One Piece, Volume 9: Tears Review

One Piece, Volume 9: Tears  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: January 3, 2006

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/208 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

“Sawtooth”Arlong and his pirate gang have held Coco village captive for years, extracting tribute on a yearly basis in exchange for allowing them to live. When foolhardy Usopp challenges that rule, the village is angry with him, fearing that he is endangering their safety. Nami appears to see what’s going on, lugging her precious berries. If she can collect 100 million of them, the pirates have promised to sell her the village, and she is determined to make her goal, no matter how she has to do it.

Synopsis:

Meanwhile, Zolo has been busy in Arlong Park. Hearing the trumpet blast, he gets a ride from an obliging octopus, as Luffy and the others are confronted by Momoo, the giant sea cow.

Returning to the Park, with Usopp in tow, Sawtooth is dismayed at what he finds. Especially when he learns how the perpetrator has been able to escape his vengeance. Usopp is in quite a quandary, and begs for his life. In order to prove that she is trustworthy and one of them,  and to allay their suspicions that she aided Zolo, Nami has no choice—she has to kill Usopp.

After Luffy and Sanji land on the island, a wild-eyed Johnny tells them of Usopp’s demise. Meanwhile, a navy ship has appeared off the shore of Arlong Park. Has it come to aid the villagers against the pirates? When Nami confronts Luffy and the others, they don’t want to believe her perfidy, despite Johnny’s eye-witness account of her murder of Usopp, especially the smitten Sanji. She tells them they need to go, this is none of their business and they aren’t wanted here, but Luffy decides he needs a nap and lies down in the middle of the road to take one.

As they wait to see what’s going down with the navy ship, Nojiki tells them Nami’s story, and why she’s doing what she is.

  

Commentary:

This volume of One Piece has a lot going on, filled with non-stop action as the pace of the plot definitely picks up. Not that it was slow before, but now it’s rushing headlong toward a denouement. I love the intricacies of the characters and how their plots wind about one another and intertwine. I did Eiichiro Oda does a marvelous job of twisting everything about, meshing it all together.

I also love how he doesn’t make Luffy the main character in everything, although he is the main character. He treats it more as an ensemble piece, and in this volume, we see a bit more of Usopp, and a whole lot more about Nami, finding out what makes her tick and what her motivations are.

We go back to when Nami and Nojiki were foster sisters being raised by a single mother, Belle Mere, and of what happened to them, and to the village, when the pirates descended on them years before. This goes a long way to understanding Nami, and I really enjoyed it, as I hadn’t thought much of her before on the basis of her previous actions, which have been sometimes despicable. But now everything makes perfect sense, and I have compassion for her.

As for Usopp, he may be a bit of a fool, but his heart is in the right place, even if sometimes he’s a coward, but he means well, and I like him pretty much. This is a series that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, even though it’s labeled teens. A good story is a good story, and this is definitely one of those. I enjoy the artwork, I think it fits well with the writing, and I’m enjoying this series. I heartily endorse it.

One Piece, Volume 8: I Won't Die Review

One Piece, Volume 8: I Won’t Die  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 10, 2005

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/192 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Luffy, Sanji, and Gin survive Don Krieg’s poisonous gas attack. Luffy stands up to the pirate, proclaiming, “I won’t die.” And he means it! He attacks, and actually succeeds in bringing Krieg down on one knee, a feat never before accomplished! But can he handle Krieg’s Mighty Battle Spear?

Synopsis:

As Chef and Sanji watch the battle between Luffy and Krieg, Chef comments on Luffy’s toughness. “In the end, it’s not about weapons,” he says, “grit counts more than steel.” The fight continues. Whatever Krieg throws at him, Luffy comes back with his usual tenacity, and using the weapons in his own gum gum arsenal.

After Krieg is defeated, Gin takes his leave, deciding to stay with Krieg, but his parting words for the unconscious Luffy state that he expects their paths to cross again on the Grand Line.

Sanji tells Luffy he can’t join his crew, but Luffy doesn’t believe him. Sanji asks him if he’s ever heard of the All Blue? The cooks on the Baratie start behaving strangely (even for them), claiming that Sanji’s cooking is horrible. It’s obvious they have ulterior motives, especially when the Crap Geezer asks Luffy to take Sanji with him.

