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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 7:08:44 GMT -5
Episode 141: "Thoughts Of Home! The Pirate Graveyard Of No Escape!"
Man, the Wetton Family are a couple of stooges.
This episode is a bit more on the dramatic side with the main focus of Henzo's dilemma of having grown old in the outside world and the still young Pumpkin Pirates not trusting him because he's a grown-up now. Especially the rift that develops when their leader Rapa Nui finds out that he has worked with Wetton, the pirate who burned down their home town 50 years ago, is pretty heart-wrenching to watch since one can definitely see that both of them have reasons for their point of view (Rapa Nui only seeing his former friend working with an enemy, Henzo seeing it as a suitable price to save his friends from the Rainbow Mist).
Ape's Concert, the ship graveyard, proves to be an interesting location where space is distorted as shown by Robin firing a cannon ball in front that splashes into the water in the back (leading to a fun Luffy scene). We also see a bit of how the Pumpkin Pirates (and Ian, one of Wetton's crew members who stayed on board during the trip into the Mist) adapted to life in the pirate graveyard which is interesting to see.
On the other side of the mist plays the comedic stuff out with Sanji, Nami and Chopper's reactions to the clumsiness of the Wetton Family which is decent and fun to see.
Now we seem to get ready for a bit of a climax with the next episode after having another good episode in this one.
Only trust your filler episodes if they are 100% manga content free.
Until tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2018 4:07:55 GMT -5
Episode 142: "An Inevitable Melee! Wetton's Schemes And The Rainbow Tower!"
Well, that issue resolved itself quickly.
What I mean is the issue between Henzo and Rapa Nui that gets resolved within the first three minutes of the episode. Kinda shame since it could have had the potential to be brought over until the final episode.
Meanwhile we get filler within the filler by Luffy accidentally taking Rapa Nui with him to an area beyond the mist where they have to wander around aimlessy for the whole episode but which gives us at least an inside into Rapa Nui's history (although it leaves a contradiction: why would he want to create a land of freedom of eternity for himself and his friends when this is the spot where his father got lost and died?).
Finally, we got the reason for why the Rainbow Tower was erected: to create a permanent connection between the real world and the Rainbow Mist and to allow Wetton to enter the Mist with his men raiding all the treasure there. This happens after a fast fight scene between Sanji and Chopper against Wetton's Flame Suit and Lake's Electric Suit (kinda like these Elemental Suits; could have been explored more), where for the first time Chopper's Rumble Ball strategy fails completely.
Otherwise, it is a decent episode pretty light on humor and more on drama but somehow not clicking like the previous episodes. Though neat that Nico Robin gets incapacitated by a piece of jewelry that has Sea Prism Stone embedded since until this point she was kinda portrayed as a deus ex machina for the crew.
As mentioned, a decent ep here. And tomorrow will be the epic conclusion!
Filler, now produced with 100% manga free content!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2018 11:12:04 GMT -5
Episode 143: "And So, The Legend Begins! To The Other Side Of The Rainbow!"
And So, the Rainbow Mist Arc comes to a satisfying conclusion with a dash of humor (love Zoro's reaction of "Do I get to cut anything at all..." after Robin takes out the Electric Suit's energy supply), a lot of dramatic tension (how will the Strawhats make it out of the Rainbow Mist before it closes) and a "twist" ending (although the twist is not that surprising if one pays attention).
Only downside is that we do not get any fight scene here. Wetton and Lake get taken care of pretty quickly and otherwise, the action is mostly about the Straw Hats escaping from the Rainbow Mist.
Still, all in all, it was a good and interesting arc and definitely not a waste of time like the Zenny arc was.
But what's that in the sky? Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's our next manga-based arc dropping in!
As said, it was a good episode for the end of the Rainbow Mist arc.
99% filler material...except for the very end when the ship falls out of the sky which was in the manga.
Tomorrow will be another manga reading day (Manga Volume 27 to be exact), so see you on Wednesday!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2018 14:30:13 GMT -5
Episode 144: "Caught Log! King Of The Salvagers, Masira!"
And so the Sky Island Arc begins.
From what I remember, it is considered among the less popular arcs of One Piece. I don't remember having too much of a problem with it, but we shall see if that changes this time around.
This episode serves as our introduction episode and is thus a bit more on the quiet side. We get the mystery of the ship falling out of the sky and the Log Pose that is locked on to something in the sky with most of it done by talking, interspliced with some fun moments (Luffy, Usopp and Chopper's reaction to Nami doubting the validity of the Sky Island map is especially funny). We also get to see Nico Robin doing archaeological work so as to remind us of her job again which is interesting to watch, though.
The scene where the Monster Trio explore the sunken ship to search for clues is done well, going through the whole ship in search of clues to help them get to the Sky Island. And the newly introduced secondary character in this arc, Masira, is a decent comic relief character with his "monkey" puns (I like it especially when he holds a pose for very long in hopes of the Straw Hats taking a picture of him) and it is an exciting scene seeing how he and his crew salvage ships.
All in all, this is a decent start to the arc and we see how we go from there.
Manga differences: -The scene where the Going Merry evades the falling debris is a lot more detailed in the anime compared to the manga. -Nico Robin wears her clothes from the previous arcs instead of the white blouse she wore immediately after joining the crew (since the Sky Island Arc immediately followed the arc where she joins the crew). -The exploration of the ship by the Monster Trio is also shown in more detail compared to the manga.
See you tomorrow everyone!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2018 14:55:32 GMT -5
Episode 145: "Monsters Appear! Don't Mess With The Whitebeard Pirates!"
Why hello there, Buggy! It's been like close to 100 episodes since we last saw you.
A bit weaker than the last episode, this one deals with the fallout from the last one. After escaping large monsters (built up by the first CGI scene in One Piece history...which looked worse than anything in Reboot), the Strawhat Crew decides to go to Jaya to find out more clues about how to get to the Sky Island. Meanwhile, Buggy and his crew meet Ace and have a party together....oh and we also get a hint that Buggy might have a history with Whitebeard somehow.
Most of the episode just feels like killing time until we get to the next big part in this arc. The monsters appearing was cool but then we get a long drawn-out scene of the Strawhats talking interspliced with them eating takoyaki and then the scene with Buggy/Ace somehow has the distinction of feeling like anime filler despite being content from the actual manga.
Still, it had a few fun moments (the Monster Trio kicking Masira away after noticing that he's on board, Nami crushing Luffy's armor, Buggy happily digging a tunnel) and didn't get on my nerves too much. But Jaya in the next ep should pick the pace up.
As said, a weak episode with a few bright spots.
Manga Differences: -The whole sub/background plot with the octopus and it being made into takoyaki that the crew eats during their convo was anime-only. -The scenes of Masira floating in the sea in between scene changes from Luffy to Buggy and vice-versa were anime filler too. -The Strawhat scene just before the end of the episode (Sanji taking away their takoyaki, Zoro's convo with Nico Robin etc.) was also an anime invention.
See ya'll tomorrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2018 16:28:26 GMT -5
Episode 146: "Quit Dreaming! Mocktown, The Town Of Ridicule!"
Yakitori made from seagulls?...I can imagine making it from tastier birds than this.
Anyway, this is a far better episode compared to last giving me a lot to talk about:
-First, we have the location of Mocktown which is actually the first city we see where pirates dictate most of the goings on, being able to anchor their ships in plain sight, kill anyone that looks at them funny without fear of marine intervention etc.. Even in the very first scene, it is established what kind of lawless place this is and it sets the mood for the rest of the episode. While asthetically not looking like much, its atmosphere certainly makes it stand out from the other places we have seen so far.
-We also get introduced to a minor antagonist in this arc: Bellamy the hyena and his second-in-command, Sarquiss. Both are the arrogant jock-type of villains and are just so overflowing with confidence of their attitude that you just want Luffy and Zoro to kick their sorry keisters. But they kinda have the power to back up their words with Bellamy especially seemingly having a hidden Devil Fruit Power that we have not seen yet.
-Furthermore, we meet a bunch of strange characters in Mocktown: a strange sniper who kills seagulls from afar, a fighting champion who takes pleasure in beating people up and a guy on death's bed who seemingly likes to re-enact the evil queen's ploy to kill Snow White. I wonder if they will play any further role in this. Not to mention that strange big guy who disagreed with Luffy over cherry pie and beer in the bar.
