[mod--soul]

I think, I have a new favourite song ...

Pray to the Sun from the One Piece Live Action credits is just amazing!

Not just musically, but as someone who is up to date with the Manga it get's an extra layer of epicness.

Pretty sure, this will play in a loop for a while ...

P.S. The other credit songs too are fascinating, especially the Tony Tony Chopper one, while whimsy it is also very deep. But not as epic ...

[mod--soul]

I do enjoy the occasional One Piece meta - if it's not riddled with spoilers for chapters that haven't even been officially released yet - but some of the Reels on Instagram that are highlighting aspects of fights and what not have made musical choices that leave me wondering ...

I don't know if it's the same account or different ones I've encountered, but I cannot take anything in the Reel seriously once I recognize the music: ABBA.

They choose (re-mixes of?) ABBA songs for One Piece action sequences ...

I have questions ... I'm not sure I actually want the answers ... ^^'

[mod--soul]

I want to "yell" (aka take it apart narratively, visually and metaphorically ...) about current One Piece chapters but none of the people in my vicinity are up to date XD

About

how frustrating Harald is

how "everyone" keeps saying the flashback was all Loki's words, when clearly the general flashback narrator took over just after he started at the point we now returned to

how Loki's horn got damaged after he destroyed his birth mother's home village

how no one ever asked Loki "What happened?" and just assumed everything was his fault

God Valley and the Rocks Pirates

and probably much more that I've already "forgotten" because I have to wait for them to catch up ...

So if anyone else needs someone to "yell" with, feel free to hit me up. XD

[mod--soul]

For some reason while (re-)reading Dressrosa (chapter 714) I did not notice what I did when watching the BOLD Cast One Piece Reacts to the Anime episode (644):

Doflamingo has a submarine!

Giolla arrives at the Thousand Sunny with a submarine that looks earily similar to the Polar Tang:

Though, I don't seem to be the only one forgetting this, as I do not recall ever seeing a Fanfiction or Fanart depicting the Hearts fleeing from Doffy's submarine.

Or maybe it was only recently finished, a prototype, and before it could go after the Hearts the Strawhat's (Nami in the Anime, Off-Screen in the Manga, at least I didn't find a similar scene) destroyed it.

Well, I for one am certain that the Tang would outrun, outmaneuver and outgun it any day. B)

[mod--soul]

The Law-Novel has officially been published in German and it is beautiful!

They also removed the error in the blurb (Penguin and Shachi being Bepos "Schergen" aka minions instead of tormentors) that sparked the idea for our Fanfiction "Gentle Heart".

New blurb:

Nachdem er Corazon verloren hat, besiegt Law mit der Operationsfrucht seine Hakuen-Krankheit. Auf der Insel Swallow im North Blue begegnet er Bepo, Shachi und Penguin. Die Erzählungen aus Trafalgar Laws Jugend handeln von seiner Freundschaft mit einem Erfinder von der Insel, einer Schwalbe, die über das Meer fliegt, einer sagenumwobenen Schatzlegende und schließlich der Gründung der Heart-Piratenbande.

(After he had lost Corazon, Law defeated his Amber Lead Diseases with the Ope Ope No Mi. On the island of Swallow in the North Blue he meets Bepo, Shachi and Penguin. This tale from Trafalgar Laws youth is about his friendship with an inventor from the island, a swallow that flies across the ocean, a legendary treasure and eventually the forming of the Heart Pirates.)

I don't know if this was the special feature of the first edition, but it also has fold-ins, one of which seems to be a bookmark that you can remove from it.

The chapter covers also include Manga-panels, from what I saw when skimming through no new art unfortunately.

Other than that am I delighted to see that they did not change the starting lines of the story: Ich will nicht sterben. Ich kann nicht sterben. (I don't want to die. I can't die.)

I also find it interesting, that Oda is actually listed as author, which I can't remember being the case in other novels. Maybe this is indeed as canon, as a lot of us have assumed it as.

Can't wait to dive into this, haven't been this excited about a new book in while!

[mod--soul]

For any One Piece - especially Heart Pirates - fans who consider if they should ever travel to Germany (because Oda says Law would be German in our world): I just spent the last two weeks to basically go on one "pirate"-adventure after the other.

But let me explain:

Northern Germany, in this case Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the north east, has a rich naval history thanks to the Hanse (14th century trade union) and the most famous privateer (Freibeuter - I've also seen free booter as translation): Klaus Störtebeker.

The latter of which results in several "pirate"-themed activities: exhibitions ("Pirates - Myths and Reality" newly opened in the Schifffahrtsmuseum in Rostock with a fun treassure hunt), mini-golf and even shows!

