Episode 999 is an episode of extremes on multiple fronts. In many ways, this is the prelude to what is to come, both in a narrative and a metatextual sense. We have the Straw Hats coming back together in Onigashima, the disparate threads and battles that have occupied them separately leading back to them congregating within the heart of the fortress. We also have the anime itself setting the stage for what is sure to be a bombastic episode 1000 of one of the world's most beloved series. It is clear that this episode is serving as the connective tissue to get us ready for what is to come.
We get lots of focus on the “kids” and the “adults” of the Straw Hat crew, so to speak. Nami, Chopper, and Usopp have their moments, but spend most of the episode in dire straits. The Brachio tank does, well, nothing against the Numbers, but I love those scenes anyway. Usopp and Chopper being precious and supporting each other is hilarious, and I love the squeaky toy BEEP that the tank makes every time it fires. All the gratuitous close-ups and stylistic flourishes on the tank barrel only add to the comedy.
The grownups really steal the show in this episode. Franky, everyone's favorite big bro cyborg (cybrorg?) and the hottest toy of the holiday season, gets his time to shine. Franky is my guy, so I'm always glad we get plenty of time with him. As One Piece has gone on, the increasing number of characters and plot threads means that a lot of core cast members (like Franky) have gotten sidelined in recent years. Outside of the monster trio, it is rare for Straw Hat crew members to get more than a line or two with any regularity. So having Franky get lots of cool one-liners and some stellar animation sequences where he shows off the radical beam and his ability isl a treat. Add in Robin and Jimbei getting some of that love too and it's a real strong showing for the older members of the crew. Also, the abject hilarity of Big Mom getting unceremoniously rolled out of the scene is just great.
The animation is a bit dodgier in this episode overall though. While the later moments look gorgeous and kinetic, the earlier sections (particularly with the Yamato scenes) are a bit more strained. The shot with Ulti's mace on the ground comes to mind as being a really weird angle where the haft looks kind of warped and unaligned. My guess is that the team is under a lot of pressure to deliver a tour de force in episode 1000 and portions of this week's episode struggled as a result.
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