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One Piece Chapter 1055 Review/Recap

Ever since we the Straw Hats got to Wano, we’ve heard time and again how the country needs to be opened. How Oden learned there was a reason why Wano isolated itself for 800 years. When the time came, Wano would need to open itself up again. We thought that Wano metaphorically closed itself off from the world all this time. However, it turns out that they meant it literally!

In yet another masterpiece of a chapter of One Piece, we learn why Wano shut itself off and see a certain Admiral get out in their place.

Recap

Shanks to Ryokugyu: Beat it!

As Yamato and the Scabbards look on, Momo battles Ryokugyu on his own. He needs to prove that they don’t need the help of Yamato or the Straw Hats, or else Wano will never be safe. Momonosuke becomes so enraged that he manages to master Kaido’s techniques, nearly burning the Admiral to a crisp!!!

Being a Logia, though, Ryokugyu survives. However, before he can escalate things, black lightning appears, accompanied by the voice of Shanks himself. Essentially, he tells Ryokugyu to get lost, or else. The Admiral has no choice but to retreat. In the Flower Capital, the Monster Quartet of the Straw Hats all watch Momonosuke, proud of his victory, as Luffy senses Shanks leaving Wano.

The True Wano is Revealed

Elsewhere, Sukiyaki leads Robin (and Law) below the palace, further and further down, until they see something incredible out a window: underwater ruins, the ruins of the real Wano.

As Sukiyaki tells them, Wano was originally located at sea level at the base of Mount Fuji. When they sealed themselves off, they hid Pluton and built massive walls around the island while building new land up the mountain. Rainwater accumulated in the former land, creating a lake and waterfalls that cut Wano off from the world. More importantly, Sukiyaki says that opening Wano will mean taking down the walls and letting Pluton loose on the world once more!

Review

I don’t even know where to start with this chapter. Seeing Momonosuke unlock his true power and body Ryokugyu? The Admiral running away in terror from Shanks’ Haki? Or the reveal that Wano’s basically Atlantis meets Attack on Titan? Let’s start with the most important, though, with Wano.

The Walls Are There for a Reason

The walls were unexpected; very unexpected, in fact. But they also explain why Wano is one of the harder places to get to in One Piece. More importantly, if we add up everything we learned in the Wano Arc, we get a rough idea as to why they built the massive walls.

Let’s go back 800 years, to the Void Century and the presumed time of the original Joy Boy. When the World Government came to power, Wano isolated itself from the world to protect itself. To keep itself out of the World Government’s grasp until the day they needed to open their borders again. That wouldn’t happen until Joy Boy returned. Thus, they isolated themselves and, more importantly, the ancient weapon, Pluton.

Here’s my theory: whoever Joy Boy was, they wanted Wano to keep themselves and Pluton safe until the time was right. Then, they would set Pluton free when the next Joy Boy arrived. It’s a bit of a stretch, but it makes sense. It ties into the void century, Laugh Tale, Joy Boy, and the One Piece.

In the immediate future, the Straw Hats and Law have found another Road Ponegylph. They only need one more, and the road to Laugh Tale will be opened. One Piece is closer than ever.

Momonosuke Kozuki is All Grown Up

Can I just say how proud I am of Momonosuke after this chapter? He’s gone from being the crybaby we first met to being a badass equal to his Dad. Seeing him body that arrogant Admiral was one of the most satisfying thing I’ve ever seen in One Piece. I’ve been wanting to see them get knocked down a peg since Marineford, so this was very cathartic. Bottom-line is that the Admirals aren’t so tough anymore.

If you doubt my words, then look at how the Monster Quartet (I now include Jinbei) reacted to the fight. Their attitude says it all: if they wanted to, they could torn the Marine apart. Some might criticize them for their inaction, but if things had gotten really bad, I think they would’ve intervened.

And Luffy! He may not have met Shanks yet, but o think he knew that it was him by his Haki. The day those two meet again is fast approaching, and it will be a day everyone will remember!

This was another flawless chapter on Oda’s part. We got another piece to the puzzle of One Piece, as well as some pretty great catharsis. The Admirals are feared no more!!!

I Give “New Age” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1054 Review/Recap

We’re in the endgame now. After a month-long hiatus, Oda brought One Piece back with a vengeance with one of the biggest chapters ever. From here on out, the Straw Hats are on the road to Laugh Tale, and the story will reach new heights of chaotic insanity! I just finished reading the latest chapter, and I’m still processing everything! All the major players start making moves, and major revelations drop. This chapter is so big, I’m going to have to break it down into multiple sections just to cover everything!

