One Piece Chapter 638 "Runawayhoshi" Discussion

[TheManWithNoName]

Yeah, you're right, on the other hand, it wouldn't make sense for Van Deckem not to die now, unless, as I said, the ship falls down because he is unconscious?

[Brizan]

@Venomous:

Agreed, I like the fact that hes a racist fishman prick, thats what makes him interesting and a nice change of pace as far as villains in the series go, since he cant be reasoned with or appealed to since hes just not going to change.

I also like Hody a lot, he reminds me of an East Blue Villain, in a good way. He kind of just ignores Luffy's reputation and just treats him like a normal human, kind of like how Krieg, Buggy, Kuro and Arlong treated him before Luffy had a bounty or a reputation. They weren't sohpisticated(except for Arlong after more explanation) yet they are still such memorable and fun villains(except for Kuro, the little prick:ninja:).

Also, I love the post ES design of Hody. He looks so much more menacing than his old "beardless Blackbeard look plus a gay hat" that he had going on earlier with all that fat.

[tzitzifiogkos]

decken can't be dead that easy….he will sure do at least one more interesting thing

[joesephes]

Hmm, an ok chapter, but nothing special.

[Outerspec]

I wasn't too impressed by the chapter besides Hody being a real threat finally and the princes doing something. I'm glad Oda decided to draw some maps/graphics of the island as Noah was passing over it though. Really helped with the visuals.

[moxman]

@Brizan:

People tend to forget Surume and just focus on Jinbe(though I am a Jinbe supporter myself) even though Surume is already sort of in place by Luffy. I personally think that Surume is going to be left though to help rebuild FI after Luffy destroys it and possibly help protect it depending on how Big Mam reacts to this situation.

Welcome to the forum by the way

I think its the same thing with "HUGE Animals" for different arcs. They all came and went.

1. Mohmoo
2. Laboon
3. Nola (giant snake)
4. Sodom and Gomorrah
~ and maybe others that i forgot to include.

[MetaMario]

Cover had Kohza and other Alabasta residents (maybe next week's Vivi?)

Anyway, wasn't too much going on this chapter. I did like Shirahoshi and her brothers trying to stop Noah and Hodi, and the princess rejecting Decken again so casually was too much, lol.

But I thought Hodi and Decken were going to tag-team Luffy….instead the former stabs him? Eh.

Good thing Oda helped the scenes with the maps, though.

[Jekkie]

If VDD goes out he's going to go out in a funny silly way. Like Surume eats him or something. That stab won't be the end.

[Ryuksgelus]

I wonder if the pills are doing for Hodi what Iva's vigor hormones did for Luffy? LUffy will beat the hell out of him but he'll keep getting up and up until they wear off and he feels all the cumulative damage at once.

Why do people think the ship will fall once it stops targeting Orihime? I mean that's likely but it's not impossible it's unrealistically buoyant and starts floating to the surface.

[choperman]

I'm actually rather interested to see how the story progresses in part 2 after fishman island, think about it, part 1 was always going to an island we knew nothing about but now it's nearing the end of the series we still have a shit load of characters for him to meet and interact with, I doubt it will always be like this arc where we get a whole new set of characters, think about we'll probably encounter all these characters and islands at some point

BB's crew
Shanks crew
Kaidou and his crew
Big Mama and her crew
Doflamingo
Kuma
Croc & Mr. 1
wano country
Elbaf
Vega punk
Marineford
Urouge
Basil Hawkings
The Admirals
Buggy
Gecko Moria
X. Drake
capone
Garp and Sengoku
Kidd & Killer
Law and his crew
Bon-Chan
Apoo
Bonney
Raftel
Mihawk
Coby & Helmeppo
Whitebeards crew
sentomaru
enel?
Boa Hancock
Dragon & the revolutionaries
Smoker

I mean that's a lot of characters and islands that were going to get to, I just don't see how after Fishman island he can keep affording to make new groups over and over again, I mean granted a lot of these will probably be with each other (like kaidou, Gecko Moriah, and X Drake might be together or possibly Hawkeye and the wano country)

[DesertSpada]

I'd like to see Vander Decken retaliating in his next showing. We haven't seen him seriously fight anyone as of yet and Hody just crossed the line with the trident to the gut.

