Why is Punk Hazard so disliked around here? Most times it's more like it's forgotten, between the divisiveness and the sheer size of Dressrosa and the debacle of Fishman Island. I actually thought it was a solid arc, with a funny cartoonishly evil main villain, nice connections to future arcs, a very mencing villain in Vergo, an interesting setting (both the half-burning/half-freezing concept and the abandoned lab that kidnaps and drugs kids concept), it had the fun side of the personality switch, it provided nice moments for Smoker, Nami, Chopper, Sanji, Usopp, Franky, even Brook. It gave us Kin'emon, who was, at least back then, a cool support character… It's full of pluses for me! On the downside, it dragged on for a bit too long, especially in the middle (like most arcs in OP), with saving the kids and running from the gas all the time, it was a bit too harsh on Smoker and Tashigi (although I guess the point was exactly to recast them in a different role for the rest of the series; no longer the big pursuers of the SHs, but their inside "friends" in the Marines; maybe Fujitora is the new Smoker), Sanji-in-Nami may have been distasteful for some people, the Yeti Cool Brothers not being cool at all, Law's Ope Ope making Chopper's efforst sort of futile in the end... But still, a fairly solid arc for me. A nice intro to the New World, I'd say. I would have cut it shorter, though, to less than 40 chapters instead of its 46.
Chapter 854: What Am I Doing
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Amazon Lily was… meh. I enjoyed it along with Hancock, but it's not a super special arc to me. The Davy Back Arc on my first watch through One Piece never caught me. But on my second watch/read is when I really started to appreciate the almost lax nature of the arc. Punk Hazard was pretty enjoyable due to Law's reappearance, Caesar (dat laugh tho), and Best Marine Smokey. I myself keep wondering why people dislike Fishman Island. Is it because the arc was simply a test run for the Straw Hats or was the message of racism too preachy to some?
But to be honest, no matter how many times I try to, I can't nor want to go back to Thriller Bark. That arc reminded me of a haunted house on Halloween and both I find dreadfully boring, and Moria wasn't the most interesting villain for me either (I did like the fact that he had a run-in with Kaidou). Although, the action, Zoro's sacrifice, Brook and his recruitment made up for the arc for me. This is why Jinbei's gut punch to Moria during Marineford satisfies me immensely.
And I'm still trying to withdraw from Dressrosa.
Waits for angry mob
The face of a Straw Hat. -
@The:
Amazon Lily was… meh. I enjoyed it along with Hancock, but it's not a super special arc to me. The Davy Back Arc on my first watch through One Piece never caught me. But on my second watch/read is when I really started to appreciate the almost lax nature of the arc. Punk Hazard was pretty enjoyable due to Law's reappearance, Caesar (dat laugh tho), and Best Marine Smokey. I myself keep wondering why people dislike Fishman Island. Is it because the arc was simply a test run for the Straw Hats or was the message of racism too preachy to some?
But to be honest, no matter how many times I try to, I can't nor want to go back to Thriller Bark. That arc reminded me of a haunted house on Halloween and both I find dreadfully boring, and Moria wasn't the most interesting villain for me either (I did like the fact that he had a run-in with Kaidou). Although, the action, Zoro's sacrifice, Brook and his recruitment made up for the arc for me. This is why Jinbei's gut punch to Moria during Marineford satisfies me immensely.
And I'm still trying to withdraw from Dressrosa.
Waits for angry mob
Don't worry brah, Dressrosa is my favorite Arc along with of course the Marine Ford Arc
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Great chapter. Not much to say expect that I hope that Oda will name every children in the next databook.
I feel that one of the next 2 chapters will be the "Straw Hat Pirate : Black Leg Sanji" chapter. -
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LRLL was needed imagine the skypiea to water 7 saga with no breaks
Chapter 437 Discussion after franky decides to join the Strawhats:
So who think Usopp is inside that duffelbag?
