English Professor’s Thoughts on Long Ring Long Land and Water 7 Arcs (Water 7 Saga - One Piece)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- I have finished reading the Long Ring Long Land Arc and the Water 7 Arc of the Water 7 Saga from Oda Sensei's One Piece, and I am eager to share my thoughts! While this is not meant to be a comprehensive breakdown of the many allusions and themes woven into the tale, I give my impressions and try to convey a sense of my appreciation for the rich storytelling as well as the characters' development. You can find all my One Piece videos in the "One Piece" playlist on my channel.
They were after only 1 ancient weapon, Pluton not 2, but yes, there are multiple ancient weapons and you've heard of Pluton the first time in Arabasta, since that was what Crocodile was after.
Exactly. We’ve seen with Crocodile that there’s a belief that Pluton is out there and the poneglyphs hold its location, which is what makes Robin such an alleged threat. That then leads to Tom’s whole idea that holding onto the blueprints would at least allow for the creation of a 2nd Pluton in case the first one is ever found.
Ah, that makes sense! One weapon, two ways of accessing it. That makes the analogy with nuclear weapons even more apt, I think. Thank you!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy To even further clarify (because this part confuses a lot of people on first read), Pluton is one of the Ancient Weapons that (according to Crocodile) one can find by reading the Poneglyphs. A long time ago though the shipwrights of Water 7 felt that if a weapon as powerful as Pluton existed there should be something that can counter it, and the blueprints to that "Counter Weapon" are what the World Government thought Iceberg had.
People usually come away thinking Iceberg had the blueprints to actual Pluton, as in the Ancient Weapon, but that's incorrect.
@@YetiCoolBrother Cool! Thank you!
This! There's an ancient Pluton hidden somewhere in the world. Crocodile thought its location was revealed in the poneglyph at Alabasta, and we know Robin lied about the contents of that poneglyph to Crocodile, meaning it's very likely it did describe the location, and that Robin now knows where Pluton is. That makes Robin capable of reviving the weapon. From Iceburg's perspective, that makes her a threat, from CP9's perspective, that makes her a tool. Even if they don't know she has already gained access to the location, they know she has the ability to.
Alongside, there's the blueprints used to build Pluton, that have been preserved by the shipwrights of Water 7, in case the original Pluton ever reappeared in the wrong hands, so that they could build a new one to counter it. They have been passed down until Tom gave them to his apprentices when CP5 was after him, and Cutty Flam, aka Franky, is the last person known to have had them. That also makes him a tool in the eyes of CP9, led by Spandam, who's been after Pluton "in the name of Justice" (in pursuit of personal power) for decades.
Robin and Franky both have access to Pluton. Robin arrived with the Strawhats, then abandoned them and went with CP9. Franky, according to your predictions, will join the crew, but is now also in the hands of CP9. If Franky joins and they recover Robin, the Strawhats will have access to both the original Pluton, and to Franky building potentially an entire fleet of new ones. If they don't recover Robin and Franky doesn't join, those chips move to the World Government's side of the board. The crew can also get both Franky and Robin but lose the blueprints. Or they could just get either Robin or Franky. And even if they do lose the blueprints, Franky has had them for years now. He could've copied them, or even memorized them. Same goes for Iceburg (though based on his personality, I don't see him making a copy, at least). Just throwing everything against the wall, here, wondering what might stick.
We need to protect this man from One Piece spoilers at all costs.
Thank you! There have been surprisingly few, and they've been minor and mostly unintentional. I also have someone looking over comments to warn me if there's anything overtly spoilery. All the best!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy a lot of of creators getting into one piece do this im glad ur doing this as well, thats awesome, you're gonna love whats to come. Happy reading!! 👒
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy yeah that's best practice, to have someone make sure for you, as I think some fans accidentally spoil things without meaning to with little side comments (or even by misremembering the order of events in a series as long as this one)
@@YouTubdotCub I have to lead most conversations with, "so, what do YOU know about..." to avoid spoiling for people, because plot events are easy enough to keep straight, but Oda is amazing at explaining world mechanics in a way that make you feel like you've just always known that fact.
I couldn't tell you the first time I heard the word Paramecia in the story (except I do know its before Water 7, thus not a spoiler) because that's just now part of my lexicon. I'm rather expecting that's how the story is going to end. We get all our questions answered and just go, "oh, yeah, I feel like I've somehow always known that."
Its perfect there is someone checking for you! A friend of mine gave me the worst spoiler in one piece and ruined 6 volumes@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy
I totally would watch a 2 hour video reviewing a whole arc all at once
I tried to tell him in one of the older vids that he should go more in depth but no dice :,( If he went balls to the wall they'd be stupidly popular videos
@randalabra3852 he's also a dude juggling a bunch of other stuff. He might not have the time/energy for that.
@@AlbertoSantosDumont819 Oh yeah I understand, I feel no ill will or anything towards him for it or thinking he's lazy or anything. Just something I felt like saying I suppose
I'd love to provide that if I could! However, dividing it up makes it easier for me to make the video. I'm not very good with editing or anything tech related beyond making silly thumbnails, so it takes me a long time to edit these videos with the shots from the manga included in them. Twice the length of this one would break me, I'm afraid, or it wouldn't leave room for all the other things I do, like reading other books, writing my own books, teaching, and spending time with family. But I promise the Enies Lobby video will come relatively soon. Cheers!
