RE: OP 590

[dethorats]

Ah, Oda, and you reassure me immediately. XD No Sasuke here. And it even WORKS and feels totally authentic to the world and to the characters Oda has created. It doesn't feel rushed or phony in any way; indeed, in some ways Luffy is reaching out for the very thing that will keep him from drowning in grief. Desperation, yes, but not unjustified and not in any way reducing the grief and guilt and anguish he still feels and will probably feel for quite a while. He NEEDS his nakama, needs them in a way that goes beyond even the great extent he needed them before and it feels so very true to life, to the sort of outgoing personality that Luffy has, that he'd need his remaining loved ones (for that's what his nakama are, his loved ones and his family - cheap side note: nakamaship fics, gen or pr0n, I can't wait to read all that MUST be coming from fandom in upcoming weeks) with him to help him cope.

And Dadan. I haven't talked about her yet but my love for her is so thoroughly cemented now. Her reaction! Augh, it was marvelous and authentic. And made me just a little more put out at Garp. I was really hoping for more of a reaction from him (and we still might get one from Oda in later chapters) and, of course, his decision to return to Fuchsia village can be taken as a reaction in and of itself. But I wanted more. I wanted a bit more rawness. Personally, I don't think Garp ever really thought Ace would die. I believe he thought Whitebeard would pull off the rescue attempt. But that might be my optimism about Garp's character in my fan brain speaking. And Ace was just as much his grandson as Luffy so bloodties aren't an issue either. I dunno, I just want more.

Let's see...oh Jinbei! I haven't squeed about him yet either but first let me say that I adore his character design. It's so Oda and yet so unique in some ways and it suits him, with its references to classical Japanese art, which references classical Chinese Buddhist art in turn. His cloud-like eyebrows and other bits...so cool! His speech to Luffy as well was quite excellent. I'm really liking how the portrayal of the fish-people has evolved over the course of the series. It's one of those elements that I tend to take for granted in One Piece, the way we get diverse views of groups from where we least expect it. It's like Hannyabal's line about people fearing pirates, which was GENIUS in my opinion and came when it needed to. I know it's highly unlikely that Jinbei will join the crew (I have some trouble seeing him fit in with the general wackiness for one thing) but if he did, I wouldn't disapprove.

As for the Ace flashbacks, I still haven't gotten around to posting (or finish writing for that matter) my essay on why Ace's death pisses me off. I HATE that he essentially died for being Roger's son. Those kinds of deaths enrage me because they're so very very unfair. And I suspect in some ways that's Oda's point and he's going to do interesting things with it but I still don't like it. Also, Oda managed to AU two of my June drabbles as he buried Whitebeard and Ace rather than having them being given to the sea. Interesting. Personally I would think the graves would be at risk for vandalization/desecration and so sea burial would make more sense. Then again, I suspect there's more Japanese Buddhist influence in the burials versus the more traditional pirate burial at sea, in that this way the spirits of Ace and Whitebeard can live on and be honored by their family(ies).

Then, because it's me, I can't leave out the all important SHANKS!!!!!!!!!! I love him so much and he was so badass yet again. I just want to flail around about him at all times. Perhaps, with all the changes in the world now afoot, he'll get more page time. I would certainly approve. SHANKS!!!!!!!

Finally, it looks like the moment all of fandom has been waiting for is soon to be upon us. The reunion. I don't know when or how but it looks to be soon and I for one can hardly wait!

Comments

[serrende.livejournal.com]

indeed, in some ways Luffy is reaching out for the very thing that will keep him from drowning in grief.

Yes, absolutely! I found myself wanting to quote you on this over on my LJ, though I didn't since it's locked. But it's very well put. (Especially given how half the crew will often literally save him from drowning! ;))

I had a really bad reaction to Dadan back in chapter 584, when she didn't seem to care at all about Luffy disappearing for over a day because Ace threw him into the stream. He could seriously have died then, and no-one around him seemed to give a damn. >:(((( That hurt. I've slowly warmed up to her, though; - and in this chapter I could say I like her for sure. I really wanted someone to confront Garp on this, even as I can agree with Makino it must be hurting him quite badly as well. And Dadan was the best choice for doing that.

Personally, I don't think Garp ever really thought Ace would die. I believe he thought Whitebeard would pull off the rescue attempt.

I want to believe that, too.

I dunno, I just want more.

Seconded! Incidentally, I liked this recent Garp-centric piece with speculations on his background.

Excellent point about the representation of fishmen in the series and the different perspectives on certain issues overall, as with Hannyabal. (And while I don't think Luffy was wrong in helping most of those inmates escape from such a hellish place, I do wonder if/when the freeing of Crocodile will come back to haunt him...)

I'll repeat myself and just agree that Shanks was just wonderful in this chapter. <3333

[dethorats]

lol, you can always quote me! My LJ is now locked all the time because I put in an application at the CIA and figured it was for the best but I doubt they're cross-checking everything.

Dadan is just...she's like Garp in that they're probably the most UNTRADITIONAL parents/parental-type figures I've ever seen and yet they do care. And their parenting style certainly shaped who Luffy is. (Garp...I'm still mad at but I think will end up being okay. He did love Ace, of that, if nothing else, I am sure.)

Crocodile...I just watched those anime episode last night and his VA is chilling. It's going to come back to haunt Luffy. It's just gotta. Crocodile is one villain I don't see being reformed (or rather, I suspect I'd be peeved if he was reformed. He's just deliciously evil. Unlike Spandam, who doesn't deserve to be reformed, and is just a jackass) and who could play a big role still. I wonder what his secret is, though? Oda keeps stringing us along. XD I suspect he enjoys that kind of torture of his fans.

[fantsywever.livejournal.com]

And I now have hope for Luffy. Does anyone else think that Sabo may have escaped death, if not tlee me exactly what page he died on, because that whole chapter was nothing short of confusing.

[dethorats]

A lot of people think Sabo lived, me included. The big question now is who he will turn out to be and how/when he'll reappear in teh series.