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One Piece Chapter 1047 Review/Recap

The Wano Arc will likely go down as one of the biggest arcs in One Piece history, and after more than four years of following it, it finally seems to be reaching its climax. The Alliance stands on the verge of total victory. The Beast Pirates are all defeated or defected; Big Mom’s out of the fight. The only major threat left is Kaido, and Luffy looks ready to finish him off. However, there’s only one problem: when Kaido falls, Onigashima will fall on the Flower Capital. Even if it doesn’t, it falling will still kill everyone inside. The only one in any position to stop it is Momonosuke Kozuki, who continues to have a crisis of confidence.

Momonosuke, PLEASE STEP UP AND BE THE BADASS WE KNOW YOU CAN BE!!!

Recap

As Onigashima inches closer and closer to the Flower Capital (where the Fire Festival’s wrapping up), Momonosuke does everything he can to make it stop. However, he’s crippled by his fears and the memory of when he saw his Mother for the last time. Yet the future Shogun refuses to yield!

In the sky above, Luffy continues to use his crazy powers to throw Kaido for a loop. Yet the Beast Pirate captain scolds him, saying that a strong Devil Fruit doesn’t let one conquer the seas; like Roger proved, only Haki can, as he uses his own to hurt Luffy.

Down in the island below, everyone’s all but stopped fighting as they simply focus on survival. Most of the Alliance, though, realizes that if Kaido falls, so will the island, killing all of them, which they accept. Luffy, on the other hand, has no such plans. Inflating his fist until it’s bigger than the island, Luffy tells Momonosuke that he believes in him. So he needs to move Onigashima out of the way!

Oh, and Orochi’s still alive.

Review

If you think that I’m worried about what’s going to happen to Onigashima, then you clearly haven’t been reading One Piece long enough. Facing impossible odds is when Luffy truly flourishes, and he inspires those around him to follow suit. If he believes that Momonosuke can move the island out of the way, then Momonosuke can do that. All the future Shogun of Wano needs to do is let go of his self-doubt and become the peerless warrior everyone knows he can be!

That aside, it’s nice to see that the fighting’s all but done on the island, with the Alliance ready to put their faith in Luffy, come what may. What I don’t like is seeing that Orochi has, for the umpteenth time, escaped the death that he deserves. What’s it going to take to put that snake down for good?!? There’s no way he’s going to be harm Hiyori, though. Some deus ex machina’s going to stop him.

It looks like the battle for the future of Wano will reach its climactic end in a few chapters, and what an end it will be. Now, if Momonosuke could become the dragon he was always meant to be, everything will be golden.

Also, we all knew that Gol D. Roger never had a Devil Fruit, right? I thought it was pretty obvious

Also also, LUFFY’S FIST IS BIGGER THAN AN ISLAND!!! HE’S A RUBBERHOSE GOD!!

I Give “Skies Above the Capital” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1046 Review/Recap

The battle for the future of Wano seems to be reaching its absolute peak, everyone! Big Mom’s been thrown far away, Orochi’s at Hiyori’s mercy, and all the major enemy leader’s are down. All that’s left is for Luffy to put Kaido down for good. However, there’s still another problem the Alliance faces: EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE! Fortuntately, the Alliance has Raizo the ninja. And if you read Shonen Manga, then you know to never underestimate a ninja.

Recap

Kaido is beginning to reach the end of his rope from fighting Luffy, yet he refuses to fall. Likewise, Luffy tells him once more that he’s the man who will become King of the Pirates, though Kaido doesn’t buy it. After all, despite losing much in one night, Luffy stands to lose just as much because Onigashima is ablaze with fire, courtesy of Orochi and Kanjuro. Luffy remains unconcerned, though, as he has faith in everyone to survive.

Down below, the fighting’s all but stopped as everyone’s desperate to escape the fires, but they can find no exit. The entire island’s a pyre, and they’re trapped on it. Fortunately, Jinbei and Raizo have a plan.

Ever since Oden’s castle burned down, Raizo vowed to never go unprepared again. Thus, when he saw how Zunesha spouted water onto his back every day, he got an idea. Using his ninja scrolls to store the water, Raizo now unleashes it inside the castle. With Jinbei’s Fishman Karate to guide it, they’re able to spread the water throughout the island, putting out the fires in the process. Never underestimate a ninja!