[kouch_lee]

@Sonic:

Still waiting for this! :wub:

I would love it, only that during his powers explanation chapter (the mato-mato course) he specifically said he could only have as many targets as hands, and then he said "two!". Wether it was a lie or not, I don't know, but he had no need to lie back then. So we have to believe he only has 2 hands.

[superquotpetquotrobot]

@King:

It wasn't funny and well-thought. That's why I pointed it out.

Ok, let me try again. This gives new meaning the term "gutted like a fish".

Eh eh?

[luffyg2]

I really don't see where Hody find all his confidence cause he keeps getting beat up by luffy.. and it looks to me that if it was needed Jimbei could take care of him underwater too. Anyway I really liked the end of the chapter

[Johnny B. Decent]

@luffyg2:

I really don't see where Hody find all his confidence cause he keeps getting beat up by luffy.. and it looks to me that if it was needed Jimbei could take care of him underwater too. Anyway I really liked the end of the chapter

If you can say anything about Hodi, nothing gets his spirits down.

[Retro]

Oh yeah its getting critical now folks. I think this I really do. Hody entered full blown crazy mode. He running on hate so by this point logic for him is out the window. The only thing he see now is Luffy and his need to defeat him. He doesn't care if he has to take the island and his crew down with him. He just one of these people who has to get the final say no matter what.

I do like that the citizens are finally acting and working together to at least buy Shirahoshi some more time. Wanna see more of that in the later chapters. The princes were awesome here, really having a commanding feel to them. If they join in the Hody battle, then by all means let them

And Hody stabbing Decken was pretty much a given. I could'nt tell it he was being nervous or serious when Hody boarded the Noah. All the same it was hilarous seeing him getting skwered like that. Wondered if this little betrayed will lead to a pivitoal moment in Luffy's battle with him. Yes, no, maybe.

In any case, good chapter.

[MeteoBlitz]

Nah, Vander Decken won't die that easily. He's a crazy awesome villain and all, but i think that he will fall defeated in some kind of comedic situation. As for Hody, it's him against Luffy, all the way.

The only thing that bothers me now is how the other Straw Hats will deal with the New Fishmen ( Hyouzou, Much, Daruma, etc.)

[Deicide]

@MeteoBlitz:

The only thing that bothers me now is how the other Straw Hats will deal with the New Fishmen ( Hyouzou, Much, Daruma, etc.)

By beating them senseless, of course…

[onemoment]

So, is Decken so dumb that he couldn't see Hodi retaliating against him, or is their more to this guy then it seems. Cause sadly the first one kind of makes sense, but the second sure would mix things up.

[Gizmo]

Ending threw me off. Hody will give his reasons next week but I guess his plan is to have the ark fall, pop the bubble, and "kill" the humans? At the very least, a little heads up to the other NFPs would've been nice but Hody is the type that doesn't care or thinks they can get out of the way when it falls which shouldn't be hard for them.

I like that the citizens did something at least instead of just watch.

Also like that the brothers are playing a role, though I'm bit confused how Hody beat Ryuboshi and Manboshi to Vander Decken. Still, nice chapter.

[Czechmate]

@ultimateclima:

At the very least, a little heads up to the other NFPs would've been nice but Hody is the type that doesn't care or thinks they can get out of the way when it falls which shouldn't be hard for them.

Dosun said a few chapters ago that Hody would let them die without a second thought if they were taken hostage, so I doubt he's concerned about the NFP at all.

though I'm bit confused how Hody beat Ryuboshi and Manboshi to Vander Decken.

He didn't; the princes got there and defended Shirahoshi, but now they're fleeing with Shirahoshi to find a place where they can rest Noah without destroying it. Hody arrived on the deck after the princes left.

[vikingfan127]

Am I the only one who doesn't want this to be an even fight? There was a 2 year time skip. The crew is supposed to show case their strengths. I for one want them to absolutely own their first opponents. Hodi's a putz, and to me, it would make more sense for the Strawhat crew to demolish their first opponents as a wake up call to the rest of the world that their back, rather than Luffy have to break a sweat against some amateur fishman who pops pills for power and can't fight Zoro under water. Come on!

