I loved Punk Hazard, but there were some elements that sucked about it.
Definitly an improvement from Fishman island.
I'm hard pressed to think of a single thing Punk Hazard did better than FI.
I loved Punk Hazard, but there were some elements that sucked about it.
Definitly an improvement from Fishman island.
I'm hard pressed to think of a single thing Punk Hazard did better than FI.
Punk Hazard when it started did a good job of bring back the "wtf" adventure exploration factor. What with the split element island and the dragons and random body parts that could talk and such.
I'd say the first 5 or 6 chapters of Punk Hazard were better than FI, but then it was revealed it was just an evil mad scientist again and the wtf vanished pretty quickly. Especially after Law showed up and started dictating the plot and it turned into an unmotivated fight fest.
FI is still Oda's weakest arc for a lot of reasons (it either needed to be 2 volumes shorter or 4 volumes longer) and it does comes together a bit better on reread in one sitting, but its still a fairly weak arc with a lot of flaws… but Punk Hazard isn't much better despite its promising start.
FI has lots of flaws agreed, but none of that changes what I said lol.
Honestly I had way too many Thriller Barque flashbacks just from the way PH started to remotely feel any fresh excitement from it. And holy hell was I validated.
@RobbyBevard:
Slypeia was awesome, shut up! Oh, not Skypeia? Well, Davy Back was fun, despite what you… Oh wait, thriller bark?
Those arcs were fine, IMO.
@RobbyBevard:
Uhm, Nightmare Luffy didn't do anything. He stopped one attack and gave the crew time to recoup, then his powerup ran out. It was still entirely a team effort to take Oars down, based around Chopper's strategy and needing them all to coordinate to deliver the proper blows..
I'll just re-read the fight then, because all I remember was a DBZ-style battle in which a buff blue guy fought a giant red guy. This was one of the only points in the history of the series where I was afraid that Oda was transitioning from an adventure manga to an action manga. Maybe I felt kind of the same way at Enies Lobby or Marineford, but this moment really stuck out to me.
@RobbyBevard:
Using up all his strength and energy in an all out desperation move before the sun rose, and verbally entrusting his crew with whatever came next after he fainted? And, Moria had been weakend by the crew prior to that.
The concept was fine, the execution was horrible. I fully admit that my main gripes are with the aesthetics and the choreography of the fight. I still pretend that Gigant Jet Shell never happened, or that it looked completely different. Even Moria himself, and Shadow Asgard, kind of fall into the same category. Not to mention the fact that Moria inexplicably came back to haunt us after the longest slog in the entire manga.
In fact, maybe we shouldn't even be talking about Thriller Barque in general, because I LOVE the beginning of the arc, the Perona fight, and the Kuma "fight". The Ryuma fight was decent as well. But this very specific point that just happened to fall WITHIN the arc, let's say 15 chapters or so, was my least favorite part of the manga, hands down.
@RobbyBevard:
yeah, its not like Krieg, Arlong, Wapol, Crocodile, Enel, Foxy or Lucchi had any back and forth where they came back from the edge of defeat for one more round or prolonged their fights artificially where they pulled out new tricks or forced Luffy to try something else, or that Luffy even nearly lost several of those fights.
The only one of those fights that could be described as long, was the Lucci fight.
And it actually had pretty good choreography, considering how awful Lucci was as a villain.
I don't think either of our opinions are wrong, because this isn't like someone saying "Water 7 was a bad arc", or "Bellamy was a bad villain", because those would be complete bullshit lies. There aren't really many debates or a consensus about TB, as far as I can tell, other than "zombies are cool". My opinion is actually pretty shallow, now that I think about it, maybe if I listened to the arc instead of looking at it, I wouldn't feel the same way.
because all I remember was a DBZ-style battle in which a buff blue guy fought a giant red guy.
maybe if I listened to the arc instead of looking at it, I wouldn't feel the same way.
Blue? Red? Listen?
Are you perhaps remembering the padded one chapter per episode anime version rather than the manga version?
I know we got the colors to those guys on the volume covers eventually, but they were strictly black and white at the time it happened.
Fishman Island does do a pretty good job at exploring the culture; that's probably one of the arc's best aspects. I just feel like most people here wanted more. It's biggest problem was probably not providing a map and giving a sense of geography while the Straw Hats were exploring the land and just providing that map near the arc's fighting climax.
Punk Hazard is better at setting up CC as a villain. The story's simple and Oda probably tried too hard in getting his evilness across, but that's definitely an upgrade from the last arc. Clear motivation. Defining characteristics. Evil deeds shown not told.
