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One Piece Chapter 1050 Review/Recap

Ten years. That’s how long we have waited for this day. From Punk Hazard to Dressrosa, Zou, Whole Cake Island, and finally Wano, we have seen Luffy fight against the forces of Kaido, Big Mom, and their allies. It all came down to freeing Wano from Kaido’s despotic rule. Last chapter, we saw Luffy deliver what looked like a knockout blow to the monstrous Yonko. Now, we can confirm it. The Yonko. Have. Fallen. WANO IS FREE!!!

Recap

Having been knocked into the ground by Luffy’s final attack, Kaido falls silent as the earth crumbles, sending him falling into a magma chamber deep beneath Wano alongside Big Mom. The day belongs to the Alliance: Kaido has fallen, and they are victorious. Against the backdrop of the lanterns of the Fire Festival, everyone celebrates and prepares for what comes next.

The remaining Beast Pirates refuse to surrender and wish to keep fighting, though Yamato puts them in their place. Chopper and the other medics work feverishly to heal the wounded, including the Scabbards and Zoro. Elsewhere, the shock of the Yonko’s fall into the magma causes the undersea volcanoes to reach their breaking point. It erupts where Onigashima once lay, shocking all in Wano.

Momonosuke, though, appears in the Flower Capital, along with Denjiro and Hiyori. There, Denjiro announces that Kaido has been defeated, and the volcano welcomes the new Shogun of Wano!

Review

If this were the anime right now, then I would be jumping up and down like crazy. My mind is doing cartwheels right now thinking about what just happened. Luffy, Momonosuke, and all their allies did the impossible: they took down Kaido! There was never any doubt, but it’s still surreal to think this moment’s finally come.

There’s a lot that still needs to be done, though. The World Government still going to want to annex Wano (they won’t!), they have to save the wounded like Zoro, and the people of the Flower Capital will need to hear what’s happened. Orochi has fallen, Kaido has fallen, Big Mom has fallen. WANO IS FREE!!

However, Momonosuke tells Zunesha that he won’t open Wano’s borders just yet. That’s for the best, though. He needs to get his country in order before they can open up, lest another outsider group take advantage of them. As for Toko, she can smile for real, knowing that her Father did not die in vain.

Once everyone’s patched up, and word gets out, though, there’s just one thing left to do: party. We all know it’s coming. Every arc ends with the Straw Hats holding a massive party, and this will be the biggest one yet. I can’t wait!

I Give “Honor” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1049 Review/Recap

We’ve waited, and waited, and waited some more. Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting for more than a year. It was worth the wait, though, as we’ve seen Luffy and his friends fight like never before. They’ve ascended to new levels of power to defeat Kaido, with Luffy becoming a rubberhose demigod! However, the fun had to come to an end at some point, and it looks like we’ve finally reached that point. Kaido finally reaches his limit and falls. I only hope that he stays down!

Recap

As the final clash between Luffy and Kaido begins, we get a flashback to Kaido’s youth in the Vodka Kingdom. He was the island’s toughest warrior, but they ultimately handed him over to the Marines so that they could get into the Reverie. Kaido escaped, met Whitebeard, and joined the Rocks Pirates. When they fell, he founded the Beast Pirates, and all of that would eventually lead him to Wano. There, he would wait for one person, the same one King was waiting for: Joyboy, the one who will defeat him

As Kaido reaches his absolute limits, the flame clouds holding Onigashima finally fade, sending Momonosuke into a panic. Inside the island, people are faring little better as the fire’s put out by the water of Zou. As Luffy and Kaido clash one final time, Kaido wants to know what world Luffy wants to create. In response, Luffy says he wants a world where his friends can eat as much as they want as he runs his fist into Kaido’s face. At the same time, Momo finally summons the flame clouds he needs to keep the island afloat and brings it to the ground outside the Flower Capital while Kaido gets run into the ground.

Review

Holy cow, I think Luffy just won.

Okay, okay, calm down, everyone. Right now, it looks like Luffy beat Kaido, the invincible beast. However, until I see the panel that says that Kaido has been defeated, I refuse to celebrate. Still, I think that he might be done. Which means…IT’S OVER!!! When Wano wakes up in the morning, they’ll be free from the nightmare of the last 20 years! Granted, there’s still the threat of the Navy preparing to annex Wano, but given that Zunesha’s parked right behind the fleet, I’m not worried. Nor am I worried that that CP0 agent escaped, no doubt to report to their master that Kaido has fallen. As far as I’m concerned, that will merely cement Luffy as a Yonko and up his bounty.

This is…there are really no words I can use to describe how exciting this is. Now, we have to wait the next two weeks to learn if the fight’s really over. If it is, though, then there’s only one thing left for everyone to do: Straw Hat victory party.

I Give “The World You Wish For” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1048 Review/Recap

Orochi, please just die already. No, really, I want that parasitic tyrant to keel over and go to Hell where he belongs already. We have seen how horrid a person he is throughout the Wano Arc, yet he just keeps coming back. He’s a like a cockroach in snake form! As the Wano Arc reaches its ultimate climax, Luffy and Kaido are about to face each other down. However, as long as Orochi remains alive, Wano will not know peace.

Recap

The clash between Luffy and Kaido is about to reach its ultimate climax. Luffy’s punch could crush Onigashima if it hits the island, but Kaido isn’t done yet. He manages to set his entire body on fire, hot enough to melt Luffy if he gets near him. Fortunately, all the Haki training Luffy did means he doesn’t have to touch him. The two clash in a battle of Haki as everyone below cheers for Luffy to win, and drive Kaido out of Wano.

In a flashback, we see the extent of Orochi’s cruelty towards Wano. Thanks to Kaido backing him, he’s able to suck Wano of everything. The rivers become poisoned, the crops won’t grow, and the people are worked until they die. Yet so long as Orochi has Kaido, he cannot be stopped. In the present day, Orochi, ablaze with fire, prepares to kill Hiyori. However, Denjiro suddenly appears and cuts off the tyrants remaining head. In the Flower Capital, the people send their wishes to the sky: they want Orochi to disappear, and for Wano to be set free.

Review

I don’t know how he does it, but Oda’s so good at making the best villains. By best, I mean the kind of villains that we love to hate with every fiber of our being. I thought that Akainu was my top villain in One Piece, but Orochi might be a close second.

Seriously, ever since we’ve come to know Orochi, I’ve been counting the days until we see him die. However, he keeps coming back and it’s driving me crazy! That man deserves death for his crimes, and while I wanted him to face Justice first, now I just don’t care anymore.

Oda, for the love of all that’s holy, please let Orochi be dead for good. It would be very poetic to have Denjiro be the one who avenged his master’s death, after all.

As long as we don’t get any flashbacks into Kaido’s early years, then it looks like this fight will soon be over. Then, comes the celebration. It’s not a victory if the Straw Hats don’t throw a party, after all.

I Give “20 Years” a 4/5

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One Piece, Chapter 971 Review/Recap

At twelve chapters and still going, this flashback to the life of Oden Kozuki may be one of the longest in One Piece history. It’s been fun getting to see what Oden was like, his adventures with the Roger Pirates, and how Orochi came to power. However, it would seem that Oda’s getting ready to end this story and bring us back to the present day. In the manga’s defense, though, Oden’s set to go out in a very heroic manner. All while being boiled alive, no less.

Recap

Following their failed rebellion against Orochi and Kaido, Oden and the Nine Red Scabbards are sentenced to death. Rather than a quick beheading, they will die by being boiled alive in oil. Oden, however, refuses to die and strikes a bargain with Kaido. If he and the others can last an hour in the oil, they can go free. Not only does Oden withstand the heat, but he also carries the Scabbards atop a plank the whole time.

As the minutes pass, the spectators grow bored and begin to ungratefully speak about how they’ll be rid of the “Idiot Lord”. Shinobu then proceeds to blow her cover in the crowd to berate the people of Wano and let them know how indebted they are to Oden. Five years ago, Orochi reveals that he always intended to destroy Wano for hunting his family down; he had even sent its people to be used as Kaido’s playthings. Every time Oden made a fool of himself, he saved all those lives. Oden had been carrying the burden of Wano all on his shoulders.

Review

What little sympathy I had for Orochi’s freudian excuse is gone. I understand wanting revenge for the way people treated you for something he didn’t actually do. But, to destroy the whole country over this? I don’t even know the words to describe how petty and vindictive this is.

Anger aside, I knew that Oden was being blackmailed by Orochi and Kaido. Otherwise, he would have killed both right away. So hearing what Shinobu said is no surprise. What is surprising is how the chapter establishes how the Scabbards will survive. Rather than escaping being boiled alive, Oden seems set to sacrifice himself to save his retainers. Either way, I think this flashback will end by the start of March. After that, I’m looking forward to seeing Orochi and Kaido get what they deserve!

I Give “Condemened to Boil” a 4/5

By the way, I was very disturbed by the sight of Oden and that other schmuck being burned by the oil.

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One Piece Chapter 943 Review/Recap

Just when you think that you have found the absolute worst in hate sinks in fiction, the bar is lowered yet again. In this chapter, we learn the curse of the SMILE fruit, and how it hasn’t just robbed the people of Ebisu Town of their happiness, but of their ability to show any other emotion. It’s enough to make me sick to my stomach.

Recap

A flashback reveals that Tonoyasu, rather Lord Yasuie, wasn’t just the guy who tried whipping Oden Kozuki into shape, he helped the Nine Red Scabbards become the warriors we have seen. Back when they were just Oden’s followers and tried stealing money from him, he not only gave it to him, but even paid extra so they could learn to become people Oden could rely on as Shogun.

