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One Piece Chapter 980 Review/Recap

So, it looks like the final battle for the fate of Wano’s going to be a slow burn. Moreso than usual as Oda’s quarantining himself from COVID-19. It’s a shame, because I’m looking forward to seeing the Beast Pirates get what’s coming to them. However, this week’s chapter manages to give us a small appetizer as the party gets started. And all because Luffy wants some payback for the starving people of Wano.

KICK THEIR BUTTS, LUFFY!

Recap

So, Luffy sees how the Beast Pirates are wasting food while the people of Wano starve in the streets. Remember poor Tama, he gets understandably pissed off. As a result, he does what Luffy does when he’s mad: he goes on a rampage. Then Zoro comes in, and remembering Tama as well, gets equally mad. The Captain and First Mate of the Straw Hat’s go on a rampage and try to fight their way out of the dining hall.

Meanwhile, Queen and Scratchman Apoo realize that the reports of Luffy being in Udon were false, and realize how bad the situation is. Apoo uses his music powers to hammer into them, forcing the duo to retreat. Queen sics all the men he has with him to go after them. To sweeten the deal, he gives anyone who takes them down the chance to join the Flying Six. Luffy and Zoro wind up boxed in before they can escape. Before Apoo can hit them again, Kid shows up, wanting payback for selling his crew out to Kaido.

Review

All right, I think we all knew that the Straw Hats were never going to follow the plan through. Or to be more precise, Luffy would do something crazy and the Straw Hats would get the party started. The good news is that they’re at full strength right and can fight together. The bad news is that they’re in a place that’s crawling with SMILE Users and heavy-hitters. They have to be smart about who they fight.

Among the members of the Alliance at Onigashima, the only ones capable of remotely beating Kaido are Luffy, and maybe Zoro. They can’t afford to get caught in too many fights, or they’ll lose to Kaido. In addition, we know little about Scratchman Apoo’s Devil Fruit Powers, beyond that they involve musical instruments. That’s something they can’t afford.

However, I’m not too worried about things. Kid’s already charged in to take out Apoo as revenge for betraying him. Kid stands the best chance to take Apoo out, and that will reduce the enemy’s strength.

Long story short, these opening blows to the battle are going to be crucial in the long-term. If the Alliance can take out Queen and Apoo here, the enemy loses two heavy-hitters and keeps the element of surprise for a while longer. It will be worth the two week wait, if you ask me.

I Give “Fighting Music” a 3.8/5

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One Piece Chapter 975 Review/Recap

In the last chapter of One Piece, the story finally returned to the present. We learned that Kanjuro was a spy for Orochi the entire time. Worse, the Scabbards got surrounded by the Beast Pirates and Momonosuke was captured. It looked like the end for the Alliance. However, we know better than that. Sure enough, the Straw Hat, Heart, and Kid Pirates showed up in their ships, ready for battle. The opening salvos of the war to liberate Wano are about to be fired!

Grab some popcorn. This is going to be good.

Recap

Despite being caught off guard by the pirates arrival, the Beast Pirates refuse to back down. They boast about how their allies will all die, and about the alliance between Kaido and Big Mom. Luffy, Law, and Kid couldn’t care less, though, and kick the Beast Pirates butts. Just then, Boss “Kyoshiro” appears, and the Beast Pirates think they’re saved. However, “Kyoshiro” attacks them instead, and finally reveals his true identity as Denjiro of the Nine Red Scabbards.

Denjiro then pledges the support of his family to the Alliance before revealing that he freed the thousand prisoners in the Flower Capital. Better still, Denjiro tells everyone that Orochi’s destruction of the bridges changed nothing. the Alliance forces had already linked up at the true rendevous point: the Maple Tree that Lord Yasuie cherished. More than 5,400 warriors now stand ready to fight.

Review

I cannot stop grinning after reading this chapter; I’m esctactic! I’ve seen the Straw Hats rally against impossible odds like this before. Even so, I can’t help but laugh my butt off at what they did! The Alliance now has an army of 5,400 pirates, samurai, ninja, and minks ready to free Wano.

