One Piece Re-Read Notes Volume 5
Nov. 3rd, 2017 02:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dethoratsVolume 5 – For Whom the Bell Tolls
After last volume, which is probably in the bottom 3 for me of East Blue, now we jump to one that is in my top 3 in East Blue. Usopp finally gets to play a stronger role in his own story, the very weird tone of the battle versus the Black Cat Pirates settles on the more serious side of things rather than a bizarre mix of humor and very serious. We get to meet the dynamic idiot duo of Johnny and Yosaku, and we are introduced in a fun and fitting way to our fifth nakama.
The title comes from the John Donne poem (and then later the awesome Metallica song) and is pretty fitting. In the poem, it explicitly refers to the coming of death for each and every one of us. Additionally, the point of the poem (as opposed to the line) is in the value of each person to the community of humanity. So the title could be interpreted in several ways. One could see it as a reference to the threat to Kaya (and to the our four heroes) or even to the eventual defeat of Kuro/Klahadore and his men. But I think it works better in the wider view, the value of the people around us. In volume 5, this includes the recruitment of Usopp, the foreshadowing of Sanji’s recruitment, Zoro reuniting with his old partners Johnny and Yosaku, and Kaya providing Luffy and company with the Going Merry Go.
As an overarching theme for a volume consisting of an arc’s ending, a small interlude, and an arc’s beginning, it’s a pretty cohesive thing to accomplish with the volume’s name! I had to check and it looks like the Viz names are translations of the Japanese volume names, which I hadn’t realized before! I wonder who is responsible for naming each volume – does it fall to Oda’s editor or the Jump staff or does he name them himself or have some level of input? Anyway, this one’s quite good for the chapters in involves and Usopp gets to shine quite a bit as his introduction story wraps up.
Chapter 36 Key Observations
- Revelation of Jango’s true threat level, showing he’s not quite the joke he’s been shown as thus far
- Usopp’s bloody face! Everyone, including Nami, takes damage in this arc
- Luffy defending Usopp – tossing a boulder and then threatening death if they laugh at him again
- Zoro defeating Butchie, grabbing Usopp, and then checking to make sure Luffy didn’t have an issue w/it
- Lost!Zoro reference – Z: I’d make better time on my own…but they’re in the woods. I’ll never catch them without you to guide me. This also serves as a way for Zoro to protect Usopp’s pride
- Luffy’s reason for fighting – L: ‘Cause there’s someone in this village I don’t want you to kill! This is obviously Usopp since I don’t think Luffy has the presence of mind/personality to save Kaya for a ship.
Chapter 37 Key Observations
- Kuro is the first time we’ve seen Luffy struggle in a fight. He lands on and runs down Luffy’s outstretched arm (which should be impossible given that Luffy doesn’t have his hand anchored so his arm should sag/fall under Kuro’s weight) and then kicks him in the face.
- Kuro’s flashback – He retires because of stress and what he sees as his own crew’s ineptness. He has ZERO feelings for them and will kill them all (as stated next chapter). This is antithetical to everything Luffy stands for and so we know that Luffy will kick his butt(ler) ass. [Using the lame Viz pun]
- Scene w/ Morgan being the one who ‘turned in’ Kuro (note the facial features as well as the point about the broken jaw). Hard to say how much the hypnosis actually worked on him versus whether he went along with it for his own purposes. Also, I wonder who the schlub was that stood in for Kuro?
- Luffy being savvy/smart and using a boulder to block and break Kuro’s claws
- Key part of being a pirate time again – being willing to get/have a reputation!
Chapter 38 Key Observations
- First cover image with Usopp included (note similarities in behavior between him and Luffy)
- First hint that Django isn’t totally evil – he (failed to) put the kids to sleep rather than kill them. He’s also not being super mean yet to Kaya – plays into his eventual semi-redemption as a goofy marine
- The sheer awesomeness of Usopp’s Pirate Trio should not be underestimated! They are little badasses given their environment/upbringing. They’re no ASL trio but still! In some ways that’s more impressive!
