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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 9:58:24 GMT -5
Episode 639: "The Fighting Fish Strike! Across The Deadly Iron Bridge!"
Gotta love how Usopp is exempt from wearing facial hair like the others due to his wanted poster being him as Sogeking.
So yeah, we get a scene change finally with most of the episode focusing on Law, Usopp and Robin crossing the bridge to Green Bit along with their captive Caesar. This part definitely has some good action with Usopp, Robin and even Caesar (who is made to be helpful by Law having his heart to crush as he pleases) fighting off the Fighting Fish: big fat fish with steer horns that we have already encountered in the colosseum. Their travel across the bridge is pretty straight forward (we learn that Law does not fight with them since he wants to conserve his energy for their encounter with Doflamingo) except for one strange moment: a fighting fish is harpooned, caught and dragged away and all we hear are strange high-pitched voices who are afraid of being seen by humans. What is that all about? After all that (including a funny scene where Caesar is misused as a hot-air balloon), they finally arrive on Green Bit which kinda looks like the Bowin Islands where Usopp trained for two years...a real big-ass jungle!
Meanwhile, at the Colosseum, Luffy offers some compassion to Bellamy and Bellamy, surprisingly, does not seem to mind it too much. Has he really turned over a new leaf as well? And why is Bartolomeo so surprised at the mention of Straw Hat?
Finally, we *groan* return to Sanji and Violet but this time it appears that it might take a turn for the better. Sanji continues beating up various goons in impressive fashion including the man that Violet wants killed by sending him flying far, far away...but it turns out that Violet has lured him into a trap! Besides the lovey-dovey stuff earlier in the scene, the fighting part and the betrayal was done excellently. I am actually looking forward to this part of all parts now.
All in all, a good episode again.
Manga Differences: -The announcer at the colosseum introducing all the major hitters in Block C is anime-added. In the manga, we learn of them one-by-one during the fight in Block C. -The whole scene with Sanji and Violet is also anime filler. In fact, following Sanji taking out the sniper in the manga, the next time we see him, he is already captured and mocked by Violet in the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2019 15:55:44 GMT -5
Episode 640: "Explore! Fairies' Island - Green Bit!"
I am sorry, we must have dropped into a Smurfs shot or something.
So, Usopp and Robin go exploring to check out the area when they come across a group of Marines that are seemingly accosted by invisible beings...that strip them right down to their underwear. Robin manages to grab one of those invisible beings...which turns out to be a small humanoid being.
We actually get more information through a scene change to Zoro who finally gets a look at the "fairy" that took his sword: she introduces herself as Wicka from the Tontatta Tribe...and she seems to be pretty self-conscious, blaming herself for every mistake she makes and angrily pounding the floor in desperation...leading to a whole building block being damaged and in danger of collapsing. Darn, for being so small she packs quite a punch. She also packs lots of exposition, asking Zoro to take her to her commander at a flower field so that she can report her findings on the Doflamingo family. In saying this, she also lets it slip that the Straw Hats' ship is in danger which immediately peeks Zoro's interest. They come to an agreement that he'll take her to her commander in exchange for leading him to the current location of the Sunny. This is made all the more complicated by Zoro being his usual directionless self (though I really like that Wicka pulls no punches in calling him constantly out on it, making for some funny moments).
Finally, the fight in Block C is about to start...but first we need to check up on Sanji who has been captured and as it turns out, Violet is actually a member of the Doflamingo family, having captured him to learn of the Straw Hats' motives for coming to Dressrosa...by using her Glare-Glare fruit powers allowing her to see everything, even the minds of another person (that should cause Sanji some chagrin since it sounds like that would be a devil fruit of the same level of usefulness to him as as the Invisible devil fruit as far as peeping goes). Though she probably did not expect to see a mind as dirty as Sanji's ever in her life. And kudos to Sanji who does not falter in believing in her innocence even after she insults and kicks him down. And this actually seems to register a change in her. Will Sanji get through to her?
A decent episode all in all.
Manga Differences: -We already see Leo's (one of the Tontatta warriors) silhouette in the anime whereas we don't actually see him until he examines Robin. -Kabu (the Tontatta that Robin captures) is shown in full in the anime whereas we only see him during Robin's examination in the manga. Furthermore, the part with Robin getting a full view of Kabu came originally as a part of a flashback later. -The whole colosseum scene in this ep is anime filler. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions.
