sabaody Archipelago). But the first look is impressive, hearkening back to Mihawk's first appearance in the show some 490 episodes ago when he impressively cut Don Creek's flag ship into pieces. I guess Zoro really has come closer to Mihawk's level in those two years. All in all, another very good episode with some fun and dramatic scenes. This start of the new arc is getting pretty good. Manga Differences: -The whole scene with the new rookies running rampant, the Fake Straw Hats arriving and Chopper seeing and going after them is all anime filler. Originally, the manga sets in with Chopper already following them around (come to think of it, this is actually the first time in the manga where we see Chopper so all the scenes with him in the previous episode were filler as well). -Sanji going around the shopping stalls before going to the fisherman is also a filler scene that was not there in the manga. -The flashback to Zoro and the fisherman interacting is also anime-only content. In the manga, we only get the part told by the fisherman. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions. See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 10:18:05 GMT -5
Episode 519: "The Navy Has Set Out! The Straw Hats In Danger!" That must have been the fastest turn-around between disappointment and joy in Chopper's life so far. Unlike the last few episodes, this one is a bit more quieter. The Fake Straw Hats continue to prove to have the intelligence of a sea cucumber, ignoring Chopper's rising indignation at their ignorance towards Robin's fate and only afterwards learning who he is. Luckily, Chopper quickly runs into Usopp and Nami who are able to educate him on the true identity of the fake Straw Hats (though it gets funny when Chopper realizes that having impostors means that they are famous . Otherwise, we get small scenes with the various Straw Hats around the island: -The real Nico Robin arriving at the Sunny (which is already covered with the coating) and meeting Franky who has turned into even more of a robot in the past two years. It is nice to see these two interact so casually with each other since they did kinda form a bond back during the Water 7 arc (not that I ship them or anything). -Zoro and Sanji being like cats and dogs to each other (what else is new?) though there are some fun bits like Zoro doing a ranking system based on each Straw Hat's point of arrival to the Archipelago. I wonder though why he is suddenly so interested in fishing. -Luffy finally puts on his Groucho moustache and immediately gets "captured" by the Fake Zoro and Sanji due to Luffy's obliviousness which we are used to by now. Meanwhile, the marines move out with Sentomaru and 2 Pacifistas. Uh-oh, two years ago, that was quite the pickle for Luffy and his team. How will they fare this time? Decent episode all in all. Manga Differences: -The scene with Nami and Usopp in the clothing store is anime filler. After the event at the bar, we do not see them again in the manga until they meet Chopper. -Luffy encountering all those pirates, deciding to put on the moustache and meeting the Fake Zoro and Sanji is also anime-only content. We do not see Luffy again until he has already met them and joined them on wherever they are going. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions. See you all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2019 17:03:46 GMT -5
Episode 520: "Big Guns Assembled! The Danger Of The Fake Straw Hats!"
I have to inform you that Brook has left the building!
In the major Straw Hat development in this episode, Brook officially bids farewell to his life as a music superstar and despite the betrayal of his managers and the revelation to his fans that he is a pirate, his music still reaches his audience and keeps the Marines from firing at him until he finishes his song. While I am not a big fan of Brook's singing, I do love that his song even manages to touch two of his three managers and letting them remember what they went through together those past two years which is a nice touch I thought.
The other Straw Hats also arrive on the ship with the main focus being on Usopp and Chopper's fascination with Frankie's new look which they are all too quick to adore. Nico Robin and Nami also have a nice little reunion while Rayleigh gets the Straw Hats ready to set sail...
...but we still need the others. Especially Luffy is now in a pickle being herded to the assembly by the Fake Straw Hats and Fake Luffy in his speech makes it all the more clear that he wants the others to do all the dirty work for him, showing what a lowlife he really is. Noteworthy among the assembled pirates are a brother pirate duo that have a lizard theme going on: "Wet-Haired" Caribou who looks like a lizard (is he one of the famous lizardmen from the conspiracy theories?) and "Blood-Stained" Coribou who has an actual lizard on his head and is fat. Nothing much to say about them except that they seem pretty psychotic in that Caribou stabs a marine soldier, prays to the gods and orders Coribou to dig a grave for the only wounded marine. Very strange fellows indeed.