The Störtebeker Festspiele (Störtebeker Festival) and the Piraten (Pirate) Open Air are fun open air shows including open water harbour scenes and lots of explosions with a continuing story lines - Störtebeker starting anew with the retelling of his life-story with new actors every few years and ending with his on-stage beheading, POA had a 20 year long story line that ends this season and starts fresh next year. Though, those are only in German I'm afraid.

In addition to that you have tons of really nice locations for cosplay shots at the Baltic Sea (there is a bay that is actually called "Pirate Bay" where Störtebeker was said to have stored his treasures) and different ship tours you can take around harbours and islands.

And as a Heart Pirate fan you also have to chance to visit TWO submarines! There is a British one on the isle of Rügen (aptly named "Pirate Island" as it is the supposed birth place of Störtebeker) in Sassnitz and a Russian one on the isle of Usedom in Peenemünde - right around the corner of a fun "museum" where you can do LOTS of experiments (they don't have English descriptions, but most of it is fairly intuitive - just beware the school children that will turn the noise of the place up several volumes ...)! There you can see how tiny real life submarines actually were. And as long as the Russian one is still available (there is a conflict between owner and habour, as far as I know) you can see the difference between them as that one is actually kind of spacy in comparisson.

I could probably give you even more examples and tips of what to do and see, but that is up to individual preferences. So if you are interested in exploring this and have questions, let me know. :)

[mod--soul]

I recently read a post declaring that Disney wants to change the narrative of The Mandalorian and Grogu to add more screentime for Pedro Pascal - I'm probably late to the party to comment on this and I won't be the last person to do so, but I just have to get those thoughts out of my head.

To me, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Cash > Story

With Pascal's current popularity it seems this decision is solely based on the wish to add him to the cash cow formular, that as already been constantly milked by using Grogu more often than was necessary in the plot.

I've commented on my thoughts about the narrative flaws (from a writer's perspective) in The Book of Boba Fett (here, here and here, also technically here), but seeing that they want to actively change the way Din's relationship to his helmet is portrayed, irks me.

We've spent so much time with him both comming to terms with having lost his status as a Mandalorian and fighting tooth and nail to get it back, that it would not make sense for him to break what he has regained right away. Trying to see if anyone commented on here about it already, I was remined of the Armorer's words regarding Bo Katan and I truly do not wish for Din to go down a "If she can do it, why can't I?" road. That would not be in tune with how the character was portrayed so far.

The only way I would personally agree to see Din's face is, if the movie included domestic scenes - and the creed a loophole regading foundlings - where he completely closes off their hut to have dinner with Grogu or sleep. Everything else would be an insult to the character.

I mean, the armor, the helmet, IS the essence of the character. The anonymity, the calm voice threatening the next target or gently negotiating something. Constantly taking off the helmet would take away from that.

Side anecdote from a recent (comic) book fair: There was a cosplayer wearing gorgeous medieval-like Mandalorian armor and non of us cared about the person underneath as we were all too awed by the craftsmenship and design, but also by the way they carried themselves. And I have a feeling that that is how the average being in Star Wars perceives a Mandalorian. This aloof, stern and efficient being capable of killing them all ...

Let's not destroy that by completely breaking the narrative ...

[lesbianwyllravengard]

hey uh new type of ao3 spam comment just dropped. (I know it's spam because the fic they left this comment on . doesn't have chapters. lmfao). Report this kinda comment as spam and don't take it personally it is literally recycled bullshit

[lesbianwyllravengard]

Also y'all this really ties into how impactful comments are and why it's so encouraged to leave comments and leave NICE ones. If I hadn't known this was spam, and if I'd gotten this on my currently-updating fic, it would've crushed me and likely convinced me to never update again. Adversely, even one nice comment from someone is enough to motivate me to write and share more. If you read a fic you liked, tell the author that! If you're reading an unfinished fic, leave a comment to say you're excited for more, or comment throughout chapters even! It really is so easy and quick to do, and it's not only nice but it can also completely alter a writer's motivation and inspiration

[drgrlfriend]

Fanfic writers, please be aware that for some reason having bots spam fics with negative comments is a thing now. Not sure what anyone gets out of spreading misery, but just know it's not anything to do with your fic. I got one that was like, "This fic is a delight ... just kidding, it's unfunny and tedious." It was very clearly unrelated to the content of the fic but for someone else it might have been heartbreaking.

[clotpolesonly]

what i've heard about this sort of thing is that fics that have been deleted are harder to prove the provenance of, thus making them easier and safer for AI generators to scrape for their data sets

they're trying to encourage you to delete/orphan your fics so you can no longer prove that they're YOURS

[almightyrawks]

Signal boost for all writers in my network. If the comment mentions no specific details about your fic, assume it's a bot post, delete it, and keep writing your great works. Also tell your friends about this and let's keep our space on AO3 as awesome as it is.