[tzitzifiogkos]

@vikingfan127:

Am I the only one who doesn't want this to be an even fight? There was a 2 year time skip. The crew is supposed to show case their strengths. I for one want them to absolutely own their first opponents. Hodi's a putz, and to me, it would make more sense for the Strawhat crew to demolish their first opponents as a wake up call to the rest of the world that their back, rather than Luffy have to break a sweat against some amateur fishman who pops pills for power and can't fight Zoro under water. Come on!

yes I want the exact same thing but unfortunately it doesn't seem its gonna happen

[Gizmo]

@Czechmate:

He didn't; the princes got there and defended Shirahoshi, but now they're fleeing with Shirahoshi to find a place where they can rest Noah without destroying it. Hody arrived on the deck after the princes left.

I thought one of them would go confront him since Ryuboshi gave that declaration to apprehend him, but it makes sense that finding a landing for the Noah takes priority.

I also like how this explains why Shirahoshi can't just "touch" the Noah since Neptune at least wants the Noah to be safe.

[Brizan]

@super:

Ok, let me try again. This gives new meaning the term "gutted like a fish".

Eh eh?

Much better, I came here for fish related humor and I better damn well get it!:ninja:(I liked the first one as well though and nice siggy)

Also previous experience with this manga makes me doubt Decken is dead, we still have loose ends to tie up with his original purpose for wanting to marry Shirahoshi.

[kljs]

Hodi is just too high on drugs. His body pain switches must have all turned off due to the drugs.

[Shift]

Decken simply can't die; he has to have his dreams shattered by losing his link to Shirahoshi instead. I'm waiting to see how crushed he'll be then, so he's just gotta survive this. XD

[King Cannon]

@Shift:

Decken simply can't die; he has to have his dreams shattered by losing his link to Shirahoshi instead. I'm waiting to see how crushed he'll be then, so he's just gotta survive this. XD

And then BAM!!! Cover story time!

[Shift]

@King:

And then BAM!!! Cover story time!

Got that right.

[John.Rambo]

I'm kinda puzzled, Oda just did 2 years of Luffy-only material and now that the crew is together again, it is still Luffy time… I want to see the others dammit!

The chapter was sort of "meh" for me... don't know why, but I didn't like it the way I liked last week's chapter...

[Kita]

@Deicide:

I find the Neptune brothers to be infinitelly more interesting than other characters from this arc (including Jinbe), so this chapter is good to me. I was really upset that they would just be jobbed by Hody and not be useful in the big fights, but now things got interesting.

Totally agree! Glad to see them refuse to stay down from the previous scuffle and returning to action!

@Preston:

I agree, and to go off on it a bit more I feel that from a personal and critical point-of-view that Oda would have a lot more story potential if he had Fukaboshi join the crew. I know it's a long shot, and if anyone's likely to join after this arc, it would be Shirahoshi, if even that, but I feel like Fukaboshi's background and character design would be a very interesting compliment to the Strawhats' crew.

A lot of people feel that Jinbe joining is a foregone conclusion, but I don't believe he would add as much depth and character to the crew as one of the royal family. Jinbe's definitely a great character and everything, but he seems to work in a better position as an ally, similar to Boa Hancock, rather than having his value be saturated by being a permanent member.

I'm just very certain that if Oda has someone join, it's going to simultaneously make sense and be an interesting twist, and I feel like the Tamatebako is going to figure in somehow if Shirahoshi were to join. Sorry for going off on a tangent there, but Royal Family def = thumbs up.

I still don't see how it work having any of the Merfolk join the SH since they would loose a majority of their mobility being unable to have the support bubbles out in the rest of the world. Fukaboshi is next in line for the throne and I think he has shown more depth due to his focusing on that future where Ryuboshi and Manboshi were able to focus more on keeping Shirahoshi from getting upset.

Now if we really want to pick from the royal family, I would go with Ryuboshi since he at least has a build like Aladdin who was already shown to be capable of keeping up out of the water by taking up a serpent like motion. Not that the SHs need another swordsman, but I definitely agree that someone originating from FI will join.