The biggest scene of course is Bellamy and Luffy's encounter in the bar and the ridicule heaved upon the Straw Hats for believing in something like Sky Island. That eerie silence when Nami asks the bartender about the sky island before the whole bar just laughs at them was perhaps the most effective sequence in that episode. And its also interesting that something about Bellamy's words cause Luffy to decide to not fight back which is I think not so much due to his promise to Nami to not fight but perhaps linked to when he saw Shanks not getting all flustered when the mountain bandit mocked him about being a pirate. This certainly is a great callback if true and makes this a great character moment for Luffy.
All in all, this episode lives from the Mocktown atmosphere and the awesome bar scene and thus is definitely a good one and highly recommended.
Manga differences: And in the same regards, this episode also gives quite a lot again regarding edits.
-Roshio The Executioner's fate was vastly different in the manga: *Anime version: Bellamy squeezes his hand until it breaks and shoots Roshio out of the window *Manga version: Bellamy stabs his hand with a knife and douses him in alcohol, followed by Sarquiss throwing a lit cigarette at him, burning him up and causing him to fall out the window. -Usopp and Nami commenting on the pirate ships anchored in the harbor was anime-only. -The Fighting Champion asking a passer-by if he knows him causing the latter to angrily lash out at him. In the manga, we only see the aftermath of that encounter. -In the anime, there is also an added scene where Bellamy jumps out the window at Roshio's men carrying their fallen captain. A bit later, there is a look at the area with passers-by questioning how such destruction was caused. -In contrast, the anime omits a scene in the manga where Sarquiss presents the Wanted poster of Luffy to Bellamy. -Nami also has a longer convo with the bartender before the argument between Luffy and that big guy starts. -The anime also introduces information that either was not in the manga (it takes 4 days for the Log Pose to recalibrate) or introduced later (the Knock-Up Stream)
Tomorrow will be another break because of One Piece Movie 4 so see y'all on Sunday!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2018 15:21:59 GMT -5
Episode 147: "Distinguished Pirates! A Man Who Talks Of Dreams And The King Of Undersea Search!"
Seems like salvaging in this part of the sea is a lot of monkey business.
Luffy and Zoro's humiliation at the hands of Bellamy and the bar patrons continues with them getting beaten up, having things thrown at them and Bellamy spitting alcohol in their face. But they remain steadfast in their resolve despite Nami's pleas for them to fight back. And finally, Nami gets the last word back at them when Sarquiss offers to buy her leading to a fun reaction by the Bellamy Pirate bitches.
We meet the cherry pie guy again who seems to share Luffy's view on piratism and seems like a nice fellow. But it seems that Luffy and Zoro noticed something about him that we, the viewers, don't know yet. Interesting...
And we meet another salvaging monkey...or human, it's hard to tell, named Shojo. I kinda like the Wootan Divers concept although Shojo is kind of bland as a character. Still his sound wave attacks are pretty neat (did he learn from Etemon by any chance?).
Besides the humiliation scene at the beginning, the episode is low on action and more about the talkiing (which is interesting, mind). There are a lot of fun scenes though (Usopp and Chopper repairing the ship, both of their reaction to pissed off Nami as well as pissed off Nami in general) and we get the next goal for the Strawhats, meeting Kilimanjaro Cricket...no, that's not it, Aconcagua Cricket...that isn't it either...ah, Montblanc Cricket.
All in all, a decent episode here.
Manga Differences: -The Shanks/Ace inserts were anime-only -A background event with Chopper jumping off the ship to get away from pissed off Nami and Zoro having to rescue him was also anime-only.
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Johnny B. Decent
Patti Mayonnaise
Had one once
Everybody's Favorite Arizonian.
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Post by Johnny B. Decent on Jan 14, 2018 21:57:07 GMT -5
*Knowing chuckle*
Oh, my. What a odd fellow that man is.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2018 14:38:54 GMT -5
One can definitely not accuse Oda of not setting things up properly. Episode 148: "Legendary Family! Noland The Liar!" So, Sanji is from the North Blue, huh? Wondering if that will play a part again in the future. This is a rather talk-heavy episode where we get the whole backstory about a popular fairy tale in the North Blue "Noland The Liar" and the descendant of that tale's protagonist, Montblanc Cricket who seems to be a fairly capable fighter as long as the caisson disease does not catch up to him. Hearing about his life as a member of a family forever mocked by the lies of his ancestor through no fault of their own, is certainly sad to hear. Yet it is refreshing (as lampshaded by Usopp's comment) to hear that he does not want to prove the lies to be truth to redeem his ancestor but rather to win against the man who ruined his life. Certainly not an everyday route to go. Otherwise, the episode has a lot of funny moments (especially the jokes made on Usopp's expense related to Noland being deemd a liar, Masira and Shojo's [who as it turns out are nakama of Cricket] reaction to the Straw Hats taking care of the ill Cricket) and the scene where the story of Noland is told is certainly lovely to look at in the different style. But we are reminded once that Bellamy will do his utmost to ruin this moment. All in all, a decent episode focusing more on establishing than action which is good once in a while. Manga Differences: -The story of Noland gets shown in more detail compared to the manga with additional picture book pictures. -The final scene of the ep with Hawk-Eye Mihawk looking at the new bounties of Luffy and Zoro is anime-only material. Until tomorrow, lads!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2018 14:29:30 GMT -5
Episode 149: "Steer For The Clouds! Capture The South Bird!"
"Luffy went north to catch a south bird!" "That feather brain! Didn't he learn anything from last time when he went west?!"
Another rather talk-heavy episode that introduces us to the way to get to the Sky Island via speech from Cricket. We also get a nice character-related moment from Usopp during this segment leading to him questioning his own weakness and cowardice...something that will continue to play a part for this character down the line.
In the last third of the ep, the straw hats get sent on a hunt for the south bird, a bird with a creepy un-birdlike call that will help them getting to the starting point for their sky island journey. But first they have to overcome the birds' attempts to kill them by calling the forces of nature (insects and spiders mostly) on them. This is done in a funny succession of scenes where we learn that Nami hates bugs, Zoro's sense of direction is as useless as always and Luffy finds the treasure of all Japanese children...an Atlas beetle.
To lighten things up, the episode also contains a dinner party of the Straw Hats and the Saruyama Alliance with lots of pacific saury (yummy) that is always joyful to watch (like every party the Straw Hats are involved in). But what will happen when the Saruyama Alliance faces off against the Bellamy Pirates?
All in all, it was another decent episode setting things up but still containing enough humor and some action in the forest to make it entertaining. Another fun entry.
Manga Differences: -Nothing major I could find that peaked my senses, so nothing to report this time.
Pause tomorrow again for One Piece TV Special No. 2, so see you on Thursday!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2018 15:17:18 GMT -5
Episode 150: "Dreams Don't Come True?! Bellamy Vs. The Saruyama Alliance!"
You may have spit alcohol on Luffy and Zoro, mocked their dreams, beat up their friends and stole the latter's gold, but Bellamy?...NOBODY MESSES WITH THE GOING MERRY!!!
The biggest reveal in this ep is that we finally see Bellamy's devil fruit power, the Spring-Spring Fruit (was Coily involved in the making of this fruit?). While in action, it is definitely a ferocious power, I cannot help but think that Luffy could probably imitate that power with his rubber powers, thus making it seem less impressive.
Otherwise, the Straw Hats manage to catch a South Bird (with Nico Robin doing the feat without breaking a sweat...I begin to wonder if fans began to see her as a Mary Sue around this time?), Cricket and his friends getting beaten up and mocked by Bellamy and his crew and Luffy following them to challenge Bellamy to a duel for the gold.
The scenes involving the Saruyama Alliance are the best part in this as the point is well made that they care for each other very much (like Masira covering Cricket from Sarquiss's sword attack and Cricket reminiscing about the fun times he had with them) and how something like this won't keep them from their vow to help the Straw Hats reach the Sky Island. And it is also eerie to not see Luffy all loud and angry (well, until the end at least) when making his decision to get the gold back, but get a sense of him silently fuming at first until well into his run towards the city where he blows up. Very strong scenes.
And finally some other people learn of Luffy and Zoro's new bounties and s*** their pants over it when he shows up for his big fight with Bellamy. We shall see how that goes next time.
All in all, a very good episode we have here.
Manga Differences: -The biggest difference here is the vast extension of the Saruyama Alliance vs. Bellamy fight. After their first dialogue (which we saw last episode), we don't see them again until they are all already beaten in the manga (basically just before Sarquiss launches his attack on Cricket who gets shielded by Masira). The anime actually gives them a lot more dignity with Cricket managing to hold his own againsts Sarquiss and the others beating the grunts of Bellamy's pirate crew up until Bellamy launches his spring sniper attack and takes them all out. We also learn that it was Bellamy using the Going Merry as a jump point that led to its further destruction (going by the manga, one would think that Bellamy and his crew destroyed it for the hell of it). -The animals' attack on the Strawhats is extended a bit including us seeing multiple South Birds (whereas in the manga, we only see the one that gets captured eventually). -Luffy's run towards Mocktown is also shown in greater detail including him dodging and beating up some praying mantises from earlier in the ep.
