M3 Big 3 Recap #4

Let's do this! Matrix's Media Machina Big 3 Recap Number 4 GO!

*SPOILERS AHOY FOR BLEACH 525, NARUTO 618, AND ONE PIECE 697*

Makes me think of Akira for some reason...

Bleach 525: Edges

So first off:

THIS is how you make an introduction 

Kenpachi really knows how to get a foe's attention, so much that he actually manages to stab Unohana straight in the throat before she can even react.

Ouch

And really, this explanation is fascinating in how it explains the inconsistencies in Kenpachi's strength. How could an amateur beat him? How could he barely beat a foe on the same level as those defeated by other captains?

It turns out he has been limiting himself since he subconsciously wants to fight on the same level as his opponents. Otherwise, he would completely trash them and really... Where's the fun in that?

It's interesting because it seems that Unohana dealt with the same problem in the opposite way. In the beginning of the flashback, we learn that she has grown apathetic from completely massacring any foe who has challenged her. And boom, her search for a worthy opponent leads to her being completely overpowered by a young Kenpachi.

And thus, we find out that Unohana's sin is that her defeat made Kenpachi limit his abilities. As to where Kenpachi's power comes from... Well, I'm sure Kubo will explain that eventually... Or never... I wouldn't be surprised either way.

But, this chapter really makes me wonder: Is Unohana a schizomaniac? She seems like she really does care about Kenpachi, but she's also full of bloodlust and she's usually nice to everyone else? And Genryuusai trusted her as a Captain of the healing squad?

Vegeta would have totally been game for this.

Okay, so Kenpachi did not have a "vision" of getting stabbed like Ichigo did back in the Soul Society arc. I think the twist is much more interesting: Unohana's been killing and healing Kenpachi repeatedly, causing him to slowly reach his potential.

It's clear now that Unohana is going to lose in the end, but will this mean Kenpachi will straight up kill her? With this arc, who knows... But, here's hoping we get to find out why Unohana is a nice person now!

Next up!

This building looks familiar...

Naruto 618: The Ones Who Know Everything

Looks like we are building up to a big exposition dump next week. The whole chapter was basically build-up for the next one, but some interesting tidbits did happen.

Sasuke, stop trying to be cool

First up, it looks like Sasuke isn't going to just up and annihilate Konoha until he finds out what the hell is going on. At least we have a decent excuse for why the heroes won't be arriving to their hometown in smoldering ruins.

Orochimaru's personality has also changed quite a bit since the last time we saw him. I think it's mostly since he respects Sasuke a lot more as an equal now. Fortunately, we also had quite a few moments to show that he's still the morally bankrupt bastard from before when Itachi completely destroyed his ass.

Welp... Someone's epic sacrifice has just been rendered moot

It really bothers me that Orochimaru got his arms back... I mean it's necessary, but really... The Third Hokage would roll in his grave at this... Speaking of whom...

Ewwww Nasty

So yeah... I found the scene with the Zetsus being sacrificed pretty disturbing. It reminds me a lot of the darker scenes in Fullmetal Alchemist. Is it just me or do torturous deaths like that belong in Shonen Jump?

Anyway, the end result was pretty fucking shocking.

Well... That was easy

It's shocking at how lazy it is. Kishimoto, I know it makes sense to get the truth directly from the source, but holy crap is the Edo Tensei overused in this series. There must have been some way that he could have set up some sort of way to find out the truth without relying on such an easy shortcut.

Here's hoping next week the truth is actually worth doing the Edo Tensei... again...

Last, but not least!

Grandma kicks ass!

One Piece 297: Deal

So as the Hazard Punk arc comes to a close and everyone starts to go their separate ways, we got some pretty cool scenes in this chapter.

Mandatory heartwarming end-arc scene!

The marines wanting to set a good example for the kids was pretty interesting. After all, the pirates, who are essentially supposed to be evil incarnate, saved everyone. Kind of fucks up the kids' moral compasses, you know? In the end, it doesn't do too much, but hell at least in the end, the marines realize how their attempts to re-calibrate the kids' morality made them total hypocritical douches!

And that's that! I feel like we're forgetting something...

Oh

Donquixote Doflamingo is coming, which leads to one of the most simultaneously morbid and subtly hilarious scenes I've seen in a while in One Piece.

Dark humor, ftw!

Trafalgar Law is such a coldhearted bastard. He beheads these guys, dumps their bodies in God knows where and then displays them to send Doflamingo a really strong message. He's challenging one of the most powerful Shichibukai on the planet!

Most intimidating snail phone EVER

Law has got supremely huge balls to do this to Doflamingo. Nobody has even dared to mess with him throughout the whole series until now. While it's a tad cowardly that Law's doing it through a Den Den Mushi, he's dealing with Do-freaking-controls-people-through-devil-fruit-magic-flamingo! Caution is a necessity.

Hell has frozen over

This got me, though. He actually made Doflamingo lose his cool. And Doflamingo never loses his cool. We're talking about a guy who devilishly grins no matter what is happening.

Doflamingo has always appeared to be invincible, but it finally looks like that invincible sheen is finally starting to crack. Here's hoping that Team Luffy x Law can take down Doflamingo!

Till next week!