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One Piece Chapter 1180 Review/Recap

On the last piece of One Piece, it looked as though the crisis in Elbaph was finally under control. The God’s Knights had been beaten, the kids, the school, and the library were safe. Suddenly, Imu announced that he (not they) were leaving Mariejois to handle things themselves, and the entire fandom wet themselves in terror. The king of the world’s arrival on Elbaph had us all thinking that we were in for an absolute beatdown, and you know what? We were right! This is what we nerds call a “one-winged angel” moment, and it is suitably terrifying to read! This is a bad omen!

Recap

After making his grand entrance to Elbaph, Imu wastes no time in getting down to business as he teleports to where Sommers is being held. Before we even realize it, he frees Sommers by slicing off the tips of Gerd’s fingers!

And then, he slices off Stansen’s leg!!

And when Zoro tries to attack him, Imu hits him point-blank with a fire attack called Omen, sending him reeling before doing the same to Hajrudin!

The carnage only continues from there. After freeing Sommers, Imu grows black wings and flies towards Qillingham’s location, pausing only to fire a blast to try and free Gunko. Everyone on the island is reeling, with Gaban saying he never felt Haki like this at God Valley. Then, when Imu arrives at the location of Sanji’s group and frees Qillingham, the Straw Hat Pirates’ chef tries to attack him. However, not only does it do no damage, but like Zoro, he gets hit by Imu’s attack. Except this one ends in an explosion!

Before anything can get worse, Loki, who had been eating some burnt food at the school with Luffy and Ratatoskr, appears before Imu. With the demon saying he was looking for the one who killed his servant Harald, Loki rebuts this by calling him his father and Elbaph’s king, and that he was the one he wanted!

Review

So, I don’t think anyone who read this chapter was surprised to see Imu give the protagonists a massive beatdown. We all knew that having one of the two candidates for the ultimate big bad of One Piece appear would be catastrophic. What I was really hoping for is to see if Imu is every bit as scary in-person as he has been using his servants. Needless to say, he didn’t disappoint.

We already got a brief look at Imu’s appearance in the last chapter, but this one gives us our first full look at him. And his design lives up to the hype. The tan skin, the tattoos on his shirtless body, the horns and tail, and the halo made of black fire. If Oda wanted us to associate Imu with the Devil, then he succeeded. And I know that even if he’s evil, there are going to be people who will simp over him for how handsome he looks!

Is Imu on a Time Limit?

The thing that I found to be most interesting about Imu, though, is something that a YouTuber by the name of GrandLineReview pointed out: he does t waste any time on anything. A lot of the antagonists in One Piece are prone to being either bombastic, scene-chewing individuals or completely serious and stoic, or some combination of both. The fact that Imu didn’t waste any time when fighting the Giants and Straw Hats places Imu in the latter category, but that isn’t what makes him different from guys like Akainu. For every attack he makes, he only uses the bare minimum of effort needed. Every move he makes is done with as little energy as possible. And then there is the fact that he told Sommers that “they had no time to waste.” That could be him being impatient, but from what I’ve seen, the fans don’t think that. What if Imu has a time limit on how much he can do outside of Mariejois? What if the reason he hasn’t left Mariejois in centuries isn’t just because he wanted to keep his existence a secret, but because leaving hurts him.

It makes sense why this would be the case. We saw how summoning himself to Elbaph caused Imu a great deal of pain. By that logic, it means that he can only leave Mariejois for so long before tbe pain becomes debilitating. Thus, he can only stay on the surface for a short time before having to return. What this means is that the heroes may not have to beat Imu in a fight. They just need to survive long enough to run down the clock.

As much as I want to see Luffy and Loki give Imu the beatdown he deserves for all the pain and suffering he’s inflicted on the world, even I have to admit that this fight might be beyond them right now. If they can defeat Imu, it won’t be on this day. I only hope that Loki can hold off Imu long enough for Luffy to re-enter Gear Five. Otherwise, there’s not much hope for anyone. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait long for the next chapter!

I Give “Omen” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1179 Review/Recap

You know, I normally like it when I’m right about something. But every now and then, there are moments where I hate being right; mainly when it means that something really, really bad is going to happen. And I was right about what’s happening in One Piece. The Elbalph Arc isn’t coming to an end; its only just getting started. Because in one of the most jaw-dropping moments in the series almost thirty year run, we get to see Imu for the first time. And everything the story has been hinting at and what the fans have theorized is true! Imu is THE DEVIL.

Recap

The Five Elders are absolutely shocked at what Imu said, even asking if they heard them right. They beg them not to leave, saying they can send in the Admirals, or head out themselves! But Imu remembers everyhtunf that has happened in the last half-century: Rocks’ vow to return. Roger’s message to the world. The birth of Shirahoshi. Shanks stealing Luffy’s Devil Fruit. Loki’s strength. The rise of Luffy and Blackbeard, or Joyboy and Davy Jones. They see all of this as destiny at work long before they came to be. Imu has made up their mind, and the Elders can’t stop them. They leave for Elbaph.

