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One Piece Chapter 1165 Review/Recap

The newest chapter of One Piece is out, and oh my god, you guys, what a chapter! The God Valley Incident has reached its climax with a fight that, in all honesty, needs to be given the movie treatment. Sengoku wasn’t kidding when he called Rocks Roger’s greatest rival, nor was he exaggerating about it how he and Garp had to work together to take him down. By the time we get to the last page of the chapter, God Valley is a wasteland devoid of all sentient life as everyone goes their separate ways. However, the best part of the chapter is also the most tragic as we see the legend of Rocks D. Xebec come to an end.

Recap

Even as they hear him beg them to put him out of his misery, Roger and Garp are barely able to handle the power of a demonically-enhanced Rocks. They hit him with everything they’ve got, but he just shrugs it off while the island is reduced to an utter ruin. It gets to the point that when Roger suggests a truce, Garp doesn’t object due to how dangerous Rocks has become. Anyone who’s still left besides them is forced to flee; only Rayleigh and Gaban head back to help Roger.

Despite the best efforts of the future Pirate King and Hero of the Marines, Garp and Roger can’t put a dent in Rocks. His Armament and Conqueror’s Haki is so powerful that it’s cancelling out all their attacks. Out of sheer desperation, the two decide to go for broke and put their lives on the line. Apologizing to Rocks for what they have to do, Roger and Garp put everything they have into one last attack. And it works! They tear through Rocks’ defenses and obliterate him in the process.

The World Government would call this day the God Valley Incident, and did everything in their power to cover up the truth of what happened, even erasing the island’s location from history. But the fall of Rocks D. Xebec and the Rocks Pirates was something too great to be ignored.

Review

Oh my heavens, you guys, this chapter was an absolute banger! I now fully understand why the people who were at God Valley don’t like talking about it much. Almost everything that happened on that island was like setting foot in the depths of Hell. When we went into this, I was expecting things to end with the World Government destroying the island altogether. It turns out that they didn’t need to, though. The fighting there was so destructive that, odds are, God Valley is probably a wasteland devoid of life. The only proof that it existed was through the legacy of the Rocks Pirates.

The Rocks Pirates Could Never Succeed

I feel like this chapter also hammers home just how tragic the fate of Rocks and his crew ultimately was. While Roger would ultimately become the Pirate King, I’d argue that Rocks was the bigger threat for directly picking a fight with the World Government. I’d even go so far as to say that if he had wanted to, Rocks could’ve found his way to Laugh Tale and exposed the truth to everyone. But despite being made up of people who became legendary figures in their own right, the Rocks Pirates didn’t even bother sticking together. Throughout the chapter, you can see how each member decides to leave their Captain to his fate without a second thought.Heck, we see Gloriosa trying to hitch a ride with the Roger Pirates. To be honest, it makes the Rocks Pirates feel like a dark reflection of the Straw Hats in the present-day. Both crews are badasses that can defeat armies, and both are led by someone who could change the world. The main difference is that the Straw Hats have camaraderie the Rocks Pirates never did.

Honestly, if Rocks could see what Luffy has with his crew, he might cry tears of joy. Because before this series is over, I think the Straw Hats will finish what the Rocks and Roger Pirates started. It’s not much, but considering how Rocks didn’t deserve what happened to him, it’s something.

Now Comes the Aftermath

I would also like to note that this chapter should make Garp stocks go up a little. Despite having an idea about the monster the World Government is hiding shaking him up, Garp chooses to stay in the Marines to keep the rank and file safe. He’s like that one superior you have at work who knows they’re working in a bad company, but do so anyway to shield those under them. It’s understandable, but I can also understand why this event likely makes Dragon quit.

Regardless of how things panned out, remember that this isn’t the end of the flashback. Keep in mind that the whole point of this flashback was learning the truth about how Harald died. We’ve still got a ways to go before we learn the truth. No matter what, though, Imu needs to fall.

