One Piece speed read

Metas:

NO CHAPTER, USOPP RANT (on chapters 330-331/rOP 104)

On Dragon, Revolution and Monkey Family in One Piece (I Guess) (on chapter 432/rOP 185)

One Piece anime:

G-8 Arc (wOP 1-12, episodes 196-206)

One Piece manga:

Pre time-skip

1. East Blue Saga - Drum Island  Arc (rOP 1-27, chapters 1-154)

2. Alabasta Arc (rOP 28-49, chapters 155-217)

3. Jaya - Skypiea Arcs (rOP 50-85, chapters 218-302)

4. Long Ring Long Land Arc (rOP 86-97, chapters 303-321)

5. Water 7 Arc (rOP 98-139, chapters 322-374)

6. Enies Lobby - Post Enies Lobby Arcs (rOP 140-194, chapters 375-441)

7. Thriller Bark Arc (rOP 195-242, chapters 442-489)

8. Sabaody Archipelago Arc (rOP 243-266, chapters 490-513) 

9. Amazon Lily - Impel Down Arcs (rOP 267-302, chapters 514-549)

Thoughts:

- marines. Again. I’m getting tired of this

- Ruluka looks pretty populated

- rainbow mist?

- The Legend of El Dorado? Didn’t they call the city in Skypiea that (at least in one translation)?

- looks like they’ll have to kick some Mayor’s *** here, he terrorizes the island

- they got inspired by Skypiea here, I see it in everything

- what the heck happened to that galleon

- 50 years!? Brook could know these people! (If there were any) Time travel?

- into the mist!  

- Hanzo wants to save his friends that were lost 50 years ago

- wow, an actual treasure

- there are living people here!

- THESE CHILDREN ARE HENZO’S FRIENDS

- so Whetton was a pirate who took over the town and called himself Mayor! (I thought it was more of the corrupted marines situation, but it’s more of an Arlong Park) He’s old now, enough to have an adult grandson

- oh shit, while half of Straw Hats is in that mist, Nami, Sanji and Chopper could grow old outside of it

- just find the children already

- they can communicate through phone with outside world? What kind of logic is this? (It’s good, I just don’t understand)

- Usopp is a real one

- …some marine just saved Nami?

- so many things is happening

- they made a bridge out of the tower! Invasion!

- hah, everyone takes Reik (the grandson) for Whetton. They just stopped the fight to talk about it

- lol, everyone’s fighting one way or another and Sanji and Chopper just… sit there

- did Whetton just kill his SON

- what now

- FOLLOW THE SUN

- WHAT WITH THE CHILDREN????

- THESE MARINES ARE THE CHILDREN!!!???

- my brain hurts

Somehow it still ended being really wholesome.

Thoughts:

- Goat Island Arc! I assume there will be goats

- Straw Hats’ non-reaction to being shoot at is hilarious

- island

- heck yeah, they found a goat! Now tell me what exactly is wrong with her to name the whole arc after her

- I wouldn’t wish ‘attacked by goats’ on anyone

- they almost killed that one guy by accident so now they’re doing chores for him

- Zoro found another pirate boat

- Robin is right, building boats on a mountain is weird

- marines that were tailing Straw Hats want to get sneaky

- Chopper said that the old guy is sick and that he’ll die in 3 days but Zoro isn’t buying it. Well, I hope Zoro’s right

- Old Guy (Zenny?) had a great treasure with him when he trashed on the Goat Island. Treasure hunt?

- so it isn’t his boat but his future coffin? Kinda morbid (but why become a hermit if not to be weird?)

- …that’s it, Straw Hats can’t count

- NAMI YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE RESPONSIBLE ONE

- bless Robin, she won their ship back (don’t ask)

- …who in their right mind let’s pirates borrow their money?

- …a guy who wants to be a pirate himself. Of course, who else

- you’re still alive, old guy! You still can go out there!

- “Robin, your adventure is just beginning” I’m glad he told her that

- marines tried to be crafty and cunning. It’s so cringy

- but it’s also effective. How dare >:(

- OLD GUY!!! And his Mountain Boat!

- infighting? That marine guy is crazy

- Luffy just hit one boat with another boat. Boatception

- I WOULDN’T WISH ‘ATTACKED BY GOATS’ ON ANYONE (but please kick that one guy over there)

- chaos :)

- marines are defeated for now

- THE GOATS ATE HIS MONEY

I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED THIS

- the way they deal with marines/marines deal with them is really something

- good bye, Old Guy. Remember there’s never too late for an adventure

- :)

The Verdict: Old Guy Just Won’t Die

Thoughts:

- what it says on the tin, folks, it’s post-Alabasta shenanigans time! I’m curious what they put in there

- wait, are all those fillers one after another? Three filler arcs in quick succession, people at Toei really must’ve been inspired

- titles suggest every episode tells a separate story

- starting with Chopper!

