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One Piece Chapter 1119 Review/Recap

Have you ever heard the story of the Golem of Prague? Centuries ago, the Jewish community of Prague was threatened by enemies who spread lies and slander about them. Their leading Rabbi and his assistants thus crafted a great golem, a man made of clay, to serve as their protector. To bring him to life, he inscribed the word “Emeth” onto its forehead. In Hebrew, Emeth means “Truth.”

Why bring that up now? Because Emeth is the name of the Iron Giant that now fights to protect Egghead Island!

Recap

In the lab itself, Kaku tells Stussy to get lost. He says they were never friends, but more importantly, when Lucci shows up, there’s no telling what he might do.

Near the Giant Pirates ship, Mars is surprised by the sight of two Nikas, but realizes Bonney is just imitating Luffy. On the other hand, Luffy learns that nothing they do can put a dent in the Five Elders. Thus, they can’t beat them. The only way to stop them is to send them as far away as possible. So Luffy changes tactics. Inflating himself up like a balloon and grabbing onto Mars, he tells Sanji, Franky, and Bonney to hit him as hard as they can. So they do.

The kinetic energy they build up in Luffy then ripples out to Mars. As a result, the monster is sent flying over the horizon! It does tire Bonney out, though, and she returns to her younger self. However, then Peter shows up. He spits out the captured Seraphim and CP agents, then tries to suck up the Giant Pirates ship, but Luffy isn’t having that. He punches Peter, but then Warcury charges right for the boat!

At that moment, though, the Iron Giant, Emeth, reawakens, restarting the broadcast. It’s garbled and incomplete, but it mentions things about the Will of D. At that moment, Emeth remembers the voice of Joy Boy, telling him that “the time” is at hand. Rising up out of the depths of the water, Emeth unleashes a mighty blow upon Warcury. So powerful, in fact, that it does actual damage to the monster, breaking one of his tusks!

Review

Before we start, I know that some fans think the short length of this chapter is a bad sign about Oda’s health. I don’t want to add fuel to the fire, so I’m not going to speculate. Keep in mind that, for a few years now, Oda has released One Piece for two-three weeks and then taken a break. That’s his right. But when does end up doing this, he’s proven capable of leaving fans satisified, and this chapter’s no exception.

Another Golem, This One Made of Metal

I first learned about the Golem of Prague in a picture book I read as a kid, and in hindsight, it’s rather apparent that Oda took inspiration from the story for the Iron Giant. A massive entity made from material found in the earth (iron, in this case) with superhuman strength that serves as a protector for the oppressed? That fits the story of the Golem of Prague to a tee!

In addition, the fact that it reactivates due to Luffy entering Gear Fifth is a reference to the ending to the story of Prague’s Golem. After it was no longer needed, it was turned back into lifeless clay and hidden away. But the legend also said that when its strength was required once more, it would return to protect the Jews. Now compare that to what’s happened on Egghead Island. The people of the island, and the world, are being threatened by the World Government when the new Joy Boy arrives. His arrival is what leads the Iron Giant to return!

Truth Comes to Wipe Away the Lies

I also really liked the meaning of the Iron Giant’s name, Emeth. Like I said at the start, “Emeth” means “truth” or “truthfullness” in Hebrew. By returning now, Emeth is fighting to help Vegapunk expose the truth of the world and put an end to the lies of the World Government. It’s just really symbolic, and something that I enjoyed. That, and we finally get to see the Iron Giant fight.

Much like the Golem, the Iron Giant possesses superhuman strength. Since the Five Elders showed up on Egghead, we’ve seen them tank hit after hit from Kuma, Luffy, and many others, and act like its nothing. Warcury losing one of his tusks is the first time we’ve seen some actual damage done to them. Either it has some extraordinary power or material, or it possesses Haki strong enough to hurt the Five Elders. Either way, it could be what helps the Straw Hats, Vegapunks, Bonney, and Giants escape.

No, Bonney is Not OP

As for Bonney’s Nika Form wearing off so quickly, I expected this to happen. While Bonney’s powers let her imitate Luffy’s Gear Fifth, that’s all it is; an imitation. It’s not going to be as strong as the real deal, nor last as long. Plus, this is something she only just figured out how to do. It makes sense that she wouldn’t be able to hold it for long.

In other words, all those people who said that this made Bonney a broken character, calm down. She ain’t replacing Luffy.

