SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
Don't worry Usopp I have a cure! It's One Piece from Shonen Jump Alpha!
The Straw Hats have finally landed in the New World. What's the first island to be explored? That's what we're going to find out this time. So sit back and enjoy the review.
After coming across a swarm of whales last week, we are back on the surface. Already dangers are presenting themselves in the form of lightning storms, ferocious waves and a volcanic island surrounded by fire. Despite the lack of a magnetic field and the hazards surrounding the Thousand Sunny, Luffy wants to disembark on this island.
A loud crying sound is coming from the kitchen; everyone goes inside to discover it’s the Transponder Snail. Robin warns Luffy not to pick it up as it could be a trap set by the Marines, but of course Luffy doesn't listen and picks up the receiver. The crying voice complains of freezing and is asking for his boss. Not only that, but his crew are getting killed by samurai. Luffy asks the person's name and location, while we don't get the person's name; we do get the name of the island he/she is on, which is Punk Hazard. Immediately after this, the person gets cut off and the Transponder Snail hangs up.
Zoro asks Brook about the samurai the person mentions, Brook explains that the samurai are swordsmen of Wano Country (remember, this is where Ryuma was from), they do not associate with the World Government and are so powerful that not even Marines interfere with them. Franky and Robin say that the fiery island they saw must be Punk Hazard because it’s the closest place a baby Transponder Snail could get a signal from. Luffy declares that they are going to save this person, much to the dismay of most in his crew. Meanwhile on a Marine ship, it’s revealed that Smoker (whose new appearance looks cool) and Tashigi have been tapping the Straw Hat's Transponder Snail, but they don't know which route the Straw Hats took after leaving Fishman Island. Tashigi points out that there was apparently an incident on Punk Hazard four years ago because the island is sealed. Smoker decides to go there despite this fact, because it’s their only lead even ignoring the fact that it’s illegal to disembark there.
After coming across a swarm of whales last week, we are back on the surface. Already dangers are presenting themselves in the form of lightning storms, ferocious waves and a volcanic island surrounded by fire. Despite the lack of a magnetic field and the hazards surrounding the Thousand Sunny, Luffy wants to disembark on this island.
A loud crying sound is coming from the kitchen; everyone goes inside to discover it’s the Transponder Snail. Robin warns Luffy not to pick it up as it could be a trap set by the Marines, but of course Luffy doesn't listen and picks up the receiver. The crying voice complains of freezing and is asking for his boss. Not only that, but his crew are getting killed by samurai. Luffy asks the person's name and location, while we don't get the person's name; we do get the name of the island he/she is on, which is Punk Hazard. Immediately after this, the person gets cut off and the Transponder Snail hangs up.
Zoro asks Brook about the samurai the person mentions, Brook explains that the samurai are swordsmen of Wano Country (remember, this is where Ryuma was from), they do not associate with the World Government and are so powerful that not even Marines interfere with them. Franky and Robin say that the fiery island they saw must be Punk Hazard because it’s the closest place a baby Transponder Snail could get a signal from. Luffy declares that they are going to save this person, much to the dismay of most in his crew. Meanwhile on a Marine ship, it’s revealed that Smoker (whose new appearance looks cool) and Tashigi have been tapping the Straw Hat's Transponder Snail, but they don't know which route the Straw Hats took after leaving Fishman Island. Tashigi points out that there was apparently an incident on Punk Hazard four years ago because the island is sealed. Smoker decides to go there despite this fact, because it’s their only lead even ignoring the fact that it’s illegal to disembark there.
Smoker just got cooler...somehow
Back on the Sunny, the Straw Hats draw straws off panel to see who goes on the island with Luffy. Zoro, Usopp (despite his cowardliness) and Robin draw the winning straws. Nami creates a Milky Road (just like the people on Skypiea did) and the Frightening Four set out on the Mini Merry to explore Punk Hazard and save the mystery person. As they travel on the road of clouds, poor Usopp still begs to be left behind while Luffy and Zoro calmly eat lunch. They eventually arrive at the entrance and notice the sign pointing out that they aren't allowed to enter (as well as the marks of the marines, the world government and an unknown mark). Zoro slices through the gate and they keep going, we know the score at this point. Of course because it’s so hot they all take their tops off and we get cheap thrills. They notice some melted buildings and Robin points out that this seems to be an abandoned Government base. Luffy tries to call out for the mystery person but no one answers.
While Usopp binge eats, he wonders about the SOS from the mystery person because he/she said it was cold but it’s obviously not cold here. Back on the Sunny Nami says that now that she’s taken a good look at it, the sky surrounding the island is strange because the other side seems more like a winter sky. This may explain the mystery person’s complaints. Back on Punk Hazard a giant creature is approaching the Frantic Four but it’s not a giant, oh no. It’s much bigger. The chapter ends with everyone in shock to discover that what may be a talking dragon. This arc has barely started and it’s already exciting.
While Usopp binge eats, he wonders about the SOS from the mystery person because he/she said it was cold but it’s obviously not cold here. Back on the Sunny Nami says that now that she’s taken a good look at it, the sky surrounding the island is strange because the other side seems more like a winter sky. This may explain the mystery person’s complaints. Back on Punk Hazard a giant creature is approaching the Frantic Four but it’s not a giant, oh no. It’s much bigger. The chapter ends with everyone in shock to discover that what may be a talking dragon. This arc has barely started and it’s already exciting.
The New World is cooler already. I am never getting over this guys
That says it all about what you are getting this week; an island which simultaneously burns and freezes, stripping, reminders of old plotlines, samurai, the full reveal of post time-skip Smoker and a talking dragon. I am in love. But now we need to ask; who is the mysterious person in danger? Will Smoker and Tashigi catch up to the Straw Hats? How will the Ferocious Four on Punk Hazard confront this apparent talking dragon? Well we should get answers to some of these questions and more next time. Until then, have a great week everybody!
You know, this is the first official fully cannon dragon in One Piece. Back in season one of the Anime they Met the millennial dragons in one of the filler arc, where they helped that one really old dragon return to his home, and that was their last adventure before they all finally crossed the Red Line. One specific detail I remember from the arc was that Luffy, and only Luffy, was able to fully understand the dragon and directly communicate with him, and I remember immediately assuming that maybe the D. in his name meant his family had a connection to Dragons and could communicate with them or something.
ReplyDeleteHowever, that was just filler, and it's been made pretty clear that all four of the Strawhats can hear this dragon speak, so I guess that hypothesis is out the window.
AS for Smoker, honestly, the only difference with him now is that he has sunglasses and a Vice Admiral coat. But I guess for some people that's all he really needs to be cooler.
I also remembered the anime dragons. I wonder how the anime is going to reconcile that when it gets to this point of the story line.
ReplyDelete