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy You need to be careful using pictures from the manga... lots of anime youtubers got the almighty youtube ban hammer over manga pages in video's
I knew you'd understand it. The ship being broken was never just about the fact it's their home or that it's a part of the crew. There's an underlying theme of a broken, "lesser" part of the crew that's perhaps "holding them back" in his eyes. Usopp saw himself in the Merry and that's an enormous part of the reason that this whole thing happened in the first place
EDIT: not to mention how much of a cementing of Luffy as a leader and as a captain, he had to make hard decisions and listen to his first mate in Zoro. It's a turning point for the crew as a family, but also as a true pirate crew
Very well said! It's definitely a learning moment, but a very painful one.
And let me add, Kaya gave them the ship. Not only does it make it even more important to Usopp, in a weird way, to his mind, the Merry was his sole contribution to the crew: "If not for the ship they got threw my relationship with Kaya, what reason do they have to carry my dead weight? This is the only thing I can provide, and I didn't even do it myself. If it goes away, I'm just ballast, and ballast gets discarded when it's not needed anymore."
@@AnyMEmdq Great point!
Don't forget that usopp was their ship right up 'til now. He was the fix it guy, or that's how he saw himself. The decision to get a proper ship right and a new ship probably felt like a replacing of dead weight. Trading in the old for the new and better. I think this entire arc was highlighting usopp's self worth issues. (Which is why sanji giving him that speech in the next arc was so poignant)
Nothing brings a one-piece fan more joy than getting to watch someone experience the journey of one piece for the first time. Amazing videos.
I'm so glad the videos are bringing joy to people! Thank you!
Trueeee
😊💖💕
What we see during Aokiji's introduction is one of those neat little narrative devices that Oda employs so well: using a chracter we know to establish someone we don't. Throughout a few arcs up to this point we'd seen Robin face down certain death with both resignation (Alabasta) and defiance (Skypiea), we'd seen her anger at the destruction of history, we'd seen her confidence, even surprise, but we'd never seen her FEAR, and that is what she feels the moment she sees Aokiji, fear so overwhelming her legs give out. That's a jolt to the reader, Oda doesn't need to sell him any harder than that.
This is one of them "show, don't tell" scenes.
We see Aokiji freeze a whole horizons worth of ocean lol
Oda is brilliant at introducing characters, and I definitely got chills when I met Aokiji!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy It must have been... ICE to see him.
@@KalleVilenius 🥶
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy there's another very subtle detail about Aokiji the first time we see him.
His preferred method of transportation between islands is a bicycle. That man has a devil fruit which means contact with water will make him sink. Yet he's so confident in his abilities that he rides a bicycle across the ocean
Whenever I tell people that the Davy Back Fight is my favorite arc of One Piece, everyone looks at me in disgust or confusion, and all i can really say to them is "Afro Luffy"
It is grand in its goofiness!
I love it too, it just feels like Oda having fun. Some of my favorite comedy comes from this arc. It’s all fun and games, literally, before things go south hard!
It's short and fun in manga. But anime doubling the length with filler stupid decisions by luffy makes everyone hate it
@@jojosoniAh but the anime gave us Nami and Usopp beating the shit out of Luffy together, every time he talks after getting his ass kicked by his crew makes me laugh my ass off. Also Luffy telling Nami that the kiwi is his and he ain't sharing.
Plus the strict rules of dodgeball were hilarious. Honestly after the shitty laughs in thriller bark long Ring Long Land is much better and far less annoying.
@@seraphim_hawkkI also hope we see a seraphim croc, and a seraphim bird (doflamingo)
today we feast
I hope everyone leaves with a full tummy!
My week is instantly so much better being able to watch these videos
The water that powers the canals of Water 7 is all the tears that One Piece fans cry from here on out.
Oh, wow! I better get more tissues!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy You will need them. All of them.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy You will need them especially in later story arcs.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy oh dear, yes you will, prepare your tear ducts
The line which hit me most in this part of the arc and one of themes of the series is when Tom hits Franky for first time imparting to Franky his last lesson that: Existence itself is not a crime.
Check out sniper king song
I approve of that last line. 🤣
There are some powerful lines here!
Not just a hard-hitting line but also a big theme in the story as a whole
I love the character writing in Water 7 so much! And I love the detail that as the Straw Hat's dynamics begin to crumble, the weather gets worse and worse and then once the Straw Hats start working as a team again, the bad weather passes.
I love that observation about the weather!
Something that gets lost in translation for Franky is his character design is based on the fact the Japanese word "hen-tai" can mean p**n, perv, soldier, or transform depending on the context.
@@samfisher6606 That is good to know! Cheers!
To expand, hentai is written with the characters 変態 with hen 変 meaning unusual or change, and tai 態 meaning appearance or form. It can be used as a verb describing a change in form such as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, or as a noun to describe something with a strange appearance (often a person with unusual sexual inclinations). The word has been imported into English but it is used very differently in English than in Japanese...
@@samfisher6606 It should also be mentioned that it was meant as a play on Henshin meaning “transformation,” “metamorphosis,” or “to transform.”. Oda was probably invoking transforming heroes like Kamen Rider or Super Sentai/Power Rangers characters.
