Loved the start of the episode but as it went on especially in the second half I got so bored because of the pacing issues. The reaction shots they lingered on, especially the ones they reused before and after the commercial break were so tedious. It really felt like it was reaching DBZ levels especially with the spirit bomb build up too hahahaha. It wasn't enough for it to ruin the episode but man it killed an otherwise excellent moment, I think last episode was far better. And, to clarify, this is my first issue with One Piece pacing outside of Skypiea, I even don't mind the long opening(since lack of ED), nor the recap because I always pick up something new watching it. And, I love episodes that focus on the little details about the characters, in fact my favorite part of the episode was Zoro's speech at the beginning. I too have noted most One Piece fans love when the guys punch each other and call anything else slow pacing but that's not it, I was just sick of the tedious and reused reaction shots this episode around the middle and end of the episode.
So, to not complain anymore, let's get into what I liked! Almost like I forgot everything about Zoro, I said two things could happen:
1. Someone could save them.
2. They could escape with a Lola Pirate distraction.
However, Zoro mocked the first possibility with the speech I loved by saying "If I start making excuses will someone come rescue us?" and for the second, Zoro refuses to retreat. He either wins in battle or he loses, those are the only two ways he will leave a fight. Of course he couldn't retreat, that would be absolutely not his character. I suppose HE could be the distraction as he fights Kuma and the others retreat with Luffy but I hadn't thought that far.
Speaking of that speech it reminded me of what he told Chopper back in the Foxy arc. A value central to who he is, is that he accepts what he's signed up for. When he turns into a wax statue he accepts it. When his shadow has been taken he cherishes it and the period of burning that he will only feel once. When he loses a fight he embraces a negative ghost or famously Mihawk's slash without faltering. In the Foxy arc he told Chopper who was forced into being a Foxy Pirate,
"That's enough of your bellyaching Chopper! It's shameful! Going out to the sea was your decision. The place and time you die will be your decision too. No one can change that! We accepted this game! Usopp's team and you did everything you could! In a world of pirates, no one will sympathize with those tears! As a man... you're going to suck it up and watch the rest of the events!"
Which in other words means accepting the fate you've chosen and not making excuses about it. Embracing your fate with open arms, literally sometimes. And that is a core value Zoro has always held and this episode exemplified it as he gave a speech very similar to that one yet about him this time as he faced an opponent who he is probably going to die against(well if this wasn't shounen).
"The world is designed so when it rains trouble, it pours. If I start making excuses will someone come rescue us?"
It was so Zoro and I wouldn't have it anyway. I started to forget the kind of person he was however briefly and this is who he is. He will grin in the face of the death he has chosen. For there is no reason to make excuses, all you can do is accept it. Brutal, stoic, Bushido, it's freaking Zoro man. And I love him to pieces. I think I like Luffy and Usopp more than him but he rests at a strong third place in my favorites list.
Also, did he just dodge a paw air gatling attack that was just previously said to be at the speed of light matrix style? I'll just not think about it too much.
The other part I loved was the ending, at least, the core parts of it. It was interesting for Kuma to show some character. He said it was a shame he won't derive pleasure in killing the weakened Straw Hats. This makes me think two things, one is that this is where his famous cruelty comes from, and two he may be Zoro-esque in that he likes to push himself in combat and that's a place where he gets pleasure even if it's more so in the fighting itself and not the improvement.
Next he said he'd spare them if they got him Luffy's head, this says two things. He either wants the Straw Hats to grow in strength so he can get some pleasure killing them later, or he just doesn't think it's worth it to kill them if they're so weak in the moment but doesn't care enough to hunt them down just to kill them later. It also shows he's willing to go against the government for his own interests if only to an extent as he still needs Luffy's head so that they will be satisfied. Perhaps he could get some sick enjoyment by tearing apart a crew of nakama too, so far I'm unsure.
Either way it lead to the great "FORGET IT!" moment which we all knew was going to come in some way or another. My favorite part of it was actually Franky's smirk when he heard Kuma's request. IMO the reason he joined was to a huge degree the fact that the Straw Hats would do anything for their nakama, anything, they'd fight the world government and if they were in Franky's place with Tom back in the day they would stop that train with their own hands. It's a value he admires about them and that's why I think he was so happy to be able to predict their responses and respond himself with a phat "FORGET IT!"
Apart from the pacing issues this episode had some very strong moments in it. By the way, seeing Sanji and Zoro on their knees getting beat by their enemy like weaklings is a sight I never thought we'd see. |