One Piece Chapter 1133 Review/Recap

We’ve been waiting for this moment for two years now. Ever since Vegapunk revealed that Jaguar D. Saul, the Giant who fought for Ohara and Robin’s first friend, was alive, we knew a reunion was inevitable. But then Oda decided to freak us out by having it look like something bad had happened to Saul a few chapters ago. As it turns out, he was just messing with us. Not only is he fine, but the reunion of Saul and Robin is a reminder of why one mustn’t let despair get to them in hard times. Praise Robin for making it this far!

Recap

The chapter starts with a flashback to the aftermath of the Ohara’s destruction. Spandine and the World Government spread lies about Robin being an evil monster, destroying Navy ships and the ship evacuating the other residents of Ohara. As a result of this libel and slander, Robin had to endure a hellish life, fighting to survive on scraps. It got to the point where she even considered suicide! The only thing that kept her going was the memory of her Mom and Saul.

In the present day, the Straw Hats are all reunited at Gerd and Goldberg’s village, with the Giant Pirates and New Giant Pirates all ready to celebrate. Before that, though, Robin has a reunion with Saul to go to. The crew heads off to the nearby lake, learning that Saul is now a history teacher at the local school. However, a Giant calls them and says that Saul collapsed on the beach, shocking everyone…except Robin.

Not worried in the slightest, Robin walks up to Saul…and he tries to jumpscare her. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t know how to say hello after all their time apart. Furthermore, he explains that the reason he survived was due to the fires of the Buster Call melting the ice he’d been trapped in. When he came to, he was already in the water, but got burn scars. After that, though, Robin asks Saul to praise her for surviving all this time. And…the two can’t hold it back anymore. They both break down in tears as the joy of their reunion and what they’ve gone through gets to him. And as the two continue to cry, most of the Straw Hats begin to cry for their friend…except for Luffy. He just has a happy grin on his face.

Review

OH MY GOD, THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!! AFTER EVERYTHING SHE WENT THROUGH AND THINKING HE WAS DEAD, ROBIN HAS FINALLY REUNITED WITH THE FIRST FRIEND SHE EVER MADE!!!! ODA MADE US CRY FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME IN ONE PIECE!!!!

I’m not lying when I say that this chapter left the One Piece fandom in absolute tears. While each of the Straw Hats has been shown to have a very tough backstory, Robin’s might be the saddest. She lost her home, her mother, and was branded a monster by an ignorant world! Worse, the flashback even reveals that Robin considered suicide at one point. It was that bad!

As shocking as the sight of a young Robin considering ending her own life was, the story showed it for more than just shock value. It’s trying to make a point about life. As bad as life can get at times, choosing to end it isn’t a viable solution to whatever problems we may face. What I think Oda is trying to remind us is that we need to remember to keep moving forward, and maybe, just maybe, things will change for the better. Robin doesn’t just deserve to be praised; she deserves all the happiness in the world.

Also, we have another thing to add to our list of reasons why the World Government has to go down. There’s got to be a special place in Hell for adults that persecute innocent little kids!

The Giants May Know the Most About the Void Century

Aside from Saul and Robin’s reunion, the episode gave us another example at how special Elbaph is. As Lilith points out, the Giants have technology from all over the world working in tandem. They’ve got sky islands, sea clouds, the bubble tech from Sabaody, and sunstones. It’s a veritable Mecca of knowledge, which does make sense. Giants live for centuries, so unlike most species, it’s only been a few generations since the events of the Void Century. Ergo, the oldest Giants who lived through it likely passed on their knowledge before they died. With Saul as a history teacher and the library of Ohara, they likely know more about the Void Century than anyone else, save for Vegapunk.

I waited for this moment for two years now, and after everything we’ve seen to get to this point, I’m not ashamed to admit I cried tears of joy. Despite everything the world did to try and kill Robin, not only did she survive, but she found her way back to her first friend. Saul and Robin earned this reunion a hundred times over. Plus, if you notice one of the other panels, Road is being crucified for kidnapping half the Straw Hats. Hopefully, he’ll either learn sense, or just get drummed out of the New Giant Warriors. As for what happens next, we’ll have to wait. However, knowing Oda, it’s going to get crazy.

I Give “Praise Me” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1005 Review/Recap

You know that famous line from The Incredible Hulk TV series starring Bill Bixby? “Don’t make me angry. You won’t like me when I’m angry.” That line can be applied to anyone who’s mad. And if there’s one thing that will make the Straw Pirates mad, it’s messing with their friends and crewmates. Case in point: Nico Robin’s going to demolish the spider-lady who captured Sanji. This should be fun.

Recap

Having been captured by Black Maria, Sanji finds himself completely at the Tobi Roppo spider-woman’s mercy. As a result, she starts to brutalize him, with him refusing to even resist. The Beast Pirate member demands that he call for Nico Robin so she can capture her. And despite everyone believing otherwise, he promptly calls for her help.

