- Joined
- Jun 8, 2007
- Messages
- 185
- Reaction score
- 250
- Gender
- Female
- Country
-
ONE PIECE CHAPTER 518: BATTLE ARENA
I got delayed in writing my review for this chapter and even missed doing the previous one due to the new release of one of my favorite manga/anime series that has been in controversial hiatus for a very long time. Because of my excitement, I got quite preoccupied with new events that unfolded and characters’ progress…. Which urged me to the inevitable reminiscence of the entire arc. This long manga marathon made me so disturbed (with some of the unexpected events) and so excited for its next chapter that speculations and expectations poured on my mind like a heavy rainfall. Anyway, I’m back to the real world now, and clearly back with my weekly dose of One Piece review.
Home Sweet Home
[/URL][/IMG]
Last chapter, we saw the former CP9 agents using the Candy Pirates’ ship as a vessel for their cruise. Initially, I thought they would go for a long naval journey as a means of embarking on a new life they embrace. It could also signify that their feature arc was about to end since their departure to Saint Poplar was a vivid vision of biding farewell to the readers who have come to adore and love them. On the other hand, the last cover feature is actually a prelude to another form adventure that lies ahead. This time, they arrive, not in another strange territory, but in the place which first bore them. Their homeland, as what the title indicates, offers them to go back to the life they once have. It might be a simpler one, but it clearly provides them astounding betterment and even atonement. In real life, people who have gone too far as to get what they desire, but find regret instead, usually go back to where they start as a tool for changes. I guess, CP9’s return to their homeland mirrors this idea and I can’t wait to see the beginning of their new lives.
Sexy Back?
Contrary to Hancock’s physical appearance, she possesses an obnoxious, arrogant personality who looks down on people she discerns as inferior. Her vanity has gone to a distant measure as to destroy a thoughtful token made from those who worship her, simply because it was made of clay. Another notable thing shown from the last chapter is Oda’s showcase of the famed Gorgon curse from Greek Mythology – only he displays it in a creative way. The three sisters have eyes on their back, a curse they gain after killing a monster. As the Kuja warriors state, the eyes can turn anyone to stone the moment they land a glance on it. This fact, however, is not kept a secret among the warriors because they see it as pride. Since the quality of beauty is comparable to the idea of power to them, Hancock becomes much worthier of their respect and admiration because she, along with her sisters, defeated a monstrous creature back then. On the contrary, I think the sisters, especially Hancock, perceive this curse as a flaw, not as a pride. She has been known as the epitome of beauty and knowing that there is an irregularity to what seems a perfect splendor may be seen as a flaw. Of course she will never want anyone to know that she actually looks at it like a shameful quality, which is why she forbids anyone to accompany her during her bath. If an individual is forbidden within the premises of the castle during her bath because Hancock might turn her into stone, then it goes against her nasty nature. Though she is nicer compared to the Marines and Grandma Nyon, I don’t think she is caring enough to think and be actually concerned about the welfare of her followers. Besides, arrogant that she is, she would have been damn proud of the eyes on her back since it’d be a tool for more prodigious worship to her. To sum it up, she doesn’t want anyone to see those eyes because she is ashamed of it.
Finally, the aforementioned encounter between Hancock and Luffy came, but it happened at the worst possible scenario. He “deduced” that the leader would be inside the castle so he planned on entering its premises. However, he accidentally landed on her bathroom, giving him a full vision of her controversial back. There are two controversies which arouse right after this event: (1) Luffy’s familiarity with the eyes; (2) he remains in his form, without any hint of turning into stone at all. Knowing his tendency to take nonsense objects seriously, his acquaintance with the eyes can just be another episode of comic relief. On the other hand, if it actually comes from a serious matter, like another person who possesses similar eyes, then it can serve as a link between Hancock and Luffy. It can be a direct connection or maybe a common friend. The second idea is the mystery of his immunity to the said stone curse. This triggers us to think that this curse can be discerned like an extension of devil fruit, where its effectiveness becomes limited in water. Or, it can just be a rumor, spread by the sisters in order to cover up the imperfection of their so-called flawless beauty. If this case is legit, then my speculation regarding Hancock’s perception of the eyes as a shameful flaw becomes corrct. There is another interpretation about Luffy’s immunity to the curse, but I’ll explain that later.
Mero Mero Deflection
[/URL][/IMG]
This proves that not everyone can be persuaded by beauty alone. I bet all readers have speculated that Luffy wouldn’t be swayed by mere seduction, though the seductress was drop-dead gorgeous. This scene proved that. (Congratulations to all of us!!!! ^__^) Kidding aside, his invulnerability to such seduction turns much handier than we anticipate. Like Usopp’s impenetrableness from Perona’s Negative Hollows, Luffy remains in good condition because of his pure character. He doesn’t have perverted and flirtatious thoughts like other resident perverts. This can also be another factor as to why he stays immune from the stone curse. The eyes at Hancock’s back might have effect on someone who adores her. Since he is composed against any seduction her appearance can present, he deflects the stone curse and the Mero Mero attack.
