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[Trevelyon]

Spoiler

Is there anything in any of the upcoming episodes or manga to suggest why that character, "Dragon" saved Luffy and who he is? And on the trip to Little Garden, Nami was reading the newspaper and saw something but she never revealed what... What was it?

Spoiler

Nami was reading about the 300, 000 Imperial guards who defected to the rebel army & how the rebellion in Arabasta was starting to gain momentum. She didn't want alarm Vivi, so she kept it secret, until of course Vivi found out for herself.

Dragon is abit of a mystery, not much is known about him, except that he trying to incite an uprising against the world goverment. Theory is that he has some sort of attachment to Gold Roger, some say he was a former crew member, that's why he's interested in Luffy. No one knows for sure why he saved Luffy in Loguetown, but I'm sure Oda has something very interesting planned for Dragon in the grand scheme of things.

 

[MetatronM]

That just might have been the best episode in the whole series (so far).

 

[Crazymoogle]

That just might have been the best episode in the whole series (so far).

Jeezus, you aren't kidding. I'm still not entirely sure about putting it past the strut episode, but god damn that was one brilliant piece of scripting and music. That kind of climax could have ended a series on the right note, and this was just a single arc.

If you ever wanted a reason why anime can sometimes excel over their manga counterparts, there you go.

Side note: If 4Kids ever makes it this far, I'll shed a tear in disgust. You can't replace the music in this episode. Period.

 

[MetatronM]

Jeezus, you aren't kidding. I'm still not entirely sure about putting it past the strut episode, but god damn that was one brilliant piece of scripting and music. That kind of climax could have ended a series on the right note, and this was just a single arc.

I was actually sitting here thinking to myself a minute ago that if the splash screen at the end said "The End" instead of "To Be Continued" I would be floored with how the series ended.

Fortunately for us, there's still tons more One Piece to go!

 

[Chrono]

So how much will Luffy's bounty be now that he wiped the floor with Crocodile.

I just hope they won't slow down the releases now that we're entering the filler episodes.... Bring on the next arc!

 

[GG-Duo]

Yay. Now you guys know why (I think) One Piece is the most cinematic Jump manga that I have ever read.
The ending to the Arabasta arc is perfect.

 

[Luscious LeftFoot]

So how much will Luffy's bounty be now that he wiped the floor with Crocodile.

Spoiler

100 Million

if memory serves...

 

[Belfast]

Yeah, time to bring on Skypiea. Its the one arc I haven't touched *at all* so far, so it should hold a good number of surprises for me. Of course I pick up details here and there from internet discussion, but I don't know much about the characters or specifics of the arc. As far as the manga goes, I just skipped it and went ahead to DBF and Water 7.

 

[Crazymoogle]

Yeah, time to bring on Skypiea. Its the one arc I haven't touched *at all* so far, so it should hold a good number of surprises for me. Of course I pick up details here and there from internet discussion, but I don't know much about the characters or specifics of the arc. As far as the manga goes, I just skipped it and went ahead to DBF and Water 7.

Skypiea is definitely the weakest arc in my opinion, but it also had a just a lot of plain bizarre stuff going on that I hope the anime can clarify through motion.

 

[Kiriku]

That just might have been the best episode in the whole series (so far).

That's exactly what I thought too.
I was simply in awe during the last 5-6 mins.

To be honest, I've found One Piece to be long-winded and boring a number of times. A nice way to pass time, something I watch when I have nothing to do. Entertaining, but not really an amazing series.
What I always wished for was something truly dramatic, where it becomes apparent how strong (in different ways) the main characters really are. Not save the kid, or save the small town from a bunch of clownish crooks. Not another sidestory that contributes absolutely nothing and repeats the main characters personalities until it's embarrassingly easy to predict what will happen next.

No, this is what I've always wanted to see in One Piece. A really cruel foe (without being overly silly!), very big things at stake, VERY dramatic battles (the kind of battles where Luffy and the gang actually has to push themselves to their limits). Also, the main characters were more charming than ever, I actually laughed out loud a number of times during the Arabasta arc...something I've rarely done before in One Piece.

The Arabasta arc was such a perfect change, because it was a change IMO, more intense and serious than ever, but still funny enough to keep the humorous flair at a perfect balance with the action and drama. I hope this is an indication of how One Piece will be from now on, more epic. One of the best anime series "right now".