Until 'morrow!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2018 14:46:51 GMT -5
Episode 151: "100 Million Man! World's Greatest Power And Pirate Blackbeard!" During this rewatch I wondered why Bellamy's VA sounds so familiar. Then it clicked: He also voices this character, Inspector Takagi, from one of my favorite manga/anime series, Detective Conan/Case Closed. Funny how that one is akin to the type of wimpy coward that Bellamy looks down upon. Speaking of Bellamy looking down... One punch never felt so good like when Luffy beat Bellamy with just one punch shutting his bad-mouthing once and for all while getting Sarquiss to metaphorically piss his pants in realization that he really is a man worthy of 100 million berry. The fight itself is not much to write home about (mostly consisting of Bellamy attacking and Luffy dodging until the final blow) but that silent moment after Luffy punches Bellamy to the floor makes it all worth it. But the episode is important for another part as well introducing us to several key elements in the series: -The Five Elder Stars who appear to be the highest authority in this world but not really eliciting anything notable otherwise. -Two other members of the Seven Warlords: Don Quixote Doflamingo (who looks like a paradise bird and seems to have an ability to control other persons. Mentioned something about booming business on his island...wonder if that will ever come into play?) and Bartholomew Kuma (big silent dude who carries a bible with him for some reason). -Saint Sengoku, the highest Marine authority, who does not leave much of an impression...and who has a goat with him for some reason. -Jean-Pierre...uhm, no, it's just Lafitte, a guy who looks like a street mime but is apparently pretty brutal and also a member of a pirate crew we shall come to below. -Whitebeard...quite a big dude but who seems pretty frail considering the amount of nurses around him and lots of IVs feeding into him. Still he has quite a young sounding voice compared to his look. And finally, we learn that the cherry pie guy who also believes in pirates having dreams...is Black Beard, the guy who ran havoc on Drum Island and whom Luffy's brother Ace is searching for. Though at this point in time his crew (consisting of the fighting champion, the seagull-shooting sniper and the doctor on death's bed selling rotten apples) seems more dangerous than him, making one wonder how they managed to run fear into the heart of a whole island. But this is probably something for another day. All in all, a great episode not only for expanding this world but for also giving us a truly satisfying moment with Luffy punching Bellamy into oblivion. Just awesome. Manga differences: -Fight between Luffy and Bellamy is a bit extended with more dodging and attacking (and Bellamy landing a hit on Luffy sending him to crash to the floor) -The scene with Hawk-Eye before he appears in Mariejois is anime-only filler. -Luffy running back to Cricket's place in the end was also added on. 'Morrow, lads!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2018 12:30:37 GMT -5
Episode 152: "Take To The Sky! Ride The Knock-Up Stream!"
The Knock-Up Stream...kinda a risqué name in these times.
After the meatier episodes recently, we get a bit of a quieter one dealing mostly with the Straw Hats taking the step to reach the Sky Island by taking the Knock-Up Stream. The Stream itself is presented epically with some really good CGI this time and the rise of the Strawhats to the top is accompanied wonderfully by the 1st Opening theme. That theme seems to go really well with awesome entries to another world, somehow.
We also get the Blackbeard Pirates trying to intercept...with a rather pathetic looking boat (or a raft, rather), making it even stranger how Blackbeard is such an island-terrifying threat...At least through him, Luffy and Zoro finally learn after some 25 episodes of their new power levels...I mean bounties.
Otherwise, the episode is decent with the build-up to reaching the Knock-Up Stream being done in a leisurely, well-paced pace and its building up through the whirlpool displayed interestingly. Some fun moments with Luffy explaining his delay with capturing an Atlas beetle and the South Bird trying to hamper their progress by looking (unsuccessfully) the other way, but not much else (unless frightened Nami, Usopp and Chopper is your thing). Still, the final farewell by Cricket was sweet as well.
A decent episode after thinking it through.