Luffy's Defense
[/URL][/IMG]
As Luffy gets captured and delivered to the battle arena, Margaret stands as Luffy’s lawyer as her honesty and attachment to the latter give way to support his pleading. Despite the lack of details in his explanation, Luffy remains honest all the time, making him more sincere to things he says. This is perceived by Margaret, especially during the time when they were alone in the jungle, and this leads her to stand up and take the courage to defend him, even if it means standing against the impeding wrath of Hancock. Aside from putting herself into bigger risks, her action of breaking the silence also displays the attachment she gains with him even in the shortest span. While it is true that her integrity as a person drives her to admit that she is responsible for Luffy’s intrusion to their village, I strongly believe that it is the attachment that truly motivates her to tell the truth. Luffy’s openness and his fervent wishes to see his nakama have influenced and touched her, which was why she uttered back in the past chapters that she couldn’t be attached to him (it’s tantamount to denial being your form of defense mechanism). This convinced her even more that there isn’t any mark of lies in what he says. I firmly believe that it’s her attachment that stands as the root of her action…. If she doesn’t feel any form of bond towards him, she’d prefer to stay silent and won’t dare to risk herself. It’s the type of bond that Luffy (and the others) has shown – the kind of which, it pushes you to stand firm with ardor and fortitude. Another point that supports my idea is Kikyou’s action where she stays on her seat, keeping her silence while she is one of the people who help the three to deal with Luffy’s poisoned body. She doesn’t feel any significant connection with Luffy nor have deep bond with the three, so the lack of attachment put her in a situation where she chooses to save herself instead.
Getting Stoned
[/URL][/IMG]
While there is more to Margaret’s admittance than pure honesty, Sweet Pea and Aphelandra decides to stick with the former by displaying their sense of honesty and bond with her. In their minds: “If Margaret risks herself into this, and so are we.” They try to defend themselves with their innocence of Luffy’s gender – which is the truth. If Hancock were only a benevolent leader, then the three might have been spared. Their appeal is just, since they have been deprived of the knowledge in regards with men. Unfortunately, Hancock is nowhere near kind, and much to Margaret’s dismay, her attempts to save her two friends remain futile. As expected Hancock stays nasty, judging them like big-time criminals whereas the others think of them as threats to the reputation they’ve established as fierce female fighters.
Luffy's Sense of Nakama
[/URL][/IMG]
It is very easy to for Luffy to develop a sense of bond towards people, especially towards those who have been nice to him…. Especially on a time like this where his own nakama are nowhere in sight. Even if the three women went on a chasing rampage against him, the thought of saving his life and defending him against the others’ cruel and narrow judgment suffices, developing a form of bond with them. As his saviors turn into stone, Luffy realizes that it is his turn to break the silence, making him fight against this Bacura (though it is predictable that it only takes a simple punch from him in order to defeat this so called frightening executioner). He even reasons out his sense of “nakama” amidst all the women who remain blind from the harshness of their leader. Their culture vastly influences them to stay close-minded, and more importantly, it is their foolish admiration towards Hancock that urges them to lose their sense of judgment.
Dancing with the Snakes
[/URL][/IMG]
As his will and sense of nakama keeps on being unbent, he sees the truth much clearer, saving him from Hancock’s pathetic excuse for her nasty actions. This is where she becomes more convinced that he will not bow down on her beauty. She then assigned her sisters, who act more like bodyguards, to finish him off. Of course, Luffy will get the victory to punish those who have twisted set of principles like what he did to other villains, but I am convinced that this fight is more powerful compared to his previous ones. After realizing that he cannot defeat Admiral Kizaru, Sentoumaru, and the Pacifista (and even Kuma) and losing his nakama one by one, it will be hard for Luffy to really pull himself together. Even if he becomes cheerful as this arc progresses, the misery he feels is still apparent. He mentions some names of his nakama and their job in Sunny (“If Franky is only here….” And “But nah, Nami’s not around. I’ll get lost alone.”) not because he’s contemplating, but because he misses them. After a series of running, he suddenly finds three nice people who express similar bonds with him, making him feel that he is not alone. So, this fight against the Gorgon sisters (who have showcased the extent of the curse) will stand as a means for Luffy to make up for what he lacks in Shabondy. He wasn’t able to truly defend and protect his nakama against the adversaries in Shabondy Island, so this time, he will definitely defend the three against the harshness of the sisters and their culture.
Conclusion:
What I like about this chapter is the subtlety of the characters’ action such as Margaret’s breakage of silence, Sweet Pea and Aphelandra sticking out to her, Kikyou’s short, but meaningful comment, and Luffy’s will to fight and defeat them. While I expect him to defeat the younger Gorgon sisters, I surely want to see how he’ll do that (with his new-formed conviction). This fight will also showcase the power that the Gorgons possess, which can prove that the Gorgon curse does not only lie at their backs…. That there is more to it than a shameful flaw…. Or maybe, their change into snake forms and the power they’ll wield are the things that truly comprise of this curse.