See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2019 14:50:18 GMT -5
Episode 641: "The Unknown World! The Tontatta Kingdom!" Will Nico Robin doing face faults ruin the Nico Robin gimmick? Yeah, this is perhaps the most surprising element of today's episode. For the longest time, Robin has been the most serious member of the Straw Hats, not doing any exaggerated face faults or reactions and being relegated to having the odd thoughts from time to time, the animeesque large sweat drop and having a really morbid sense of humor sometimes. While this reaction is not the most extreme reaction ever, it is a far more emotional reaction than we are used to from Robin. A sign that over all this time, she has finally started to be a little more open about her emotions? Or was this revelation about the Tontatta Kingdom inhabitants being so trusting so earth-shattering to her (considering that she grew up in an environment where she basically could not trust anybody) that it caused her stoic demeanor to crack for the first time? Guess we'll have to wait and see. The cause of all of this are the inhabitants of the Tontatta Kingdom who live underground and who are essentially smurf-sized and...I dunno, I find their behinds rather off-putting. Are they that big because they have large amount of hair growing there, is it their fashion or do they really have longish insect-like rectums? Definitely an odd anatomy. Personality-wise, they are really trusting, believing somebody is not bad when they just say it, but also really capable combatants giving their quickness (and their battle commander, Leo, having eaten the Stitch-Stitch fruit, uses his power to stitch anything together to their big advantage. It makes me glad that Robin managed to talk them into releasing her, given that her arms were stitched to the ground, that could have been rather messy). Finally, they get interrupted when a Tontatta announces that the other human, Usopp, is a descendant of their hero. What has Usopp done this time? Meanwhile, Sanji's unwavering faith in Violet has caused her to turn sides and defeat her accomplices...with a very weird technique turning the tears in her eyes into large whale-like objects that crush her enemies (that Glare-Glare Fruit seems to have odd powers). The most important thing is here that she lets Sanji see the reason as to why the island's inhabitants are so calm despite their king having retired which causes him to freak out and immediately inform Law that they fell into a trap. Also, we get to see that Rebecca, the female gladiator, has some great emotional connection to the toy soldier who in turn seems to care for her also a lot. But what exactly is their relationship? Ultimately, Block C is about to begin so hopefully Luffy will be victorious. A good episode this time again. Manga Differences: -In the manga, the order originally went that Robin captured Kabu, scene change, Robin awakening and realizing that she has been captured by the Tontatta people with her and Usopp's capture being presented in a brief flashback. In the anime, the order takes place in the correct succession. -The Tontatta examining Robin's bag and describing its content is anime filler. The stuff is just shown thrown around on the ground in the manga. -Robin being offered various tasty treats and having small interactions with the Tontatta is also anime-added content. From her being surprised at Gancho's trustfulness, we immediately going to her asking them for the exit. -Similar to the one above, originally, we first hear from Sanji on Law's transponder snail, then we get the whole scene with him being held captive by Violet in the warehouse as a kind of flashback. In the anime, the order is shown again as it really took place. -Rebecca's dream about the toy soldier is also anime filler that did not take place in the manga. -The fighters in Block C being introduced one-by-one by the announcer is also not in the manga. As mentioned before, he introduces them one-by-one during the course of the fight in the manga. The scene where they wait for the drawbridge to the fighting platform is also anime-added content. -The usual scene extensions. Later, laddies!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2019 9:57:28 GMT -5
Episode 642: "The Stratagem Of The Century! Doflamingo Makes His Move!"
I wonder if the News Coo delivery birds get even paid for their job or if they are satisfied with 3 fish meals a day.
We finally get to know (via Sanji peeping into Violet's thoughts) why everything is so calm on the island: Doflamingo managed to convince CP0 (which we learn is directly subordinate to the Celestial Dragons) to announce the news of his abdication as an erroneous item, tell the population that they should act as if nothing has happened and to tell News Coo to deliver an extra edition at the time of his hand-over with Law of the correction of the news. This brings up the question (said out loud by Law) how Doflamingo has so much influence that he could pull this off despite being only a pirate and a king of a small island country. A mystery we will hopefully find out soon.
Otherwise (besides Sanji informing Law while fighting off some of Doflamingo's subordinates in a decent but unspectacular sequence), the fight in Block C begins with Luffy managing to get some attention on himself by taking out several fighters although he has to use normal punches and kicks so as not to reveal his true identity. It works for now but we shall see what happens when the major hitters go up against him.
All in all, a decent episode today.
Manga Differences: -The whole scene where Sanji informs Law while fighting off Doflamingo's henchmen is anime filler. Originally, we only hear Sanji over the phone informing Law but do not see what he is actually doing at the time. -The whole scene at the colosseum with Luffy fighting some grunts is also anime-added content. The first time we actually see Luffy in the colosseum is when he has already befriended a certain participant. -Otherwise the usual scene extensions.
