RJ Writing Ink

One Piece Chapter 1006 Review/Recap

Ever since we first met old man Hyogoro in Udon Prison, I liked him. He was the first friend Luffy made while he was on his “involuntary vacation.” Then it turns out he was once the badass leader of the Yakuza in Wano, and my respect for the guy grew even more. Luffy found himself a powerful ally and teacher in Boss Hyogoro, and now the old man’s repaying his debt to Luffy by helping to free Wano. But will it cost him his life in the end?

Recap

The chaos on the island continues as Yamato and Shinobu make a break for it with Momonosuke in tow. Having heard that they’re going in the opposite direction of Kin’emon and the Scabbards, Sanji’s left at a loss about what to do. Meanwhile, at the entrance to Onigashima, Perospero has defeated Carrot, Wanda, and the other Mink warriors who wished to avenge Pedro. After mocking them for their attempts to avenge their friend, Perospero heads back inside the dome to rejoin the fight.

In the main floor of the skull, everyone infected by Queen’s Oni Ice virus is beginning to succumb to its affects once more. Marco’s flames helped to suppress it, but they mean nothing if everyone runs out of stamina. However, Hyogoro and X Drake protect Chopper as he inches closer to developing a cure. Miraculously, the virus reverted Hyogoro to his prime at the cost of the rest of his life span. As a result, Hyogoro’s determined to use his remaining time to kick ass. And he does!

Unfortunately, not even his mighty strength is enough. Soon, everyone begins to succumb to the Oni Ice virus once more. Knowing that if he turns, he’ll kill everyone, Hyogoro asks the Yakuza to help him commit Seppuku.

Review

I recall saying that the fighting on Onigashima is so great that we can’t hope to focus on a single portion of it for very long. This is what I was talking about. As much as I want to focus on the fight between Luffy and the Yonko, they’re just one of several important battles being fought. The most important, perhaps, but there are others of equal importance. And right now, the most important one is the fight to cure everyone of Queen’s virus.

If the virus spreads any further, it will kill scores of friend and foe alike, leaving the Alliance with no chance to win. However, if Chopper should cure everyone in time (which we know he will), the momentum of the fight could shift in the Alliance’s favor for good. I doubt the infected Beast Pirates will want to keep serving Kaido after this. However, it may be too late for Boss Hyogoro.

I like Boss Hyogoro. He’s a really cool old man that even Oden admired. And if what we just saw is any indication of how strong he was in his prime, then I think if he helped Oden then, they could’ve taken down Kaido. I’m serious. However, if this is how he wants to die, then all we can do is honor his request. He’ll die knowing that Wano will soon be from of Kaido’s grasp. Or maybe he’ll live. Either way, I respect Hyogoro the Flower.

I Give “The Honorable ‘Hyogoro the Flower’ A 3.9/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff

One Piece Chapter 995 Review/Recap

I think that we all knew going in to the raid on Onigashima that the Straw Hats were about to face their toughest battle yet. After all, they’re going up against two Yonko at once. But if they can’t win against Kaido and Big Mom, then what hope will they have against Blackbeard? After the last chapter saw Queen unleash a plague of ice zombie demons on everyone, things get desperate. And this week, things get even worse.

Recap

As Marco continues to try and block Big Mom’s path, he soon finds himself outflanked by Perospero, who’s more than willing to take a killing shot against him. Fortunately, though, help arrives in the form of the Sulong-empowered Wanda and Carrot. Both of them have a score to settle against Perospero for killing Pedro, so they stay behind to fight Perospero while Marco pursues Big Mom into the palace of Onigashima.

Inside Onigashima, things are becoming desperate for the Straw Hats. Zoro and Drake are desperately trying to get the antibodies from Apoo, but the pirate remains as slippery as ever. Worse, Chopper manages to get infected by the ice virus!