I have a feeling that you are going to enjoy the story behind the mysterious Ohara. One of my favorite parts in One Piece.
I am deeply intrigued to find out more!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Ohara is still my favorite part. I'd love to hear you talk about it
@@JTB-ns6mm Same, I love how much it mirrors real history I’ve learned about
I used to teach English in Japan, and one day the textbook brought up Venice and the children's homeroom teacher asked them if they knew One Piece and Water 7, and told them it is based off One Piece.
That is a cool classroom moment! Cheers!
He told them Venice was based off One Piece? Or One Piece was based off Venice?
@@yuukinoyuki9064 I mistyped, he told them One Piece was based off Venice.
My favorite part of Sanji’s fight with the noodle man is how it shows that he could be an amazing swordsman or at least knife welder if he wanted to.
I really like that too! Sanji might be even more badass than I realized!
Welcome to One Peak
Cheers!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Kanpai!
The age of One Piece reactions are here, and your takes are very refreshing and remind me of my own toughts reading through the series for the first time a decade ago.
Thank you! That is a lovely compliment!
Chimney is my favorite side character. She is basically Luffy as a little girl… no fear, only laugh, excitement and love for friends/ family.
You did say in your skypea video that you were avoiding the live action netflix series because it may have spoilers. After Ennies Lobby and the completion of the Water 7 saga, you are good to see it if you'd like. It is one of the better live action anime adptations out there
Yeah live action doesnt even reach the grand line
@@patchoparadise8730 it has spoilers for information revealed in post enies lobby
@@patchoparadise8730yeah butthere is spoiled for water seven in it
Well it’s good *for an adaption* but on the whole it’s not a great show imo. Though I thought the Garp and Zeff actors were really good.
@@patchoparadise8730 but the live action did pull information all the way from post enies lobby and reveal it in their story. They used information for easter eggs all the way from Wano.
i actually love long ring long land as an arc. i think it has some of my favorite themes of one piece and its just a fun and entertaining arc in general
Yeah, IMO the main problem is that the anime ruins it by overstretching it. If you read it in the manga, it's short and funny.
Well said! The themes are there, and it is indeed silly and fun.
Jesus, you are truly a fantastic literary analyst. It blows my mind that you have synthesized the themes of the arcs you have read so incredibly well that I am learning completely new ways to appreciate this Epic. Not to mention you have been incredible at putting forward the ideas of the story and how those could project forward to potential story beats. You have put together ideas that it took entire community to come together and deconstruct Oda’s themes and messages, it is truly a pleasure to watch your videos.
Thank you - I appreciate your kind words and encouragement! I’m enjoying One Piece immensely, not least because of the generous comments from people like you!
Commenting for support. Will be back to watch after I catch up!
Many thanks, my friend! I think you'll find a lot to love in this saga!
I’m glad you mentioned the foreshadowing in Long Ring Long Land! I feel like nobody ever talks about that, and I definitely caught it on my first watch and really appreciated it.
there’s even crazier theories about how this arc plays into the whole story of one piece. i doubt they’re true but oda loves leaving little foreshadowing moments in the most unimportant arcs so we shall see.
I actually shouted "YESS" when I saw the notification for this video hahah. I love how you are enjoying the story!
Thank you! I'm having a blast with One Piece!
this is my first time being excited for a TH-cam video in a while !
Thank you -- you are very kind, and I hope you enjoyed the video!
I think the main reason Usopp feels so connected and so hung up on the Going Merry is because he thinks of himself and his place in the crew as the Going Merry. They both joined the straw hats at the same time, and if you pay close attention, every time the Going Merry is damaged, it's Usopp that's there to fix it. He's not a specialist and half the time he's not really sure of what he is doing but the fact is that he is providing something to the team. Usopp clearly has a big inferiority complex, he's afraid of being left behind, and he wonders if he deserves ti stand next to all of these brave and strong people. But with the Going Merry there, he finds a purpose, something no one else can do. He's the one who keeps them afloat and able to continue on their journey, an essential part of the crew. When Luffy announces they'll have to abandon the Going Merry, Usopp is at one of his lowest points, after being beat up by thugs that were dealt with without so much as breaing a sweat. Luffy's announcement is the final nail in the coffin for him.
Great points!
Maaan you gotta watch THAT moment from the anime once you read Ennies Lobby... too good. Gives me chill every time.
I'll check it out!
Right off the bat: Never feel bad about having to split up an arc review.
1. Some of these are AMAZING and need more attention to detail.
2. We get more videos from you.
Now, to the rest of your video!
Thanks so much! I'm glad you feel that way!
exactly. CHASE THAT BAG. while also giving us more one piece content to consume
43:08 This just goes to show that you only review this story because it's popular, I'm not even sure you read the chapters. What do you mean Usopp's return? That is clearly Sogeking??? He even tells Luffy and Chopper that he's from sniper island... (in all seriousness I love these videos keep up the great work)
🤣🤣🤣Long live the Sniper King!
had us in the first half ngl. i was bouta go crazy on u for insulting this man. HES THE GOAT
The intro song/animation of this arc is one of the best anime openers IMO. Seeing the Merry crashing down in the water and the hints of whats to come is all really great. I never skip the intro when I watch this arc.