Luffy and Sanji leave the Baratie and sail on in order to catch up with Nami. Along the way, Luffy learns about the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and how dangerous they are. Hawkeye Mihawk, who defeated Zolo, is one of them, and the other six are even worse. They head toward Arlong Park, home of the fish men, led by “Saw Tooth” Arlong. Yosaku thinks that is where Nami is headed, judging by her interest in a wanted poster containing information on pirates and bounties. Sanji, being obsessed with Nami, is all for following her.

Meanwhile, Zolo and Usopp are also hot on Nami’s trail, and make a couple of new friends.

Commentary:

Most of this volume is taken by the battle between Luffy and Krieg, which is pretty good, unless you don’t like battles, of course. We see some interesting moves on both sides. Naturally, Luffy prevails. He’s the hero. Then it’s time to move on.

The floating restaurant was a cool idea, but it’s time for the action to resume in other directions, and to catch up with Nami, Zolo, and Usopp.

As the series progresses, we see more and more of Luffy’s qualities, especially his loyalty to his friends, and his never give up attitude. He’s a good role model for people of all ages. I like the depth the author gives his characters, as well as the humor, and the action.

By the time the series is done, I know I won’t remember all of these characters, there are so many of them, but a few will stick with me for a long time to come: Luffy, Zolo, Shanks and Usopp among them.

Luffy’s indefatigable good humor and buoyant spirits, and his willingness to take risks to achieve his goals make this an enjoyable series for everyone.

One Piece 7: The Crap-Geezer Review

One Piece, Volume 7: The Crap-Geezer  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 6, 2005

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Sanji shows that he’s more than cook when he defends the Baratie with a tremendous kick, deflecting the fish-head, to the amazement of his crew! His action re-energizes the sea cooks, who vow to fight for their floating restaurant to the end against the scurvy knaves that comprise Don Krieg’s pirate crew. So of course Krieg has to throw them a curveball—in the form of his second unit commander, Invincible Pearl.

Synopsis:

Pearl, as his name implies, is a huge fellow covered in shields with pearl centers, and wears a pearl on his head. As he leaps onto the Baratie, he takes down two of the cooks with his Pearl Surprise move. One of Krieg’s men attempts to take the knife from one of the dying men but Sanji puts a stop to that with a swift kick. “A chef’s knife is his soul,” he tells him. “A crap-bum like you had better not touch it.”

Pearl boasts to Sanji that he’s been invincible in 61 battles to the death; in fact, he’s never even been injured, and has never lost a single drop of blood in battle. Meanwhile, Luffey is clinging for his life to a mast—if he drops into the ocean, he’s a dead man; since eating the devil fruit, he can’t swim a stroke and would sink like a stone. Luckily, Krieg’s maneuver drops him onto the Baratie, right on top of Pearl, drawing blood, to the pirate’s surprise. When Krieg’s crew see the blood, they immediately try to calm Pearl down, fearful of the consequences. Because of experiences as a child, when Pearl feels threatened, he sets himself aflame. Under the circumstances, being on a ship, afloat at sea and all, this is not a good idea.

The sea cooks back down from the human wall of flame, but not Sanji. “Moron,” he says, “you can’t be a cook if you’re afraid of fire!”  Things are starting to look up when Sanji finds himself on the wrong end of a gun barrel, being pointed at him by Gin, the pirate whose life he saved when he was starving!

Gin offers Sanji the opportunity to get off the ship, but he refuses, even when Chef Zeff taunts him, calling him eggplant head.  Luffy tries to intervene, but to no avail. He certainly doesn’t understand Sanji’s attitude, and neither does anyone else. Especially when Pearl pounds him with some of his best moves. Still the stubborn chef refuses to go. But there is method to his madness, and he finally explains why he refuses to let the Baratie be taken away from the ornery one-legged Chef Zeff. It all began nine years before…

When Sanji is done with his tale, everyone understands the debt he owes Zeff, and why he won’t allow anything else to be taken from him. Still, Luffy thinks Sanji is being ridiculous, and he sees only one way out of the situation—he intends to sink the Baratie himself. He tells Sanji it’s not worth dying over, and what use is Zeff saving his life if he’s going to just throw it away?