It’s a shame that we’ll have to wait an extra week for the next chapter, but I won’t complain. Oda should look out for his health. If not for himself, then for his wife and kids.

I Give “Emeth” a 3.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1111 Review/Recap

Good grief, Oda! This battle has spun back and forth so many times I’m getting dizzy trying to keep track! On the last piece of One Piece, the remaining Five Elders arrived on Egghead Island in their true, monstrous forms. Caught off-guard, Luffy came close to biting it until Dorry and Brogy saved him. However, any chance Luffy has of beating the Elders now has gone out the window. All the Straw Hats, Vegapunks, Giants, and Bonney can do is run for it! But all might not be lost, as a giant, familiar robot finally appears on the battlefield. The Iron Giant comes!

Recap

Even though Zoro beat Rob Lucci, the CP0 agent refuses to fall, so the swordsman refuses to leave with Jinbei. Fed up, Jinbei blasts Lucci away with his Fishman Karate. The two of them go right as Mars breaches the barrier to the Lab. Initially shocked to see the monster, Lucci can still tell him everything he knows about who’s in the Lab, how much time remains, and to try and save Kaku. Mars, though, makes no promises as he goes to find York.

Meanwhile, Luffy is overjoyed to be reunited with Dorry and Brogy, though he doesn’t know what they mean when they ask about his appearance. Nonetheless, having done what they came there for, the captains sound the horn to retreat. In response, Warcury tries blowing everyone away with a Conquerer’s Haki-powered roar!

Warcury and Saturn go on the offensive, but Luffy…well, see for yourself.

Even after that, it’s not enough to put them down. Thus, the Captains decide to run for it. Everyone begins to make for the ships at this point. However, Bonney’s group is blocked by a group of Navy Vice-Admirals in sight of the Giant’s ship. 

Everyone’s attention, though, is shifted when the Marines notice something. Amidst the fires, something larger than a giant appears. The Iron Giant that once attacked Mariejois lives again, growling something: “Joyboy, forgive me.”

Review

I knew that the Iron Giant would play some role in this arc! I’ve been saying it for months now! And right now, it seems all but confirmed that the robot’s power source is connected to Joyboy, AKA Nika. However, the connection between the Iron Giant and the original Joyboy has yet to be determined. Perhaps, like Zunesha, it was one of Joyboy’s comrades. If that’s true, it would explain why it’s awoken now. With Luffy having awakened his Devil Fruit, it makes sense.

Speaking of which, I nearly exploded with laughter as I saw what Luffy did this week. From how he was blown back by Warcury’s roar to making that giant baseball bat, it was something straight out of a Looney Tunes short! At this point, the man is the personification of toon force!

As strong as he and the Giants are, they can’t beat the Five Elders as they are now. They shrug off any attempts to injure them. At this point, they may be immortal. That, or their Haki is so strong they can shrug off everything. The Iron Giant may have better luck, though. 

At this point, the Iron Gaint might be the best chance everyone has at getting off the island alive. And, just as important, for Vegapunk’s broadcast to go out. If the doctor means to expose the truth about the World Government to the world, then we may never get another chance at this. It’s risky, but they need to finish the broadcast. 

Oda Needs to Process Toriyama’s Passing

One last thing to note is that Oda will be on a three-week break. That in itself isn’t out of the ordinary. In recent years, Oda has frequently gone on breaks ranging from two weeks to a month. What stands out this time is that it has to do with the passing of his mentor, inspiration, and friend, Akira Toriyama.

It’s been said to death by now, but without Akira Toriyama, the Shonen genre wouldn’t be what it is today. Mangaka, like Oda and Kishimoto, grew up reading Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball, and it inspired them to follow in his footsteps. As adults, they were lucky enough to work alongside Toriyama; like countless others, his death has hit them hard. 

Being a mangaka can be incredibly stressful and even lead to an early death. Oda is well aware of this, so he’s taken frequent breaks to look after himself in recent years. However, Toriyama’s passing has made him even more mindful of the importance of looking after himself. And, as I’ve made clear many times, I wholeheartedly support that. I love reading One Piece, but if Oda were to work himself to an early grave because of it, I’d never be able to look at it the same way again. If he wants to take a vacation to process Toriyama’s passing and spend time with his family, he has the right to do so. And judging by what I’ve seen online, fans agree. Oda, take all the time you need! We miss Toriyama, too, and we’ll wait for you. 

Besides, when he does come back, he cooks a feast for us every time. 

I Give “The Sun’s Shield” a 4/5

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