"Now Go Ahead"
That looked like an Oscar unfolding there
Ahahaha maybe, I've seen memes about "Oscar worthy acting" from all the "traitors/actors" in this arc so why not?
I do genuinely think Toei are gonna flourish this scene even more too, with great music, camera angles and movement and such.
I hope the Rooftop fight won't take too much out of them in various ways and the quality starts dropping after it, the current standard for Onigashima has been incredible especially.
Hawkins is a little better this chapter too imo but his character has been heavily wasted imo.
My respect level for Killer just went up after reading his statement about living in the future Hawkins' feared. So i guess Killer...is a protagonist as well.
Lmaooo, he's definitely acting like one! He's kinda like a mix of the Monster Trio maybe and he's shown similar fearlessness/boldness here which was great.
The whole theme of trying to predict the future and your own fate vs someone and his captain who experienced some of the worst "luck" and still came out fighting and to live another day after, bear death experiences, its honestly very interesting and admirable.
Caution vs reckless abandon. Pragmatism vs risk. Determinism/fatalism vs uncertainty and making your own fate, choices, consequences, risks etc.
There's a really wonderful setup and contrast. Oda could have gone full cliché and used Luffy the Plot Armour (and future Pirate) King but he let Killer and thus Kid challenge Hawkins somewhat cynical outlook and prove him wrong, letting them shine instead. I appreciate that a lot especially for Kid and Killers sakes.