- !!!!

- THEE MOMENT! The moment that raised a thousand questions! Why are they sleeping like that? Is it normal for them? Why the swords get a coach and a swordsman gets a carpet? How does Sanji get a Zoro? AND WHAT IS CHOPPER READING?

- ahahaha

- anyway, new island alert

- I need to ask, where is Robin? She was a stowaway just after Alabasta

- there is Robin :) looks like they forgot about her

- so that’s how Rumble Ball happened. And Dr Kureha was Chopper’s first patient, huh?

- BONDING TIME

- the heck are you doing at that mast, Zoro. There’s training and there’s insanity

- they have salesmen in One Piece? Another proof this world is in ruin

- no

- huh, even Nami got in on it. You can tell they’re young. Robin was completely unfazed :D

- Nami’s making her map :) it’s good to see her working towards her goal. By the way, isn’t her goal the only tangible one? Boys and Robin want to be or do something, and Nami wants to make something. Her proof of success :)

- shenanigans!

- huh, they saved/kidnapper a marine cook (a mere boy). And they didn’t even tried!

- Zoro has no business standing all cool in the background (but he Does look good in black, I really like his outfit after Alabasta)

- wow, that was fast, they’re already friends. Befriending Apis was harder

- the kid wants to make good curry and find All Blue? Well, Sanji, don’t just stand there, help the child

- yeah!

- Sanji really is helping him with that curry. I am soft

- off they go

- AND? Was the curry good?

- IT WAS!!

- oh hey, Robin’s ending

- normal day on Going Merry :)

- ahahaha

- I love their shock of “Luffy can read???” variety :D

- …

- …Luffy CAN read, right? I assume an obvious yes, but I don’t remember any proof of that right now and now that I know of his upbringing…

- there’s an island and a Firework Festival in town! It’s Usopp’s time to shine!

- Sanji was almost smooth right now, it’s genuinely funny

- learn from the best Usopp!

- …oh. May your parents make fireworks in heaven, little girl

- so we’re firing the big one. Ok

- “You think we have only one dream?” I’m touched

- AND it stopped raining

- FIREWORKS!!!

- and Usopp fired the big one too! What a finale

- last episode, with Zoro!

- …did he get lost and walked into a western

- oh, it’s a story of how he met Yosaku and Johnny!!

- r.i.p. to Yosaku’s hair

- Zoro as an Actual pirate hunter? Sign me up!

- he had a reputation even then :D but no money still

- so cool :D

- huh. Johnny, that’s a great goal

- damn it, Johnny and Yosaku are cool on their own

- oh, so it was Zoro napping

- and that’s how the three of them met

- …

- IT WAS AWESOME

Thoughts:

- marines are attacking Gunkan, meanwhile all Straw Hats are meeting the dragon

- Operation “Getting A Dragon Out Of His Cave” is on

- marines noticed the dragon!

- they got their dragon into the sea!

- huh, sketchy guy wants Young Potion for yourself, who would have thought

- this poor dragon has flashbacks of when he wasn’t the only dragon around :( he has trouble remembering where his lost island was

- so Zoro ans Sanji doing dishes together is from this episode? From what I saw, fandom really misses that type of domesticity

- yo, what is this

- the island isn’t sunk, it’s hidden!

- anyway, marines got scared by their disapperance, so they’re done following them. Eric The Sketchy Guy will go after them alone

- they’ve got there! But something is wrong, it’s nothing but ruins

- THEY FELL INTO A HOLE 

- they’re in some kind of a temple

- oh, so that’s not a lost island, it’s its neighbor. But there’s a map on the temple’s ceiling so tht’s something

-  back to Gunkan I guess

- “We really have more luck than brains” - Usopp

- how did they survive this

- AHAHAHAHAHA, oh, Zoro, Luffy will be the death of you

- lol, marines really hate the Sketchy Guy

- damn it, it’s I-Don’t-Care-About-His-Rank Nelson! …And his fleet. He’s the one who started the whole Dragon Bones Business

- um, NO, that guy is NOT an Admiral

- the whole fleet is fighting them

- alright, everyone, Usopp wins that fight

- ahaha, this isn’t Zoro’s day

- time for our Monster Trio to shine!

- did Zoro just cut steel. But it’s before Alabasta! Maybe it was just some alloy. Anyway, badass

- SHIT THEY GOT THE DRAGON

- RYUJI GOT MAD, YES, FINALLY (the dragon)

- so he Can fly! I thought he was too old for that!

