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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Alright. One Piece's Fishman Island saga does meet the hype it has accrued from when it was originally set up as the Straw Hats journeyed to Sabody. This omnibus contains the second half of the saga. With incredible character moments, a dynamic new setting, and the most clear execution of Oda's theming yet, Fishman Island is in strong contention for one of the strongest sagas of One Piece. The only thing that drags this saga down is Oda's continued focus on extended action scenes, which I find often distract from the main story, especially due to detailed yet hard to read paneling.
After the time skip, it was exciting to see the return of the main cast, learn about their solo adventures, and catch up on their power ups. While a lot has changed for these characters, their personalities still shine through. While I continued to find Sanji's prancing around women frustrating (as well as Oda's visual depictions of them), there are some interesting hints of growth away from these habits in this story. Given her previous relationship with fish men and the return of the Arlong pirates in this saga , I was most intrigued by Nami's arc in the Fishman Island Saga. Robin's arc is rather limited but left a lot of interesting questions up in the air for me.
While we've previously spent time on the seas of One Piece as well as a saga above them, it was fun to spend time in their depths. One of the highlights of this saga was the team traveling to Fishman Island. From the technology needed to traverse the deep sea to the featuring of the Kraken and a parallel to Davey Jones and his crew, I had a lot of fun in this part of the One Piece world.
While many elements of Fishman Island are strong, the most powerful is Oda's focus on the themes of slavery, racism, and fear of difference. From the relationship between Fishmen and the Celestial Dragons to the connection between the Fishmen (are there non-male Fishpeople?) and merpeople, Oda builds up conflict here that I hope remain central to the One Piece story. Seeing the Straw Hats consider what being a pirate actually means in a world controlled by an authoritarian regime is fascinating.
After the time skip, it was exciting to see the return of the main cast, learn about their solo adventures, and catch up on their power ups. While a lot has changed for these characters, their personalities still shine through. While I continued to find Sanji's prancing around women frustrating (as well as Oda's visual depictions of them), there are some interesting hints of growth away from these habits in this story. Given her previous relationship with fish men
While we've previously spent time on the seas of One Piece as well as a saga above them, it was fun to spend time in their depths. One of the highlights of this saga was the team traveling to Fishman Island. From the technology needed to traverse the deep sea to the featuring of the Kraken and a parallel to Davey Jones and his crew, I had a lot of fun in this part of the One Piece world.
While many elements of Fishman Island are strong, the most powerful is Oda's focus on the themes of slavery, racism, and fear of difference. From the relationship between Fishmen and the Celestial Dragons to the connection between the Fishmen (are there non-male Fishpeople?) and merpeople, Oda builds up conflict here that I hope remain central to the One Piece story. Seeing the Straw Hats consider what being a pirate actually means in a world controlled by an authoritarian regime is fascinating.
Fish-Man Island is definitely not one of my favorite arcs so far :(
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
This was pretty good. It's not as great as same of the previous volumes but it's still very interesting. The ending of the Fishman Island arc is really compelling and I really like the roles of Zoro, Luffy and Sanji in it. We also have the beginning of the Punk Hazard arc and it's very promising so I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it.
Overall these were 3 really good volumes but not quite 5 star material. However, I am excited for the rest of Punk Hazard which might become really good in the following volumes.
There will be SPOILERS ahead!
Let's start with the Fishman Island arc, shall we? Namely, I want to talk about Zoro because man, he's so cool here. I mean... just look at him. He's so badass and hot and oh god, I can't. His design with that bandana on his head is back which is just amazing because he looks great when he's wearing it. And when he walks away from that fishman who then attacks him from behind his back only for Zoro to slice him up... gold. I also love that one part where Luffy wants to get to Hordy and him and Sanji guard his back... it's just really wholesome.
Speaking about Sanji... let's say a couple of things about him. The scene where Jimbei doesn't let Luffy to go save his friends and Sanji has the entire monologue about how they are not gonna let the Fishman Island get destroyed only to then refer to mermaids and saving this dreamland of his is just so good. I also love how the explanation for his fire powers, or whatever that is, is just the fact that he has painful memories from these last two years.
Of course, I need to talk about Luffy because he is such an amazing character. He just wants to eat meat and not be a hero but he still saves everyone because it's the right thing to do (and because then he will get his meat). I love he asks Jimbei to join the crew because yeah, it was the obvious thing to do. And then at the end when he defies Big Mom and tells her that he'll make the Fishman Island his territory... so good. Even that kraken Surume knew that Luffy was awesome and joined his side.
I also have to give honorable mentions to some other characters:
a) Usopp for being really strong and cool
b) Chopper for transforming without losing control of himself
c) Jimbei for donating his blood to Luffy
d) Madame Shirley for being Arlong's sister
So Punk Hazard seems interesting so far. Smoker is back which is great and I really like that they are on an island that is burning. Also there's an actual dragon which for some reason Zoro has decided to slice up and I can't help but think that there will be consequences for that.
4 stars - It was really good
These three volumes complete the story of Fish-Man Island and sees the crew off to the New World. I enjoyed the Fish-Man Island story arc. This was a great battle that really showcased all the new skills the Straw Hats had learned over the past two years. This volume also finally gives us some information about the Poneglyphs that Robin can read and what the weapon might be. Now the crew is in the New World and at an island called Punk Hazard. I am very interested in reading this portion because I don’t really remember this island at all except that they meet Kin’emon.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced