I was spoiled that Luffy would punch a celestial dragon and that it would be awesome but somehow I don't consider that a spoiler at all. Luffy has already declared war on the world government for a single friend who "wanted to die anyways". He takes after Shanks who taught him to pick his battles wisely and fight for his friends above all else. Even earlier in this episode he showed his straightforward nature when Hachi told him, "Stop Straw Hat, there are celestial dragons around and she has an explosive collar", essentially even if you get her she will explode and an admiral will come with a navy fleet to kill you and your friends. "It's impossible so don't". And Luffy's response? "So what?". He's here to save his friend Camie, he will save her and deal with the consequences later. What's worse than letting one of your nakama suffer? Nothing. I think it would have been interesting to see the more strategic approach the other crew members would have taken but I'm glad Luffy got the spotlight anyways.
An interesting idea is that they could nab Camie and use Charloss as a hostage! They could keep Camie right with him and say come unlock her collar or we'll kill Charloss/you will blow him up yourselves.
The punch itself was such an awesome culmination of everything this arc has been building up to so far. You can argue it's Bellamy part 2 with a weak overzealous jerk thinking he's untouchable and getting pounded but this was far better in my opinion and I loved the Jaya arc. We've been slowly getting notice that racism is strong here, that fish people aren't considered people. Camie was taken and Hachi's disguise comes off and everyone spouts racism towards him, get out of here, you may walk on two legs but you still have a fish brain, gross, he'll give us diseases, he must be plotting something, etc. On top of Camie being locked away to be sold and Hachi being put down by everyone around him both entirely unjustified, Hachi gets shot by the incredibly snot nosed brat Charloss who literally has no redeeming qualities, forces women to be his wives, kills their fiances, and uses slaves with no remorse. The attack on Charloss wasn't just an attack on one man, it was the entire system, including those slave shops Luffy was shocked by. If this is how you guys will treat my friends you don't deserve any respect at all. Freaking powerful.
Hachi is entirely redeemed in my eyes. If this is how the world treats fishmen then I sympathize with Arlong. It doesn't justify him but these human beings are so much worse than he was. At least he had a good reason to feel as strongly as he did. And Hachi himself was a really good boy who I think just happened to have Arlong and the crew as nakama. Fish men have to look out for fish men and even then Hachi doesn't hate humans, he made friends with Zoro temporarily and he's trying to atone for his support against Nami and her town. Now he begs Luffy not to fight back, it's his fault Camie is put away, it's his fault Nami's tragic past took place, it's his fault they are in this situation to begin with so don't get yourselves killed over me was the kind of mentality I got from him. But, Hachi my friend, you simply fueled Luffy's fight for you even further. :)
The way he angrily stomped towards Charloss before punching his lights out was so wonderful. It really reminded me of a Robin-esque, "why the hell should I listen to you?!" moment. He listened to Hachi but he doesn't agree with him. He will save Camie and fight for them even if it means fighting the world. Holy cow! I would think Luffy would do no different but it was still amazing!
And interestingly, now Law and Kid have a very good idea on what kind of person Luffy is. LOL!
Where do they go from here? First issue is to save Camie. Perhaps they can rush her and threaten for the key before the navy arrives. From there though... this arc is just going to get more crazy.
link9us said:I liked how luffy did not hold back at at all either. Given the that he is just a normal human with no abilities or powers what so ever. He still hit that fucker with all his might. Way to go luffy!!!
I didn't even think of it like that LOL! That was a punch that would launch a warlord and he used it on a snot nosed brat. |