Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest Chapter 107 – Selene VS Ignia: Diversion

Ignia presents himself as such an entitled fool. He has disillusioned himself to the point of believing he is the strongest existence walking the Earth Land but where was he when the real threats of the world endangered life and brought everything to the brink of annihilation? Ah, that is right, he was hiding in Guiltina away from Acnologia. Ignia keeps mentioning he was stronger than Acnologia and that he would have killed Acnologia had he met him. But all Ignia has to pad his claims are words. Hollow, exaggerated, meaningless words. At no time during the 400 years Acnologia was present did Ignia even attempt to face him. Not even when Acnologia himself was present in Guiltina during the attempt Gildarts made at the 100-year-quest. Ignia hid. And now he has the gall to preach himself as the hero who could have taken down Acnologia? Sorry but I don’t buy that. Ignia is much weaker than he believes. His claim of being stronger than Acnologia is just a fantasy. A diversion from reality his mind enraptured his belief in to cope with his own inabilities. Even now, against Selene, he used a moment of distraction to capitalize on Selene’s weakened guard. The path Ignia has before him is one where the bitter reality of truth will come crashing down on him.

Edens Zero Chapter 190 – Rebecca VS Clown: Nightmare

Clowns are often representative of entertainment but beyond the joy they reflect onto children, they also find symbolic meaning in nightmares within pop culture. This is why horror themed settings feature Clowns and amusement parks prominently within its narrative. There is a certain inherent terror sourced from subjects that embody innocence such as clowns, nuns, dolls or children. One of the most well known and genuinely terrifying horror characters is a clown (Pennywise). Following in tune with such a depiction, Clown’s Requip mode is a Nightmare version of his self. One that reflects the darker side of clowns. And true to its portrayal, the ominous cloud of terror is immediately felt as Rebecca disappears from sight leaving just Pino and Happy alone with Clown. (Pro tip: Don’t talk to clowns that happen to be in sewers).

One Piece Chapter 1048 – The Weight Of 20 Years

The climatic moment approaches with the weight from decades of pain, suffering and death characterising it. Oden was Wano’s hero but on the day he died, the night representing such a tragedy never ended. Its darkness continued for 20 years encapsulating the whole of Wano and bringing about a reality defined in misery and destruction. Throughout such devastation, a single hope remained in the hearts of the people of Wano. A hope symbolizing the Moon reflecting the light from the Sun within the darkness. Toki’s prophecy of the dawn in 20 years time. On that prophecised day, Wano will be set free and the sun will once again shine on its people. The hope of Wano across 20 years have amassed on this day and the representation of it lies in the form of a titanic fist thrusting itself down from the Heavens onto the embodiment of darkness imprisoning Wano.

[Analysis] One Piece – Kurozumi Orochi: The Mastermind Of Wano’s Ruin

Despite being Shogun, Orochi never sought to rule Wano, his intention was always to bring Wano to ruin while enjoying himself in the process. And in that regard, he was immensely successful. Orochi brought the Kozuki name to the point where it was ridiculed and vilified. When you really look at how Wano fell into devastation and had its peoples’ resolve depleted to the point of hopelessness, you come to recognise how systematic Orochi was in deconstructing the aspects of Wano that represented its identity. From the nations honor, to the pride of its people, to the symbolism of the Samurai and to the hope embodied within the Kozuki name. Orochi was the antagonist Wano created. And when he came into power, he desired revenge.

Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest Chapter 106 – Selene VS Ignia: Distortion

Ignia’s abrupt entrance within the conflict between Fairy Tail and Diabolos reveals itself to be based on an alliance comprised of Ignia and Dogramag. A plan set in motion between the two sometime before Dogramag’s fall with Dogramag taking it upon himself to utilise the magic of Elefseria’s human heart to move forward the intentions of Ignia. Dogramag didn’t have the opportunity to share his ideas with Ignia before he died but Ignia eventually sensed a disturbance and paid the Labyrinth of Dogramag a visit. Ignia discovered what Dogramag left behind which at this point does not appear to require the human heart of Elefseria anymore. Selene confronted Ignia but was unable to stop him from destroying the heart and when she expressed her reasoning behind her opposition to him, Ignia retorts with the Age of Dragons is “only just beginning”. This response from Ignia suggest the plan Dogramag and he constructed involves a potential revival of Dragons. What did Dogramag do with Elefseria’s heart and how does Ignia intend to revive the Dragons?

