Iron Giant is ‘One Piece’ Version of the Golem!

One Piece Chapter 1119 Review/Recap

Have you ever heard the story of the Golem of Prague? Centuries ago, the Jewish community of Prague was threatened by enemies who spread lies and slander about them. Their leading Rabbi and his assistants thus crafted a great golem, a man made of clay, to serve as their protector. To bring him to life, he inscribed the word “Emeth” onto its forehead. In Hebrew, Emeth means “Truth.”

Why bring that up now? Because Emeth is the name of the Iron Giant that now fights to protect Egghead Island!

Recap

In the lab itself, Kaku tells Stussy to get lost. He says they were never friends, but more importantly, when Lucci shows up, there’s no telling what he might do.

Near the Giant Pirates ship, Mars is surprised by the sight of two Nikas, but realizes Bonney is just imitating Luffy. On the other hand, Luffy learns that nothing they do can put a dent in the Five Elders. Thus, they can’t beat them. The only way to stop them is to send them as far away as possible. So Luffy changes tactics. Inflating himself up like a balloon and grabbing onto Mars, he tells Sanji, Franky, and Bonney to hit him as hard as they can. So they do.

The kinetic energy they build up in Luffy then ripples out to Mars. As a result, the monster is sent flying over the horizon! It does tire Bonney out, though, and she returns to her younger self. However, then Peter shows up. He spits out the captured Seraphim and CP agents, then tries to suck up the Giant Pirates ship, but Luffy isn’t having that. He punches Peter, but then Warcury charges right for the boat!

At that moment, though, the Iron Giant, Emeth, reawakens, restarting the broadcast. It’s garbled and incomplete, but it mentions things about the Will of D. At that moment, Emeth remembers the voice of Joy Boy, telling him that “the time” is at hand. Rising up out of the depths of the water, Emeth unleashes a mighty blow upon Warcury. So powerful, in fact, that it does actual damage to the monster, breaking one of his tusks!

Review

Before we start, I know that some fans think the short length of this chapter is a bad sign about Oda’s health. I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, so I’m not going to speculate. Keep in mind that, for a few years now, Oda has released One Piece for two-three weeks and then taken a break. That’s his right. But when does end up doing this, he’s proven capable of leaving fans satisified, and this chapter’s no exception.

Another Golem, This One Made of Metal

I first learned about the Golem of Prague in a picture book I read as a kid, and in hindsight, it’s rather apparent that Oda took inspiration from the story for the Iron Giant. A massive entity made from material found in the earth (iron, in this case) with superhuman strength that serves as a protector for the oppressed? That fits the story of the Golem of Prague to a tee!

In addition, the fact that it reactivates due to Luffy entering Gear Fifth is a reference to the ending to the story of Prague’s Golem. After it was no longer needed, it was turned back into lifeless clay and hidden away. But the legend also said that when its strength was required once more, it would return to protect the Jews. Now compare that to what’s happened on Egghead Island. The people of the island, and the world, are being threatened by the World Government when the new Joy Boy arrives. His arrival is what leads the Iron Giant to return!

Truth Comes to Wipe Away the Lies

I also really liked the meaning of the Iron Giant’s name, Emeth. Like I said at the start, “Emeth” means “truth” or “truthfullness” in Hebrew. By returning now, Emeth is fighting to help Vegapunk expose the truth of the world and put an end to the lies of the World Government. It’s just really symbolic, and something that I enjoyed. That, and we finally get to see the Iron Giant fight.

Much like the Golem, the Iron Giant possesses superhuman strength. Since the Five Elders showed up on Egghead, we’ve seen them tank hit after hit from Kuma, Luffy, and many others, and act like its nothing. Warcury losing one of his tusks is the first time we’ve seen some actual damage done to them. Either it has some extraordinary power or material, or it possesses Haki strong enough to hurt the Five Elders. Either way, it could be what helps the Straw Hats, Vegapunks, Bonney, and Giants escape.

No, Bonney is Not OP

As for Bonney’s Nika Form wearing off so quickly, I expected this to happen. While Bonney’s powers let her imitate Luffy’s Gear Fifth, that’s all it is; an imitation. It’s not going to be as strong as the real deal, nor last as long. Plus, this is something she only just figured out how to do. It makes sense that she wouldn’t be able to hold it for long.

In other words, all those people who said that this made Bonney a broken character, calm down. She ain’t replacing Luffy.

It’s a shame that we’ll have to wait an extra week for the next chapter, but I won’t complain. Oda should look out for his health. If not for himself, then for his wife and kids.

I Give “Emeth” a 3.5/5

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