Review

I know some people don’t like deus ex machina’s, but when the Straw Hats do it, they always make it look so cool! I’d guessed that Zunesha would be able to put out the fires raging on Onigashima, and while he wasn’t directly responsible for it, I still consider this to be accurate. The fact that Raizo thought ahead and decided to use this trump card only proves how good a ninja he really is. Thus, Kanjuro and Orochi’s final act of malice seems to have failed.

There’s only one problem left, now. As Yamato tells Momonosuke, Kaido’s reaching his limits. When that happens, his flame clouds won’t be able to hold the island up anymore. When they go, Onigashima will crash into Wano and kill everyone inside. Meanwhile, Luffy still has to defeat Kaido, but his victory is all but assured. The final image even shows him wielding lightning bolts like a god!

We have another two-week break before the next chapter. However, if the trend continues, this next chapter will be suitably epic. Momonosuke, it’s time for you to come into your own!

I Give “Raizo” a 3.8/5

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One Piece Chapter 1045 Review (No Recap this one time)

Okay, I know that this is the part where I give some big introduction speech, but I just can’t with this chapter of One Piece. Why? Because words would fail to properly describe the joy we all got from seeing what Luffy does in this chapter. Forget being a Shonen protagonist. Luffy has ascended to become a rubber hose god!

Review

I’m breaking my formula this week of doing a recap and review, because there simply no words that can describe what Luffy manages to do in this chapter. It’s the kind of thing that you simply have to see first-hand, and it is jaw-dropping and gut-busting at the same time!

Last week confirmed the theory that Luffy is the next Joy Boy, and his Gum Gum Fruit, or rather, Human Human Fruit solidifies this. Having unlocked what he calls Gear Fifth, Luffy now has the power of a rubber hose cartoon character, with all that it entails. He can do things that the laws that run the natural world just by thinking it. He turns into a GIANT AND THEN USES KAIDO AS A JUMPROPE! In a series that thrives on insanity and chaos, this is one of the most insane things we’ve ever seen!

Oda likely meant for Gear Fifth to the pinnacle of what Luffy can do, and thus planned on having Luffy at his absolute silliest. And that has paid off in every way imaginable. At it’s heart, Luffy’s powers were always meant to make us smile no matter how bad things get. However, this one chapter has left the majority of the readers in stitches from laughter. If you’re not reading this chapter, then you’re doing yourself a disservice on April Fool’s Day.

The writing’s on the wall: Kaido is so screwed now!

I Give “Next Level” a 5/5

One Piece Chapter 1044 Review/Recap

Eichiro Oda, you magnificent, magnificent man! Whenever One Piece goes on a two-week break, the manga comes back with a chapter that blows everyone’s minds. Chapter 1043 ended on a cliffhanger that had readers, myself included, on the edge of our seats. Now, we get a chapter that, in a nutshell, has me grinning from ear to ear. The Drum of Liberation has begun to beat, Joy Boy has returned, and the true power of the Gum-Gum Fruit awakens! The warrior of liberation appears after 800 years!

Recap

Despite being beaten down by Kaido and left for dead for the third time now, Luffy miraculously awakens. His heart’s beating like a drum, black lightning comes out of him, and he can’t stop laughing. And somehow, all of Luffy’s friends on Onigashima realize that Luffy’s still alive.

In Marie Geoise, though, the Five Elders are horrorified at how things have potentially taken a turn for the worse for them. They have been trying to seize the Gum-Gum Fruit for 800 years, but it always evades them. There’s a secret behind that Fruit. It’s name isn’t actually the Gum-Gum Fruit. In reality, it’s a mythical Zoan Fruit called the Human-Human Fruit, Model : Nika. Whoever wields its power will gain a body like rubber and the ability to bring smiles to everyone. In other words, they become the Warrior of Liberation, the “Sun God” Nika!

Luffy immediately puts his new form, dubbed Gear Fifth, to good use, breaking through the skull dome and grabbing Kaido in his Dragon form and then…you know what, I’m not even going to bother describing it. Just let the imagery speak for itself.

