Shanks Sliding Into Green Bull’s DMs [One Piece 1055]

One Piece Film: Red, the prequel comic.

Sure, it’s awesome seeing Shanks call Admiral Aramaki on his iHaki, but this was a clear promo for the upcoming One Piece movie. Shanks basically did two important things:

1.) Declare he’s serious about finding One Piece

2.) Force Aramaki to leave Wano.

The first could’ve happened from anywhere in the world. The second reason? Well, Aramaki’s reasoning was Luffy’s still recovering from his fight against Kaido and is currently easy to kill. All Oda had to do was have Luffy (and Zoro) blast some Supreme King Haki at the a-hole admiral and that’d be enough for him to think twice and call off his attack. No fuss, no muss. Yep, Oda was definitely throwing the new movie a Brook sized bone.

Well, I’m a bit self-conscious but given some time I can get used to— Wait. Did you say “New Age” or “Nude Age”?

Glad seeing Momonosuke protect Wano. Aramaki will put the dragon’s resistance in his report. No doubt making the World Government less likely to attack the isolated country.

When Trees Attack [One Piece 1054]

Well, Oda said we’re headed for the endgame. He’s not joking.

Sabo, the Flame Emperor of the Revolutionaries. Nice. Countries are breaking free from World Government rule, causing quite the crisis for those in charge. Where could this lead? What will the Elder Stars do when backed into a corner? Nothing good, I’ll tell you that! Hmm… Maybe this is where Vegapunk and whatever weapons/devil fruits he cooked up come in?

Sabo killed Cobra Commander—erm—King Cobra? No way! My guess is Im’s forces (the Holy Knights?) tried capturing Vivi, and Cobra got caught in the crossfire. Sabo probably saved Vivi, and she’s lying low with the Revolutionaries. And thank goodness Kuma was saved! I wonder if Jewelry Bonney’s hanging with Team Sabo too? That could be her overall role in the series, helping the Revolutionaries take down the World Government. No telling how old she really is. Bonney may have some intel essential to destroying the current establishment.

Senator Mitch McConnell’s a devil fruit user?!

The Emperor’s New Groove [One Piece 1053]

Let’s get this party started!

3 billion berries. Luffy, Law, and Kid are all wanted for that amount after defeating Kaido and Big Mom. I thought Luffy would have the highest bounty, but the Elder Stars made him an Emperor, probably under the pretense of Monkey D. heading the alliance. Smart move. Wow! I can’t believe Luffy’s an Emperor now. Remember when a 100 million berri bounty was a huge deal? Congratulations, Monkey D.! I’m so happy to be a One Piece fan!

What about Zoro and Sanji? What’s their current bounties? I don’t see them getting anything less than 1 billion each. Maybe Killer hits 1 billion too. The rest of the Straw Hats will naturally receive higher bounties but I don’t see any of them hitting 1 billion. As for Yamato, he’s getting a wanted poster, no doubt.

Where’s the DJ? Anybody got any coke? …What the hell kinda party is this?!

Kaido and Big Mom. Where are they? Well, the Big Mom Pirates most likely recovered their fallen captain, but Kaido wasn’t among the Animal Kingdom Pirates at Udon, so I’m assuming the Big Bad Dragon Daddy’s with Big Mom’s crew. Probably best he’s off Wano. If anyone got word he’s still there, the entire country would try to finish him off. Still, I’m interested in what his and Big Mom’s reaction will be learning they lost their Emperor status.

We Wano Visitors [One Piece 1052]

Wherefore Art Thou, Nico Robin?

Reading Poneglyphs, of course. Gonna be some huge info dropping since Oda didn’t even bother showing our favorite archaeologist. Kaido’s, Big Mom’s and the Zou Poneglyphs have all been found by the Straw Hats. Only one left. On Elbaf? Probably.

So just how will the Elder Stars manipulate Team Luffy whooping TWO Emperors? Appoint another Admiral? Try to execute Kaido and Big Mom, assuming they’re both in Navy custody? Who knows, but the World Government needs a win in the eyes of its citizens and the Elders are gonna find one, real or fake.

