One of the most nicely adapted scenes in the series is Mihawk's meeting with Shanks in this one. I was missing Shanks' light-hearted side in the first two eps but his hungover line about beating Mihawk with his arm tied to his back was great.

I don't know whether it's been discussed or not but another thing I found really disappointing was how the Navy dealt with the Warlords. When Fujitora mentioned Vegapunk's new invention and how it would make the Warlords superfluous, I was sure said invention would be an integral part of capturing them. Instead it looks like the navy just sent a bunch of warships to deal with guys like Mihawk who would just sink them effortlessly much like Crocodile did. Remember that panel where Hancock goes "Oh, they probably forgot how strong we are!" At least I thought a line like that was a setup for them getting crushed but it turns out the Navy really just forgot.

Seems like really weird writing.

@wolfwood said in Chapter 1073: Miss Buckingham Stussy:

MADS freeloader lmao.

Best part of the chapter

Isn't it a bit disappointing that the only female MADS member was just a fraud though? I guess Buckin has always been a con artist.

Kuma's suicidal rescue mission is very reminiscent of Newgate's destruction of Marineford. I don't see how he's getting out of it alive.

I‘m all for unconventional casting in adaptations but the decision for Dragon strikes me as weird because everything else looks so close to the original. Not only does he look very different from the actors of Luffy and Garp but apparently he‘s also really short?! I wonder why Dragon is the only character for whom they went with a very different look.

@Riddler said in Chapter 1079: The Emperor's Crew, the Red-Haired Pirates:

@Barkworm This is completely ignoring Kidd's and Killer's characterization in the last arc as semi-allies who would die for each other and have a deep bond and friendship. Readers aren't that forgetful and as I said, the character has his fair share of fans (also, seriously, am I the only one here who likes Killer and wouldn't want him to die? Maybe it's because I've just reread the chapter where he defeats Hawkins, that was a pretty awesome moment for him).

If this wasn't meant to be seen as morally ambiguous, then why end with Kidd's crew begging Shanks to spare their captain's life, invoking sympathy for them, instead of, you know, portraying them as murderous assholes that need to be put down?

Maybe we're talking past each other but that's basically my complaint: I really liked the Kid Pirates! That's why I didn't want them to go out this way.

You're right, the end is debatable. Giving them the finishing blow after they have already forfeited makes Shanks look unnecessarily cruel. But before that there were at least five different lines and panels that were supposed to make him seem like a complete saint. As I said, I didn't enjoy the writing here.

One very surprising and enjoyable bit about the chapter was how it seems like Teach renewed Kuzan's sense of determination which I didn't expect at all. Like everyone, I was convinced that Kuzan sought out Teach to pursue his hidden agenda (just like Drake did with Kaido) but it's much more interesting like this. Kuzan feels uncharacteristically (but believably) insecure in the flashback but Teach turns this around completely by offering him to join their crew.

Just a very good read. My only nitpick is that the chapter is set up in a way that makes Kuzan's situation more understandable and him even more likable. Then the flashback ends and Garp smashes his face to China, making him look like a bit of a jerk.

Then again, violence has always been Garp's way of showing his love.

@electricmastro said in Chapter 1125: What Death Means:

So, is anyone here still not conviced that Imu will be much more of a dangerous threat than Kaido

Well, he seems to be the main villain, so yes. But it's not like he could do this to anyone, it looks like he can apply immortality to others and take it away at any time. Since Saturn was already hundreds of years old, this meant instant death for him. It will be interesting to find out if the abilities are also given to the Elders through Imu's powers and if he wields some kind of demon king fruit ability.

The impact of Garling becoming a new elder wasn't that great. Garling has barely appeared in the Manga and is still a very new character so giving him a new role right after he was introduced as the leader of the Holy Knights feels very rushed. Especially since Dragon mentioned them to be a big threat and now there will be ANOTHER new character as their leader. Seems like a waste.

@Zanze That's true, that arrogance she had before made for a way more interesting character than friendly princess no. 172.

@kevo_koma Sure, but for some reason we neither see Shanks rejecting nor taking them. It would be a weird omission for something as important as the rubbings.

So, Kizaru fed Luffy? That's awesome.

I thought the chapter was really underwhelming since I was expecting something more interesting from the first Elbaf chapter. My opinion changed as soon as I read the - 100 per cent plausible - theory that it‘s just a realm of Elbaf that might not even have giants on it. That‘s going to be a great twist.

@electricmastro said in Chapter 1125: What Death Means:

So, is anyone here still not conviced that Imu will be much more of a dangerous threat than Kaido

Well, he seems to be the main villain, so yes. But it's not like he could do this to anyone, it looks like he can apply immortality to others and take it away at any time. Since Saturn was already hundreds of years old, this meant instant death for him. It will be interesting to find out if the abilities are also given to the Elders through Imu's powers and if he wields some kind of demon king fruit ability.

The impact of Garling becoming a new elder wasn't that great. Garling has barely appeared in the Manga and is still a very new character so giving him a new role right after he was introduced as the leader of the Holy Knights feels very rushed. Especially since Dragon mentioned them to be a big threat and now there will be ANOTHER new character as their leader. Seems like a waste.

@zeltrax225
I know the way the Kidd pirates were annihilated seemed too cruel but just think back to chapter 1. As soon as their friend is attacked Lucky Roux straight-out shoots one of the guys in the head. It's all consistent. The Redhair Pirates are a band of almost annoyingly goody-two shoes UNLESS their buddies are in danger. Then they become merciless demons.

@kevo_koma Sure, but for some reason we neither see Shanks rejecting nor taking them. It would be a weird omission for something as important as the rubbings.

I rarely watch the Anime but the increase in quality in the last couple of years has been moe than impressive,

Both Kidd's brutality and Shanks' consequential mercilessness came across perfectly here. Good job.

Just like in the manga it remained ambiguous whether or not Shanks took the Ponegliff rubbings. Weird...

Help, the Haki discussion here is horrible, make it stop!

Way more interesting: Sanji telling Bonney to hit Luffy because it's "Captain's orders" as if she was a crewmate.

In the spoiler thread I was speculating that Joyboy might have been a giant but it's even more likely that he was a buccaneer. Ivankov mentions Buccaneers and giants being related so they might share some folklore and Joyboy's hat doesn't look THAT big. It would also explain why Buccaneers are being hunted so cruelly.

Mars and Saturn walking around sulking and taking out SNAILS with their Conqueror's Haki is amazingly hilarious by the way.

What a great chapter this was. Character interaction and moments have always been one of Oda's biggest strengths and this one had lots of standout moments.

It's a bit disappointing that the Gorosei are just as flat as any Celestial Dragon but everyone is probably used to that by now ever since Saturn's turned out to be a boring evil guy.

The Looney Tunes action on the other hand continues to be a blast. Oda's clearly enjoying himself getting zanier and zanier.

Vegapunk's heart rate monitor on the last page sure makes things look bleak for him...