Review

It’s been hours since I first read this chapter, and whenever I recall it, I can’t stop grinning. Oda, you amazing mangaka! Not only have you proven that my theories about Joy Boy and Sun God Nika being one and the same were correct, but you just gave us another big clue as to what One Piece is.

No, seriously. This chapter all but confirms that Luffy is either a reincarnation of Joy Boy or the one who inherited his will. Heck, at this point, I would not be surprised to learn that Joy Boy was once the wielder of the Gum-Gum Fruit. Such an incredibly silly power that can bring smiles to the faces of everyone. It really is the power of the Warrior of Liberation.

More than that, though, in his Gear Fifth form, Luffy has, for all intents and purposes, become the Shonen equivalent to Popeye the Sailor Man. Popeye, the rubber-hose cartoon character who can pretty much do whatever he wants, no matter how ridicilous. The fact that Luffy’s awakened abilities let him give his surroundings the same cartoonish properties only reinforces that mindset.

I’m Ready to Call This Fight Won

I know that I may be calling it too soon, but right now, I honestly think that Luffy’s about to win the fight for Wano for the Alliance. He’s about to beat the snot out of Kaido! Meanwhile, in the basement, Orochi faces judgement at the hands of Hiyori Kozuki, who watches as what’s left of Kanjuro’s fire demon burns him alive. A fitting end for such a cowardly and wretched man; at least, I hope.

Now is the best possible time to be a fan of One Piece, you guys! The Warrior of Liberation has awakened, and Luffy is ready to bring laughter and smiles to the entire world!

I Give “Warrior of Liberation” a 5/5

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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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One Piece Chapter 941 Review/Recap

Do you know why Luffy and the Alliance will eventually win and liberate Wano Country? Because a tyrant like Orochi fails to understand a simple fact: if you treat your people so deplorably for too long, then they will choose to rebel. It’s a matter of finding the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

In this week’s chapter of One Piece, the straw may meet the camel.

Recap

In the Flower Capital, Orochi is still in mourning over Komurasaki’s “death”, even if she insulted his non-existent honor (personally, I respect strong-willed women).

However, the big news on the street is that they caught the famous Midnight Boy who has been stealing food and money from the wealthy in the Flower Capital. When Orochi hears who it is, he’s shocked, but then decides to kill two birds with one stone. While Komurasaki’s funeral is underway, he decides to have Midnight Boy publicly executed.

Back in Udon Prison, Queen starts crying his eyes out when he learns of Komurasaki’s “death”. The guards don’t tell him that his supply of Oshiruko vanished. In other news, Luffy and Hyogoro are stuffed.

In Kuri, a forest fire has broken out that ends up driving Shutenmaru (AKA Ashura, one of the Nine Red Sheaths) to Bakura Town to fight that Holdem guy. He thinks Holdem is responsible, but really, it was the Alliance in order to force him to fight for them.

Near the graveyard, Brook meets up with Zoro while he’s healing, and then walks into this:

After the shock has worn off, Brook not only reveals Midnight Boy’s capture, but his true identity: it’s Tonoyasu. Worse still, Tonoyasu happens to be Toko’s father.This sends Toko running back to the Flower Capital, forgetting the fact that she’s wanted for laughing at Orochi.

The news of Tonoyasu’s capture finally prompts Shinobu and the others to remember who he is: he’s actually a former Feudal Lord known as Lord Yasuie the Hedgehog who had served the Kozuki Clan.

Despite his impending death, dozens of people crowd outside the Prison House’s walls asking for Tonoyasu to be released. Yasu, on the other hand, says that he plans to apologize for two things, insult Orochi, then die with a smile on his face.

Review

I knew that there was something important about Tonoyasu as soon as I saw him recognize Shinobu and the other retainers of the Kozuki Clan. I could never figure out what it was, though. As for him being Toko’s father, that explains a lot about Toko always smiling. If her father dies, though, I don’t know how much longer she’ll be smiling.

