One Piece Chapter 801 – Targets In The New World

I too am curious about what actually went down during the past few days with the Swirly Hat Pirates

As we all suspected, the bounties of the Straw Hat Pirates have gone up thanks to the events in Dressrosa, although the surprising aspect is that Sanji, Nami, Brook and Chopper’s bounties have gone up as well with the defeat of Doflamingo. I was prepared for the Swirly Hat Pirates bounties not increasing with their lack of focus in the arc, but I don’t mind one bit having the whole crews bounties increased with such a significant arc that led to one of the key figures in the New World being defeated. The consequential effects that will arise from the Doflamingo’s removal from his role as an agent of darkness definitely supports the whole crew getting a significant bounty increase that justifies the level of danger now directed towards them. With all the increases, the Straw Hat Pirates current bounties now total a massive 1,570,000,100!!

Bleach Chapter 644 – Let’s Play A Little Game

Time for a Lille game! Sorry I had to…

Shunsui is finally getting an opportunity to show off his zanpakutou this arc and most likely will end up having to rely on his Bankai to defeat Lille Barro thanks to whatever power-up Yhwach bestowed upon them by sacrificing his less capable members. Whatever Shunsui’s Bankai is, it is going to be terrifyingly exciting to find out.

One Piece Chapter 800 – We Will Follow You

The formation of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet

As expected, Luffy refused the proposition of an alliance where the seven representatives and their crews sit under the Straw Hat Pirates as subordinate crews. The specific relationship being proposed was definitely against Luffy’s ideals of freedom and adventure and was ultimately a role which placed too much responsibility on Luffy. Instead we get a relationship where Luffy has zero responsibility over managing the crews of those who pledged their allegiance to Luffy. It is a one-sided alliance, but one very representative of what Luffy stands for – freedom.

Bleach Chapter 642-643 – Nemuri Nanagou

The expression of life through the freedom of choice

I guess that ominous feeling I had in the previous chapter was genuine, someone really did “die”…Nemu’s expression of love and gratitude through her disobedience towards Mayuri’s orders was a touching moment indeed, especially given the origins of her character and the development of her emotions and attachment towards Mayuri. Nemu may not have revealed much raw emotion in past but through this fight and her desire, beyond any order or programming, to protect Mayuri, Nemu conveyed exactly how human/alive she was.

One Piece Chapter 799 – The Straw Hat Pirate Alliance

What will Luffy decide?

We all had a feeling this moment would come when the Colosseum fighters and the Tontatta Tribe allied with the Straw Hat Pirates + Law earlier in the arc to take down the Donquixote Pirates and save Dressrosa. But now it is official, well almost…the expansion of the Straw Hat Pirate Alliance. Depending on Luffy’s decision, he may have a sizable army under his flag to command. Although, given the name of this saga we are currently in – Pirate Alliance Saga – I don’t see the new alliance members not following Luffy and Co. even if Luffy decides against them becoming his subordinates. Given Luffy’s nature, he may just have a problem with the exact type of relationship being formed and instead want something more along the lines of an alliance formed by friendship instead of orders.

Bleach Chapter 641 – Mayuri And Nemu

Mayuri’s fatherly feelings for Nemu really does help deepen his character

For some reason I have this unnerving feeling that either Mayuri or Nemu is going to die soon while they try to save each other. With Nemu’s life threatened, Mayuri shifts his attention to her to try to warn her, which in turn opens him up to attack by Pernida. This spurs Nemu to force herself to protect Mayuri. With the two of them caring about each other and the way the fight is currently set-up,  it feels almost likely that someone will die. Pernida has progressed/evolved to a state in which he has gained the reaction and nerve capability of someone as strong as Zaraki. At this level is seems Mayuri may need more than just himself and Nemu to combat Pernida.