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Editorial Manga One Piece

Elbaph Arc Predictions [One Piece]

The Egghead Island Arc is over.

(Spoilers ahead if you aren’t caught up with the One Piece manga).

Egghead was good, even if somewhat scrambled and a bit runny. We spent years anticipating Dr. Vegapunk’s official introduction into the series. Years waiting for the Straw Hats’s arrival on Wano. Now*, it’s time for the long-awaited Elbaph Island Arc to begin (*depending on how long Oda wants to focus on other characters before returning to the Straw Hats.). What can we expect? How will this newest adventure end? Can I successfully predict Oda’s actions?

Probably not. But, hey. Even broken clocks are right twice a day. Analog clocks, not digital, young’uns. Let’s begin with a whopper of a theory:

  • Uranus Destroys Elbaph.

When it comes to theories I say Go Big or Go Home. The World Government has access to the Mother Flame. King Imu and his Five Lackeys can easily predict the Straw Hats traveling to Elbaph after being rescued by giants. It’s a done deal in my book. Especially, with how much Usopp and Luffy wants to visit the island. Former Vice-Admiral Saul is there. It’s gonna be a fun time in Elbaph for all. Yep…it’s getting blown the hell up.

  • Dr. Vegapunk Stella Receives a Viking Funeral.

I’m thinking something like setting a small (giant version of small) boat on fire along with his body or burning his body at Elbaph atop a funeral pyre. Something inline with Elbaph culture.

  • Shanks and/or Mihawk Backstory.

Are they Celestial Dragons? How much do they know about the Void Century? Were they in a crew together at some point? Readers want to know. This revelation could also connect to…

Categories
Manga One Piece

Dead Men Tell All Tales [One Piece 1123]

Writing super-smart characters is tough.

I’m no psychic, but I bet Oda wrote this chapter thinking how smart Dr. Vegapunk making plans to air the World Government’s dirty laundry if killed. The problem: It doesn’t fully make sense—at least to me.

1.) Why not directly state in your death message that you’re likely been killed by the World Government? That the reason this message exists is because you fear the wrath of the World Government. Now, the WG can spin the message by lying Warlord Luffy killed everyone’s beloved genius scientist.

2.) Dr. Vegapunk’s refusal to speculate on his personal theories and thoughts in his message. You don’t have to say you KNOW the WG has an Ancient Weapon. Just say that’s what you think. It’s okay to have opinions, Stella. You’re leaving a final message, not posting your dissertation. Say what have to say, promote your Pateron, then go away.

3.) Not capturing York is complete horsesh*t.. She’s a Vegapunk! You don’t know the extent of her plans. Capture her and keep her from causing anymore unforeseen damage!

4.) What the hell is brain stealth mode? That came out of nowhere. And if that’s a thing, why didn’t York account for that in her plans? Did she not know about it? You’d think she’d be constantly checking Punk Records for any indication someone discovered her shenanigans. Nope! Vegapunk Stella is a “bad liar” so that’s all she needed to look for. Really?!

You’re just now realizing that creating genius personifications of greed, violence, and evil is bad? This is what happens when you remove your brain, Y’all.
Categories
Editorial Manga My Hero Academia My Hero Vigilantes

World’s Best Hero: Koichi Haimawari Rally [My Hero Academia]

Did you know there’s an event currently happening to pick the best hero in the My Hero Academia Universe? Of course you do. Just like I’m sure you’ve been voting for Koichi Haimawari/Skycrawler EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Let me tell you wonder folks something. Skycrawler is the best hero in My Hero Academia and My Hero Vigilantes. He spent years out on the mean streets using his quirk to help people like you and me. And he did it without a hero license. He didn’t care that he could be arrested for vigilantism. He’s just a nice guy from a small town who does the right thing because it’s right.

Do you know who’s currently number one in the poll? Katsuki Bakugo. You think Katsuki Bakugo would risk jail to to help someone without a hero license? No. He doesn’t care about the little guy. All he cares is taking down the big bad villains. The Instant Villains? Small-time crooks? Nah. He’s all about the All For One’s and the Shigaraki’s. We don’t need a hero who doesn’t look out for the little guy!

