One Piece

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Couldn't help but notice there wasn't a thread for this, so I thought I'd make one. I've been a major fan of One Piece ever since I started reading it 4 or 5 years ago. Its humor, whimsy, action, and sense of adventure drew me in, and it has been one of the most rewarding manga I've ever read. The anime's also really good, but it's a bit slower in progression due to dragging things out so as not to catch up with the manga. The other side to this, though, is a noticeable lack of filler arcs compared to the likes of Naruto and Bleach.

So, let's start with an overview for the uninitiated!

24 years before the beginning of One Piece, the former Pirate King, Gold Roger, was sentenced to death. His execution shocked the world because no one had yet been able to capture him. Even more shocking is he was seen smiling throughout the entire execution, without the slightest hint of fear on his face. Just before his death, someone from the crowd shouted out, asking about all his treasure, "One Piece". To this, Gold Roger laughed, and responded to the crowd at large: "My treasure? If you want it, I'll let you have it. Search for it! I left all of it in that place!" With these simple words, Gold Roger managed to give his execution the opposite effect his executioners wanted. Instead of deterring piracy by executing the strongest pirate, Roger's words inspired an entire new generation of pirates. And so began the Great Pirate Era.

One Piece revolves around the story of a 17-year-old young man named Monkey D. Luffy. When he was 7 years old, he accidentally ate a devil fruit called the Gum Gum Fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi in Japanese), which turned his body into rubber at the cost of his ability to swim (an ability he never really had, though). 10 years later, Luffy strikes out on his own with the intention of becoming the Pirate King. Along his way, he solves wrongdoings, makes friends, and gains crew mates. Luffy is willing to do whatever it takes to live by his own morals, no matter what. He doesn't hesitate to challenge people far more powerful than him, or even the World Government himself, if they dare to try hurting a friend of his. While he may be an idiot, his straightforwardness and purity of heart has an uncanny tendency to draw people to him. Without even trying, he makes friends and allies, often without even realizing he does so, just because of how honest and positive he is.

Through his travels, Luffy gains a handful of crew mates. They may not always treat him with the deference due to a captain, but when it comes down to it, they will always risk their lives to help him on his way. Roronoa Zoro, a former pirate hunter and swordsman of the Three-Sword-Style, whose dream is to be the world's strongest swordsman. Usopp, a liar and coward with a great talent for invention, tinkering, and sniping with a slingshot, whose dream is to become a brave warrior of the sea. Nami, a former thief with a great talent for cartography and navigation, whose dream is to be the first to make a complete map of the world. Sanji, a cook whose dream is to find the All Blue, a place where all forms of sea life can be found. Tony Tony Chopper, a reindeer who ate the Human Human Fruit (Hito Hito no Mi) and is now a doctor. Nico Robin, an archaeologist who ate the Flower Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi), whose dream is to learn the entirety of the world's history. Franky, a cyborg shipwright whose dream is to build the perfect ship and sail around in it. Brook, a skeleton who ate the Revive Revive Fruit (Yomi Yomi no Mi), a musician and swordsman who dreams of meeting a friend he knew 50 years ago.

Now, feel free to discuss anything at any point in the series, but be sure to use spoiler tags out of courtesy for those who haven't read/watched it yet.

 

So chapter 723 came out today, and a few things happened.

Spoiler: Chapter 723 spoilers!

It seems that although he is a born Tenryuubito (Celestial Dragon), Donquixote Doflamingo renounced his Tenryuubito status some time ago. I find this interesting because he chose to give up the absolute immunity to everything that he had as a Tenryuubito. Now, if not for his Shichibukai status, he'd be just as wanted as the next pirate, regardless of his heritage. Of course, I wonder if the World Government sees it that way. Even if Doflamingo claims he's not a Tenryuubito anymore, that doesn't mean that the World Government no longer sees him as one, so I wonder if they'd really take him down if push came to shove.

We also learned that the heart Trafalgar Law was threatening Caesar Clown with was actually not Caesar's, but that of one of Admiral Fujitora's cannon fodder underlings. Not a big deal, but it adds another chip to Law's bargaining position. He used this revelation to distract Fujitora and Doflamingo enough for him to make a Room, swap Caesar for a boulder with Shambles, and teleport his way out of his sticky situation. Meanwhile, Nami, Brook, and Momonosuke are closing in on Green Bit, where Law, Doflamingo, and Fujitora are. Despite Law's plan to throw Caesar to the Sunny, Doflamingo noticed the Sunny and flew off toward it, with the intention of killing the Strawhats on there, only to be stopped by the sudden appearance of Sanji.

Meanwhile, Zoro and Kin'emon are trying to find a way into the colosseum without drawing attention to themselves. Bartolomeo sees them talking about how to get in and, being the misguided Strawhat fanboy he is, fangasmed silently to himself while watching.

We also learned a bit more about Violet's devil fruit power. She can see through anything within a 4000 km radius as if through a bird's x-ray eyes. In effect, this comes across to me as something like kenbunshoku (observer's) haki on steroids. Rather than simply feels things that are happening from far away, she can see them as plain as if they were in front of her. Plus that radius is freaking gigantic. For a frame of reference, that's about 2400 miles, or the rough length of America from east to west (depending on where you measure. Some can be longer).

Now, as for what I think about the developments, I have a couple predictions. 1. I think Bartolomeo will be the one to get Zoro and Kin'emon into the colosseum without drawing attention. 2. I highly doubt Sanji stands a chance in hell against Doflamingo. I think that fight will most likely be a defensive battle where Sanji and the others try to find a way to escape safely. Also, I think Brook might try to help Sanji against Doflamingo.