One Piece Vol 18

[sara_tanaquil]

The Alabasta arc kicks into high gear.

This volume, I can't even. So much going on. So emotionally powerful, although sometimes it's the sort that creeps up on you and kicks you in the stomach only with hindsight.

Comments

[wednesday_10_00]

Love how Bon Kurei immediately joins the Usopp-Luffy-Chopper dance line.

It's kind of adorable how quickly he fits in. (And love the "friendship has nothing to do with the length of acquaintance" sentiment.)

When Chopper's in the mix, I think their collective mental age actually drops BELOW five.

And that's why we love them. <3

LOL, Chopper is the only one who'll listen with rapt attention to Usopp's outrageous stories.

Chopper and Usopp interactions: maybe the best?

The arm-bands!

Oh god, I'm ALREADY crying, I swear.

Ace's Whitebeard mark!

I find it interesting that Whitebeard's mark eventually gets changed to something less Swastika-like. I'm wondering if this was an attempt to be more global-minded (no doubt the original wouldn't go over well in the US or Europe), or something else?

(Nothing to say on the Ace-Luffy interactions, just ♥ ♥ ♥. Best brothers or BEST BROTHERS?)

Mr 2 dismissing his minions: "And don't forget to practice your dance moves!"

lol

The Kung Fu Dugongs!Love them! (Did I order a plush dugong to

[sara_tanaquil]

Chopper and Usopp interactions: maybe the best?

I think Chopper + [pretty much anyone] wins all. (Even harder than picking a favorite nakama: picking a favorite nakama interaction. So many to choose from.)

Oh god, I'm ALREADY crying, I swear.

FOR SO MANY REASONS. T_T

Best brothers or BEST BROTHERS?

BEST BROTHERS!!! <3

Did I order a plush dugong to go with my guard point Chopper? Maybe.

Oooh, want. (Also, I would totally buy a 異議 fan.)

But I just love the expression of the face of the bird they see drinking their water, haha.

Hee, me too. They look drunk AND evil. Not unlike the face on the over-excited Dance Powder cloud, actually.

I find it interesting that Whitebeard's mark eventually gets changed to something less Swastika-like.

I thought it was changed for the anime but not for the manga. Or was it changed later in the manga? If it was only changed in the anime, that would make sense -- there is usually more of an expectation that anime will be consumed globally, whether that's true or not.

[manga_crow]

I thought it was changed for the anime but not for the manga. Or was it changed later in the manga?

It was originally changed in just the anime, but Oda ended up changing it in the manga as well.

Crocodile, like Arlong, has definitely grown on me as the series progresses. I think I became a lot more understanding of him at the end of the Baroque Works cover arc. And let me just say how much I really love that style of storytelling - I get to be free to hate away during the actual conflict, but when placing them within the narrative whole, they get to have a much more complex part. Genius.

[printfogey]

And it was also changed in manga translations - in my Swedish copy of volume 18, Ace has the newer version of the mark on his back.

[printfogey]

Strategically I'm still not actually sure whether Luffy was right in his arguing with Vivi. Yes, they needed to take Crocodile down, but if they could have postponed that until later and gone as far as quickly to the rebels first, maybe [spoiler for the rest of the arc]that would have slowed down the attack on Albana and led to fewer lives lost in the end. Given that Luffy still lost against Crocodile the first time around.

Emotionally, though, it was a great scene and felt right for that reason. Can we see this as Luffy returning the favour from Drum and be the one to tell Vivi about leadership? As a pirate captain he has to be okay with his crew risking their life for him... but then again he's the strongest so not only does he always do the same in return for them, but he fights the strongest enemy to boot. It's easier for him than for Vivi that way, I'd think.

[sara_tanaquil]

Emotionally, though, it was a great scene and felt right for that reason. Can we see this as Luffy returning the favour from Drum and be the one to tell Vivi about leadership?

I love this idea! Vivi taught Luffy that sometimes you have to control your first impulse and humble yourself to get what you want; Luffy teaches Vivi that sometimes, it's OK to risk having other people die for you (the very thing she learned to fear when she was so young).

