One Piece Chapter 1057 Review/Recap

It’s over, everyone. After four years, the longest arc in the story of One Piece, and likely one of its greatest, has come to an end. Kaido and Big Mom have been defeated, Orochi is dead, and Wano Country is free at last. Their work now done, it’s time for the Straw Hats to move on, the Laugh Tale and the One Piece now closer than ever. However, Oda had one last surprise to throw our way , and it’s the most shocking of all.

Recap

As Yamato, Momonosuke, and Kin’emon race to Tokage Port, Yamato drops a bombshell: she’s not going with the Straw Hats. Like Oden before her, she plans on traveling across Wano before setting sail on her own. She already told Luffy about it. Momo and Kin’emon, though, are still angry at Luffy for leaving without saying goodbye. After all, they’d been with the Straw Hats since Punk Hazard. However, as soon as they actually corner the Straw Hats…Momo breaks down crying and begging Luffy not to leave, moving some of the Straw Hats to tears over it.

Luffy, though, says that even though he’s an adult, he’s still mentally a kid, and a dummy. But he also considers Momo like a little brother, so he leaves him a gift in the form of his flag. He wants him to put it up as a warning to anyone who tries to mess with Wano Country, and promises that he’ll come to get them if they ever want to be pirates.

Their goodbyes now said, the Straw Hat, Kid, and Heart Pirates set sail…and then get into a competition over which way they’re leaving. 

In the Flower Capital, a massive play’s being put on, recounting the story of the liberation of Wano. It’s a tale of powerful pirates that Momonosuke brought with him who bested the dragon Kaido and the demon Big Mom. And, of course, it’s about the last, vengeful moments of Orochi Kurozumi. With a reminder from Hiyori and a cheer from the crowd…you know what, just look.

And thus concludes the tale of Wano, a story of bravery, sacrifice, and inherited will. 

Review

*clap clap clap* 

What. An. Ending. For that matter, what an arc. It’s almost sad to know that the Wano Country Arc’s ended. It’s the longest arc in the manga’s history, and given how much time it has left, it will likely retain that title forever.

Now, I had been a fan of One Piece and had followed it sporadically for years, but it wasn’t until Punk Hazard that I started reading it every week. That was ten years ago. That’s how long Momonosuke and Kin’emon have been with the Straw Hats in our time. Thus, it’s tough to say goodbye to them. That said, the fact that Wano Country seems destined to play a major role in world affairs soon means that we’ll likely see Momonosuke, Yamato, and the Scabbards again. 

Yamato’s Decision and Oda’s Blindside

Now, on to the elephant in the room, Yamato. What a blindside by Oda. So many fans of the manga expected that Yamato would be the final member to join the Straw Hat Pirates. She’s powerful, she’s got the right backstory, and she’s already connected to Luffy thanks to her being friends with Ace. However, I’m pretty sure that we’ll see her again before the series ends, along with everyone else from Wano.

Orochi Got What he Deserved.

Speaking of Wano, some people are saying that the way Wano handles the death of Orochi seems hypocritical of Oda. A recurring theme of One Piece is how being into the world isn’t a sin, and persecuting people for their blood ties is wrong, yet they’re doing the same to Orochi post-mortem. 

Stop. It. Oda’s not being hypocritical. He made it pretty clear that it was wrong of Wano Country to hunt down the Kurozumi family because of the actions of a single member. That hatred created Orochi, and he unleashed it back on Wano a thousand-fold. However, Orochi’s actions and planning on destroying his own country and letting his people die made him lose the moral high ground. In the end, he got what he deserved: an ignoble and pathetic death.

Laugh Tale Closer Than Ever Now

Now, with that rant out of the way, we’re truly in the endgame now. From here on out, the Straw Hat’s are in a race to Laugh Tale, and I can’t wait to see what Oda has planned for the finale to his legendary story. And I want to keep following it on this blog for as long as I can. I may also do a review of the Wano Country Arc as a whole in the coming weeks.

SAYONARA, WANO COUNTRY!!!!! 

I Give “Final Curtain” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1030 Review/Recap

I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but we all know it’s true. Big Mom and Kaido, two of the Yonko, are going to lose the war for Wano. And when they do, a new generation of Yonko will step up to take their place. While Luffy’s going to be aiming for Pirate King, others will take the Yonko’s place. And after reading this chapter, I think that they’re going to be Kid and Law.

Also, Orochi just won’t die!

