OP is OP!

In the second movie, the Strawhats go for a more traditional shonen adventure, and JJ dissects all the good and the bad in Clockwork Island Adventure! The film reaches as high as the Diamond Clock in design and action, but due to inconsistent characters, sidelining, and budgeted animation, it feels like it sinks... like the Diamond Clock. Jacob soils the podcast's good name by misremembering Karoo (worse than the movie doing Nami dirty), and Justin advocates for Clockwork Island to be the best East Blue destination (before Luffy got there)

Back when our Strawhats had baby faces, back before Arlong Park, and back before the OG Five were together, Toei Animation released a movie to celebrate our pirates obtaining the Going Merry. JJ gets the large tub of popcorn and the free refill as they watch one of East Blue's lesser-known legends of Captain Woonan. Jacob adores seeing One Piece in motion and voiced for the first time, and Justin praises the chemistry of the Strawhats and nostalgia of the pre-Grand Line.

While the War for Wano rages on in One Piece, JJ gets word on the Navy moving in and must clear out while things are chaotic. So why not spend the newfound time on the origins of the mad-lad Oda himself? In this week's OP is OP, now-canonized Monsters and the two early versions of Romance Dawn are analyzed and discussed on how even the best have to start somewhere. Jacob highlights key character differences between old and current Luffy, and Justin praises the world-building decision to drop old terms used in the past.

It's 45 chapters into Wano, and Oda's still setting up the pieces for a confrontation that could make Miyazaki or Kurosawa proud: only time will tell. JJ analyzes the development of the Strawhats and the possibilities of Wano's fate as it's in the crossfire of two emperors of the sea and the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance. Jacob wants to pet Onimaru, and Justin wants a refund on his toad oil.

And here we are: after over a year, OP is OP has finally reached the current arc: Wano! In this episode, JJ admires Oda's clear passion and influence from Edo Period art pieces, then just as the Strawhats do, they see the challenges and atrocities enforced by the Animal Kingdom Pirates and the corrupt Shogun Orochi. Jacob gushes over the historical connections to the Meiji Restoration Period, and Justin acknowledges Kaido's power and legitimacy as Emperor.

Despite what the arc is named, the events that transpire are everything but. JJ, however, put on the detective hats and looks into every crack, every orifice to analyze the six tantalizing chapters Oda gifted us. Even with the Revolutionary Army moments away from declaring war, Jacob is most intrigued by the occult of the Great Im (or some say Imu), and Justin is entranced by an artifact locked in the deepest corners of Mariejoa.

Oh, and Happy belated Thanksgiving!

(TRIGGER WARNING: Discussion involving child abandonment and child trafficking occurs during the Big Mom/Mother Carmel segment near the beginning)

In typical OP fashion, JJ discusses a Red Wedding plan during Big Mom's own Red Wedding with American Mafia members and drippy Strawhats that then goes wrong after learning about a backstory riddled with giants, cravings, and tragedy, all leading to the Great Escape to Wano. Jacob's opinion on Sanji is far more complex than before, and Justin holds Brook and Jimbei in high esteem as they are on their A-Game.

Music:

Intro: The Buccaneer's Haul by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Outro: Pirate Crew by Ross Bugden - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKGLOK2FqmVgVwYferltKQ

Check them out for great royalty-free music!

In this week's sweet episode of OP is OP, the journey to rescue Sanji is a rocky road. JJ churns cheesy puns and make ends meat at the promising-yet-flawed start to Whole Cake Island. Jacob hates what a sap Vinsmoke Judge is, and Justin admires the childlike cereal killer Big Mom.

Music:

Intro: The Buccaneer's Haul by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Outro: Pirate Crew by Ross Bugden - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKGLOK2FqmVgVwYferltKQ

Check them out for great royalty-free music!

Zou's not on an island, but on the back of the majestic elephant, Zunesha! Fresh out of Dressrosa, JJ and the Strawhats piece together the events that transpired before their arrival in Zou before finally getting the roadmap to Raftel!

Music

Intro: The Buccaneer's Haul by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Outro: Pirate Crew by Ross Bugden - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQKGLOK2FqmVgVwYferltKQ

Check them out for great royalty-free music!

Dressrosa enters its climax! Doflamingo and Trafalgar D. Water Law have their backstories expanded and contrasted, Luffy brings a storm, and a grand pirate alliance is founded. After JJ pays respect to Corazon, Jacob expands on the exploitation and horrors of Flevance, and Justin breaks down the Birdcage.