I had so many different cold-related puns ready for my usual blurb, but I think I'll retain my dignity instead.
Title: ''Blizzard Combat - The Straw Hats vs. the Snow Woman''
Chapters Covered: 686
New Characters: None
Animation Director: Kenji Yokoyama (**1/2)
Time: 8:30PM EST
Watch It: www.onepieceofficial.com
Stream: http://www.justin.tv/cc0721oppai#/w/6844321216/2
Nothing too important tonight I guess, so don't care too much about how it's handled. Would be nice if the quality streak continues though.
2chan Pictures: http://dec.2chan.net/18/res/23053915.htm
! Can't wait for that cocky bitch be sliced in half.
That music was way too cool for Tashigi entrance.
! Speakin' of cocky bitches:ninja:
Nami tried to use Chopper as human shield. Wut.
And scene with Momo was pure wtf too.
What's the sausage on this? Original villain for some new video game or what? Cause I really like his design.
!
@Miss:
What's the sausage on this? Original villain for some new video game or what? Cause I really like his design.
He's for Unlimited World Red and seems like he's called Red. Looks strangely like a mash-up between skinny Moriah and Caesar. Which means he looks pretty fuckin' badass.
He's for Unlimited World Red and seems like he's called Red. Looks strangely like a mash-up between skinny Moriah and Caesar. Which means he looks pretty fuckin' badass.
Indeed, I think it's a splendid design. I have to give it to Oda for coming up with designs as good as this one or Chameleone's for characters that don't even appear in the manga/anime/movies.
That music was way too cool for Tashigi entrance.
True, they shouldn't use that music on her for appearance
I really enjoyed this one, much better than last week. I'm noticing that I'm actually liking the villains of this arc much more than I did in the manga.
Monet is really impressive so far and Caesar Clown is an absolute riot and a fantastic antagonist. I always liked Vergo, but the anime is doing him justice as well. The anime is seriously bouncing back and gaining points as of late, these quality episodes might actually last all the way to the end of PH.
! If we're really lucky, the quality will continue and transition right into Dressrosa.
~ They got the moves like Jagger ~
He's for Unlimited World Red and seems like he's called Red. Looks strangely like a mash-up between skinny Moriah and Caesar. Which means he looks pretty fuckin' badass.
Nah i don't think so, he looks like Captain Kid and Mihawk mashed together..
Big MoM ate - 2012
CC for nakama.
Nah i don't think so, he looks like Captain Kid and Mihawk mashed together..
Really? The eyes, the mouth (Caesar), the purple sideburns and the bat-like attire (Moriah) make him more similar to those two imho. Don't see anything that resembles Kid or Mihawk really.
Really? The eyes, the mouth (Caesar), the purple sideburns and the bat-like attire (Moriah) make him more similar to those two imho. Don't see anything that resembles Kid or Mihawk really.
Your looking at the wrong thing, look at Oda's sketch of him- the guys side view looks like Mihawks side view, his eyes looks like Mihawks both are even the same color and then look at him with his mouth open, when his laughing looks like Captain Kid is the one laughing. His attire or outfit may have Moria-ish flavor but the character himself looks nothing like Moria.
Was there a new trailer for Unlimited World Red?
As for the episode, it was good. Nothing more, nothing less.
I agree with LazySketchor about enjoying the villains in the anime more than in the manga. The quality of the seiyuus' voice work helps a ton.
Monet chomping down on the G-5 marines was beautifully brutal, like a hawk snatching down at its prey.
Easily Yokoyama's best episode in recent memory. So kudos to him and whoever else helped him out. And in addition to the art the direction wasn't bad either, especially once Sanji and the marines came in to the picture. This is how you do a bridge episode.
8/10
the pacing was good, them feels in the beginning were nice, and it had nice humor to boot.
and Cesar is just… Rollo T mentioned it in the WMR podcasts but it's really sinking in here. He's a manipulative liar. and his smile while talking about his false son dying just to get the kids to cooperate just stuck with me for some reason.
the 5th good episode in a row... keep it up Toei
Wait, if Monet can reform a wing that was cut with Haki, why couldnt Ace regenerate his the hole in his chest from Akainu? Anyone?
@Monkey:
Wait, if Monet can reform a wing that was cut with Haki, why couldnt Ace regenerate his the hole in his chest from Akainu? Anyone?
I'm pretty sure it doesn't work that way.
@Monkey:
Wait, if Monet can reform a wing that was cut with Haki, why couldnt Ace regenerate his the hole in his chest from Akainu? Anyone?
Out-of-universe explanation: Because the plot required him to die.
In-universe explanation: Uh, because, like, lava is hotter than fire and so, like, Akainu like, burned Ace's fire-body and so the damage inflicted to his organs was permanent and couldn't be healed with his fire because it had been inflicted by something stronger… You know, come to think of it, I don't really get that.
Seeing Monet chomp people's shoulders off makes me crave Oreos O.O
@Monkey:
Wait, if Monet can reform a wing that was cut with Haki, why couldnt Ace regenerate his the hole in his chest from Akainu? Anyone?
I thought all Monet got was a smallish cut on her wing, which wouldn't really show up unless we get a real close up look at it.