Usopp doesn't wanna give up the Merry because Kaya gave it to him.
That's an important dimension of his love for the Going Merry -- well said!
34:03 he refuses to give up but he also says"ive known all along that Merry couldnt sail anymore......i already knew"
Yes, humans are a mess of contradictions, aren't we?
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy so True
“the stakes are up now and the story is about to get more serious“
*like 2 chapters later*
*FOXY!*
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hey there! Glad you're finally here! I just had a thing I wanted to say about this arc, one of my favorites in the whole series! You may already know this from someone else, but Bird Guy and the other members of Galley-La alongside him were not actually intended to be the villains! Oda was struggling with making villains for this arc but he realized that these characters he had already created would work well for the roles, so he essentially made a last minute decision here to make them the members of CP9. He felt weird about not using character designs that he liked quite a lot. a very SUPER decision.
Very cool! You are actually the first to tell me this. Thank you!
The argument with Usopp about the Merry also shows that Luffy's being challenged into something he doesn't like but has to
So to not worry Usopp, and even though he lacks tact, he tries to brush it off as something that's not Usopp's fault and relieve him of his guilt
Not understanding Usopp's feelings of inferiority as he's been feeling like that for a while. And the Merry's dying state reflects that for him.
It's also similar to Usopp's mom, Bancina, as she was on her dying bed yet he tried to reassure her that his lies will come true and his dad will come back.
Oh, great point about Usopp's mother! Thank you for this lovely comment!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyyou're welcome love the content
😭
Thank you for experiencing this wonderful journey with us
I’m delighted to be here! Thank you for watching!
As someone in higher Education I am VERY interested in the thoughts from an English professor 🔥❤️🔥
Thank you! I love great stories wherever I'm fortunate enough to find them.
Your enthusiasm is inspiring
Thank you! I get much joy from great stories!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyur the goat!😂
Im glad the algorithm is finally working and recommending me amazing content like this, can't wait for you to catch up!!
Thanks so much for watching - much appreciated!
I'm watching all of your reactions one after the other and it's been really great. Seeing a review from the POV of an experienced fantasy reader and writer really adds flair to the review. It's not just feelings, there's a clear analysis and an understanding of Oda's strengths and successes (the foreshadowing, the characters and their dynamics, the world building that does not discriminate between minor and major elements, the slow transformation of what started as an adventure into what became a saga).
As a (former) western fantasy reader, a (current) Japanese, Chinese and Korean fantasy reader, an amateur fantasy writer, and of course a long time one piece fan, it reignited the flame of writing. I haven't written anything in the past 2 years or so, I might write in my plane trip tomorrow.
Should you take up your pen (or your laptop) during that flight, I wish you much fulfillment from your writing and the journey that unfolds from it!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thank you! It will be a mix of both, I bought a portable keyboard for my phone. I'm looking forward to the next review!
Absolutely love these vids!
One thing that was strange for me however, you mentioned something about Sniper king being Ussop? Not sure how you you got confused there, but this is not possible since Ussop is from Syrup village in the east blue, while Sniper king is from Sniper island, which is in your heart! Sniper kings identity is still a mystery one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece to date!
I love this comment so much! Some things are better left mysteries, I suppose. 😁
I love this running joke in the fandom so much
Hearing him called spandex made my day so much better!
Also on a personal note you helped heal my relationship by helping me see my wife as my found family who isn't everything I would dream of in a romantic partner, yet she is more than I could ever ask for. She makes me feel like Robin in this arc at times and I have not appreciated that enough at times.
I'm so glad to have improved your day with the Spandex comment! That's beautiful about your wife -- learning to accept a spouse for who they are and the gifts they bring can really help make a marriage thrive and last. I wish you the best!
I RAN to this video. Love your commentary! Can't wait to continue this journey with you! 🎉
I deeply appreciate you watching and leaving such a lovely and kind comment!
I think you should ignore the comments trying to pressure you to do a full arc. It's much, much better to go at your own pace. I'm really enjoying the content so far. Please keep it up.
Thank you so much! I really don't have much choice anyway -- this is about as much as my low tech brain can handle in terms of video editing because it takes me forever to include those panels in the video. I appreciate your kindness and support!
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy no problem man. I've seen youtubers get pressured by their viewers in the past. Then they end up burning out, trying to please everyone. Eventually, they were no longer even enjoying something they previously loved.
The arcs just get longer. We are all prepared for 2 hours videos
Ha ha! Thanks so much! I'll do my best!
They kind of stay around 100 chapters tops
@@EresirThe1st Wano, Dress Rosa and Wholecake would want to have a word with you xD
Indeed they do, the Wano Arc is the longest one so far, but it is entirely possible that one of the arcs in the final saga which is happening right now could surpass it.
The damage to the Going Merry is what the crusty old man was referring to when he told Usopp to pay attention to the area's he wouldn't normally, in the G-8 filler. A great addition by the writers at the animation studio.
That was an excellent touch in G-8!
10:15 Best Nami moment I think is when suggest they take Foxy instead of Chopper for the second game, forcing the Foxy pirates to forfeit the last challenge, immediately getting Foxy as well. Extremely smart move, extremely cutthroat, extremely Nami. But the best part is Robin calmly pointing out that then they'd be stuck with Foxy as a crewmate, and everyone, even Nami, agrees it was not such a good idea as it seemed. I loved every second of that interaction.