 

[Belfast]

Well, every pirate needs to build a reputation. That's where a lot of the "save the small village" stuff came around, not to mention many of them were intimately tied to exploring characters' pasts. The Grand Line was always where the meat of the series was and, if you really think about it, this episode was the culmination of everything since hitting Whiskey Peak. Arabasta is a long arc, yeah, but the saga behind it was much, much longer. They've battle with Baroque Works for at least 50 episodes at this point. And now....its over. From what I can tell, Skypiea is similar in its epic style, the tale of a people besieged by a false god, more or less. After that, the Davy Back Fight occurs. Its a nice, short interlude between the other major arcs. There's not so much melodrama, but there's a lot of humor, and you get to see verybody in top form once again. However, I believe that Water 7 will eventually blow everyone away once its animated. The twists, turns, characters, etc. show a real maturation in Oda's storytelling ability.

 

[GG-Duo]

Skypiea is definitely the weakest arc in my opinion, but it also had a just a lot of plain bizarre stuff going on that I hope the anime can clarify through motion.

I don't know about the anime, but the Skypiea arc was great manga form. Yeah, the pacing was very slow and weird in some parts, but once it got going it's pretty comparable to the other arcs.

And rest assured, the scope of these battles will get bigger and bigger. I mean, Croc was hired by the Government! Shit's gonna hit the fan!

 

[effzee]

Hye does anyone know the name of that music that played when Luffy started doing the storm attack? This episode was waaaaaay better than i ever imagined it would be and i think that music had a lot to do with it.

 

[Crazymoogle]

I don't know about the anime, but the Skypiea arc was great manga form. Yeah, the pacing was very slow and weird in some parts, but once it got going it's pretty comparable to the other arcs.

Well that's just it though,

Spoiler

Skypiea doesn't really have any story connection to the rest of the series yet. The Marines aren't in the picture, nor are any other characters relating to the main cast. There is a bit of Robin hinting and some more elaboration on how Luffy can do versus elemental Devil's Fruit users, but it really sags in moving the overall story along.

Unless I'm forgetting something?

 

[Trevelyon]

Hye does anyone know the name of that music that played when Luffy started doing the storm attack? This episode was waaaaaay better than i ever imagined it would be and i think that music had a lot to do with it.

Antonin Dvorak - Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"

Yeh, an absolutely beautiful piece of music & it was used so effectively.

 

[Mugen]

The epicness of episode 126 is just undeniable. The fucking score is so awesome that the episode felt like a movie. And I really like it when Luffy gets angry and open a can of whoopass. That's where the series shines when you get angry with him and expect him to give his all to kick EVERYONE's ass. Man what an awesome anime. Just a EPIC ending for an EPIC arc.

 

[Trevelyon]

A low quality scan of chapter 352 is up, no script translation as of yet.

Spoiler

A rather action packed chapter, CP9 infiltrates Franky's warehouse & attack the square sisters (<3 <3 <3 Calipha) Franky goes off his chops & attacks Blueno, only to be brushed aside easily by Lucci. A quick flashback to Tom entrusting the blueprints to Iceburg/ Kati, meanwhile Cipher Pol. continue combing the warehouse for the Pluton blueprints.

The chapter finishes up with a revealing picture of Tom's Workers, with a young Kokoro, Franky, Iceburg, Yokozuna (the frog who attacks the Puffing Tom at the start of Water 7) &... Tom himself, who appears to be a merman of some sort.

I can't wait for the next chapter.

 

[Belfast]

Spoiler

Yeah, I'm expecting a flashback soon! And flashbacks usually indicate new crew members.......

 

[Draff]

Ah, thanks for the responses. I guess I should have just continued watching. I must say that this series is very good. I can't believe I was limiting myself to Naruto this whole time. I prefer the scripting in this series.

Way too many sad events though.

 

[Belfast]

I think its actually hard for a lot of people to get into One Piece, because its hard to get a feel for until you actually get *into* it. Its really great once you actually begin to understand the story, but the characters are goofy, the artstyle unnatural, etc., etc. All of a sudden, though, you realize that the style is one of the reasons why its so great. However, it seems to be missing something inherent that draws people to series like DBZ or Naruto. Well, at least missing something to attract foreigners. OP's continued super-popularity in Japan should be indicative of how its treated in its native country.

I would expand upon this, but I don't feel like writing an essay. I just know that I like One Piece. Its different and the story it tells kicks ass.

 

[GG-Duo]

However, it seems to be missing something inherent that draws people to series like DBZ or Naruto.

I think it's the defiance of Jump manga conventions, while having the _core values_ unchanged is what made it so successful in Japan. It also explains why OP doesn't have a large audience in the States.
In Japan, the standard Jump "realistic-looking kids with karate and projectile powers" thing has been played to death. The predictable BADASS characters have also appeared too often. It's not that this style is bad... but on a subconscious level, readers think that it's played out. So, in my opinion, OP is part of a movement (which includes stuff like HxH) against that estabished tradition (Dragonball).