This is a sizable army by pirate standards. However, the Alliance is outnumbered four to one. The Beast Pirates have 20,000 members, with most of its upper members on par with the Alliance Members. There’s also Orochi’s men and anyone Big Mom has brought with her. In other words, this will still be an uphill battle.

In addition, there’s still no sign of Jinbei anywhere, so the Straw Hats have yet to be fully reunited. However, I think he’ll show up before or during the battle like a badass.

Am I worried? Not in the slightest. They may be outnumbered, but from what I’ve seen from the Alliance, they have the Yonko outclassed. This will be a day long remembered. It will see the end to Orochi, and hopefully, the fall of Big Mom and Kaido. BRING IT ON, BITCH!

I Give “Kin’emon’s Plan” A 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 972 Review/Recap

I rarely ever come across situations where I have no words to start off a blog post. However, after reading this chapter of One Piece, I have no words. Oden’s story comes to an incredible ending.

Recap

As Oden’s execution drags on, Shinobu’s revelations slowly begin to disperse throughout the crowd of onlookers. As a result, people begin to spread the word to all of Wano via arrow, while the crowd begins to ask for Orochi to halt the execution. In response, he just starts killing onlookers. Realizing that he will not make it out alive, Oden chooses to tell everyone the truth about Wano. That the Kozuki’s closed off their land to protect it from a great power. Twenty years from now, a great war will begin, and a person who’s traveled through time will need Wano’s help. Thus, he commands the Scabbards to open Wano’s borders no matter what.

Despite the overwhelming pain of the boiling oil, Oden survives for an hour. However, Orochi reneges on his promise and decides to just kill Oden firing squad. With the last of his strength, he throws the Scabbards to safety and tells them to make for Kuri, where Toki plans to send them into the future, along with his swords. As a sign of respect to the only man who injured him, Kaido ends Oden’s life with a single bullet to the head.

Review

Wow, just wow. I knew that this execution would end in Oden’s death and the escape of the Scabbards. Even so, I couldn’t help but be shocked at how things turned out, or the foresight that Oden seemed to have. He knew that if he couldn’t save Wano, then the ones who save would come in twenty years. Knowing how Oda operates, Oden somehow knew that the Straw Hats would be the ones to take down Kaido.

So, long story short, the execution ended how I predicted, but that doesn’t make it any less hard to watch. Oden was a fun character, and I’m going to miss him. Now, though, it’s time for the manga to return to the present day. Orochi may think he’s one, but I know that the Straw Hats will find a way to win.

The next chapter will likely be the last of this long flashback, so we should get back to the present day by March. Hopefully, the next chapter will show us Toki’s powers in action, as well what happened to Denjiro, because we don’t know where he is. The Straw Hat’s greatest battle yet is about to begin, and I am so pumped for it! #RIPODEN

I Give ” I am Oden, And I Was Born to Boil” A 3.8/5

By the way, that old lady who had the Clone-Clone Fruit? Kaido killed her.

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One Piece, Chapter 964 Review/Recap

After weeks of seeing Oden romp around the confines of Wano, I started getting bored with One Piece’s latest flashback. All that changed, though, when the Whitebeard Pirates washed up on Kuri Beach. Not only did Oden clash blades with Whitebeard, but he had the guts to flat out ask him to let him join his crew. Oden Kozuki’s grand adventure is about to begin!

Recap

Despite showing he can handle himself in a fight, Whitebeard refuses to let Oden join his crew. He still remembers how unruly the Rock Pirates, and never wants that to happen again. However, Oden refuses to take no for an answer. So when the Whitebeard Pirates try to sneak out at night a few weeks later, he grabs onto the Moby Dick and refuses to let go, even when Izo tries to drag him back. So Whitebeard makes a promise to Oden, if he can hold on for three days, then he’ll let him join.

Sure enough, Oden manages to hold on, despite being at the ocean’s mercy. However, when he only has a few minutes left, Oden lets go, hearing a woman asking for help. That woman is Toki Amatsuki, whose dream is to travel to Wano, to Oden’s disgust. In the end, Whitebeard decides to let Oden join him anyway on their grand adventure. In addition, Izo and Toki join, along with Inu and Neko, who snuck on board to stop Oden.

