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One Piece Chapter 1094 Review/Recap

We’ve known for several chapters now that something is very, very wrong with the Five Elders. Their assassination of King Cobra and Sabo’s narrow escape demonstrated that they’re Devil Fruit users. However, there’s something different about them, even by Devil Fruit standards. There are even hints in the manga that lead some fans to think that the Five Elders and their master aren’t even human. While that has yet to be proven, the latest chapter looks at their unnatural power firsthand. Jaygarcia Saturn makes landfall on Egghead Island, and everyone on the island trembles.

As a side note, this week’s cover page includes the members of the Shimotsuki family. It’s a tribute to the upcoming anime adaptation of Eichiro Oda’s oneshot, Monsters. It tells the story of the Shimotsuki’s legendary ancestor, Ryuuma the samurai. And for those who didn’t read the SBS or Reddit, it confirms that Zoro is a descendant of Ryuuma.

Recap

Vegapunk Atlas manages to override the Marines command of the Pacifista’s, ordering them, once more, to drive the Marines off the island. The timing couldn’t be better, either. While Bonney’s able to hold her own against the grunts, she soon finds herself overwhelmed by the Vice Admirals. Thankfully, Sanji swoops in and saves her. Back in the Labophase, Luffy continues to get in Kizaru’s way, preventing him from going after Vegapunk.

However, all fighting on the island stops when they sense a great power approaching. Jaygarcia Saturn’s voice booms over the island, ordering the Pacifista’s to cease fighting. Before anyone can make sense of things, a magic circle appears; all marines below the rank of Commodore are ordered to avert their eyes. To drive that point home, one Marine that ignores the order has their head explode!

Saturn appears from within the magic circle in a monstrous form. Now distracted, the Vegatank passengers are caught off-guard when Kizaru destroys their cloud route. Fortunately, Luffy manages to kick him away with a devastating hit to the head. However, he finally reaches his limit at and falls to the ground. Now face to face with Jaygarcia Saturn, Vegapunk’s group is further caught off guard when Bonney charges Saturn. With tears in her eyes as she remembers what she saw in her father’s memories, Bonney doesn’t hesitate as she plunges a sword into Saturn’s chest!

Review

Sabo’s flashback to the events in Mariejois already alluded to it, but this chapter confirms it: there is something…wrong with the Five Elders. Fans already guessed that they have Mythical Zoan-type Fruits, but the one Saturn has is out there, even by Devil Fruit standards.

Firstly, there’s the fact that it’s a mythical creature that’s never been seen in One Piece. According to popular leakers like Redon and Pewpiece, Saturn’s Devil Fruit is an Ushi-Oni, or Gyuki. It’s a yokai from western Japanese mythology with the head of an ox and the body of a spider. The closest thing that’s comparable would be Orochi’s Devil Fruit, also a legendary monster from Japanese myth. Unlike Orochi, though, Saturn looks like he knows how to fight. 

Then there’s the manner in how Saturn arrived on Egghead Island. He didn’t get off his ship; he was summoned using a magic circle. That’s almost never seen in One Piece. The only other example that comes to mind is that failed summoning ritual on the island that Brook got sent to by Kuma. 

Then we have that ability of his. Somehow, Saturn managed to make anyone who looked at him that wasn’t allowed die. It was a gruesome death, too; that one marine’s head exploded. Is that an advanced form of Haki, or a new power? We don’t know, but it’s terrifying. No wonder Sabo said that Hell was at the top of the world.

Luffy is Still the GOAT

The good news, though, is the fact that Luffy proved that he’s now stronger than a Marine Admiral. He managed to deal what is likely a knockout blow against Kizaru. One person on Twitter noted how he managed to send his Haki-coated fist so fast into Kizaru’s head that it broke the sound barrier. That’s how fast it hit Kizaru. Unfortunately, it also reduced him to the old man state he entered after being in Gear Fifth for too long. While it’s shown that Luffy can re-enter that form with effort, it might not be fast enough to deal with Saturn. For now, the Vegapunk’s will have to rely on the assistance of Sanji, Franky, and Bonney. While they’re all strong, Saturn might be too much for them. 

