One Piece Rewatch Episodes 976-980
They changed the opening a little bit now to introduce the Tobi Roppo and Yamato. I particularly loved how Black Maria looked. Maybe I'm just biased because she fought Robin, and their fight was hot, but I thought she stood out. I love how the episode is called 20 years later back to the present or whatever, yet we still start the episode in the past. Orochi can't feel how hot the water is, Kawamatsu is being best dad, and we finally get an explanation for the Kyoshiro/Denjiro connection. This I can at least comment on. He's also Ushimitsu Kozo. The one who's been stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Thanks @chromatic-lamina for reminding me. Here it is! So much going on in Wano. Anyway... Kyoshiro is Denjiro. He was just so mad after Oden's execution and Toki's death that he scrunched his face until it ended up looking like that permanently. I remember I already knew before the reveal in the manga. There were some hints. The biggest hint was that he didn't really kill Komurasaki/Hiyori. Why would he do that if he was truly so loyal to Orochi? Also, the fact that he was actually able to go toe to toe with Zoro because I'm sorry, but Orochi's people suck. Kaido's people are the only reason Orochi is still in power. It makes sense how his plot with Hiyori worked too because she knew who he was all along. He told her as soon as he found her after she ran away from Kawamatsu. They devised a plan for her to always carry some blood in case anything ever happened with Orochi, and she needed to disappear. Hiyori also gets some redemption here because we find out that she has been giving the money she gets from simps over to Kyoshiro to give back to the poor as Ushimitsu Kozo. The rest of the episode is recap, which is getting annoying. I'm not gonna lie. Wano is full of recap episodes, recaps WITHIN episodes, and flashbacks. We get a bit of a hint as to who the traitor might be here, but other than that... recap. I understand the need for them, especially for the animation team to get some breaks, but does it mess with the flow of the content? Yes, it does. I feel like I can say that now as someone who has watched these episodes both week to week and on more of a binge. I feel like it's inevitable with something as long as One Piece though. The only somewhat plausible solution would be for the anime to go seasonal for the final saga.
We finally get back to the actual present time, with Kinemon calling everyone before the scabbards board the small fishing boat against Momonosuke's wishes. As they begin to lament their plan being seemingly foiled again, they start to speculate on who the traitor could be. Kanjuro is over here crying and saying he agrees with Kiku. He is awful. It's both maddening but also funny in a way. Finally, when Kinemon starts to question his leadership, he comes out with it. I love his lone grin against the black background. That was a nice touch by Toei. I also do love Kanjuro for clowning the scabbards for thinking that Law had betrayed them. He specifically reminded them of that. Thank you, Kanjuro. Fuck you, but also thank you. When Kinemon goes to slice him, they realize that the one on the boat is just an ink clone. However, it is too late because Kanjuro swiftly makes a move to take Momonosuke from Shinobu. Serves her right for doubting Law. Then, in comes Law to save who? The scabbards. I always love to see how the Polar Tang surfaces. It reminds me of the Flying Dutchman in Pirates of the Caribbean. Also, that panel of the three captains goes to Law, both in the anime and the manga, but particularly in the manga. The lines and shading on Law were 10/10.
I love how Kiku sees Law save their little boat and goes, "You made good on your promise and returned! Thank you, sir Law." Thank you, Kiku. You're lovely, but there's something else y'all need to say to Law right now. Two words with a contraction, three without. We're sorry, or we are sorry. Either would be much appreciated. We get an explanation for the survival of the Sunny after the bombing. In the manga, it was just a panel. Here, we get a full flashback explaining that the straw hats were there when the bombing happened so only the sails were destroyed and had to be repaired. Franky also gets to go on about the Sunny and how strong it is, which we love because he built this ship all the way back in Water 7. Kinemon tells Luffy that their plan has been leaked and apologizes to him, and I'm just over here thinking... alright, Kinemon now turn around and apologize to Law too. The Heart Pirates come to his rescue later on to slice some cannon balls, and we learn that they see the whole thing as their own failure. Partially, this is true, but I still think they are trustworthy and should have been trusted by the alliance. Still, they vow to protect Law this time. This hits a little harder for me knowing what we know about them now. Ugh. They must all feel awful. I loved the reactions to the Big Mom and Kaido alliance, particularly Kid and Chopper's. With Kid, it's because he has no idea why Big Mom would be here, and it's all Luffy's fault. With Chopper, it's because he said no more Olin, and it reminded me of him singing Jolene, "Olin, Olin, Olin, Oliiiiiiiiiiiiin!!!" Luffy, Law, and Kid then lose all of their brain cells and start competing with each other to attack first, attack best, sink ships first, anything goes. I love them. I love how Law is like... Room is faster in the rain. What a showoff. I love him. ❤️
"Boss Kyoshiro" comes in on his ship, and everybody thinks he's against the alliance until he slices one of Kaido's ships. Zoro was bracing himself too. He reveals he's Denjiro and shows his face again. Then, he also reveals that he freed the imprisoned Samurai, giving the alliance more numbers. I love his eagerness when explaining Kinemon's "genius" plan to fool the traitor. He really thinks Kinemon understood Yasuie's initial message and THEN came up with another one to fool the traitor. Truth is, Kinemom really did think that the snake now looked like a lizard and just went with that. He forgot all about "Hato" and "Wharf" and how Yasuie loved looking at the trees there and whatnot. The rest of the scabbards knew though. They were quick to be like... just admit you made a mistake it's all good. Lol at Kiku quoting Bob Ross, "What a happy accident!"
As Kanjuro is flying away with Momo on his very well drawn bird, I just want to take a moment to remember poor Ryunosuke. This bitch Kanjuro really could've drawn him at least a little better so he wouldn't suffer the climb with the straw hats aboard. Where is Robin right now? She needs to come avenge her baby. And yes.. I'm aware that she loved Ryunosuke as he was, but still... I'm pretty sure she's thinking that Kanjuro could've done more to make him cute, but functional! Robin should've been the one to defeat Kanjuro for this alone tbh. Anyway... the first half of this episode is pretty much all Kanjuro teasing and throwing ink needles, Momo crying about the teasing, and everybody defending against the needles. Shoutout to Sanji in particular for taking care of Nami. Shinobu apologizes to Kinemon for letting Kanjuro take Momo. She really could've just turned around and apologized to Law while she was at it. I suppose this opportunity was missed by Momonosuke finally making a bold statement, which was much needed for the morale of the samurai. Luffy completely ruins the moment by pretty much calling Momo a little bitch with a top knot. It was hilarious. The reaction from the Samurai was also funny until they realized that Luffy meant it as encouragement for Momo. We go back to the sub, where Law is rightfully telling the scabbards to get off, to which they just respond by saying that they will behave. No, no, no... y'all know what y'all need to say now, come on. Then, this opportunity to apologize gets interrupted by the Beast Pirates sinking all the Samurai ships. Furthermore, we get hints of Jimbei helping them underwater, and then we hear, "Fishman Karate!" This was so hype that I'll forgive the scabbards for not apologizing to Law yet again. Plus, this is how Luffy finds out that Jimbei did survive Big Mom, and we did see him worrying about it some episodes ago. I have to say though... so many missed opportunities here. Jimbei reintroducing himself as "First Son of the Sea" is so great. I loved Kid and Law with their big and salty reactions. Also, this is the episode where Robin makes her dead child at sea joke. Love her. ❤️
