#ch 1053

And it’s here! The final chapter before the break.

Feelings, both high and low, as well as revelations are in store. So without further ado, let’s delve in!

Morgans is my fave.

Nothing more to add.

(CP0-name! Guernica? Interesting… reference to Picasso in general or the painting in particular or Spain in very detailed focus?)

Edit: HUGE THING TO ADD!

Say what you will about reddit, but those historically-accurate-dudes do have their eyes with them! There’s a wild Sabo in the background! Looking all kinds of angry! WILL THE REVERIE-MYSTERY BE REVEALED AFTER THE BREAK?

Love the new bounty pictures! Kid is rising, rising, rising in my esteem, lovely little unhinged ball of metal and punk that he is.

And great subversion of expectations to give them the same bounty! Well played.

Proper, well-bred Jinbe. Love his patience and manners.

And the chaotic energy radiating from the others!

Yamato is clearly one of the team, although this could also be a “he’s enjoying his first real festival before he stays at Wano to help Momo”-type of Vivi-esque thing going on as well. Although Yamato has said repeatedly that he wants to leave and go adventuring, so that’s what I expect he’ll do.

Robin found her poneglyph! Just hoping for her to find the red one as well, although that might be this one with the shading as well. We’ll have to wait for Word of Oda for that.

Although I wish he could stop with his messiah-tendencies regarding dead people.

I get it, it’s not nice when people die. But in a story, they sometimes die for narrative purposes and bringing them back just makes the reader question the whole plot. “Welp, what was all that for?” is a question that springs to mind.

So of course Tengu-san can’t just be a sword smith. Of course he has to be the long-dead Kozuki Sukiyaki who also somehow managed to smithe several cursed blades that are still somehow good enough to be of exceptional quality that they are included in guide books on cool swords?

Seriously, not a fan of resurrecting people who (1) died in a flashback and (2) for a very good reason.

Oh well, looking forward to learning more about Pluton, at least.

Okay, new admiral is creepy and has some very unsettling daddy issues going on.

This whole spread is light an joy and pure delight. Have it all! Strawhats! Akazaya-members! Minks! Hamlet and Horselina! And oh, my weeping heart, the visual silence surrounding Kin’emon and Tsuru who are finally reunited.

And more heartwarming close-ups! This time of the rival crews, partying with the rest!

Really like Kid’s crew! Truly the most diverse one out there.

And then, the sweet little twist at the end of the Christmas cracker: the panels that summarise the extremes of my reactions to this chapter.

On one end: called it, with the new admiral being the break’s cliffhanger.

On the other: SWEET BABY GARP, BUGGY’S AN EMPEROR?

WHAT? HOW?

The last we saw of him, he’s egging his followers on after being ousted as a Shichibukai and trying to scarper in the settling dust.

…what happened in those <calculating> SEVEN DAYS BETWEEN THEN AND NOW?

…he’s getting his dream of being on par with Shanks, at least…?

Also, the flowers that spring up behind Ryokugyu are really interesting. Will he leave Wano a bountiful and green nation after the industrial wasteland brought by Kaido and Orochi, or is it a poisoned present?

Great chapter, I give it a bounty of 3 billion berry.