DVD Review: One Piece season 2, seventh voyage

One Piece Season two, Seventh Voyage

(Funimation, 320 minutes)

http://www.onepieceofficial.com/

Picking up where the last set left off, the Straw Hat Pirates adventures in Alabasta have come to an end and it’s time for some much needed relaxation.

To do us all a favor, I’m going to withhold going over the basic plot as there are already several reviews up that already detail that information. Instead, lets just jump into what’s here.
After saving the kingdom of Alabasta from Baroque Works, Luffy and his crew once again resume their journey of the Grand Line in his quest to be king of the pirates. The first group of episodes delves into the back stories of Zoro and Chopper, giving further insight into what shaped them into the people they are today.

From there, we get a three episode mini arc about an old man named Zenny whose sole wish is to be a pirate. Unfortunately, he has a weak heart that is killing him. This is really nothing more than a fun diversion as most of the episodes on the set are.

Afterward, the set wraps up with a five episode story titled the Rainbow Mist arc, providing another fun diversion but nothing more. The Straw Hats bump into a scientist named Henzo and discovers the strange phenomenon known as the Rainbow Mists. Of course this arc has all the ingredients that make One Piece great including battles, treasure, and people trying to accomplish their dreams.

Bonus features are nowhere to be found her with the exception of a marathon play feature that plays the episodes back to back, eliminating the intro. Aside from that, there are a listing of trailers for Funimation’s latest releases.

If you’ve already collected the series up till now, chances are you will probably pick this set up. The show is epic, managing to draw the audience in every time. That said, these episodes are mainly “filler” and have no bearing on the future of the series. They’re not bad but they aren’t at the same level as other episode from the series past.

All in all, while this set is enjoyable, as previously stated, the episodes provide merely pleasant diversions until the story picks up again. Unlike past sets, this one isn’t required viewing.

One Piece season 2, seventh voyage - B

Manga Reviews: One Piece volumes 24 - 25

One Piece volumes 24-25
Story and Art - Eiichiro Oda
Rating - Teen

The “Straw Hat” pirate’s adventure in Alabasta has come to an end; after a few heartfelt words, the crew once again sets sail on their continued journey of the “Grand Line”. To their surprise, they discover a former enemy has stowed away in the hopes of joining the crew. Promising more adventure for the would-be pirate king, she tells Luffy and company of the legend of a sky island known as Skypiea.

A few unique encounters with monkey men and larger than life giants convince the “Straw Hats” to port in the town of Jaya, where they run afoul of the infamous pirate Bellamy as well as Black Beard. While they hope to discover a path to Skypiea, instead they find themselves being lectured with talks of dreams and what it really means to be a pirate, which only strengthen Luffy’s resolve. While exploring the tiny town, the “Straw Hats” happen upon a descendant of an infamous liar who also happens to be familiar with the legend of Skypiea.

Meanwhile, the World’s Government has begun gathering it’s forces in preparation for the growing threat the pirates represent, the greatest of their concerns being a meeting between the two pirate lords, White Beard and “Red Haired” Shanks.

After the lengthy Alabasta arc, these two volumes serve as a nice breather. Battles are scarce and the fights that are featured are kept short. Instead there is a renewed focus on adventure which almost serves to reinvigorate the series.

The artwork is typical of what fans have come to expect Eichiro Oda. The characters are all distinguishable with designs that are perfectly befitting of the world they inhabit. The pencils have a frenetic feel and lend themselves well to the hyper stylized nature of the series.

Thanks to the introductions of new characters and beginning of a new adventure, volumes 24 and 25 make for perfect jumping on points for those curious. For everyone else, these volumes offer up more of the same great writing and art that has made the series a worldwide sensation.

One Piece volume 24 - A
One Piece volume 25 - A