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One Piece Chapter 1039 Review/Recap

We all knew going into the Wano Arc that beating Kaido wasn’t going to be easy. In fact, it would likely be the toughest fight that Luffy and the others have partaken in thus far. Then Big Mom and Kaido joined forces, and I knew that this would be a battle for the ages. The two Yonko have been ridiculously powerful enemies, but I think that one of them may be down for the count. This week, Trafalgar Law and Eustass Kid might have brought Big Mom down. Or at least taken her out of the fight long enough for Luffy to do his thing.

Recap

Following Law’s devastating internal attack on Big Mom and Kid ramming her with a metal bull, the Yonko’s left reeling from the damage. Unfortunately, the two pirates start arguing about whose going to be the one to take her down, giving Big Mom enough time to heal herself using her own powers, then counterattack.

As the legendary pirate boasts how her and her peers have ruled the seas since before they were born, Kid pins her to a metal wall…only for her to bulldoze right through. However, that gives Law enough time for his ultimate, ultimate attack. Pinning the old hag to the floor with his sword, Law pushes his powers beyond their limits, extending his sword until it pierces the ground of Wano itself, creating a massive crater! Just as Law finally loses his strength, Kid comes in with his own trump card: the railgun, Damned Punk! Declaring Big Mom’s era to be over, Kid hits the Yonk with everything he’s got, sending her screaming into the ground!

Review

Everyone, I’m not going to call it until I see Oda ring the bell that says she’s down for the count, but I think that this might be it. I think that Big Mom might have been brought down by the power of Eustass Kid and Trafalgar Law!

Think about it: she’s been fighting almost nonstop since this war began. She’s taken damage from many of the Alliance’s heavy-hitters, and came close to drowning in the process. Couple that with the damage she’s gotten just now, I think this she might be out of the fight. With any luck, she’ll be out cold long enough for Luffy to win against Kaido.

In addition, Law’s last attack might have been a double blessing. If I’m correct, that massive crater outside the Flower Capital’s the right size for Onigashima. If Momonosuke can lower the island into it, it will land in Wano without killing anyone. Problem solved!

If this truly is the end to Big Mom, then all that’s left is the main event: the fight between Luffy and Kaido. I’m beyond hyped to see how this goes, and I can’t wait for the anime to reach this point. It’s going to be legendary.

I Give “Top Billing” a 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1006 Review/Recap

Ever since we first met old man Hyogoro in Udon Prison, I liked him. He was the first friend Luffy made while he was on his “involuntary vacation.” Then it turns out he was once the badass leader of the Yakuza in Wano, and my respect for the guy grew even more. Luffy found himself a powerful ally and teacher in Boss Hyogoro, and now the old man’s repaying his debt to Luffy by helping to free Wano. But will it cost him his life in the end?

Recap

The chaos on the island continues as Yamato and Shinobu make a break for it with Momonosuke in tow. Having heard that they’re going in the opposite direction of Kin’emon and the Scabbards, Sanji’s left at a loss about what to do. Meanwhile, at the entrance to Onigashima, Perospero has defeated Carrot, Wanda, and the other Mink warriors who wished to avenge Pedro. After mocking them for their attempts to avenge their friend, Perospero heads back inside the dome to rejoin the fight.

In the main floor of the skull, everyone infected by Queen’s Oni Ice virus is beginning to succumb to its affects once more. Marco’s flames helped to suppress it, but they mean nothing if everyone runs out of stamina. However, Hyogoro and X Drake protect Chopper as he inches closer to developing a cure. Miraculously, the virus reverted Hyogoro to his prime at the cost of the rest of his life span. As a result, Hyogoro’s determined to use his remaining time to kick ass. And he does!

Unfortunately, not even his mighty strength is enough. Soon, everyone begins to succumb to the Oni Ice virus once more. Knowing that if he turns, he’ll kill everyone, Hyogoro asks the Yakuza to help him commit Seppuku.

Review

I recall saying that the fighting on Onigashima is so great that we can’t hope to focus on a single portion of it for very long. This is what I was talking about. As much as I want to focus on the fight between Luffy and the Yonko, they’re just one of several important battles being fought. The most important, perhaps, but there are others of equal importance. And right now, the most important one is the fight to cure everyone of Queen’s virus.

If the virus spreads any further, it will kill scores of friend and foe alike, leaving the Alliance with no chance to win. However, if Chopper should cure everyone in time (which we know he will), the momentum of the fight could shift in the Alliance’s favor for good. I doubt the infected Beast Pirates will want to keep serving Kaido after this. However, it may be too late for Boss Hyogoro.

I like Boss Hyogoro. He’s a really cool old man that even Oden admired. And if what we just saw is any indication of how strong he was in his prime, then I think if he helped Oden then, they could’ve taken down Kaido. I’m serious. However, if this is how he wants to die, then all we can do is honor his request. He’ll die knowing that Wano will soon be from of Kaido’s grasp. Or maybe he’ll live. Either way, I respect Hyogoro the Flower.