@Hinscher:

only thing i did not like about this chapter besides the same as last chapter in lack of other strawhats was that it seemed like Hodi made the prince look slow as hell swimming

i thought mermaids where supposed to be the fastest swimmers in the world. i mean sure he is carrying luffy, but still

Actually, does it not make sense for Fukaboshi to not be 100% due to the earlier damage he took?

[TheManWithNoName]

@Ryuksgelus:

I wonder if the pills are doing for Hodi what Iva's vigor hormones did for Luffy? LUffy will beat the hell out of him but he'll keep getting up and up until they wear off and he feels all the cumulative damage at once.

Why do people think the ship will fall once it stops targeting Orihime? I mean that's likely but it's not impossible it's unrealistically buoyant and starts floating to the surface.

That ship seems way too heavy to just go to the surface, its colossal, its almost as big as the actual island.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@choperman:

I'm actually rather interested to see how the story progresses in part 2 after fishman island, think about it, part 1 was always going to an island we knew nothing about but now it's nearing the end of the series we still have a shit load of characters for him to meet and interact with, I doubt it will always be like this arc where we get a whole new set of characters, think about we'll probably encounter all these characters and islands at some point

BB's crew
Shanks crew
Kaidou and his crew
Big Mama and her crew
Doflamingo
Kuma
Croc & Mr. 1
wano country
Elbaf
Vega punk
Marineford
Urouge
Basil Hawkings
The Admirals
Buggy
Gecko Moria
X. Drake
capone
Garp and Sengoku
Kidd & Killer
Law and his crew
Bon-Chan
Apoo
Bonney
Raftel
Mihawk
Coby & Helmeppo
Whitebeards crew
sentomaru
enel?
Boa Hancock
Dragon & the revolutionaries
Smoker

I mean that's a lot of characters and islands that were going to get to, I just don't see how after Fishman island he can keep affording to make new groups over and over again, I mean granted a lot of these will probably be with each other (like kaidou, Gecko Moriah, and X Drake might be together or possibly Hawkeye and the wano country)

This is a very cool point I had thought of before, but I have a feeling Luffy won't fight with even half of these names. Plus, don't forget there's gonna be a colossal war at the end, when Luffy becomes the Pirate King, a lot of these characters might only make an important part there.

Besides, we're obviously gonna learn of new characters on places like Elbaf, Wano Country, etc, it'd be completely lame if Elbaf and Wano Country just happened to be the place where Luffy faces DoFlamingo, for example.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@vikingfan127:

Am I the only one who doesn't want this to be an even fight? There was a 2 year time skip. The crew is supposed to show case their strengths. I for one want them to absolutely own their first opponents. Hodi's a putz, and to me, it would make more sense for the Strawhat crew to demolish their first opponents as a wake up call to the rest of the world that their back, rather than Luffy have to break a sweat against some amateur fishman who pops pills for power and can't fight Zoro under water. Come on!

That doesn't make for a very interesting arc, though, which is why Oda is making sure we know Hodi is nothing when compared to Luffy and Zoro, but still putting him in a bunch of situations where he has a chance to beat them, what with being underwater, the pills, etc.

[Urouge]

Hmm, this chapter nagged at me a few different ways (but really only because I hold Oda to a standard that's too high), even though it wasn't really a bad chapter by any means.

• So we get Kohza, Toto, and his flunkies, which is nice. I would have liked to see him being friendly with some of the people he went to war with, though. I suppose the royal family comes next week, unless there's time devoted to Eyelashes, Scissors, the Duck squad, Igaram, Pell, Chaka, Teracotta, etc.

• I made a case in the past that the palace was floating in the sky and that the upper bubble must be something else. Of course, I was wrong, which is fine. But my reasoning for believing it has turned into mistakes on Oda's part. Not huge mistakes by any means, and certainly nothing to get worked up over, but I'm still a bit disappointed by them.

• And with this, the crew is left behind on the back burner of the story. Noooooo. I also don't really understand why Jinbe didn't go with Luffy. The ocean is his playground, and he's not really needed in the plaza with the royal family all gone.