With the fighting over for the moment in Elbaph, everyone is trying to clean up the mess, heal their injuries, and figure out what to do with the captured God’s Knights. Then, the air changes. Out of nowhere, pillars of black flame erupt from the ground as a magic circle appears in the sky above Elbaph. Then we hear this crazy music. And then the houses and trees start to come to life with these dark and wicked faces on them! And then, a final pillar appears in Aurust Castle, followed by an overwhelming burst of Conqueror’s Haki as Imu appears from the circle in the ruins, coughing and exhausted. An explosion rips through the Castle, and as everyone watches, a black figure stands atop one of the towers: Nerona Imu, one of the First Twenty, the creator of the World Government, King of the world…and the wielder of the Devil’s Fruit.

Review

…holy shit.

When I first heard what the leaks and spoilers were saying about this chapter, I half-expected them to be a prank for April Fool’s Day. But they weren’t lying, and everything that the Revolutionaries speculated and what is, the fans, theorized is true. Imu really is 800 years old, they were one of the Twenty Kings who founded the World Government, and they’ve been ruling it from the shadows this entire time. And to top it all off, they might be the closest thing we’ve got to the actual Devil in the series! There is a lot to unpack, and I need to get it all off my chest, so let’s get down to business as we try and breakdown everything we learned about Imu from this chapter.

Nerona Imu is 8-900 Years Old

Firstly, there is the confirmation that Imu is one of the Twenty Kings who founded the World Government. That means that they have been alive for eight hundred years, far longer than most characters in the series. That is either the result of their Devil Fruit, or maybe Ivankov was right on the money about someone using the Op-Op Fruit to make Imu immortal. The fact that Doflamingo mentioned it back in Dressrosa means that it had to have happened in the past. Maybe that was Oda’s way of dropping a hint about the existence of Imu? Knowing Oda, I wouldn’t be surprised if he planned that far ahead. Then again, he’s not infallible.

As for Imu’s appearance, I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed to know that this might the last we see of their shadow form. However, I cannot deny that our first look at what is either their true form, or more likely, the awakened form of their Devil Fruit, radiates aura. At this point, it might be easier to just say that Conqueror’s Haki is a euphemism for aura farming, because that’s what Imu is doing in that final page!

It Makes Sense the Devil is a Fallen Angel

It should be noted, and I’ve seen other fans point this out, is how Imu looks an awful lot like a Lunarian. I’m not sure if that is because of their Devil Fruit or they actually look like that, but if it’s the latter, that explains a lot. In Judeo-Christian myth, the Devil was originally an angel and God’s most trusted comrade. But he gave into the darkness in his heart and became a fallen angel and the King of Hell. So if the Lunarians are analogous to angels, then having Imu be a Lunarian makes so much sense. It would also explain why the Lunarians were hunted to near extinction; Imu wanted to destroy their own people so they would not oppose them. Which is all kinds of messed up.

What’s most surprising, though, yet at the same time not, is the reveal of the source of Imu’s power.

The Actual Devil’s Fruit

The first thing to note about Imu’s Devil Fruit is its name: the Akuma no Mi, or Devil’s Fruit. Every other Devil Fruit has had a name like Gum Gum, Chop Chop, or something else. The fact that the Devil Fruit doesn’t have that naming convention caught a lot of readers notice. Some are even theorizing that this is because it might be the ORIGINAL Devil Fruit. We can’t prove or disprove that, either, because we still don’t know where Devil Fruits come from beyond Vegapunk’s own theories. The one thing that we do know, though, is that the Devil Fruit is dangerous.

By now, we’ve gotten plenty of chances to see what Imu’s powers can do. They can turn other people into demons, grant them immortality and unfathomable strength, and fall under the complete control of Imu. However, I wasn’t expecting Imu’s presence to start turning the homes and trees into cartoonish demons! It’s like a mirror image of the way that Luffy’s Fifth Gear affects the world, right down to the music. Instead of being fun and joyful, though, this is dark and scary. Imu has had 800 to master these powers, but for some reason, this is the first time we know of where they have chosen to personally see to matters. Is it because everyone is that beneath them…or are they not as strong as they make themselves out to be? I think it might be the latter.

Imu Might have a Weakness

Before Imu left Mariejois, the Five Elders were begging them not to go. You could interpret that as them saying that things haven’t gotten that bad that their god has to intervene. However, I think it’s because they’re afraid of Imu putting themselves in danger. Because despite the aura of invincibility they cultivate, Imu’s powers have a limit.

Firstly, remember how they reacted to feeling Joyboy’s Haki? That’s enough to tell me that as powerful as they are, Joyboy was stronger still.

Secondly, there’s everything that we have seen throughout this arc. Their Domi Reversi technique can be undone. More importantly, remember how Imu reacted to Loki killing Harald. They were left reeling in shock and in pain. So much so that they chose to leave Elbaph alone until things got as desperate as they are right now.

The biggest clue, though, comes from this chapter: its the blood coming out of their mouth.

My best guess is that Imu’s power comes with a cost. When they use their powers as much as they have been, the backlash harms their body. If that’s the case, then they became immortal to avoid the downsides and rule the world for eternity. But even that might have its limits. If they get hurt badly enough, it could overwhelm them. Or, as Luffy and Loki would put it, they have to beat Imu to a pulp. Though at the moment, its easier said than done.

I Want Imu to Lose

I know that people think the arrival of Imu will end in the conquest of Elbaph, and I get why they would think that. The Giants are still recovering, the God’s Knights could still rally, and the Straw Hats are scattered all over the place. But again, Elbaph cannot be allowed to fall. If Imu enslaves the Giants, any chance of saving the world goes down the drain. Like it or not, this fight isn’t over. And I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what happens.

I Give “Nerona Imu Descends” a 5/5

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My Hero Academia S2 Ep 10 Review

We only have a few episodes left of this season of MHA: Vigilantes, and if I’m right, then that means that the arc we’re currently in, the Sky Egg Arc, is the last one. Given how it focuses on the end to Captain Celebrity’s time in Japan, though, it’s ending the season with a bang! I wish I was speaking figuratively, but thanks to the machinations of the Scarred Man, it is very, very literal. CC’s big farewell party is about to put the lives of thousands of civilians and Pro Heroes at risk, and there’s little that Koichi can do to help!

Man, that sucks!

Break in the Case!

The episode opens up with Tsukauchi and Eraser Head’s ongoing investigation into the Villain Factory, and they hit a big break. Thanks to the intel given to them anonymously by Koichi and Pop, they figured out that the dealers and Instant Villains were all tied back to this little-known pharma company. However, Tsukauchi is not happy that they had to rely on the aid of people whose actions are technically illegal. It’s a reminder of how for all their good intentions, Koichi and Pop are operating outside the law. As I’ve said before, and as Eraser and Fat Gum put it, they’re not hurting anyone and are competent at what they do, so they get somewhat of a pass.

Speaking of Fat Gum, he and Monika were brought in to help investigate their target. The latter ends up getting Aizawa to wear disguises to help investigate the company’s employees, much to his dismay. It’s the classic wacky person-straight man routine, and Monika is enjoying every second of it. For added humor, Koichi spots them on patrol, and due to not knowing Monika is a cop, thinks they’re dating. Poor Eraser Head, LOL!

Eventually, though, the investigation has everything it needs to launch a raid. And their deduction was right. They arrive inside to find even more of the Bomber monsters that attacked Captain Celebrity at the Christmas party. Eraser is able to stop them before they explode, but that doesn’t matter much once the Scarred Man uses them to escape. Zero Hour has begun!

CC’s Cringe Moment at his Party

Meanwhile, the farewell party for Captain Celebrity is in full spring at the Sky Egg. Thousands of people are attending, there are plenty of Pro Heroes we recognize from the main series, and Pop and the FeatherHATS all get to perform! And I swear that I saw a cameo of a young Deku and his mom trying to get into the event or get souvenirs!

It’s all fun and enjoyable…except for one cringe moment. Captain Celebrity excitedly shows everyone a photo of his wife and their newborn son to the crowd, and then proceeds to call her in the middle of the performance. His wife is not happy that A.) he woke her up in the middle of the night, and B.) he showed that embarassing photo of her to thousands of strangers.

I didn’t expect to like Captain Celebrity, but I’ve really warmed up to him. Sean Schemmel is not as well known for his roles outside of Goku, and when he does play them, it can be easy to tell he’s voicing them by his voice. But he really managed to do a great job as Captain Celebrity, to the point that I didn’t even know it was him until I looked it up. In addition, while CC can be a typical jock and do stupid things, you can tell that he means well. I get why his wife gets embarrassed by his antics, but it’s hard to stay mad at the goofball. Especially after what happens at the climax of this episode.

Zero Hour Begins!

While Koichi and CC are off during a break in his appearances onstage, they become the only people to see the Scarred Man’s Bombers making flying towards the Sky Egg. Even worse is the fact that their first attack managed to blow Koichi right out of the Sky Egg! If it weren’t for his Quirk, he would be dead! Captain Celebrity is able to stop the dome from tipping over, but, if you’ll recall, his Quirk has its limits. And to make matters worse, one of the Bombers has regenerative powers, meaning it can hit him with explosive punches as many times as needed until he tires out! And this is where the episode ends!

I normally hate cliffhangers, but this was a good stopping point. Captain Celebrity is stuck in an impossible situation. Koichi is in no position to help him. And even if the Pro Heroes know what’s happening, only a few of them are capable of aerial combat. We can’t blame it on Eraser Head and Tsukauchi, though. The Scarred Man was going to hit the Sky Dome whether they raided his hideout or not. Lucky for me, I’m writing this a day before the next episode comes out, so I don’t have to wait for long to find what happens. And I’m looking forward to it!

I Give “Zero Hour” a 4/5

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