#ch 1058

I really like the ambiguity of the title. Are we talking about Luffy or Buggy?

Of course the answer is “both”.

But still. Nice title.

And then, for the chapter itself!

The cover story is amazing. I wonder what Caesar and Judge will cook up once (if) they meet? And also; why hasn’t Caesar flown away? Is there some restrictions on his powers so he can’t simply fly as he pleases or is his gaseous form stuck in the sugar-coated candy-sphere of Whole Cake Island?

Yes, Jinbei, fear the Wrath of Nami.

Franky’s new hairstyle… really suits him? And what is Usopp doing in the background? He looks to be hiding in some sort of barrel?

But the bounties! The bounties!

Looks like increases of 300 million overall.

Everyone’s reactions are just so on point! Poor Chopper, finally getting an assignment (doctor) but not getting to be one of the commanders (pet). I love it. And the Franky-Sunny hybrid is just too much. Where did that even come from?

Usopp’s eyes are just creepy. Let’s leave it at that.

And then, the heavy-hitters!

Robin has my heart. She’s so sweet.

Although there’s the eternal fight going on between Sanji-bros and Zoro-stans, Sanji has regularly had the fourth highest bounty, not the third. Robin was the third for a long time after Alabasta (who was higher than Zoro as well at that point, with 74 to 60 million) and then Usopp climbed up after Dressrosa, with 200 to 177.

Finally, I really like the juxtaposition of the mighty emperor, locked in his cage to really think about what he has done.

And the second emperor!

Buggy being Buggy. The panel layout below the large main panel really brings out how trapped he his between the two mighty forces.

Mr. 3 did forget about the whole “I’ll leave you to be eaten by the bananadiles because you are a failure and I only took you on because you are so cowardly I was sure you’d weasel your way out of difficult situations”-attitude Croco-boy had going on for him, huh?

I’m not sure what to think about Buggy’s crew’s characterisation either. In the beginnin they were loyal to him: seeking far and wide when he was blasted in the East, even formulating a (half-arsed and -hearted) plan to break him out of Impel Down. Yes, they did abandon him once Alvida pointed out they’d die, but they still had it. And now? Are they here just for the fest, ignoring the famine? Even Daz Bones

Funny however, that Croc-croc is the one to follow if change in leadership is necessary, not Mihawk. Some have charisma and some don’t.

Buggy, for some inexplicable reason, has.

Mihawk has wine and books, which is better.

I do object to the forced money-lending scheme. When would Crocododile have had the chance to lend him money? In Impel Down? Mihawk would have been a more natural candidate since they were shichibukai together.

And some nice panel parallels with Buggy once more stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Last but not least: the flame of the revolution lives on.

And Koala remembers her own childhood.

The shading in the Kuma panel is just beautiful.

The marines still seem to be somewhat on top of things – they know where the revolutionaries headquarters are and they have some sort of intelligence gathering going on. Wonder what else they know?