- SHIIIIIIT

- don’t worry, he’s still alive. Barely

- …what is happening

- oh wow, Ryuji called all the lost dragons to get back to their land that is rising from the water as we speak. This is awesome

- …Ryuji died. Rest in peace, old dragon, you got to see your land and your friends one last time

- YEAH, **** NELSON

- so dragon land shows up every thousand years? I’m glad I got to see this

- dragons :)

- small dragons :) and now I’m crying, damn it

- so there’s no Potion of Youth. I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually was a thing in One Piece, but not in a filler

- ok, the only thing left is we have to take care of (aka murder) Erik The Sketchy Guy and we’re done here. You go, Luffy!

- yoooo

- Apis and her people will protect the island so the dragons will be safe

- It’s time for a goodbye now. To the Grand Line!

Ok, I really liked this arc. But I still don’t know how Luffy could understand what Ryuji was saying.

Thoughts:

- ok, we are in Warship Island Arc, which, after looking at titles of previous episodes, I presume is right after Straw Hats left Logue Town. They are sailing to the Reverse Mountain to enter Grand Line. In the manga they went straight for it but in anime we got our filler arc here. I have no idea what it is about. I sincerely hope it’s funny

- ok, let’s go

- MIRAI DAKE SHINJITERU

- little girl on a marine ship

- hahaha, I like her

- …holy shit

- dragon bones? Potion of Youth? Some bounty hunter on Navy’s orders? I LIKE IT HERE

- Straw Hats found her boat!

- AHAHAHAHA

- oof, the girl isn’t exactly happy she ended up with pirates. And Straw hats have no idea what to do with her :D

- aww

- awwww. Ok, I won’t talk about everything but it’s all very precious

- they’re taking Apis (the girl) home :)

- marines found them

- does Apis have powers?

- whoops, they’re in the Calm Belt

- yep, the monsters are as scary as in the manga

- they got to Apis’ island!

- Navy is still after her, we still don’t know why exactly

- a legend!

- “A tree that gives birth to stars”? That’s awesome. But probably not relevant

- ok, what is up with Apis, she stole the food and ran away

- DRAGON!!! :D

- huh, Apis understands animal speech, that’s really cool! A Disney Princess in the making (maybe they were also preparing us for Chopper?)

- so a new/old island will soon emerge from the water and old dragon wants to get there?

- AND JUST LIKE THAT, Luffy has to help her

Just like I expected, nothing’s new under the sun :D

Thoughts:

- 455, this episode should be about Robin and Usopp

- Robin is in prison

- asfkdfhiajcjk, she’s in a prison suit and they STILL gave her a cleavage, this is so funny

- STOP HITTING HER

- Fight, Bridge People! You have nothing to lose but your chains!

- :((((

- that child is very forgiving, I wouldn’t be so nice to that lady

- :((((((((((((((( damn it, now I feel sorry for her

- don’t make me cry, anime, because I WILL

- damn it, Robin thinks about chopping her hands off to escape. What are you, Zoro

- Rebels!!!!!

- YES, REVOLUTION ARMY IS HERE

- oh my god, she killed so many people :O It sooooo makes up for Spandam and Enies Lobby

- wow

- so Robin’s storyline was the most intense of all, there’s no doubt about it

- I’m glad it’s Usopp’s screentime now, I need to decompress from Robin’s gulags

- they showed Luffy and Jimbei for a second. It’s the same thing as before but Jimbei gets more of a “I told this stubborn CHILD TO TAKE A NAP! AND HE DIDN’T!” air to him

- someone help this man. Someone who’s not Heracles

- slow motion used to the fullest :D

- food paradise

- this island is insane

- episode 456! Zoro and Brook!

- lol, Zoro is lost

- Zoro is so lost Perona started questioning her existence :D

- “How could you get lost here!?” we all know Zoro would get lost on a straight road, Perona. But to be fair, this IS a big-*** castle with hidden passages, so like, that one’s not on him

- ahahaha, she feels sorry for him, I actually laughed out loud

- another plan with lots of holes in it

- now Zoro is lost in the forest. Progress?

- aww, these Straw Hats. They all worry for each other so much

- yeah, I can see why they’re portrayed as siblings in fanfics

- HOW

- they’re exploring ruins together. I’m a little jealous actually, I didn’t explore any ruins since my middle-school days. They said I got lost but I knew perfectly where I was, it was them who couldn’t find me 

- big cross

- shit, Zoro’s being attacked

- well, at least Zoro won’t be bored there :)

- with Brook at last

- his place is way less satanic in the daylight

- I still can’t believe they showed him their pants

- oh, they’re giving him food while they’re starving

- HELP THEM BROOK

- stop praying, start doing!

