English Professor’s Thoughts on the Marineford and Post War Arcs (Summit War - One Piece)

[@nicorobin5978]

Honey, wake up. New Philip Chase OP video just dropped.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Hopefully, it was a good start to the day!

[@Numbyskull]

It gets me every time

[@benabaxter]

You make him sound like a Dominican priest.

[@keenancookson8641]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyit’s the best 🤗

[@DarkDay2012]

"Grief is not something you ever put down, but you can find the strength to carry it" That line just goes so hard. Excellently stated.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DarkDay2012 Many thanks for watching! 🙏

[@mzrocks121]

Instantly added that to my mental list of quotes

[@knicknevin9975]

You're gonna carry that weight.

[@RamenStains]

The Summit War is one of the best battles in all of fantasy imo. I stand with what Daniel Greene said when he got to this point, One Piece is and should be considered an epic fantasy not only that but one of the best of them

[@noname3609]

The greatest when it will end.Even above the Wheel of Time. 😊

[@PurplesttCoffee]

I still remember reaching this arc a few months ago, after being told time and time again, by people that seem exhausted of One Piece, that you could only enjoy this story if you are blinded by nostalgia. While One Piece certainly isn't without flaws (it's both particularly rewarding *and* challenging to read it as a woman lol), it reaches so many highs that none of its contemporaries seem able to, not only in shonen manga but in fantasy as a whole. And the Summit War is the prime example of that, I need to go to whole different genres and much older, less accessible stories (moslty books honestly) to think of similarly rewarding moments. All of that from the comic recommended to me by my little sister

[@RamenStains]

@@PurplesttCoffee Oda's weirdness around women has got to be the worst aspect of the series and genuinely makes it harder to recommend, how ever I tend to like Nami and Robin's writing far more than most Shonen women in spite of Oda's weirdness. But that being said, it's hard to rival the emotions this series is able to evoke. From world building to characterization to just stunning moments and creativity Oda pulls it all together in ways which conjure amazing emotional peaks

[@RamenStains]

@@noname3609 I find it hard to really rank series once they get to a certain degree of quality. I respect so many of them. But for me, if I were to have a personal no.1 it'd probably be One Piece or Malazan

[@noname3609]

@@RamenStains What a coincidence.I will start Malazan soon.☺️

[@thetruth3068]

Fun fact: In the story, One Piece timeskip is 2 years. 2 years is also the same time that the manga reader last saw the Straw Hat together. They got separated by Kuma in 2008, the manga then only follow Luffy's story for 2 years. The chapter when the reunion in Sabaody happened is released in 2010.

[@axln1723]

Wow I didn’t know that!! cool fun fact

[@nicolezamudio7690]

oh wow! How emotional & frustrating that must've been to read in real time.

[@azimuth9819]

And if there's another time skip... uh oh

[@Cardulionax]

I caught up to One Piece right around the end of Enies Lobby and I remember the full gap and it was torturous. What was even worse was the break Oda took for the timeskip which if I remember right was 6 weeks long and is the longest we've had to go without a new chapter in the last 2 decades.

[@jagkopp]

@@azimuth9819we’re in the final saga, so I highly doubt it.

[@merytale]

This isn't the first appearance of Akainu btw, he first appeared in Robin's flashback in Ohara, during the Buster Call. He was the marine guy who shot down the refugee ships. Absolute justice is thorough..

[@Itoyokofan]

it was the first time we saw his face. And for Japanese readers it would've been such a moment, since all three of the Admirals have famous Japanese actors faces 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I do recall that now, and I like him even less! Cheers!

[@HaganeNoGijutsushi]

Akainu up there in the "Geneva convention? More like Geneva suggestion" group of anime characters with Eren and Tanya.

[@Nr4747]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Akainu was still called by his actual family name, Sakazuki, in that flashback because he was a vice admiral at the time and thus didn't have his code name Akainu (which means "Red Dog") yet.

[@carvertk3289]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyskål

[@notrixamoris3318]

One of the best ONE PIECE quotes and a character study... It's not some sort of special power, but he has the ability to make allies of everyone he meets. And that is the most fearsome ability on the high seas -Mihawk

[@sheepboy2560]

Politicians know that power

[@fernandotrevinocastro1018]

​@@sheepboy2560 someone pushed around with power and money is not an ally, is a soft hostage.

[@The8BitPianist]

The next arc is fishman island. I think a good idea would be to watch the recent special episode "One Piece Fan Letter" right before you reach the arrival at fishman island. It's not part of the manga, but an adaption of several side stories and one of the best OP episodes overall!

[@calebhunt6222]

This is what i was thinking! i highly recommend. incredible animation and story telling in what is essentially a short film!

[@blitzkki]

Note it's supposed to be right after return to sabody.

[@carlosernestogutierrezvazq9584]

Hope he sees this!

[@BladeEdge86]

It is actually Return to Sabaody, but with how short that arc is the professor will probably cover both arcs in the next One Piece video. He will probably really like the Fishman Island Arc.

[@giuliosf]

I agree he should whatch that episode but after sailing from Sabaody

[@Mognet_t]

You touched on one of the major underlying themes of One Piece in this video, something Whitebeard says about Inherited Will. We've seen this play out so often with the Straw Hats, specifically. Chopper inherited the will of Dr. Hiraluk, Robin inherited the will of Ohara. Nami with Bellamere, Zoro with Kuina, Franky with Tom, Brook with the entirety of the Runbar Pirates. The old V for Vendetta line sticks in my ear, "You can't kill an idea." People have argued whether or not Oda's texts suggests inherited will is a tangible mechanic of the world's magic, like devil fruits, or haki, but i think it's a message for all of the readers. Don't forget the dreams of your loved ones, your fallen comrades, your nakama. They are with you always.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yes! I’ll be looking for this theme going forward.

[@joshuavallente7057]

Dadan’s line about Luffy hurting the most from losing Ace, showcases the depth of her love for her foster children. More than anyone else, she knows them; she knows them to the core. That like hurts me every time. Luffy was just a kid, alone and removed from his nakama, going through that grief.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@joshuavallente7057 That is indeed a poignant moment!

[@t3cchan]

You've given me a newfound appreciation for the "I have my crew!" moment! I never considered how omitting the other straw hats from the arc allows the readers to further empathize with Luffy, who has blinders on for everything other than his brother. Just beautifully said, Philip

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! That moment just hit me so hard -- the most I cried while reading One Piece!

[@Ghostreader198]

I think Oda’s true genius is making stuff up on the fly and integrating it into the manga so well you’d think it was planned all along. Things like Ace being Roger’s kid, Vivi being a princess, Lucci and the others being part of CP9, all the Supernovas….they were all last minute additions, and had Oda not said anything the reader would never have known

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Ghostreader198 That is indeed impressive!

[@SadBirbHours]

Oda confessing that he often checks the fan wiki when he forgets things he’s written will always make me chuckle.

[@NoerLuin]

Ace making Oars Jr a strawhat is such a nice touch.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It is beautiful!

[@mobbs6426]

​@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyas per One Piece story telling. You'll want to remember that for a few hundred chapters

[@BoazSzczesny]

Cooked with that hook and intro paragraph, really showed the English teacher in him

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! I can’t get the teacher out of me!

[@CAPGOD1]

Making the point about One Piece not having many characters die, then reaching this point and saying, "I've had enough death." Is so relatable. Oda knows how to make the death of a character feel real. Im glad you reached this point, and I can't wait to hear your talks with Allen about this arc.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much! I’ll be chatting with Allen, Jimmy, and Petrik soon!

[@jackbukraba3206]

“So beautifully loyal and stubborn. Unconquerable.” Legitimately one of the best ways I’ve ever heard luffy described.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

There’s no one quite like Luffy!

[@Duckksrule1]

Luffy is selfish in a way so selfless it feels wrong to call him selfish, yet he undeniably is. I love how his character has been written.

[@jackbukraba3206]

@@Duckksrule1 could you explain more about what you mean in the first sentence?

[@Duckksrule1]

​@@jackbukraba3206 Sorry, what? 😅 English is my 4th language and I started learning it just a couple years back so I apologize for any grammatical errors. Explain what more, exactly?

[@jackbukraba3206]

@@Duckksrule1I’m just curious for an example of what you mean when you say he’s “selfish in a way so selfless”

[@brandoncantoran6190]

Seeing you try not to cry actually made me cry

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Sorry! This one turned on the faucets for me a lot. At least we are crying together!

[@jidhed]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I read it weekly back when it came out, and I cry every time I see it after in the anime, I cry if I see someone see it happen on their little screen... the whole thing feels so well written that it just keeps hitting harder the more you think about it!