Plus, Katsuki Bakugo is weird. He’s always yelling at people and blowing things up. Heck, his hero name is Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight. Who in their right mind is proud calling themself a “murder god”?! Weird I tell you. Just weird.

Categories
Manga One Piece

AA Haki Batteries [One Piece 1122]

Let’s pour out a little oil for our robot homie.

Emet, the (not so) little robot that could. And he did—save Team Straw Hat, that is. But I don’t think anyone could guess he’d do it by unleashing Joy Boy’s haki. I wonder if Joy Boy specifically thought King Imu would be the one causing problems for his robotic friend in the future? Emet should be strong enough to take on just about any threat. Storing haki inside his buddy, Joy Boy probably thought Emet’s opponent would be a living being(s) too powerful or immune to standard weapons. Hmm… I’m really curious when Joy Boy and Emet had that conversation. My guess it’s near the end of their adventures together or even the last time they spoke.

Joy Boy’s haki (I presume) caused the Elders to retreat. Was it them specifically affected or was it King Imu? Are the Elders and King Imu linked in some way? Do the Elders even have devil fruits or does their power come directly from Imu? Hmm… That would help explain their immortality and invulnerability. So, if Imu goes down, the Five Elders go down with him. Interesting, if true.

I don’t know what’s crazier: St. Mars already back at Mary Geoise just chillin’ while waiting for his pizza delivery or King Imu spazzing out over Joy Boy’s big D. energy haki.
Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes [My Hero Academia 430] [Finale]

We Are Here…at the end.

It’s the end, Y’all. Or, at least, an end. Will we see a My Hero Academia sequel one day? A continuation of My Hero Vigilantes? More My Hero movies in the future? Maybe. But for now, we’ll focus on the end of this era. The end of My Hero Academia.

Let’s take the scenic route, shall we? I’d like to give my thoughts as I read through the chapter, touching upon anything and everything that comes to mind.

Nice color spread. The final time we’ll see all of Class 2-A drawn together in color, which explains why Aoyama is there along with a visible Hagakure.

Yep. There’s a time skip. Not much of a surprise. The only question was how far Kōhei Horikoshi would jump the story along. Another expected surprise is Kota becoming an U.A. student. But, look what we have here? The Mysterious Boy is also a student! I love it! This is the beginning of Horikoshi giving us a taste of what’s been going on without diving into details. He’s letting our imagination do the hard lifting, which is fine. Every single details doesn’t have to be explained. We can infer what happened or simply wait for those stories to be told one day. Welcome to the world of a time skip ending. You’ll get used to it, kid.

Kamui Woods x Mt. Lady. Gran Torino x Recovery Girl. Deku x Melissa. Tentacole x Sugar Daddy. Shippers eatin’ good today.

Izuku Midoriya’s a hero course teacher! I never really thought about Deku’s career path after losing One For All. Him becoming a teacher makes sense. It’s interesting that Deku is monologuing the lessons he learned at age seventeen. Didn’t he defeat All For One when he was sixteen? Hmm… An error, maybe?

Deku’s writing. Remember: The manga was always framed in a way where Deku’s talking about events like they had already happened. Looks like Horikoshi is bookending the series with us seeing Deku writing about the events he’s talked about since Chapter One.

Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

A Helping Hand [My Hero Academia 429]

Never underestimate the power of kindness.

It’s not just something awful happening. It’s the feeling no one else cares what you’re going through that also hurts. Being alone when the going gets tough is something I wouldn’t wish on almost anyone. Looking at you, Bluegeek.

Which brings me to Ochaco Uraraka and the Mysterious Boy. Both of them going through a difficult time. Both of them in need of someone who cares. I’ve come down on Horikoshi at times, but I absolutely praise the man for not only showing his characters saving the world but wanting to improve society itself.

They can finally catch up on watching The Bear and House of the Dragon.

Uraraka got bogged down by thoughts of the world passing Himiko Toga by, and therefore, wouldn’t care about her feelings about the dead villain. Mystery Boy was about to lash out at a world he thought passed him by as he suffered alone for years. Just the sheer act of empathy from Class 2-A and the Old Lady changed their lives forever. Will empathy prevent all future crime and sadness? No. But it will lessen it to a degree, and in turn, make the world a better place to live in.

Categories
Manga One Piece

Go On Then, The One Piece Isn’t Gonna Find Itself [One Piece 1021]

Bonney got her revenge, sorta.