H x H Chimera Ant Arc / OP Manga Spoiler
Spoiler:
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While reading Dressrosa week to week, it was really annoying and slow and I basically forgot most things halfway through. But if you actually read it back to back (or in my case, watching the pace corrected One Pace episodes back to back) it is actually very good. Same with Fishman Island. Some arcs just aren't that good reading/watching week-to-week and some arcs are still amazing despite the week-to-week format (like Zou and Whole Cake right now are on a roll)
So, I wouldn't say Dressrosa and Fishman Island are outright bad, just that their pacing was off.But what I especially love about Whole cake is that fact that the strawhats are struggling. Truly struggling, and I find that amazing. That's what happens if you deal with a Yonko!
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@Long:
LRLL was needed imagine the skypiea to water 7 saga with no breaks
Well an 'in between' arc was needed yes, but could've been a lot better or not necessarily in that island, or not necessarily Foxy.
I remember myself like 8 years ago, OP had a lot of censorship in the version made for us(latin america), and so I dropped that one and looked for fansubs on the internet, found the entire series and watch them one by one, I totally enjoyed all East Blue saga, The Baroque saga is one of the 'yumiest' ones in the series, and Skypiea is too surrealistic not to like it(one of my favorites also), then went down to LRLL, watched like 3 or 4 chaps and skipped, to this day I have no idea how it ends, after the CP9 saga I was wondering if I should go back and watch it, in case there was something relevant for the whole series that I may be missing but during those times I was constantly buying the tankobons and saw that LRLL volumes were also the ones that sold the less quantity in japan, So I thought nah, even the Japanese are with me on this one. so I skipped them too. -
Well an 'in between' arc was needed yes, but could've been a lot better or not necessarily in that island, or not necessarily Foxy.
I remember myself like 8 years ago, OP had a lot of censorship in the version made for us(latin america), and so I dropped that one and looked for fansubs on the internet, found the entire series and watch them one by one, I totally enjoyed all East Blue saga, The Baroque saga is one of the 'yumiest' ones in the series, and Skypiea is too surrealistic not to like it(one of my favorites also), then went down to LRLL, watched like 3 or 4 chaps and skipped, to this day I have no idea how it ends, after the CP9 saga I was wondering if I should go back and watch it, in case there was something relevant for the whole series that I may be missing but during those times I was constantly buying the tankobons and saw that LRLL volumes were also the ones that sold the less quantity in japan, So I thought nah, even the Japanese are with me on this one. so I skipped them too.Long ring long land is a great read. The gags are hilarious and the games are entertaining. It's definitely an arc that is way better in the manga. Its almost unbearable in the anime due to filler but it's an excellent one volume read.
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Long ring long land is a great read. The gags are hilarious and the games are entertaining. It's definitely an arc that is way better in the manga. Its almost unbearable in the anime due to filler but it's an excellent one volume read.
In the anime's defense, I enjoyed Long Ring Long Land on my second run through. And I don't even know where the filler was, but I'm not saying you're wrong.
The face of a Straw Hat. -
@The:
In the anime's defense, I enjoyed Long Ring Long Land on my second run through. And I don't even know where the filler was, but I'm not saying you're wrong.
The filler came in Foxy actually tricking Luffy to accept a SECOND Davy Back Fight competition right after the first one lol. Basically, the first two matches (the boat race and Groggy Ring) are canon, but the third/final canon round of Luffy fighting Foxy in a quirky boxing match got pushed to being the third/final match of the second Davy Back Fight. If that makes sense.
Spoiler:
"Life's not about finding out which card is yours, but finding out which cards you're not."
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I was fine with the prospect of additional games. It was clever filler instead of the padding nonsense they do nowadays.
But some of the canon changed suck in the real events. They had the rest of the crew as filler additions during the Donut Race. And made Luffy choose Shelly over Chopper after winning the Donut Race.
And then they ruined the ending by having Luffy win everybody on Foxy's crew.
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@Count:
The filler came in Foxy actually tricking Luffy to accept a SECOND Davy Back Fight competition right after the first one lol. Basically, the first two matches (the boat race and Groggy Ring) are canon, but the third/final canon round of Luffy fighting Foxy in a quirky boxing match got pushed to being the third/final match of the second Davy Back Fight. If that makes sense.