Don Krieg steps in and he and Luffy get into a battle of words, Luffy adamantly proclaiming himself the best pirate there is. Finally it comes down to Gin and Sanji. Can Gin kill the very man that showed him incredible kindness? Well, he is a ruthless pirate, after all…

Commentary:

The battle over the Baratie continues as we meet yet another of Krieg’s crew in the form of Invincible Pearl. Despite his record, Pearl’s a blowhard and not very likeable, but he’s an interesting villain. The backstory involving Chef Zeff and Sanji explained a lot about the latter’s loyalty to the crap-geezer, as he calls him. Sanji is a very interesting character, one I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future. In this volume, Luffey doesn’t play as big a part as usual, but when he does, he’s generally very brave, but often in the way, in misguided attempts to assist.

This is a fun series for all ages, and there’s lots more fun ahead. Sticking with it for the long haul!

One Piece 6: The Oath Review

One Piece, Volume 6: The Oath  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: March 1, 2005

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Sanji, sous chef and maitre d’ on the oceangoing restaurant Baratie, feeds a starving pirate, and Luffy is even more convinced that Sanji is the man for him. He invites him to join his pirate crew, but Sanji declines, although Luffy declines his declination and insists that the chef has to join them! The just-fed pirate declares himself to be a member of the pirate Krieg’s crew and, on hearing of Luffy’s plans, he warns them to stay away from the Grand Line!

Synopsis:

It’s back to work for Chore Boy, as it has been determined that Luffy must serve on the Baratie for one year to pay what he owes. Although he seems to be adding to his debt with the number of dishes he’s broken already. Thinking to make himself useful, he tries to clean the wok, only to get a hot hand for his trouble and a scolding.

To his dismay, he finds Zolo, Nami, and Usopp sitting at a table, waiting to be served while he has to work! Life just isn’t fair, and how can they do this to him? Sanji arrives at their table and is instantly besotten with Nami. He gives her anything she wants, but all he gives the others is a hard time.

Meanwhile, pirate Gin has returned to Don Krieg’s ship, only to learn that it’s in deplorable condition—he offers to guide the wounded ship to the Baratie.

Sanji and the chef of the Baratie are arguing in the dining room, but this is something the diners come for, to see the battles that take place on the restaurant/ship. Sanji and Usopp aren’t exactly hitting if off either, but Nami is really being treated like a queen!

Two days later Don Krieg and his pirate crew reach the Baratie. Instantly he demands food for one hundred starving pirates. The cooks tell him no way, if they feed the pirates, then they’ll regain strength and seize their ship. Why should they want to do that? Despite that logic, Sanji heads to the kitchen to make those hundred meals.

“My job is to feed people, not judge them,” he says, and off he goes to cook.

When Don Krieg sees Chef Zeff, he recognizes him as “Red Shoe” Zeff, at one time a most formidable foe. Apparently Zeff has been to the Grand Line too, and Krieg wants the journal he kept of the experience.  Says Zeff, “I won’t give it to the likes of you.”

What happened at the Grand Line to produce such fear in the hearts of the pirates? And what will Luffy and his crew do when the same calamity that befell them makes its appearance at the Baratie? And hey, just where the heck did Nami go with the Merry Go and all the treasure?

Commentary:

Watching Luffy assemble his crew piece is piece is very entertaining, and the escapades aboard the Baratie are no exception to that rule. I like Sanji, and the new nemesis is already proving to be a worthy foe. The fun never stops with One Piece, and the action just keeps on going!

I like the artwork, and think it fits the characters and the story very well. Before each chapter, there are images of Buggy the Clown, for those who miss the colorful pirate.

This volume ends, as most of them do, with a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to see what the next one brings! I highly recommend this series for readers of all ages.

One Piece 5: For Whom the Bell Tolls review

 One Piece, Volume 5: For Whom the Bell Tolls  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: November 9, 2004

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Usopp’s pirates, protecting Kaya, are chased by the hypnotist/pirate captain Django, while Klahadore, the false butler, faces down Luffy, Zolo, and Usopp. He thinks he has them where he wants them, but Zolo shows that the Meowban brothers are no match for him, although Usopp goes down, and cannot rise. No problem! Zolo will carry him, leaving Luffy to deal with Klahadore.