Later days!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2019 10:24:22 GMT -5
Episode 643: "Shaking Heaven And Earth! Admiral Fujitora's Power!"
Hopefully, no alien space vessels ever come by while Fujitora exercises his power.
While we got a glimpse of Fujitora's gravity-based powers earlier, now we can see how destructive it can since he can use it to pull meteors from outer space to use in combat. A power that might come in handy for sure when taking out enemy ships or the like. Luckily, Law and Doflamingo are good enough in their own powers to fight those meteors off, leading to an impressive visual when only the spots where the three are standing remain while a huge crater has formed around them due to the destruction by the meteors. It will be interesting to see how this fight develops.
Meanwhile, Luffy continues to draw the favor of the crowd by taking out grunts by the score when he is suddenly faced with the grim reaper of the colosseum, a large bull named Brutal Bull who is regularly used to execute death row inmates in the colosseum. However, he is no match for Luffy and in a reminder of how Luffy managed to tame Duval's pet bull, Luffy this time consciously uses his Conqueror's Haki to subdue the bull and making him his companion in a kind of heartwarming scene. And so Luffy makes a new friend and also showing how far he has come in using Haki since the Summit War Arc.
Besides a small interlude with Sanji and Violet and Kin'emon as well as Franky and the Toy Soldier, the other important thing we learn is how Usopp managed to befriend the Tontatta tribe...by pretending to be an ancestor to their hero who was no other than...Montblanc Noland, the explorer whom we met in a flashback way back in the Sky Island Arc. Thoughtful viewers might remember that in that flashback a land of dwarves was mentioned by Noland which goes to show that Oda-sensei really has a way of putting in small details that might come back at some point. With his usual lying, Usopp manages to impress the, as we know since last episode, easily impressed Tontatta people. Unfortunately, Usopp choose to use the worst possible time for this, since they are now in the midst of the Tontatta Tribe's operation to fight Doflamingo (drawing a very funny reaction from Usopp). How will he get out of this mess?
Another decent episode here.
Manga Differences: -The whole scene in the colosseum is again anime filler including Luffy's "fight" against Brutal Bull. As mentioned yesterday, we see Luffy in the manga again after he has already tamed Brutal Bull. -The usual scene extensions.
Let us meet the day that follows today again!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2019 10:10:14 GMT -5
Episode 644: "A Blow Of Anger! A Giant vs. Lucy!" "Bah, amateur." After a long time, we finally go back to the Sunny to see what goes on there....and it's nothing other than a hostile takeover by Giolla, one of Doflamingo's fighting members. Giolla, a fat ugly hag with questionable hearing (mishearing stuff someone said as compliments), unfortunately has a formidable power, allowing her turn to turn her thoughts into clouds and everything they touch turns into a questionable piece of art. The Sunny Security Team has to feel it right away when they get turned into pieces of art as well (with Nami becoming a vibrant example of the "Superflat" art movement and Brook becoming a sorta skeleton version of the "Scream"). They are at a crossroad since they manage to escape Giolla's grasp for a bit, but at the expense of getting the Sunny turned into an ugly piece of art, making it unusable as a ship for now. Although Sanji was supposed to be a member of the Sunny Security Team, given his knightly view on not hitting women, I doubt he would have been much use here. How will they get out of that pickle? Meanwhile, the friendship between Luffy and the Brutal Bull comes to a crashing end when the bull (nicknamed Usy by Luffy) gets taken out by the biggest competitor in this fight: Hajrudin, the giant from Elbaf. Luckily, Luffy quickly takes revenge and takes out Hajrudin without too much of a fuss, earning him the admiration of the crowd, much to Cavendish's chagrin. But what is Bartolomeo's issue with Luffy to be so interested in him? Curious. Another decent episode. Manga Differences: -The whole scene on the Sunny (incl. Giolla's appearance and her turning the Straw Hats into art) up until the Sunny Security Team is on the water is anime filler. Originally, we enter this scene only after the Straw Hats are already on the water. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions. Until the day that follows today!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 11:34:02 GMT -5
Hey, as some of you may know, I suffered a mild heat stroke on Friday which knocked me out for a few days. I will add the missed episodes one by one today and 2x tomorrow.
Episode 645: "Destruction Cannon Blasts! Lucy In Trouble!"
Yeah, he looks sooooooo in trouble, I don't know he could possibly win against Ideo...