NA lacks that tradition/history - so to this audience, OP doesn't feel fresh, it just feels _weird_. HxH is not creative, it's just all over the place. Naruto isn't a normal manga, it's above-average and exciting.

IMO, it's kind of like a literary thing.




oh and,

Spoiler

FRANKY FOR CREW 2005!!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Also, despite the wacky style one piece is one of the most impressively drawn comics ever. Some of the compostions oda comes up with are mind bogling. Just the thought of having to draw some of the sequences in the crocodile fight makes my head my spin.

 

[MetatronM]

I think it's the defiance of Jump manga conventions, while having the _core values_ unchanged is what made it so successful in Japan. It also explains why OP doesn't have a large audience in the States.
In Japan, the standard Jump "realistic-looking kids with karate and projectile powers" thing has been played to death. The predictable BADASS characters have also appeared too often. It's not that this style is bad... but on a subconscious level, readers think that it's played out. So, in my opinion, OP is part of a movement (which includes stuff like HxH) against that estabished tradition (Dragonball).

NA lacks that tradition/history - so to this audience, OP doesn't feel fresh, it just feels _weird_. HxH is not creative, it's just all over the place. Naruto isn't a normal manga, it's above-average and exciting.

IMO, it's kind of like a literary thing.

I think this really helps explain why people who are into Naruto who do somehow get into One Piece get so totally blown away by it, once they get in far enough. Great though Naruto is, being into Naruto and then getting into One Piece really underlines what is so refreshing and wonderful about One Piece.

 

[robox]

and i'm quite bitter that naruto is far and away more popular than one piece in the english world. it's a travesty that naruto gets so many groups subbing the anime and its manga chapters getting scanlated in a timely manner compared to the neglect that one piece gets. one slow ass, though high quality, subbing group, and a really slow scanlator. i need weekly fixes dammit....

 

[MetatronM]

and i'm quite bitter that naruto is far and away more popular than one piece in the english world. it's a travesty that naruto gets so many groups subbing the anime and its manga chapters getting scanlated in a timely manner compared to the neglect that one piece gets. one slow ass, though high quality, subbing group, and a really slow scanlator. i need weekly fixes dammit....

It's almost more fun this way. It's sort of like being in a secret society. :lol

 

[Belfast]

Yeah, what really concerns me, though, is if the scanlators and/or subbers are forced to stop for some reason, then we'd really be up shit's creek. We'd have nothing to fall back on.

 

[Chrono]

heh, I think if One Piece becomes as popular as naruto you'll see more haters than fans. Some fans will actually leave the show because of 'em n00bz "ruining" One Piece (or just pretend to on irc and watch it secretly :lol) and more morons who think it's "cool" and l33t to bash OP.

As long as it's doing well in Japan, I'm happy. Just because there aren’t half a dozen group subbing/translating doesn’t mean we’re done for if the current ones quit. Other ones will show up and finish it. Right now there’s no point to doing it if there is already a quality group working on it. One group tried it and couldn’t handle it because they apparently just wanted the attention.

OP is part of a movement (which includes stuff like HxH) against that estabished tradition (Dragonball).

Seriously is HxH that good? I’ve seen I think one episode or so and it didn't look much different than any other shounen anime.

 

[Drinky Crow]

I really dig One Piece. Like Belfast said, it takes awhile to develop a palate for it (although I'd add that the initial story arcs make it pretty tough as well -- the pacing isn't there initially), but once you do, the genius shines through. It's a simple tale of adventure with some CRAZY layouts, bold art direction, wonderful characters, and a real love of the medium you don't get from stuff like Naruto, which is really just DBZ worship with ninjas. OP, on the other hand, is Pirates in Wonderland -- silly, smart, open, and even a little frightening.

One Piece is pure HEART.

 

[MetatronM]

One Piece 127 = tomorrow night............................maybe

 

[Trevelyon]

That was touching Drinky, well said. Heh, I didn't know you were such a fan.

Anyways... the 350 scanlation is out AT LONG LAST!

 

[GG-Duo]

Seriously is HxH that good? I’ve seen I think one episode or so and it didn't look much different than any other shounen anime.

I don't know about the anime, but the book is probably the most WTF thing in Weekly Jump... next to JoJo and Bobobobobo

 

[EviLore]

HxH anime, from the beginning of the series to the end of the auction arc, is the best endless-shounen-fighting-Jump sort of show out there, easily. It drops off with the GI arc, and the GI Final ovas are largely terrible, but while it lasts it's the king of its genre.