Even though everyone knows its an obvious trap, Robin doesn’t hesitate to come to her friend’s rescue. And thanks to her Devil Fruit powers (and the aid of Brook), they promptly manage to free Sanji. The chef then hightails it, leaving his crewmates to settle things.

As this is going on, the Beast Pirates are closing in on Yamato, Momo, and Shinobu’s group. Out of options, the trio makes a break for it while trying to avoid Kaido’s cyborg surveillance system.

So, how long are you guys betting Black Maria will last against Robin and Brook?

Review

You know, some people would consider Sanji’s willingness to call Robin for help to be an act of cowardice. But we One Piece fans know better. It’s a show of how much they trust each other to watch their backs. Think about it: Sanji’s not an idiot. He wouldn’t call for Robin unless he knew that she could win. And with Brook able to freeze Maria’s spider-webs, it’s pretty much a done-deal.

This wasn’t the most exciting or interesting of chapters, in my opinion. But we can’t focus entirely on the big, epic fight between the Supernovas and the Yonko. This is a full-scale war with dozens of people in play; naturally, we have to focus on the Alliance’s efforts to defeat the enemy officers. If they didn’t, then they’re going to eventually lose the war.

So, how many chapters do you guys think it will take Robin and Brook to beat Black Maria?

I Give “Demon Child” a 3/5

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One Piece Chapter 936 Review/Recap

All they had to do was stay out of trouble for a few days, then they would launch their master plan. But I think we should know by now that trouble always finds the Straw Hats. This chapter sees them get even closer to blowing everything.

Recap

Picking up where the last chapter left off, Raizo’s shocked that his comrade Kawamatsu is alive. Kawamatsu, though, is eager to get back in the fight. Raizo swears to bust him out, but after getting spotted, he has to run for it.

As for Queen, he has a special way of getting Luffy to cooperate:

The rules are simple: Luffy and Hyogoro will fight inside a sumo ring while wearing special collars. If they step out:

and Queen’s men can go in as many as they want at a time, and can use weapons. The only way Queen thinks he’ll get out is by joining Kaido’s crew.

Then Queen decides to make things fair for some reason and takes the handcuffs off of Luffy.

…… I think we all know where this is going.

Back at the bathhouse, somehow the Beast Pirates have gotten word that the Alliance is inside, and they’ve sent some of their best: X Drake and Basil Hawkins.

They Hawkins proceeds to search everyone for the crescent marking of the Kozuki Clan. Then he spots Nami, and his sword gets caught on her towel and… well…

And as we all knew, Sanji was there, and…

Well Sanji, you finally managed to fulfill your dream: turn invisible, and spy on women. Happy now?

So while everyone’s distracted by the appearance of Sanji and Nami’s “happiness punch”, the heroes get away, only for him to reveal even more bad news:

They’re trying to lure out Law. If they get him, then one fifth of the Alliance’s forces will be in prison. They have to find Law before he does something stupid.

Meanwhile, Zoro has traveled to the Ringo region in the northeast in search of his sword, Shusui. It was stolen from him some time ago, and according to the bandit who took it, he returned it to the grave of tits previous owner: the hero of Wano, Ryuma.

Zoro doesn’t care. The Shusui was given to him by Ryuma’s zombie, so it’s his by right. So, he decides to fight the bandit, get Shusui back, and take the man’s weapons for the Alliance.

Review

…..I had no idea that Queen was that dumb. He just voluntarily took the sea stone cuffs off of Luffy, giving him access to Haki and his Gum-Gum powers. And after all the training he did in prison, he’s probably gotten a lot stronger. None of the Beast Pirates will be able to beat him.

I’m a little disappointed that Raizo ended up getting the wrong key, but I think I know who that key might be for: Kawamatsu. It has to be; it’s too convenient otherwise.

Now, the only thing stopping Luffy from doing a follow up to his breakout at Impel Down is that collar on him. There’s two thing that can happen at this point: Luffy’s going to beat up every last guard in the prison along with Queen, get that collar off, and lead an army of prisoners to freedom. Or, Chopper and Big Mom’s group will arrive, wreak havoc and do the same thing. Either way, Luffy’s getting out soon.

And as for Sanji, I’d be mad at him for spying on girls, but I saw this coming a mile away. Besides, Nami will probably charge him a fortune.

As for Zoro, I am really looking forward to seeing a classic sword fight. And when he wins, the Alliance will get some badly needed weapons.

The big fights coming in nine days, and the Alliance needs all the help it can get. But the Straw Hats have a way of doing the impossible. They got this.

I Give This Chapter 4.5/5

Some stray observations

• I can’t believe X Drake is weak against women. To be fair, so is Sanji.
• I wonder how Kaido will punish Queen when he finds out that Luffy busted out because of him?
• How big do you think the third act is going to get? Because I’d say pretty big.