One Piece Chapter 1066 Review/Recap

Remember Ohara, the island that stood against the world in the name of the truth. Longtime fans of One Piece know Ohara as the homeland of Nico Robin, the Straw Hat Pirates’ resident archaeologist. When their pursuit of knowledge led them to try and seek out the truth about the Void Century and the rise of the World Government, that organization retaliated by wiping them all out. However, they failed to finish the job in more ways than one. Not only did Robin survive and vow to finish what her people started, but as we learn in this chapter, Vegapunk and Dragon also took up their cause. The Will of Ohara lives to this day.

Recap

For her part, Robin’s shocked when Punk Shaka reveals new information regarding the fate of Ohara. Firstly, he was friends with Professor Clover, Robin’s mentor. His desire to learn the truth about the Void Century led to them becoming friends in their younger days. So when he learned of Ohara’s fate, he knew it was all lies. After Ohara’s destruction, he traveled to the island to pay respects to Clover. It was then that he saw something amazing.

There, amidst the lake of the Tree of Knowledge, were all the books and research done by the people of Ohara. The Giants came to retrieve all of them and take them back to Elbaf as Vegapunk and Dragon looked on. For Dragon, the destruction of Ohara was the last straw, prompting him to start the Revolutionary Army. As for Vegapunk, he traveled to Elbaf in secret and memorized everything that the Giants saved, using that to fuel his own research. In addition, Punk Shaka reveals that Jaguar D. Saul, the Giant who fought for Ohara, is still alive. Vegapunk’s been waiting all this time to meet Robin to confirm everything he’s theorized. She tearfully does this, thanking him for carrying on the will of Ohara. 

Meanwhile, in the junkyard, Luffy’s group tries to get the robot activated, only for it to suddenly explode! Then, make things even stranger, out of the explosion comes the actual Vegapunk!

What is even going on here?!?

Review

So many things make sense now, but it’s hard to wrap my mind around them.

For our part, I think Oda just explained some of Dr. Vegapunk’s actions in the story and aiding the World Government’s enemies, despite working for them. He was old friends with Dragon and Professor Clover. That might explain why he agreed to Kuma’s last request. It was his way of helping out Dragon and Luffy. In addition, it also explains why the Punks didn’t try and kill the Straw Hat’s earlier. He’s wanted to meet the son of his old acquaintance and Clover’s apprentice. 

If it wasn’t already obvious, Vegapunk seems to have no loyalty to the World Government. The only reason he’s worked for them was to preserve the will of Ohara and the knowledge it gathered about the Ancient Kingdom. Now that Robin’s here, he might be able to pass everything along to her. 

Vegapunk needs to either join the Straw Hat’s or defect to the Revolutionary Army. His talents are wasted with the World Government, especially now that we know they’re planning to kill him. 

On top of that, we learned that Jaguar D. Saul’s still alive. Kuzan didn’t kill him. Better yet, the library of Ohara’s in Elbaf, the home of the Giants. As if we didn’t need anymore reasons to go to Elbaf, now we have this. I’m hoping to God that it’s the next stop after Egghead Island. The will of Ohara lives on, and it’s time for Robin and the Straw Hat’s to claim it.

Also, did you see the size of Vegapunk’s head in the past? How is that even possible?!?!?

I Give “The Will of Ohara” a 4.5/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff.

One Piece Chapter 1064 Review/Recap

Long-time readers and viewers of One Piece know that when someone with the initial D gets involved in something, it will end up being big. When two carriers of the D end up going toe-to-toe, though, it can lead to a world-changing event. That’s what happened when Ace and Blackbeard fought, and now we’ve got Law vs. Blackbeard. Two members of the Worst Generation clashing in a no-holds-barred fight! 

Someone pass the popcorn!

Recap

The battle between the members of the Worst Generation erupts. As Law faces off against Blackbeard himself, the Heart Pirates protect their submarine, the Polar Tang, and hold off his subordinates. Despite being part of the Blackbeard Pirates and having Devil Fruit powers, the Heart Pirates do more than hold their own. They manage to go on the offensive and attack the enemy ship. Despite proving to be stronger than he thought, though, Blackbeard refuses to back down. 

Meanwhile, back on Egghead island, Luffy’s group evades the Pacifista, thanks to Bonney aging them all up or down. Bonney and Jinbei use the moment to discuss her father’s past, how he came to be captured by the World Government, and what made him agree to let Vegapunk turn him into a cyborg. Regardless, Bonney says that the awful things people say of him are lies and that she holds Vegapunk responsible for mentally killing him and intends to kill him for it. 

As for the other Straw Hats, Lillith takes them and the Sunny to Vegapunk’s Research Stratum, an artificial sky island above Egghead Island. After changing into new threads, the group prepares to Vegapunk himself. However, the main Vegapunk admits in a conversation that he doesn’t expect to live much longer as he’s talking to…Dragon!?!?

Review

As usual, there’s a lot for us to unpack for this chapter. Let’s start with the simplest and work our way up as we deal with the Worst Generation causing more storms.

The Worst Generation Clashes in the New World!

Firstly, it looks like our theories about Pudding were right. Amidst the chaos of Germa 66 trying to flee Big Mom’s territory, Aokiji kidnapped her. Blackbeard must hope that he can use her latent ability to read the Poneglyphs for himself. Whether she can, though, is another matter entirely.

Also, contrary to rumors, this chapter doesn’t confirm Big Mom’s dead. Good; I won’t buy it unless I see the body or proof, like with Absalom. As for Pudding, this means that she and Sanji might reunite soon. 

Secondly, it looks like we underestimated the Heart Pirates as a whole; given how we’ve never seen them fight before, it’s not entirely our fault. Still, I was surprised at how good they are at underwater warfare. Furthermore, Law seems to hold his own against Blackbeard fine for now. Despite this, though, I know Law’s fighting an uphill battle. Blackbeard’s part of the Worst Generation for a good reason.

Egghead Island, Vegapunk, Kuma, and Bonney

Lastly, we have what’s going on at Egghead Island. It was funny to see Luffy’s group get aged up and down; nice reference to those SBS drawings Oda did for fans. As for Bonney and Kuma, I’m looking forward to learning more about their past and how Kuma came to become a cyborg. There has to have been a reason behind it, because we know Vegapunk’s not a bad person. He did let Kuma guard the Sunny for two years as his last act as himself. 

There might be a reason to it all, though. The last panel reveals Punk Shaka speaking to Dragon. Given his level of morality, it’s possible that Vegapunk’s been secretly aiding Dragon and the Revolutionaries behind the World Government’s back. Given how they arrested him for his research and refuse to fund him, I wouldn’t be surprised. However, what does he mean when he says he might die soon? 

There’s three ways this could happen. First, Vegapunk might be dying of old age. That, or he thinks that CP0 will kill him. Or perhaps Bonney, though I don’t think she’ll go through with it once she learns more. I don’t want to lose Vegapunk after we finally met him. He’s too cool to die now!

Regardless, it looks like we need to wait another two weeks to learn what happens. The upside is that this means the next chapter’s going to be amazing. As amazing as the outfits the Straw Hats now have! 

I Give “Egghead’s Research Stratum” a 4/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff