Episode 1114 is almost entirely centered on one punch, and I couldn't be happier.
So, uh… yeah, how about that Galaxy Impact, folks? One Piece is a series defined by having big, giant punches, and this episode is no different. This time, it's not Luffy; it's our dear Vice Admiral Garp, yet it stands out as one of the best single-attack fights in the series. I have gone out of my way to mention the Toei team's amazing animation work for the entire time I've been writing this column - having enjoyed the incredible visual run of Wano Country to our current era - and I'm at it again with this entry. Cause… wow, this is just a glorious hammer blow from Grandpa.
Part of the appeal for me is the simple clarity of the action. The visual fidelity has been consistently high for years, so the quality is not surprising. But what is so pleasing is that there is really only one simple chain of events to follow: Garp arrives, laughs, powers up, punches, and the island detonates. Appreciating the visual splendor is easy when you have so little to track in the fight. It makes for a breath of fresh air compared to the busier fight scenes with multiple combatants zipping around, flashing impact frames, and wild movements. I enjoy the more frenetic fights, too, don't get me wrong. But I appreciate this scene has time to breathe instead of this fabulous flurry of action and movement condensed into a very short runtime.
There's more to this episode than just the big ol' Garp punch, but I didn't find that anywhere near as engaging. Koby is fine, and the totally-not-Uta-echo-fighter sniper Marine gets frozen. We get a summary of the Aokiji and Akainu beef again, which is fine because I dig their conflict, but it doesn't move the needle like the big show in this episode.
After a long (Olympic) break, we finally return to Yatagarasu to see if we can find out the truth behind that weird monkey monster.― Yatagarasu Anime Finally Returns After a long (Olympic) break, we finally return to Yatagarasu to see if we can find out the truth behind that weird monkey monster. The ANN After Show streams live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter Spaces on Tuesdays at 6pm PT/9pm ET. ...
There’s room for improvement, but as a whole, this release feels like a win for both players and game preservation.― Few fighting games have proven to have the staying power of the Marvel vs. Capcom series. And while it's easy to hear that and be reminded first and foremost of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (and for good reason), the popularity of the #FreeMVC2 movement is testament to how this applies to its ...
"Breaking Dimensions" was Hololive's second major English Vtuber concert. Like the first one that happened last year at the Anime Expo, this one was a resounding success.― VTubing continues to grow as a prominent form of entertainment in the United States. While it is still nowhere near the degree of exposure that you would see in Japan and other Asian countries, Vtubing has exploded to a point wher...
The classic 90s anime Ninja Scroll returns to theaters this week, and ANN has a shikishi board signed by the film's director, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, to give away!― Attention ANN readers and fans of classic anime! We have a very special item to give to ONE lucky reader courtesy of our friends at Iconic Events Releasing. Read on to learn more! Iconic Events Releasing partners with Anime Expo for AX Cinem...
BAKERU is a fantastic game for kids and kids at heart.― Late last year, BAKERU's initial Japanese release seemed to spark what could only be described as “pure, nostalgic joy” among those who played the 3D platformer. Particularly, a nostalgia for the Ganbare Goemon series and its Nintendo 64 installment, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon. Which makes a lot of sense when one considers that BAKERU's dev...
While most of Anya's schemes go hilariously sideways, now is her time to shine.― It's hard to go wrong with an Anya-centric storyline. As wonderful as it's been to get Loid's difficult past and to see Yor steal the spotlight, Anya remains one of Spy x Family's most endearing characters, as well as the one it's easiest to get an entertaining plot out of. She's the ultimate wild card, a little kid who...
The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time is one of the better villainess light novel series to make it over.― Villainess stories, whether in novel, manga, or anime format, all share a few basic truths, and one of them is that if the “villainess” turns out to be good, it must follow that the “heroine” is actually bad. Bakufu Narayama's The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time does use that genre ...
An overlooked ninja game, the death of the Visions of Mana studio, and a CAPCOM stalwart moves on to new pastures.― Welcome back, folks! I had a nice experience this past weekend; I decided to visit my local GameStop to see if they had some titles I was looking for (I wanted Shadow of the Ninja Reborn and Gravity Circuit). They didn't have 'em, but they were nice enough to try and put the order thro...
The director sheds light on his in-progress Showa-era film starring an aging yakuza and how it differs from his critically-acclaimed ODDTAXI anime series.― Three years after ODDTAXI, Baku Kinoshita is back with a feature film, Housenka. This movie will be focused on an old yakuza, agonizing in his cell and remembering his past life while chatting with his talking flower. The director was present at...
While the top spots are stable, we see Suicide Squad Isekai and Senpai is an Otokonoko gradually rise through the middle ranks. Check out our weekly user rankings!― 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 ar...
