The God Valley Incident is Gonna Tear the World Apart!

One Piece Chapter 1160 Review/Recap

I used to think that the execution of Gol D. Roger was the most important event in the history of One Piece, but I think we may have to rethink that. Instead, I think the most important event that sets up the story as we know it was the God Valley Incident. At first, we thought God Valley was just the latest victim of the World Nobles’ sick, genocidal tournament. However, the reveal of Rocks’ and the future Blackbeard’s lineage has turned the God Valley Incident into something else: an execution for their family. What’s even crazier, though, is that this was probably the event that set Monkey D. Dragon down the path to becoming the Revolutionary we know.

Honestly, I don’t think any of us can blame him.

Recap

The sight of the Davy Clan is enough to drive the Celestial Dragons into a frenzy, calling for their blood. Yet their deaths will not come so soon. The victims of the hunting tournament are set loose to run from their doom. One hour later, the hunt begins.

What follows is nothing short of horrific. Innocent people are slaughtered by the Celestial Dragons without mercy. Families watch each other die. And amidst it all is Dragon, trying to fulfill the dying wish of Shanks and Shamrock’s mother to save them. Amidst all this, Dragon sees a Celestial Dragon about to kill Kuma and Ivankov’s group, prompting him to shoot him with tranq darts. Luckily for him, his luck is about to change.

To the east of God Valley, the Rocks Pirates and an army of pirates come charging in, to take the treasure, save Shakky, and for Rocks, to save his family. On the opposite side of the island, the Roger Pirates make landfall with the same goal in mind. With the God’s Knights distracted, Dragon takes the chance to grab Shanks and Shamrock and make a run for it. Right as the Marines are outnumbered, the cavalry arrives in the form of Vice-Admiral Garp! The God Valley Incident has begun!

Review

Holy moly, this is epic. The War at Marineford-levels of epic. In fact, with hindsight, the God Valley Incident might be to Roger and Rocks’ generation what Marineford was to Luffy. As if to emphasize that point, it has Dragon, someone young and out of his depth, running through the chaos, trying to do something that we know is destined to fail. At least, partially destined to fail.

I don’t think it needs to be said at this point, but I’m saying it anyway: the Celestial Dragons are the worst. We got glimpses of the tournament from Kuma’s flashbacks, but this just drives home how despicable it is. They’re hunting down sentient beings for sport, and they’re laughing about it. Sommers makes a father watch as his son is killed right in front of him! I don’t know how Oda comes up with people so vile, but he’s great at it. If this isn’t what causes Dragon to desert the Marines, then I will be disappointed in him!

As horrifying as this chapter was, though, the real highlight was the ending as the main players arrived. Rocks, Kaido, Big Mom, Gloriosa, Whitebeard, Shiki, Roger, Rayleigh, Gaban, Dragon, Garp, Garling, Gunko, Sommers! There are so many legendary influential people taking part in the God Valley Incident that it’s mind-boggling! This is pretty much a canon event! And it looks like Oda intends to show us everything! While part of me wishes that this could the subject of its own miniseries or film, I can understand why Oda’s doing this. He’s using the Elbaph Arc to tie up as many loose ends left as possible. That way, he can focus on the grand finale. These next few chapters are going to be some of the most important in One Piece history, and I cannot wait!

I Give “The God Valley Incident” a 4/5

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