This time, the focus is more on the other participants in Block C: -Ideo, a guy with the most f'd-up shoulders this side of Franky's shoulder cannons but who manages to keep on par with Luffy. -Jean the bandit, a guy with a cactus motif for some reason. I guess mostly because he collects weapons and then uses them as projectiles (like a cactus shooting thorns...I guess?). He also seems to have come behind Luffy's actual identity. -The Funk Brothers Kelly and Bobby, who kinda remind me of Al and Ed from "Full Metal Alchemist" (probably because Kelly hates being called "Shorty" and Bobby has a hard body and is more timid) and are able to...fuse apparently since after Kelly got knocked down, Bobby's body now has Kelly's face suddenly. What's up with that? -The gang from Ka no Kuni we have met before: Sai, Boo and Don Chinjao. While we have seen the latter in action already (though it comes as a surprise that he is also able to use Conqueror's Haki), the other two aren't shabby fighters either...well, at least Sai, since Boo gets beat by Kellobby into a bloody pulp.
It is certainly interesting to see all the different fighting styles on display, making this very entertaining to watch, especially seeing Luffy and Ideo doing a pretty on-par fight. Should also be interesting to see Luffy take on Jean The Bandit next episode.
Otherwise, we get a pretty pointless scene with Zoro and Wicka where they at first argue, go their own ways and then reunite a bit later. While it is a superfluous scene, it is hilarious to see just how directionless Zoro is. And Wicka is really cute and adorable, so that's a bonus too.
All in all, a good episode here.
Manga Differences: -The whole Luffy vs. Ideo fight is anime-added content. Originally, they do not engage at all and Luffy's next encounter following his defeat of Hajrudin is already with Jean The Bandit. -Also the whole Zoro and Wicka scene is anime filler. We do not see them again in the manga until we see them actually at the Flower Field headquarters. -The usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2019 23:51:17 GMT -5
Episode 646: "The Legendary Pirate! Don Chinjao!"
Legendary seems to be his ability to do so many headbutts in his lifetime without ending up like Chris Benoit.
This episode, as were the last ones really, is again mostly about the fights in Block. We learn the secret behind the Funk Brothers (Kelly ate the Jacket-Jacket fruit and can turn himself into a jacket, giving him the ability to take over anyone that..."puts him on". Kind of a creepy power, wearing human skin on you) that is impressive at first but is no match for the other Ka no Kuni brother, Sai, who easily takes out both brothers. Meanwhile, Jean the Bandit, tries to hit Luffy with his projectiles but Luffy's Observation Haki is too powerful to fall for such simplistic attacks, leaving him wide open to get taken out by Don Chinjao. After Sai and Ideo get sidelined as well in a funny scene where they are almost treated like obstacles standing in the road, it comes to the final showdown between Luffy and Don Chinjao that already starts impressive with a punch exchange that electrifies the surrounding area. It will be definitely interesting to see how this fight turns out and what Chinjao's problem with Garp actually is.
Besides that scene, we only get a small scene with the Sunny Security Team taking out Giolla's underlings. Nothing too spectacular, I guess it was just to see something different besides Block C.
All in all a good episode due to the fight scenes.
Manga Differences: -The whole Sunny Security Team scene was anime filler. Originally, we don't see them again until they are on the ship again and try to fight Giolla. -Otherwise the usual scene extensions.
Until later today!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2019 6:30:43 GMT -5
Episode 647: "Light And Shadow! Darkness Behind Dressrosa!"
That might make for some disturbing headcanons for the Toy Story franchise.
The main focus this time around is on Franky and the Toy Soldier with the latter introducing Franky to one of the darker sides of Dressrosa. All the living toys on the island are actually humans that got turned into toys by a devil fruit user in Doflamingo's employ and the people that were close to them forgot everything about their existence as a side effect. For example, wives and children have forgotten everything about their spouse/father despite the person themselves is close to them (albeit in toy form). Even worse is when the toys try to get the persons close to them to remember them which is declared the "human sickness" and causes the toys to be thrown to the scrapyard (which is shown in a pretty dark scene). Now we definitely know that Dressrosa is not the paradise it appears to be.
In the colosseum, Luffy continues to have a hard time with Don Chinjao who flips between angrily attacking Luffy and bawling like a little boy over the fortune and treasures that Garp has cost him. We also learn that he used to be called "Chinjao The Drill" for some reason. What does that mean? Hopefully, the fight will resolve soon.
Besides a pointless scene with Sanji and Kin'emon that just serves to introduce some more marines + a vice admiral, we go back to the Tontatta Kingdom where the Tontatta Tribe prepares to move out to battle the Doflamingo family (after Leo has stitched everything up that might fall due to the earthquakes caused by the Law/Doflamingo/Fujitora fight of which we also get another glimpse this episode. Him stitching up his grandma had me in stitches as well). They want to rescue the workers including their princess Mancheri of whom Leo has not really kind words to say about (must be one snotty ugly bitch that Mancheri). And so the Tribe moves out...and I guess Usopp and Robin have to follow.
