Oh my gosh that was the best non-twist twist ever. Using Pacifista's, something not many know about, as a secret surprise attack is just obvious. If they aren't using them now then what's the point of building them for so much money. There's just been so much going on that this happening honestly didn't cross my mind. That was cool.
As for Mihawk, I've always had this image of him as a good person and a lone wanderer. Maybe a Zoro figure who just wants to improve his own swordsmanship and when that's not in play he doesn't act. But I based this on very little. This episode helped me clarify the kind of person he was and just how strong he actually is. Firstly, the "I don't remember the face of every worm" was an unexpectedly brutal line for me to hear! It's not like Zoro doesn't say brutal things, if I recall he said some disheartening things to the 'fake' swordsman he met early in the series for sure. Just, it took me aback to see him slice through people while calling them worms and trying to kill Luffy while spouting 'fate'. To talk about his skill, this was an amazing episode, it was absolutely amazing for selling who Mihawk is. I am immediately in love with him.
Luffy was cool to do a mid slide second gear but what was even cooler was the fact that through all the commotion, Mihawk lived up to his nickname and he spotted him like a hawk spotting its prey and then sniped him across the battlefield. He then beats Jimbei with the blowback of his swing. Then, Luffy nearly gets his arms cut off with a badly timed jet bazooka, like my jaw dropped when Luffy saw his arms fly off in his head. Luffy knows not to underestimate Mihawk and he's intuitive when it comes to this kind of thing so to change direction at the last minute was amazing too. But the to top it off, yet again Luffy can only run from his foe and this time one swing cut an entire frozen tsunami in half... With one swing.. WHAT THE HECK. He is so strong... That was a darn good way to explore Mihawk's skill.
To touch on Luffy's intuitive fighting skill, I adored when he grabbed Buggy from the sable and used him as a human shield. It's so Luffy to realize in a millisecond that the best counter to Mihawk is the chop chop man himself. It's pretty hysterical that Buggy is like the best power when it comes to fighting Mihawk. Luffy and Buggy are such a good duo, Luffy can take the blunt weapons and Buggy can take the sharp ones and they will ((almost)) never lose!!! Hahahahahaha. Speaking of Buggy a little, it was great how he convinced his men to crawl quietly through the battlefield. This is why Buggy has lasted so long with so many greats, this cockroach's opportunism is unmatched. To get up after that complete loss and act like it was all according to plan instantly is why he's one of my favorite boys in One Piece.
Another thing that I liked has to do with the Crocodile and Doflamingo meeting as Doflamingo preached nearly exactly what Crocodile did in Alabasta. I recall Crocodile giving the exact argument that what matters is power and if you don't have the power to make the world how you want it to be to shut up. Don said "the era where power conquers all" is coming and he offered Crocodile a spot with him, sure there may have been some dishonestly there and potential betrayal, but despite Don telling Crocodile exactly what he believes and wants himself he took offense to Doflamingo treating him as an equal. That is the Crocodile I love, the absolutely arrogant asshole with a superiority complex. Even when proven to not be as good as he thinks he is he will still talk down to everyone who doesn't bow down to him. It is just great and it made me realize that conversation couldn't have gone any other way. To think of a real team being made in that context was naive of me. I missed Crocodile.
Edit: I rewatched the scars on the back scene and realized Mihawk only gave Zoro any sympathy due to his strength! He clearly values a swordsman's strength above all else. He chose to kill Zoro with his black blade out of respect and when he saw his resolve to die admirably he let him live. He made a bet on the future like Shanks did with Luffy. But his brutality towards the weak was always there. |