Vergo's character and te G-5 connection was the weakest part of the arc imo, even with the attempt at emotional resonance. But I'm glad Oda spent the time that he did on Brownbeard's story and the kids story, even if it wasn't executed perfectly. There is enough done to create that emotional connection to ther stories. Sure it started because it was a part of Law's plan but I'm glad Oda made the effort to make an emotional connection to the arc.
Punk hazard probably could've done without the Marines' story and probably the Yeti Cool Brothers. But if not, Vergo's story should've been longer. Or maybe it could have taken out either the kids or Brownbeard's story (leaning more towards Brownbeard's). there might have just been too much stories and it felt crowded tackling them all in this arc. But Oda always drag during the build up to the fights that happens almost every arc. Maybe the dragons could have been cut but that's one of the iconic parts of Punk Hazard.
And while Kinemon and his adventure is part of an ongoing story, I've enjoyed his interactions with the crew. Feel like their "resolution" was too in the background though to make a big impact in the finale (and Kinemon's defeat was a eh that happened at best"). Still he's interesting and had a good rapport with the crew. Definitely a fun character in that respect.
I'm not going to try to argue with anyone saying they disliked Punk Hazard, or thought it was a weak arc. Mainly for the reason that, while I personally found it perfectly enjoyable, I completely agree with the points that are being raised against it, and while I don't think that I would consider it bad objectively, I can certainly see where it falls short of the standard set by other arcs in One Piece.
That said, in terms of major plot points, there's really not much I could think that I would say should have been removed. As much as many people find Law, and his involvement in the arc, distasteful, it was clearly necessary in terms of setting up what is now unfolding after. I also frankly never particularly saw him as 'dictating the plot', as Robby put it, and many many others have said in other ways as the arc was happening, but I'll leave that aside for the moment. Gizmo suggested either removing the marine or kids subplot, but I don't think either of those are really options, either. The marines I feel were necessary for similar reasons to Law, in the sense that Punk Hazard tied into the larger scheme, with corruption and manipulation happening on a grand scale behind the scenes. On the other paw, while I know many people found the kids to simply be annoying and thought they only really bogged the plot down, and while I admit that for the most part they didn't really do all that much for me, their subplot did create what I felt was certainly one of, if not the, most emotionally impacting scene in the arc, so I couldn't possibly condone saying it should not have been included.
Fishman Island does do a pretty good job at exploring the culture; that's probably one of the arc's best aspects. I just feel like most people here wanted more. It's biggest problem was probably not providing a map and giving a sense of geography while the Straw Hats were exploring the land and just providing that map near the arc's fighting climax.
More or less my issue with it, Dressrosa has done more in three chapters to breathe life into itself than Fishman Island ever did.
Part of me also thinks Oda ran up against the limits of his medium and schedule in depicting things as being underwater. The sense of place inside the city bubble was always kind of poor, and the more I think on it I'm not sure how a weekly black and white manga could fully show what Oda wanted to.
@RobbyBevard:
Blue? Red? Listen?
Are you perhaps remembering the padded one chapter per episode anime version rather than the manga version?
I know we got the colors to those guys on the volume covers eventually, but they were strictly black and white at the time it happened.
I both read and watched it, because at that time, I was still watching the anime.
Like I said, I will re-read the whole arc and see if I can appreciate it a little more.
I guess I really am just an Oda ass licker because these complaints never occur to me when I'm reading OP week to week
Fishman Island does do a pretty good job at exploring the culture; that's probably one of the arc's best aspects. I just feel like most people here wanted more. It's biggest problem was probably not providing a map and giving a sense of geography while the Straw Hats were exploring the land and just providing that map near the arc's fighting climax.
Punk Hazard is better at setting up CC as a villain. The story's simple and Oda probably tried too hard in getting his evilness across, but that's definitely an upgrade from the last arc. Clear motivation. Defining characteristics. Evil deeds shown not told.
Vergo's character and te G-5 connection was the weakest part of the arc imo. But I'm glad Oda spent the time that he did on Brownbeard's story and the kids story, even if it wasn't executed perfectly. There is some story to create that emotional connection there. Sure it started because it was a part of Law's plan but Oda made the effort to make an emotional connection to the arc.
Punk hazard probably could've done without the Marines' story and probably the Yeti Cool Brothers. But if not, Vergo's story should've been longer. Or maybe it could have taken out either the kids or Brownbeard's story (leaning new towards Brownbeard's). Both might have been crowding the story too much. But Oda always drag during the build up to the fights that happens almost every arc. Maybe the dragons could have been cut but that's one of the iconic parts of Punk Hazard.
And while Kinemon and his adventure is part of an ongoing story, I've enjoyed his interactions with the crew. Feel like their "resolution" was too in the background though to make a big impact in the finale (and Kinemon's defeat was a eh that happened at best". Definitely a fun character in that respect.
@Monkey:
More or less my issue with it, Dressrosa has done more in three chapters to breathe life into itself than Fishman Island ever did.
Part of me also thinks Oda ran up against the limits of his medium and schedule in depicting things as being underwater. The sense of place inside the city bubble was always kind of poor, and the more I think on it I'm not sure how a weekly black and white manga could fully show what Oda wanted to.
Couple great points you guys made there.
Punk Hazards biggest downfall was that it dragged on. Thriller barks greatest aspect was that it dragged on.
In thriller bark the strawhats were pushed to their limits and beyond and it made Moria's point that they weren't strong enough for the new world ring true. If the arc had been a volume or 10 chapters shorter you wouldn't had had that exhausted feeling when the sun rose and Zoro's statement that the "nightmare is over" would have meant that much less. Punk hazard on the other hand was more or less a straightforward "adventure" Get on the island, find out whats up with it, solve problem, go home. But so much crap was thrown in there that it slowed it down and muddied it. The strawhats were never challenged just dealing with the smoke and it felt like such a weak way to create tension for characters that were so damn strong that it just didn't work. All punk hazard needed to do was have a nice battle with Cesar and his allies and set up the next arc (which it did well IMO) and get them the hell outta there. Hopefully this next arc will be the finest of them all.
I guess I really am just an Oda ass licker because these complaints never occur to me when I'm reading OP week to week
Nah, I definitely don't think so. I'm in the same boat as you, I just tend to enjoy the manga as I read it from week to week. Not to say I can't critique it, or have any problem with others doing so, but in general I just allow myself to be entertained, and I can't see anything wrong with that.
I started this a little bit in one other thread in the past.
Ever since Ennies Lobby, I lost my taste in One Piece. I don't know whether or not it was because of the voice acting, the animation, or the friendship save Robin thing, but something just alienated me ever since. It could just be me, though.
Sorry if this was posted in the wrong area.
I bet it was the dumb filler they made for Enies Lobby
and Brand New World! being replaced by garbage openings.
The only arc I hated was the Foxy arcs.
That guy was a dick.
Punk Hazard is my favourite (GUESS WHYYYY~?)
Sabaody is my second favourite (GUESS WHYYYYY~?)
Why the fucking Foxy do people have to hate on DBF?
@Lazy:
Why the fucking Foxy do people have to hate on DBF?
I think most folks dismiss it as a "canon filler" though I like to think it was a fun mini-arc with goofy scenarios. It really didn't amount to much aside from raising the issue regarding the SHs needing a shipwright, introducing Aokiji, and leading towards the Water 7 arc.
Honestly, I was on my toes the whole time when there was the potential that the SH could win a crewmember from Foxy's. A shame Luffy just picked the flag since I was kinda rooting for a completely random character thrown into the SH (though this kinda already happened with Robin). Maybe even possible shenanigans like a goofy mutiny from that character or him/her getting tossed out of the boat for incompetence/eating all the food or whatever. I'm surprised Oda has yet to test out the angle of legitimately "failed SH crewmember" that gets booted out of the ship (that was NOT Ussop because we all knew he was going to come back in the end anyway).
The DBF is too short for it's fillerness to be a problem, and so is short enough to just be fun.
I can't wait till a serious Davy Back fight, or Davy Jones shows up, and that sequence stops being "filler".
Even if its as simple as Foxy being incorporated into Buggy's crew.
I started this a little bit in one other thread in the past.
Ever since Ennies Lobby, I lost my taste in One Piece. I don't know whether or not it was because of the voice acting, the animation, or the friendship save Robin thing, but something just alienated me ever since. It could just be me, though.
Sorry if this was posted in the wrong area.
Well, you could take some time off and come back to it, see if it's for you. But it depends….did you stop watching when Enies Lobby aired years ago, or have you been watching recently and just don't want to go anymore?
When I saw this thread, I was thinking it might have been like something I went through last year - I stopped reading OP when I got caught up in college (animation college, no less, but none of my animation-loving friends were into OP :sad:) but recently got back into it last fall.
And I mean got back into it...hard. I feel like I never stopped loving it, I don't know how I actually lived without it for two years. I was lost, but now am found. So, too, can you be, my child.
