One Piece episode 1097 is a solid entry, though it is almost entirely exposition with mixed levels of engagement.
We've got two big chunks of backstory this week, and the first has to do with Ohara. Now of course I'm obviously biased towards Robin and anything involving her, so this was the more interesting section for me. Finding out about Saul's survival and passing the knowledge of Ohara on to Vegapunk is a nice detail. It also makes Robin cry big happy crocodile tears, which is wholesome and warms my heart. The flashback bit with Dragon is helpful to understanding his impetus to forming the revolutionary army too. In fact, it occurs to me now that after Wano focused so heavily on Gol D Roger's early days (or at least critical moments in his journey), it appears this arc is focused on the backstories of the big players in the Revolutionary army (namely Kuma, Ivankov, and Dragon). In my opinion, Dragon is the weak link here in terms of being truly engaging to learn more about, but I am open to having my mind changed on that front.
The back half of the episode has more discussion of Vegapunk's additional selves. I think this has some nice animation flourishes, but is largely an extended roll call that adds very little to our understanding of Vegapunk's abilities. I think it was made very clear during the York episode that all of the Vegapunks share mental and bodily functions, and while I don't mind it being explained here for clarity it feels a bit over explained if I'm being honest. Seems to me that we're belaboring the point. That said, there are some fun moments - namely Bonney's beam saber attracting insects and Vegapunk being upset that his custom Kaido fruit turned Momo pink. I'm just not sure there enough to move the needle on an otherwise slow outing.
Rating:
"What other five-star anime are you watching? Vote on the latest episodes here: Your Score"
This week, Nick and Lucas talk about the recent, ongoing, and not-yet-released works of the late, great Akira Toriyama—as well as the potential future of his most popular franchise.― This week, Nick and Lucas talk about the recent, ongoing, and not-yet-released works of the late, great Akira Toriyama—as well as the potential future of his most popular franchise. Disclaimer: The views and opinions e...
From shows that are "just not for me" to pure animated shlock, here are our editorial team's picks for the worst anime of the winter 2024 season.― Yesterday, we gave you are list of the best anime Winter 2024 had to offer. Now it's time for the opposite. From shows that are "just not for me" to pure animated shlock, here are our editorial team's picks for the worst anime of the season. Note: The co...
Satsudou will end serialization― Kodansha's Young Magazine staff announced on Monday that manga creator Chicchi Yukinaga has died. No cause of death was given. The magazine editors gave recognition to Yukinaga for debuting in the magazine over two years ago with works imbued with passion and talent. Yukinaga's ongoing series Satsudou will end serialization, and the magazine's staff will announce fu...
Agency received complaints about power & sexual harassment, financial troubles in Nakamura's private school― Voice talent company 81 Produce announced on Friday that it has canceled voice actor Daiki Nakamura's contract as of March 21, after the agency received complaints of power harassment, sexual harassment, and financial troubles at Yume Kōbō, a private training school that Nakamura personally f...
The second part of a double-feature currently in U.S. theaters, when Sakuta finds he's become invisible, he'll have to face some significant changes in his life to create the future he wants.― As an overarching story, The Rascal Does Not Dream series hit its central climax in the 2019 film Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl. The previous film to this one, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Vent...
With the end of the Winter 2024 anime season upon us, it's time to look back at the best of what the season had to offer.― With the end of the Winter 2024 anime season looming, it's time to look back at the best of what the season had to offer. And so here's a list of our editorial team's favorite anime series this season. The big takeaway? We really like Delicious in Dungeon. Note: the commentary ...
― Curious about all the news and panels that happened at AnimeJapan 2024 last weekend? 132,557 people descended upon Tokyo Big Sight across two days to experience all the latest and greatest in anime! News from Saturday, March 23 Nanare Hananare TV Anime Premieres in July CoMix Wave Films Teases New Work by 'Rookie Director' Hyakushō Kizoku TV Anime's 2nd Season Premieres This Fall Thunderbolt Fant...
In theaters as a double-feature, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out changes up the formula for a unique yet satisfying film.― As a fan of the previous Rascal Does Not Dream anime, this film is not at all what I expected. Up until this point, the series has followed a set pattern. Our protagonist Sakuta becomes involved with a young woman who is dealing with some aspect of growing up—be ...
THIS TUESDAY! Anime News Network's Lynzee Loveridge and Richard Eisenbeis, and Trash Taste Pod's Gigguk as they watch over fifty anime trailers from the Spring 2024 anime season!― The Trailer Watch Party is growing up with a live stream from Trash Taste Pod's After Dark studio. Join Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN Japan correspondent Richard Eisenbeis, and Trash Taste Pod's...
Rooming With My Two Lovers does something that I wish a lot more BL stories would do: the characters sit down and have a proper conversation like adults.― Rooming With My Two Lovers is a series that I wouldn't say I liked when it started. In many ways, it falls into the typical conventional trappings you'd see in most other adult BL stories. There is this emphasis on teasing and gaslighting in a way...