- they’re very bloodthirsty

- lol

- he’s composing, it’s about as weird as in the manga

- and Luffy’s still sailing to Impel Down

And they showed us Ace :(

Thoughts:

- Finally, last four episodes they talked about Luffy going to Impel Down, now they talk about escaping from Impel Down. Progress!

- Buggy being a legend

- it’s so calm

- bless Jimbei

- I know it’s here for time reasons but I really like the calm before the main action. Like, you just sit and contemplate life. They sure don’t have time for it when adventure starts

- with Nami

- she almost died because of cloud

- !!STOP WIZARD ABUSE!!

- what the heck, it’s a literal Lift To Heaven. We have a song about it in Polish

- ah, no , it doesn’t work like that, phew

- now THIS is a desert! It’s not even a nice one, like in Alabasta

- he really went from 100 Million Beli to 100 Beli, lol. He has just about as much of financial prowess as I expect from a wizard, which is none. Keep doing good work, Wizard Man

- RAIN!!! I love rain :D and it really reminds me of Alabasta :) and Vivi :)

- yes, Nami officially became wizard’s padawan

- FRANKYYYY

- oh no, he’s still British

- “He needs to experience shock to go back to normal?” child, whatever you’re planning, DON’T

- what did I say

- oh, you better run

- “Don’t try it at home, kids!” aww, but I already got an elephant and everything

- whatever, it’s not working

- what

- AAAA SAVE THE CHILD

- I got flashbacks to Tamaki Suoh from OHSHC. Please, please stop with the roses

- you can’t make COLA from TEA

- but at least our Franky is back :)

- to Dr Vegapunk’s lab!

- with Sanji, he looks super tired

- these okamas got more leg power than Sanji and Sanji is having a crisis about it

- there’s a castle on this island?

- ominous

- THEY GOT HIM

- in some weird way, I find it scarier than Thriller Bark

- they’re talking about Iva

- oh Sanji, they play you like a fiddle

- I know it in my soul that Sanji could absolutely slay with a good dress and make-up. But what he actually got is making me cry. He looks like he dressed into a nightgown after a night in the city and though “Oh, I’ll wash off my make-up in the morning”. And it’s morning now. And it was NOT a good decision he made and he feels like sh*t

- look, he even got a bedhead

- “Imma slay anyway” Sanji said and attacked the Queen Regent

- he didn’t slay. He couldn’t in that outfit

- what am I watching

- he isn’t secretly a maiden at heart because he wants to be held!!! Everyone wants to be held!!!

- yeah, they got him good. Oh boy

- Chopper!! He wasn’t doing so good when we last saw him

- aww, he’s taking care of a little chick. Well, I say “little”…

- awwwww

- your plan has holes, my dear

- damn it, is there’s nothing else to eat on this island

- so dramatic

- yet again, it’s not Chopper’s day

- yeah

And that’s it for today!

Thoughts:

- that episode should be about Robin and Usopp

- I LOVE Hancock’s imaginations they’re so funny

- did Kuma just assume that islanders will keep finding Straw Hats in the wild? Franky and now Robin ended on winter islands, they would die from hypothermia if they were left to their own devices

- by the way, I love Robin’s outfit

- …not to say it lightly but are those gulags

- those very much ARE gulags

- brave little girl

- I saw all that Bridge Thing in manga but anime really adds to the atmosphere here

- Soren’s dream is beautiful but it hurts my heart. She clearly would be never allowed to leave the Bridge if WG ended up having it their way. Good thing Revolution is ongoing

- THAT B*TCH IS A SNITCH

- LEAVE THE PICTURES ALONE, CHILDREN ARE WATCHING THIS

- nice, Robin is murdering people

- QUEEN

- good thing I know she’ll run away because, well.

- lol, Usopp got, like, 4 minutes for himself in the whole episode. Anime shows their priorities

- GIANT BUGS

- I don’t know what’s worse, giant bugs or giant cannibalistic plants

- episode 421! Zoro and Brook at last!

- I don’t know how it happened but Perona is spoiled

- “Oh, someone got sent here too? I hope they’re cute!” *gets Zoro* lol

- “Wait, he’s still alive!?” that’s Zoro for you

- Zoro just had to make everything worse for himself

- Brook’s story just makes me laugh

- and that’s all for now, we’re going back to main manga events. It was all before Marineford :’(

-(Commander Johnathan sightings :D (from G-8 Arc))

- Ace :((((((

Thoughts:

- remember how on Sabaody it looked like Kuma disintegrated everyone but in reality he send each Straw Hat to different place? We later learnt from cover pages and main manga where everyone ended up and how they decided to train there for 2 years. “Straw Hats’ Separation Serial” is about that. It has 8 episodes total, in 2 blocks of 4. Each Straw Hat had 2 covers in the manga (16 total) on the topic so I guess first 4 episodes cover first pages of their stories, and other 4 cover second ones. Clear? Clear

- Episode 418, I think we’re starting with Nami

- OP 11! It sounded weird to me at first but I learned to love it. Visuals were epic then and are epic now, they know how to hype people

- I love the narration here

- Luffy had a nightmare about Sabaody :(((( no ******* wonder, I would too

- BISHOUNEN LUFFY TAKE IT AWAY

- anyway, Nami time

- WIZARDS

- Nami punched a wizard. Honestly, I’m kinda bored

- I get that she’s scared tho. These rain sounds make it real to me

- fanservice

- He REALLY is a wizard

- Nami just killed a storm

- lol, she just now realized she’s on a sky island

- now with Franky

- well, Franky can’t stop the weather

- I saw Franky’s shadow in a storm and my first thought was YETI

- what’s with that dog

- there’s no time for regret, little child, it’s “Shoot First, Check Species Later” Land

- please wear something Franky, I’m freezing from looking at you

- is he dancing in German or am I hearing it wrong

- feels like Terminator is in town, what an island. Looks colder than Drum Drum Country

- Franky got so cold they had to operate him (anime logic). They found out he’s a cyborg running on cola but they didn’t have any cola so they gave him tea and now he’s an English gentleman and it’s CREEPING ME OUT I WANT OUR FRANKY BACK

- ok, episode 419, Chopper and Sanji

- I almost feel bad for Hancock and her fantasies but it’s so funny

- Chopper is hurt and crying, that’s illegal

- …well. I don’t know how to explain the bird situation

- there really is no fall damage in One Piece

- DON’T EAT HIM

- all in all, Chopper’s not having a good time, let’s check with Sanji

- …what kind of Sailor Moon fish…

- ok, so far so good with Sanji, can’t wait for the nightmare to come

- “Hm, some pretty lady is taking care of me. If it’s not Nami or Robin, it’s clearly a dream.” That Sanji, I like. If it was a daily occurrence, I would complement his loyalty, and then tell him to have some confidence, for he is a handsome young man every lady would want *Grandma Powers Activated* Here, eat something my boy, they don’t feed you enough on that ship of yours. Have a twenty

- but honestly, are his dreams like this

- this place IS pretty

- so romantic

- aaaand back to noodle

- oh dear, he’s digging a hole for himself

- AN AD SHOWED UP AND I CAN’T SEE SUBTITLES no big deal, I know what happens

- I find myself chanting “OH NO” the closer Sanji gets to his Doom    

- OH NO

- it’s kinda insulting

- beautiful sunset

Thoughts:

- MIRAI DAKE SHINJITERU I think they aired this between Whiskey Peak and Little Garden

- yep

- Going Merry! Also Vivi

- …Luffy, why are you eating bugs. Why. You can’t say they’re not feeding you

- this situation is your fault Luffy :D

- the funniest thing is that nobody is questioning Luffy eating bugs. It’s just what Luffy does

- Coby mention

- now that was a nice dream you had there, Coby :) but reality is very different

- Coby is very eager to do his chores. I get that but I’m with Helmeppo on this one, give them a break

- stop slacking, Helmeppo

- Coby offered his friendship. Helmeppo is pretty bewildered but not exactly opposed. We know you were always a friendless loser Helmeppo, take what life gives you, man

- Coby’s inspiring

- yikes, big fail

- YIKES

- Morgan’s here

- …

- :( :( :(

- GARP!!

- Morgan is keeping his own son hostage. Somehow it’s worse in the anime

- what a sh*t dad

- …Coby…

- I didn’t realize they thought Garp was dead. Lol, like Garp would die from that. If he’ll go down in the manga, it’ll probably rival Whitebeard’s last stand

- Morgan is sh*tty again but Helmeppo is very brave here

- ok, Coby getting there kinda weakens the impact of family drama, not gonna lie

- yeah, THROW THE CHILDREN AWAY, MORGAN, THAT’S THE NICEST THING YOU EVER DONE

(I refuse to believe they’re 18 here)

- there’s no doubt Coby and Helmeppo remind Garp of Ace and Luffy. And damn, he really wants to rise some children to be marines :D

- to the Headquarters!