 

[Chrono]

I don't know about the anime, but the book is probably the most WTF thing in Weekly Jump... next to JoJo and Bobobobobo

Hmm the first volume will be out in April. I'll check it out. I was going to d/l the scantlations but it's only 9-10 weeks until volume 1’s release so I'll wait and buy the book; way better than reading off Microsoft picture manager. I just hope the translation isn’t bad. =\

And the anime torrents are also pretty well seeded (though huge) but it doesn't cover all the manga (which I think is ongoing?) when it ended so I'll forget about it. I don’t have time anyway. TV series + OVAs total 92 episodes. :lol

 

[Belfast]

I really dig One Piece. Like Belfast said, it takes awhile to develop a palate for it (although I'd add that the initial story arcs make it pretty tough as well -- the pacing isn't there initially), but once you do, the genius shines through. It's a simple tale of adventure with some CRAZY layouts, bold art direction, wonderful characters, and a real love of the medium you don't get from stuff like Naruto, which is really just DBZ worship with ninjas. OP, on the other hand, is Pirates in Wonderland -- silly, smart, open, and even a little frightening.

One Piece is pure HEART.

Yeah, its hard for me to evaluate it from this angle, though, which is maybe why I have a hard time describing why One Piece is a "developed taste" compared to everyone else. Right from the very beginning, even in those early arcs, I absolutely loved it. Oh, of course, once you get past them and get to the real meat of the series you see how the beginning pales in comparison, but I still enjoyed the beginning when I sat through it the first time.

However, I agree that given enough time (At least Baratie Arc, but definitely Arlong Arc), almost anyone should start to enjoy the series, and it only goes up from there. One thing I've noticed about Naruto is that the creator doesn't necessarily seem to have everything planned out ahead of time, whereas Oda *definitely* has threads running throughout the entire plot, even from the first episodes. He clearly has things set up beforehand, because he will totally bring back ideas or characters or events from long-past arcs and make them relevant again in a logical way. It makes a lot of difference story-wise. You always feel its part of something bigger.

 

[Chrono]

w00t.

127 in a little over 4 hours.

 

[MetatronM]

One Piece 127 is out. Woo!

 

[MetatronM]

Smoker rules.



That's about all I have to say really.

 

[Cmdr. Solrak]

Can someone PM me the mIRC address for the group that does OP. I thought my mIRC program save the address and all but I was wrong....now I will have to put it on Wordpad or something and save it there

 

[Trevelyon]

Urgh! That had to be probably the most problematic release in recent memory for me. It took me three attempts & a codec update before I could actually get it to work.

Anyways, another quick release by the scanlation team, with chapter 351 released.

 

[Cmdr. Solrak]

Can someone PM me the mIRC address for the group that does OP. I thought my mIRC program save the address and all but I was wrong....now I will have to put it on Wordpad or something and save it there

MetatronM, Chrono, EviLore...anyone....I'm dying to see 127. I needs me fix!!!

 

[Gantz]

What episode does Robin join?

 

[Chrono]

MetatronM, Chrono, EviLore...anyone....I'm dying to see 127. I needs me fix!!!

heh sorry. Check your PM for info. There are several servers since rizon goes down all the time...

also, check the group's site for a codec update for 127.

 

[Cmdr. Solrak]

thanks Chrono

 

[Belfast]

What episode does Robin join?

130.

 

[MetatronM]

Wait...we were supposed to need a codec update in order to be able to play it? Weird. Worked fine for me.

 

[Belfast]

I dunno, maybe some people haven't been keeping up with their codecs.

 

[MetatronM]

Well on their site they say "you can't watch 127 if you don't update with this codec."

Whatever. I don't mind not needing the codec.

 

[Orin GA]

Heh.The only codecs i have installed on my comp are DiVx codecs and I have no problem viewing any videos so far.

i think too many codecs on your comp tends to fuck things up.

 

[Bravoexo]

...whereas Oda *definitely* has threads running throughout the entire plot, even from the first episodes. He clearly has things set up beforehand, because he will totally bring back ideas or characters or events from long-past arcs and make them relevant again in a logical way. It makes a lot of difference story-wise. You always feel its part of something bigger.

Then ....he'd be having 10 crews then...since early in the manga he had set his sight on this goal. So I count... Zorro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper and Robin as 6 out of 10 nakama's... Then we're just probably halfway through this anime series...

 

[Trevelyon]

Eh, what happened to Arlong Park? I hope nothing serious.

nvm, just downtime while they change servers.

hew: