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One Piece Chapter 1165 Review/Recap

The newest chapter of One Piece is out, and oh my god, you guys, what a chapter! The God Valley Incident has reached its climax with a fight that, in all honesty, needs to be given the movie treatment. Sengoku wasn’t kidding when he called Rocks Roger’s greatest rival, nor was he exaggerating about it how he and Garp had to work together to take him down. By the time we get to the last page of the chapter, God Valley is a wasteland devoid of all sentient life as everyone goes their separate ways. However, the best part of the chapter is also the most tragic as we see the legend of Rocks D. Xebec come to an end.

Recap

Even as they hear him beg them to put him out of his misery, Roger and Garp are barely able to handle the power of a demonically-enhanced Rocks. They hit him with everything they’ve got, but he just shrugs it off while the island is reduced to an utter ruin. It gets to the point that when Roger suggests a truce, Garp doesn’t object due to how dangerous Rocks has become. Anyone who’s still left besides them is forced to flee; only Rayleigh and Gaban head back to help Roger.

Despite the best efforts of the future Pirate King and Hero of the Marines, Garp and Roger can’t put a dent in Rocks. His Armament and Conqueror’s Haki is so powerful that it’s cancelling out all their attacks. Out of sheer desperation, the two decide to go for broke and put their lives on the line. Apologizing to Rocks for what they have to do, Roger and Garp put everything they have into one last attack. And it works! They tear through Rocks’ defenses and obliterate him in the process.

The World Government would call this day the God Valley Incident, and did everything in their power to cover up the truth of what happened, even erasing the island’s location from history. But the fall of Rocks D. Xebec and the Rocks Pirates was something too great to be ignored.

Review

Oh my heavens, you guys, this chapter was an absolute banger! I now fully understand why the people who were at God Valley don’t like talking about it much. Almost everything that happened on that island was like setting foot in the depths of Hell. When we went into this, I was expecting things to end with the World Government destroying the island altogether. It turns out that they didn’t need to, though. The fighting there was so destructive that, odds are, God Valley is probably a wasteland devoid of life. The only proof that it existed was through the legacy of the Rocks Pirates.

The Rocks Pirates Could Never Succeed

I feel like this chapter also hammers home just how tragic the fate of Rocks and his crew ultimately was. While Roger would ultimately become the Pirate King, I’d argue that Rocks was the bigger threat for directly picking a fight with the World Government. I’d even go so far as to say that if he had wanted to, Rocks could’ve found his way to Laugh Tale and exposed the truth to everyone. But despite being made up of people who became legendary figures in their own right, the Rocks Pirates didn’t even bother sticking together. Throughout the chapter, you can see how each member decides to leave their Captain to his fate without a second thought.Heck, we see Gloriosa trying to hitch a ride with the Roger Pirates. To be honest, it makes the Rocks Pirates feel like a dark reflection of the Straw Hats in the present-day. Both crews are badasses that can defeat armies, and both are led by someone who could change the world. The main difference is that the Straw Hats have camaraderie the Rocks Pirates never did.

Honestly, if Rocks could see what Luffy has with his crew, he might cry tears of joy. Because before this series is over, I think the Straw Hats will finish what the Rocks and Roger Pirates started. It’s not much, but considering how Rocks didn’t deserve what happened to him, it’s something.

Now Comes the Aftermath

I would also like to note that this chapter should make Garp stocks go up a little. Despite having an idea about the monster the World Government is hiding shaking him up, Garp chooses to stay in the Marines to keep the rank and file safe. He’s like that one superior you have at work who knows they’re working in a bad company, but do so anyway to shield those under them. It’s understandable, but I can also understand why this event likely makes Dragon quit.

Regardless of how things panned out, remember that this isn’t the end of the flashback. Keep in mind that the whole point of this flashback was learning the truth about how Harald died. We’ve still got a ways to go before we learn the truth. No matter what, though, Imu needs to fall.

I Give “Reverberations” a 5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1163 Review/Recap

How did Rocks D. Xebec die? When we first learned about Rocks from Sengoku, he said that he fell at the God Valley Incident at the hands of Gol D. Roger and Garp working together. Most of us, myself included, were focused on the fact that there was someone so tough that the future Pirate King and Hero of the Marines had to work together to beat him, but the context still had us shaking our heads. We know that the cover-up that they did it to save some Celestial Dragons was sus, but it turns out that Oda has already given us the answer to Rocks’ death. More importantly, it likely explains King Harald’s own death. They both died because of Imu and their technique, Domi Reversi.

Recap

With Saturn now possessed by Imu, the shadow ruler of the world wastes no time in clearing the field. They proceed to slaughter any unlucky Marines who saw them, sending most of them and the remaining pirate running for the hills. Garp, on the other hand, decides to charge straight in, not caring who Saturn is.

While the other Rocks pirates keep fighting for the treasure, Dragon almost makes it to a Marine ship with Shanks. Sadly, he gets knocked out and drops Shanks, who crawls into a treasure chest.

In the middle of everything, Rocks defiantly calls Imu the king of the bilge rats, while Imu calls him Davy Jones before the two begin fighting. Then Kaido wants a piece of the action, and Big Mom tries to attack him for stealing the fruit. The next thing we know, Rocks, Roger, Garp, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido all hit Imu with their strongest attacks at once.

It doesn’t work. Worse, Imu sees Eris and Teach trying to escape, enraging Rocks. But instead of going after them themselves, Imu decides to make Rocks end his own bloodline. Ensnared in Imu’s tentacles, Rocks is subjected to Domi Reversi, and begins to make a terrifying transformation.

Review

It’s official, you guys: One Piece is doing Rocks dirty. I don’t need to be a prophet or see the future to know how this is going to end for him. Imu is going to force Rocks to try and kill his wife and child, and then Roger and Garp will have to put him out of his misery. What an ignominious way to end the story of the man who ruled the seas before Roger came along. So, Sengoku might be right all along: Rocks falls at the hands of Garp and Roger, but not for the reasons he and others who weren’t there were told. It was a cover-up on top of a cover-up to keep the Marines from learning about the existence of Imu. More importantly, it was a way for Imu to keep the free-spirited and morally just Garp working with the Marines. Making him out as their hero would make it impossible for him to abandon them even after learning about Imu, and it would prevent anyone else from learning.

Beyond that, though, did you see how awesome that double-page spread was?!? Six of the strongest people in the world at the time hit Imu with their strongest attacks! That is something that we haven’t seen before or since! If it had been anyone else, they would likely be dead! Unfortunately, Imu isn’t anyone else. In fact, I’m not even sure if they’re human! The fact that Imu was able to take their hits and keep fighting, though, bodes ill for the Straw Hats. If the future King of the Pirates, Rocks, Garp, and three of the four future Yonko couldn’t do any damage, then the Straw Hats are in for it.

Domi Reversi is Truly Horrifying

The most terrifying aspect about this chapter, though, is what Imu does to Rocks. Rocks was someone who could fight on par with Roger and Harald, two of the strongest people in the entire series. Yet not even he was able to resist Domi Reversi. If someone like him is capable of falling to that technique, then what does that mean for Luffy and the others? It’s possible that Luffy might be an exception due to being the next Joy Boy, but I don’t want to risk seeing it.

This chapter does at least confirm something that I’ve already suspected: Imu is responsible for King Harald’s death. He must have used Dommi Reversi on Harald to turn him into a demon, forcing the Giants guarding him to kill him in self-defense. Loki would end up getting blamed for it since everyone already thought the worst about him, and the rest is history. All the more reason why Imu cannot conquer Elbaph, though.

This was a really great chapter. And I mean a really great chapter. We got to see just how terrifying Imu is thanks to scaling them against people many consider monsters. More importantly, we learn how Shanks found his way to Roger, as well as some world-building by showing the powers of the other Rocks Pirates. These next few chapters are going to be heart-breaking, though.

I Give “God Valley Battle Royale” a 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1158 Review/Recap

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Rocks and King Harald have finally had their falling out! Thanks to Harald wanting to have Elbaph join the World Government, the Elders gave him an ultimatum: kill Rocks D. Xebec for them. Meanwhile, events continue to unfold in this flashback, which, at this point, isn’t just about how Harald died. It’s obvious by now that we’re seeing just how the Rocks Pirates came to be and how their leader eventually fell. This week’s chapter, though, added another layer to things. We might be seeing the origin of Shanks and one of the reasons behind the God Valley Incident.

Man, this is good!

Quick sidebar, by the way: I’m aware of what people are saying about Gecko Moriah really being Kozuki Moriah. I do not see it. Moriah did steal Ryuuma’s sword, after all. If that is him, the Wano is in for a rude awakening.

Recap

Ever since the news of Shakky quitting piracy came out, Roger had been in a bad mood. The reason was that, despite knowing where she was, Roger had learned that Rayleigh had gotten a love letter from her. He was bummed that she chose his best friend over him! Not one to be deterred, though, Roger had his crew set course for Hachinosu. After that, Roger proceeded to mow through the line waiting to get in, where the Rocks Pirates were already hanging out and gossiping. Rocks didn’t like it, but Shakky had decreed anyone visiting to come to her bar couldn’t be harmed. She was so upset that Rayleigh stayed on the ship, though, that she passed out.

Sometime later, the clash between Rock and Harald takes place in the Underworld of Elbaph. Both combatants hold nothing back, both physically and verbally. Harald says that he’s genuinely trying to change how the world views the Giants of Elbaph. However, Rocks calls him a fool for thinking they’ll welcome them as equals. All they want is to enslave the Giants for themselves. In the end, neither of them won, but their friendship had come to an end. They wouldn’t see each other again until a certain incident.

A short time earlier, a young Garling was telling the Five Elders about a brief stay in God Valley where he found something Imu would be interested in. At the same time, on God Valley itself, a mother was showing off her two infant children to people, Shanks and Shamrock.

Review

Dang. That is a lot to unpack, but it was fun!

Firstly, i liked how this chapter serves to set up how things will turn out for the major players of this era. Its confirmed by this point that Teach was born, making Rocks a father, though I doubt we’ll know the identity of his mother just yet. In addition, it seems like Roger will not stop pining for Shakky for some time, despite knowing she likes his best friend. That’s the kind of love triangle that could destroy most bromance, but thankfully, Roger and Rayleigh are tighter than that. Plus, Rayleigh did admit that he didn’t want to be tied down, and that holds true. The two are married in the present, but they have an open relationship. Good for them.

On the flip side, though, we saw the end of Rocks and Harald’s unlikely friendship. And the sad thing about it is that neither is wholly right nor wrong here. Harald is right that his people need to show they’re not just violent killers but have more to offer the world; he just chose the worst time to do this. On the other hand, Rocks is right with what he says about the Giants. The World Government only wants them for the power they bring and nothing else. They’re playing Harald, and he likely knows it; he’s just that desperate to make up for who he was when he was young. With what’s happening in the present-day, though, Rocks was right. And they can’t be allowed to get away with their takeover.

So Shanks is From God Valley?

The biggest surprise about the chapter, though, was the reveal of baby Shanks and Shamrock. This chapter pretty much confirms that they were born in God Valley. It also all but confirms that Garling is their father. If that’s true, then it’s likely the God Valley Incident led to Shanks being abandoned while Garling took Shamrock with him.

This flashback has quickly evolved from simply being about Loki. It’s now telling the life story of King Harald and Rocks D Xebec. It seems like Oda is determined to get everything out of the way before the final war begins, and he’s doing a good job of keeping people invested. If things keep going this way, then we might end up seeing more of the God Valley Incident, and I can’t wait for that!

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One Piece Chapter 1145 Review/Recap

Can we stop and take a moment to mention how awesome Jinbei the Sea Knight is? He fought alongside the late Fisher Tiger, became a Warlord, was a friend of Ace, and helped save Luffy’s life multiple times. All of the Straw Hats have their own value, but Jinbei is something else. And in the latest chapter of One Piece, he’s the reason why the kids of the Walrus school won’t burn alive.

Also, this is a reminder that the anime has returned after being on hiatus for the last six months. Considering how that has never happened before, it was a big deal.

Recap

Because Luffy decided to help save Loki’s life, Zoro, Sanji, and Goldberg start hunting for meat. With the help of a Homie Goldberg has called Nash, the group brings down a dinosaur for Loki to eat. Sadly (for Loki), the Prince is forced to endure Luffy’s disastrous attempts to help him get better, much to the delight of the Giants.

Once Loki calms down, he claims he wasn’t lying about knowing where Shanks is, but he won’t talk until Luffy fully sets him free. He does, however, sympathize with Luffy’s desire to meet his hero, as he, too, had a pirate he looked up to but couldn’t join.

Back up above, the Giant Pirates get busy fighting the nightmares, with Gaban noting how if Elbaph isn’t safe, the world is in trouble. The firefighters are desperately trying to put out the fires, but their efforts aren’t working fast enough. As the kids get closer and closer to the flames, Gunko watches and notes how the flames would wake the kids up in time to burn alive. At the last possible second though, Jinbei uses his Fishman Karate to unleash a tsunami on the flames, extinguishing them just in time!

As the adults all celebrate, Jinbei jumps aboard Colon’s ship and joins the group, with the boy praising how cool he was. However, their joy proves short lived. Gunko saw them, noticed how Colon was the one kid who wasn’t at the school, and appears right on top of the figurehead.

Review

Jinbei, you magnificent Fishman, you! For the umpteenth time since meeting Luffy, Jinbei has come in clutch for Luffy and the other Straw Hats. Thanks to him, the Giant kids are safe from being burned to death. However, that won’t matter if they reach the harbor. Once they’re taken to Mariejois, their parents may never see them again. And I’ll be damned before I see any more kids suffer at the hands of the Celestial Dragons! For the sake of everyone, the Giants and Straw Hats need to beat the God’s Knights now.

The question is, can they?

Right now, Colon’s group is at a severe disadvantage. Nami and Usopp aren’t the strongest of the Straw Hats, and while I’d rank Jinbei as the fourth strongest in the crew, even that might not be enough to beat someone like Gunko. However, they might have a secret weapon in the form of Brook. In the last chapter, it was revealed that Gunko is a fan of Soul King Brook. Having to fight her idol might trip her up enough to give them the advantage. As for the other Knights, I think Gaban could take them if he pushed himself. However, keep in mind that he’s no longer in his prime. He might be able to fight them to a standstill, but that’s about it.

Loki Was Influenced by Xebec?!?

Now, for the big reveal of this chapter: the connection that Loki has to the Rocks Pirates. Loki’s flashback reveals that he looked up to another pirate crew and wanted to go out to sea with them. While the chapter doesn’t name which crew it is, the fact that their captain dropped the name “Newgate” makes it obvious it was Rocks D. Xebec who was talking. This explains so much about Loki and why he, on some levels, feels like a darker version of Luffy. Besides both being impossibly strong, they’re also mischievous, tricky, and could potentially destroy the world if pushed that far. The difference is that Luffy had a positive role model in Shanks, while Xebec wasn’t. Maybe it was fate that the two would end up meeting.

Regardless of that, it appears that the real fight is about to begin, and all the Straw Hats need to join in. I’m hoping that Jinbei and the others can hold off Gunko, but right now, Luffy needs to join the fight before it’s too late.

Also, by the time you’re reading this review, the One Piece anime will be back in full, and I am so looking forward to seeing it! The flashback for Kuma’s life is going to leave people in tears, and I cannot wait to see Saturn get his karma in 4K.

I Give “The Blaze in Branch 8’s Forest No. 2” a 4/5

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