I Give “The Honorable ‘Hyogoro the Flower’ A 3.9/5

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One Piece Chapter 981 Review/Recap

I’m not sure if I’ve said it already, but if the Alliance wants to have any chance of beating Kaido, Orochi, and Big Mom, they need to keep the element of surprise. So far, they’ve managed to do that, despite the actions of Luffy, Zoro, Kid, and Killer. This chapter, though, sees some complications arise. Fortunately, the chapter also sees some new allies join the fight.

Recap

Thanks to Kid’s sudden attack on Apoo, him, Luffy, Zoro, and Killer are able to flee even as Queen sends more of their forces after them. What makes it worse, though, is that some of the Numbers start to get involved in the melee. Despite this, the four members of the Worst Generation begin to make their escape. In addition, Kid tells them that Apoo’s powers have a range limit: if you can hear them, he can attack you. The Tobi Roppo choose to ignore the chaos in favor of finding Yamato.

On the eastern flank, Kin’emon chooses to split his forces in two. One portion will proceed to the rear of the island, as planned. The other part will work their way to the dome in the central skull. There, they can launch an assault from above, trapping the enemy inside.

There’s two problems, though. Firstly, they have to cross a bridge in clear view of a brothel run by the Tobi Roppo. Secondly, Big Mom spots Chopper in the Brachio Tank.

While all of this is happening, the rest of the Big Mom Pirates, now Kaido’s new allies, begin to make their way into the country. Once there, they plan on crushing Luffy for humiliating them. However, as before, they’re intercepted. Instead of King, though, it’s someone else who throws them off the waterfall. Two old friends have joined the Alliance: Marco the Phoenix and Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Review

Well, guys, I knew from the outset that the master plan would never hold up in the end, but I still hoped it would. I know that things are looking bad, with Chopper getting spotted by Big Mom. However, that may not be a bad thing. Maybe Big Mom will remember Chopper from when she had amnesia and will let him go since she owes him or something. Or maybe she won’t realize that he’s part of the Straw Hats. I have hope, alright!

The more important thing is that new allies have arrived to help the Alliance: Marco the Phoenix and Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates, plus Nekomamushi. We’ve seen Marco and Izo fight, so they could end up being the ace in the hole the Alliance needs. Also, I think they’d want some payback for Kaido killing their crewmember Oden.

My point is that, despite things falling apart, the Alliance has the advantage. Plus, I don’t the manga will be on break next week, so I think that’s a win, as well. Can’t wait for the big fight!

I Give “Joining the Fight” a 3/5

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One Piece Chapter 975 Review/Recap

In the last chapter of One Piece, the story finally returned to the present. We learned that Kanjuro was a spy for Orochi the entire time. Worse, the Scabbards got surrounded by the Beast Pirates and Momonosuke was captured. It looked like the end for the Alliance. However, we know better than that. Sure enough, the Straw Hat, Heart, and Kid Pirates showed up in their ships, ready for battle. The opening salvos of the war to liberate Wano are about to be fired!

Grab some popcorn. This is going to be good.

Recap

Despite being caught off guard by the pirates arrival, the Beast Pirates refuse to back down. They boast about how their allies will all die, and about the alliance between Kaido and Big Mom. Luffy, Law, and Kid couldn’t care less, though, and kick the Beast Pirates butts. Just then, Boss “Kyoshiro” appears, and the Beast Pirates think they’re saved. However, “Kyoshiro” attacks them instead, and finally reveals his true identity as Denjiro of the Nine Red Scabbards.

Denjiro then pledges the support of his family to the Alliance before revealing that he freed the thousand prisoners in the Flower Capital. Better still, Denjiro tells everyone that Orochi’s destruction of the bridges changed nothing. the Alliance forces had already linked up at the true rendevous point: the Maple Tree that Lord Yasuie cherished. More than 5,400 warriors now stand ready to fight.

Review

I cannot stop grinning after reading this chapter; I’m esctactic! I’ve seen the Straw Hats rally against impossible odds like this before. Even so, I can’t help but laugh my butt off at what they did! The Alliance now has an army of 5,400 pirates, samurai, ninja, and minks ready to free Wano.

This is a sizable army by pirate standards. However, the Alliance is outnumbered four to one. The Beast Pirates have 20,000 members, with most of its upper members on par with the Alliance Members. There’s also Orochi’s men and anyone Big Mom has brought with her. In other words, this will still be an uphill battle.

In addition, there’s still no sign of Jinbei anywhere, so the Straw Hats have yet to be fully reunited. However, I think he’ll show up before or during the battle like a badass.

Am I worried? Not in the slightest. They may be outnumbered, but from what I’ve seen from the Alliance, they have the Yonko outclassed. This will be a day long remembered. It will see the end to Orochi, and hopefully, the fall of Big Mom and Kaido. BRING IT ON, BITCH!

I Give “Kin’emon’s Plan” A 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 954

I’ve been covering the One Piece manga since the second half of the Wano Arc began, and we’ve seen a lot of ups and downs. The last chapter, though, I thought everything was in place for the Alliance to make its move. While things keep going the Alliance’s way, the end to this chapter unleashes an Axis of Evil. An Axis of Evil that could spell doom to all our heroes plans.