In the present, Hiyori explains what she meant about the SMILE fruit robbing the people of the ability to do anything but smile. As artificial Devil Fruits, there was no guarantee they would work. In fact, they only have a 10% chance of even giving people powers. Anyone else gets not only the “no swimming” effect, but loses the ability to express negative emotions. Shinobu confirms the same thing.

Orochi cruelly ordered the defective SMILEs to the leftover town. It saved them from starving, but it cursed them as well.

In the present, Orochi shows his wickedness once more, laughing at Yasuie’s death and comparing Wano to heaven itself. Just then, Toko runs up to her father, tearfully, begging him to get up but unable to do anything but smile. Orochi becomes enraged at the sight of her and decides to kill her right then and there. Before that happens, though, Sanji and Zoro show up, and they do not look happy

Review

Hmm, this is a new feeling. A calm, tranquil fury and its all being directed at our new hate sink, Orochi. As for the SMILE fruits, it churns my stomach to know that something so vile was allowed to exist. Robbing people of the ability to show any emotion except a fake grin, an unwanted mask that they can’t get off.

The Joker from DC Comics would probably think this is the funniest thing in the world right now.

Orochi and Kaido are poisons, rotting Wano from the inside out. If they can’t remove them from power, Wano will be destroyed.

That said, I like how the explanation that they give for the SMILE fruits, even if it is messed up. Thank heavens the Straw Hats were able to stop the production of those abominations.

Now the main problem, though, is that Toko is in Orochi’s sights, and he’s not going to let her get away. Sanji and Zoro can hold him off, but that will just attract more attention. Orochi’s thugs may let their guards down now, but Orochi will stay as paranoid as ever.

One way or another, though, I am looking to seeing Sanji and Zoro fight Orochi next week. It’ll give us a good look at what the monster is capable of.

I Give “SMILE” a 4/5

One Piece Chapter 942 Review/Recap

If you’re wondering why I didn’t put up the latest chapter of One Piece last week, it was because I have been too busy to work on all my blogs at once. But I finally have some free time, so here is the latest chapter.

Also, there is no new chapter this week, so I think I have some leeway.

Recap

The chapter starts off with a flashback to more than twenty or so years ago, to Kozuki Oden’s youth. With the passing of his father, Oden would be the new Shogun, though his father had disowned him for his ruffian lifestyle. So he thinks that the Shogunate will pass down to Yasuie so he can fulfill his dream of leaving Wano and traveling the world.

Yasue wouldn’t hear of it, and says that his father only threw him out so he could learn how to be responsible and become the leader everyone sees him to be.

In the present, Yasuie, or Tonoyasu as we know him, tells everyone that he lied about being the Midnight Boy. He said that so that everyone would watch his execution. He then tells the people of Wano of their proud, beautiful country, and how Orochi’s merely a parasite who’s sapped it of its wealth.

To Orochi’s fury, Tonoyasu then says that he made up everything about the Kozuki Clan and the tattoos as a prank to get people’s attention.

Now, Orochi’s men suddenly think that they arrested innocent people and that Orochi’s just paranoid.

As Orochi arrives to personally kill him, Tonoyasu curses Orochi with the most badass, poetic insult I’ve ever read.

He then proceeds to laugh as he thinks about looking forward to seeing the Kozuki Clans’ vengeance from the afterlife as the guards execute him.

As the people of Ebisu Town watch, Toko can only stand there in anguish as she watches her father die. Yet all she and the people of Ebisu do is laugh, to Zoro’s confusion. Hiyori then tearfully reveals that this is all the doing of Kaido and Orochi: the SMILE fruits have robbed them of the ability to show any emotion besides laughter

Review

I will be upfront and honest: when I read this last week, I almost cried. I had a feeling that there was more to Tonoyasu than he let on, and I was right. He may have looked like a fool, but that masked how cunning he was.

By sacrificing himself, Tonoyasu managed to do three very important things. First, by saying he made up everything about the tattoos and the Kozuki Clan, now Orochi and Kaido’s men will let their guards down, thinking there is no threat. Second, that means that most, if not all, of the allies that they arrested will end up being set free, bolstering the Alliance’s forces. Third and most importantly, he made himself a matyr.

Tonoyasu was beloved by everyone in Wano, and I don’t think the people will take his death lying down. If I were them, I’d go home, grab weapon, and riot. Even if Kaido and Orochi surpress the riots to come, they’ll be distracted. All this adds up: the Alliance just had the odds tipped back in its favor.

In fact, if it wasn’t for the SMILE fruits, I would say the Alliance has a good chance of winning. If what Hiyori said is true, then those accursed fruits are even more sinister than I thought.

The second act of the Wano Arc is heating up: riots may start, the Alliance has a chance to regroup, and we all know that Luffy’s going to bust out of Udon Prison with an army of prisoners that have an axe to grind with Orochi. This might be the biggest battle One Piece has seen since the Marineford Arc, and I love it!

I Give “Daimyo of Hakumai, Shimotsuki Yasuie” a 5/5. Rest in Peace, Tonoyasu.