A decent episode again.
Manga Differences: -Other than the usual scene extensions, nothing too notable.
So, I am caught up and since today is a break for Manga Volume 74 anyway, the next one will be tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2019 14:08:00 GMT -5
Episode 648: "Making A Sortie! The Legendary Hero Usoland!"
Though Usopp looks sometimes in this part of the story like he would rather make an oopsie...
Unlike the last few episodes, this one is again all over the place. Most of it is spent with the different Tontatta groups: -First, the group under Green Bit that Usopp and Robin are coming with led by Leo. It is cute that they have a small airport underground and using the wild life to their advantage. Still, I cannot get over how apparently Oda-sensei got inspired by insects, or rather ants, for the Tontatta (their body shape with their big behinds, their strength, them living underground). And it goes on with two of the commanders, Kabu and Bian, having eaten Devil fruits that gave them the ability to turn into insects like a rhinoceros beetle and a hornet that just emphasizes this connection. Sadly, we cut away before we got any interesting details about the history between the Doflamingo Family and the Tontatt. -Meanwhile, at the base on the Flower Field, we learn that the one-legged toy soldier is a commander of the Tontatta and commands a great deal of respect among them. Besides some fun scenes with Zoro cheering on Luffy on a video monitor and Frankie/Zoro being surprised at what Usopp has now cooked up (gotta love that Brook got the name Boneland...I guess Brookland was too difficult?), nothing too interesting happens.
Luffy and Chinjao continue their fight without any notable development while the Sunny Security Team continues struggling with Giolla, ending with Nami and Brook having their weapons turned into art as well (and poor Chopper's transformation being totally made ineffective. To top it all off, Law (who is currently in the midst of evading Doflamingo and Fujitora) orders them to come with the ship to Green Bit and take Caesar with them, causing them distress (gotta like how Giolla feels totally ignored by all this).
All in all, just a decent episode.
Manga Differences: -Nothing too notable, besides the usual scene extensions.
Until tomorrow, all you guys!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2019 9:49:25 GMT -5
Episode 649: "The Fierce Battle Coming To The End! Lucy vs. Chinjao!" Don Chinjao in his younger years... Does that mean that Garp was his Dirty Dan? And so the fight between Luffy/Lucy and Don Chinjao comes to an end with us finally learning the secret of Don Chinjao's hatred for Garp and his family. Turns out Don Chinjao was a conehead in his younger years which made him able to use a special hiding place for his treasures: a type of ice so hard that it could only be cracked open by him (though one wonders how long it takes for the ice to freeze over again after he opened it once?). Unfortunately, Garp punched his pinhead in like you would a nail into wood so he lost the only way to get to his treasures....Kinda understandable that he became a bit upset at Garp and his family for 30 years and counting now. After some more well-animated and good fighting exchanges, Luffy ultimately wins with a Gear Third-assisted attack that also has the welcome side effect of erecting Chinjao's pinhead again. I guess that should make him happy when he wakes up later. Not much else to say, but the good fight makes for a good episode. Manga Differences: -Only a small thing but since I don't get to use these things often: Anime: Don Chinjao repeatedly bangs his non-pinheaded head at the area where he opens his treasure chamber with his head covered with dust and bruises. Manga: Don Chinjao repeatedly bangs his non-pinheaded head at the area where he opens his treasure chamber with his head covered with blood. Sometimes, I don't understand the censorship from manga to anime. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions. Let us meet again on the day that follows today!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2019 10:12:16 GMT -5
Episode 650: "Luffy And The Gladiator Of Fate - Rebecca!"
I wonder if Bartolomeo will ever utter the words "Senpai noticed me!" in this arc...
We deal with the aftermath of the Block C battle in this episode with Don Chinjao's anger having turned into gratefulness since Luffy's last blow led to his pinhead being erect again but Luffy is too busy keeping Cavendish off his feet to realize what's going on. The most important thing we find out though is that contrary to what was implied before...Bartolomeo is actually a big Straw Hat fanboy. I can see how some might find it annoying but I find it hilarious how he goes from tough, street-wise punk to adoring fangirl when he gets in the presence of Luffy. Also neat how it all started by him witnessing the almost execution of Luffy in Loguetown.
After a brief encounter with Jesus Burgess where Luffy hears Blackbeard's voice for the first time in two years and Luffy gets to throw around his animosity towards them, Luffy can take a peaceful lunch in an area where he is not disturbed: the gladiator's resting quarters where Rebecca has led him. Have to say that Rebecca without her helmet is quite a cutie...but then she suddenly attacks Luffy supported by the other gladiators, though Luffy manages to take her out in impressive fashion by just using his feet. We do get a reason for her sudden attack and why she wanted to take out Luffy: to defeat Doflamingo with the Flare-Flare Fruit before the toy soldier puts his operation into action. She seems really attached to this soldier. Will we find out why next episode?