[mod--soul]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Ao no Exorcist | Blue Exorcist Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Okumura Rin & Mephisto Pheles, Okumura Yukio & Mephisto Pheles, Amaimon & Mephisto Pheles (Ao no Exorcist), Okumura Rin & Okumura Yukio & Mephisto Pheles Characters: Mephisto Pheles (Ao no Exorcist), Amaimon (Ao no Exorcist), Okumura Rin, Okumura Yukio, Kirigakure Shura Additional Tags: Bad Luck, Crack Treated Seriously, Canon Compliant Summary:

"Do you have any idea how much I would like to rip you all apart right now?" He threatened, his demonic powers all but flowing through the room. "I see, so even demons can get bad luck on Friday the 13th." Yukio concluded unfazed.

[Re-Upload from Fanfiction.net]

---

An old story, edited a little for my 42nd upload - and Friday 13th.

[ask-games-from-a-weird-girl]

Fanfic asks - for the askers

Basically, it's a fanfic asks with a twist - because now it's the askers who answer the questions and send them to YOU! Mostly to give you some love about your writing! Giving you some well deserved ego boost! <3

So, askers - pick a number, or several numbers, to answer in ask boxes that you send to your fic author!

My favorite fic of yours

My favorite chapter in my favorite fic of yours

The best character you've written for

The best ship you've written for

A fic I haven't read yet from you, but I want to

Something I remember vividly from reading one of your fics

What made me the most emotional after reading

What I like the most about your writing

A fic i'm excited for you updating/posting

A character/ship I didn't enjoy/think about as much before you wrote about them

Something I wish/hope you write

A fic of yours that i've re-read

If i've ever shared/talked about your fic to someone else

A fic I didn't expect to like so much

A question I have about one of your fics

[mod--soul]

Chapters: 3/? Fandom: One Piece (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Heart Pirates & Original Character(s), Bepo & Penguin & Shachi & Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo & Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo & Penguin & Shachi, Heart Pirates & Trafalgar D. Water Law Characters: Bepo (One Piece), Trafalgar D. Water Law, Shachi (One Piece), Penguin (One Piece), Original Characters, Heart Pirates Additional Tags: Crack Treated Seriously, Mafia Boss!Bepo, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting Summary:

Beings in need knew they would always find open ears with Gentle Bepo, though was what he did charity or was his organization a mafia that used those who wronged him for spare parts?

Or

Bepo runs a charity, but everone thinks it's a mafia organization, not least because of his "enforcer" Law.

---

Alternative first meeting of the core Hearts in the Mafia Boss!Bepo AU

[mod--soul]

Chapters: 4/4 Fandom: One Piece (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Heart Pirates & Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo & Penguin & Shachi & Trafalgar D. Water Law Characters: Trafalgar D. Water Law, Penguin (One Piece), Shachi (One Piece), Bepo (One Piece), Ikkaku (One Piece), Uni (One Piece) Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Flevance (One Piece), Amber Lead Syndrome, Trust, Telling the truth, Protective Heart Pirates, Heart Pirates as Family, Post Winners Island, Heart Pirates Over the Years Summary:

Trafalgar Law trusts his crew with his deepest secrets - and they trust him to rebuild.

Or: Moments of Law being honest and vulnerable with his crew and a potential aftermath of their defeat at Winners Island.

[mod--soul]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 3/4 Fandom: One Piece (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Heart Pirates & Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo & Penguin & Shachi & Trafalgar D. Water Law Characters: Trafalgar D. Water Law, Penguin (One Piece), Shachi (One Piece), Bepo (One Piece), Ikkaku (One Piece), Uni (One Piece) Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Flevance (One Piece), Amber Lead Syndrome, Trust, Telling the truth, Protective Heart Pirates, Heart Pirates as Family, Post Winners Island, Heart Pirates Over the Years Summary:

Trafalgar Law trusts his crew with his deepest secrets - and they trust him to rebuild.

Or: Moments of Law being honest and vulnerable with his crew and a potential aftermath of their defeat at Winners Island.

[mod--soul]

Chapters: 2/4 Fandom: One Piece (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Heart Pirates & Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo & Penguin & Shachi & Trafalgar D. Water Law Characters: Trafalgar D. Water Law, Penguin (One Piece), Shachi (One Piece), Bepo (One Piece), Ikkaku (One Piece), Uni (One Piece) Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Flevance (One Piece), Amber Lead Syndrome, Trust, Telling the truth, Protective Heart Pirates, Heart Pirates as Family, Post Winners Island, Heart Pirates Over the Years Summary:

Trafalgar Law trusts his crew with his deepest secrets - and they trust him to rebuild.

Or: Moments of Law being honest and vulnerable with his crew and a potential aftermath of their defeat at Winners Island.