Ah, I see. So the roller skate race, Red Light, Green Light and Dodgeball games were filler. Regardless, I enjoyed 'em since they got good laughs outta me, and I guess that's all that matters.
(Or you could just say I have horrible taste.)
The face of a Straw Hat. -
@The:
Ah, I see. So the roller skate race, Red Light, Green Light and Dodgeball games were filler. Regardless, I enjoyed 'em since they got good laughs outta me, and I guess that's all that matters.
(Or you could just say I have horrible taste.)
I actually liked the roller rink race. It was pretty clever and suspenseful, even for filler. XD
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@The:
I myself keep wondering why people dislike Fishman Island. Is it because the arc was simply a test run for the Straw Hats or was the message of racism too preachy to some?
I think what worked against Fishman Island more than anything else was the build to arriving there. We got hints for years guaranteeing us the Straw Hats would go there eventually creating the expectation that it would be a grand spectacular event in the series. There was alot to live up to.
But to be honest, no matter how many times I try to, I can't nor want to go back to Thriller Bark. That arc reminded me of a haunted house on Halloween and both I find dreadfully boring, and Moria wasn't the most interesting villain for me either
Waits for angry mob
(I did like the fact that he had a run-in with Kaidou). Although, the action, Zoro's sacrifice, Brook and his recruitment made up for the arc for me. This is why Jinbei's gut punch to Moria during Marineford satisfies me immensely.
“I thought of Godzilla as the embodiment of violence and hatred for mankind, because he was created by atomic energy. He's like a symbol of humanity's complicity in their own destruction. He doesn't have an emotion. He is an emotion.” — Jun Fukuda
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to this day I have no idea how it ends, after the CP9 saga I was wondering if I should go back and watch it, in case there was something relevant for the whole series that I may be missing
Aokiji/Kuzan made his debut at the end of the arc. He showed mercy to the Straw Hats for taking out Crocodile, but did freeze a few of them (I think Luffy and Robin). He also brought up Luffy's grandfather, which was the first time he was mentioned in the series.
I accept Jesus Burgess as my Lord and Savior
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I think what worked against Fishman Island more than anything else was the build to arriving there. We got hints for years guaranteeing us the Straw Hats would go there eventually creating the expectation that it would be a grand spectacular event in the series. There was alot to live up to.
We didn't even get to see the Fishman Karate Dojo…
lol I actually don't mind Fishman Island not living up to the apparent hype. Because narrative-wise, due to being the first island the Straw Hats explore post-timeskip, it can't really work as a built-up climax. And we're going to return there at some point anyways. And no, it won't be because Big Mom will attack Fishman Island. That would be so redundantly underwhelming when you look at where One Piece's story is going with basic narrative comprehension.
What irks me about the arc is just how much time and focus a crd of mooks like Hody's had to get when they were just glorified test dummies for the Straw Hats to show off their new mad skillz. I understand and like the racism and new generation themes, as well as the glorious Fisher Tiger flashback. But I just can't help but feel awkward about how we got an fifty-one chapter arc dedicated to such lackluster antagonists, to the point where the story even acknowledges how lackluster they are both power and narrative-wise. I feel like Oda should have reworked the plot to be more around the length of Jaya, Zou, and Sabaody Archipelago with a much less conventional "epic" plot outline in favor of how unorthodoxly main character-driven those arcs were.
And again, no Fishman Karate Dojo. I believe Hachi even mentions it right before the arc starts in Return to Sabaody lol.
http://www.geekedoutnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tumblr_mgmm2cax1V1ru09vqo1_500.gif
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Spoiler:
"Life's not about finding out which card is yours, but finding out which cards you're not."
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Long ring long land is a great read. The gags are hilarious and the games are entertaining. It's definitely an arc that is way better in the manga. Its almost unbearable in the anime due to filler but it's an excellent one volume read.
Thanks, I'll keep this in mind in case I feel like I need some comedy to watch.
@Medical:
Aokiji/Kuzan made his debut at the end of the arc. He showed mercy to the Straw Hats for taking out Crocodile, but did freeze a few of them (I think Luffy and Robin). He also brought up Luffy's grandfather, which was the first time he was mentioned in the series.