And poor Foxy is once again dejected because no one wants him! Ha ha ha!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I was dying the first time I read it, and I still laugh out loud every time I re-experience it. Also, I said Foxy when I meant Chopper up there, I'll never forgive myself for what I did to our poor beloved blue-nose reindeer
Such a good panel 30:32 the close up on the gun was just perfect 👌
Totally agreed!
Make the pages that you show bigger next time please, i love and probably others too re-reading all this great OP moments with your explanations. I was a kid when i watched, read op, and didnt have this analyzing skills back then, so with you next to this panels they just feel like new chapters
I think it goes without saying after reading these comments but your perspective and commentary are greatly appreciated from One Piece fans such as myself! Glad you’re enjoying the series
Thanks so much! The generous comments - yours being a great example here - have increased my enjoyment of One Piece!
Just to clarify about the weapons without spoilers.
Theses aren't two different weapons.
First, there are "Ancient Weapons" that existed in the past. Pluton was one of them and was mentioned back in Alabasta. Crocodile wanted to find it and its location is supposedly written in the Poneglyph in Alabasta.
That Pluton existed in the past and presumably is still somewhere.
The shipwrights of Water 7 has the blueprints for Pluton just in case the real thing falls in the hands of evil and needs a counter.
Robin is a key to finding the original Pluton, while the blueprints gives the ability to build more of it.
Hence why Robin is captured alongside with the WG going after the blueprints.
Many thanks for this clarification! Same weapon, different paths of getting to it (or making it). It really makes the analogy with nuclear weapons even more apt. All the best!
I’m a bit jealous of you I think. I remember when I first read this story and how much it resonated with me as a kid. It’s awesome to get to see someone experiencing it like I did almost two decades ago.
Thanks! I’m having a marvelous time with this story, and I feel fully invested in it!
I feel like i can't express enough just how much i love this series of yours. While it's also not my favorite arc, i love long ring long land. And hearing a fresh, well spoken and well analyzed point of view makes it almost feel like its my first time reading. I'm glad you're enjoying it :) keep on keeping on
Thank you so much! 😊
I just stumbled over your channel today and started watching your reviews of One Piece as it is my favourite Manga. It is to be expected from an English Professor but you have really great insights into the themes and characters and explain them beautifully. You've even pointed out things that i missed despite growing up with the series and having read/watched a lot of it multiple times, like the irony of Skypea having such a strict border control. One thing I've also noticed is how you see right through the bickering facade of Sanji's and Zoro's relationship. Yes they appear to be at eachother's throats all the time and some people take that at face value and think they don't like eachother but there's so many moments in the series where it is clear how deeply they care about eachother, the most poignant of which (at least in my opinion) you havent even reached. And yet you call them brothers. It is such a perfect assessment of their relationship. I'm definitely looking forward to more of your reviews.
Oh and by the way, the first thing I noticed was the book sticking out a little wit hthe mountains and the crecent moon, which if I'm not mistaken should be The Hobbit. I absolutely adore Tolkien. I even wrote my Bachelor's Thesis on the poems in LOTR, contextualizing them in the broader narrative and the context of the lore.
@@ciukilp Thanks so much! Anyone who writes a thesis on Tolkien’s poems in LOTR is cool in my book! They add so many layers to the story by tying it back to the history of Middle-Earth. I tried to do something similar with the poems in my own fantasy trilogy, though in my case most of the poems are modeled after Old English poetry, meaning they’re alliterative and feature things like kennings. I appreciate you watching and commenting!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy That's super cool. I should give your books a try some time. Funnily enough my favourite poem in LOTR is the Lament for the Rohirrim which is so clearly inspired by The Wanderer. It is usually seen as a lament for Eorl but I talked about how it also fits the fallout of the long winter and the end of the first line of kings with the death of Helm Hammerhand really well.
@@ciukilp Yes! For my Master’s thesis, I produced an edition and translation of “The Wanderer” along with about 70 pages of commentary. It’s a favorite!
Loved the discussion on the arc! Watching people experiencing one piece and relay their thoughts and opinions always seems to bring new perspective on the story for me. I’d just like to bring forth the idea that Nami’s obsession with money is less of a materialistic matter and more of a mindset she has that money is the only way she can protect her loved ones due to the way she grew up and her own personal struggles. Of course, the way it’s played off as a gag makes it all the more touching when she blatantly chooses the strawhats and her humanity over it.
Well said about Nami!
40:08 Yeah, I totally agree. It's incredible how seamlessly One Piece switches between funny and serious tones, sometimes even doing them both at the same time (e.g. in the middle of the scene of Bellemere dying, showing silly flashbacks of her family doing goofy things) and I believe that Oda's unique art style is a big reason of why it works. Many people point at the art style as a defect or something that turn them off, but in reality I'm convinced that this wouldn't work with other styles. There were special chapters and homages where other mangakas were drawing One Piece in their style (even full chapters) and while it was cool, I could see why Oda's art style is fundamental for this to work. I also saw other mangas with a more serious tone (e.g. Berserk), trying to lighten up the mood sometimes with gags and doing back-and-forth with the seriousness, but I don't think it worked as well as One Piece.