- Kuro admits to planning to kill his crew all along and his view of crew needing to be 100% loyal to and willing to die for their captain no matter what
- Luffy’s belief that Kuro will lose to Usopp because Usopp is the REAL pirate and Kuro is the pretend one – this is super important and goes back into the themes of volume 3 over who’s the actual liar/fake!
- Nami taking the opportunity to rob the Black Cat Pirates
- Kuro’s special attack (possible inspiration against Ener’s mantra?) and Luffy’s rage that Kuro really WILL hurt/kill his own crew
Chapter 39 Key Observations
- This is the ultimate attack chapter and shares the volume’s title so in THIS instance it refers to Kuro/Django getting what’s coming for them (ie defeat in this case as opposed to death)
- More battle savvy/smarts from Luffy – waiting until he’s hit to instantly snag Kuro’s invisible body
- L: I’m never going to become a pirate like you! (in reference to Kuro)
- Kaya is also a BAMF. Threatens to kill herself to get Django to stop beating up the Usopp Pirate Trio
- Carrot: Captain always says, if you think you’re going to lose, run away and hide. Pepper: Captain Usopp’s not like that. Onion: He kept fighting until he was all bloody. To protect us! Carrot: We’re not gonna let Kaya die!! We’re Usopp’s pirates! - the truth of Usopp is revealed!!!!
- Injured!Zoro getting hit in his wounds – Usopp smacking his bloody chest to get him to stop
- Zoro sensing Usopp’s intentions and cutting the branch rather than attacking Django so that Usopp’s exploding star can get through and knock him out! This is pretty key, actually. Zoro syncs with the 3 East Blue guys and their fighting styles more or less from the get go. We see it most with Luffy (as it happens most often), but he can do it with the others without needing to talk as well. And usually it is about him sensing THEIR intentions rather than the other way around.
- Luffy and Usopp knock out their opponents and end the horrible plan
Chapter 40 Key Observations
- Another key part of being a pirate - L: I’m Monkey D. Luffy!!! You think I’d let a pirate who gave up his name and quit the sea beat me?! A real pirate would die before he’d do either of those things!
- Usopp convincing them not to tell anyone so as to not ruin the villagers’ sense of peace. He’s so good!
- The villagers care about Usopp – they miss him not giving them their wake-up call/excitement
- U: Without you, I couldn’t have saved the village. Z: What are you talking about? It was all you. You made me. L: Me too. N: Who cares about the village? We got the treasure! <3 – Nobody claims credit
- Kaya fixing up Merry – the start of her journey to becoming a doctor!
- Usopp’s Pirate Trio are only 9! 9 years old! BAMFS!!! And these are their awesome dreams for the future: Pepper – run a tavern, Carrot – carpenter, Onion - writer
- Usopp declares his ambition and dissolves his crew (technically the END of CAPTAIN Usopp but not of Captain Usopp)
Chapter 41 Key Observations
- Good Colorspread – Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates w/Anchor!Luffy
- Kaya finds L/Z/N and offers them a ship
- Usopp empties his entire house and busts out the door trying to leave w/it all. He’s the only boy so far prepared to travel
- First shot of the Going Merry Go – Nami is the only one who knows how to sail so Merry instructs her
- Luffy and Zoro stop the runaway Usopp!Ball
- EVERYONE but Usopp assumed he’d go with L/Z/N. Could be a sign of Usopp’s lack of confidence?
- KEY PLOT POINT PASSAGE TIME – U: You guys take care. See you around. L: Why? U: Huh? Why? That’s not very friendly. Since we’re all pirates, we might cross paths someday… Z: Stop babbling and get on board. U: Huh? L: We’re a team, aren’t we? U: *Dawning Smile* What…Yeah!! Can I be the captain? L: No way!! I’m the captain!!! Good god the parallels to Water 7 and Luffy’s leave taking.
- I’d like to point out that ZORO does most of the direct talking/commenting with Usopp in this arc. Usopp and Luffy act together in key moments, but Zoro is the one who speaks with him. I find that interesting and to this day I’m not 100% sure why Oda wrote it this way. But this is why I ship L/U/Z way more than S/U/Z because it shows how they actually interacted in canon. Maybe I’ll change this once I get to more Sanji stuff but I’m standing by this for now.