I saw this one chapter, for some reason it was marked as the beginning of the cp9 saga on the list from which I was watching it, I don't remember Foxy there actually :/
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I saw this one chapter, for some reason it was marked as the beginning of the cp9 saga on the list from which I was watching it, I don't remember Foxy there actually :/
That situation happened differently from the anime than the manga. IIRC, Kuzan wasn't even met at Long Ring Long Land in the anime, but at a different, non-canon island.
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@Count:
We didn't even get to see the Fishman Karate Dojo…
lol I actually don't mind Fishman Island not living up to the apparent hype. Because narrative-wise, due to being the first island the Straw Hats explore post-timeskip, it can't really work as a built-up climax. And we're going to return there at some point anyways. And no, it won't be because Big Mom will attack Fishman Island. That would be so redundantly underwhelming when you look at where One Piece's story is going with basic narrative comprehension.
What irks me about the arc is just how much time and focus a crd of mooks like Hody's had to get when they were just glorified test dummies for the Straw Hats to show off their new mad skillz. I understand and like the racism and new generation themes, as well as the glorious Fisher Tiger flashback. But I just can't help but feel awkward about how we got an fifty-one chapter arc dedicated to such lackluster antagonists, to the point where the story even acknowledges how lackluster they are both power and narrative-wise. I feel like Oda should have reworked the plot to be more around the length of Jaya, Zou, and Sabaody Archipelago with a much less conventional "epic" plot outline in favor of how unorthodoxly main character-driven those arcs were.
And again, no Fishman Karate Dojo. I believe Hachi even mentions it right before the arc starts in Return to Sabaody lol.
! http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4h6a8iLpk1ru09vqo1_500.gif
Big Mom attacking Fishman Island isn't something I ever considered as a possibility in the foreseeable future. It's a conceivable outcome in the aftermath of all the wacky high jinks going on now, but there hasn't been any strong indicators for me to jump to that conclusion at this time.
I personally would've preferred Fishman Island to have been an experience that reaffirmed the bond the Straw Hats share after being separated for so long. But I get the feeling Oda wanted to do something contrary to Arlong Park, which was a bonding experience for the whole crew at the time. Nothing wrong with that of course, but I agree it does strike me as a window of opportunity missed. As for the Dojo, clearly Oda has big plans for it, he's just building suspense is all! He likes doing that, so that must be it. I'm sure it will be worth the wait when we see it in another 400 chapters or so.
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I think Fishman Island would have been significantly better had Oda cut out the situation between Zoro and co. and the royal family, and later with the New Fishman Pirates. It kind of jumbled up the motivations of the royal family, and Zoro beating Hody did absolutely NO favors lol. I would've been fine with the curbstomp battle at the end had it been a true peak where we get to see all the Straw Hats kick butt with their new abilities for the first time, but Zoro's actions in the palace soured that immensely. Otherwise, though, I loved its racism themes which were extremely well-handled, and the Otohime and Tiger flashback was amazing.
Hmmm, maybe we should start another Love and Loathe thread for story arcs.
Spoiler:
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At this pace we are getting to Wano in less than 50 chapters.
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@Kaido:
Hmmm, maybe we should start another Love and Loathe thread for story arcs.
That is pretty damn brilliant. I would absolutely love that.
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I think what worked against Fishman Island more than anything else was the build to arriving there. We got hints for years guaranteeing us the Straw Hats would go there eventually creating the expectation that it would be a grand spectacular event in the series. There was alot to live up to.
I do remember Fishman Island being teased as far back as Arlong Park and of course, I was hype for the SHs to finally visit the place. My best guess is that FI is best enjoyed reading all at once on a first read, rather than a week-by-week basis. And even though Hody is plainly just Arlong 2.0 minus everything that made Arlong a outstanding villain, he's kind of a guilty pleasure for me just for how empty he is as a baddie.