- WATASHI GA IRU YO

- lol, Usopp thinks there are girls in Little Garden. It feels a little weird to be honest. Like, it’s Usopp who should be most excited for Little Garden because PLOT, but at this point girls are exclusively Sanji’s (and maybe Brook’s sometimes) territory. Ah well, at least he sounds pretty normal about it

- “I’m surprised Luffy didn’t break anything” *CRASH* “Spoke too soon” COMEDY

- Coby and Helmeppo are in the newspaper!

- Coby and Helmeppo saw some officers train and got discouraged. Well, Helmeppo did. I don’t think even death would stop Coby at this point, he’s truly a Fountain of Youth

-  Garp found them :)

- I like that little girl

- friends for life :D

- what the heck is Helmeppo doing

- HE WANTS TO TRAIN!? OF HIS OWN VOLITION!? I really saw everything

- for once it’s Helmeppo who’s pulling the weight of their friendship here, it’s nice

- training montageeeeee

- Garp, seriously? YOU are giving them hard time about Luffy?

- Boys are having a life defining moment and Garp is having fun :D

- nothing but bright future for them :)

Now, who’s the guy with the chickens.  

Thoughts:

- Toei Animation

- So Jango doesn’t run away from Syrup Village in this?

- “Everyone with prize on their head, gently rise!” what the…

- …so that’s why everyone says he’s Michael Jackson (I read Dragon Slayer lately, what is it with mangakas making anime Michael Jacksons)

- these voice acting choices make me sad

- HE RAN BY STRAW HATS WHAT IS THIS

- wow, nice animation

- ok, this is hilarious

- HE MADE EVERYONE DANCE

- DISCOOOO

- LUFFY He’s dancing on the top of a cathedral!

- …what. Did… did they destroy the place?

- what

Ok, I don’t what that was but I liked it.

Thoughts:

- I did a list of pre time-skip episodes I want to watch before I continue with the manga (I left Straw Hats alone to train for 2 years) and I decided to start with cover stories. There are 3 cover stories in anime straight plus one 5-minute long special. I’ll do Buggy’s story here, then Jango’s special, then Coby-Meppo’s one (hopefully in one sitting, they’re not long). AND THEN I’ll do Straw Hats Separation, it’s a little longer. Then I’ll go with filler arcs, TV specials and so on. I’m not even attempting to do them chronologically, so throw your expectations of that through the window

- Before we start, does everyone know what a cover story is? It’s those first pages before every chapter that most mangakas use as a cover to make pretty art of their characters that doesn’t need to make sense, just needs to look pretty (it’s what every artist wants). Oda does it too sometimes, but because Oda is a one mad lad, he started using these first pages/covers to tell little stories he can’t put in main manga because it’s already 1000 chapters long, something something about flow of the story, and his editors would cry.

Cover story usually tells us what happened to side characters in the arc we ended some time ago. Oda likes to show these characters few hundreds chapters later (again, mad lad), along with their free character development they got in their cover stories, so if you’re like me and tend to skip covers, you can be very surprised when you see these characters again, quite changed for apparently no reason. But if you read them, it really makes characters feel more real and nuanced and the One Piece World bigger.

Moral of the story: read cover stories, they’re canon, they’re fun and it pays off.    

- alright, actual topic of this post: Buggy’s side story. I admit that I didn’t even notice the story on my first read and was a little surprised when I saw Buggy with Aldiva in Logue Town working together. Still, when I finally read it, I found I like it. It’s simple and makes sense. I wonder how they did it in anime

- putting the actual episode on at last

- ew, creepy ads. How many Polish 12-years do they think watch anime. I didn’t even know what anime was at that age (which is funny cause everyone watched Sailor Moon then)

- ARITTAKE NO YUME WO KAKI ATSUME

- so that’s how a morning at Going Merry looked like. They’re still going to Grand Line here, all five of them

- children :D

- ah, Buggy mention

- “What do think happened to Buggy?” “He probably drown or something” LUFFY

- they really feel like a family here

- finally, star of the show is here

- SMOL

- Buggy vs. Animals :D

- at least now Buggy knows he’s not tasty

- It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… It’s Captain Buggy, sounding like a plane, thrown by a bird to another island!

- showdown of the century I don’t care about

- just shot him, come on

- and now they’re friends. Shounen, man

- huh, it’s pretty philosophical all of the sudden. Drinking at the midnight just feels different

- lol, they don’t know they talk about the same person (Luffy). Waiting for explosion

- aww

- lol

- Alvida to the rescue!

- hah, Luffy unites people, even when they hate him :D

- so the “Straw Hats arguing in their sleep” is from that episode? I saw it in gifs!

