[Simulcast] One Piece Episode #494 Review

[Chris Beveridge]

Review by Chris Beveridge



Mania Grade: B+

In Summary:
Though I'm still somewhat undecided on the use of Ace so soon after his death in a youth based flashback, the adventure here is a good bit of fun and it really does showcase the kinds of things that define Luffy as a person in the present. There's some real fun to be had here in watching Ace and Sabo but especially with Luffy as he plays the younger type tagging along and trying to include himself in someone he really idolizes in a youthful way that's very special to watch. They do bring in a fair bit of brutality to it, something that you can definitely understand in context when you have hardened pirates wanting their treasure back, and it sets things up to really make an impact when Ace gets to seeing the results of all of their actions. You really feel for Luffy as this progresses and it really makes him even more of an interesting character.

[aku.chan]

I agree that the flashback feels a little out of place. I think it would have been better to slot it in when Luffy was on his way to Marineford, or even before he broke into Impel Down, but then that would have spoilt the big 'Gold Roger is Ace's father' reveal.

Despite that, the flashback has been really good so far. Though Little Luffy's adorableness made some scenes hard to watch.

[untoldsorrow]

Originally Posted by aku.chan

Though Little Luffy's adorableness made some scenes hard to watch.

I think that is the best part of watching kid Luffy. He's too cute and innocent to hate.

[FUNiOP]

The anime is doing a great job with this flashback arc so far. It's a little amusing that Sabo is Naruto, but it doesn't really matter to me. Luffy is such a great character, even letting himself be tortured to protect people who were so mean to him and said they were going to kill him (although obviously that wasn't going to happen).