Also, Ceaser's design and character is just so deliciously evil. On one hand, I can feel the cruelty that underlies every single lie he tells the children. But on the other, I can easily see why so many people and children obeyed him; he has enormous charisma. He's a character who I love, hate, and love to hate. Basically a perfect villian.
Monet biting those G-5 guys was pretty brutal. I loved it.
That scene with Sanji and the G-5 making fun of Zoro, then everyone ogling over Monet was hilarious.
Besides a (tiny) bit of filler with Mocha's memory (only the parts on the ship and recalling like 4 different other kids), this episode is a perfect example of what an average episode should be. No awesome choreography, no high quality detail. Just the right mix of humor, drama, music, and pacing that makes One Piece great.
Another good episode. I'm glad the anime's been doing this well lately.
The scene with the kids went on a bit to long, but eh; the manga was kind of the same way. The rest of the episode was fine, especially after Sanji came charging in with G-5. Really good job with establishing Monet's power, too; the attack on the soldiers was more brutal than I expected, and her ability seemed more intimidating here than I remembered it being. Also surprised at Tashigi's entrance - that was honestly done better than the manga, in my opinion.
And yeah, surprisingly good for a Yokoyama episode from an animation standpoint. Nothing special, but it wasn't bad.
@Vegard:
Out-of-universe explanation: Because the plot required him to die.
In-universe explanation: Uh, because, like, lava is hotter than fire and so, like, Akainu like, burned Ace's fire-body and so the damage inflicted to his organs was permanent and couldn't be healed with his fire because it had been inflicted by something stronger… You know, come to think of it, I don't really get that.
Maybe Ace could've reformed if he wasn't dying.
@Monkey:
Wait, if Monet can reform a wing that was cut with Haki, why couldnt Ace regenerate his the hole in his chest from Akainu? Anyone?
I assume that while Logias can reform their body after most any attack, the internal Haki damage is still there. An example would probably be when Jozu made Aokiji bleed from his mouth even after Aokiji reformed from the tackle. Monet could handle the cut, I assume few could handle the internal damage of what Akainu did to Ace.
Or maybe it's just your typical, "It's too late to heal when you're literally dying".
Caesar is so deliciously evil when he's lying straight to those kids faces. 
And Monet is so cute when doing that. :wub: Almost makes me turn into "She's a good girl"-camp. :ninja:
Either way nice ep once again, tough the fight was somewhat less impressive than in the manga. Oh well, it's the next week when it really starts.
The scene with the kids went on a bit to long, but eh; the manga was kind of the same way. The rest of the episode was fine, especially after Sanji came charging in with G-5.
Agreed. I think the scenes with the children are kind of boring, but not because I don't like them. Somehow it feels like Draganball, where Son-Goku is running and running and running, to get to the underworld. It just takes forever, even though it's the same in the OP-manga. 
Other than that, I liked the episode. G5 and Sanji were very funny, while running and teasing Zorro.
Well, he still hasn't cured his little weakness, so Tashigi-chan (kind of epic) is there to help him. lol
The scenes with those two together are always great. I love those funny misunderstandings, and Zorro is weak against Tashigi, so I look very much forward to the next episode too!
Sanji angering zoro was awesome.Also cant wait for the next week.Its going to be awesome.
@Monkey:
Wait, if Monet can reform a wing that was cut with Haki, why couldnt Ace regenerate his the hole in his chest from Akainu? Anyone?
oda has being pretty inconsistent with haki damage in the series,akainu was slashed both by Vista and Marco with it but still regenerated himself even though he took damage.
that being said,we don't see her regenerate the cut in the manga,even though after a few panel is not visible anymore…but i think oda just didn't care to show it all the time.
also,even if some regeneration takes place,the damage stays,so after the damage is took,is pointless to regenerate if you are already dying
oda has being pretty inconsistent with haki damage in the series,akainu was slashed both by Vista and Marco with it but still regenerated himself even though he took damage.
that being said,we don't see her regenerate the cut in the manga,even though after a few panel is not visible anymore…but i think oda just didn't care to show it all the time.also,even if some regeneration takes place,the damage stays,so after the damage is took,is pointless to regenerate if you are already dying
that actually makes a lot of sense in Haki and Logia Mechanics. i think it also depends on the Haki level of power and control of the opponent.
This was such a damn fine episode; I'd say two notches above last week's. I'm quite hopeful that next week's episode will be good if not better judging from the preview.
I'm probably the only one who find the kids' situation very depressing.
"Yes, I'm only bones, but that's because I have an interest… in dieting."
-Gentleman Skeleton Brook
Just echoing what others have said about how well the anime is handing Caesar and Monet. Monet in particular benefits from that little extra screen time. They really are such a twisted pair of villains, but you can't help but like them despite that (and at the same time as hating them for what they do, too). It's a lot of fun. Snow devil Monet was properly scary too.
That music definitely seems too epic for Tashigi's entrance. Though, looking back I guess Tashigi is basically the one to down Monet since I think Zoro only cut Monet's cheek with actual Haki.
~Aioria made this
Going to echo everyone else about using the epic entrance music for Tashigi. Felt very out-of-place on her.