Another decent episode.
Manga Differences: -Brook's song is much longer compared to the manga version. Also, the manager's reactions to his song including the do not appear in the manga. -The end of Brook's main set including the scene where he gets contacted by Transponder Snail (by Shakky as we learn later) is also anime-only content. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions.
Let us meet the day after today again!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2019 15:41:55 GMT -5
Episode 521: "The Battle Is On! Show Them What You Got From Training!"
Well...you certainly showed us what you got from training.
No joke. The marines finally barge into the assembly of the Fake Straw Hats and start roughhousing the pirates while the Fake Straw Hats are cowering in fear. Especially when Sentomaru and his pacifistas show up (with Sentomaru giving a very subtle compliment to Luffy by saying to the Fake Luffy that the real Luffy is not scum like him) and put an end to this whole Fake Straw Hat deal. But considering that the perpetrator only had a measly 26 million bounty on his name (even less than Luffy's first bounty), it was impressive that he managed to fool everyone as easily as that.
Afterwards, we finally get to see the rewards of the monster trio's training...and it is nothing short of impressive. A pacifista, a being that took the whole Straw Hat Crew to the very limit of their abilities to defeat only one two years ago, is now easily defeated by Luffy alone with one attack as well as a combined attack from Zoro and Sanji for the other one. Certainly an impressive show to give a glimpse at their new abilities.
Besides that, we get some fun moments with Luffy continuing to be oblivious to the Fake Straw Hats until the very end, Zoro and Sanji having their usual "I've got bigger balls than you!" contests as well as the surprised reactions of the pirates when they finally see the real Luffy being revealed.
All in all, another good episode that ends with the new opening song over the demonstration of the Straw Hats' new power and a goodbye to Rayleigh with Luffy once again vowing to become the King Of The Pirates. A fitting send-off to a place designated as the departure spot for the New World.
Manga Differences: -The part on the Straw Hats' ship at the beginning of the episode is filler material. We do not see the ship again until Luffy makes his arrival on there. -The usual scene extensions.
Tomorrow will be a break for Manga Volume 64, so see you all on Tuesday!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2019 16:24:39 GMT -5
Episode 522: "Everyone Together! Luffy, Setting Out For The New World!"
I wonder if Robin and Frankie feel left out somewhat...
And now the departure begins in earnest with all Straw Hats finally assembling on the Thousand Sunny. The reacquaintance leads to some fun moments like Brook getting thrashed again by Nami for wanting to see her panties, Sanji apparently getting a severe nosebleed infliction from just seeing Nami and Robin again as well as Sanji cursing the universe for letting Luffy land on the Maiden Island. It also definitely feels like everything is whole again the moment Luffy gives his Welcome Back speech...it has been a bit over 110 episodes since the Straw Hats were last seen together and being assembled like this certainly brings joy.
It is also neat to see all the people who helped the Straw Hats in their individual training get a role in holding off the Marines from going after them. Enjoyed the Weatheria professors and the Transvestites from Momoiro Island the most (especially the latter causing Sanji some spontaneous body pain) but the others were not too shabby either. Sad that nobody from Nico Robin and Frankie's episodes provided any support to create a sense of wholeness there as well.
All in all, another good episode and fitting for finally departing for Fishman Island.
Manga Differences: -Perona knocking off Sanji's continuous advances by sicking a negative hollow on him is anime-only. The manga only had the first reaction of Perona to Sanji in it. -The bird from the Torino Kingdom slashing the marine ship's sail is also anime filler. That bird did nothing more than bringing Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Chopper to the ship. -Hancock using her Slave Arrow attack to intercept the cannonballs is also not in the manga. She immediately goes to block the marine ship there. -Perona commenting on Zoro only appears in the anime as well. We do not get any comments about Zoro in the manga at that point. -The usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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