Edens Zero Chapter 189 – Rebecca VS Clown: Conviction

The concept of strength exist in a state beyond the perception of ones abilities. Components comprising ones power incorporates more than just the martial proficiency of an individual. Awareness, determination, empathy, resonance, compatibility, familiarity, adaptation and luck are some elements that define the extents of ones abilities. And when it comes to Rebecca, she may not have battle experience equivalent to what the other members of the Edens Zero possess but what she does have is a brilliant acumen toward tackling obstacles and rising above them. Rebecca accepts her current state and rather than dwell on what she does not possess, she had directed her attention toward what she can do and utilising that to stand against those challenging the bonds of her family. The perception of strength is inconsequential to the conviction she holds towards her decision of protecting her family.

[Analysis] Edens Zero – Labilia: The Girl Who Lost Herself In Her Affection

I was indifferent to Labilia’s character initially but after chapter 178, I began to see her in a completely new light. That chapter not only highlighted Rebecca’s embracing self but it also recontextualized the entire relationship Labilia and Rebecca share.

Since their first time interacting with each other, they were bonded as B-cubers. The relationship may have been a toxic and negative one on the surface but with Labilia’s side of the story now being told, we have come to understand to an extent what was really going on with her. Labilia never meant malice through her actions but her love had just become too twisted from her confused mind. She couldn’t comprehend Rebecca and within that fog, she began to express her feelings for Rebecca in unorthodox ways.

[Analysis] One Piece – The Okuchi No Makami And Its Role As Guardian Deity Of Wano

Zoan Devil Fruits have been charactertized in a different context relative to their Paramecia and Logia counterparts. Rather than just possessing and imbuing power, Zoan Devil Fruits also possess a will of their own and are able to express themselves in ways impossible for the Paramecia and Logia Devil Fruits. Due to having a will, inanimate objects or lifeless mediums possessing no will of their own are able to become host for the Zoan Devil Fruits such as guns, swords, teapots or gaseous slimes. Life is able to be established within these mediums due to the nature of Zoan Devil Fruits. Further, it is also implied that the Zoan Devil Fruits have some power over deciding who consumes them. The Nika Fruit evaded the World Government for over 800 years because it did not want to fall into their hands. With that in mind, could the Okuchi no Makami Fruit have chosen Yamato to be its user for specific reasons?

One Piece Chapter 1047 – Luffy VS Kaido: Battle Of Haki

Kaido came out and straight said it, no matter how powerful someone’s Devil Fruit, if their opponents Haki is stronger, they will be the overwhelmed. Both Kaido and Luffy possess Mythical Zoans and both possess Haoshoku Haki. They have been evenly matched and are now in their last legs in terms of endurance. What Luffy seeks to do is send one last attack Kaido’s way that is impossible to dodge and defend against. A fist so massive that it covers the skies and almost rivals Onigashima in size. Onigashima is in Luffy’s way and Momonosuke is tasked to move it before the hammer of Luffy drops.

Edens Zero Chapter 188 – Shiki VS Wizard: Breakthrough

Shiki has finally arrived at the curiosity that is Ziggy’s actions and the enigma surrounding them. Before returning to Granbell and leaving the Edens Zero, Ziggy wasn’t driven by dark intentions but he still proceeded to wipe the memories of the Four Shining Stars that related to events outside the Sakura Cosmos. Initially I believed that Ziggy intended to hide any information referencing Mother that the Four Shining Stars knew but the theory Shiki presented in regards to Ziggy expecting to fall to the dark side put the past in a whole new context. Ziggy anticipated falling to the Dark Side and in hopes of establishing a safeguard against himself, he chose to abandon his mission to find Mother and focus on developing Shiki as a counter to his power. All in order to prevent what Ziggy feared deeply – the end of coexistence.