One Piece Chapter 1031

Warrior of Science

In Chapter 1031 of One Piece, Eustass Kid and Law manage to hurt Big Mom. She emerges from the rubble using her Soul Pocus ability to extract the souls of nearby Beast Pirates and create Homies out of the metal beams. She claims it been over a decade since she’s felt “this much pain.” She challenges them to come for her throne if they can and grows larger. Elsewhere, Apoo tries and fails to convince Drake to join him. Their fight is interrupted when Yamato burst through the wall. She can’t slow down and barrels through.

Apoo and the Numbers, Fuga, Inbi, and Zanki give chase forcing Drake to follow as well. Meanwhile, CP0 locate Nico Robin and Brook. While escaping thanks to the Minks, Robin wonders why the elite CP0 are in Wano. In the brothel, Sanji is accused of attacking a young woman. Sanji is confused what happened. Before he can figure it out, Queen arrives. Unsure if Luffy would prefer a Sanji that can’t harm a woman or one that’s a “soldier of science,” Sanji destroys his Raid Suit. After telling Zoro to kill him if loses his humanity, he attacks Queen with Diable Jambe: Hell Memories.

I’m still disappointed with the lack of focus in this arc. Moving from fight to fight and scene to scene is irritating. I would prefer if Oda just focused on one fight at a time. He could occasionally switch to other characters to keep things fresh but I’m having difficulty getting in to any of these fights. I’m not sure how I feel about Sanji’s fight. I don’t believe he’s capable of hitting a woman and I can’t imagine he thinks Luffy would ever prefer a heartless fighter over a mindless killer. I think this has more to due with Sanji having an identity crises.

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Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 164

Tokyo No. 1 Colony, Part 4

Jujutsu Kaisen continues to surprise me. I was certain this was going to be another knock down drag out battle. Only for Gege Akutami to introduce the domain expansion version of a courtroom. This is obviously necessary considering Yuji cannot kill Higuruma. Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 164 adds more to the lore of the series. According to Master Tengen, Domain Expansion use to be “more common.” The “deadly can’t miss” Domains of the current series, is a modern era invention. In the past, Domain Expansions simply forced targets to follow the curse users rules.

It makes since that Higuruma would uses his Domain Expansion to imitate a courtroom. What is surprising here is Yuji’s intellect. He’s able to figure out how to rules work even though he may have made the wrong choice in the end. Higuruma explains that they each have “one chance to make a statement.” The shikigami he calls, Judgeman, will determine the “verdict.” Higuruma claims he doesn’t know what the outcome is if Yuji is found guilty. Regardless, Yuji has three choices: Stay silent, confess, or deny. He’s permitted to lie if he must. Higuruma notes an obvious truth; “if everyone told the truth there be no need for trials.”

Yuji deduces he should tell a half truth. He’s accused of entering a pachinko parlor and gambling. Yuji is guilty, but decides to leave out the gambling part and claim he only “took a dump.” Yuji is found guilty of “unlawful entry.” Due to the legal loopholes regarding gambling it was possible for Yuji to avoid guilt if he “denied it.” Anyway, Judgeman announces Yuji’s guilt and the domain disappears. Higuruma attacks Yuji with a gavel that alters its size. Yuji can’t control his curse energy, which he considers a good thing.

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My Hero Academia Chapter 332

State-of-the-art Hypersonic Intercontinental cruise

I argued that I thought the limits on Star and Stripe Quirk was enough to balance of her potentially broken powers. I was starting to waver on that opinion before Shigaraki survived the State-of-the-art hypersonic intercontinental cruise punch. Star and Stripe has ONE over the top Quirk, Shigaraki has hundreds. Early in the chapter, Star and Stripe is told she compares herself to All Might too much. Compared to her idol she’s behind. This was a flashback, so her current ability isn’t only greater than All Might (his powers are gone), it’s could be argued she surpassed him at his peak. Which admitted, we haven’t seen in the main series.

In the previous chapter, Star and Stripe created an air version of herself that’s “1,000 times bigger than herself.” This figure is invisible to Shigaraki, but he senses it’s presence. Using this ability she’s able to hit Shigaraki with a devastating blow from her Super Move, Fist Bump to the Earth. She concludes the only way to defeat Shigaraki is to “bust him down to atoms.” While continuing to hold him in place with the laser move United Hyper-Max Output Laser: Keraunos. In this moment, Star and Stripe reminded me not of All Might but Zeus. Regardless, Shigaraki can’t move but has deduced her plan.

She calls to American Military Commander Agpar. He initially chastises her for being too independent, but then praises her for making American “shine.” Using her previous, air formation, she grabs a number of Tiamat missiles. She smashes them into Shigaraki, creating a massive crater. However, Shigaraki used his Decay ability to make a hole in the ground beneath him. Avoiding his likely death. As Shigaraki ascends toward her, Star and Stripe’s ally tells her to destroy his ship along with Shigaraki. The act would have killed him as well. Unwilling to kill her comrade, she hesitates. The final page shows Shigaraki grabbing her face.

Is this the end of Star and Stripe? I hope not. Endeavor was shown briefly but I don’t think it was for nothing. I can’t imagine he doesn’t rescue her. Maybe she have some scars from Shigaraki’s decay but the speed of Quirk would likely kill her instantly. Of course he could try to take her Quirk, which from what we’ve seen takes a little time. Either way, My Hero Academia is stepping up the action.