Yamato gave Brook a boner. Skull Joke!

Young, Fun, And Full Of…Commitment [One Piece 1051]

Dictatorships are fine if the person in charge is nice.

Maybe you should give democracy a shot, Wano? …No? Okay then. Welcome, Shogun Momonosuke, Wano’s newest unelected leader! According to the Oda Boxes, Momo will become known around the world. Safe to say Wano’s borders are opening, eventually. Does it also mean Wano’s joining the World Government? I’m thinking no and yes.

Momonsuke’s first trial as Shogun is cleaning out Orochi’s room. Just…don’t look in his closet.

I can see Wano joining the World Government 2.0 at the end of the series. You know, after the final war where Im, the Elder Stars, and Celestial Dragons get the boot. A new and improved global government spearheaded by Wano, Alabasta, and every other country Luffy saved will probably take its place. Well, that’s my theory, anyway.

The Seafloor Is Lava [One Piece 1050]

Wano 3.0

Meet the new Wano, same as the old Wano. That’s right, kids. While Kaido and Big Mom take sexy lava baths, the samurai nation begins its process of healing. That may be why Momonosuke won’t open Wano’s borders immediately. It’d be like if Disney World is was under evil rule, then suddenly Beyonce takes over. You gotta get your own amusement park—erm—nation in order before inviting the neighbors over for cookies and teacup rides.

Democracy? What’s that?

That’s All Folks! [One Piece 1049]

This is what happens when you over hype a fight.

*SIGH!* You know I have problems with a chapter when the most positive thing I can say is I love the art. And I do. It’s great. Plus, the fight’s over. That’s freakin’ awesome!

Too bad it ended kinda anti-climatically. Oda did the classic flashback before the end maneuver. That’s fine and all, but it wasn’t worth the wait. We saw why Kaido became a pirate and more of his ideology. Basically, he hates those who rule the world and want to destroy those unfair powers that be through his survival-of-the-fittest policy. Gotcha. But…that’s it? I don’t know quite how to describe it, but that flashback simply left me wanting more. MUCH more.

Double KO. Or as the young-uns who play that Super Smash Brothers say, DBZ!

This Just In: Kaido And Orochi Are Evil [One Piece 1048]

Thank you Oda for reminding us. I’d forgotten.

So… Was this chapter necessary? If you like dramatic build up, yes. If you like this freakin’ fight to end already, NO! Okay, okay. Let’s check off the Oda-isms:

✓ Luffy VS Kaido is the only fight left

✓ Both are using their “final” attack

✓ Island residents are cheering them on

✓ We’re reminded the bad guys are meanies

Nice try, old timer. But we all know you’re just going through male menopause.

For Real This Time? [One Piece 1047]

End it already!

Wano’s been fun. I had a good time despite it not being one of my favorite One Piece arcs, but it’s time for this party to end. I’m turning on all the lights and playing Michael Bolton music until this you get the hint, Oda. End the damn fight, okay?!

Idris Elba taking matters into his own hands

All the signs are there it’s ending. We get major focus on the citizens of Wano, including the samurai. You’ve seen it before. The current island residents put all their faith into Luffy, building up hype before the arc villain goes down for the count. Momonosuke’s got screen time too. His purpose is saving everyone in Onigashima and the Flower Capital. The hype meter’s filling that moment up too. So, is the next chapter the one that ends it all? Well, there’s still Orochi… Damn it… It maybe another couple of chapters, or Oda quickly gets everything else resolved, revealing Kaido’s final whopping as a two-page spread at the chapter’s end. Fingers crossed!

Adult Swim [One Piece 1046]

How much longer?

Luffy’s Gear Five novelty’s wearing off. I’m ready for his fight against Kaido to end. We’ll if anything can stop Kaido, it’s lightning. But will Kaido awaken his devil fruit? Personally, I think he already has. His dragon form gotta be his fish zoan fruit’s awakened form. It makes too much sense. Maybe we’ll get a short flashback of Kaido first awakening his devil fruit during Luffy’s final attack. That seems like a very Oda thing to happen.

It’s distilled water, right? Sparkling? No thanks, I’d rather burn.