@Count:
We didn't even get to see the Fishman Karate Dojo…
If there's one thing I was disappointed about, it's that. It'd be cool to see the fish kids and students practicing their punches, kicks and Fishman Karate special techniques with a quote of empowerment and a picture of Boss Jinbei hung on the wall. One day…
See ya.
The face of a Straw Hat. -
Big Mom attacking Fishman Island isn't something I ever considered as a possibility in the foreseeable future. It's a conceivable outcome in the aftermath of all the wacky high jinks going on now, but there hasn't been any strong indicators for me to jump to that conclusion at this time.
I personally would've preferred Fishman Island to have been an experience that reaffirmed the bond the Straw Hats share after being separated for so long. But I get the feeling Oda wanted to do something contrary to Arlong Park, which was a bonding experience for the whole crew at the time. Nothing wrong with that of course, but I agree it does strike me as a window of opportunity missed. As for the Dojo, clearly Oda has big plans for it, he's just building suspense is all! He likes doing that, so that must be it. I'm sure it will be worth the wait when we see it in another 400 chapters or so.
[hide]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3d/92/f6/3d92f6742834517219fce19563f3865a.gif[/hide]
It just doesn't make any sense for it to happen. I'd go into more detail, but I'm running low on rest lol. Basically, it's a red herring at most to how Fishman Island gets wrecked. Which should happen right after the fourth Road Poneglyph is found or after Raftel is found/during the Final War. It literally can't happen earlier than that.
I definitely would have preferred something along those lines than the Straw Hats just going "oh yeah, the gang's back together again. ADVENTURRRRRRREEEEEEE" with things just proceeding normally.
If it's going to be shown 400 chapters from now, then it should've teased it more fittingly. Like at the end of Fishman Island.
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@The:
I do remember Fishman Island being teased as far back as Arlong Park and of course, I was hype for the SHs to finally visit the place. My best guess is that FI is best enjoyed reading all at once on a first read, rather than a week-by-week basis. And even though Hody is plainly just Arlong 2.0 minus everything that made Arlong a outstanding villain, he's kind of a guilty pleasure for me just for how empty he is as a baddie.
I don't think Hody's a bad villain at all. He is mildly amusing (especially when he still has Michael Jackson hair). It's just that a 2.0 villain like him with shallow motivations overstayed their welcome. Especially when paired up with the likes of Vander Decken IX lol.
If there's one thing I was disappointed about, it's that. It'd be cool to see the fish kids and students practicing their punches, kicks and Fishman Karate special techniques with a quote of empowerment and a picture of Boss Jinbei hung on the wall. One day…
Some day, Tenth. Some day.
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Spoiler:
"Life's not about finding out which card is yours, but finding out which cards you're not."
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@The:
Ah, I see. So the roller skate race, Red Light, Green Light and Dodgeball games were filler. Regardless, I enjoyed 'em since they got good laughs outta me, and I guess that's all that matters.
(Or you could just say I have horrible taste.)
I could do without the others, but Dodgeball was a blast. I miss anime having fun fillers.
I miss anime being watchable.
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@Count:
That is pretty damn brilliant. I would absolutely love that.
I'm kind of surprised a thread like that doesn't exist already. It's worth being a sticky.
@Count:
It just doesn't make any sense for it to happen. I'd go into more detail, but I'm running low on rest lol. Basically, it's a red herring at most to how Fishman Island gets wrecked. Which should happen right after the fourth Road Poneglyph is found or after Raftel is found/during the Final War. It literally can't happen earlier than that.
Not to mention it would be silly to backtrack anytime soon with Wano on the horizon, which should no doubt be a lengthy arc to get through.
I definitely would have preferred something along those lines than the Straw Hats just going "oh yeah, the gang's back together again. ADVENTURRRRRRREEEEEEE" with things just proceeding normally.
Yeah this was a misstep in my eyes. But as much as I don't agree with it, I can understand the logic behind it artistically. It seemed to me like Oda was going for something more action oriented to serve as a shot of adrenaline going into the New World.
If it's going to be shown 400 chapters from now, then it should've teased it more fittingly. Like at the end of Fishman Island.
My suggestion was a consolation offer, nobody ever wants those but beggers can't be choosers.