A good episode for the Bartolomeo scenes and the interactions with Luffy and Rebecca.
Manga Differences: -Two edits having to do with Bartolomeo: *Anime: Bartolomeo threatens to stab a fighter mocking Luffy in the tongue but just beats him up instead. *Manga: Bartolomeo actually stabs a fighter mocking Luffy in the tongue. -The other one *Anime: Bartolomeo in the flashback asks his subordinate to dump some defeated enemies in the water. *Manga: Bartolomeo in the flashback asks his subordinate to throw away an enemy's finger. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2019 16:18:08 GMT -5
Episode 651: "Protect You To The End! Rebecca And The Toy Soldier!"
Awww, the development of the relationship between Rebecca and the toy soldier is really sweet...well, if you ignore the dead mother, of course.
So, this episode focuses on the history between Rebecca and the toy soldier (boy, I have said that now three times already) and it starts off sad with us getting an insight into Rebecca living with her mother Scarlet a modest but happy life until the conquest of Dressrosa by Doflamingo occurred. Tragedy struck when Scarlet was killed by the Doflamingo family while getting some food for her hungry daughter (one of the reasons why Rebecca declined Luffy's offer to eat some of his lunch) with the toy soldier bringing her corpse to her mother...yeah, that won't traumatize the child at all (though I can kinda understand his reasoning despite it being clumsy).
And so Rebecca's and the soldier's relationship grew over the years from her hating him due to him not being able to protect her mother to seeing him as a surrogate father figure. It is really heartwarming seeing him earning a living to living to afford things like clothes and birthday cakes and Rebecca growing to appreciate him (although it goes a bit overboard when he hits boys who just do everyday kids stuff to Rebecca). And so, after her getting kidnapped one time, the toy soldier decides to train her in fighting which leads to her being a gladiator at the colosseum...where she is really hated for being a member of the former royal family who did a heinous thing causing them to get hated on (the heat here would make Baron Corbin jealous probably). Hopefully, she will cope with it.
A good episode due to the Rebecca/Toy Soldier stuff.
Manga Differences: -Nothing that notable besides the usual scene extensions.
See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2019 15:45:14 GMT -5
Episode 652: "The Last - And Bloodiest - Block! Block D Battle Begins!"
How can we even say that it is the bloodiest block if it has just started?
We continue seeing the crowd's murderous hatred against Rebecca but luckily Cavendish proves to be a decent fellow besides his hatred for the Worst Generation, turning the crowd's hatred for Rebecca into admiration for him (which causes him to be quite giddy, proving that he fully belongs in this universe). And so Block D begins where we do not find out much about the participants but see that Rebecca is a decent fighter managing to send several fighters outside the ring (without hurting them, nonetheless) and appearing to have mastered the teachings of the Toy Soldier quite well.
Meanwhile, Law finally gets captured by Doflamingo and Fujitora (you know, if Doflamingo's work as a king and pirate does not fulfil him, he could always become a lumberjack) after his valiant flight; Zoro meets up with Sanji and Kin'emon (again loving it that Wicka pulls no punches in calling Zoro out on his lack of direction) while Usopp and Robin finally arrive at the secret base under the flower field to meet up with Frankie. Now we could probably learn some more about the operation that the Toy Soldier and the Tontatta Tribe plan!
A decent episode for the most part.
Manga Differences: -The whole scene where Doflamingo and Fujitora capture Law is anime-filler. Originally, we only see the aftermath in the manga after they have already captured him. -Otherwise, nothing much, just the usual scene extensions.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2019 14:05:53 GMT -5
Episode 653: "A Decisive Battle! Giolla vs. The Straw Hats!"
Why so sad, Giolla? Artists are known to die for their art!
And so the fight between the Sunny Security Team and Giolla comes to an end by Brook using some neat trickery in order to regain his weapons and defeat Giolla (though this heroic act that even fooled his comrades does not earn him using Nami's lap as a cushion). Although Giolla manages to unleash her final attack, the Heaven's Door Art technique that looks pretty impressive, some good teamwork by Nami, Chopper and Brook as well as the use of the Sunny's Gaon Cannon is enough to take her down. Have to say that added content was actually really well used to round out the fight a bit more by letting Nami and Chopper also play a part in defeating Giolla, not to mention that Giolla's Heaven's Door Art technique is a very good-looking form of attack (well, for attack forms. Giolla's still an ugly hag). Definitely some of the better anime filler to be used in a long time.
