One Piece Chapter 1000: Recap and Review — Otaku Orbit
Chapter 1000 — “Straw Hat Luffy”
One Piece chapter 1000 won’t be released until Jan 4th, 2021. However, those of us that don’t want to wait can find it on mangafreak now. Anyway, after over twenty years, 450 million copies sold, and 97 volumes One Piece has reached its 1000 chapter. I’ll admit I expected more from this chapter, but I’m not disappointed. On the fifth floor, the Inuarashi Musketeer Squad has cleared the way for Luffy to get to the roof. Shishilian tells Luffy that he’s never forgotten that Luffy risked his life for Raizo. Luffy heads upstairs. Elsewhere, Marco grapples King and Queen, as he throws Roronoa Zoro threw a hole in the roof. Yamato reveals more about Ace and Lord Oden’s journal to Momonosuke and Shinobu. She claims that the emergence of a “young and powerful” pirate generation was predicted decades ago.
In a flashback, Ace tells Yamato that Luffy “believes that he can achieve it.” It’s not made clear what he means, but I think we can all figure it out. According to Yamato, Oden described a future when the next generation leads a new era and defeats Kaido. As she says this, we see that Luffy has made it to the roof, joining Zoro, Trafalgar D. Law, Eustass Kid, and Killer. With Kaido and Big Mom standing side by side, Luffy walks between them. Kiado challenges Luffy to “say it one more time.” Luffy ignores him, going to Kin’emon. Bloody and defeated, the Nine Red Scabbards survive.
Kin’emon begs Luffy to “save Wano.” As Kaido prepares to attack Luffy, Law moves the Scabbards with his devil fruit ability. Kaido’s attack misses as Luffy dodges. Using his Gear Third Gomu Gomu no Red Rock, Luffyknocks Kiado to the ground. He proclaims that he is “Monkey D. Luffy” and he “will surpass them” and “become the King of the pirates.”
I don’t know if it will disappoint fans that this chapter didn’t feature a great deal of action, but I think it a great chapter. From the first chapter, Luffy had always had the same dream, becoming a pirate king. Oda does a wonderful job reminding us how far he’s come and that he’s never lost sight of this dream. Throughout the 1000 chapters of this series, Luffy has had sets backs and disappointments but always overcame them. However, Luffy still has obstacles to his pursuit, the Yonko. I didn’t think Luffy could defeat Kiado and Big Mom, so it makes sense that Luffy will have support. The image of Kid, Killer, Law, Zoro, and Luffy standing together gave me chills.
This entire chapter had so many subtle elements. The mink tribe and Kin’emon reminding us that despite the power Luffy has, he always is willing to sacrifice for others. This puts him in direct contrast with Kaido and Big Mom, who use their strength for selfish ends. In order for anyone to become Pirate King, they need support. Over the series, Luffy has amassed a small army that wants to see him as King. His brothers Ace and Sabo believed in him, Yamato believes in him, and so does his crew. With the battlefield set, all that remains is the battle. One Piece is going to be epic in 2021.
Originally published at https://otakuorbit.com on December 27, 2020.