That’s a brilliant point about the art supporting the tone and the unusual combination of goofy and tragic - beautifully said!
It feels like im reading along with you! A couple of weeks ago I started one piece and now I'm up to enies lobby. As I finish saga's I really enjoy watching your videos, really helps to organize and gather my thoughts on what I just read. Looking forward to what were gonna read next!
I’m happy to be reading alongside you! My best to you for what’s ahead - I think there’s a doozy incoming!
A commonly overlooked thing about namis obsession with money is that she’s fixated on it because of family, growing up poor and seeing Belmare killed taught her that berries is how you ensure ur family’s survival. So when she cared more about usopp than the money it makes sense because the family’s safety is what money is for to begin with
An excellent point about Nami. Cheers!
If you ever feel like diving into the anime once more, I'd recommend One Piece Movie 6: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island. It's a standalone film that puts the strawhats in a super bizarre and stressful situation with beautiful art and animation done in a style not seen before or since in One Piece.
I hear great things about it! Sounds cool - I’ll check it out. Thank you for the recommendation!
Can't wait for the Ennie's Lobby arc review! This is where it starts getting REALLY good
I’m in the thick of it now - it’s incredible!
I've loved watching these one piece videos, especially because I also recently started reading it for the first time. When the notification for the skypeia video showed up I was so eager to know your thoughts that I had to binge the arc as soon as possible because I was only half way through lol.
Anyway, in the mean time I've gotten up to about chapter 500 and let me just say, man I am so so so excited for your thoughts on every upcoming arc after this point.
Also, I really hope that after you finish the enies loby arc, you react to the live action!! As a literature nerd, I adore the analysis, but I'm also extremely curious about your personal opinions.
Particularly, I really want to know who your favorite character is so far. Up to the enies lobby arc, mine was definitely Crocodile lol, hes such an intresting character!! Not to mention his motivations and backstory are super mysterious beyond the basic 'he wants power!!!'
anyway,,, sorry for the word vomit, I'm obessed with one piece atm and your videos are enabling me !!!
❤❤❤ looking forward to the next video
Thank you so much! I’m going to be filming my video on Enies Lobby and Post Enies Lobby today. I will say that these arcs solidified Robin as my favorite character in the most compelling and moving way. All the best!
I always get so excited when I see a new thumbnail for your One Piece reactions! I also saw this one was 47 minutes long and shrieked a little in excitement! I love the genuine reactions! I hope you enjoy Enies Lobby!
Thank you so much! I fully expect to be blown away by Enies Lobby!
Great review, but only one thing you got wrong:
It is a common misconception that Sniper King is Usopp in disguise. This, however, is not the case. It is clearly stated that Sniper King is Usopp's friend from Sniper Island, while Usopp grew up in Syrup Village. Sniper King's true identity is still unknown.
Ah, thank you for the correction! I admit that Sniper King’s nose threw me off, but now that I think about it, I am guessing that it’s a false nose worn in tribute to his friend Usopp. Cheers!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy No problem!
Thank you so much for making these videos. I love how you not only summarize the plot, but also explore themes and motives. You seem to be very passionate. ❤️
Yeeees Philip, yes! I knew you’d get it! The themes in this saga run amok. I love that you see themes and ideas that I never do, must come from the academic training. Well since you’re invested after this long, you’re in it for the long haul!
I’m definitely in it for the long haul! Cheers, Marco!
Your videos are always a highlight in my day. I am happy you are enjoying reading the manga, this is a wonderful story which you will love until the end.
Thank you so much! It’s such a joy to become part of the One Piece community. I deeply appreciate your kind words and support!
Omg I have been waiting for this video! Its SUUUUUUUUUPPPPEEEERRRRR!
Thank you so much! 😊
Hey Phillip, I don't know if you knew this or anyone has told you, but Oda attended university to become an Architect briefly after high school. He didnt graduate university but you can see how its influenced his work. This is why you get all the beautiful structures like Water 7, and why architecture is so different for each island
@@caseyboyd5849 This is the first I’ve heard of this - thank you! 🙏
Man i love these could watch this all day, nothing a one piece fan likes more then seeing someone else enjoy the show for the first time, even shared it with my friends! (remember guys no spoilers please 😁)
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching and sharing!
I really like hearing your take on Long Ring Long Land into Water 7. I watched the anime for these two arcs and was pretty jaded with Long Ring Long Land due to foxy being foxy and the games in the anime feeling drawn out. The emphasis on the crew dynamic and family in that arc going into Water 7 is magnificent! its been over 10 years and I'm still in awe of Oda's craftmanship of themes and storytelling. Cannot wait for you to continue reading this story!
Thanks so much!
I love imagining that you're in the middle of Water 7/Ennies Lobby. Really enjoyed this video and already can't wait for more to come!
With these split kind of double arcs, it actually is really cool to have a midway video. If you had gone through Ennies Lobby it's be tough to go back and report how you felt at this time.
Now the balls rolling! I'm so invested that I want to go through every comment in every video to prevent spoilers.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad that anyone gets joy from a video I've made. In turn, I'm so grateful for the wonderful comments here like yours! This kind of enriching engagement is why I started a channel.
