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One Piece Chapter 1033 Review/Recap

Interesting fact about the Straw Hat Pirates. Oda once told fans what country the Straw Hats would be from if they were from the real world. With his samurai demeanor and skill with the sword, Zoro would be from Japan. In-universe, though, it’s been speculated that Zoro has a strong connection to Wano that he didn’t know about. In this chapter, we see that connection grow even stronger, as Zoro learns more about his new sword, Enma, and why it’s so aggressive.

Recap

As Queen and Sanji continue their fight, Queen drops something interesting about King. He’s the last of the Lunarian’s, a species so tough, they could survive anywhere. Meanwhile, Zoro has trouble getting Enma under control as it continues draining his Haki. As a result of the sword’s power, Zoro almost loses his other swords, including the one that belonged to Kuina’s family. As Zoro thinks about his new sword, he remembers something from his hometown in the East Blue.

Once, there was an old blacksmith that Zoro met a few times. He explained how a sword is made to fight others, and a swordsman is someone that tames them. Moreover, “cursed swords” are just something people call a sword that’s too strong for them to control. That old man was actually Kuina’s grandfather, and he emigrated from Wano fifty years beforehand: Shimotsuki Kozaburo, the one who crafted Enma. Realizing that Enma’s merely testing him, Zoro resolves to give Oden’s blade what it wants and stops holding back against the legendary blade. If he wants to be the world’s finest swordsman, he can’t settle for anything less.

Review

Well, that settles it: Zoro has been connected to Wano long before he ever set foot in the country. The town where he learned how to be a swordsman was founded by immigrants from Wano, and the sword’s he uses all come from Wano. If my suspicions about that person from Yamato’s flashback are correct, then Zoro might be a descendant of Wano samurai.

I’ve said it several times now: Oda never adds anything into One Piece without a reason. It all ends up connecting back to each other. It’s part of what makes One Piece so great: everything’s connected and has a purpose in a greater puzzle. Zoro was meant to come to Wano, and the sword that once belonged to Oden was meant to belong to him. He’s going to master Enma and defeat King, and when he does, he’ll be closer than ever to his dream.

A lot of people are probably wanting One Piece to start focusing on the fight between Luffy and Kaido, but we need to be patient. Oda’s making sure there are no loose ends before giving us the fight of the century. It will be worth it.

I Give “Shimotsuki Kozaburo” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1032 Review/Recap

This is just something I’ve noticed from years of reading and watching One Piece that needs to be said. The closer an arc gets to its peak, the more chaotic and insane it becomes. Thus, when the story jumps between multiple viewpoints, it’s a sign that the climax of chaos is coming. As the fight on Onigashima reaches that climax, One Piece works to tie up any and all loose ends, of which there are many.

Also, keep reading until the end to hear something special about the 1000th episode of One Piece before it airs the night that I publish this.

Recap

At this point, the situation for the Beast Pirates on Onigashima’s devolving into everyone for themselves. As the fire Kanjuro and Orochi started blazes, it begins to affect everyone on the island. The fire demon continues descending to the armory, but it cuts off the CP0 agents from Brook and Robin, letting them escape. When the Agents see that Apoo and Drake have spotted them, and decide to eliminate witnesses. Angered, the two pirates team up to take out the two agents.

Meanwhile, the fight between Zoro and King continues, but Zoro’s not doing so hot. King counters every attack Zoro makes, leaving him frustrated and looking for answers on what King is. That’s when Zoro hears a shamisen playing, making Enma act and start draining Zoro of all his Haki. Elsewhere, Orochi hears the same thing, prompting him to leave his hiding spot for the adjacent room. There, he’s shocked to find none other than Hiyori, who has resumed her guise as Komurasaki.

What the heck is going on?

Review

Like I said, the growing chaos only means that the arc’s reaching its long-awaited climax. While many fans would like to simply return to the fight between Luffy and Kaido, Oda’s doing all of this to wrap up any loose ends. Of which there are a lot. However, what I want to focus on is the fact that Hiyori appeared in front of Orochi. While part of me wants to believe its an illusion or a disguise, I think that is the real Hiyori. Which begs the question: how did she get inside the castle?

If this is the real Hiyori, then she’s no doubt doing this in order to fulfill her vow to end the tyrant’s life for what he’s done to Wano. As cool as that would be, it also puts her at the very real risk of dying, which would break the hearts of everyone who know her. In addition, I want Orochi’s death to be very public and equal to the amount of pain he’s caused Wano, with either Momo or Zoro as the ones to kill him.

From the look of things, we won’t be getting back to Luffy anytime soon; at least not until the last of Kaido’s allies are dealt with. If the Alliance can stop the fire, though, then I’m about ready to declare them the victor’s of this war. It’s going to happen!

One Piece Episode 1000 Special Event

Before we head out, I would like to remind everyone that tonight marks the premiere of the 1000th episode of One Piece. Thus, Funimation and Toei Animation have teamed up to stream the whole thing live on YouTube. There’s going to fan events, videos, streaming the last two episodes, and it all leads up to the 1000th episode on the night that this is published. The stream’s right here.

I Give “Oden’s Beloved Blade” a 3.5/5

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