[@Og_Phrank]

Oda deserves a nobel prize in literature, he is in a league of his own, a modern Homer

[@nimbledickcrab]

dude I like one piece but this is crazy glaze.

[@FRANK_-vo9be]

It's not that often talked about, but i absolutely agree. "I still have my crew" is definitely one of the most impactful moments in all of one piece.

[@Ozorosochi]

Also, I strongly recommend you watching "One piece does exist" moment. The voice acting here is peak. Such power in essentially dead mans voice.

[@BladeEdge86]

It mirrored Rogers speech before he was executed quite nicely.

[@jidhed]

100%

[@nataneldemissew3426]

Garp isnt just choosing between his morals and family. He is also the most famous navy soldier, essentially the equivalent of superman in the world of one piece. Garp helping pirates or abandoning the navy would fuel pirates all over the world and it would frighten the rest of it. It's a much more difficult choice than just family vs duty as a marine

[@Chaosking707]

The Marines are also his found family, who he fought life & death battles together

[@Al-lr5ik]

Another thing to note is that Ace didn’t want him to help

[@nicolezamudio7690]

didn't stop many other high level Marines from doing the right thing before. I'm tired of this fandom excusing Garp's mistake when in the narrative he acknowledges it as a failure & Oda shows us him self punishing by letting Dadan beat him. He never would've stepped back if he thought his choices at Marineford were justified.

[@nicolezamudio7690]

​@@Al-lr5ikhe didn't want Luffy or the whitebeard pirates either lol what does that have to do with anything.

[@obedguite5439]

@@nicolezamudio7690but if Ace did want him to, he would do it in a heartbeat

[@Sebster85]

I’ve watched many One Piece reviews over the years, but yours remains my favorite. One aspect that often goes unmentioned is how Luffy’s true desire was revealed in his flashback when he told Ace that being alone hurts more than physical pain. So, Luffy experienced the deepest pain of his life when he thought he’d lost his crew at Sabaody and when he lost Ace at Marineford. What ultimately pulled him back from the edge of total collapse was Jinbe reminding him that he still had his friends. On the surface, Luffy’s journey is about adventures and finding the One Piece, but at its core, it’s about making friends and building a world where he’s never alone.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said! Thank you!

[@DonStove]

Crocodile wanted to fight with everybody this arc pure aura

[@conormurphy4328]

He has to reclaim some street cred after getting beaten by a rookie

[@Kriss_NA]

​@@conormurphy4328holy crap he does, it make sense 😂. Though I think it glimpse of Crocodiles code principle here, Luffy free him from life sentence so Crocodile makes sure Luffy get out of Marineford alive hence we see him helping Luffy. Heck Crocodile even did Buggy a solid despite knowing what a fraud Buggy is😅

[@blitzes3177]

You were correct, "The Big Cheese" is Sengoku's official title in the marines.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

🤣🤣🤣🧀

[@theChimpanZeus]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Also, the one that tricked Whitebeard's subordinate wasn't Sengoku, it was Akainu. Glad you enjoyed this Saga. More amazing ones to come!

[@theartistinthebasement6647]

​@@theChimpanZeus yes! I noticed that too. Poor sengoku, he would never. Akainu on the other hand 😒😒

[@smthspshl]

@@theChimpanZeus No guys, it was said that "Following the orders of Sengoku, Admiral Akainu deceived Squard"

[@theChimpanZeus]

​@@smthspshl I do not remember reading/watching that. It was never explicitly said that Akainu followed Sengoku's order (to deceive Squard). As far as I know that is a fan theory. If you know a chapter/episode where that happened, you can let me know.

[@electroslimeEN]

only 4 minutes in and definitely crying. this arc was so traumatizing for everyone but also the most incredible experience to have.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

So true!

[@tacorrific]

Oda staged the conversation between Ace and Garp at Impel Down so brilliantly. It along with Iva's talk of Dragon do such a great job of setting up the reveal of Ace's parentage.