• Hody makes no sense whatsoever. At least he fits the description of a drugged up loony. Let's review his thought process this chapter. "Jahahahaha, pitiful human, now that you've come out into the deep sea, I finally have the upper hand. Oh, help from one of the princes who I also wanted to kill? I won't let you get away! Look at my cool fin blade, and notice how I'm faster than a merman underwater for some reason. Now then, see you on deck! … Ah Decken, if I kill you this ship my fall and crush the kingdom I was going to take over along with all of my friends and followers, right? Let's try it out!"

• I'm glad the princes have started doing worthwhile stuff, but Neptune's absence through all of this makes me curious.

• I really have no idea where the plot is going from here. There are still a lot of hanging plot threads, so this saga isn't on the brink of ending by any means.

[King Cannon]

@Urouge:

• I really have no idea where the plot is going from here. There are still a lot of hanging plot threads, so this saga isn't on the brink of ending by any means.

What are those hanging plot threads? The only one that I can think from the top of my head right now is Noah's background and purpose, which can be easily explained by Neptune or Jinbe.

[Ryuksgelus]

Why are people questioning why Hodi can outspeed Fukaboshi? 1. The merman is injured. 2. Hodi is roided up to extreme levels. He easily surpasses someone like Lucci or Magellan in physical strength. Unnatural super powers->natural ability. No different than little humans out muscling giants and fishmen.

@TheManWithNoName:

That ship seems way too heavy to just go to the surface, its colossal, its almost as big as the actual island.

It's a fantasy story. It can be unrealistically buoyant and surprise everyone(especially Hodi) when it floats instead of sinks.

@King:

What are those hanging plot threads? The only one that I can think from the top of my head right now is Noah's background and purpose, which can be easily explained by Neptune or Jinbe.

Joyboy, Reverie, Caribou is still on the loose, we don't know where the E.S came from, we haven't seen Aladdin ,and the backlash for destroying the Candy Factory.

[TheManWithNoName]

@Ryuksgelus:

It's a fantasy story. It can be unrealistically buoyant and surprise everyone(especially Hodi) when it floats instead of sinks.

What's the point? It would make more sense for it to fall down on the island and for the SH's to try to stop it than to have the ship float up.

[Urouge]

@King:

What are those hanging plot threads? The only one that I can think from the top of my head right now is Noah's background and purpose, which can be easily explained by Neptune or Jinbe.

There are still the 100 prophecies left to deal with that all seem to have their own implications (not actually 100 but you get the point, Luffy destroying the island, someone leading Shirahoshi, the reason Decken wanted to marry her, the significance of Noah, etc). Also Urashima's casket, Caribou and his crew, the Reverie, the foreshadowed Fishman Karate Dojo, etc. I won't even mention stuff like the poneglyph and the former Sun pirates, which could be delayed until another arc. Anyway, there's a ton of stuff this arc still has to work through before the story can move into the New World and thus leave FI behind.

[King Cannon]

@TheManWithNoName:

What's the point? It would make more sense for it to fall down on the island and for the SH's to try to stop it than to have the ship float up.

I wonder how they are going to do that without damaging it…

[TheManWithNoName]

@King:

I wonder how they are going to do that without damaging it…

10000000000000000000000000 Fleurs

[King Cannon]

@choperman:

I'm actually rather interested to see how the story progresses in part 2 after fishman island, think about it, part 1 was always going to an island we knew nothing about but now it's nearing the end of the series we still have a shit load of characters for him to meet and interact with, I doubt it will always be like this arc where we get a whole new set of characters, think about we'll probably encounter all these characters and islands at some point

BB's crew
Shanks crew
Kaidou and his crew
Big Mama and her crew
Doflamingo
Kuma
Croc & Mr. 1
wano country
Elbaf
Vega punk
Marineford
Urouge
Basil Hawkings
The Admirals
Buggy
Gecko Moria
X. Drake
capone
Garp and Sengoku
Kidd & Killer
Law and his crew
Bon-Chan
Apoo
Bonney
Raftel
Mihawk
Coby & Helmeppo
Whitebeards crew
sentomaru
enel?
Boa Hancock
Dragon & the revolutionaries
Smoker

I mean that's a lot of characters and islands that were going to get to, I just don't see how after Fishman island he can keep affording to make new groups over and over again, I mean granted a lot of these will probably be with each other (like kaidou, Gecko Moriah, and X Drake might be together or possibly Hawkeye and the wano country)

Don't forget the Level 6 escapees from Impel Down.