Thus, Oden Kozuki’s grand adventure begins, and he spends the entire time with the Whitebeard Pirates acting like a kid in a candy store. As the crew’s fame grows, Oden begins to attract attention from others, including a man by the name of Gold Roger.

With this new design, Roger now looks like Ace but with a mustache

Review

Now this is more like it! After being focused on a single country such as Wano for so long, I almost forgot how amazing the world of One Piece truly is. Oden seems to share that sentiment, going on in his journal about how amazing the world is. I’m sure Oden and Luffy would have loved each other.

This is also the first time that we see Oden’s future wife, the time-traveler Toki. She’s the spitting image of Hiyori, both in looks and personality. Why she wants to travel to Wano, though, is beyond me.

Overall, I found this chapter to be hilarious, and helped to pull focus back on why Oden wants to open Wano to the world. Orochi would have them believe the world’s dangerous, and it is. However, it’s also filled with so many wonderful things and people. With Oden’s grand adventure underway, I can’t wait for the next chapter where he meets Gold Roger.

I Give “Oden’s Adventure” a 4.5/5. Also, this face is now a mood.

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One Piece, Chapter 963 Review/Recap

Since One Piece started the flashback to the life of Oden Kozuki, I’ve had mixed feelings about it. I like them, but they don’t tell us the important things. I want to know how Oden got out of Wano and his connection to Roger and Whitebeard. Thankfully, this chapter sees the story starting to get to the good stuff. In the short-term, though, we see the Nine Red Scabbards become true Samurai.

Recap

Thirty-three years ago, a young Kawamatsu found Inuarashi and Nekomamushi washed ashore in Kuri. The superstitious locals tried to burn them thinking them to be monsters, only for Oden to tell them off about it. Grateful, the trio follow Oden home and pledge themselves to him. Sometime later, the group of nine tries stealing money from Yasuie, only for him to give it to them. Thanks to his kindness, they get the proper lessons they need in order to become true Samurai. When Oden returns to the Flower Capital three years later, they’re able to create a formal procession. Needless to say, everyone’s jaws dropped.

Oden rushed to the Capital because he heard his father was ill, but he turned out to be fine. However, this would be their last meeting ever. Later that year, Whitebeard’s ship washes ashore on Kuri beach. Seizing his chance, Oden goes to meet the Whitebeard Pirates. Clashing blades with Whitebeard, he asks the future Yonko one thing: let me sail with you!

Review

Well, there you have it, folks: the formation of the Nine Red Scabbards. The greatest Samurai in all of Wano; and something I didn’t care about. The one thing I appreciated from their story is confirming what Kawamatsu is: he’s a fish-man. I didn’t want to assume what he was, though, because of all the crazy stuff we’ve seen in One Piece.

As interesting as seeing the Scabbards becoming samurai was, the ending’s what I’m most interested in. I don’t know how Whitebeard got his massive ship into Wano, but I know that this is the moment Oden’s waiting for. He’s going to join the Whitebeard Pirates and escape to the outside world at last, thus cementing his place in history. We know he’ll be fine, but seeing him hold his own against Whitebeard drives home how strong he is. The samurai of Wano are dangerous, indeed.

However, the most important thing about this chapter is something that others may overlook. Oden’s father had fallen ill, and we know that he dies before Oden returns to Wano. Then we see that Orochi’s now a servant for Lord Sukiyaki. All I’m doing right now is speculating, but I know a hint when I see it: Orochi poisoned Oden’s father. We may have to wait a while to learn the truth, but that’s what my gut tells me.

The point is, I’m glad the manga’s going to start answering the lingering questions about the Wano Arc. It’s the perfect way to tie up loose ends before we see Luffy kick Kaido’s ass. We’ll most likely have to wait unto 2020 to see the Samurai strike, but I think it’s worth it.

