One Piece 57

[sara_tanaquil]

Lapsed, but not dead!

Japan is just over ONE WEEK AWAY (eek!), but I wanted to get at least a couple of these done before going. Then maybe I can use the post-Japan One Piece high to keep moving forward.

Comments

[mangaroo]

It has been soooo long. I picked up volume 57 feeling like there was no way I was going to be able to get back into the action.

I do love the stage setting for the confrontation. Little Ace *sniffle* on a huge platform surrounded by masses of marines and the odd giant or two.

(is it possible to smirk menacingly)

I thought all smirks were menancing. Or at least superior. Never stop breaking the air, Whitebeard. (IT'S AIR.)

Ace was invited to be a warlord? Did I know this before? Because...whoa. Also, in your FACE, Blackbeard. (Blackbeard is the one who did the awful things because he wanted to be a shichibukai, yes?)

Ace spends the next several frames (pages) on an increasingly elaborate and maniacal series of failed assassination attempts.

I like in the first one how Whitebeard's blink is enough to blow Ace through the door.

Even though it's just a word

Aw, thank you for correcting the Viz translation.

Ace gives in and takes Whitebeard's mark.

Is it meeting Hancock that makes me so sad about marking one's back?

Re: the freezing: Does Whitebeard crack Aokiji's face? How?

Oda puts the most amazing amount of attention into drawing detailed, distinctive, instantly recognizable minor characters - whose names you can't even remember because there are so many of them.

TOO MANY PEOPLE! At least they're all "typed" (admirals, warlords, squad leaders, marines, pirates).

How does Doflamingo make every word that comes out of his mouth sound like he's in a bad porn flick? SO CREEPY.

Why is there so much Doflamingo x Crocodile doujinshi?

[Cover arc: Nami is getting a tour of Weatheria, the fabled sky island.]

Reminder: these cover arcs are where Kuma's power sent the Strawhat crew?

OMG, Oars reaching for Ace on the platform. *tears forever* I can't bear that they walk over him. Can I stop reading?

What is with the people hanging on a clothesline behind her?

Hey, I came here to ask that question! (And their horrible puns...)

I'm like, whoa, how many weeks did the readers go without seeing Luffy? 4? More? Following this serialized would kill me.

SMOKER!

nobody lays a hand on Ace's ossan

I don't know if the Viz translation is off again, but it's so sweet: "Well, don't attack him. Ace really likes...that old man."

Aww, I'm kind of sad the "secret" of Luffy's parentage is out. I like milking secrets.

I need to look up those actors mentioned in the SBS.

Zoro! I've missed you! I love the title in English: "Where are they? What a pain!" (Because Zoro's always where he's supposed to be. It's everybody else who's lost.)

Ace becomes buddha.

Smoker intervenes in the battle to protect Tashigi

I totally can't tell what happened there.

...and I don't remember how Mihawk knows Shanks.

One by one, he turns everyone he meets into his allies.

This is an awesome power.

Incidentally, do we learn what Kuma's deal with the government was?

Is the stabbing a betrayal or some kind of power up for Whitebeard?

[sara_tanaquil]

Ace was invited to be a warlord? Did I know this before? Because...whoa. Also, in your FACE, Blackbeard. (Blackbeard is the one who did the awful things because he wanted to be a shichibukai, yes?)

As far as I know, no, it was first revealed in this volume. And so much yes to the in your face observation re: Blackbeard.

TOO MANY PEOPLE!

Wait until you get to the (spoiler) Coliseum. So many freaking people, and because I'm an obsessive fan, I have to go and memorize ALL THEIR NAMES. It is hard to be me.

Why is there so much Doflamingo x Crocodile doujinshi?

I will never understand Crocodile X anyone doujinshi. HE'S NOT THAT HOT, PEOPLE.

(Meaning Crocodile, though I suppose that goes for Doflamingo too.)

Reminder: these cover arcs are where Kuma's power sent the Strawhat crew?

Yes. The anime duly gave us episodes for each. Because the fans had to do without the rest of the Strawhats for TWO YEARS, and I don't know how they survived it.

I can't bear that they walk over him. Can I stop reading?

I know! *sniffle* I don't know if you remember Wyper telling his followers that they needed to be prepared to walk over the bodies of their comrades... I included a spoiler-protected link to Oars Jr, back then.

Then again, I kinda think Oars wouldn't have minded. Because he is a good soul and he wants to help.

I don't know if the Viz translation is off again, but it's so sweet: "Well, don't attack him. Ace really likes...that old man."

I think that's pretty well on target. :-) Ace!

(Because Zoro's always where he's supposed to be. It's everybody else who's lost.)

Bwahaha! So true.

...and I don't remember how Mihawk knows Shanks.

It is implied in various places that they already knew and fought each other, but in the series, we saw Mihawk visit Shanks to give him Luffy's wanted poster. Back in volume... I can't even remember when. A really long time ago. (11?) We had a discussion about whether Mihawk was more interested in Luffy or Zoro, at the time.

This is an awesome power.

Indeed! I really can't recommend the video I linked highly enough, but wait until vol 60 or 61 to check it out, for maximum impact.

Incidentally, do we learn what Kuma's deal with the government was?

As far as I know, we have never yet learned the full story on this, though there are hints. If only I knew!

Is the stabbing a betrayal or some kind of power up for Whitebeard?

Until next time...