[Simulcast] One Piece Episode #492 Review

[Chris Beveridge]

Review by Chris Beveridge



Mania Grade: B+

In Summary:
With this flashback story, there is a whole lot to like since it lets us have some more time with Ace, something I'm sure we'll see happen at times over the course of future episodes, and to do it in a fun way that helps to detail the boys younger days a bit better. While I would hate to see a L'il One Piece series take form, there is something fun to be had with it and it'd probably do well. There's not a lot of material really here in a way, but it's a wonderful episode for showing the irst days between these two boys, the respect they do start to develop for each other and why their bond is as close as it is. The focus is largely on Luffy, but Ace makes out really well as well and the whole thing has a very upbeat and fun feeling about it, even though we know what's to come in ten years. Definitely a welcome episode considering recent events with a storyline that looks to be a good bit of fun. And One Piece definitely needs some fun.

[aku.chan]

It was nice to have some light-heartedness back in the show, plus a awesome new opening that I wasn't expecting yet.

But going into uber-One Piece nerd mode for a minute, something was bugging me. Did the strawhat always have that string that holds it in place? I was sure that was Nami's idea.

[Vegard Aune]

This episode was surprisingly well-paced considering how little actually happened, and I agree that it's nice to have some more comedic moments after all the heavy drama we've had lately. (Well, some decently written comedy that doesn't completely destroy the mood like all those Buggy-fillers during the war did, that is... I got really sick of those after a while.)

That being said, the highlight of this episode must be the new opening, which I like more and more every time I see it. It seems like Toei has learned their lesson after the oh-so-unfitting Kaze wo Sagashite, and are now actively working to make their openings fit with the arcs they're played over, and I for one think this song is much more memorable than One Day, and the actual opening footage also has a lot more of an impact. Loved the flashbacks to how all the Straw Hats joined Luffy.

[Gatts]

Originally Posted by Vegard Aune

It seems like Toei has learned their lesson after the oh-so-unfitting Kaze wo Sagashite, and are now actively working to make their openings fit with the arcs they're played over, and I for one think this song is much more memorable than One Day, and the actual opening footage also has a lot more of an impact.

I actually like the song Kaze wo Sagashite. There's a lot of negativity to the song that I don't think it really deserves. I agree that it didn't totally fit the mood of Impel Down, but it wasn't bad music like many people are saying. As for the current opening, I enjoy it, but I think it's a bit long. I'm not sure if they'll trim it some in the future, but a 3 minute opening song is a bit much.

Then again One Piece normally has it's 5 minute recap time, so if the opening cuts into that I can't complain.

[Vegard Aune]

Originally Posted by Gatts

I actually like the song Kaze wo Sagashite. There's a lot of negativity to the song that I don't think it really deserves. I agree that it didn't totally fit the mood of Impel Down, but it wasn't bad music like many people are saying.

I never said it was bad, just horrendously unfitting. I actually like the song itself better than several of the other openings.

Originally Posted by Gatts

As for the current opening, I enjoy it, but I think it's a bit long. I'm not sure if they'll trim it some in the future, but a 3 minute opening song is a bit much.

Uh... The openings have been 2 minutes and 30 seconds long since episode 279. This one isn't any longer than the last six have been. Though yeah, it is still a bit much. How I miss the days of slightly shorter openings, back when the show still had ending-themes...