Recap

As the rest of Onigashima continues to fall to pieces, Scratchman Apoo, X Drake, and some of the Numbers meet up in a secret location. Apoo wants them to team up to reap the rewards after everyone’s exhausted themselves, but Drake refuses. Meanwhile, Usopp and Nami run into Kin’emon’s bottom half, having been separated once again after his latest fight. After convincing him they’re allies, Kin’emon pleads with them to come help his comrades. Unfortunately for everyone, Kanjuro’s not dead yet, and neither is Orochi.

Kanjuro’s going to die and he knows it. However, he intends to play his role to the bitter end. Applauding Kanjuro’s skill, Orochi gives him his final command: burn them all! With his dying breath, Kanjuro uses his powers to create a massive fire demon to set fire to the entire island and blow it all to pieces while Orochi escapes. Fortunately, Yamato is headed towards the armory and is ready to destroy it. Unfortunately, Big Mom’s fight with Kid and Law spills out to where he’s headed. That’s when the two pirates reveal their trump cards: they’re able to briefly awaken their Devil Fruit powers. Law hurts her from inside her own body, while Kid makes her into a living magnet, drawing nearby towers towards her and burying her under them!

Review

I wish I could say that I’m surprised about Orochi’s continued survival, but I’m not. We’ve seen him fake his death in this arc already, and we shouldn’t be surprised that he did so again. What’s surprising is that Kanjuro’s held on for so long, and his last act is to help burn the castle to the ground.

Given how everything’s proceeding, I won’t be surprised if Onigashima ends up parked right outside the Flower Capital. Whether its intact or not is another matter. As for Orochi, I’m glad he’s still alive. I want him to face justice for his crimes against Wano.

As for the Yonko, they are going to fall at the hands of the Worst Generation. Powerful or not, Big Mom has to have felt that damage from Law and Kid. When this is over, I won’t be surprised if they end up replacing them as the Yonko.

This chapter was absolute chaos with a lot of stuff to follow, but that’s also One Piece in general. It thrives on chaos. So, good job, Oda. Though please let Kanjuro be dead this time around!

I Give “Echoing of the Impermeance of All Things” a 3.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1019 Review/Recap

So One Piece just got back from the now expected two week break between chapters. And now they’re about to go on another two week break, since next week’s the start of the Olympics. However, Oda knows what to give us to keep us psyched up until then. In this case, we see Franky’s General Franky Mecha fight a, I kid you not, Triceracopter.

The dinosaur enthusiast in me wants to roll my eyes right.

Recap

On the live floor, Sanji and Queen remain locked in fierce combat even as the Minks are busy trying to heal Zoro with their medicine. Progress is slow-going, though, due to the sheer amount of bandages. Elsewhere, Luffy manages to wake up after Law’s crew saves him!

Inside the right brain tower, Franky’s surprised the Headliners defected to their side, but takes the chance to finish his fight with Sasaski of the Flying Six. Enraged by how things are going, Sasaki turns into his hybrid Zoan form, somehow using it to hover like a helicopter. As a result, Sasaki’s speed becomes even greater, and he starts to overwhelm the General Franky. Desperate, Franky puts everything the General Franky’s got into one last attack, wrecking the mech in the process. When even that fails, Franky’s Radical Beam finally does the Flying Six Member in.

On the roof of the skull dome, Kaido and Yamato begin to fight in earnest. As Kaido expresses his pride in his son’s strength, Yamato berates him for how cruel a parent he is. In addition, Yamato reveals his own Devil Fruit powers, transforming into his own, beastial form. The fight is about to get even bigger!!!

Review

Another seems to bite the dust. That makes four of the Flying Six have been taken down by the Alliance. X Drake already defected from them, so that only leaves Black Maria left. With Brook and Robin handling her, it seems like the Flying Six’s defeat is imminent. And when they fall, that will be a huge blow to the Beast Pirates morale. Way to go, General Franky!

At the moment, though, I’m more curious about the Devil Fruit that Yamato ate. I don’t exactly recognize the creature he turned into, but I’m guessing it’s mythical. His Dad’s a dragon, so it makes sense. Hopefully, the next chapter will show Yamato’s true power. He may not win, but if he softens him up for Luffy, I’ll be happy. Who knows? Maybe Yamato will join Luffy’s crew when this is all over.

I think that Oda ended this chapter on the bed possible note. The Alliance continues to gain ground, and Luffy will soon return to the fight. I can’t wait for what comes next.

I Give “Triceracopter” a 3/5

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