We also get some interesting backstory about the World Government in that it was formed by 20 royal families who relocated to Marie Jois and became the ancestors of the Celestial Dragons of today. Interesting that the royal family where Vivi comes from is the only family who did not go to Mariejois, thus, Cobra could very well say that his family has ruled Alabasta for a very long time. This, in turn, means that the Riku Family of Dressrosa was the family who took over when the original family went to Marie Jois and the original family was none other than...the Don Quixote Family. And so it is confirmed that Doflamingo is indeed a Celestial Dragon...which just brings up more questions. Why isn't he like the other Celestial Dragons in Marie Jois, wearing a bubble on his head and riding humans like a degenerate? Why is he a pirate and returned to take over the country of his ancestors? Hopefully, we will find that out.
Otherwise, we get some more neat scenes: Violet returns and we get some more insight into her powers making her perhaps a suitable candidate to become the Straw Hat's lookout should she decide to join their crew (I am sure, Sanji would not mind). Bartolomeo continues being the bestest Straw Hat fanboy when he comes across Zoro and Kin'emon. And Luffy is awesome cheering on Rebecca like that. But will it help her win?
A good episode here, definitely.
Manga Differences: -As hinted at above, the whole part with Giolla's Heaven's Door Art technique and defeat is anime-added content. Originally, Brook cutting her after regaining his weapons was what finished her off for good in the manga. -The usual scene extensions.
See y'all 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2019 10:17:43 GMT -5
Episode 654: "Beautiful Sword! Cavendish Of The White Horse!" Meh, I prefer Arthur, the prince of the white horse, myself personally as seen hereYeah, nothing much to say about Cavendish's part in this episode. He defeats another pretty boy gladiator participant with his swordsplay, reacts super happy when he gets cheered by the audience...and nothing else. Certainly nothing to write home about. Speaking of nothing to write home about, the focused participants in this block are pretty non-descript and, unless they show some impressive techniques in the next few episodes, are definitely the most disappointing of the bunch. Cavendish and Rebecca are easily the ones to look out for. More interesting is Law managing to escape his captivity from Doflamingo and Fujitora in an intelligent fashion although Doflamingo is easily on his trail again. This indeed turns to things looking bleak when Doflamingo discovers the Sunny and it is easy to imagine Nami, Chopper and Brook not standing a ghost of a chance against the Warlord of the Sea. Luckily, Sanji appears in time to save them...but is he a better match for Doflamingo? A decent episode here. Manga Differences: -The whole fight Cavendish vs. the pretty boy gladiator whose name I forgot already is anime filler. No special focus is given on Cavendish in this part of the fight. -The focused participants in this block get introduced one by one in the anime while we only get their introduction when they are focused on in the manga. -Otherwise, the usual scene extensions. Let us meet again on the day that follows today!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 10:04:47 GMT -5
Episode 655: "A Big Clash! Sanji vs. Doflamingo!"
I guess to Doflamingo everybody is like a puppet on a string.
So we get a brief Sanji vs. Doflamingo which is sadly a bit one-sided (understandable though since the big bad of this arc cannot be bested by anyone other than Luffy) but at least I can commend Sanji for giving it his all. And his effort is not in vain since it allows Law to gain the time to allow him to hand over Caesar to the Straw Hat Crew. We also finally get some exposition on what Doflamingo's power actually is: The String-String Fruit allowing him to use string-based attacks and turning parts of his body into strings even. This power also allows him to move over the sea by using his strings to swing along on clouds...the weakness being of course that on a cloudless day, he cannot move this way.
And so Law orders the Sunny Security Team to get Caesar out of there while he tries to buy as much time as possible. Things get intriguing where we get hints that Law has some ulterior motive in getting back at Doflamingo, dating back to something that happened 13 years ago (i.e. even before he retook his place as king of Dressrosa). What could that have been?
Otherwise, we get some non-noteworthy fight scenes in Block D and Bartolomeo continuing to be the edgiest looking fangirl you have ever seen drawing understandable confusion from Zoro and Kin'emon who just want him to go fetch Luffy.
All in all, still a good episode but barely.
Manga Differences: -Nothing notable besides the usual scene extensions.
Until later today!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2019 14:56:35 GMT -5
Episode 656: "Rebecca's Special Attack! Last-Ditch Sword Dance!"
Rolling Logan...meh, he'll never be as interesting as Mister Satan.
