If we're judging pure chapter content compared to episode content, this arc has got to be the slowest One Piece's anime has ever been. People have always been harsh on the show at a chapter-per-episode pace, but that was pretty close to "just right" for me, considering how busy your average chapter of One Piece is. We're not moving even that fast right now, and considering the frequency with which the manga takes breaks these days, I wonder if we'll ever get back on track.
It's especially frustrating because I think this is the part of the arc where stuff starts to get really cool and there are all these things I'm excited to talk about, but every time I think we're about to get to some of it, the episode ends and I feel like I'm running through a cave in a JRPG, triggering a bunch of annoying random encounters.
This episode lies in the fallout of the Luffy vs. Sanji fight. Luffy's made up his mind that he isn't going to move an inch from where Sanji left him, preforming his own impromptu hunger strike. Even once the sky starts to rain syrup (which sounds very inconvenient and sticky), Luffy keeps his mouth shut, refusing to eat or taste anything that isn't made by Sanji. Normally when somebody tries to leave the crew for personal reasons, they need to learn to trust Luffy to fight on their behalf, but here Luffy's putting all his trust in Sanji not to stay separated for too long. This gesture is complicated since he's worn out by two very big fights, and now Big Mom's army of hundreds are on their way to avenge Cracker.
There's only a small amount of new story content getting covered in this episode, but what it tries to do with its time is admirable, as we're getting a good dose of the arc's bizarro Disney-musical motif. Sanji and the rest of the Vinsmokes get to meet with Big Mom in person for the first time for the engagement ceremony, and there's mounds of creativity bringing the singing tableware to life as they try to be as helpful as possible to Big Mom's guests. Also, the Whole Cake Island arc wouldn't be complete without creepy smiling food begging to be eaten, as if that's a totally normal thing to offer foreigners. Does Big Mom go out of her way to put souls into food? Where do the souls go when you eat them?! The morbid friendliness of Big Mom's kingdom is available in spades in this episode, extending to Big Mom's youngest children who all seem to be out to stab each other.
The outdoors portion of the episode, focusing on Luffy and Nami as a storm picks up, looks really nice and atmospheric, the awkward army of CGI soldiers approaching be damned. Luffy looks truly worn out and tattered, and one of the most mystifying details is his missing tooth from one of Sanji's kicks. Something like that would normally get cartoon-logic'd back into his face by now, but I really enjoy how the story goes on to play with it like it's a battle scar. It's one of those little things that should be inconsequential, but it bugs you just enough to keep your eye on it.
In the midst of meeting Big Mom, Sanji also has a moment to interact with his fiancée Pudding, who wants to talk to him in private. This thread is properly suspenseful in the moment (we don't get to see their conversation until the next episode), but pulling Sanji aside all happens within the span of a single manga chapter, and it's ultimately a simple setup for something else that happens down the line. We're creating all these extra story beats to buy time before the real rollercoaster can start, and this arc is already looking long enough as is. This episode does a good job keeping what it has to offer entertaining, and the world of Whole Cake Island has a lot to take in for those who want to dawdle and enjoy the environment, but man, I'm ready to speed things up.
This is where the series earns its place in anime history, setting a precedent that other magical girl shows will follow.― It's a moment of magical girl history, right there on the screen: in episode forty-six of Fairy Princess Minky Momo's original 1982-83 television series, Momo is hit by a truck and dies. Even putting aside the question of whether or not this is Truck-kun's first victim, this is ...
Announced at special event on Sunday― A special event announced on Sunday that a sequel for the television anime of Hajime Kōmoto's Mashle: Magic and Muscles manga has been green-lit. The event also debuted the teaser video for the sequel. The anime's first season premiered in Japan in April 2023. Crunchyroll streamed the anime as it aired, and it streamed an English dub. The second season premiered...
Ayane Sakura, Daisuke Ono join cast as Tokyo Blade play's creative team― A Sunday live-streamed program for the second Oshi no Ko anime season debuted the first main promotional video, a new main visual, and new character visuals for the season. The program and the video both revealed two more cast members, the opening theme song, and the July 3 premiere for the season. Sunday's program also announc...
Teaser video streamed― Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on Saturday that the Ghost in the Shell franchise is getting a new television anime series in 2026. Science Saru will produce the anime, which is tentatively titled Kōkaku Kidōtai (The Ghost in the Shell). Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, Science Saru, and Production I.G are on the production committee for the series. Bandai Namco Filmworks al...
This is a movie I never want to watch again. However, this is not because it's bad. Rather, it's a testament to just how incredible this film is.― Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Part 2 is a film I never want to watch again. However, this is not because it's bad. Rather, it's a testament to just how incredible this film is. The film is full of well-developed and memorable characters—especiall...
Company acquires studio behind Lu over the wall, Inu-Oh, Scott Pilgrim anime, Tatami Time Machine Blues― The entertainment company Toho announced on Thursday that its board of directors has decided to acquire all shares of the anime studio Science Saru, effective on June 19. Toho will then make Science Saru its consolidated subsidiary from the second quarter (June-August) of the fiscal year ending i...
Dagashi-ya Yahagi, The Poison King, more light novels to release in English― J-Novel Club announced on Thursday that it has released the first chapters of four manga titles and of seven new light novels in English. The manga include: Title: The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World (Saikyō Onmyōji no Isekai Tenseiki)
Art: Toshinori Okazaki
Original story: Kiichi Kosuzu
Release Dat...
Chillin' in Another World pulls off a major dramatic spike and goes from trawling the bottom to #2 this week! See how all your favorites fared in 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 ran...
If you're a Haikyu!! fanatic, or if you can overcome this background knowledge hurdle, you're in for a pretty good time and some of the best editing to come from an anime in recent memory.― To begin, I should note that this film is a continuation of the Haikyu!! anime and a canon adaptation of the manga. As such, if you're not caught up on the anime or at least generally aware of the franchise and i...
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Nestled in a Japanese neighborhood is the Tokiwaso Manga Museum, a detailed replica of the sharehouse that Osamu Tezuka, Shōtarō Ishinomori, and more manga artists called home.― In the midst of the modern Toshima ward in Tokyo, there's a two-story, multi-flat building with an appearance straight out of the 1950s. It sits behind a wrought-iron gate, flanked by children's play equipment. The outer fa...
The ANN After Show is at episode 100! Let's reflect on some of our favorite moments, catch up on Kaiju No. 8, Yatagarasu, and more this week!― 100 Episodes of the ANN Aftershow!? The ANN After Show is at episode 100! Let's catch up on Kaiju No. 8, Yatagarasu, and more this week! The ANN After Show streams live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter Spaces on Tuesdays at 6pm PT/9pm ET. You can listen to ...
Nick and Steve look back on director Tsutomu Mizushima's work so far, from his latest Train to the End of the World to Shirobako, Girls und Panzer, and more.― Nick and Steve look back on director Tsutomu Mizushima's work so far, from his latest Train to the End of the World to Shirobako, Girls und Panzer, and more. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are...
i☆Ris the Movie -Full Energy!!- is a movie best described as having big Saturday morning cartoon energy when it comes to its catchy high notes and off-key attempt at deeper storytelling.― Admittedly, when I walked into Anime Central to review i☆Ris the Movie -Full Energy!!-, I envisioned the film as the typical fare of idol dancing via 3D models in dizzyingly pastel-rich environments with little to ...
Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of One Piece with this special orchestra concert!― Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of One Piece with this special orchestra concert! The most memorable moments of the beloved TV series will be projected on a giant screen to the sound of a 50-musician orchestra! In only a few weeks, the ONE PIECE Music Symphony 25 th Anniversary Tour will premiere in the US on...