One Piece

Originally posted by AuraAngel
The arc you stopped at is my favorite of the early arcs(though most people will prefer the one directly after the restaurant arc called Arlong Park). It is also an arc where one of the most important characters, Mihawk, will appear and reveal the greatest aspect of OP. Namely the sprawling world waiting for exploration. The world of One Piece is flat out more fleshed out than either Naruto or Bleach. In addition to each arc having its own purpose the overarching power dynamics of famous pirates, the Marines, and the World Government is a treat.

And no lie it is really hard to imagine someone just hating the Straw Hat crew. You like it when the heroes stomp the shit out of the bad guys? Well look no further. Luffy doesn't face his first defeat for a while and the heroes get plenty of kickass moments. There are also a lot of moments that can tug at your heart strings. Some characters have backstories that are just downright heart breaking.

Now Q99 likes OP and Fairy Tail, which you read. And from what I can gather is that the pacing is night and day. OP is very slow but it is deliberate to make the world feel much bigger. Also a lot of time is spent working out how to get from point A to point B where in, say, Naruto the journey is secondary compared to the task. In One Piece if the journey isn't fun then there is no purpose.

Now you've read the early stages of OP and to be fair early arcs in manga tend to need a little more slack. Keep in mind Naruto's first arc doesn't strictly set the stage for the epic, quasi-religious struggle between two clans that it later becomes. OP really starts to shine at this point in my opinion but definitely gets there once Alabasta hits.

Mind you this is all my personal opinion. I enjoy the series quite a lot even while acknowledging the problems. Little less than Naruto but quite a lot more than Bleach frankly. Maybe what I like won't strike the right chords with you but I think you could really enjoy the series.

Thank you very much for this lengthy and detailed reply. That was more than I was expecting.

I'll try and give it another go.

I owe you one. What do you want? Do you play Steam games?

Getting back into this. Finally made it to the Grand Line. Lets rock! *Still has what appears to be a lifetime of episodes*

Originally posted by dadudemon
Thank you very much for this lengthy and detailed reply. That was more than I was expecting.

I'll try and give it another go.

I owe you one. What do you want? Do you play Steam games?

Nah man, I'm good. Just cast a magic spell to give me work ethic.

Originally posted by Zack Fair
Getting back into this. Finally made it to the Grand Line. Lets rock! *Still has what appears to be a lifetime of episodes*

I'd say read the manga but scans of decent quality kinda disappear up until Foxy's arc. But yeah tons of material to get through.

I know that most guys here follow the manga, but I'm contemplating giving the Anime a chance again. I get that some arcs are excruciatingly slow on it... Any things I should be aware off in that regard?

Just that the Very Very Very Strongest is an awesome theme.

Oh and Film Z is awesome.

Originally posted by AuraAngel

Oh and Film Z is awesome.

That ending.

Jesus Christ Oda just give Law's backstory. I cannot believe he used the same thing as a cliffhanger twice to just not pay it off after two breaks. Instead more people we don't care about are fighting. Only difference is now the Coliseum people we don't care about are fighting the Executives we don't care about. Oda realized how goofy it was to have Kyros hoping around so now he is just suddenly here and Bellamy was brought back from the sea of multiple plot points in this bloated arc.

I honestly believe Luffy might be stronger than we think he is.

Think about it: Doflamingo is doing everything he can to evade Luffy.
He probably can't straight up go at him 1-on-1.

And judging by how easily Zoro beat Peeka (supposedly the strongest amongst the executives), Luffy must be a monster.

Originally posted by AuraAngel
Jesus Christ Oda just give Law's backstory. I cannot believe he used the same thing as a cliffhanger twice to just not pay it off after two breaks. Instead more people we don't care about are fighting. Only difference is now the Coliseum people we don't care about are fighting the Executives we don't care about. Oda realized how goofy it was to have Kyros hoping around so now he is just suddenly here and Bellamy was brought back from the sea of multiple plot points in this bloated arc.

To paraphrase your quote: this arc is the best evar!

Instead of hanging with the same boring characters we always do, we get a myriad of new entertaining characters that actually get to do stuff instead of being just for show 👆

Such a manly battle...!

Why did Franky kiss her?

Because she's a woman (no joke, I think that's basically the gist of 'one way to shut a woman up so we can fight'😉.

Originally posted by AuraAngel
Why did Franky kiss her?

I'll admit, I lol'd at the joke. Definitely worth the read.

Remember when Ussop had balls and wasn't trying to run away constantly?

Rebecca's goin down. Hard.

This arc is a mess.
Too many fights goin on simultaneously.

Originally posted by AsbestosFlaygon
This arc is a mess.
Too many fights goin on simultaneously.

I honestly think the timeskip messed with Oda's flow. Not a single post-skip arc has been particularly well constructed (Punk Hazard coming the closest).

Originally posted by Nephthys

Remember when Ussop had balls and wasn't trying to run away constantly?

OP is still better than Naruto and Bleach, bro. Haters gon hate.

Originally posted by Nephthys
OP is still better than Naruto and Bleach, bro. Haters gon hate.

Lately, HxH and FT been good in their own way.