Synopsis:

As Luffy and Klahadore battle, the pirate butler’s plan becomes apparent—annihilation for all, including his trusty crew. He wants to get rid of anyone who knows about his past.  He reminds them of the circumstances that caused him to quit the sea, and his desire to take the riches from Kaya and go where no one will ever find him. Naturally, this does not sit well with the crew. Luffy manages to half-declaw Klahadore, even as Django is working on hypnotizing the stubborn Kaya to get her to sign the will in favor of her butler, but to no avail—she refuses to open her eyes.

Klahadore has had enough of Luffy and his insults, so he decides to let loose one final attack, although his crew begs him not to—his out-of-the-bag attack! Luffy doesn’t see the big deal.  “He’s only slouching…”

Famous last words, as the attack begins. Can Luffy counter it?

In the aftermath of the battle, Usopp exhorts his little band of pirates, as well as Miss Kaya, to say nothing of what has happened, to allow the village to live in ignorance of what has occurred in order to maintain their peace of mind. And to let them keep on believing that he is a liar. It’s a hard thing to do, but they agree that it is in the village’s best interest, as well as Usopp’s.  Kaya offers Luffy and his crew a ship—a caravel. Not the best, but a sight better than what they had. Of course, Kaya has ulterior motives, which quickly become apparent.

Having added a new crewmember, Luffy’s crew sets sail and raises their own standard for their new ship, the Merry Go. Luffy knows what needs to be done next—they need to find a ship’s cook, and quickly!

Can it be as easy as it sounds? With this bunch, not likely!

Commentary:

This is the last volume concerning the fight with Klahadore and his band and the saving of the village. Great fun, much bravery, and spectacular fights.  Luffy gains a new crewmember, one who is worthy to be part of his crew. Very satisfactory, while leading into new territory with the search for the ship’s cook, and we meet some interesting people onboard the Baratie, an ocean-going restaurant.

With One Piece, the fun never stops. It’s a good read for all ages, and I highly recommend it!

One Piece 4: The Black Cat Pirates Review

 One Piece, Volume 4: The Black Cat Pirates  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 14, 2004

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/208 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Having overheard the dastardly plans of the pirates to attack the village at dawn the next day, Usopp attempts to save their lives by warning them. But he’s cried wolf once too often, and they attempt to clobber him. He escapes and does the only thing he can think of—he runs to the mansion, intent on rescuing Kaya and taking her out of harm’s way. But she refuses to believe what he tells her of Klahadore, and he is once more set upon and is forced to flee. When he runs into his small pirate band, he tells them he was just lying, as usual, and sends them home, but he reveals to Luffy, Zolo, and Nami the truth of the matter, that they really are coming.

Synopsis:

Luffy and his crew decide to help the brave Usopp fend off the evil pirates. Usopp has a plan. Figuring how they’ll land, he determines they’ll have to use a particular pass, so if they pour a whole lot of oil down that pass, the pirates will not be able to make it up the slippery slope. Meanwhile, Klahadore has returned to the mansion from his “business” and an amused Merry tells him the story of how Usopp accused the butler of being a pirate. It isn’t funny for very long.

The pirates, under the command of the hypnotist/pirate Captain Django, arrive at the island, and spot two apparently worthless ships. Nami hears them, and only then do they realize they’re waiting in the wrong spot, that the pirates are on the north beach. Instantly, Luffy rushes off, although he really has no clue which way north is. Leaving Nami, Usopp and Zolo to navigate the slipperiness themselves, and it’s every man for himself!

By the time Usopp reaches the pirates, they’ve discovered the treasure on the decrepit ships. Usopp offers them a deal—take it and go, which pisses Nami off as she arrives and overhears him making free and easy with her treasure. They toss some caltrops at the pirates, momentarily staving them off, while Zolo works hard at getting up that greasy ground.

