Gosh, this arc has been absolutely wonderful from the start to now. I have not a single problem with it, it's been a blast.
I wonder if Hogback has always been a vampire. I mean, he looks like one at least. Perhaps he was a normal looking doctor until he came here? Also, I think no one is freaked out by Chopper since everyone else here is just as weird.
First canonical bath scene since Khalifa's brief one, huh. And it was good in how it wasn't a generic perverts peeping on the girls scene! I really loved how Usopp didn't even attempt to peak and how Chopper had a gag specifically to subvert the generic bath scene. "I want to peak", but not at Nami, instead at Dr. Hogback's lab, Choppy doesn't care about naked human women! The respect Usopp held for Nami as well as his lack of interest in her nakedness even popping in to yell at her without the slightest intention of peeking and the hilarious Chopper joke was applaudable but it was still a little too perverse for my liking. We didn't need all of those body shots especially when she was held up against the wall. And, man.. I've never been so uncomfortable in One Piece. That rapey scene in the bath and how he licked Robin and that comment he made about him liking that Nami is weak made me wanna throw up. I get that in typical horror fashion you attack the girl defenseless and naked in the shower and I like the use of that cliche but man that was seriously upsetting and dark for One Piece.
What this proves if it wasn't already obvious at this point is that Hogback is the head of the entire island and probably controls it as I had initially speculated. A cat that walked by during the bath scene was stitched up and had a number on it and Hildon showed up again. That and the clear fact that the invisible man made sure the Straw Hats were separated in the first place. Every event that's been at play to catch them off guard can be attributed to Hogback. We can pretty accurately say that Hogback catches pirate ships, lures them using an island of monsters he perhaps made with the goal of catching or killing them for their bounty money. He probably uses that for research. Further, he probably did steal Brook's shadow for research purposes as well.
Chopper showed some depth in that he was in deep thought when it came to Hogback. This is a man he admires so clearly. Chopper cannot hide his excitement when it comes to those who he looks up to which is often something absolutely adorable about him.. Why would a doctor who saved so many lives be doing such cruel things, there must be some good in it and I think Chopper wants to confront him about it to understand for himself.
Usopp swinging from the chandelier saving the day was friggin awesome. I love when Usopp goes brave warrior of the sea mode and takes on danger. It's why he's my second favorite character.
I think the decision to make the brave group go through the exact same trials the coward group did to show the differences in them is genius. I haven't laughed like that at One Piece in a while. I realized that was what was going on as soon as they walked down the stairs to Cerberus and I couldn't contain my excitement. Luffy's casual "hey, there's bones on the ground" and taming of Cerberus, as well as everyones literally not afraid at all reactions to it were phenomenal. Then Luffy and Franky chasing after the monsters themselves that scared the living pants off of the coward group so Luffy could ask them to join his crew to top it off was wonderful. Luffy is so happy to be here on this scary island! Everything is so new and interesting to him and he just wants to see it all cause its so amazing and I love it so much.
I also want to mention the hilarious moment when they decided to get off their ship. Luffys forward-thinking attitude and his ability to make the best out of everything, being amazed by all, taking even the scariest situations as something fun to explore, it's so amazing. It's so Luffy so decide to walk into a contrived and obvious trap on purpose because it beats sitting there waiting (plus he gets to see all the spooky ghosts). Why worry about it, just keep moving. :) |