I’m still processing all this…
Before starting, I just want to post a link to Greg’s YouTube video on Chapter 1044. For those who don’t know, Greg is one of the biggest One Piece fans, period. He lives in Japan, knows Eiichiro Oda and several of his editors! Follow this guy!
Alright. Let’s dive on in! It turns out Luffy’s Gum-Gum fruit is actually one of, if not, the strongest ZOAN fruit in the series: The Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Type, Model Nika. Did I mention I’m still processing this?
Here’s what I like: Gear Five.
I’ve no problem with its design or powers. Frankly, I like it better than Gear Four. I find the toon force aspect of the power up interesting and fun. All in all, I’m down for it.
Everything else… I don’t know, yet.
The laughing. Is that all Luffy or Nika’s influence? A little of both? I’m here for Monkey D. Luffy, not Sun God Nika. Gonna assume it’s a bit of both and move on. I really don’t see Oda making Gear Five a 100% body possession. It’s all so…surprising. But, hey! It’s One Piece. I’m willing to go with it.
Side note: Someone mentioned somewhere on the internet maybe Blackbeard’s Darkness-Darkness fruit could also be a “god” fruit. Now, that would be very interesting!
The Gum-Gum is a super zoan revelation. I’m not digging it right now. I’m not saying Luffy was always an underdog (because he wasn’t), but I liked the notion he WORKED for his successes. That he made this dinky rubber devil fruit amazing and not the other way around. I just feel like this ultra special devil fruit makes Luffy himself less special than I always felt he is.
Basically, Oda dived deeper into the “Chosen One” pool than I thought. I get it, okay? Luffy’s a D. He’s Dragon’s son. He’s owned his devil fruit since he was a kid. The guy had several advantages right out the gate. But now, he’s as Chosen One as you can get. I don’t hate these types of stories, but many can leave a foul taste in my mouth because they can feel like these characters can’t lose. It’s a case-by-case situation for me. Right now, it’s just too early to judge One Piece because we still know little about the fruit and next to nothing about where Oda’s taking this development going forward. That’s all just fancy talk from me saying I don’t like it as of now, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
Did Shanks know the Gum-Gum fruit’s secret? Is that why he stole it? Hmm… There’s still a lot to be revealed, Y’All. I’m been on this ride for almost two decades; I ain’t getting off anytime soon!
Oh, and Hiyori? Just shoot Orochi in the head and be done with it.
This was a…I don’t know. Good? Great? I certainly didn’t hate it. Again…I’m still processing things. But I’m not gonna jump on any bandwagons. I’m still in shock about what happened and just gonna leave it at that.
What I do know is that I’m more excited about Luffy VS Kaido than I’ve ever been. If Luffy drops a giant anvil on Kaido’s head, I’m flying to Japan and kissing Oda on the lips. You’re allowed to read manga in a Japanese prison, right?
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 
2 replies on “Looney D. Tunes [One Piece 1044]”
Yeah……. didn’t have the best reaction myself. I don’t feel like this is a “Regular” chosen one plot; I don’t think the Nika fruit “chose” Luffy. It might be more of a “Coincidental Fate” type of deal……. if that makes sense.
He “lucked” into this fruit and used it his own way. And now he’s awakened it’s TRUE power, so now he can do even more. That’s how I chose to take that.
And I think any of the carrier’s of the Will of D is meant to take down the World Government- no one in specific. Maybe the logic is “If one of them fails; more will come to take their place, and do what we failed.” Characters like Roger and Rocks couldn’t, so now we have Luffy and Blackbeard- not to mention Dragon.
Trying to to rationalize it may seem like I’m a fanboy who’s trying his best to prove that the story is still good, but…….. I really don’t feel like Oda messed up anywhere.
If anything; I think all the talk on the Youtube part of things had me set on it being a really important Paramecia Fruit. So seeing that it was Zoan kind of threw me off. Warmed up to it quick, though!!!
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That’s a nice way of putting it. His will/determination bringing out the fruit’s power.
Still, it’s gonna take some time to change my thinking to what the Gum-Gum really is. I also feel better listening to Greg’s thoughts on the subject. Generally, I’m optimistic.
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