As the pirates have been held up in dealing with Usopp and Nami, they aren’t able to get to their pre-arranged meeting place in time, and the butler is angry. Meanwhile, Luffy and Zolo have rejoined the group, and the pirates are pretty well done for—until Django hypnotizes them back to strength! Unfortunately for him, Luffy’s been hypnotized too, and is in rare form, letting go with his gum gum Gatling gun attack!  And it’s very effective. Django has to put everyone to sleep, including Luffy, but he has two more men who’ve been on the ship, and thus aren’t affected, and he calls them out—the Meowban Brothers, Butchie and Siam.

Back at the mansion, Kaya awakes and discovers Merry, but he isn’t dead and he tells her the truth about her darling butler. She realizes the great injustice she has done to Usopp, who was telling her the truth, and she’s determined to right it by giving the pirates what they want—namely, her mansion and all her money, because she doesn’t care about any of that.

On her way to find where everyone is, she encounters Onion, Pepper, and Carrot, and they decide to go with her, realizing their captain was telling the truth about the pirates, and he’s in danger.

Commentary:

A lot of fun and action in this volume of One Piece, from beginning to end, and then some. I like the way everything comes together, and we get glimpses of the characters both individually and together. The character with the greatest growth here is Usopp, as we see there’s more to him than the simpleton he’s been playing all this time, the boy who cries wolf for no good reason. He’s actually very brave and strong, and possesses a good heart. There are comic moments, dramatic moments, laugh out loud moments and what’s going to happen moments. And a cliffhanger to guide us into the next volume. Another winner for the series!

One Piece, Volume 2: Buggy the Clown Review

One Piece, Volume 2: Buggy the Clown  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: November 19, 2003

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/200 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Luffy and Nami are an unlikely pair—he’s a pirate, she’s a pirate robber. She wants treasure, he wants to be king of the pirates. The people of Nami’s village have been frightened away by the terrible Buggy the Clown. Nami stole a map from Buggy, showing the way to the Grand Line, where great treasure is to be found. When Luffy and Nami unexpectedly come up against Buggy and his crew, she hands him over to the clownish pirate and claims she’s come to return his map!

Synopsis:

Buggy tosses Luffy into an iron cage and all the pirates celebrate, including their newest member, Nami. To demonstrate his superior power, Buggy loads one of his fearsome buggy balls into his cabins and blows some of the village houses to smithereens. Then he tells Nami to kill her former boss, namely Luffy! What a dilemma! If she does it, she’ll be no better than the pirates she despises. When she refuses, Buggy tells his crew to attack her and things are looking bad. What better time for Zolo to show up!

Buggy is no ordinary pirate. He and Luffy have something in common—both have ingested the Devil Fruit. Where Luffy became a rubber man, Buggy is a chopchop man! Looks like a good time for our heroes to take their leave.

Back in the village, Luffy learns that Nami stole the key to the cage, rather than the map or any treasure, and he is elated and pleased to have her as his navigator. She isn’t so sure about that. But nothing is ever simple with Luffy, and when a dog intervenes and swallows the key, then it’s back to square one. The dog guards the pet food store for his owner, who took ill and died three months ago, according to Boodle, the mayor of the village.

Enter Buggy’s first mate—Mohji the Lion Tamer. Mohji resembles a lion himself with some very weird facial hair that resembles a fuzzy mane about his face. Luffy appears to be alone, sitting in his cage; Mohji demands to know where Zolo is.  When Luffy refuses to tell, Mohi sets his lion, Richie, on him, with splendid results!

Boodle has taken enough. He’s tired of Buggy’s tyranny, and his wanton destruction of his village and he’s going to do something about it!  He challenges Buggy. Buggy’s second mate, Cabaji the Acrobat, wants to take him on but Buggy insists it’s his fight. Luffy takes Boodle out of the running, and it then becomes a fight between Zolo and Cabaji!

Commentary:

The second volume progresses well as we meet the bizarre clown/pirate Buggy, get more of the relationship between Luffy and Nami, and Luffy and Zolo, and see more of everyone’s abilities. Luffy has some slick moves, including his gumgum balloon, while Zolo seems virtually indestructible. Like a Timex watch, he takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

I’m really enjoying the artwork here, and the way everyone is drawn. Even the battle scenes keep my interest, which isn’t always the case. I love Luffy’s confidence, and his determination, and his loyalty to his crew/friends.  Never a dull moment with One Piece.