Manga Differences: -Luffy's and Cricket's final conversation happens while the Going Merry is already departing from Jaya in the anime while it is still anchored when they have their conversation in the manga. Otherwise not noticed anything else.
Tomorrow will be another break day for One Piece Manga Volume 28, so see you on Monday!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2018 15:12:35 GMT -5
Episode 153: "Sail The White Sea! The Sky Knight And The Gate In The Clouds!"
So white...I bet Mordecai would feel like he's in heaven here.
This episode gives us our first look into the world of the Sky Islands: -One of its oceans, the White Sea, watery clouds but still possessing the latter's density (which almost gets Usopp killed.) -Its currency, Extol (though we don't learn how the exchange rate is with Berry). -Some of its fauna (sky fish that are rather flat leading to them having adjusted nicely to living in a bottomless ocean as well as express lobsters). -Different types of clouds where some have a higher density than others (as in so fluffy that the Child Trio Luffy, Usopp and Chopper can bounce up and down on them).
We also encounter three inhabitants: one a guerrilla looking like a medicine man from the Amazon but who is able to take out the Monster Trio in one fell swoop (and who can skate on the clouds for some not yet explored reason), the other an inspector at the heaven's gate who looks like a pickled plum (and who is in contact with God and his priests...whoever that may be).
The most important character we meet, however, is Gan Fall, the Sky Knight, and his horse-bird Pierre (who looks like he'd be Dusty Rhodes's favorite animal. Gan Fall seems like a pretty noble character (an impression helped by him being voiced by legandary VA Joji Yanami who voiced among others the Narrator and King Kai in various Dragonball incarnations, Gennai in Digimon Adventure, Totosai in Inu Yasha and many more; if you want a character to sound noble and wise, you get him) and I like his design with the armor and the long lance. Definitely a character I look forward to see more often.
Besides these introductions, the episode also lives through the reactions of the Straw Hats who in this case act as an audience surrogate for the fascination of the Sky Island World. A few funny moments (Luffy casually eating the fish that Sanji made from the caught Sky Fish while Nami was still examining him, the group's discussion when reaching Heaven's Gate), a few dramatic moments (Luffy rescuing Usopp from falling down to the blue sea, the attack of the guerrilla), but most of the episode is really about the experience of the first look into this strange new world.
A good episode, I have to say.
Manga differences: -Nothing too noteworthy here to report.
See y'all tomorrow, lads!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2018 14:57:28 GMT -5
Episode 154: "Godland, Skypiea! Angels On A Beach Of Clouds!"
Belly button, y'all!
While last episode had a bit of action, this one is the epitome of quiet exposition where we learn even more about the world of the Sky Islands:
-The different types of clouds: sea clouds, island clouds and man-made clouds (I bet Rainbow Dash would feel at home here). -Dial energy: seashells that can be used for all kinds of things like recording, propelling boats, making electricity...their possibilities seem like endless.
We also get introduced to a few new characters for this arc: -Conis: she's a cutie alright and feels like the welcoming comittee you always want when arriving in a new country. -Pagaya: her father with a penchant to apologize for everything...he's ok I guess.
During the final moment of the episode, we also learn of the sacred ground where nobody dares to go: Upper Yard, the place where God resides.
Seriously, I cannot dislike this arc so far because it really gives us a unique setting with the sky islands and the different culture and stuff that feels so different from what we have seen so far in the show (a desert kingdom is nothing original, but people greeting each other with "Belly Button!" and having jet skis propelled by seashells...now that's something different). In this one, we have a bit of humor (Luffy cursing Nami for being able to ride the Waver like a pro, Sanji tasting some rotten sauce, the crew's reaction to the islander's greeting) with no action, but it does not hurt at all because the scenery takes you right in.
Another good episode here IMHO.
Manga differences: -Lots of scene extensions (the crew talking on the ship before getting ashore, the discussion at Conis's and Pagaya's house about dial energy). -Zoro encountering Suu, Conis's pet sky fox, mistaking it for a towel at first, is anime-only. We see Suu for the first time in Conis's arms in the manga when she introduces herself. -We get to see the outside of their house in the anime which we never did in the manga. -Sanji going around giving Nami and Robin flowers for their hair was also anime only.
Mata ashita, yarodomo!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2018 15:00:20 GMT -5
Episode 155: "The Forbidden Sacred Ground! The Island Where God Lives And Heaven's Judgment!"
Who would have thought that Zoro of all people would give the most sensible response regarding how to react to people who believe in God?
This episode brings a bit more oomph to the plate, mostly with Nami getting near the Upper Yard and barely managing to avoid being detected by the four priests (more on them when they get introduced proper). We also get the name of the God, Eneru, and his powers which seems to have been made afterwards into one of Cole's powers in Infamous. Lastly, we also hear the term "Vearth" for the first time but don't know yet what it means.
Meanwhile on the other side, we get more talking but unlike the last episodes, this time it is not as interesting, dealing mostly with God Eneru and how the Upper Yard is forbidden ground. Combined with some long drawn-out filler scenes of the crew at the beach "getting ready" to save Nami, this episode feels pretty slow and if they followed the manga better they could have reached the cliffhanger in tomorrow's episode faster.
We also learn of a part of Skypiea's security force, the White Berets led by Commander McKinley, but more on them tomorrow.
Still, there is some nice humor (Luffy's no-sell of it being a forbidden island that nowhere is allowed to go, Sanji getting angry and smashing Usopp's cloud sculptures of the crew), so its not a total loss.
Not on the same level as the last episodes, but still decent.
Manga Differences: -The whole part with Nami finding a boat with a Tone Dial (leading her to make her first acquaintance with the Dial Technology) was anime-filler. Originally, when she arrived at the Upper Yard, the sequence of events with the fleeing Sky Islander and the Guerrilla immediately started. -Part of the discussion at Conis's and Pagaya's house (mostly Sanji urging the crew to hurry up to rescue Nami) was filler as well. -The majority of the scenes at the beach (Luffy trying to drive the broken waver they brought from the shipwreck, Usopp building cloud sculptures, Sanji destroying them etc.) were also filler-city, save for Pagaya looking over the broken waver.
Tomorrow's another day to watch One Piece!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2018 10:56:43 GMT -5
Episode 156: "Already Criminals?! Skypiea's Upholders Of The Law!"
What do you mean already? It's not like you weren't upstanding citizens before.
So yeah, the most we learn in this episode is the exchange rate between Extol and Berry (reminds me of Yen and Euro for some reason)as well as the varying degrees of crimes one can commit in Skypiea (incl. the punishment of floating on the clouds until you die).
But otherwise, this is a pretty uneventful episode mostly because it just drags things out a lot with filler. If the filler would not have been there, we could have had McKinley's declaration that now the priests will take care of the Straw Hats at the half way mark and the actual kidnapping of part of the Strawhats as the cliffhanger of the episode.
But as it is, a lot of time is killed with Usopp's comedy routine of trying to keep the others from committing any more stuff that might raise their degree of crime which gets old pretty fast (although I have to admit his reaction to getting told that snoring disturbs the environment is pretty funny). While it has some nice stuff (Sanji and Robin relaxing by having some tea, Conis getting saved from a Skyfish by Zoro, the interesting Milky Arrow weapons by the upholders, Nami driving over McKinley after learning how much), we could be much farther along by now and what we get is not so entertaining that it was worth having that filler put in.
Yeah, mediocre episode here at best.
Manga differences: -After the whole explanation of the whole Extol-Berry exchange rate, basically most of the events (Sanji and Robin drinking tea, Luffy and Usopp going fishing, Conis getting attacked by a skyfish) until Nami arrives is filler material (except for some parts related to the broken waver Luffy brought up). Basically in the manga, Nami returns almost immediately after McKinley got to the 6th degree crime. -After Nami hits McKinley, all the events until the White Berets reappear at the beach (i.e. the other Berets freaking out, McKinley getting treated at Conis's house, Nami and Luffy's discussion) are also filler events. Following the mentioned hit, McKinley immediately gets up and orders the attack on the Straw Hats in the manga.
Until tomorrow, y'all!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2018 0:25:30 GMT -5
Episode 157: "Is Escape Possible?!? God's Challenge Is Set In Motion!"
Why does the episode title have the tendency to ask me questions? I don't know the answers, Celestia dammit!
I am starting to see a tendency as to why this arc is not that popular: lots of stretching out of material. I mean the manga content could have been done in 2 episodes tops, but through all the filler presented here, we get 3 episodes instead.