[mpz777]

Good chapter I guess. Interesting twist at the end. I've always likened Decken to a villain like Foxy. Comedic villain, but not necessarily a big villain. I want to see what he has up his sleeve. As far as cover stories, I think if we don't see post-TS Vivi soon, that could be more telling. Perhaps Oda might have her show up at the Reverie.

@Urouge:

There are still the 100 prophecies left to deal with that all seem to have their own implications (not actually 100 but you get the point, Luffy destroying the island, someone leading Shirahoshi, the reason Decken wanted to marry her, the significance of Noah, etc). Also Urashima's casket, Caribou and his crew, the Reverie, the foreshadowed Fishman Karate Dojo, etc. I won't even mention stuff like the poneglyph and the former Sun pirates, which could be delayed until another arc. Anyway, there's a ton of stuff this arc still has to work through before the story can move into the New World and thus leave FI behind.

Completely agree with this. Many of these loose ends could have important effects on the arc, but also a few may have a greater importance for the entire story. I'm thinking of Noah in this case because of age and because it needs protection from damage. (could reveal more about the lost history in some way). Oda has always been very thorough in explaining things and tying up loose ends, no matter how small it is or how long it takes, so I do expect answers to these. Currently, the plot points I'm looking forward to the most are Noah's importance and past and the Reverie.

[TheCook]

Mixed feelings here, does Hodi have a plan for Noah? What does he think will happen with the ship if Dekken dies?

I think Dekken will survive and doing something badass next chapter.
He brushed off Luffy's Jet Hammer, so a quick stab with a trident will just get some quick bandaging.

[GoustiFruit]

The ship will continue to run after Shirahoshi. But Shirahoshi could swim to the surface with everybody onboard (don't ask how they can get in ;-)) and then Noah would realize the profecy, to bring the Fishmen to the surface. Now once they'll be on earth, Noah could crash anywhere.

[TheManWithNoName]

@GoustiFruit:

The ship will continue to run after Shirahoshi. But Shirahoshi could swim to the surface with everybody onboard (don't ask how they can get in ;-)) and then Noah would realize the profecy, to bring the Fishmen to the surface. Now once they'll be on earth, Noah could crash anywhere.

This is a great theory.

[Kingudora]

what would happen if Shirahoshi got aboard/inside Noah?

[King Cannon]

@GoustiFruit:

The ship will continue to run after Shirahoshi. But Shirahoshi could swim to the surface with everybody onboard (don't ask how they can get in ;-)) and then Noah would realize the profecy, to bring the Fishmen to the surface. Now once they'll be on earth, Noah could crash anywhere.

Wouldn't it be dangerous for Noah to crash anywhere with so many people onboard?

[GoustiFruit]

They are fishmen, they can get out before reaching the surface. The most difficult thing is to get onboard while it is moving
And the only reason why they would go in it ? Well Fishman Island being destroyed of course; but that would be for another reason than Noah crashing on it.

But seriously, what's most probably going to stop Noah is… huge Sea Kings invoked (willingly or not) by Shirahoshi.

[King Cannon]

@Kingudora:

what would happen if Shirahoshi got aboard/inside Noah?

Probably it would either stop moving or start going around in circles kinda like how a dog chases after its tail.

[Hinscher]

@John.Rambo:

I'm kinda puzzled, Oda just did 2 years of Luffy-only material and now that the crew is together again, it is still Luffy time… I want to see the others dammit!

The chapter was sort of "meh" for me... don't know why, but I didn't like it the way I liked last week's chapter...

i think this is the reason that the last two chapters i haven't really cared for

there isn't anything wrong with them and they are great chapters, but the lack of the other strawhats is just soo damn irksome due to how long we were without them.

i mean we finally get them back and they have a few chapters beating on fodder and now follow luffy again.

[triforcebih]

True

You would almost think that Luffy is the main protagonist of One Piece