I Give “Reverberations” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1163 Review/Recap

How did Rocks D. Xebec die? When we first learned about Rocks from Sengoku, he said that he fell at the God Valley Incident at the hands of Gol D. Roger and Garp working together. Most of us, myself included, were focused on the fact that there was someone so tough that the future Pirate King and Hero of the Marines had to work together to beat him, but the context still had us shaking our heads. We know that the cover-up that they did it to save some Celestial Dragons was sus, but it turns out that Oda has already given us the answer to Rocks’ death. More importantly, it likely explains King Harald’s own death. They both died because of Imu and their technique, Domi Reversi.

Recap

With Saturn now possessed by Imu, the shadow ruler of the world wastes no time in clearing the field. They proceed to slaughter any unlucky Marines who saw them, sending most of them and the remaining pirate running for the hills. Garp, on the other hand, decides to charge straight in, not caring who Saturn is.

While the other Rocks pirates keep fighting for the treasure, Dragon almost makes it to a Marine ship with Shanks. Sadly, he gets knocked out and drops Shanks, who crawls into a treasure chest.

In the middle of everything, Rocks defiantly calls Imu the king of the bilge rats, while Imu calls him Davy Jones before the two begin fighting. Then Kaido wants a piece of the action, and Big Mom tries to attack him for stealing the fruit. The next thing we know, Rocks, Roger, Garp, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido all hit Imu with their strongest attacks at once.

It doesn’t work. Worse, Imu sees Eris and Teach trying to escape, enraging Rocks. But instead of going after them themselves, Imu decides to make Rocks end his own bloodline. Ensnared in Imu’s tentacles, Rocks is subjected to Domi Reversi, and begins to make a terrifying transformation.

Review

It’s official, you guys: One Piece is doing Rocks dirty. I don’t need to be a prophet or see the future to know how this is going to end for him. Imu is going to force Rocks to try and kill his wife and child, and then Roger and Garp will have to put him out of his misery. What an ignominious way to end the story of the man who ruled the seas before Roger came along. So, Sengoku might be right all along: Rocks falls at the hands of Garp and Roger, but not for the reasons he and others who weren’t there were told. It was a cover-up on top of a cover-up to keep the Marines from learning about the existence of Imu. More importantly, it was a way for Imu to keep the free-spirited and morally just Garp working with the Marines. Making him out as their hero would make it impossible for him to abandon them even after learning about Imu, and it would prevent anyone else from learning.

Beyond that, though, did you see how awesome that double-page spread was?!? Six of the strongest people in the world at the time hit Imu with their strongest attacks! That is something that we haven’t seen before or since! If it had been anyone else, they would likely be dead! Unfortunately, Imu isn’t anyone else. In fact, I’m not even sure if they’re human! The fact that Imu was able to take their hits and keep fighting, though, bodes ill for the Straw Hats. If the future King of the Pirates, Rocks, Garp, and three of the four future Yonko couldn’t do any damage, then the Straw Hats are in for it.

Domi Reversi is Truly Horrifying

The most terrifying aspect about this chapter, though, is what Imu does to Rocks. Rocks was someone who could fight on par with Roger and Harald, two of the strongest people in the entire series. Yet not even he was able to resist Domi Reversi. If someone like him is capable of falling to that technique, then what does that mean for Luffy and the others? It’s possible that Luffy might be an exception due to being the next Joy Boy, but I don’t want to risk seeing it.

This chapter does at least confirm something that I’ve already suspected: Imu is responsible for King Harald’s death. He must have used Dommi Reversi on Harald to turn him into a demon, forcing the Giants guarding him to kill him in self-defense. Loki would end up getting blamed for it since everyone already thought the worst about him, and the rest is history. All the more reason why Imu cannot conquer Elbaph, though.

This was a really great chapter. And I mean a really great chapter. We got to see just how terrifying Imu is thanks to scaling them against people many consider monsters. More importantly, we learn how Shanks found his way to Roger, as well as some world-building by showing the powers of the other Rocks Pirates. These next few chapters are going to be heart-breaking, though.