- Flashback to when Usopp started his ‘Pirates’ trend, he created his own “HOPE.” Contrast this to the “I’m ALWAYS negative” thing is very interesting! Usopp Trio now continue the tradition and Kaya resolves to live up to Usopp’s internal strength
Chapter 42 Key Observations
- Luffy’s ridiculous art vs. Usopp’s awesome art. The premier of the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger! (Note that Usopp tried to sneak in HIS Jolly Roger first and Zoro and Luffy wouldn’t let him)
- Usopp’s awesome aiming abilities with the cannon! What his role will be is determined (sharpshooter)
- Luffy still wants a musician but everyone else says they need a cook!
- Johnny’s epic dorkiness and the reveal that Zoro used to hunt bounties with them – they called him ‘big brother’ even though they’re older because they kinda suck. Also – Yosaku=scurvy so more emphasis on the need for a cook.
- Johnny knows where to find a cook – the ocean-going restaurant Baratie! Also – he tells Zoro that Hawk-Eyes goes there (foreshadowing his upcoming duel)
- SBS: Ben Beckman and Lucky Roux are named with THIS spelling (it changes to Benn in volume 7 and I dunno if/when Roux becomes Roo)
Chapter 43 Key Observations
- First look at the Baratie
- Johnny drops some wanted posters and Nami is interested in one (foreshadowing Arlong Park)
- Fullbody fires a cannon at them and Luffy accidentally shoots it at the Baratie and it lands on Zeff, causing complications!
- Fullbody is a snobbish loser doof marine who is broken mentally and then physically by Sanji – this makes Sanji seem cool at first
- S: Food must NEVER be wasted.
Chapter 44 Key Observations
- Zeff is a tough old geezer and he and Luffy argue over terms of service
- The scariness of sea cooks is revealed and Fullbody takes the brunt of it
- Gin’s arrival/departure and eventual feeding by Sanji, revealing his kind-hearted nature and making Luffy want him for his crew as the much-needed cook!
- Also, the first hint that Sanji makes awesomely delicious food
After last volume, which is probably in the bottom 3 for me of East Blue, now we jump to one that is in my top 3 in East Blue. Usopp finally gets to play a stronger role in his own story, the very weird tone of the battle versus the Black Cat Pirates settles on the more serious side of things rather than a bizarre mix of humor and very serious. We get to meet the dynamic idiot duo of Johnny and Yosaku, and we are introduced in a fun and fitting way to our fifth nakama.
The title comes from the John Donne poem (and then later the awesome Metallica song) and is pretty fitting. In the poem, it explicitly refers to the coming of death for each and every one of us. Additionally, the point of the poem (as opposed to the line) is in the value of each person to the community of humanity. So the title could be interpreted in several ways. One could see it as a reference to the threat to Kaya (and to the our four heroes) or even to the eventual defeat of Kuro/Klahadore and his men. But I think it works better in the wider view, the value of the people around us. In volume 5, this includes the recruitment of Usopp, the foreshadowing of Sanji’s recruitment, Zoro reuniting with his old partners Johnny and Yosaku, and Kaya providing Luffy and company with the Going Merry Go.
As an overarching theme for a volume consisting of an arc’s ending, a small interlude, and an arc’s beginning, it’s a pretty cohesive thing to accomplish with the volume’s name! I had to check and it looks like the Viz names are translations of the Japanese volume names, which I hadn’t realized before! I wonder who is responsible for naming each volume – does it fall to Oda’s editor or the Jump staff or does he name them himself or have some level of input? Anyway, this one’s quite good for the chapters in involves and Usopp gets to shine quite a bit as his introduction story wraps up.
