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Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Season 2 Review

So, this weekend forced me to choose between doing one of two things for Saturday. My first option was to livestream some Pokemon Sword/Shield. My second option was to binge-watch the new season of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts on Netflix.

I think I made the right choice.

If you didn’t read my post on Season 1 all the way back in January, then I urge you to go read it now! If you have (or already watched it), then you know the first season ended with a bang. Kipo made it back to her people and dad, only for Scarlemagne to capture almost everyone. As a result, Kipo goes on a new quest to rescue her people and take down Scarlemagne.

As before, Kipo remains as colorful and vibrant as before, with the music as dope as humanly possible. What changes is the theme: whereas Season One was about Kipo learning about the surface world, Season Two focuses on learning who she is. The first episode confirms what we already knew: she’s part-mute, and can turn into a purple jaguar. It reminds me a little of how Naruto can turn into the Nine-Tailed Fox in Naruto. I’m not making that comparison because of appearances, though. I’m making it because, like Naruto, Kipo struggles with being able to control her wild side. Her trials whilst learning how to control her powers are the big drive for the season, and it pays off in a very emotional way. Long story short: love and friends are the keys to controlling it.

Scarlemagne Has One Sad Backstory

We had an entire season to see how cruel and insane Scarlemagne could be as a villain, and man was he a good one! But it turns out that there’s someone out that’s even worse than him. In fact, it’s someone who’s responsible for making Scarlemagne who he is now.

Enter Dr. Emillia, this scientist who worked with Kipo’s parents. She’s got this single-minded obsession with reversing the mutation of all animals on the surface so that humanity can reclaim it. Sounds noble, but then you remember that most of those mutes are sentient with their own societies. And she used Hugo, the future Scarlemagne, as a guinea pig to help learn how to reverse the mutation. The only people who cared about the mandrill were Kipo’s parents, and due to circumstances beyond their control, they couldn’t save Hugo.

I loved the reveal of Scarlemagne’s past. Firstly, it gives him a tangible connection to Kipo (they’re technically foster siblings!). Secondly, it makes him into a foil for Kipo. Kipo was able to make friends on the surface that helped her through what she went through, and she never gave up her positive outlook on life. However, Scarlemagne never had that comfort, and it broke him into what we see today.

Finally, the show sets up Dr. Emillia to be the big bad of Season three, as she’s determined to end all Mutes. Consider how this parallels the problems with racism that people are fighting right now, and one can appreciate how timely a hate sink like this woman is.

A Must Watch for the Summer

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts remains one of the best new shows on Netflix, and I enjoyed being able to binge the new season. And listen to the soundtrack. If you’re looking for a show that balances heart with story, humor, and topical themes about accepting people of all backgrounds, then go watch this show.

I Give Season Two of “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts” a 4.9/5

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One Piece Chapter 982 Review/Recap

Well, it’s official: One Piece is back on a weekly release schedule. It’s a good thing, too, because things are starting to heat up. Last week saw some powerful allies join the Alliance: Nekomamushi and his Minks, and Marco and Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates. However, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Last week saw a few hiccups occur for the Alliance, and that trend continues this week. Am I really, though? No, and I’ll explain why after I recap this chapter. The Battle for Onigashima enters a new stage.

Recap

In the heart of Onigashima, Orochi and Kaido are drinking to their hearts content. They still think that the Alliance lies scattered and divided. That is, until Kanjuro barges in with a battered and beaten Momonosuke in tow. Kanjuro then immediately tells Orochi everything: the attack on the Alliance failed, and their fleet is already on their way.

Despite the assurances of Black Maria of the Flying Six, Orochi will not be remain calm. He wont’ rest until the Kozuki Clan lies dead at his feet. Thus, he seizes Momonosuke. He will crucify the boy in front of all of Wano and bring an end to the age of the Kozuki Clan himself.

While all of this is happening, other events are taking place. Firstly, Marco, Izo, Nekomamushi, and the Minks are headed to Onigashima to reinforce the Alliance.

Secondly, Denjiro manages to subdue another of the Flying Six on the Southern Front. He then splits his forces in two. One half will head to the back of the island; the other will advance on the dome and attack it from above.

Back with Kin’emon’s group, Chopper and Usopp lure a very livid Big Mom away from everyone else, giving them the chance to push forward.

Unfortunately for Nami, she’s found by Prometheus, who is not happy that she took Zeus with her!

Finally, in the Central Front, two of the Flying Six, Ulti and Page One, get cornered by Luffy himself. The Battle for Onigashima is about to enter a new stage.

Review

Now for an explanation as to why I’m not concerned about the Alliance yet. Ideally, I’d want for Kanjuro to make it to Orochi and Kaido right before the Alliance begins their big attack. That way, they’d have no time to prepare. giving the Alliance a better chance of winning. However, I had a feeling that that wouldn’t happen, in the end. Now that Orochi is aware his plan failed, he’s not going to drop his guard again.

Luckily, Kaido and Orochi aren’t aware that the majority of the Alliance has already infiltrated the island disguised as members of the Beast Pirates. With Luffy’s team creating a ruckus, they’ve got everyone distracted. Meanwhile, Usopp and Chopper can keep Big Mom away from the fight. That tips the odds even more in the Alliance’s favor. And with one of the Flying Six taken out, and another two in Luffy’s sights, that’s half of some of Kaido’s best forces soon to be out of the fight.

Top that off with Denjiro splitting his forces up, and now Kaido will be completely surrounded. No room to maneuver, and no place for them to escape from.

There are lots of variables left in play, but at the moment, there’s little doubt in my mind: the Alliance has the advantage. They can win this fight!

As far as chapters go, I think that this was one of the more interesting ones, by virtue of how much happened. I’m hoping that Oda can keep this momentum going, as this promises to be one of the biggest fights in One Piece history. KICK KAIDO’S BUTT, LUFFY!!

I Give “Ruffian Vs. Ruffian” a 4.5/5

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