I Give “Becoming Samurai” a 3.5/5. Also, that Mountain God Oden sliced up is still alive!

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 5 Review/Recap

After the multiple revelations of last week’s episode, I think viewers needed a chance soak everything in. So instead of focusing on Midoriya, this week’s episode focuses on his classmates; specifically Kirishima. As Red Riot, he’s doing his own work study with Amajiki under Great Saiyaman Fat Gum. However, he winds up getting caught in the effects of Overhaul’s master plan in the process.

Recap

At a secret location, Shigaraki meets with Overhaul and tells him he’ll work with him, on two conditions. Firstly, he won’t a subordinate: they’re equal partners in this plan. Secondly, the young man wants to know what Overhaul’s plan is. He already knows it has something to do with what they hit Mr. Compress with. Overhaul cryptically says that he plans to fine-tune what All for One did and upend the status quo.

Elsewhere, Red Riot (Kirishima) is on patrol with Suneater (Amajiki) and Fat Gum. After stopping a trio of robbers, Suneater’s suddenly shot by a fourth criminal with the same bullet used on Mr. Compress. Red Riot pursues the criminal on his own and seems to have him beat. However, the man then injects himself with a drug that makes his Quirk go crazy. As a result, Red Riot pushes his Quirk and defeats the bad guy with his new move: Red Riot Unbreakable! All the civilians present praise the young hero for his efforts, but Fat Gum’s left worried about the criminal used.

Review

By a wide margin, Midoriya’s my favorite character in My Hero Academia; partially because his sense of justice and bravery reminds me of Spider-Man. However, I think a good Shonen story needs to give its supporting cast time to shine. This episode was all about the supporting cast.

Aside from Kirishima’s amazing display, it’s also revealed that Uraraka and Asui are doing their own work studies. Like Deku and Kirishima, they’re working alongside another member of the Big 3, Nejire. As a result of all their heroics, the members of Class 1-A are getting noticed by the public. Honestly, I think its nice to see them get recognition; they’re building their legends as heroes.

As much as I loved seeing what the others are up to, there are bigger problems. I know that Overhaul has some kind of drug that can surpress a person’s Quirk. What worries me more, though, is that drug that criminal used to fight Red Riot. It was like a super-powered steroid, and in the wrong hands, that could be catastrophic. Whatever Overhaul has planned, it’s big. In other words, this episode sets us up for a something monumental, and I can’t wait to see what happens next week! PLUS ULTRA!

I Give “Let’s Go, Gutsy Red Riot” A 4/5. Really enjoyable

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One Piece Chapter 962 Review/Recap

A few weeks ago, Act 3 of One Piece’s Wano Arc started, to fans joy. However, it then immediately shifted into another one of Oda’s world-building flashbacks. In this case, it’s the origins of Oden Kozuki and his retainers, the Nine Red Scabbards. The last chapter saw Oden take up residence with Yasuie after his dad disowned him. The legend of Oden continues to grow in this chapter! Also, Orochi proves that he was always a slimeball.

Recap

After two years of living with Yasuie, Oden gets bored and decides to head to Kuri. At the time, it’s a place so lawless that even the Shogunate gave up on it, making it perfect for Oden. Denjiro and Kin’emon insist on going with him, much to his dismay. Along the way, Oden documents his adventures as he comes across several of the future Nine Red Scabbards. Most of the time, he ends up beating them up and they end up deciding to follow him out of respect.

After traveling for some time, Oden finally enters Kuri on his own and fights against Ashura and his men. By the time Kin’emon and the others reach Oden, they find out he beat all of them. Thus, he straightened out everyone and made Kuri into a livable place. As a result, his father took back the disownment and made him the Lord of Kuri. Rather than deal with a bunch of stuck up people from the capital, he appoints his friends as his retainers. With that, the Nine Red Scabbards are formed, while peace reigns in Kuri. Six years pass, and two mysterious strangers wash up on the beach of Kuri to be found by Kawamatsu.