What I ride, I teared up when he talked about Robins love for the crew... damn she just gets me every time. She is too precious, my fav char of all time
She’s beautiful!
I really like to see someone sharing their thoughts from a perspective of being much more aware of theme and metaphor and symbolism when diving into one piece. Especially because of how goofy the beginning is, it's easy to miss how much is really there. Hell, I was about 15 when I first started reading one piece, and there are things I absolutely missed the first time around that you're catching, like the symbolism of Merry as a family in turmoil instead of just losing a home and a lifestyle.
If you get the chance, and have someone else who can find it for you so they can dodge spoilers, the sniper king song in the anime is one of the funniest gags in the show that doesn't translate super well to the manga. The whole thing is inspired by older japanese hero shows like the original Goranger.
Absolutely do not go looking for it yourself, but if you have a friend willing to it's a great little bit of comedy to see.
I watched the Sniper King song, and it was brilliantly hysterical! Cheers!
I'm really glad you're liking one piece! Can't wait for future arc/saga reviews
Thank you! I'm very happy to be reading this beautiful story, especially as I happen to be reading some books that are a bit depressing, and One Piece is my happy place!
This is where I fall off the cruise with you - I just finished the Water 7 arc myself today. I’ll catch up as I finish the future arcs, and we will all see the One Piece together one day.
Sounds like a plan! Until then!
Another great one! On your point about foreshadowing; it’s become a meme within the community because Oda is so good at it. He doesn’t do the “unexplainable mystical event to make the world seem bigger” very often, feel free to question the stranger aspects! Your next analysis is my most anticipated so far!
Thanks so much! I’m excited for Enies Lobby!
Man, I’ve been pumped about this review since I saw your community post! As always, fantastic video!
Thank you! I appreciate you watching!
Great video! I'm glad to see how much you enjoyed one of my favorite One Piece arcs. Franky is a great character, I especially find it fascinating how after Tom's death he decided to only build on himself. He wants to continue his passion of building weapons but now he has this fear of them being used to harm his loved ones again, by building the weapons on himself he ensures that nobody else can use them. I also love his interactions with Usopp, their conversation about Merry is my personal favorite moment from the arc. I can't wait to see what you think of Enies Lobby! As much as i love Water 7 I think Enies Lobby is even better, it's a fan favorite for a very good reason.
I’m so excited for Enies Lobby!
My wife and i watch your videos about One Piece RELIGIOUSLY
That makes me happy to hear that you watch them together! My very best to you both!
[Franky voice] SUPER! glad to see this video up today.
Some necessary context about why Long Ring Long Land is so hated beyond Foxy not being a beloved villain: those of us who started with the anime got a much longer version of the Davy Back Fight, and the anime's added scenes don't add or change much; they just pad out the arc. That said, the themes at play and the mystery of the island itself (what's in that inner ring, if sea levels have risen so much?) are still neat foreshadowing for what's to come. I can't wait to see your thoughts on Enies Lobby!
The Davy Back in the manga was the perfect length! Thank you so much for watching and adding your insights -- so much appreciated!
To comment on the arc itself - This is really where we finally see that the actions the crew takes have consequences. Yes they've affected change in the world, but the crew more or less was fine after each adventure. Water 7 is where we start to see that the crew isn't immortal, isn't infallible, and that in order to succeed they will have to come together, battle through pain and loss, in order to come out triumphant. It's a fantastic raising of the stakes of the world where Oda finally takes the kid gloves off.
Also, Franky's explanation to Usopp of how the Merry took them to Water 7, and continuing to try and push the ship would only be doing harm was so powerful.
Beautifully said!
LETS GO! Love your deep discussions on One Piece. You bring a very unique voice to the discussion that is incredibly welcome in the community ❤
Thank you for such kind words! I deeply appreciate your support and the generosity of so many One Piece fans. It reflects well on the series!
Man I just recently started one piece for the first time ever too! (I can’t get into the anime haha) and wow you mirror a lot my thoughts as I read this arc recently
Cool! I just finished the entire Water 7 Saga, and I sure have thoughts. Best wishes for your One Piece journey!
Midway through the video comment: It's so interesting hearing the opinions and theories on One Piece from someone who's seemingly so spoiler-free that they're not even aware of the future crew members
The finale of the next arc and in general some scenes are great in the anime, definitely worth checking out.
Great video as always, looking forward to the next one
Thanks so much! I'll have to check out some of those anime scenes!
words can't express how happy i am to see someone be able to experience one piece blind. I've been trying to get my friends to read it, but they arent willing to dedicate so much time, so youre almost like a substitute for seeing someone go through it blind. For lack of better words, you're like a guinea pig that all the commenters are watching LOL.
I actually always liked the Long ring long land, i thought it was a nice goofy cooldown from the skypiea arc, i thought the whole afro luffy bit was funny aswell. And people also do theorize that Long ring long land's themes and some of it's plot points may be important later on in the story cause they argue that oda wouldn't put it in there for no reason. I'm not sure if I subscribe to that bit 100%, but an interesting thing to think about maybe.
Excited for what you have to say about Enies Lobby!
I am a happy guinea pig! Thanks so much for watching, and I hope your friends will give One Piece a try someday -- they are missing something wonderful here!