[mod--soul]

Chapters: 1/4 Fandom: One Piece (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Heart Pirates & Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo & Penguin & Shachi & Trafalgar D. Water Law Characters: Trafalgar D. Water Law, Penguin (One Piece), Shachi (One Piece), Bepo (One Piece), Ikkaku (One Piece), Uni (One Piece) Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Flevance (One Piece), Amber Lead Syndrome, Trust, Telling the truth, Protective Heart Pirates, Heart Pirates as Family, Post Winners Island, Heart Pirates Over the Years Summary:

Trafalgar Law trusts his crew with his deepest secrets - and they trust him to rebuild.

Or: Moments of Law being honest and vulnerable with his crew and a potential aftermath of their defeat at Winners Island.

[mod--soul]

One Piece "Training Arc" thoughts - contains Elbaph Spoilers up to chapter 1139

With the appearance of Scopper G(y)aban a lot of speculation is floating around that Elbaph will conclude in another training arc for Luffy and I keep thinking, that there is another lesson Luffy needs to learn in order to go against the Gorosei - that is, if he even wants to, but more on that later.

The current thesis is that Scopper will teach Luffy a new Haki technique and so far it was enough to defeat someone stronger to crush their dreams. Heck, I believe even Oda commented in the SBS that Luffy doesn't kill because letting them live with shattered dreams is far more devastating.

What if the lesson Luffy needs to learn is: Not all dreams can be broken?

I keep circling back to Loki and the Harley "graffiti". It is becoming more and more apparent that the reason for Loki's imprissonment got muddled, that it's not all it seems to be. King Harold wanted to "bridge the gap between Elbaph and the rest of the world", which could technically mean to make Elbaph a World Government affiliated nation. What if Loki wanted to prevent that from happening to protect Elbaph from being exploited by the WG? And in order to do so, because the peace loving warrior king would not listen, he had to wreck devastation amongst his own people. Because the dream of unifying Elbaph with the rest of the world could not be broken by words or fists. It needed a more permanent solution.

So far all of Luffy's opponents are still alive - even Kaidou is marked as "unknown" as last we've seen him, he was chatting with Big Mom in a lava pool - but the Gorosei won't stop after that. Worse even: As they seem to hold some kind of immortality they might just wait for Luffy & Co. to die and start the whole thing from scratch again. Who's going to stop them when everyone thinks they're in a time of peace?

So what if the lesson Luffy needs to learn in Elbaph (from Loki) is that sometimes to accomplish your goal, you need to kill your emeny.

Which brings me back to my thought from the beginning: Does Luffy even want to fight the Gorosei?

If the mural and the Harley are a portrayal of what's to come, who is to say that Luffy will actually do it? He is a character that defies expectations left, right and center, never follows plans and does whatever he feels like doing. Oda set him up to only be motivated by personal connection, if there isn't a person he cares about involved, the problem doesn't really matter to him. And so far I do not see him following any kind of prophecy (plan/path laid out for him).

Fighting the Holy Knight's to protect the children of Elbaph? Sure. Protecting Vivi from whatever the WG throws at her? Bring it on!

Go against them because they are controlling/manipulatin/ruling the world in a horrible way? Nah. Why should he? It's not his battle.

He'd rather become the King of the Pirates and be the freest person ever.

[mod--soul]

Some thoughts about the reactions to the newest One Piece chapter (1137) ...

I find it utterly fascinating that a lot of people go around claiming "Twin-Shanks has been confirmed".

But it hasn't been?

Like, I have either missed something essential (and please, do inform me if I did!) or they all are jumping to conclusions without it being explicitedly stated.

Because, right now, all we know is:

The leader of the Holy/God's Knights shares a face with Shanks

He is a Figarland

He is the son of Figarland Garling

None of those confirm, that Shanks is his twin. It is heavily implied that they are related, but that is all there is. So far.

Shanks might as well be a cousin, younger/older brother - or a clone, but as Stussy was claimed to be the first successful clone and much later than Shanks' birth, that theory is not as likely.

At this point it is obvious that Shanks has Figarland blood, but we still don't know to what extend. As we have also learned with Hajrudin this chapter there are illegemate children. What if that parallel is not unintentional? What if Shanks is the child of A Figarland (maybe Garlings' twin/sibling?) and been outcast for being a crossbreed (conceived with a slave/non-noble?)?

The current theory is that he was found by Roger in God's Valley, right? What if he was one of the other prices because they did not want to sully their name/blood with a bastard? (Which considering Garling was sure to win the Hunt, would imply that he would win his nephew/whatever and could do whatever he wanted to him - keep him as a slave even?)

But all of that is still speculation and we won't know until Shamrock meets someone who recognizes his likeness and calls him out on it.

I'm curious how things will connect.