Speaking of Bonney, this chapter gave us another hint about what she learned from her father’s memories. As she goes to stab Saturn, she remembers hearing what’s all but confirmed to be one of the Five Elders talking to Vegapunk, telling him to erase any trace of who he was. In other words, they’re responsible for turning him into the cyborg he is now, most likely against Vegapunk’s wishes. She’s got every right to be mad at them, but I fear that this will only put her in danger.

This chapter had a lot to unpack, but it more than lived up to the hype. The reveal of Saturn’s monstrous form will be a big talking point for fans for some time to come. I earnestly want to see the Straw Hat’s go toe-to-toe with Saturn. As they are the (official) heads of the World Government, taking one of them down will send a huge impact. To the best of my knowledge, not even the Roger Pirates did something like this. That, and considering how the Elders ordered many of the atrocities of the World Government, like the genocide of Ohara, seeing Saturn going down would be pure catharsis. Better yet, I want to see Robin pull the same move she used to beat Black Maria on Saturn. 

I Give “Saint Jaygarcia Saturn of the Five Elders- the Defense War God,” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1085 Review/Recap

Everyone knew going into this week’s chapter of One Piece that things were going to hit the fan. Firstly, whenever there’s a two-week break in the manga, Oda gives us a banger of a chapter. Secondly, we last saw Cobra alone in a room with the Five Elders, asking them about the Void Century and the Will of D. when Imu shows up. Imu was intimidating enough since so little is known about them, but this chapter sees them become flat-out terrifying. In fact, each of the Gorosei proves to be equally scary, to the point where I question whether or not they’re human! But as we all know, Cobra does not die in vain. For in his last moments, he ensures Sabo can escape to let everyone know the truth of what he saw.

I know we’re still in the Wano Arc in the anime, but I cannot wait for this part of the manga to be animated. It’s going to be terrifying!

Recap

As Cobra watches, horrified about Imu sitting on the Empty Throne, certain that was the name of one of the founding Kings of the World Government, Imu rebukes him. However, they do tell him what he wants to know: the D. is the moniker of their enemy, and they blame Queen Lili for allowing the Poneglyphs to be spread around the world. However, Imu then asks Cobra something: did that letter his family has chosen to call Lili “Nefertari Lili”? Realizing his number’s up, Cobra decides he’s got no reason to hide it any longer. The letter from 800 years ago was signed by Queen Nefetari D. Lili.

After that, all Hell breaks loose as Cobra’s skewered by Imu and the Gorosei. Sabo jumps in and tries to take them all out, but Imu snuffs his flames out. Thus, Sabo tries to flee with Cobra as the Gorosei turn into something…else. Knowing he’s dead already, Cobra sacrifices himself to give Sabo the chance to escape and tell the world what he saw…and tell Luffy that he and Vivi are of the Clan D. 

Thus ends the life of King Cobra. Except, Wapol also saw everything from a hole in the wall. So, while the Reverie continues and Shirahoshi and her siblings return to the Red Port, Wapol runs for his life. As he does so, he inadvertently rescues Vivi, now held captive by CP0, who claims she’s going to spend the rest of her life as a pet. 

Fat. Chance.

Review

………Holy crap, what the heck did I just read? My heart’s still racing, even after re-reading this chapter several times. This was yet another absolute god-tier chapter from Eichiro D. Goda, and I was on the edge of my seat as I read through it! Even though we roughly understood how things would play out by virtue of this being a flashback, I still found myself surprised about what happened! From Cobra giving his life and going out like a boss so Sabo could tell Luffy what he heard. Wapol’s cowardice ended up saving Vivi from a fate that, in all honesty, likely involved Imu keeping her as their “pet.” That idea alone has negative connotations I don’t want to consider.

There are two significant things that I think stand out about this chapter, though. Firstly, what Imu revealed to Cobra and what Cobra quoted from Lili’s letter. The fact that Queen Lili was a D. adds another layer of intrigue to the Nefetari family, fueling theories about the role dual role they played in helping found the World Government only to turn their back on it. If Lili was a D., and her family has that moniker, then that explains her decision to turn on the WG and scatter the Poneglyphs. She did it in the hopes that one day, someone would find them and the treasure on Laugh Tale and expose the truth. Roger made sure it would happen centuries later. And now, thanks to Sabo, the Gorosei stand to have their secret be exposed to the whole world.

