Tag: One Piece

Is that why everyone in Wano’s gaga for Oden? I’ll admit they are pretty hot.

Kozuki Oden. I still can’t tell if he’s a joke character or not. Is it a Japanese thing? Is it a male stereotype thing? I don’t want to harp on it but Oda tends to lean on gender stereotypes more often than not. Women are super skinny, super sexy, and all about love. Yet, we have Nami and Robin who fill the first two requirements but not the third. Then we have men who are super buff and super tough like Kaido or Zoro, but we have Luffy who’s more on the lean side. And Usopp was a skinny dude before the time skip. What I’m trying to say is what the heck is up with Oden?

I can’t take him seriously. Everyone in the chapter is harping on how manly he is and women are fawning over his words and body. But, after seeing all the craziness in One Piece, the wacky devil fruit powers, the insane feats of strength delivered by the Straw Hat crew and their allies and enemies, Oden isn’t all that special. Yeah, he’s really strong but his I don’t care personality isn’t anything to write home about. Maybe it is a cultural thing. Or, maybe Oda is rushing through the arc. Or, both.

Oda sure spent a long time building up Kozuki Oden. It wasn’t worth it.

What the hell is Oden? Seriously. I can’t tell if he’s a joke character or not. That exposition dump at the beginning of the chapter sure didn’t help. Why is a vessel of Kozuki Sukiyaki, he’s Oden’s daddy, getting a report on his own son’s life? Most of the stuff mentioned seems to be public knowledge. Nope. Didn’t like that at all. It was a lazy way to convey information to the audience. Maybe Oda’s trying to rush to the good part by doing that, but whether or not that’s true, it really annoyed me.

I not even gonna list all the stuff Oden’s done. Basically, he’s an uber strong badass whose also well-meaning but no one understands him. Translation: He’s an asshole but we’re supposed to like him. And, what’s with the kidnapping of women to put in a harem resulting in a war where people died? What the what? Of course, Oda added a line saying the women were free to go at any time, trying to smooth over that rocky road. It’s…it’s like Oda poured everything he thinks a man should be into this character in an attempt to make the ultimate badass but instead creating a Japanese Gaston.

Seems like we got an update on everyone except him this chapter. He can’t be the traitor, right? That’d be too deep for One Piece. The traitor has to be someone we don’t give a crap about or a female because, according to Oda, women are backstabbers who all have tragic backstories so they can be forgiven. Woah! Where did that Oda rant come from? I need to start meditating again.

We turn the clock two days back and work our way up to the present this chapter, in the process learning more how Kin’emon’s plan went to shit. It was traitor, basically. Whoever that person is tipped off Orochi who blew up all the bridges leading to Itachi Port. A pretty smart move. The guy’s paranoid but he ain’t no idiot. That means the weapons and fighters have no way of reaching the port in time. Did I also mention Orochi blew up the ships Franky and Usopp were rebuilding and the freaking Thousand Sunny! Holy crap! Whoever snitched on the Alliance needs a bloody good spanking.

What the hell’s going on?!

Don’t you just hate being stood up? You meticulously plan out the evening with your friends. You put on your best and/or cleanest clothes. Everyone agrees on where to go. And, when finally it’s the promised date you’ve been waiting weeks or months for to get your party on…an unexpected change of plans.

Well, Kin’emon and the rest of Team Samurai understand all too well. They’ve arrived at Tokage Port ready to sail to Onigashima and whoop-ass but no one else is there. Luffy and the Strawhat Crew. Law. Cat Viper. Even Jibuemon isn’t there! And, he’s my favorite (Who the hell is Jibuemon?)!

All we know is there was an “incident” the previous night that obviously threw Kin’mon’s plans out the window and on to the street where a tractor-trailer ran it over then exploded. We know Orochi was getting intel from a traitor. Looks like he used it to seemingly crush the Rebellion in one fell swoop. Welcome the Wano: Act Three. Ouch!

Most of this chapter was just a glorified meeting. And, I loved every bit of it!

Before reading this chapter, I was wondering what we’d get. More around the world reactions? Warlord shenanigans? Wano: Part Three? Nope. Instead, we got a big ‘ole exposition dump which makes me wonder if Oda’s really good at making TED Talks or if I’m so disinterested in Wano I’d rather read wanted posters. Okay, that’s not fair. Those are some mega important bounty reveals. I’m sorry, Wano. No more below the belt pop shots from me. I’ll save them for your flashback. Ooooh! I’m such a meanie~

Continuing the trend of half-explaining unknown events from the last chapter, we listen in on Sakazuki and Fujitora talking about the Seven Warlords no longer working for the World Government and get a clue about their replacement. Or, I should say, the special science team building whatever’s going to replace the Warlords, the SSG. Special Science Team? Special Science Group. There we go, that fits better. I think most people guessed at some point Vegapunk would step in and create something to replace the Warlords, assuming he’s running this group. I mean, yeah, there’s no one else but Vegapunk that could be important enough to lead it but I’m trying to be diplomatic here, y’all.

What could the SSG be cooking up to replace the Seven Warlords? I’ve said in the past it may be a weapon or weapons made out of seastone. It could be a new line of Pacifistas. Maybe even replicas of an ancient weapon. Whatever it is Vegapunk’s official introduction into the story is inchin’ closer and it looks like it’ll be worth the wait.