I have more thoughts about the Luffy and Vivi's contrasting philosophies of life and war, but they're more appropriately discussed in connection with a later volume.

[mangaroo]

I've been meaning to say this for a long time, but aren't Nami's and Vivi's faces a little too much alike?

I just want to squeeze Chopper. I love watching him learn. I love the childlike trust he puts in everything: Luffy's dimwitted plans, Usopp's tall tales. He's like a little fluffy reindeer sponge. Of love.

Geez, Vivi enjoys slapping these guys around a little too much. (First, protecting Karoo, then protecting the lucky cat sea monster.)

I like that Zoro is the one who immediately figures out they can use this encounter to their strategic advantage.

But…how? What am I missing?

Why does Sanji need to wear a cloth strip on his arm? 2 Bon Kurei never touched him, so he can't turn into Sanji. I'm sure it says something about manliness that Sanji and Zoro tied their own armbands on, while everyone else we see gets a partner to do it.

Usopp's "just do whatever you can" speech to Chopper -- both comical and moving.

Yes. *nod*

ASCE?

You know, I can ALMOST see where all the fanfic comes from.Don't you know you're supposed to

tl;dr strikes again (1)

[sara_tanaquil]

LOL at your fujoshi cuts. I figure anyone reading my journal (even the public posts) can probably deal.

aren't Nami's and Vivi's faces a little too much alike

They really are very similar (though, if you look closely, they tend to have rather different facial expressions -- Vivi's is younger, more open). I use hairstyle to tell the difference if there is any real ambiguity in the scene.

I just want to squeeze Chopper.

Chopper is LOVE! (Hence Chopper x World OTP, because how could anyone resist Chopper?)

And I extra-specially love that he is not only cute overload personified, but a fully developed character in his own right, with flaws, fears, aspirations, etc. It's not his fault everyone thinks he is the Strawhats' pet. (I am *living* for the day the government figures out just how badly they've been underestimating Chopper all this time.)

But…how? What am I missing?On a basic level, because they know Mr. 2's face and his ability but Mr. 2 doesn't know theirs (yet), they have the advantage of being able to plan ahead and guard

[mangaroo]

And if you're thinking that a bandage around the arm is kind of a weak test... keep reading.

Your new nickname is spoiler-girl. I always feel bad for chiding you and weekday about this, but hints are usually as good as a full-on reveal. Now I know [this.]there's something under the bandage, like a tattoo or scar, though it seems odd Vivi and Karoo would make a permanent mark. Oda went to all the trouble of trying to convince me it was just the armbands by having everyone repeat "tie it on tightly." Apologize to Oda-sensei!

both Ace and Smoker spoiler spoiler spoiler

[fujoshi reveal]love each other madly?

Viz' translation is just a little more elliptical than it should be. You're being very generous. I don't have the book with me today, but as I recall, what Luffy said was something like "I was surprised, too! [pause for panel change] Even before he ate the fruit, I could never beat him." There is just no hint that fireAce happened only in the last 3 years. So thank you for noting this particular interaction in your recap, because I think that's kind of

[sara_tanaquil]

Oops, sorry about the spoiler. *^_^* I wouldn't have said anything, but you seemed so confused by Zoro's "strategy." I will try to be more careful and not drop hints in future

's funny...

[lego_joker]

I've only really ever used LJ to bond with other Batman geeks. Never thought of searching it for One Piece geekery.

It seems that I was mistaken till now. LJ features plenty of geeky overanalysis for ALL franchises! :)

Anyhoo... yes, the Jugon are adorable beyond words. I have to wonder, though - how DO they fight? We never actually see them land a blow.

If I remember correctly, Cobra's smack is actually a named attack called "King Chop!". Someone apparently liked it so much that they incorporated it as a stage hazard in the One Piece: Grand Battle Rush! video game. I think there's a video of it on YouTube - it's HILARIOUS.

Speaking of Grand Battle Rush!, someone apparently ALSO liked Mr. 2's "takopa" line so much that they actually turned it into a full-blown attack in the game. He whips out an octo-parfait that poisons the opponent by touch.

The more you know!