The Straw Hats struggle to catch up and save Mocha from the rabid band of monstrous children, but the deadly Monet blocks their path at every step with her Snow-Snow fruit powers. Even Zoro seems unable to stop her deadly assaults. All ending with the reunion I've been dreaming of for years.
The Good
How could Oda fit in nearly everything I could want into a single chapter? There's the drama of Mocha's flashback, Nami and Robin joining in the fight, amazing displays of power, Zoro clashing blades, Sanji's commanding his own Marine platoon, Monet has an adorable weakness to compliments, and it's Tashigi that steps in to save the day. I was laughing throughout and cheering for the finale.
I know I've gushed repeatedly over Monet as this arc has gone on, but how can you deny that she's probably one of the more complex characters that Oda has ever introduced. She's as elusive as the very snow her body is made upon. She appears to be the one who slipped Chopper the info he needs to cure the children of their addiction to the very drug that she had been giving them, and yet she also seems enraged by the very idea of someone taking them away from her. When she had a clear shot at Robin, all she did was scratch her, but she seemingly went for a fatal blow on Nami. We know that Doflamingo has her life in his hands, but where are her true loyalties?
The Bad
What can I say? This is an incredibly entertaining chapter that gives you everything you could ask for in a shonen series, and the protagonist doesn't even appear. There's no real bad here.
Verdict 5/5
It really speaks to the strength of your supporting cast when you can make an exciting read with your lead completely absent. I wasn't expecting too much out of this arc originally, then I was resigned that there wouldn't be any meaningful Zoro and Tashigi scenes when Sanji was the one to come to her rescue earlier. It seems all I had to do was wait a bit longer. I can't wait until the next chapter. I just hope that Tashigi really shows her growth in the Ch. 687, and she doesn't need to be constantly rescued.
-Kristoffer Remmell ( FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek.- Follow for news updates: @ FoxxFireArt
Hmm it takes zoro and tashigi to defeat monet? i didnt think she was that powerful. oh well should be interesting. i've never seen zoro beat a logia so this should be entertaining and tashigi can use haki as well. it makes me think of the matches to come. maybe zoro vs shinryu of the rain from teach's crew he seemed to be a very good swordsman. I loved this chapter as well.
I love how the G-5 bond with Sanji, it seem like it will play a factor in the future
It seem like Monet won't join the crew after this :(
I do like Monet's monster form
Like I say in the Naruto one, really getting tire of the unnecessary cursing in the fan translation, glad SJ Alpha is moving to simulcast in the near future
@jj_jackson:
Surprisingly, it appears Zoro is too reluctant to fight a woman seriously. Monet noticed that and was going to take advantage of that.
@Destinyheroknight:
I love that moment when Sanji comes running in leading the G-5, and they're following his commands.
I wouldn't want to trust VIZ with simulcast manga.
Loved the chapter, the Sanji and G5 part was funny, the fight was exciting and Tashigi finally did something. Can't complain about anything.
@FoxxFireArt:
It better then pirating and also it will help the business, so I put my trust into them