@RobbyBevard:
I can't wait till a serious Davy Back fight, or Davy Jones shows up, and that sequence stops being "filler".
Even if its as simple as Foxy being incorporated into Buggy's crew.
Foxy being in Buggy's crew would be hilarious.
Please, god, let that happen.
@Monkey:
near perfect is exactly the kind of thing that makes me wonder if One Piece has been flying a little too close to the barren soulless wasteland of Bleach as of late, and picked some of it's fans up.
One Piece might have had some bad arcs, yet, it is still nowhere near to Bleach.
Try watching Film Z if it's available in your country. It renewed my interest in OP again.
Gaze upon this awesome tattoo and love One Piece:
Davy Back Fight was hilarious.
I'm sorry if bringing back this thread was unnecessary, but I really wanna get back into the show.
If Enies Lobby is what turned you off the series, then One Piece might not be for you.
What was it that you liked about the series prior to that arc?
I loved the storytelling. It was really good for your average Shonen series.
I loved the character interactions. They were fluid, the conversations were natural, you know. The show had great humor, it flowed well. The action and fights were awesome. The world was great, everything synced well. The story and writing was really good (Baratie, Arlong, especially Alabasta and Skypeia, etc.).
During the Ennies Lobby arc, it kind of lost that. It felt like it became a shell of itself. Sanji became a caricature of himself, for instance. The save Robin thing almost kind of lost any maturity it had. I don't know, maybe the mood was lost. I remember during the Arlong and Baratie arc, the mood was usually really good during the fighting sequences. I don't know whether or not it was too much humor in the arc, or whether the pacing caused the voice acting to get stale, or it was even the colors that felt too bright for what was going on. It could be the general story. Maybe the whole situation felt too kiddish i.e. "Robin is our friend, lets save her" and less of "she's our crewmate who we are loyal to, and she's our friend so we have to get her back". Maybe Luffy felt less mature compared to other arcs (at least to me)? The asspulls were there of course, and that could have been a factor. But I don't know why but I didn't enjoy it that well.
And it's funny, I liked Water 7 a lot. A LOT. It was just a really good arc. But the ending (where Robin left because she was trying to keep the Straw Hats safe) was really predictable. And it's unfortunate, because I hate using that as an excuse.
The Skypeia arc made me realize One Piece was the best shonen manga ever. I fell in love. It was amazing. The storytelling, mood, concept, background, exposition, rising action, climax, resolution, etc. It was wonderful. I did watch it in one sitting, so pacing wasn't an issue. It, like other arcs, did a great job at mood and tone, while at the same time allowing itself to have some comedy without ruining the tone. In essence, it was a like a lighthearted adventure that managed to be very good in terms of story-telling and did a great job at shifting into more dramatic, darker plots.
I really wanted to enjoy the Ennies Lobby arc, I wanted to feel the same sense of awe that I felt in the other arcs. I watched it at the same pace I watched other arcs. Like, I know why others enjoyed it, and there were epic moments that I liked, but I couldn't love because of the overarching problem I couldn't figure out. But it didn't click with me for some reason. I started watching Thriller Bark, and it was alright (the pacing was really bad), but I just couldn't continue watching it for some reason.
So where should I start?
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
Gaze upon this awesome tattoo and love One Piece:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll65/solitaryj/549746_512902135440083_394583796_n_zps85edec39.jpg
Awesome tattoo by the way. Just brilliant.
I'm sorry if bringing back this thread was unnecessary, but I really wanna get back into the show.
I loved the storytelling. It was really good for your average Shonen series.
I loved the character interactions. They were fluid, the conversations were natural, you know. The show had great humor, it flowed well. The action and fights were awesome. The world was great, everything synced well. The story and writing was really good (Baratie, Arlong, especially Alabasta and Skypeia, etc.).
During the Ennies Lobby arc, it kind of lost that. It felt like it became a shell of itself. Sanji became a caricature of himself, for instance. The save Robin thing almost kind of lost any maturity it had. I don't know, maybe the mood was lost. I remember during the Arlong and Baratie arc, the mood was usually really good during the fighting sequences. I don't know whether or not it was too much humor in the arc, or whether the pacing caused the voice acting to get stale, or it was even the colors that felt too bright for what was going on. It could be the general story. Maybe the whole situation felt too kiddish i.e. "Robin is our friend, lets save her" and less of "she's our crewmate who we are loyal to, and she's our friend so we have to get her back". Maybe Luffy felt less mature compared to other arcs (at least to me)? The asspulls were there of course, and that could have been a factor. But I don't know why but I didn't enjoy it that well.