I Give “God Valley Battle Royale” a 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1162 Review/Recap

Despite everyone believing that there would be no new chapter this week, Oda managed to pull it off. His dedication to his story is impressive; concerning, but impressive. After reading this chapter, though, I can understand why he was so eager to want to get it out. The God Valley Incident manages to get even crazier and crazier by the minute, and it might be about to hit its climax. If we thought the Five Elders transformation on Egghead Island was scary, then what Rocks faces at God Valley is flat-out terrifying!

Recap

The chaos in God Valley continues! With Rayleigh having saved Shakky, the two lovers run for it while the other pirates start going after the remaining treasure. In the midst of the chaos, Kuma and Ivankov get their hands on the Paw-Paw Fruit, only for Big Mom to snatch the fruit that turns someone into a dragon. She wanted to give it to her son Katakuri, but Kaido grabbed and ate it first.

Garp, meanwhile, comes across the bodies of the slain citizens and slaves of God Valley and is rightfully horrified, unaware of what was happening. Kuma, meanwhile, starts helping people escape the island with his new powers.

Meanwhile, Rocks manages to save his wife and son, only for them to be pursued by Garling and the demonized members of the Davy Clan. Eris gets Rocks to let her escape on her own, telling him to meet her in Lulusia. Reluctantly, Rocks lets her go on ahead and proceeds to beat Garling and the others’ faces in.

While everything else is going on, Imu speaks to Saturn, who tells him that things are not going to plan. Deciding enough is enough, Imu takes control of Saturn and has him turn into his monstrous form, it’s Haki catching the attention of everyone on the island! And in the final page of the chapter, we see the likes of Rocks, Whitebeard, and Kaido in his dragon form standing side by side as they’re preparing to face down what Rocks calls “the world.”

Oda, you absolute madman! I can fully understand why you were so determined to get this chapter out. You just made the stocks of everyone who isn’t Garling and Big Mom shoot sky high!

Let’s start with Garp. He has officially beaten the allegations against him about supporting what the Celestial Dragons did at God Valley. His genuine horror proves that he really had no clue what they were doing. In fact, what he goes through on that island makes him question justice itself; it was truly a battle royale with things like morality flung out the window! I always thought that it was weird that Garp and Roger would team up to save the Celestial Dragons by taking down Rocks, but now I’m doubting if that even happens. For all we know, that might be a cover story the World Government came up with to hide the existence of Imu. Considering how embarrassing something like that was the only excuse they could come up with, it shows just how bad things got.

As for Big Mom, this chapter has her straight up embarrassed by Kaido, who took his Devil Fruit right out of her hands and ate it in front of her. And the grin on his face as he did it was priceless. He trolled her! All of Big Mom’s talk of Kaido owing her for the fruit was just her coping with the embarrassment! Kaido might be a bad guy, but I can’t help but smirk at his actions. And also smile at seeing how he mastered his fruit right away.

Garling is Mid

This chapter also pretty much shattered the hype around Garling, as he outright lost against Rocks. In fact, I think the entire God Valley Incident has shattered the aura of invincibility that the God’s Knights have. Gaban already proved they can be beaten, but these last two chapters have shown how they’re no match for the Rocks or Roger Pirates in their prime. It shows how much the Straw Hats have to go to be at their level, but it gives me hope.

Speaking of hope, despite what he grows up to be, seeing Teach and his mother seemingly escape God Valley is still a heartwarming sight. Say what you want about Rocks, but he did love his family and protect them like a parent should. As someone on Twitter pointed out, this also explains why Blackbeard names his flagship the Sabre of Xebec. It was the last thing he ever saw of his father. It was also heartwarming to see Kuma save all those people. I only hope that they got to live happier lives after all this.

The OG Monster Trio

The big highlight of the chapter, though, has to be that final panel. Rocks, Kaido, and Whitebeard, three of the strongest pirates of all time, are getting ready to face off against Imu himself. This is the second time that Rocks meets Imu, but this also retroactively confirms that Kaido and Whitebeard had some idea about who was really in charge of the world. In other words, they knew way more than we thought.

I am more than happy to wait for Oda to rest for the next week until we get the next chapter. This was absolute chaos, and that is when One Piece seems to be at its best.