This episode is also a bit on the talk-heavier side again but because most of it is time-wasting filler, it does not entertain or is as interesting as the preceding episodes where they set up the Skypiean world. While it does have some funny stuff (Nami and Luffy's bickering, Sanji's artistic lunch boxes, Sanji getting more upset over Nami putting on a t-shirt than her being kidnapped), it is not enough to make this episode a recommendation and this is one that needs to be trimmed when they make a One Piece Kai one day.
The White-White Sea Super Express Lobster certainly looks interesting and the scene where the crew gets kidnapped is pretty tense, but by then the stretching out of stuff has already taken its toll. Even the explanation of the sacrificial altar and the set-up of Upper Yard cannot save it.
So yeah, definitely a forgettable episode.
Manga differences: -The scene where Nami, Robin and Zoro board the ship is extended much, MUCH more in the anime version. -The whole scene where Conis advises them of a current they can use (leading to them weighing the anchor) is anime-only filler (basically all the stuff until we cut back to Pagaya's house). -Also anime-only is the scene where Zoro leaves the ship to take on the Super Express Lobster (originally the crew notices the following sea monsters from the ship).
Until...well, today, lads!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2018 12:15:31 GMT -5
Episode 158: "A Trap On Lovely Street! The Almighty Eneru!"
First a white sheep, then a black crow. What is it with the Straw Hats getting animal-themed ships?
This is a better episode because it does things right the previous episodes did not: using the filler material to enhance the plot and not make it seem like you are just trying to fill an half-hour slot. What I mean is basically the sky island people's attitude towards Blue Sea People as they come here all excited for action and adventure, but when their life is threatened, they became big cowards; something that was not a part of the manga at all. It makes Conis's decision to come clean to the Straw Hats mean that much more when we hear those generalizations and how the Straw Hat Crew of Luffy, Sanji and Usopp defy these stereotype which surprises even McKinley. Definitely a good use of filler usage.
We finally get to see more of a Sky Island village which is nice to look at and we get to see the Sky Knight again (who we learn seems to be the former God...whatever that means). Otherwise, the episode is again on the leisurely side except for the scene where Eneru sends his divine punishment Conis's way for spilling the beans. But still the content of the talks here is far more better and it does feel more like it could be manga content compared to the last episodes.
So yeah, a good episode this time around.
Manga Differences: -The opening scene with Luffy, Sanji and Usopp going down to Angel Beach and being intercepted by Conis who wants to help them is anime filler. -As are most of McKinley's scenes in the first minutes of the episode until they enter Lovely Street. -The same goes for the scenes with Luffy checking out the flower shop and the dial shop. -That flashback to when Pagaya begs Conis to lead them to the boat dock is also anime filler. The scene where Pagaya pleads a not-attendant Conis for forgiveness is also longer. -McKinley's comments about Blue Sea people are also anime-made (his comments in the manga were more related to the trap working, warning Conis not to spill the beans etc.) -McKinley's final comment on the Straw Hats leaving was also not in the manga.
Tomorrow will be a rest for Manga Volume 29, so see you on Monday!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 14:33:10 GMT -5
Episode 159: "Onward, Crow! To The Sacrificial Altar!"
Ooh, a lamprey! Quite the difference from the usual leeches.
While the enhancement of the plot helped last episode, the filler here gets helped by some tense and exciting action sequences. Be it Luffy, Sanji and Usopp's foray into the Upper Yard and avoiding slicing pendulums, wooden spears, flying disks and lampreys or Zoro having to contend with a skyshark, those kind of scenes never fail to bring at least some tension to a viewer.
Add to that some good humor (mostly on the Sacrificial Alter group with Robin's calm assessment of the clouds being red if Zoro had been eaten, Zoro's Tarzan yell, Chopper's late realization that he is the most in danger) and you get another entry that does not feel as slow as the other previous episodes.
All in all, another good episode and we shall see what ordeal the three Crow sailers shall choose tomorrow.
Manga Differences: -Basically everything after getting past the pendulums is filler on the Sanji-Usopp-Luffy part (the spears, disks and lampreys were either non-existant or only devoted one panel on in the manga). -On the contrary, in the Sacrificial Altar part everything before Chopper, Nami and Robin comment on Zoro and his skyshark fight is anime filler (first discussion, Chopper falling down, Zoro coming after him to save him and battling the shark underwater etc.). -Robin examining the markings on the altar is also anime-made filler.
Until 'morrow, y'all!
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