It has been forever since the last time we read One Piece, hasn’t it? Well what felt like forever, it’s crazy how much your life can change in a week, and I’m glad it’s back. Chopper has entered his berserk form last chapter, but didn’t go berserk, so I can only assume that what ever happens this chapter is going to be good. Will fish be back on the menu courtesy of the Straw Hats? Let’s find out.
THE GOOD
Yes, fish is definitely on the menu tonight thanks to our pirate friends. This was a very interesting chapter, mainly because it showed us all of the Straw Hats defeating the fishmen pirates at once. It didn’t even give us a place to breath, just one after another falling to their new powers and new finishing moves. Chopper has truly evolved with his new ability to control his berserk form. This now puts him as one of the true heavy hitters of the team, not only because of this new strength, but his versatility. Also brook has shown us that with his ice sword he too can be the swordsmen of the group and not totally be over looked.
The others on the other hand are pretty much more of the same Usopp still shooting crazing things, but with added plants in the mix. Franky now has a laser beam, which is a nice replacement to his air cannon. Sanji can now set his entire body on fire do to his rage against the queers, which is actually really amusing. Finally Zoro still slices things up with his three swords, typical Zorro.
THE BAD
I think Oda was trying something new this arc by showing everyone’s fight at once instead of concentrating on one fight and then moving on to the next. I appreciate him doing something new, but I really did not like this method of storytelling. I just didn’t get emotionally attached to any of these fights because we all knew the Straw Hats could not loose, being that the main purpose of these fights were to show us just how powerful they became. Basically the purpose of this arc was for the Straw Hats to show off and flex their muscles. It all accumulated to this chapter where too much happened at once. Hopefully next time they go to battle they fight worthy opponents. Hell, this arc might have been better pre time skip when the fishman might have had a fighting chance.
THE VERDICT 3/5
As mentioned above I wish this was handled better, but it’s nice to see the Straw Hats getting better at what they do, well at least the Straw Hats boys. In a few chapters this war will be finished and then we will have another few chapters for the customary celebration with dancing animals, and then a few for good byes.