Overall though a very enjoyable episode. Nothing that made me cringe and pacing felt fine. Those Monet dive-bombings looked great, like an actual bird swooping down and seizing its prey. The ogling and her blushing thing were also done quite well.
Keep it up, Toei.
Good episode, i thought the same about the music on tashigi entrance, that music should be reserved for the most epic moments, because it's getting a little overused.
You guys talking about
! what happens in the next chapter/episode should really put that kind of information in spoiler tags.
I accept Jesus Burgess as my Lord and Savior 
The way Nami was so scared of Zoro was very funny.
That music definitely seems too epic for Tashigi's entrance. Though, looking back I guess Tashigi is basically the one to down Monet since I think Zoro only cut Monet's cheek with actual Haki.
! After being completely helpless and humiliated, and by stabbing crippled and
dumbassdelusional enemy in the back. Still doesn't warrant "Lufy's fierce attack":ninja:
oda has being pretty inconsistent with haki damage in the series
Anything other than this answer is moot. Haki is the bane of this series' consistency.
The episode was okay. A lot of noticeable filler thrown in, but whatever. The shot revealing monster Monet was also a huge let down from the manga counterpart. You'd think it'd be easier for them to copy paste it, but no. They make a worse adaptation.
I've only just caught up after taking a 2 month long break after the astoundingly shitty episode 606–a perfect storm of laziness and artlessness. Thankfully the following episodes were a massive improvement overall.
I would agree what his one is fairly average overall. Nothing too memorable here except a few moments with Monet, Robin's spank and the mentally challenged rank-and-file marines still make me smile in their continuous naivete. The big reveal of Monet's "ice witch" form is certainly not as well done as the manga, though still a step up from 606 which almost seemed to make a conscious effort to make each iconic moment loot as poor as possible--even Toei seemed to realize how awful CC's beatdown looked at the tail end of the episode and replaced it with a much better redone recap in 607.
Toei's choice of overdoing Sanji's nosebleed is pretty bizarre. Instead of simply being floored, its this high-pressured jet stream that continuously drives his skull into the snow. Not nearly as cute as the manga.
I really enjoyed this one, much better than last week. I'm noticing that I'm actually liking the villains of this arc much more than I did in the manga.
Monet is really impressive so far and Caesar Clown is an absolute riot and a fantastic antagonist. I always liked Vergo, but the anime is doing him justice as well. The anime is seriously bouncing back and gaining points as of late, these quality episodes might actually last all the way to the end of PH.
! If we're really lucky, the quality will continue and transition right into Dressrosa.
I completely agree. While Punk Hazard may not seem quite as epic to some people, especially when compared to the older arcs it definitely has the most appealing villains I've seen in a long time. The more I see of Caesar and Monet, the more I like them. Vergo is pretty good, though not particularly memorable. I feel like Oda has already made a fair number of absent-minded badass antagonists in the past to make Vergo seem less original by comparison, though I have to say I love the way he just comes back after taking a beating, he's like the Terminator! Pretty creepy stuff, but it works so well when he's fighting against Sanji, Smoker and Law.
Monet's attacks looked so much better than I thought they would be! They made her so vicious and scary, flying in and out of the snow like a bat out of hell! Her voice actor is fantastic and you can see how sadistic she is on the battle field.
I enjoyed the animation overall as well as the funny parts with Chopper and Nami. Sanji's antics were also top-notch, as usual. XD
I'm probably going to be one of a handful of people in this thread that loved Tashigi's entrance. To be fair, I'm pretty sure they've used that music for Usopp too and he usually takes a huge beating during his fights or ends up winning in an embarrassing way. It's also used when someone takes a courageous stand against an enemy that may be equally tough or more powerful. I found it to be appropriate and flattering to her character, regardless of whether she wins or loses.
I can't wait for the next episode there is going to be so much badassery, haha!
I agree that Monet is possibly the best female villain the series has seen in recent years, with a distinctive personality and intelligence to boot. And Caesar Clown does continue to have a great oily, yet high strung personality be it taunting Luffy or soft soaping his dimwitted lackeys with hammy conviction. Sure he's cartoonishly evil but lovingly so in an impish sort of way, like his fantastic notion that developing these horrible experiments will somehow, someday vindicate him in the eyes of his scientific peers in the WG.
I'm probably the only one who find the kids' situation very depressing.
Yeah, they are a pretty significant emotional core of the entire arc including being a critical part of Momonoske's introductory character arc. There would be considerably less at stake without their presence. Sure, the pea-brained delusional boobs that comprise the G5 marines and Clown's henchmen getting betrayed and subsequently gassed offers some other emotional stakes, along with the ongoing trials of the Strawhats but not really to the same degree overall.
The general problem I have is that the whole child plotline gets pretty padded out around the midsection and sort of stagnates for large stretches by retreading familiar territory, with not enough additional meaty content to warrant diverting from the main Strawhat narrative, including some scenes in this episode. Some of it could have been trimmed without losing its emotional weight or the character depth of the key child characters.
No love for the Luffy&Momo-scene of this episode? I thought it was hilarious.