I Give “God Valley Battle Royale” a 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1161 Review/Recap

The God Valley Incident, AKA the Trojan War of the One Piece world. We now know that this war between the Rocks and the Roger Pirates, the Marines, and the God’s Knights was part of an elaborate trap for Rocks. The Celestial Dragons wanted to wipe out his family and kill him in the process. Officially, though, this started because all the pirates wanted to rescue their beloved Shakky. And none was more determined than Rayleigh, who realized that not going after her was a huge mistake. Which is why the God Valley Incident is more than just a major historical event; it’s also a love story.

Also, Garp stans are going to get ton of mileage out of what happens!

Recap

The island of God Valley has become an island of nightmares. The Celestial Dragons are trying to flee to safety. The God’s Knights are killing anyone who isn’t doing what they say. The Marines are trying to get ahold of the situation, Kuma and Ivankov are making their move, and the pirates are fighting everyone, including each other! It’s chaos!

And amidst all this, Dragon is spotted by one of the Knights and is almost killed. It’s only thanks to Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido (and Shiki) showing up that he’s able to survive. And then he sees his dad show up and start fighting all of them. Sadly, he’s unable to retrieve Shamrock, but he is able to save Shanks, who hit his head on the ground. The pirates run from Garp, who just shrugs off all their attacks like the beast he is!

The fighting eventually makes it to the center of the island, with the Rocks and Roger Pirates coming in from both sides to rescue Shakky. She had already taken out her guards and was about to make her escape when Sommers arrived. However, instead of moving her, he decides, “screw it. I’m just gonna kill her so no one wins.” Right before he can lay a finger on her, Rayleigh swoops in and yeets him away like he’s nothing! Now safe thanks to the man she loves, Shakky breaks down and starts crying, prompting Roger and Scopper to do the same before declaring their intention to get away.

Recap

Wow, what a chapter. I’m starting to understand why the World Government wanted to cover up the God Valley Incident afterwards. And to think that Dragon, Ginny, Kuma, and Ivankov were caught up in the middle of all this and survived.

We all knew that something would happen that would keep Dragon from saving both Shanks and his brother. What was surprising, though, was that the only reason Dragon survived was due to fate being at work or pure dumb luck. As sad as it is knowing he could only save Shanks, I still think he should be proud of this fact. Thanks to him, Shanks would basically be adopted by Roger and his crew. Roger is a far better father figure than Garlin could ever be. And thanks to that, Shanks was able to return the favor by saving Dragon’s own son years later, setting the entire story in motion. Talk about karma!

The most surprising thing, though, has to be seeing Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom all running away from Garp. I’ve seen people joke about how weak it makes the future Yonko look, but think of it this way: they had yet to reach their peaks and weren’t as strong as we would see in the future. What was even more exciting is the fact that Garp, in or near his prime, was able to tank Big Mom’s attacks. It just goes to show you how great the gap that Luffy’s generation has to overcome is. They’re close, but not quite there. At least we see proof that the God’s Knights can be beaten.

God’s Knights Still Suck

Speaking of the God’s Knights, this and the previous chapter do a good job of reminding us of how they’re the worst. It was bad enough seeing that coldly killing all those innocent people. But they reach another low when we saw Sommers beat up Shakky while spouting that sexist garbage. If they think a woman who can stand up for herself isn’t beautiful, they don’t know what beauty is. I’m so glad that Rayleigh put him in his place.

Speaking of which, Rayleigh and Shakky’s reunion might be one of the few net positives of the God Valley Incident. I know it’s cliché to see a woman get rescued by the man she loves, and that someone might consider it out of date, but it works. And seeing Roger and Gaban crying tears of joy for their friend is honestly pretty wholesome. Knowing Roger, as soon as they escape, he’ll want them to get married on the Jackson so they can celebrate. And so he can officiate it.

It’s pretty obvious by now that Oda intends to tell us everything that happens at God Valley, and I cannot wait to see what happens.

I Give “A Song of Love Bound Under a Hail of Arrows” a 3.5/5

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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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