And it's funny, I liked Water 7 a lot. A LOT. It was just a really good arc. But the ending (where Robin left because she was trying to keep the Straw Hats safe) was really predictable. And it's unfortunate, because I hate using that as an excuse.
The Skypeia arc made me realize One Piece was the best shonen manga ever. I fell in love. It was amazing. The storytelling, mood, concept, background, exposition, rising action, climax, resolution, etc. It was wonderful. I did watch it in one sitting, so pacing wasn't an issue. It, like other arcs, did a great job at mood and tone, while at the same time allowing itself to have some comedy without ruining the tone. In essence, it was a like a lighthearted adventure that managed to be very good in terms of story-telling and did a great job at shifting into more dramatic, darker plots.
I really wanted to enjoy the Ennies Lobby arc, I wanted to feel the same sense of awe that I felt in the other arcs. I watched it at the same pace I watched other arcs. Like, I know why others enjoyed it, and there were epic moments that I liked, but I couldn't love because of the overarching problem I couldn't figure out. But it didn't click with me for some reason. I started watching Thriller Bark, and it was alright (the pacing was really bad), but I just couldn't continue watching it for some reason.
So where should I start?
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
Awesome tattoo by the way. Just brilliant.
Dressrosa is how you get back into One Piece.
@Monkey:
Dressrosa is how you get back into One Piece.
While I certainly agree that Dressrosa is the best thing to happen to One Piece in a long while, I wouldn't recommend just skipping everything between now and Enies Lobby.
For this situation I would say start reading/watching once the crew gets back to Water 7 or possibly as they leave Water 7 for good. After that you'll get that much needed "adventure" feeling back that you felt was lacking in Enies Lobby.
Continue reading the story from here and you'll eventually reach the greatness that is Dressrosa.
So, basically, continue from Thriller Bark?
I should do it from the manga, right?
So, basically, continue from Thriller Bark?
I should do it from the manga, right?
loll are you kidding?? Of course!
Thriller Barque is meh, but fuck it, be a big boy and power through (it's not so long) and the stuff after it more than make up.
How to get back into OP?
Don't watch the filler heavy super padded anime as your only source of reference.
Originally they had two or three chapters every episode… at this point its down to one chapter=one episode, so they're stretching about 7 minutes of material into 22 EVERY week, and the filler they come up with is generally.... not good.
The anime was good up through Alabasta, tolerable through skypeia, then slowed to a crawl at W7, and has only become more padded and bloated since. If you like the colors and voice acting and seeing fights in motion, that's great, but the overall pacing and storytelling is SO diluted at this point that I can't see how anyone would be able to enjoy the pace and feel of the anime on its own merits anymore. The anime is best as an addendum to the manga, not as its own thing.
If you wanted to get back into One Piece I'd suggest watching the movies, and by that I mean the good movies, so 6,10 or Z. Of course going back and re-reading some arcs you liked also helps, I always find myself re-reading the Arlong arc or the arcs within the Alabasta arc.
1. Read the manga
2. Read the manga some more.
A little off-topic, but regarding the obviously terribad and padded anime… has anyone made a condensed version? Not abridged with redubs, but just condensed- like tastefully editing out the intro/outro/recap/unnecessarily long pauses/recycled animation/stuff that didn't happen in the actual chapter?
I'm pretty sure there was something called "One Pace" floating around somewhere which was the anime edited to a decent pace, but I'm not sure if that's still around
[http://forums.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=38681
R](http://forums.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=38681)ight here but I'm not sure if it is still going or not
Ah. I will read the TB arc in the manga then. So I've heard Dressrosa has been great so far, right?
Ah. I will read the TB arc in the manga then. So I've heard Dressrosa has been great so far, right?
Don't even think about Dressrosa, you're eons away from it.
Okie dokie then.
I'd say Thriller Bark was amazing for Brook and his backstory, as well as Moria being an unusual villain, and the general awesome sense of humor displayed throughout the entire arc. Saobody is where it'll really get your blood running again for OP. It's still my favorite arc.
I'm pretty sure there was something called "One Pace" floating around somewhere which was the anime edited to a decent pace, but I'm not sure if that's still around
[http://forums.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=38681
R](http://forums.arlongpark.net/showthread.php?t=38681)ight here but I'm not sure if it is still going or not
Yep we are still at it. Our latest paced episodes are 611-612 and 351-353.