Recap

As Admiral Ryokugyu reaches the outskirts of the Flower Capital, five of the Scabbards and Shinobu block his path, refusing to let him rob Wano of its newfound happiness. However, the Admiral just unleashed his plant-based Devil Fruit powers while spouting garbage about how “prejudice keeps the world in line” and stuff. It just pisses off Yamato and Momonosuke off, though, the former head butting the Admiral, and the latter vowing to drive him from the Capital on his own.

In the seas around Wano, the Red-Haired Pirates can’t help but be amazed at how Luffy has now reached their level. All of Shank’s officers want to go and meet him already as Shanks remembers how Luffy ate the Devil Fruit he stole from the World Government. However, Shanks refuses to meet Luffy. Instead, he tells Beckman that it’s time for them to go to Laugh Tale, and claim the One Piece.

At Navy HQ, Akainu’s dealing with problems of his own. In addition to the news of the fall of Big Mom and Kaido, there’s also what happened at the Reverie.

• King Cobra was apparently killed by Sabo
• Princess Vivi has vanished
• Sabo attacked the home of the Celestial Dragons and destroyed a monument to them.
• Sabo and his Allies rescued Kuma
• 8 kingdoms are now in open revolt.

All throughout this, Sabo’s legend and reputation have started to eclipse even Dragon’s. The people are worshipping him, calling him the Emperor of Flames and rallying to the Revolution. The whole world is plunging into chaos, and the Navy can barely stop it. The road to Laugh Tale has begun.

Review

Okay, this is one of those chapters where Oda gives us a lot in one go, and I love that. It’s one of the reasons I love his manga so much.

Let’s go over everything now.

Ryokugyu’s a Jerk!

Firstly, I hate Ryokugyu. He reminds me so much of Akainu, and that man is everything wrong with the Marines. Self-serving, kills anyone to justify his actions, and says it’s for Justice. I hate Akainu, and now I hate Ryokugyu. Even if his powers are pretty cool. Hashirama Senju’s are better, though.

As much as I don’t want Momo to fight Ryokugyu, he has to do this. It’s to make a statement to the outside world: Kaido is out, but we will not tolerate the World Government walking over us. More importantly, it will show Wano and the world that he will not be trifled with as Shogun. I think Momonosuke’s got this.

Shanks Has a Plan

I’m surprised that Shanks still doesn’t want to meet Luffy yet. He’s now at Shanks level as a fellow Yonko, after all. Plus, all his officers want to see him again. However, I think he’s got his reasons. Just like how he had reasons for meeting with the Gorosei.

In fact, I think his theft of the Gum-Gum Fruit might not have been dumb luck. Maybe Shanks planned on taking it because he somehow knew a little about it’s true nature. Maybe he thought the next wielder would be the one to finish what Roger started. Or maybe I’m overthinking things. Either way, now he’s throwing his proverbial hat into the ring.

Speaking of whom…

I Don’t Buy What Happened to Cobra and Vivi

Okay, until I see proof that King Cobra is dead, I don’t buy that he is. Or that Sabo killed him. In fact, I question the entire idea that Vivi’s gone missing.

There are a few possible explanations for all of this, though:

• The World Government killed Cobra, blamed it on Sabo, and held Vivi prisoner.
• The World Government did all of that, but Vivi escaped with Sabo
• Cobra faked his death and Vivi her disappearance so that both of them could join the revolution with Sabo.

I’m very much hoping that it’s the last one. I can’t see Sabo killing someone like Cobra. If anything, the Nefertari family would likely support the Revolution since they know how corrupt the World Government is. It needs to go. The Celestial Dragons need to go (Except Mjorsgard. He’s cool.) the whole system needs to be brought down and restarted. And it looks like Dragon and Sabo will be the ones doing that.

Sabo, the Emperor of Flames. So Cool!

As an aside, I love Sabo’s new title, the Emperor of Flames, or Flame Emperor. Ace would be proud of his brother.

No matter how you slice it, there’s an even bigger war coming. One that the World Government cannot hope to stop. The road to Laugh Tale is almost open, and the world will plunge into chaos when it does. Good. Chaos can be the remedy to this kind of corruption.

The end of One Piece draws near. It will likely be several more years, but we should savor it. I know I will.

Also, I’m glad to see that Oda left a tribute to the late Kazuki Takahashi.

I Give “Flame Emperor” a 5/5

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