Luffy caused most of the damage to St. Saturn, but sure, let’s all agree Bonney got her resolution. It’s a weak ending to a weak-ish arc villain. Saturn, you suck. Sure, you’re evil and all, but you lack the charisma or swag other big One Piece villains have. Here’s hoping you fall into the sea and die.

I was so sure Admiral Kizaru would attack one more time. Doesn’t look like it’s happening. I get it. His heart isn’t in this mission and it’s affecting his fighting ability. Still, I wonder if the Five Elders will try to put some blame on him? I mean, what else are they gonna do? Blame themselves? Ha ha ha ha! Not happening. Kizaru might be in danger, Y’all. But I guess most of the Vegapunks dying will help salvage Kizzy’s career. Still, I wonder what the admiral will do going forward?

Even Thor’s jealous of how much thunder Luffy stole from Bonney.
Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

Construction Junction, What’s Your Malfunction? [My Hero Academia 428]

Is this the calm before the final storm?

This was a surprising light hearted, slice-of-life chapter—mostly. I love seeing Class 2-A interacting with each other both in classroom and on a “mission” while just being friends. Shinso fits naturally into their dynamic along with a calmer Bakugo so much it makes me sad we won’t see much more of it soon.

What’s the lesson that’s coming? Uraraka’s sad over Toga despite the country coming together to rebuild. Deku’s also thinking about what that jackass Spinner told him before. Hmm… Could the takeaway here be not forgetting the past? Maybe the world according to Deku and Uraraka currently seems to have or want to forget about Toga and the League of Villains and moved on. But doing so will also erase what lead those villains down a dark path and ignore the problems which lead to those said paths. Basically, if you forget the past, you’re doomed to repeat it. And that, my friends, is a big no-no.

Raise your hand if you had to look up what convalescing means?
Categories
Manga One Piece

I’ll Take You All On [One Piece 1120]

Optimus Emet is about to rejoin the Matrix.

Over 900 years is a good run. Sure, your best friend died and the planet flooded, but at least the WIFI still works. Emet’s about to die, Y’all. For real this time! Let’s just hope he survives long enough for Vegapunk’s recording to give us the name of the Ancient Civilization. But, hey! Oda gave us a Chekhov’s robot powers. I’m sure we’ll see what Emet can really do in the Void Century flashback.

Anyone else get the feeling Emet’s gonna self-destruct? That’s usually how it goes, right? Nothing else works but you can bet your sweet bippy the ole self-boom is oiled up and ready to go. Besides, it’s the one thing that could possibly slow down the Five Elders long enough for Team Luffy to escape.

Emet’s gonna use his secret weapon: Tattling. The Five Moms are gonna spank ’em good!
Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

J. R. R. Spinner [My Hero Academia 427]

Spinner’s writing a book. Hope he finishes it before his execution.

It wasn’t stated in the chapter but Spinner’s on death row, right? The dude was a prominent member of the group that almost destroyed Japan. At the very least, he’s getting life in prison with no chance of Hulu.

I do like the juxtaposing of the chapter being about Tomura Shigaraki’s best friend while showing bits of a Shigaraki’s exposé broadcast. The public doesn’t know much about him, so I guess Spinner’s future book on the guy is gonna be a bestseller. I wonder if Spinner can get Mr. Compress to narrate the audiobook version?

Before I go further, let me just say that I like Spinner as a character. His intentions were good joining the League of Villains, but he quickly got swallowed up by the desires and charisma of very bad, very powerful people. All of that said… Screw you, Spinner!

Yes, and I love strawberry cheesecake with ice cream on top. Just because you like something doesn’t mean it’s good for you or right.

This motherforker had the gall to call out Deku for killing Shigaraki like it he was the bad guy. What. The. Hell?! I get Shiggy was your best bud and Player-Two in your gaming sessions. I get it. But don’t forget Spinner… You best friend…is a MASS MURDERER. He personally killed people, destroyed property resulting in deaths, and lead an organization whose followers killed and injured people. F*ck you. Seriously, f*ck you! You should be on your knees thanking whatever entity you worship I wasn’t there in Deku’s place. If you had said that to me I would’ve shoved my last ember of One For All right up your ass!

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