Review

In my opinion, I think that Oden Kozuki’s life leans heavily on tall tales and Japanese legends. While I understand the importance of world-building, though, I don’t think it necessary to go into detail on the backstories of the Nine Red Scabbards. Previous chapters established enough for us to get the picture.

Through his travels in Wano, though, it’s clear that Oden never gave up on his goal of leaving the country. He saw Kuri as a twisted mirror of the prison he thought Wano was, hence why reined it in. With the arrival of Inuarashi and Nekomamushi in Wano, though, he may finally get his chance to leave.

This chapter seemed to do little for me other than hyping up Oden more. After the last chapter’s revelation that Orochi started as Yasuie’s servant, I wanted to see what the jerk was like in the past. Sadly, this chapter almost wasted that chance. The only hint we got was that Orochi clearly stole money from Yasuie and tried to blame it on Oden. Even back then, he was a snake.

As interesting as these flashbacks are, I look forward to getting back to the present. I want to see the war and Orochi’s head on a pike by this time next year!

I Give “A Daiymo and His Retainers” a 3/5. Give us more important stuff!

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One Piece, Chapter 960 Review/Recap

One Piece has spent the entire Wano Arc building Oden Kozuki into this lather-than-life legend. How he was the only person to injure Kaido. How he was a member of the Roger and Whitebeard Pirates. Yet the Wano Arc’s entering its climax, and we know so little about the man. Thus, before the final battle for Wano, One Piece gives us its traditional, expository flashback. This is the story of Oden Kozuki.

Recap

Thirty-nine years ago, Oden Kozuki already garnered a reputation at age 18 for all kinds of trouble. With Oden having failed to leave for the 38th time, his father decides to disown him for his troublemaking. As for Oden himself, he’d already return to the Flower Capital to pay respects at a man’s funeral and cremation. By cooking a bowl of oden and drinking sake over the deceased crematory pyre.

While all of this is going down, a young Kine’mon steals a white boar from a group of Yakuza. His plan is to sell it, but before he can, the Flower Capital’s attacked by a giant Mountain Boar God. While everyone’s terrified, Oden confidently tells Kine’mon to give him the boar.

Review

I will not lie: when I all of Oden Kozuki’s exploits in his youth, I couldn’t stop laughing at how crazy they were. The stuff he got away with before he turned 18 sounds like something out of an American Tall Tale. Here’s a list of everything he did up to this point, and I’m taking this directly from the chapter:

• Threw his wet nurse across the room before he was a year old
• Was already defeating wild animals by age 4
• Started visiting the Red Light District at 6. Proceeded to get himself banned by the Yakuza and declared war on them by age 10.
• Became the boss of the quarry he was sent to.
• When the Capital suffered from drought, he tried diverting a river, causing the place to flood
• At age 15, he started taking women from the Capital for his own harem, and started a war with their loved ones when they came after him.

Like I said, tall tales, and they’re awesome! With his larger than life personality and inhuman feats, it’s no wonder why Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard, and even the Navy leaders respected him. He’s as rowdy and crazy as many of them.

However, that being said, I think underneath his irresponsible demeanor, Oden Kozuki wanted what’s best for Wano. While eating his namesake food over a man’s pyre was disrespectful, it should be noted that he drank his sake like he was sharing a drink with an old friend. He cares about Wano, in his own crazy way. If he didn’t, then why would he try to save it when there’s a drought?

Oden’s Red Scabbards

In addition, this chapter gave us a look at what the Nine Red Scabbards were like in their youth. We knew that they were ne’er-do-wells, but that’s about it. The most important thing about the Red Scabbards, though, is that we saw their ninth member, Denjiro. As several people point out, he looks a lot like Zoro’s sword master: whether this is a coincidence remains unknown, but I hope to see where this goes.

This Will Be Fun

I was somewhat frustrated that the manga switched to a flashback right before the final battle. After reading this chapter, though, I’m on board for what comes next. I want to see how Oden left Wano, what he did with Whitebeard and Roger, everything. In addition, Eichiro Oda’s proven himself a master at world building. I know that he knows what he’s doing with his story. We may have to wait to find out how the Straw Hats got themselves out fo their mess in the present, but it will be worth it.