- that crab made me feel things

- HAMIDASHITA KIMOCHI TSUNAGARA NAKUTE I love that ending

- Alvida acquired, now to find the crew

- with the crew

- lol

- but aww, they miss Buggy

- funeral

- haha, the King is dead, long live the King! Now they’re fighting who will be new Captain

- the Lion won. Honestly, how. They really are clowns

- ambushed by locals, about to be eaten. This isn’t a successful leadership, Richie

- aww, Buggy found and saved them

- BUGGY ISN’T SMOL ANYMORE

- more saving

- and now they’re together :)

To Loguetown!

Thoughts:

- Cover: Young Whitebeard and Roger standing together and being awesome :D

- O_O

- what a STRONG opener, holy shit

(I LOVE IT HERE)

- “You disappoint me, Zoro. You would beg your enemy to instruct you?” Enemy? Bitch, where? You literary asked him to come home cause he can catch a cold two chapters ago. You’re fooling no one, Mihawk

- “Have you no pride?” …ouch

- oh, Mihawk really is disappointed, he thinks Zoro is a fluke :( Not our Zoro, mister

- “I beat the monkeys! You’re the only one to take down.”  “He defeated them?” why so shocked, Mihawk, they’re literal monkeys

- “But I’m not stupid enough to think I can beat you.” “I don’t understand. You would kowtow to a mortal foe and beg him to instruct you? WHY?” you know, I’m laughing at Mihawk but my brain would be exploding too. Like, it is not in any way a logical chain of events

- “To surpass you!” THE ARROGANCE OF THAT MAN

- Mihawk’s laughing!!! Seriously, you can only laugh in the face of that. How often does he laugh, what do you think

- “You want me to teach you the sword so that one day you can take my head? You’re a strange one!” I love them both and the situation is objectively hilarious

- “You’re still a shameless fool. So you value something more than your own pride.” …guys. Zoro values Luffy higher than his own pride. We, we know these things, but then they say it like that and… oh god

- “When your wounds have healed, I will instruct you.” Yeahhhhhh!!!

- “Such a clumsy fool. When a man of your caliber abandons his pride, it is always for the sake of another.” ;_;, but also :D

- later, with Zoro and Perona

- “3D2Y? You’re right. Straw Hat does have a tattoo on his right shoulder.” …am I finally learning about Luffy’s message to his crew?

- YES

- “We promised to meet at a certain place in three days. But look at us.”

- “That 3D means three days? But 3D has been crossed out and replaced with 2Y. TWO YEARS!” SO THAT’S HOW THEY DID IT!!! I understand now! That’s really clever!!!

- “Luffy’s made his decision. There’s no shortcut to the top for us in the New World! We have to stay where we are, build up our strength and then reunite!”

- the time-skip is upon us. All other Straw Hats are accounted for, there’s just our Captain left

- Jimbei is leaving to do his own thing. Thank you Jimbei for sticking around, when you were needed the most

- he’ll be at Fishman Island, waiting for Straw Hats :)

- alright, Rayleigh and Luffy will train on some deserted island next to Amazon Lily

- 48 seasons? That’s a lot

- lol, that’s what I call a difference in approach (you all remember how Hancock wanted to kill Luffy? How much things change)

- “If anything happens to him…” “If nothing happened to him, it wouldn’t be training. If you’re worried, then pray for him.” Haha :D Rayleigh went full “Leave me alone woman”

- “This is a deadly natural fortress!” “I smell adventure!” oh Luffy, never change

- time to learn Haki :D

(ATTENTION. BELOW I TYPED A WHOLE RAYLEIGH HAKI LECTURE. BE PREPARED)

- “Listen, Luffy. Haki is a power that lies dormant in people everywhere. The ability to sense spiritual energy and overpower enemies is something everyone possesses to some degree.” Rayleigh, there’s an elephant behind you

- “But most people never discover it. They live their lives without ever reaching their full potential. To never doubt – that is power! Now watch.”

- “Most haki can be divided into two main categories, or colors. The power to acutely sense an opponent… that’s the color of Observation Haki! Training this ability will allow you to read the location, number and movements of enemies you can’t even see.” This is awesome and I should be taking notes  

- “In the Sky Island of Skypiea they call this power Mantra.” We been knew :) but how does Rayleigh kno… no, wait, he was there with Roger, we’re good

- “Next is the color of Arms Haki. It’s like an invisible suit of armor. That armor can be used as a weapon” Luffy is remembering all the times his opponent used haki against him. It’s surprisingly often

- “Ow! I’m made of rubber but that still hurt!” lol :D that probably means Garp has Haki too (his Fist of Love)

- “Other than attacking their weak points, this color of Arms Haki is the only counter-measure effective against devil fruit users! Those logia types with their fluid bodies may seem practically invincible to you but even they are vulnerable to this power!” NOW THIS IS A GAME CHANGER

- “This power can be applied to weapons too” yep, yep, Kuja, we remember

- “The color of Observation and the color of Arms are the two Haki powers! However, in very rare cases, some people are able to manipulate a third form of Haki” :D :D :D

- there goes elephant. What a powerful presentation. I wish my lectures at uni were like this

- “This is the power to overwhelm – the color of the Supreme King!” do you think it was named after the Supreme King from these 800 years ago? Or it’s named that way because most people who had it became rulers of some sort?

