Another decent enough chapter, but this is very much a long setup period that seems to be revolving around delaying events for 1000. They are individually entertaining enough, and will be fine read in bulk, but it's slightly dampening my enjoyment of this part of Act Three. The present day story up until the big Strawhat double spread was brilliant, it's dragged a bit in areas since. Of course, things outside Oda's control like coronavirus and sickness have played a part there as well, so I won't be too critical. Perhaps if the chapter realises had been more scheduled I wouldn't have felt the pace suffer as much, maybe it's a result of there being big breaks between them.
Anyway, not much to say about the Tama scene. She's obviously came along in a boat with all her Headliner slaves and that's how no one noticed her or her giant animals, makes sense. Nami's going to get a comeback victory on Ulti- she should get Zeus back at some point, that story really doesn't seem wrapped up to me. Usopp and Page One, not so sure. Might be a swap deal there and Chopper takes over. Really, Chopper needs a fight way more, Usopp got a lot of focus in Dressrosa, is going to be the main focus in Elbaf and can always get a great sniping moment in some other fashion. Sogeking never really beat anyone other than the pathetic Spandam in EL, and that was still awesome.
Yamato was decent here. Looking forward to seeing her DF, I like the fact she interacted with another Strawhat, if briefly. Once again the Dawn is talked about in conjunction to Wano opening its borders- unless you think Momonosuke is the one destined to go to Laugh Tale, which is a whole other argument. Franky vs Sasaki should be good, especially if the theories he's Kokoro's son are true. Hope that there's a new Battlefield Franky or Shogun form.
For the 'lets catch-up with Kid and Law' flashback, Law was far more interesting as Oda's finally getting around to giving him a real story, which has been mostly absent since Dressrosa. Will this lead to Law joining the Strawhats on the trip to Laugh Tale as a pseudo-Strawhat? I hope not, I very much feel that should be Strawhats only, and that Law will be better served once Wano is over getting out of Luffy's shadow and having some sort of story of his own. Kid's answer for Kaido being 'how about an even fucking bigger punch?' just about sums him up
I've very much enjoyed Kaido vs the Scabbards, and looks like they'll be one final moment of defeat before Luffy ends up facing him- is that what Oda's waiting for 1000 for? Would explain a lot. Regardless, that fight has probably been my favourite part of this block of chapters that I feel dragged.
With BM, I think this should be set up for us getting at least a clash of King and Marco. Marco's obviously following her, if she tries to fly up using the hole Kaido made in the ceiling Marco will follow after her and King would presumably block him. My great worry is that this entire Ice Demon plot has been entirely pointless and Marco's just going to cure everyone with magic phoenix fire melting the ice. I think the best way forward would be if Chopper's realisation about the nature of the virus has at least some effect in the future- maybe even help him discovering a cure for SMILE? Two seemingly unrelated things, but Oda could tie it together with mumbo-jumbo science if he pleases.
As for Sanji at the end, well, alarm bells are ringing. My hope is that this is a time for Oda to show he's grown since Kalifa and he doesn't do something totally moronic. I have low expectations, though. Better that way. Either way, this will probably lead to Sanji breaking off from Luffy and Jinbei, and eventually to Queen.
Bright side is, looking forward you can see the pieces all start to fall into place for the fights. I don't think we'll have to wait much long after 1000 for them to begin in earnest- unless we get a big Yamato flashback, which is not outside the realms of possibility.
Anyway, not much to say about the Tama scene. She's obviously came along in a boat with all her Headliner slaves and that's how no one noticed her or her giant animals, makes sense. Nami's going to get a comeback victory on Ulti- she should get Zeus back at some point, that story really doesn't seem wrapped up to me. Usopp and Page One, not so sure. Might be a swap deal there and Chopper takes over. Really, Chopper needs a fight way more, Usopp got a lot of focus in Dressrosa, is going to be the main focus in Elbaf and can always get a great sniping moment in some other fashion. Sogeking never really beat anyone other than the pathetic Spandam in EL, and that was still awesome.
Yamato was decent here. Looking forward to seeing her DF, I like the fact she interacted with another Strawhat, if briefly. Once again the Dawn is talked about in conjunction to Wano opening its borders- unless you think Momonosuke is the one destined to go to Laugh Tale, which is a whole other argument. Franky vs Sasaki should be good, especially if the theories he's Kokoro's son are true. Hope that there's a new Battlefield Franky or Shogun form.
For the 'lets catch-up with Kid and Law' flashback, Law was far more interesting as Oda's finally getting around to giving him a real story, which has been mostly absent since Dressrosa. Will this lead to Law joining the Strawhats on the trip to Laugh Tale as a pseudo-Strawhat? I hope not, I very much feel that should be Strawhats only, and that Law will be better served once Wano is over getting out of Luffy's shadow and having some sort of story of his own. Kid's answer for Kaido being 'how about an even fucking bigger punch?' just about sums him up
I've very much enjoyed Kaido vs the Scabbards, and looks like they'll be one final moment of defeat before Luffy ends up facing him- is that what Oda's waiting for 1000 for? Would explain a lot. Regardless, that fight has probably been my favourite part of this block of chapters that I feel dragged.
With BM, I think this should be set up for us getting at least a clash of King and Marco. Marco's obviously following her, if she tries to fly up using the hole Kaido made in the ceiling Marco will follow after her and King would presumably block him. My great worry is that this entire Ice Demon plot has been entirely pointless and Marco's just going to cure everyone with magic phoenix fire melting the ice. I think the best way forward would be if Chopper's realisation about the nature of the virus has at least some effect in the future- maybe even help him discovering a cure for SMILE? Two seemingly unrelated things, but Oda could tie it together with mumbo-jumbo science if he pleases.
As for Sanji at the end, well, alarm bells are ringing. My hope is that this is a time for Oda to show he's grown since Kalifa and he doesn't do something totally moronic. I have low expectations, though. Better that way. Either way, this will probably lead to Sanji breaking off from Luffy and Jinbei, and eventually to Queen.
Bright side is, looking forward you can see the pieces all start to fall into place for the fights. I don't think we'll have to wait much long after 1000 for them to begin in earnest- unless we get a big Yamato flashback, which is not outside the realms of possibility.
am I insane because I believe that at the end of Wano Zoro, Sanji will be YC level while Luffy Yonko level? What a controversial thought.