Chapter 36 Key Observations
- Revelation of Jango’s true threat level, showing he’s not quite the joke he’s been shown as thus far
- Usopp’s bloody face! Everyone, including Nami, takes damage in this arc
- Luffy defending Usopp – tossing a boulder and then threatening death if they laugh at him again
- Zoro defeating Butchie, grabbing Usopp, and then checking to make sure Luffy didn’t have an issue w/it
- Lost!Zoro reference – Z: I’d make better time on my own…but they’re in the woods. I’ll never catch them without you to guide me. This also serves as a way for Zoro to protect Usopp’s pride
- Luffy’s reason for fighting – L: ‘Cause there’s someone in this village I don’t want you to kill! This is obviously Usopp since I don’t think Luffy has the presence of mind/personality to save Kaya for a ship.
Chapter 37 Key Observations
- Kuro is the first time we’ve seen Luffy struggle in a fight. He lands on and runs down Luffy’s outstretched arm (which should be impossible given that Luffy doesn’t have his hand anchored so his arm should sag/fall under Kuro’s weight) and then kicks him in the face.
- Kuro’s flashback – He retires because of stress and what he sees as his own crew’s ineptness. He has ZERO feelings for them and will kill them all (as stated next chapter). This is antithetical to everything Luffy stands for and so we know that Luffy will kick his butt(ler) ass. [Using the lame Viz pun]
- Scene w/ Morgan being the one who ‘turned in’ Kuro (note the facial features as well as the point about the broken jaw). Hard to say how much the hypnosis actually worked on him versus whether he went along with it for his own purposes. Also, I wonder who the schlub was that stood in for Kuro?
- Luffy being savvy/smart and using a boulder to block and break Kuro’s claws
- Key part of being a pirate time again – being willing to get/have a reputation!
Chapter 38 Key Observations
- First cover image with Usopp included (note similarities in behavior between him and Luffy)
- First hint that Django isn’t totally evil – he (failed to) put the kids to sleep rather than kill them. He’s also not being super mean yet to Kaya – plays into his eventual semi-redemption as a goofy marine
- The sheer awesomeness of Usopp’s Pirate Trio should not be underestimated! They are little badasses given their environment/upbringing. They’re no ASL trio but still! In some ways that’s more impressive!
- Kuro admits to planning to kill his crew all along and his view of crew needing to be 100% loyal to and willing to die for their captain no matter what
- Luffy’s belief that Kuro will lose to Usopp because Usopp is the REAL pirate and Kuro is the pretend one – this is super important and goes back into the themes of volume 3 over who’s the actual liar/fake!
- Nami taking the opportunity to rob the Black Cat Pirates
- Kuro’s special attack (possible inspiration against Ener’s mantra?) and Luffy’s rage that Kuro really WILL hurt/kill his own crew
Chapter 39 Key Observations
- This is the ultimate attack chapter and shares the volume’s title so in THIS instance it refers to Kuro/Django getting what’s coming for them (ie defeat in this case as opposed to death)
- More battle savvy/smarts from Luffy – waiting until he’s hit to instantly snag Kuro’s invisible body
- L: I’m never going to become a pirate like you! (in reference to Kuro)
- Kaya is also a BAMF. Threatens to kill herself to get Django to stop beating up the Usopp Pirate Trio
- Carrot: Captain always says, if you think you’re going to lose, run away and hide. Pepper: Captain Usopp’s not like that. Onion: He kept fighting until he was all bloody. To protect us! Carrot: We’re not gonna let Kaya die!! We’re Usopp’s pirates! - the truth of Usopp is revealed!!!!
- Injured!Zoro getting hit in his wounds – Usopp smacking his bloody chest to get him to stop
- Zoro sensing Usopp’s intentions and cutting the branch rather than attacking Django so that Usopp’s exploding star can get through and knock him out! This is pretty key, actually. Zoro syncs with the 3 East Blue guys and their fighting styles more or less from the get go. We see it most with Luffy (as it happens most often), but he can do it with the others without needing to talk as well. And usually it is about him sensing THEIR intentions rather than the other way around.
- Luffy and Usopp knock out their opponents and end the horrible plan
Chapter 40 Key Observations
- Another key part of being a pirate - L: I’m Monkey D. Luffy!!! You think I’d let a pirate who gave up his name and quit the sea beat me?! A real pirate would die before he’d do either of those things!
- Usopp convincing them not to tell anyone so as to not ruin the villagers’ sense of peace. He’s so good!