So, we learn more about Rebecca's fighting style which boils down to being good at evasion and using the enemy's own momentum to throw him out of the ring....an effective method to eliminate opponents but certainly nothing that the spectators would find particularly interesting which only fuels their hatred for her. They are obviously more interested in boisterous loudmouths like that Rolling Logan who appears to use wrestling moves mostly...but that's about the only thing interesting about him. Kinda a parallel to how intelligent workrate wrestlers get mostly overshadowed by the charismatic one-move wonders. But seeing as Logan and Rebecca will square off, we shall see how she will fare.
Meanwhile, Doflamingo and Law square off (with Doflamingo showing that he would have made an impressive sushi chef with him slicing all those Fighting Fish in one fell swoop) and have an impressive opening clash which looks promising for their fight; the Sunny Security Team discus what to do and we learn just why Momonosuke is so fearful of Doflamingo, having watched him behave in a cruel manner that caused his trauma; Bartolomeo continues to be a fun element in this arc during his conversation with Zoro (a really hilarious scene). And there seems to be a bit of a connection between Rebecca and Violet, but what could that connection be?
A good episode again.
Manga Differences: -Again nothing major to report besides the usual scene extensions.
See you tomorrow for realzies this time!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2019 15:08:30 GMT -5
Episode 657: "The Most Violent Fighter! Logan vs. Rebecca!"
Wow, for somebody so focused upon, Logan really is an unimpressive fighter.
Yeah, most of the focus in this episode is on the "fight" Logan vs. Rebecca which is mostly Rebecca evading Logan and Logan trying to hit her. Things get tense when Logan manages to snatch her and is about to crush her when she gets saved by Acilia who looks like she either came from the planet of the Snu-Snu Women or from Amazon Lily (personally, I don't trust people who permanently grin like that). Ultimately, Rebecca proves to be the David to Logan's Goliath and eliminates him. While I am happy for Rebecca coming out on top, Logan was just a painfully dull character who could not make this fight interesting. Hopefully, somebody more worthwhile will appear in this fight.
Besides that, we get the further adventures of fanboy Bartolomeo whose act still is not old to and is as endearing as ever and who finally manages to find his beloved Luffy-senpai in the end. In between, we get a strange series of events where the losers from the tournament, instead of being treated, get thrown into an underground garbage heap where we find everyone from the previous three blocks. What plans does Doflamingo have for them to keep them in that underground lair, especially considering his definition of losers and winners (which even draws Luffy into a reminiscence to his home country). Things are getting intriguing.
Still, only a decent episode this time around.
Manga Differences: -Bartolomeo looking for Luffy including him dropping into the "infirmary" causing some trouble is anime filler. Originally we do not see him again until he comes across Bellamy later. Also, the scene in the infirmary originally starts when Sai questions where his grandfather went. -The whole fight Rebecca vs. Logan is extended quite a bit in the anime including Rebecca actually being the one to eliminated him. In the manga, he gets eliminated by a different fighter later. -The usual scene extensions.
Until morrow, laddies!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2019 16:15:36 GMT -5
Episode 658: "A Big Surprise! The True Identity Of The Toy Soldier!"
Toy Soldier: "It was me, Luffy! It was me, Luffy! It was me all along, Luffy!"
Well, not really, of course. So among those fighters in the scrap heap is also the gladiator Ricky who, as it turns out, is the former king, Riku Dold III who is despised by the whole country but who seems to be a decent human being as evidenced by the rather friendly support he receives from some of the gladiators. They themselves are actually former members of Dressrosa's army who still show him respect and also King Elizabello II seems to have good memories of him...which makes the incident that happened ten years ago all the more enigmatic (considering that also the Happo Family and Dagama are angry for what King Riku did to this country). During this series of events, Sai gets kidnapped and we get a hint on how people get turned into toys...which seems to be the doing of that creepy, dirty old man named Trebol. As for Sai, it looks like he is forever destined to be a wind-up monkey for life. Also interesting is the fishman Hack who is also apparently on a secret mission with someone. I wonder what that is about.
Furthermore, we also get the sad story of their life where they have been hunted and exploited (I myself wonder whether they were hunted to be eaten or turned into gold personally) by the Quixote Family mostly, being the cheap labour force to bring the country to wealth. That changed when the Riku Family came to power who apologized for exploiting and allowing them free rein as fairies until Doflamingo came back into power, leading to the current desperate situation. And finally, we learn that the toy soldier is indeed Rebecca's father. What a twist!
Another decent episode.
Manga Difference: -The beginning scene with Bartolomeo's imagine spot (he even imagines Luffy as a shojo anime character...oh myXD) is an anime only scene that does not happen in the manga. -The usual scene extensions otherwise.
A break tomorrow to watch the One Piece TV Special "Episode of 3D2Y", so see you on Sunday!
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