This episode was so freaking sweet, special, and hilarious. There is no better way to recruit Franky to the Straw Hats than to run away with his swimsuit and force him to streak, fully confident and shamelessly, through town. Seriously, there's nothing more Franky than not even having a split second of shame or embarrassment of streaking absolutely naked with his hairy butt bouncing around, tackling his own underlings. Freaking beautiful. I have to assume there's nothing that could make Franky feel shame, he's 100% confident in who he is.
Luffy decided from long ago it was time to make Franky his shipwright. It must have been when he started working with him against CP9 because before then he hated him for what he did to Usopp. Some things never do change. I recall in episode 2 Luffy telling Zoro who was tied up and refusing that he had decided that he was going to join Luffy's crew of 0 men as his first. When Luffy decides to trust and stand by someone he won't let them go and will only fight for what he thinks the best for them is. It's what he did to get Chopper to join too! And Usopp if you think about it. They were people he decided would be best with him and he was right. His loyalty once he decides to stick by someone is something admiral about Luffy!
I think I was right about the serious discussion they had the last episode, the one of Zoro suggesting they may have to leave Usopp behind because they had some words on the worst case happening with Usopp as if they definitely did go over it off screen.
And finally, Franky's streaking was so sweet. There was no better way to get him to join. His underlings want him to join because they know they can't protect him the next time the government strikes. Iceberg wants him to join due to his own happiness. And Franky wants to join because the Straw Hats are the people he can finally relate to, people with ideals and resolves reckless enough to declare war on the world to upkeep. Something he wishes he could have done as a young boy and something he works his butt off to keep up now. He trusted them enough to make a hard bet on them beating CP9 and burnt the blueprint, seriously, he loves these guys. The dream ship that he's finally gotten the courage to make for them is just another reason he'd want to go. As Zambai suggested, Franky can finally be truly happy around and working with these great people. But, of course, leaving behind the people he loves and his own underlings is not an easy task. He wants to keep Iceberg and the Frankies safe, he doesn't want to leave Yokozuna and Kokoro and Chimney and Gonbe. This is his home... So, his hesitation is understandable, but since everyone knows as well as Luffy does what needs to be done, they'll force Franky to face Mugiwara by stealing his undies and causing a confident streak through town. I have to assume he wanted them to guide him to Luffy on a subconscious level, it's why he had such a blast talking to Luffy as he ran with his swimsuit in hand. Everyone working so hard to get the best for Franky even though they'll definitely miss him too is what makes it so sweet and next episode should be wonderful as well.
Now that Franky will presumably join all that's left is a long-awaited musician. To be honest, a Fishman crewmate could be cool.
Edit: On further thought, I'm curious about Usopp... I'm taking it at face value he'll join back before they leave but it's getting darn close and Franky seems to be the spotlight of next episode....
Double edit: I was just arguing with someone over how great Chimney is as a supporting character and it hit me, I didn't even mention her heartbreaking goodbye to Nami where she couldn't believe they were going to go! :'( |