In addition, I loved the way the Gorosei and Imu were depicted as inhuman shadows. Several fans on Reddit seem to think that they either have special Devil Fruits or that they were never human to begin with. Either way, they looked terrifying, and the primal roar we heard enhanced that. Sabo was right to run from them. If he stayed in that throne room, the true monsters of the world would’ve killed him.

This chapter was the latest in a series of bangers that Oda’s given us. It’s like being a kid and waiting for the new episode of your favorite show to come on; the anticipation’s palpable! And while I’m sad that Cobra’s likely dead, his death won’t be in vain. Sabo and Vivi will ensure the world knows the truth behind his assassination. And I cannot wait to see how people react to that.

I Give “The Death of Nefertari Cobra” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1084 Review/Recap

Charlos just won’t learn his lesson, will he? No matter how many times he gets beaten up for being a racist scumbag, he gets right back on it! He got punched out by Luffy two years ago; Mjosgard beat his face in when he tried to enslave Shirahoshi. Now he’s trying to pull the same stunt again. As we watch the worthless piece of garbage cause trouble once more, Cobra confronts the Gorosei in the Throne Room and discovers something. The World Government may have had it out for the Nefetari Family from the getgo…

Recap

Inside the Castle, Sabo’s surprised to discover that Jewelry Bonney already dealt with the guards. She wanted to free her Dad, but since they’ve got that handled, she’s going to Egghead Island to confront Vegapunk. However while hiding, they overhear the guards mentioning how many of their rank are gone because they saw something in “the Phantom Room.”

Outside, Charlos uses Kuma to try and enslave Shirahoshi again. And all her admirer’s turn tail and run rather than do anything about it, much to her brother’s fury. Before they can run Charlos through, though, Mjosgard, Rebecca, Leo, and Sai show up. Since Charlos refuses to learn his lesson, Mjosgard gives them full permission to beat him up. What follows sees the Celestial Dragon flattened in front of everyone, much to the Royals horror and Charlos’ Dad’s fury…and my enjoyment.

In the Empty Throne Room, Cobra confronts the Gorosei about their history. 800 years ago, the Nefetari Family helped found the World Government, but their queen, Lili, refused to become a Celestial Dragon, choosing to return to her kingdom. However, Lili never returned home. What’s more, she left a letter for her family behind that’s been passed down. A letter about “D.” Before their conversation can continue, Cobra’s shocked to see another figure enter the room. Imu, the true ruler of the World Government, takes their place on the Empty Throne.

Review

Oh, Charlos, Charlos, Charlos. It’s like that pretentious, portly, insignificant man is incapable of learning his lesson. It’s the reason why, except for a handful, I hate the Celestial Dragons. They’re so full of themselves that they think they can get away with everything. Now, Charlos might not be dead, but he’s going to wish he was. 

In any case, I’m willing to bet that this action is going to be the last straw for Fishman Island, and possibly Dressrosa. While the former will probably continue to work towards equality, that won’t come as long as the World Government’s in power. Best case scenario, Fishman Island throws its lot in with Dragon, and Dressrosa and Alabasta will follow. 

Speaking of Alabasta, we just got another clue about the Void Century. While the Nefetari helped found the World Government, they refused to become Celestial Dragons. What’s more, their Queen, Lili, vanished before she could return home. Given what we know, it’s likely the World Government had her murdered to cover up what she knew. However, she outsmarted them by leaving a clue for her descendants to uncover. In other words, the World Government’s probably had it out for Alabasta for a long time.

We won’t know the full extent of what happens for another two weeks since the manga’s on break, but right now, it’s looking more and more likely that Imu ordered Cobra’s murder. That’s going to come back to haunt them, since Sabo will be able to tell the whole world what happened. The World Government’s days are numbered; they will fall!

I Give “The Attempted Murder of a Celestial Dragon” a 4/5

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