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Edens Zero Chapter 57 Review/Recap

Every now and then, something will happen in a story that leaves me genuinely surprised. Mashima’s done a few things that could be called a big reveal in the past, but I pick up on his hints a lot, so it ruins the surprise. The chapter of Edens Zero that came out this week, though, felt like a genuine bombshell.

Recap

As stated before, that cube had a message from Valkyrie telling Homura why she left her and can’t come back. We don’t see it, but we learn through flashbacks what happened.

After Valkyrie took Homura in as her student, she did everything she could to take care of her. Despite her efforts, she and the young Homura faced prejudice from the town they lived in because Valkyrie’s a machine. It didn’t help that Homura said she was waiting on her mother, who left before the village was destroyed to earn money.

Despite trying her best, Valkyrie became convinced that she could never raise Homura like a real mom, so she leaves her behind to find the girl’s birth mother. After seeking out Xiao Mei, she learns that the note she left for Homura got stolen by a cat. Even so, she’s determined to find Homura’s mother. Xiao Mei then reveals she’ll find Homura’s mom on Sun Jewel, and that her name is…Kurenai Kotetsu

Review

Dang, folks. I’m almost at a loss for words; I wasn’t expecting this. So Homura’s mother is the sadistic despot that rules Sun Jewel, and Valkyrie’s leading a rebellion against her. What a bombshell.

My mind’s been racing with ideas about Kurenai, but so far I’ve come up with two theories about why she left Homura. The first is that she did intend to come back, but once she got wealthy enough, she got drunk on it and turned into the monster we see today. The second, and more likely, is that she ditched Homura like a deadbeat mom. Either way, this is not the kind of person Homura should associate with.

After getting over the bombshell that Homura is the daughter of the Scarlet Woman, though, my mind came to one conclusion. They may not be related by blood, but Valkyrie raised Homura, protected her, and taught her everything she knows. That sounds like a mom to me.

It doesn’t matter to me if Kurenai’s is Homura’s mom: she’s still a sadistic monster that’s about kill hundreds of people. She needs to be stopped, and now she’s on the Edens Zero’s radar.

I liked this chapter as a whole, as it gives us an unexpected connection to the villain of this arc. That personal connection between Homura, her mother, and her mentor are going to make for some emotional scenes. I think the Sun Jewel Arc’s going to get really crazy from here on out, and I can’t wait.

I Give “My Mother’s A Machine” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapters 952 & 953 Review/Recap

I’m sorry that I didn’t get to do One Piece last week folks. I was distracted by my “Week of Zim” thing going on. So to make up for it, I’m doing the two latest chapters together as one. It looks like the second act of the Wano Arc’s winding down, and despite setbacks, the Alliance has regained the advantage. Only one problem: they don’t have any swords. These next chapters will change that and put a sword in the Alliance’s hands.

Recap

Chapter 952

At Onigashima, Kaido and Big Mom’s clash continues to freak everyone out; even Queen tries to find an excuse to head back to Udon. Fortunately, the entire prison’s under Luffy’s control, with Tama using her powers to tame the Warden so he gives the all clear signal. With the capture of Udon prison, the Alliance’s gained 3,500 people ready to fight Orochi and Kaido, including Caribou, Hyogoro, and the 4 former heads of the Yakuza. Thanks to Chopper, Luffy and those infected with the Mummy Virus are cured and ready to rumble.

In Port Itachi, Kin’emon’s ecstatic to learn Ashura has the blueprints to Kaido’s fortress and the army Luffy has at Udon. The only problem is that they don’t have any weapons to use. At the bridge in Ringo, Zoro fights Gyukimaru again to get Shusui back. Their battle’s cut short, though, when Kawamatsu steps in, much to Hiyori’s joy. Then some of Kaido’s schmucks make the mistake of ruining the moment, but they go down fast. What’s puzzling is that Gyukimaru seems to know Kawamatsu.

Chapter 953

As Zoro chases after Gyukimaru once more, Kawamatsu explains why he’s in Ringo and what he did after Hiyori left him. In Ringo, it’s customary to mark the graves of the dead with their swords. After Hiyori left, Kawamatsu came to the region to take the swords so they may be used for the war against Kaido. What he didn’t expect to find was Onimaru, the fox-demon? companion of the late Daimyo.

Onimaru guarded the swords of the dead for years, and attacked Kawamatsu when the kappa until he showed how he needed them. The two gathered the weapons for years until Kawamatsu got captured in the Flower Capital. In the present, Zoro discovers a secret room filled with all the swords of Ringo, enough to army the rebellion. Unbeknownst to all, this was done by Gyukimaru, the human form of Onimaru.

As the chapter ends, Hiyori asks Zoro to once more return Shusui, to his refusal. In exchange, though, Hiyori will give him her father’s sword, Meito Enma, the only blade to wound Kaido.

Review

Will wonders never cease? I wondered why that bandit was stealing all those swords, and now we know. While I can’t condone Kawamatsu for grave-robbing, this is one of the times when pragmatism takes precedence over tradition. Besides, I’m sure the former wielders of the swords would understand. Plus, the story of Onimaru seemed so touching.

On to the bigger picture, though. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the Alliance now has weapons, an army, the materials to build ships, and the plans to the enemy base. Some of their allies may still be in prison or scattered, but I think they’ll be out for the big fight. Even so, the odds are still against the Alliance unless Luffy can master that Haki technique. Hopefully, Kaido and Big Mom will wear each other out.

What I most interested in is the Meito Enma. If Hiyori’s right, then that makes Oden Kozuki the only one to injure Kaido. That sword could be the key to bringing Kaido down.

The final battle’s drawing ever closer. With the Alliance seemingly having everything it needs, I think Act Two’s almost done. All we need now is the last member of the Nine Red Sheaths, and we’ll be all set. I cannot wait to see the war to come!

I Give “Hiyori and Kawamatsu” and “A Fox of A Single Disguise” a 3/5, each.

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