I like how when a new pirate is introduced, they show that pirates wanted poster on the screen and then that pirate grabs or rips it off the screen.
That is Shanks! Great actor he nailed being Shanks. The show also nails how it depicts the mannerism of Garp as what I imagine if he was in the real world when he kicked the chair before sitting on it and patting Koby after their talk.
Buggy actor too executed his role perfectly (like how menacing his character in the early story and how OP it is being slice free with his DF) btw if you know nothing about the source material/anime you are probably going to hate him just like me when I was a kid and many, many other OP fans before, and you will love him in the future I guarantee you because you will see him again in the future of the story if Netflix or this show is successful (I bet it will).
I understand the reveal of Shanks and Buggy relationship in this iteration but it also hinders the surprises that Oda usually do in his manga, I prefer that Netflix copy him and giving little hints and his foremost popular foreshadowing of hidden details that his story is well known among the fans.
Here's a Spoiler there is a Big Cat that is part of Buggy's crew I was waiting for him to show up maybe Netflix doesn't have the budget or whatever reason but I wish they added the Lion. It is also nice that we see a cameo of the dog (the dog has a great story behind him, he became Luffy's friend) and the Mayor (the Mayor of that town/city was the guy who talks to Luffy when his crew set sail at the end) If you want more expanded of the story on that town I highly recommend you to watch the entire East Blue saga of the anime or read the manga after you watch this series or joins us as being a *Nakama OP fandom and have a ride in this story of One Piece by catching up in the manga or anime or both, you are going to have a great time.
Another note that I forgot to mention in my last review on the first episode, is how they set the tone that this world is cruel and we are really living in a pirate world, (it showed us by the killing of Roger) but I think it really shows when Alvida killed that one guy on her ship and we saw the aftermath of it when Koby was cleaning some leftover of his brain.
It's interesting to see them tackle the Buggy arc of all things in this somber, emotional way. It mostly paid off, though I do wish they included the villagers and the Buggy Cannon more. Buggy's actor was delightfully corny (him yelling "SURPRISE SHITHEAD" was very in-character), and Luffy swallowing the map was an interesting twist.
Nami's character portrayal I still find a bit stiff, as opposed to manga Nami who masks her emotional baggage with a glib and carefree attitude. I hope she gets more development in the Arlong arc.
Well surprise shitheads, it's actually good!
Oddly enough, as opposed to the anime/manga, I feel that the show is moving too fast, not building characters and their relationships properly, which kinda ruins things for me a little bit.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to meet the rest of the crew and the whole bunch of whacky evil pirates they'll bump into!
First real Devil Fruit fight, and it's not bad. Well, an easy one to do, Buggy parts are flying around too fast to be really visible, and it's less flashy than future powers, but still.
In line with the first one: story is compacted but in a good way, it's totally in the original spirit, high production value, entertaining, with decent fights.
Another solid episode. Didn’t expect such high caliber show from Netflix since we usually get crapflix from this streaming platform.
The side effect of trying to cram and set up so much content of the original show, as well as sort of condensing time itself, is that some things fall flat. For example, I have no idea why or when Luffy left such a considerable mark on Zoro. They've literally had 3.5 conversations at that point, you know? We also left many of the emotional beats behind due to the change of setting, so overall, I felt this rendition lacked emotions.
Also, I still find Godoy's acting to be so-so. His intonation is weird to the point he no longer sounds like a person sometimes, like when he says his name or declares he's going to become the pirate king. It kind of sounds like he's trying to mimic the anime intonation, but it doesn't really work on a real, living person :/ Shanks also had some weird ass deliveries, like that "get lost" bit. I laughed out loud at how cringeworthy that was lol.
Overall, I don't think it's a bad episode at all. Zoro and Nami in it? Chef's kiss! Overall, it had a much better rhythm than the first episode, but yeah, there are some growing pains ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Buggy is a great villain, hope we see more of him!