I Give “Enter Kozuki Oden” a 5/5. Great setup for a flashback.

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My Hero Academia, Season 4, Episode 2 Review/Recap

With the recap episode now out of the way, My Hero Academia can get into the meat of the season with its new villain. The deadly supervillain Overhaul makes his anime debut, and right off the bat, he show’s he means business.

Recap

At the League of Villains hideout, Tomura meets with a man called Overhaul, a member of the Yakuza gang Shie Hassakai. Despite trying to recruit him into the League if Villains, Overhaul lambasts Tomura for having plans, and that he intends to become All for One’s successor. When the League tries to attack him, he shows his power by brutally killing Magnus and somehow shutting down Mr. Compress’ Quirk.

Meanwhile, Deku tries to further his hero training by doing a work study at a hero agency. At Gran Torino’s and All Might’s suggestion, he decides to go to Mirio Togata, who’s studying under All Might’s former sidekick, Sir Nighteye. The first thing that Midoriya must to get Nighteye to acknowledge him, though, is to make him laugh. In addition, this is what he sees when he first walks into his office:

Recap

I won’t beat around the bush: I liked this episode. It manages to effectively introduce our newest villain and a major hero in the same episode, as well as give us insight into their characters. If you read the manga, then you know that Overhaul’s Deku’s toughest foe yet. Worse, unlike Tomura, he has a plan that could shake up the world of heroes.

As for Sir Nighteye, I’m looking forward to seeing him in the anime. Despite his stoic appearance, he considers laughter and humor to be one of the biggest weapons a hero can use. Given how nervous Midoriya can be, we know that he’s going to have a hard time with Nighteye. The end results, though, will be worth it. I’m honestly looking forward to seeing this season. In addition, the fact that it’s simuldubbed the same day it comes out in Japan gets my hyped! Go beyond, plus ultra!

I Give “Overhaul” a 4/5.

Also, can we talk about the video Nighteye was watching. Look at all those dislikes!

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One Piece Chapter 959 Review/Recap

The last chapter of One Piece saw hope give way to utter despair. On the appointed day of the Fire Festival, the Nine Red Scabbards are horrified to find none of their allies have made it. We’ve been in the dark on Orochi’s actions for two weeks now. However, our latest chapter shed some light on how Orochi was a step ahead of the Samurai.

Recap

Two days before the rendezvous at Tokage Harbor, the Alliance splits up for the Fire Festival. Their plan is to arrive in separate groups to not attract suspicion, but Luffy can’t help but feel uneasy. He realizes that Jinbei has yet to show up in Wano, even though Big Mom’s already there. Everyone assures him that he will make it, though.

However, the day before the rendezvous, Orochi launches a pre-emptive strike. Using the Beast Pirates aerial units, he severs the bridges connecting Wano, attacks the Thousand Sunny, and destroys the Alliance fleet. Nonetheless, the Nine Red Scabbards choose to go out and fight, even though it will mean their deaths.

Review

You should never underestimate the power of the fool in a time of war. Yasuie made that clear, and now Orochi has driven the point home. If he weren’t a slimeball, I’d have to respect him for his sound strategy of separating the Alliance. The fact that he knows of the Nine Red Scabbards and their travel through time is of greater concern, though. He’s now a full step ahead of the Alliance, and they’ve lost any advantage.

I know that the Alliance isn’t out of the fight yet, and I think I know another way they can get to the rendezvous point. Oda wouldn’t have brought Jinbei up now unless he’s foreshadowing a future plot point. My guess is that Jinbei will show up with a new way to get to Onigashima. It’s all we have to go on at this point.

We’ll have to wait a while to find out what happens, though. After many months of dodging it, we’re finally getting a flashback to Kozuki Oden and his life. I wish Oda had done this at an earlier point, but this flashback will answer any lingering questions about the Wano characters, Oden, and how Orochi came to power. It should be interesting, but let’s hope it doesn’t drag on. Orochi may be a step ahead now, but the war’s not over!

I Give “Samurai” a 4/5

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