At New Marineford, Brannew updates the class on Big Mom and Kaido teaming up in Wano. Prof. Sengoku takes over, revealing more about the two Yonko’s connections as former members of the Rocks Pirates, the Foo Fighters of pirate crews. Now, there’s really no point in talking about what’s happening outside of all this juicy new information we’re given by Sengoku this chapter, so I’m just gonna dive deep into my thoughts on everything I think is worth talking about.

Fullalead Island. Is it a coincidence Blackbeard controls the same island where the Rocks Pirates formed? Could Captain Rocks have left something there Blackbeard wants to find? Or, is the island located in a very convenient part of the New World? Hm.

Or, Shichibyekai if you prefer the Japanese name. In any case, it’s gone and with it a big hole in the Three Great Powers…for now.

Let’s save the replacement talk for later. There’s too much that happened in this chapter I want to discuss. Firstly, Sabo and Vivi. What went down? We know Im, the secret ruler of the World Government, has the Alabasta Princess on its radar. Did they follow through with an assassination attempt and blame it on Sabo? Is Sabo still alive? YES! I’m won’t even try drumming up tension with that one. No way is Oda off-paneling Sabo’s death. He’s alive, for now, but at the very least he’s in Marine custody.

Could the theorized assassination attempt be the news the World Government wanted taken out of the papers? Probably. I doubt the WG wanted info on Sabo’s status and the possible assassination attempt out in the open too soon. I’m sure they didn’t want to tip off Dragon and the other Revolutionaries this soon. But, the same could be said for them not wanting to tip off the Warlords. Ah, so much to cover up, and so little time.

So, what’s Blackbeard after now? It’s something the Marines are about to get or recently obtained. Could it be Pluton or Ploton’s plans that’s rumored to be hidden in Alabasta? Maybe. I got no clue what else it can be.

Bad enough you’re betraying your fellow U.A. classmates, but now you’re screwing up Team Luffy too?!

Alright, who’s the traitor? Law? Kyoshiro? Nah, too obvious. Gotta be someone else. Honestly, I’m stumped. It has to be an important character. Maybe one we haven’t seen yet. Denjiro, maybe? Nah. Although, I’m surprised we haven’t seen that guy yet. Guess Oda’s waiting to unveil him in Wano’s flashback first. Wait? What’s Cat Viper been up too recently? Hm…

The Alliance learns Hiyori’s alive. Franky’s working on ships, enough to hold 100,000. Yeah, they’re getting 100,000 people somehow. Most from Jinbe and Marco no doubt.

Lots of sword talk this chapter. We get confirmation Tama’s caretaker, Tenguyama Hitetsu, is a katana blacksmith. He’s the one who made Kozuki Oden’s swords, Ame-No-Habakiri and Enma. True to Hiyori’s word, Zoro gets Enma. Did I mention both swords are Excellent Grade? Yeah, they’re ridiculously powerful. Enma’s so strong it feeds off its wielder’s haki. Basically, only strong peeps can use it. Love the power-up, Zoro. Also, why did Zoro’s childhood friend, Kuina own one of the best swords on the planet? Hm. Guess the rumors her dad’s from Wano could be true. Could Zoro also be from Wano? Double hm…

Well, several days did pass. Who knows what could’ve happened between Kaido and Big Mom’s “Deathmatch” and drinking. I say yes. What do you think, internet?

Got some great revelations coupled with more planning and buildup. Let’s talk about the fun stuff first. Hawkins is beaten by Law, revealing Scratchmen Apoo was apart of Kaido’s crew all along! He was basically trying to recruit the other two. Hawkins did the smart thing and joined while Kid and Killer got their butts kicked. The rest of the Kid Pirates are working for Team Kaido and Orochi under threat Kid will be killed if they don’t.

Who’s the person letting Law walk out of there? Kyoshiro. He hates Orochi, is working with Hiyori, blah blah blah. I’ve talked about that more than enough.

I’m assuming Zoro has Lord Oden’s Enma sword now. There’s his power-up. Boss Hyo is training Luffy so he’s getting his too. Franky and Ussop are fixing the broken ship theyre planning to use to reach Onigashima. I’m still excited about that. They’re gonna be amazing. And, the rest of the Alliance, minus Law (Hm?), are ironing out the final mission details. It’s nice seeing their plans coming together. It’s not perfect, no plan truly is, but it’s a nice balance between accomplishments and setbacks.

A Kawamatsu chapter? Eh, why not?

Joking aside, I liked this chapter. Kawamatsu isn’t that great of a character alone, but his relationships with others kept my interest. It’s nice seeing how friendly he and Hiyori are, their bond I’m sure growing stronger after losing Lord Oden and the downfall of Wano.

We learn Kawamatsu’s connection to Gyukimaru the Monk whose actually a fox that can transform into human form. Classic Japanese lore. After losing Hiyori, Kawamatsu, after looking for a place to die, finds new purpose robbing graves in Ringo, all in an effort to stockpile swords for the upcoming war against Team Kaido Kozuki Toki predicted. Onimaru (Monk Gyukimaru’s real name) and Kawamatsu eventually become allies, protecting the grave marking katanas from dirty grave robbers to they can do the same, but for a good reason. Not hypocrisy. It’s called ethics, kiddies. Look it up. Anyway, it’s classic Oda storytelling, delivering on emotion, friendship, and snotty nose drama.