The location scouting person did a good job. Gekko island is one of the lesser location in the East Blue saga. At least the place in a show had some characteristic. Though it sort of take away the whole small town aesthetic of the manga. The elimination of Usopp pirates sort of sad. But it is okay for the type of story it went for. Usopp working in the ship yard make sense. The location does paint the amount of wealth Kaya has.
I also noticed the change in director. Because this episode had way way way more background music and sound.
Kuro's clothing kinda looks cheap. I am meh on the Garp-Koby thing, at this time, it does sort of drag. However, the mind game aspect of the Go game they played. Is what happening on Gekko island. Though, Garp first noticed Koby's character when Koby spilled about Luffy. Then he noticed Koby's experience. And now, he noticed Koby's intelligent. Almost like he vesting for a successor. This Garp is not as Laissez-faire like manga Garp. But it introduced the seed of how he really doesn't want Luffy to be a pirate.
Usopp is perfect. Kaya is very good as well. Though I rather she is pale in term of sickly. But in the show, she does look like she at her death door. Kuro is very good. His moment with Kaya was sweet, just like his moment in the manga (until he showed his true color). Although the manga had more time to do it better. Kaya's moment with Usopp was very touching. And the additional scene with Nami really developed both characters. Showed the strength of Kaya. But also showed Nami's development. She went from prejudge Kaya like she did Luffy. But then changed her mind when they shared the same tragic parental death. Which concluded with Nami putting things back.
Merry, Sham, and Bucchi are good background characters. I also like the changed with Sham and Bucchi. Sham being female worked pretty well here. Though, when Kuro scare Sham/Bucchi. It didn't have the terror feel like in the manga.
Kuro's power so far isn't as good portrayal as Buggy/Morgan. His claws seemed a bit less plastic than in the trailer but it isn't look that great either. I don't really know how they can even pull something like that off. Prop weapon need to be light enough to wield. Maybe they better off doing CGI. But even high budget film can go terribly (see Wolverine origin movie with his claws). I wonder if Mihawk's weapon gonna have this plastic feel too.
I was curious how and if they following the manga and incapacitate Luffy/Zoro, allowing Nami/Usopp to shine early on in the fight. I like how they did it in the show. In the manga cannot work in the show because it is way too goofy. And that this Luffy is smarter than manga Luffy. Luffy drinking all that poison will probably have an effect.
Very very funny episode. The manga excel at body humor. Manga Luffy is not as witty as the show Luffy. But this episode there are a ton of body humor, and subtle facial humor. Love the scene where Luffy tried to convinced Kaya.
Loving all the scene the crew get to interact with each others. And provide valid reasons for the crew to do cover clothing. I noticed at one point, Mackenyu really walk like the anime Zoro.
Consider this arc is among the bottom half for most of people in term of East Blue saga. If the source material isn't that strong to begin with, I think the show did wonderful adapting it.