RJ Writing Ink

One Piece Chapter 1011 Review/Recap

Have you ever heard of the trope “even evil has standards?” It’s a very popular trope created for a sole purpose. And that purpose is to show that if even the villains are disgusted by something, then you know that it’s bad! And in this case, it’s Big Mom who shows us that even evil has standards.

Recap

On the roof of Onigashima, Kid and Killer are dismayed to see that Big Mom’s alive and headed their way. Worse, she reveals that she just made a new Homie, Hera. Hera’s a Homie made from actual lightning, and Big Mom wastes no time in using her power to send the two into the skull dome. That’s when their luck gets even worse as they’re confronted by Hawkins. Killer stays behind to face his fellow Supernova while Kid goes to find Big Mom. Meanwhile, with everyone else having left the dome, Kaido and Luffy resume their fight on much more even terms.

Down below, Usopp, Nami, and Tama are still running from the wrath of Page One. They’re throwing everything they have at the freak, but he just shrugs it off.

Just when they’re on the ropes, Big Mom herself shows up! Fortunately, she remembers Tama from when she helped her before and thanks her for the kindness she showed her. However, when she learns that Kaido’s men burned down Leftover Town, she becomes enraged. As a result, she declares that even in the world of pirates, people still have standards, and attacks Page One. Much to everyone’s shock. Even evil has standards.

Review

Holy cow, you guys. I wasn’t expecting this turn of events. Like, at all! I actually think that I forgot about the fact that Big Mom got amnesia or that she befriended Tama and the people of Leftover Town. I had thought that after she got her memory back, she stopped caring about them. But I guess I was wrong. Even someone as evil as Big Mom can have standards in the end.

I’m not going to say that Big Mom’s an ally just yet, though. She’s not going to forgive Luffy for all the trouble he’s caused her. Best case scenario, she’s now a wildcard in the fight for Onigashima. And given how many wildcards are already in play, that’s saying something!

It’s a shame that the manga’s on break again next week, but I’d take that over Oda letting his health deteriorate. That man’s a global treasure and deserves as many breaks as he wants. As for me, I can’t wait to see what happens next in One Piece. and for the anime to reach the raid!

I Give “Anko Standards” a 3/5

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My Hero Academia Season 5 Episode 5 Review

Okay, I admit that I thought that this season of My Hero Academia started out slow. However, now that the joint training arc has begun, things have started to pick up. We’re seeing just what the students of the Hero Course are capable of, and they’re all quite formidable. Case in point, Fumikage Tokoyami, who has one of the coolest Quirks in the series, gets the spotlight this episode as he unveils a new move: Black Fallen Angel.

Did I mention that ‘Black Fallen Angel’ sounds like an awesome name for a heavy metal band?

Tokoyami’s Struggles And Successes

While most of the Joint Training Arc was forgettable to me in the manga, there were a few moments that stood out for me. And one of those moments involved Tokoyami unveiling a new power in his fight against Class 1-B. In addition, I also remember how it’s revealed that that he spent both his work study and internship working under Hawks, now the number two hero. The anime expands on what the manga told us by revealing just how frustrated Tokoyami was under Hawks, who did little to help him as a hero. However, that laid-back attitude was meant to encourage him to push for greater heights in the end. Which makes sense, as Hawks is the kind of person who prefers to get things done with the least effort needed.

As a result of Hawks’ training, Tokoyami came up with a new move with his new move that looks so amazing: Black Fallen Angel!

Tokoyami’s Stand-o Power!

There are plenty of heroes in My Hero Academia with powers that stand out, but I’ve always felt like Tokoyami’s Dark Shadow was different from others. It reminds me a lot of the Stands from the legendary manga, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. It manifests from Tokoyami’s body, he can use it in creative ways, and he can control it remotely. That sounds just like a Stand to me. As a result, Tokoyami has been one of the standouts in the series core cast. Unfortuntately, the coolness factor of this new super move gets hampered by the skills shown by Class 1-B.

Regardless of how I think about this arc, I’m well aware of its importance. It’s to show us just how much the heroes in training have improved. And if the last two episodes are any indication, I’d say they’ve made leaps and bounds since the start of the series. And given how the episode ends on a cliffhanger, I have a feeling this fight will be more interesting than the last one. GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Operation New Improv Moves” a 4/5

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