@Monkey:
Don't even think about Dressrosa, you're eons away from it.
Dressrosa is amazing so far.
Fishman island sucked and punk hazard sucked dick and dressrosa good. First half of one piece is better
Thriller Bark gets a lot more crap than it deserves. The first half of the arc is pretty much awesome. The second half feels lackluster in the sense that it focused on the fights, and out of the 4 "mid-boss" fights, 1 was off-screened, 1 was too one-sided to be of any interest, and the other 2 were pretty cool. Also, the Oars fight is L O N G (although I've always liked this fight, it could've been 2 chapters shorter indeed), and comes with a bullshit power-up of Fairy Tail's proportions. The surprise boss at the very end is the second best thing about the arc, and one of the best moments of the series.
Punk Hazard, more of the same. It has some surprisingly stupid writing and characterization on Oda's part that he should be leaps and bounds above, and, again, the boss fights are too easy for the SH's, but still, the arc was pretty damn entertaining. Also, the first half of the arc is just pure, unadultered fun.
Actually, most people point Dressrosa as the arc that, finally, brings good ol' One Piece back, but I gotta say that the ending chapters of Fishman Island were already pretty damn good (everything from "The Path Towards the Sun" onwards is leagues better than the entirety of the arc preceeding it, save from some Otohime and Tiger moments and the overall statement Oda made with said arc) and glued me again to One Piece. Punk Hazard just cemented that opinion and brought it even further.
That Dressrosa is another huge quality jump is indeed true, though, and it's without any doubt the best post-time skip arc (and I guess some will put it above Marineford and/or Impel Down, too).
Friendship didn't save Robin, the StrawHats did. Like No Maam just said, this isn't Fairy Tail where friendship is magic.But a friend/nakama of the StrawHats was kidnapped, what the hell did you wanted them to do? Luffy did the same thing with Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Nami, Chopper and Vivi. "You're my friend now so I'll help you with whatever you need".Now in terms of getting you back to it I'll just say this: You've missed a war betwen the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Governament and Luffy's and Ace backstory.And those where a very worth read ( I haven't watched the anime in a long long time so I don't know if they're dropping the ball on it)
I see what you did there.
Great Arcs- Saboady, Enies Lobby, and Marineford
@Red:
Great Arcs- Saboady, Enies Lobby, and Marineford
Enies Lobby is one of the weakest arcs in the series and I'm pretty sure it's what made him lose interest.
@Monkey:
Enies Lobby is one of the weakest arcs in the series and I'm pretty sure it's what made him lose interest.
Can I ask why this is one of the weakest arcs? Because I loved that arc.
Ennies Lobby settled the tension build up during Water 7 (basically, the arc with the best writing in all of One Piece) with a fight fest that became kind of a bore during the boss fights, due to either too dragged down fights, or directly some pretty terrible moments.
To be honest, I always enjoyed the initial assault on Ennies Lobby: everyone did their part, be it big or small (Franky Family, Galley-la Company, Yokozuna,. . .), we had Luffy taking on 4000 soldiers, we had giants, we had the (hilarious) judge Baskerville. . .
. . .But when we got to the important part, the face-off against the CP9, we already had a volume's worth of fighting on our backs (2 volumes if you add the Puffing Tom-Rocket Man chase, which was quite fight-heavy). Robin's flashback, which is awesome, gave a breathing to all the fighting, but then we started again. . .for, like, 3 volumes straight of nothing but fighting.
There're good parts (Franky vs. Fukuro is pretty damn hilarious, and for how bland Lucci is, Luffy vs. Lucci is pretty damn intense), but also some surprisingly terrible moments (Sanji vs. Kalifa, Nami vs. Kalifa, the Usopp-Zoro-Jabra-Kaku gag-situation getting waaaaay out of hand,. . .).
But in the end, I guess the overall opinion is that it wasn't a satisfactory follow-up to Water 7 and all of its poignant character drama.
(I still think, overall, the arc is fun. But I liked it way more the first time I went through it).
Yes, basically it was a wayyyyy drawn out and fairly bland resolution to one of the best arcs in the series.
Robin's flashback and Merry's death were both well done though.
Wasn't the reason the Lucci fight was drawn out because Oda wanted him defeated 100 chapters after he was introduced?
Wasn't the reason the Lucci fight was drawn out because Oda wanted him defeated 100 chapters after he was introduced?
I doubt that. I'm more suspicious Oda likes having the collected volumes have certain contents and wanted the last battle volume to end on Merry's death, and then have a full volume of resolution on Water7.