Episode 999 is an episode of extremes on multiple fronts. In many ways, this is the prelude to what is to come, both in a narrative and a metatextual sense. We have the Straw Hats coming back together in Onigashima, the disparate threads and battles that have occupied them separately leading back to them congregating within the heart of the fortress. We also have the anime itself setting the stage for what is sure to be a bombastic episode 1000 of one of the world's most beloved series. It is clear that this episode is serving as the connective tissue to get us ready for what is to come.
We get lots of focus on the “kids” and the “adults” of the Straw Hat crew, so to speak. Nami, Chopper, and Usopp have their moments, but spend most of the episode in dire straits. The Brachio tank does, well, nothing against the Numbers, but I love those scenes anyway. Usopp and Chopper being precious and supporting each other is hilarious, and I love the squeaky toy BEEP that the tank makes every time it fires. All the gratuitous close-ups and stylistic flourishes on the tank barrel only add to the comedy.
The grownups really steal the show in this episode. Franky, everyone's favorite big bro cyborg (cybrorg?) and the hottest toy of the holiday season, gets his time to shine. Franky is my guy, so I'm always glad we get plenty of time with him. As One Piece has gone on, the increasing number of characters and plot threads means that a lot of core cast members (like Franky) have gotten sidelined in recent years. Outside of the monster trio, it is rare for Straw Hat crew members to get more than a line or two with any regularity. So having Franky get lots of cool one-liners and some stellar animation sequences where he shows off the radical beam and his ability isl a treat. Add in Robin and Jimbei getting some of that love too and it's a real strong showing for the older members of the crew. Also, the abject hilarity of Big Mom getting unceremoniously rolled out of the scene is just great.
The animation is a bit dodgier in this episode overall though. While the later moments look gorgeous and kinetic, the earlier sections (particularly with the Yamato scenes) are a bit more strained. The shot with Ulti's mace on the ground comes to mind as being a really weird angle where the haft looks kind of warped and unaligned. My guess is that the team is under a lot of pressure to deliver a tour de force in episode 1000 and portions of this week's episode struggled as a result.
Anime will star Hiroshi Kamiya, Kotaro Nishiyama, Kotaro Nishiyama― Distribution company Remow announced on Tuesday that Yura Urushibara's Tougen Anki: Dark Demon of Paradise manga will get a television anime in 2025. The company revealed the trailer, key visual, and main cast for the anime. The anime's cast includes:
Kazuki Ura as Shiki Ichinose, the protagonist who inherits the blood of an Oni. Sh...
Nick and Chris recount some of the most frustrating anime cancellations, from the Yuri on Ice movie to the second half of Stars Align.― Nick and Chris recount some of the most frustrating anime cancellations from the second half of Stars Align to the 2007 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood movie. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views...
Welcome to the rankings for the Spring 2024 season! The perfect place to check out which hidden gems might have flown under your radar.― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated ...
The final Spring 2024 Manga Guide update includes not-yet-released series from this month, including Sword Art Online Re:Aincrad,Bungo Stray Dogs: The Official Comic Anthology, A Sign of Affection and more.― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2024 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it a...
Producer Masakazu Kubo shares the animation team's dedication to realism, including bringing in a pro golfer to produce the anime's sound effects.― 64-year-old Masakazu Kubo has been planning and producing anime for decades. He's had a major hand in everything from Pokémon and Detective Conan to Teasing Master Takagi-san and Dorohedoro. Recently, he sat down with us to talk about Tonbo!, his attemp...
Kaijin Fugeki manga launches on May 29― Manga creator Oh! great announced on Tuesday that he will launch a new manga titled Kaijin Fugeki in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine on May 29. A Twitter account for the manga also debuted on the same day. Oh! great launched a manga adaptation of NisiOisin's Bakemonogatari novels (pictured at right) in Weekly Shonen Magazine in March 2018, and ended it in Ma...