Anime: Marineford Arc- Episode 474

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First Thoughts 
This was an amazing episode. This episode was tense from beginning to end. Then to help with the tone of this episode there was greatly animated scenes that looked good throughout the whole episode. This episode had me on the edge of my seat for most of the time and I was surprise when the eyecatcher came up since it didn't seem to be half way though the episode.

One difference between the manga chapter that this episode was based on was that I thought that the manga chapter was a bit funnier. In the manga I remember seeing a part where Luffy tries to go over the encircling wall by using Gum Gum Rocket but then get shot down as Jimbei and Ivankov were watching. That was funny to watch but it seems like it was cut out during this episode. Then again if that was included in the episode then it would have taken away from the serious tone of the episode.



Summary
The Supernovas were watching the Battle of Marineford from Sabaody and comment on the idea of Whitebeard betraying his men.

Lava rains from the sky due to Akainu's attack. The lava melts the ice in the bay. Oars has awaken due to the commotion. Luffy leads the way into the plaza with help from Jimbei and now facing the three Marine admirals.

Thoughts

So taking a step out of the chaos at Marineford, we go to Sabaody to find out that the 11 Supernovas are all okay. Most of them look as if they were able to escape the raid of the Marines and Kizaru in some form or way. Kid and Law both had grim faiths the last time we saw them as they were facing a Pacifista while Hawkins, Drake, Urouge and Apoo were having trouble with Apoo and a pacifista of their own.

Everybody was looked serious in their own way. This scene made an excellent transition from manga to anime where it looks even more deadly serious. 

Interesting response from some of the Supernovas. Bonney for some reason is crying over what is going on at Marineford. She provides no hints as in why but it seems like she either cares for Whitebeard, Ace or somebody at the island. Then Apoo shows that he is smarter then he looks. This guy seems to have taken in a lot and knows how to apply it. The Marines apparently doesn't want to show something to the public and Apoo knows that. I wonder what the Marines don't want to show? The fact that they have human weapons that look like Warlord Kuma? The cruelty they are showing towards the Whitebeards and their pirate allies? Maybe they don't want to show Ace's execution?

"He wouldn't do that. That's why he's a living legend."
-Law

The overall message that we that all of the Supernovas told us was that Whitebeard would never sell out his men to anybody. That is what made the guy famous and a force to be feared. Interesting though since it looks like Law is planning to move out. Wonder what he is up to.

It is never a good thing when lava is falling from the sky. Though this is apparently a very destructive element as everything it touches just burns and melts. Pirates are flying everywhere to avoid being hit by the flaming lava fists. Doesn't look pretty at all for the pirates.

Luffy's reaction to what is happening to him is hard to describe. It isn't surprising but not exactly shocked. It is in a way eyeopening. To tell the truth I don't know how to describe what is on Luffy's face. Clearly this whole battle has been somewhat of an 'eyeopening' experience. He is seeing the power that is awaiting for him in the New World. Everybody here have had some sort of experience in the New World and has grown stronger due to that experience. Due to that experience they have gain power that Luffy has never seen before. This can clearly be seen on Luffy's face as he takes in what is going on around him.

I couldn't figure out which image to use for this part so I used both.

One thing that One Piece has taught us is to care for a piece of wood. Moby Dick may not have gotten a lot of screentime but seeing the reaction that the Whitebeards had when it was on fire really shows that this was an important ship to them. Kind of sad to see the ship go since it is kind of cool to look at and amazing that this ship has been under Whitebeard for so long.

The old man looked really hurt as he watch his ship burning due to the lava fist of Akainu. Nothing can express how hurt a person can get when they watch their pride and joy go down.

The Marines currently look very cruel in my book right now. How could people use such techniques to attack their fellow human beings. Literally the Marines have backed the pirates into a corner and shooting at them from the front, behind and above. One of those directions includes getting rain upon by flaming fist of hot lava. Some of the things they are doing does make sense like pushing Ace's execution sooner then planned but attacking a fallen giant that close and burning people with manga seems really overkill.

Makes you wonder who are the real merciless 'monsters' here.

This moment felt a bit off. I understand why we have this moment since it kills time for the episode but it feels kind off like it doesn't belong here. The moment is touching since it looks like Squad's crew has forgave him for what he did so that is nice. Warms the heart a little bit at how much they care for their captain and how close everybody is.

It takes a lot of work to be called a douche on this blog. One has to spend months of working to prove that they are one and deserving of having the word douche before their name and get their own tag. Kizaru has proven himself but he already has a tag and I try to avoid to have multiple tags for the same character.

So Kizaru seems to prove that he is a douche and goes ahead for the head kill which is something I guess all Marine admirals try to do every so often. Bring up the question once again of who are the real merciless monsters here. The pirates that have robbed and rioted in the past or the upholders of justice, the Marines, who currently using highly destructive methods of attacking, experimented to create human weapons and support slavery. *thumbs up* Way to go Kizaru to promote a compassionate military force.

The idea that Kizaru is willing to give a head shot to a giant is a scary thought. How easy he consider the idea is frightening.

Now that the look of a desperate man.

Then we hit the amazing moment of the episode. Luffy flying over the encircling wall thanks to Jimbei's control of the water and landing right before the three Admirals. The most powerful force of the Marines against a raising rookie pirate. One side is trying to defend the innocents while another is trying to save the life of his brother.

Luffy made an awesome entrance and the look of on his face looks serious as he stare down the Admirals. You can tell that Luffy is trying his best to stand up to the power of the Marines right now and he looks pretty desperate at the moment and willing to do anything to rescue his brother from being executed.

"But you are not good enough to reach this stage yet." 
-Aokiji

Interesting words from Aokiji. It is like he is saying that Luffy isn't good enough to be up there yet. Is this a sign to say that one day he expect Luffy to be great enough to be consider executed on a platform just as great as Ace and Roger? Looks like Aokiji is expecting some great things which he has founding for seeing that it was Luffy who had warm Robin's heart to care for people instead of her own safety back in Water 7. A young boy who is powerful to move adults such as Robin can hold great power if matured into a man. Riight now it is clear that Luffy hasn't mature into a man as he is in awestruck at what he is seeing from the power of the Marines and the New World pirates.

Even though Luffy may not have the power to take on the Admrials, looks like he is going to try to take them on head first. Kind of smart of Luffy to use that piece of a mast as a way to try to do some damage to them. Wonder if he planned on Aokiji on freezing it. Thought it looks impressive and very nice.

Though it seems like Whitebeard has a plan that involve Oars's power. Wonder how this will turn out since Oars seem to be on his last legs. Though surely this plan of Whitebeard involves them getting some sort of upper hand.

So as Whitebeard formulates a plan to help out his men, Luffy is facing the three Admirals. The kid has made it this far so the only question now is: What will Luffy do next?

Preview

So it looks like Luffy is rushing into to the plaza with fighting. He seem to have gotten past the Admirals but it doesn't look like he got though them easy. If anything it looks like Luffy got beat up pretty bad via Kizaru and Aokiji. Still it doesn't seem to have stop Luffy from pushing forward but will it be enough to get to Ace in time before the blades of death come down on him?

Next Episode: Rush into the Final Phase! Whitebeard's Maneuver to Turn the Tides"

So stay tune and let see how Luffy will get out of this mess! Remember US One Piece fans that OnePieceOfficial.com is the first place to get the newest One Piece episodes from Japan!

Stay tune true believers!