Elsewhere, Nami and Usopp are doing no better. Try as they might, they can’t overcome the likes of Ulti and Page One. Left on the brink of death by the two Beast Pirates, Nami’s left with a choice: admit that Luffy won’t become the Pirate King and live, or refuse and die. In utter defiance, Nami proclaims that Luffy won’t stop until he’s King of the Pirates. Enraged, Ulti prepares to end the navigator’s life…only to be stopped by the timely arrival of Otama atop a giant dog.

Review

This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen the Straw Hats get backed into a corner. They’ve had to deal with this kind of scenario several times in the past, and aside from Sabaody, they always came out on top. Hell, Sabaody ended with them being separated for two years instead of being outright killed or captured. In other words, I knew that the Straw Hats were going to make it out of this in one piece. And I was right.

No matter how bad things may look, I know that the Straw Hats are going to get out of this mess in one piece. Simple as that. Good chapter, overall.

I Give “A Kuonichi’s Oath” A 4/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff

One Piece Chapter 982 Review/Recap

Well, it’s official: One Piece is back on a weekly release schedule. It’s a good thing, too, because things are starting to heat up. Last week saw some powerful allies join the Alliance: Nekomamushi and his Minks, and Marco and Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates. However, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Last week saw a few hiccups occur for the Alliance, and that trend continues this week. Am I really, though? No, and I’ll explain why after I recap this chapter. The Battle for Onigashima enters a new stage.

Recap

In the heart of Onigashima, Orochi and Kaido are drinking to their hearts content. They still think that the Alliance lies scattered and divided. That is, until Kanjuro barges in with a battered and beaten Momonosuke in tow. Kanjuro then immediately tells Orochi everything: the attack on the Alliance failed, and their fleet is already on their way.

Despite the assurances of Black Maria of the Flying Six, Orochi will not be remain calm. He wont’ rest until the Kozuki Clan lies dead at his feet. Thus, he seizes Momonosuke. He will crucify the boy in front of all of Wano and bring an end to the age of the Kozuki Clan himself.

While all of this is happening, other events are taking place. Firstly, Marco, Izo, Nekomamushi, and the Minks are headed to Onigashima to reinforce the Alliance.

Secondly, Denjiro manages to subdue another of the Flying Six on the Southern Front. He then splits his forces in two. One half will head to the back of the island; the other will advance on the dome and attack it from above.

Back with Kin’emon’s group, Chopper and Usopp lure a very livid Big Mom away from everyone else, giving them the chance to push forward.

Unfortunately for Nami, she’s found by Prometheus, who is not happy that she took Zeus with her!

Finally, in the Central Front, two of the Flying Six, Ulti and Page One, get cornered by Luffy himself. The Battle for Onigashima is about to enter a new stage.

Review

Now for an explanation as to why I’m not concerned about the Alliance yet. Ideally, I’d want for Kanjuro to make it to Orochi and Kaido right before the Alliance begins their big attack. That way, they’d have no time to prepare. giving the Alliance a better chance of winning. However, I had a feeling that that wouldn’t happen, in the end. Now that Orochi is aware his plan failed, he’s not going to drop his guard again.

Luckily, Kaido and Orochi aren’t aware that the majority of the Alliance has already infiltrated the island disguised as members of the Beast Pirates. With Luffy’s team creating a ruckus, they’ve got everyone distracted. Meanwhile, Usopp and Chopper can keep Big Mom away from the fight. That tips the odds even more in the Alliance’s favor. And with one of the Flying Six taken out, and another two in Luffy’s sights, that’s half of some of Kaido’s best forces soon to be out of the fight.

Top that off with Denjiro splitting his forces up, and now Kaido will be completely surrounded. No room to maneuver, and no place for them to escape from.

There are lots of variables left in play, but at the moment, there’s little doubt in my mind: the Alliance has the advantage. They can win this fight!

As far as chapters go, I think that this was one of the more interesting ones, by virtue of how much happened. I’m hoping that Oda can keep this momentum going, as this promises to be one of the biggest fights in One Piece history. KICK KAIDO’S BUTT, LUFFY!!

I Give “Ruffian Vs. Ruffian” a 4.5/5

Click here to see more animanga stuff.