Loved your thoughts on Skypiea and G-8 so seeing you enter one of the best arcs in the story make me feel nothing but excited for you. Eines Lobby is one of my favorite follow up arcs in the series. Hope your experience will as good as mine Mr. Chase
Thank you so much! I deeply appreciate the kind wishes!
Franky's introduction episode was my first ever interaction with one piece, I had been in Middle School and one of my friends got me into an anime that is still one of my favorites to this day, whenever I would go over to his house and hang out over the weekend we would stay up and watch Toonami but being that we were younger we would always fall asleep well before the 3:00 a.m. slot where they would usually rerun one piece at; years later I had been in high school and My parents started paying for Dish again, being that I was older and still into anime I thought it was awesome because it felt like a more authentic experience than just looking things up on my phone or getting shown a new show at school, I remember kind of falling asleep for a little while and woke up to the crowd booing telling Franky to leave and listening to his whole spiel about how cool he was just to get it revealed that he's this awkwardly proportioned near naked pompadour wearing eccentric fire breathing cyborg guy and with as wacky as him as a character alone was it had me hooked and from that point on I watched the rest of water 7, enies lobby, and thriller bark every single Saturday night filler and all and it was amazing I refused to look up anything else about the show on my phone because I didn't want to I didn't want to ruin the weekly experience and the tension that it was building and in doing that probably created one of my most favorite experiences with anime that now with us being as technologically advanced as we are and as dependent on my phone as I am nowadays I just don't have the ability to recreate that personally so that's a treasured memory
Beautiful memories! Also, Franky is gloriously cool in his unique way!
your average one piece fan's push to make other enjoy it convinces me we generally do love spreading joy
That is so true!
Love your through on averything it's really cool seeing your reaction can wait for you to read the reste of it
Thank you for watching and commenting!
I'm just gonna say, you should do a summary/self react video after you are caught up with the manga, of your opinions and interpretations during this journey. It will be fun for you to look back, as we find fun watching the reactions and comments of someone that's taking this journey for the first time.
That’s an excellent idea! Thanks!
I liked what you were saying about the scary-factor of the excuse for justice. At the end of Enies Lobby, I would love to hear your take on the CP9 members/Spandem.
I look forward to getting there! All the best!
English teachers/Professors reading and reacting to One Piece has been my favorite form of content recently. And I'm happy to have found another one
Will be watching the rest of them to catch up and wait for more
I’m glad the video is enjoyable for you! Thank you for watching!
20:05 just to expand on this, Nami's love of money isn't just for the sake of it but because she assosciates money with freedom. Her backstory in mind, she views having money as being the main way she can protect those she loves and how she can be free of control. So Usopp being attacked because he had money? Unquestionable she would care more about Usopp than the money. It's a reocurring trait in Nami that you'll see more of in the future.
Great point! I am glad you expanded on this!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyMelonTee's channel has great analysis of characters and themes of One Piece, but they are full of spoilers.
Don't spoil him mate. Let him analyze and understand the story. Let those character grow on you. On that note, Nami is sobbing when they fight because they lost the money. Nami loves money. Period.
I always read Usopp not being able to let go of the merry as a sign of his insecurities boiling over. If you can say goodbye to your nakama so easily then what's stopping you from cutting me loose. This new world is crazy, you're all monsters and I couldn't even keep this ship from falling apart. The ship that they got because of him, his claim to relevancy. He protects himself from what he thinks is inevitably going to happen to him. I cried when luffy vs usopp happened, great stuff.
That’s a great take on Usopp!
Man, I love this Saga so much. My top 5 saga in one piece:
1. Summit-War Saga
2. Water 7 Saga
3. The Final Saga (current saga)
4. WCI Saga
5. Dressrosa Saga
Can't wait for you to get some of this sagas, sir!
Thank you! 🙏
So quick point about Aokiji coz there’s some details that are going to get very confusing if you don’t fully understand what’s happening there. (No spoilers)
Aokiji is not his name, it’s more like his call sign. Each of them has a colour + animal in Japanese. So Aokiji is Blue bird (specifically pheasant). I can’f remember if his actual name has been mentioned at this stage yet.
Also when “AO” starts a Japanese word, it’s usually a diphthong pronounced similar to the word “ow” in English.
Thank you! I’m in Enies Lobby now and have come across his actual name. A very interesting character!
Love to see how you're picking up on Oda's parallels! He loves to use them and he uses them really well and they get better the longer the series goes!
He’s very skilled at this!
An interesting bit of world building is the tides receding on Long Ring Long Land aligns with the Aqua Laguna seen at Water 7.
I love that detail!
I will catch this later, so much Op content. Its Peak.
See you then!
Really enjoy your takes. Not many people take their time to actually read and think so in depth on One piece the first time reading, most readers go through it at a lightning speed and then only after finishing the manga and crave more go back for a more in depth read.
I’m happy that you find the videos enjoyable! The encouragement really helps, so thank you!
In regards to Franky, I believe the more accurate term you're looking for is shipwright.. I'm a carpenter and we do not know how to build ships 😂 Though Franky does do about every type of trades-work under the sun, including carpentry.
Correct! The word Luffy uses in the translation I’m reading is “carpenter,” so someone should explain this to Luffy - or the translator. Cheers!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Haha probably the translator, wouldn't be the first time.