That was incredibly exciting. WOW!!! In fact, this episode was incredibly reminiscent to Water 7's showdown. Luffy flies into a loaded navy base and climbs high to look the person he wants to save in their eyes, but rather than Robin this time it's Ace cuffed in sea prism cuffs. Then, from behind Luffy comes his crew that he's fought his way here with one by one as everyone has their own reaction shots to what is occuring. It's the initiation of the battles to come. It was super akin to Water 7's moment yet it was so awesome. It's such an exciting declaration. Just, hagufasdhflgkidfhguiladhg.
Luffy and his crew are taken in with the tsunami Whitebeard creates. Rather than having an array of screams we get music and visuals, it was quite charming. But Aokiji freezes it while they are on the top and in a rush to get down to save Ace, everyone kicks it shattering it except for Buggy that is, a nice joke was that it didn't crack under his foot. They launch down and luckily land where Jozu broke the ice and Jimbei is there to save the power users. That's one way to make an introduction. Another small detail I loved was how Jimbei knew exactly what was happening and who was doing it.
Part of the reason this Water 7-esque showdown was so awesome was that it showed just how freaking strong Luffy is. He, with some great help of course, refused to give up when things were looking hopeless, broke in and broke out causing an unheard of riot in Impel Down, and sailed all the way to Marineford to crash this war. All for Ace. Luffy nearly died numerous times, suffered that horribly poisoning, nearly had his whole crew die under him, but none of that matters. If anything, Summit War has shown me that Luffy can lose and his resolve cannot always be enough yet as long as he has people to fight for he will keep on going, time and time again and he cannot be stopped unless you literally kill him. It's why that moment he thought his crew was killed was the first time he actually gave up... It was traumatizing. Yet, as long as he has a chance like he does here he will put a big smile on his face, it was a way of saying it was all worth it just to see Ace again! I know it must be traumatizing for Ace to have all this happening for his sake but people really love him.
So for Luffy to then protect Whitebeard from Crocodile because he's Ace's friend was just even more special. He will blindly trust Jimbei and protect Whitebeard all on faith that these are the people Ace likes! But even more special I was not expecting Luffy to do that, I thought he'd be on his way to get to Ace but he reacted instantly to Crocodile's assassination attempt. He wetted his limbs, he second geared, and he's stopped him. That's one first impression.. and to then challenge Whitebeard for telling him he's in over his head and even declare to the strongest man on the sea that LUFFY HIMSELF WILL BE THE PIRATE KING HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, yep that is one first impression. That was a great moment. He's really competing with the strongest man in the world and I think he lived up to Whitebeard's expectations set up from Ace and Shanks! WOOOO.
But, the sad part is Whitebeard was right. Luffy was brutalized by Magellan without even hurting him. The best he could do was, with Mr. 3's help, hold him off and then run from him. He has never hurt Aokiji or Kizaru. Warlords have always left him at his last breath. This is not a place for him and going from what Summit War's been about, he is a rookie in a field of professiolers. So, I'm super curious where this will go.
MARINEFORD IS AWESOME!!! Side note, Oars body decorating the warzone is so sad and grotesque. Also, I love how Buggy stole a navy outfit! |