Both the main plot and the flashback do feel a hair overly drawn out, but this is still a spectacular way to adapt the character of Buggy, with Jeff Ward's malicious performance, the terror of both the captive audience and the rest of the circus gang, the design and effects of his special ability, and how the burgeoning lead crew have to trust each other to escape. It's very well done, never losing the magic of Luffy, and I also like that we're continuing the thread of Koby as a season arc.
Surprisingly enough they tackled Buggy in a much more serious and emotional tone but it worked surprisingly well. The actor for Buggy killed it. The way the fight was resolved was a bit too quick and anti-climatic, though. But the most important stuff was well executed, Shanks giving Luffy his hat was also really nice. I hope they can also do it justice when Luffy will give Nami his hat… if they can, this adaptation really goes beyond any expectations I might've had.
OMFG, Buggy is Jeff Ward!
(480-word review) This was an excellent follow-up to the series premiere. The past (with Luffy and Shanks) and present (with the Straw Hat Crew), as well as the little less prominent focus on the Marines/Garp/Koby, were equally engaging and enjoyable. Both episodes worked well together; the pacing and structure are consistent and complementary, synergizing perfectly.
I was more interested and invested in everything with Luffy, Zoro, and Nami in the premiere, while the stuff in the past was less so – so it's a good sign here that it's reached the benchmark that our three main characters have set individually, partially together, and collectively. And, unexpectedly, as I would have thought the opposite, that portion with Luffy and Shanks was the most enjoyable for me, particularly their final scene; that score cue was phenomenal – Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli are superb and masters of their craft.
Jeff Ward's performance was an anticipated highlight and episode-stealer – well, let's be honest, show-stealer, since he'll surely be up there, potentially at the very top, by the end of the season: easily remembered when looking back on it in the far future. While Steven John Ward may upstage or rival him, his position at the top is unquestionably secure.
Furthermore, Peter Gadiot fashioned himself into the role of Shanks in this episode: something in limbo previously. But he's already made an impression on me, requiring only a slight amount more screen time to perform his magic, reinforcing the now-confirmed but uncommon notion that he's excellent in this role, despite the early, initial doubts and skepticism concerning that.
Another plus was the VFX and CGI. The depiction of Buggy's powers looked well done: not too outlandish in uncanny territory, while the more prominent usage of Luffy's stretchy powers, compared to what we saw in the premiere, was the same way, and the CGI of the sea monster looked even better – both the design itself and its appearance, which didn't look fake in the sense of looking poorly-done. I was particularly taken with the visual effects of the splashing water as it descended. That stood out for some reason. And the last shot of the ocean and sunset during that was stunning.
My only criticisms were Zoro's quick loyalty and belief in Luffy (there was little lead-up, though you can attribute it to the possibility that he was drawn in and enticed by Luffy's carefree attitude and relentless confidence) and some instances of Emily Rudd's acting/line delivery that seemed forced; it was as if she wasn't uttering the words all the way/following through with the utterance. If it was a deliberate choice, I've only considered one explanation, and it pertains to Nami's ulterior motivations, which means she's also putting on a front: being "fake," hence the forcefulness of the line delivery at times. It could be a case of inexperience with the character portrayal currently.
Oh, yes, I like this Dennis from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, with a bit of Heath Ledger's Joker, Buggy a lot.
I loved it. May it continue like this.
I watched anime, read the manga and have never been a fan of Buggy but man of man did they make him so compelling in the live action. Mihawk almost has a contender for my no.1 of best characters in first season.
I love you Boogie the Clown :heart:
Damn, they've done it. I had next to no hope after the Cowboy Bebop adaptation, but this has knocked it out of the park so far. If it falls off a cliff in quality after this, at least these opening episodes have been absolute bangers.
Shout by OutlierForLifeBlockedParent2023-09-05T03:55:20Z
Buggy is Deke Shaw from Marvel Agents of Shield!