- The villagers care about Usopp – they miss him not giving them their wake-up call/excitement
- U: Without you, I couldn’t have saved the village. Z: What are you talking about? It was all you. You made me. L: Me too. N: Who cares about the village? We got the treasure! <3 – Nobody claims credit
- Kaya fixing up Merry – the start of her journey to becoming a doctor!
- Usopp’s Pirate Trio are only 9! 9 years old! BAMFS!!! And these are their awesome dreams for the future: Pepper – run a tavern, Carrot – carpenter, Onion - writer
- Usopp declares his ambition and dissolves his crew (technically the END of CAPTAIN Usopp but not of Captain Usopp)
Chapter 41 Key Observations
- Good Colorspread – Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates w/Anchor!Luffy
- Kaya finds L/Z/N and offers them a ship
- Usopp empties his entire house and busts out the door trying to leave w/it all. He’s the only boy so far prepared to travel
- First shot of the Going Merry Go – Nami is the only one who knows how to sail so Merry instructs her
- Luffy and Zoro stop the runaway Usopp!Ball
- EVERYONE but Usopp assumed he’d go with L/Z/N. Could be a sign of Usopp’s lack of confidence?
- KEY PLOT POINT PASSAGE TIME – U: You guys take care. See you around. L: Why? U: Huh? Why? That’s not very friendly. Since we’re all pirates, we might cross paths someday… Z: Stop babbling and get on board. U: Huh? L: We’re a team, aren’t we? U: *Dawning Smile* What…Yeah!! Can I be the captain? L: No way!! I’m the captain!!! Good god the parallels to Water 7 and Luffy’s leave taking.
- I’d like to point out that ZORO does most of the direct talking/commenting with Usopp in this arc. Usopp and Luffy act together in key moments, but Zoro is the one who speaks with him. I find that interesting and to this day I’m not 100% sure why Oda wrote it this way. But this is why I ship L/U/Z way more than S/U/Z because it shows how they actually interacted in canon. Maybe I’ll change this once I get to more Sanji stuff but I’m standing by this for now.
- Flashback to when Usopp started his ‘Pirates’ trend, he created his own “HOPE.” Contrast this to the “I’m ALWAYS negative” thing is very interesting! Usopp Trio now continue the tradition and Kaya resolves to live up to Usopp’s internal strength
Chapter 42 Key Observations
- Luffy’s ridiculous art vs. Usopp’s awesome art. The premier of the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger! (Note that Usopp tried to sneak in HIS Jolly Roger first and Zoro and Luffy wouldn’t let him)
- Usopp’s awesome aiming abilities with the cannon! What his role will be is determined (sharpshooter)
- Luffy still wants a musician but everyone else says they need a cook!
- Johnny’s epic dorkiness and the reveal that Zoro used to hunt bounties with them – they called him ‘big brother’ even though they’re older because they kinda suck. Also – Yosaku=scurvy so more emphasis on the need for a cook.
- Johnny knows where to find a cook – the ocean-going restaurant Baratie! Also – he tells Zoro that Hawk-Eyes goes there (foreshadowing his upcoming duel)
- SBS: Ben Beckman and Lucky Roux are named with THIS spelling (it changes to Benn in volume 7 and I dunno if/when Roux becomes Roo)
Chapter 43 Key Observations
- First look at the Baratie
- Johnny drops some wanted posters and Nami is interested in one (foreshadowing Arlong Park)
- Fullbody fires a cannon at them and Luffy accidentally shoots it at the Baratie and it lands on Zeff, causing complications!
- Fullbody is a snobbish loser doof marine who is broken mentally and then physically by Sanji – this makes Sanji seem cool at first
- S: Food must NEVER be wasted.
Chapter 44 Key Observations
- Zeff is a tough old geezer and he and Luffy argue over terms of service
- The scariness of sea cooks is revealed and Fullbody takes the brunt of it
- Gin’s arrival/departure and eventual feeding by Sanji, revealing his kind-hearted nature and making Luffy want him for his crew as the much-needed cook!
- Also, the first hint that Sanji makes awesomely delicious food
