@Sick_Fool:
But we are discussing the episode. There's no need to compare with the manga. You just need to look at the other fight scenes Toei has done well in the past like Luffy vs Blueno, or recently, like Vergo vs Smoker, compare with this episode and you'll see why some us of think most of the fight was underwhelming. This episode was supposed to highlight Gear Fourth's destructive impact, power and blinding speed, but much of what was shown here left me wanting more, so much more.
@Quexinos:
Is this the thread where people say they didn't like the episode and other people get on them about that? Is it not allowed if we say we didn't like the episode? I never understood that, why do some people get all uppity if the entire thread isn't, "OMG BEST EPISODE! 10/10! great animation and over all wonderful pacing!" and such?
The animation and directing style between this episode and #273 (Luffy VS Blueno) / #616 (Law VS Vergo) were totally different. Maybe some people prefer those fights in #273 or #616 or something, or used to expect this episode's style could be like those ones, but it never means today's animation / whole quality was what-the-hell-were-Toei-thinking level. Production wise, this episode was one of the best episodes in Dressrosa Arc (I mean "production wise", and please don't get me wrong).
Objectively speaking, this episode had many great animations. For example, the The fighting scenes in the last few minutes by Tomita (a great Japanese animator) were typical "circus animation" (a kind of animation style), and these scenes were greatly animated. Shida is great, but he is not the only great one.
I believe anyone who has an impartial attitude towards the anime will realize that the anime staff were trying their best in this episode. Different people have different tastes, and maybe not all the people were satisfied with this episode because of various reasons. However, I never think it's appropriate to use too many aggressive and prejudicial words, and that's not called discussion.
In addition, every manga reader will have his own comprehension after reading a manga chapter, and may hope that the anime episode can be like what he want it to be. I do think this kind of thoughts are natural and reasonable. But the anime staff also have their interpretations. Sometimes there may be divergences, and sadly that's totally unavoidable. It's hard to say who is right and who is wrong, however.