- “Most people who’ve made a name for themselves in this world posses this power. Though you can control the color of the Supreme King, You can’t train it to be stronger directly.”

- “It’s the embodiment of the spirit of the user! The only way to make it stronger is for the user to grow stronger!” there really is no shortcuts in this world

- “You should’ve already experience it firsthand. Your inner talents with the color of the Supreme King have already been awakened. But don’t use it too much until you have it fully under your control or you’ll end up overwhelming people you don’t intent to.” …a solid advice. Also sounds like something that will happen, foreshadowing much

- “I’ve seen this haki thing lots of times before.” We all did. Isn’t it amazing?

- “Over the next two years, I’ll teach you the basics. But be warned. I won’t go easy on you, Luffy!” “Okay! Lay into me!” this here is why I love shounen, it just… makes me want to improve myself

- “The pirate, Straw Hat Luffy, has to take a break.” !

- “All right! Thank you, old man!”

Thoughts:

- Cover: Luffy, Ace and… adult Sabo… are running away from a giant monkey. huh

- back to Weatheria and Nami

- lol

- “What just happened here?” well, she came back from her wizard kidnapping and you’re weak to woman’s tears :D

- records of the weather all over the worlds? Wow

- “Raining lighting? You gotta be kidding” New World is wiiiild

- “You have to tell me about the weather of New World, Haredas! Teach me everything you know!”

- “You sound desperate.” “Of course I am!” aww

- “The lives of my crew depend on it! I’m the navigator! It’s my responsibility to keep them safe when we’re at sea! I need to be able to take my captain wherever he wants to go! And Luffy wants to be the King of the Pirates, so I can’t just be any ordinary navigator!” it’s an Awww Fest of course, but I also love to read about just… competent people. She takes it so seriously, I really would trust her with my life on the sea

- “Your crew is so devoted to him” “I don’t have much choice. He’s so reckless.” True, true :)

- all this segment is here to make you feel good :D

- alright, with Brook now. He’s in a cage :((((((

- there’s something about a skeleton reading a newspaper that’s just hilarious to me

- crowd: *pokes Brook with a stick* come on, do something

Brook: alright, you asked for it *continues to sit and do nothing*

- “You seemed so bright in my eyes” feels :)

- where did he find a guitar

- “Listen to my new single! Bone To Be Wild!” dhahjskdlashdkjakksjh BONE JOKE. I LOVE IT

- with Robin!

- you know, it’s like the forth Straw Hat who were getting ready to leave, changed their minds and now is asked about the change of heart. If I left a place and then had to choose between leaving forever and coming back to face questions, I would vanish into ether, never to be seen again. Straw Hats are the bravest people I ever read about

- Robin will meet Dragon :D

- Robin’s flashbacks heartbreaking as always

- but she’s okay now. And these rebels seem to be real sweethearts :)

- Franky time. He found ANOTHER laboratory in a cave. Don’t blow up this one, Franky

(I think some of the blame should go to Vegapunk anyway. Why did he made Self-Destruct Button so gigantic and left it in the open, honestly. Also, wasn’t Franky’s whole deal that you are responsible for your creations? Vegapunk isn’t looking good in that light)

- eew, research on weapons

- “I’ll right, going to live here” haha

- (by the way, his face is still exploded. He looks like a B Movie Zombie)

- lol

- Franky will ALWAYS make a spectacle of himself, bless :D

- Usopp

- “I need to lose weight! And I need to put on some muscle” he sounds like every friend I had in this decade (and me). We’re all the same after all

- seriously, Usopp continues to the Most Relatable Straw Hat

- “I always thought Luffy would become the Pirate King on his own. But that’s not true.” holy shit, it really hit me

- “Even Luffy can lose! That’s why… HE NEEDS ME TO HELP HIM!” ULTIMATE FRIEND USOPP, HERE WE COME

“To help you become King of the Pirates… I’m gonna become the real Sniper King!” I’m smiling so hard, guys :D