Recap

Hiyori explains that her father wielded two legendary blades in his lifetime, and his kids took one when he tied. Momonuske got the Ame-No-Habakiri, while Hiyori got Enma. Understanding how vital Shusui is to Wano, Zoro agrees to give up the blade in exchange for Enma. 

Back in the capital, Law’s been freed by someone, while a bloodied Hawkins reveals he only joined Kaido since he knew he couldn’t win. The remainder of the Alliance begins final preparations while discovering the last message from Yasuie. Kin’emon changes the puzzle picture representing the rebels to let everyone know the new rendezvous point. The rebellion will strike from Tokage harbor in Udon.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Beast Pirates begins to gather in Onigashima, where Kaido reveals a shocking announcement. The Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates have allied to conquer the world. WHAAAAAAAAATTT???

Review

So, there’s a lot here that I need to unpack first. To start, there’s the other sword that Oden Kozuki used, the Ame no Habakiri. That’s Japanese for “Snake Slayer of Heaven”. In Japanese mythology, that sword’s known as the Sword of Tostuka, the blade used by Susanoo to slay the Snake demon Orochi. I’m bringing this up because, if Momonouske has it, then I’m almost sure he’ll be the one to slay Orochi. I don’t know how since he’s still a kid, but I have a gut feeling.

As for Lord Yasuie, my respect for him has only grown after he died. He managed to make a fool out of Orochi and come up with a cunning plan to ensure the Alliance’s success. I hope he watches from the afterlife over the Alliance.

Unfortunately, there’s the elephant in the room that I have to mention. The news that Big Mom and Kaido have allied is catastrophic. The World Government and Marines had to use everything they had to fight one of the Yonkou. If two were to join forces, they could conquer the world together. Kaido already has the monstrous Beast Pirates, Orochi’s cronies, and hundreds of subordinates under him. Big Mom has an army in the tens of thousands. Even if she doesn’t bring them all to Wano, her main crew’s a considerable threat. This Axis of Evil has thrown everything into chaos.

There are only five days left before the final battle, and even though the Alliance has an army, that may not be enough. None of it will matter unless they can take down Kaido and Big Mom. So, like a lot of shonen manga, we’re going to have to rely on our hero, Luffy. He’d better be training his butt off, or Wano’s doomed.

I give “Like a Dragon Growing Wings” a 3.5/5. Exciting chapter, massive bombshell, but too short.

Also, the manga’s on break next week.

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One Piece Chapter 930 Review/Recap

Since I did not do this two weeks earlier, this week is going to be a double feature. Two chapters of One Piece back to back. On that note, let’s look at Chapter 930, Ebisu Town.

Ebisu Town

The chapter starts off with Zoro arriving with his new companion/hype man, Tonoyasu, at Ebisu Town, one of the places surviving off the Flower Capital’s scraps. Despite being so badly off in life, the people of Ebisu Town greet each day with a smile and laughter. They even laugh over the fact that they’re starving to death.

At first, I was a little put off by how nonchalant the townsfolk were about their situation in life. Then I remembered that it’s important to keep a positive attitude in times of despair. Especially in times of despair! Their attitude even manages to make Zoro smile a little.

Backtracking a second, the townsfolk mention how they were visited by Ushimitsu Kozo, the Witching Hour Boy. He’s a Robin Hood figure who steals money from the wealthy to help the poor. Nothing is known about him, but my instincts tell me that we will be seeing more of him soon.

Now to the meat of this chapter. First and foremost, Wano experiences some unwelcome visitors: the Big Mom Pirates, led by Big Mom herself.

I knew that Big Mom hated Luffy for standing up to her, beating two of her sons/top commanders, crashing her tea party and then escaping her territory, but I did not expect to see her again so soon! Or for her to enter another Yonkou’s territory just to kill Luffy!

Kaido’s having none of that, though, and one of his top lieutenants, King, turns into a Pteranodon and sends her ship falling off the waterfalls leading to Wano.

Sanji Stands Up

Back in the Flower Capital, Sanji goes to face Page One in order to protect the civilians he’s attacking. But to hide his identity, he’s got a plan, and it’s something I wanted to see for a while: Raid Suit!

We already know how powerful Sanji is. His physical strength makes him one of the three strongest members of the Straw Hats, and he outclassed his family in their Raid Suits in the Whole Cake Island Arc. So I thought that if Sanji had one, he’d be a hundred times stronger. Looks like I got my wish.

Big Mom is Here

The other big takeaway is the arrival of Big Mom in Wano. Each of the Yonko is on par with the Marines. The Marines had to muster most of their forces just fight one of them, so the idea of two Yonko fighting is catastrophic! If Kaido and Big Mom clash, it could destroy Wano. If they teamed up over their shared hatred of Luffy, the Alliance would be wiped out.

As bad as both scenarios are, I think there’s a third option. If Big Mom and Kaido clash, both will end up being weakened. If the Alliance stays in hiding until the two exhaust themselves, they could swoop in and strike at both. It’s a long shot, but it may be the advantage they need to win.

All I know is that the climax is going to be incredible. Oda is going all out on the Wano Arc, and I am enjoying reading it!

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