That’s right. It’s a new start to a new One Piece arc where everything is new and confusing. I’m pretty bad at guessing what’s gonna happening this early in an arc, but let’s try anyway. …Besides, there’s not much else to talk about.
First thing’s first: Nami & Friends are probably on Elbaph. It was mentioned last chapter the Giant Pirates’ ship should’ve arrived by now. Illusion devil fruit powers at work? Maybe.
Reminds me of a cat video I once saw. But instead of pirates, it knocked over a wine glass over someone’s head.
What I find very interesting is how Oda put the Monster Trio on the same team—at least for the moment. I assume something big and violent is about to go down requiring all Trio hands on deck. It’s also interesting how the first five members of the Straw Hat Crew were separated. Could that be a sign more illusion shenanigans are coming? Perhaps East Blue related? Hmm… Probably not, unless I’m right then I called it!
You mess with the red-haired bull, you get the pistol horns.
I know what Bartolomeo was thinking.
He’s on a personal mission on Gartel Island (located in Emperor Shanks’ territory) showing Luffy’s dominance by burning Shanks’ flag. And, I bet he thought his barrier-barrier fruit would protect him from any Red-Haired Pirate attack. Too bad for him, strong haki messes up many seemingly overpowered devil fruits. Not to mention, I doubt old Bart thought that Emperor Shanks himself (along with his senior officers) would pull up to confront little ole him.
That punk, Bartolomeo, actually burned an Emperor’s flag then waited for someone to show up. What the hell was he thinking?!
He’s lucky the only things he got for his transgression was a butt-whooping and his ship destroyed. But, you know? I get the sneaky suspicion Oda had Bart’s ship destroyed by Yasopp only for him to get a new ship that’s a tribute to the Thousand Sunny. And, maybe the Barto Club washes up on Elbaph? Nika fanboys + Luffy fanboys = A good time for all!
Let’s talk about how differently each Emperor is approaching finding the One Piece in this chapter. Yes, I know Chief Shanks wasn’t looking for One Piece here, but he was pretty passive about going to Laugh Tale until recently. I think his desire to find One Piece is less about want and more about keeping it from less savory people.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift shocked the world recently by endorsing Emperor Straw Hat Luffy for Pirate King hours after Dr. Vegapunk’s world-wide broadcast.
In an Instagram post, Swift encourages her fans to “do your research”, further explaining her decision to vote for Straw Hat Luffy has to do with agreeing with his desire to fight for his friends and eat slabs of various unspecified meat on a bone.
Taylor felt obligated to make an announcement now after learning a shape-shifter was posting as her while endorsing Emperor Blackbeard for Pirate King, stating “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth, something even an Ancient Weapon can’t destroy.”
Surprisingly, Taylor Swift signed her post as “Childless Cat Devil Fruit User” leading fans to the realization that despite being photographed in bikinis, there’s never been footage shown of the superstar actually swimming.
You know what? I’m starting to think King Imu doesn’t like Joy Boy.
That Joy Boy haki blast sealed Saint Saturn’s fate. Imu didn’t like that one bit. I guess it triggered some serious PTSD from a previous encounter with the original J.B. Notice how Imu blamed Saturn for “Joy Boy’s” escape, not Luffy. Oh, boy! Imu has a button you should never press and Joy Boy is it. Could Imu’s desire to destroy Gear 5 Luffy lead him to making huge mistakes that’ll cost him everything? I’d say yes.
Jaygarcia Saturn is dead. Very dead. Super duper dead. There’s a clear link to the Five Elder’s power and Imu. They serve him well—everything’s good in the Mary Geoise hood. They screw-up? It’s a free trip to the Shadow Realm. A gruesome trip too. I know he’s evil, but I really felt bad for St. Satur— Hahahaha! Oh, man. I just couldn’t hold it. Yeah, that bastard deserved it.
Giving Fleet Admiral Sakazuki a verbal boot to the butt, apparently. It’s no surprise Admiral Kizaru’s devastated over killing his close friend. We’ve seen hints of it throughout the arc. It’s also a major reason the Straw Hats managed to escape. Kizaru’s heart just wasn’t in this operation. He managed to fulfill his basic duty of killing Dr. Vegapunk Stella then called it quits. Make no mistake, a bloodlust Kizaru would’ve presented Luffy’s laughing Gear 5 head on a platter for St. Saturn. Once again, Luffy gained an advantage against a stronger opponent in a major fight that gave him the win. Maybe Oda should change the name of the series from One Piece to Cheat Code.
Sakazuki calling Borsalino “brother” was unexpected. Just how close are these two? Could they be blood-related or is it a Luffy-Ace-Sabo situation? Either way, it’s nice seeing some humanity from Sakazuki.
It’s a known fact that 6 out of 7 doctor Vegapunks endorse their survival. Unfortunately, only two actually lived to tell the tale. And surprise, surprise! The two Vegapunks who made it were both attractive women. Never change, Oda. Because, you won’t. I’m just hoping the actual One Piece isn’t just a women’s big ass in a thong. Look, don’t blame me it if happens. I’m just the messenger.
Not the best way to invite someone to your private Minecraft server, Kizaru.
(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…
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.
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/SkycrawlerEVERY 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.
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.
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.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 