According to Shinobu, Tonoyasu in the past was very strict, yet most of the people love him. Either he changed, or there’s more to this story than we know right now. It is telling, though, that Orochi fears Tonoyasu enough to oversee his execution personally.

If Tonoyasu is actually killed, that may end up being the spark that sets the people of Wano into revolt against Orochi. The Alliance’s plans are falling apart by the seams, but I expected that from the start. The Straw Hats and plans don’t go well.

Speaking of the Straw Hats, Luffy just ate all the Oshiruko, didn’t he? That means that when Big Mom shows up soon, she could have one of her food crazes. While that would help them escape, that makes her just as dangerous to Luffy as it would to Queen.

No matter what, though, the Wano Arc is building to an explosive climax that I look forward to seeing.

I Give “The Talk of Ebisu Town” a 4/5

One Piece Chapter 938 Review/Recap

Dang it! The Alliance had it all planned out, but now all their allies are getting caught left and right. To be fair, though, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. All that’s left is for the Alliance to come up with a new plan in this chapter of One Piece.

Recap

As seen last chapter, Zoro one-hit KO’ed Kamazo. Due to getting stabbed, though, he passes out while Gyukimaru runs away.

Back at Kin’emon and the Minks hideout in Kuri Village, the group’s worst fears are confirmed. Orochi has learned about the Kozuki Clan’s secret message, and his men and the Beast Pirates are arresting people left and right.

As for Kyoshiro, he’s called off Komurasaki’s wake to prevent grieving people from rioting.

In Ebisu Town, the Straw Hats are trying to convince Law not to go after his crew, as that’s what Kaido wants him to do. Shinobu even wants to kill them to keep them from talking. Kanjuro calls her out on this, saying that without the aid of the Straw Hat and Heart Pirates, they won’t win.

Just then, Tonoyasu enters, and he recognizes Shinobu and Kanjuro. He then reveals how he saw the Kozuki Clan’s symbol going around the capital, and he wants in.

Back in Ringo, Zoro awakens after Toko and that woman treated his wounds. He wants to get his sword back, but has no choice but to stay put and heal. The woman then makes good on her promise and feeds Zoro.

She then explains that she’s running because Toko infuriated Orochi. As for her, she is searching for her brother, who she hasn’t seen in 20 years. His name… is Momonosuke Kozuke. Her name is Hiyori Kozuke, his younger sister.

I knew it!

Review

It hasn’t been officially declared that Komurasaki’s really Hiyori, but the One Piece Wiki seems to be working under this assumption, and it adds up with everything we know.

First, we know that Hiyori was never sent into the future like her brother and the Kozuki retainers with him, meaning that she would be an adult by this point. Second, Momonosuke mentioned her at the same time that Komurasaki was introduced. That was a big clue. Then we have Komurasaki mentioning that her father was a Samurai. But the biggest clue was what Kyoshiro said about calling off Komurasaki’s wake.

The only reason is because there would be no body for a wake. Meaning Kyoshiro faked her death. Whether that means he knew who she was is up for debate. It all adds up, though.

On another note, the Alliance’s plans are in jeporady. Orochi’s thugs and the Beast Pirates are on alert and arresting Kozuki loyalists left and right. Orochi was already paranoid, but getting him to let his guard down now will be near impossible. With Luffy’s freedom from Udon Prison on the horizon, though, that could shift things back in the Alliance’s favor.

Then there’s Tonoyasu. He seems to know Shinobu and Kanjuro, but they either don’t remember or don’t recognize him. Could he be another retainer for the Kozuki Clan? Either way, he is willing to fight, so he must be tough. It’s a great disguise, too. No one will pay attention to fool when they’re too busy laughing at them, but fools can be very dangerous.

The manga is on break next week, so we will have to wait two weeks to learn what happens next. However, I am very intrigued by what’s going on and the recent developments. This is shaping up to be my favorite arc since Dressrosa.

I Give Chapter 938 a 4.7/5

Some Stray Observations

• Nami did beat Sanji’s face in for spying on her and Robin in the bathhouse. So Sanji, was it worth it? Because you’ll probably never get married at this rate

• If Hiyori really was Komurasaki like everyone says, then I think she looks cuter without that flashy jewelry