[@An_Inconvenience]

Whitebeards's death is based on the Japanese Warrior Monk Musashibo Benkei. Benkei could earn an entire essay to explain his life but focusing on the pertinent parts here, Benkei was described as a mountain of a man who wielded an iron polearm much like Whitebeard's Bisento. Benkei died defending his master, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, as he committed Seppuku in a shrine on one side of a bridge. Benkei held the bridge from any of his masters enemies who tried to cross no matter how many hits he took. In the end they had to result to hitting him with arrows from the other side of the bridge but no matter what they did, Benkei refused to yield the bridge. When dawn came, they crossed to bridge and to their shock, Benkei had died on his feet, standing vigil even in death, his back to the one he would protect even in death. The parallels are obviously there but slightly flipped, what with Whitebeard defending his fleeing crew and the chasm he created serving as the dividing line as opposed to the bridge. Shanks arrival is a watershed moment for the entire series. Because Whitebeard, for all his power, was sickly, old and way past his prime. And yet the damage he wrought was still incredible. The presence of Two Emperors is considered an utter catastrophe and Shanks is in the prime of his life. It shows that for all his tomfoolery with getting recked by Margellen, Blackbeared is a shrewd opportunist who will back out from fights he doesn't think he can win. Setting up the power but also dynamics in what will be come to known as 'the reckless era.' The entire purpose of Executing Ace was the hope that it would lead to the Death of both the remnants of the start and current standard bearer of the Great Pirate Era. Roger started it, and Ace was his symbolic stand in. Whitebeard was the strongest man in the world and considered closest to One Piece, killing them both was supposed to be a demoralising blow to pirates. But Whitebeard, Ace and Luffy said 'no'. Ace and Luffy showed that the sins of the father are not pssed to the son. Your family is what you make of it. Brotherhood is a bond that binds people beyond any distance or time. So much so that a boy who grew up feeling nothing but scorn at his own existence reached a point where his tearful final words to his brother by bond, brothers in arms and father by choice were 'thank you for loving me.' And Whitebeard, a man who his greatest treasure what drove him out to sea, was always family. And that what the one piece is in an ideological sense. What it physically is doesn't matter, ideologically it is the great treasure that guides you unto the sea. Saint Elmo's fire beyond the horizon that you strive towards. Be that wealth, fame, power or something as simple as family. With a bellowed roar heard by the world, the lynchpin of the era declared. "The one piece is real." Reigniting the flame that Roger lit, driving a new generation to the sea. But it is not fully altruistic. This is the reckless era, where the sprint towards that great treasure breeds chaos we saw at Marineford. Some, like Dofflamingo, thrive. Others like Moria, defined by sloth and sedation, wither. Some like Akainu, cling to Dogma to weather the storm, imposing vision of black and white on a world becoming progressively more grey. Or Koby who stood up for what he believed in even if it meant potentially a painful death, because things had to change. And that brings us to the Ringing of the Oxbell. The mourning of those past, both in life and of the era. Good or bad, change is not what things were before. Pronunciations: Sengoku: Sen-go-Coo Akainu: Ak-Eye-Noo the three admirals titles are in reference to the three animal companions of momotaro Ao-kiji: Blue Pheasant Ki-Saru: Yellow Monkey Aka-Inu: Red Dog

[@bearus.9617]

Beautiful

[@tonionio]

So beautiful that I actually read this long ass comment. Very nice

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Wonderful insights and information! Thank you!

[@Akco007]

Wonderful information!! Though Akainu is pronounced: Ah Kah Ee nu.

[@ngocnguyen-pp5wl]

I do have to disagree to some degree that WB is completely based on that character. Every nation has a WB mythical or physical figure. For example in China there’s Guan Yu in ‘The War of 3 Kings’ who was betrayed by his people and died standing.

[@audreyholmes9751]

Hearing Luffy's voice actor scream in pure unrivaled denial in the anime was haunting.

[@Exilum]

To me the most awe-inspiring part of White Beard's death, which I think is masterful, is the list of his wounds. It reminds you of how much he survived, how strong he was. 267 sword wounds, 152 gunshot wounds, 46 wounds from cannon balls. That's how you allow readers to understand just what they witnessed. It gives a sense of scale to the events.

[@cwega2463]

what a genuinely outstanding intro. you truly care for and respect this story. “thank you for loving me” and “i have my crew” are some of the most impactful lines of one piece for me. and i think it leaks emotionally here (at least for a while). it’s so devastatingly beautiful, poignant and poetic; so masterfully written and set up; that i don’t think anything comes this close emotionally until the wano and egghead arcs.

[@Aging_Casually_Late_Gamer]

"Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?! Whyy?! Why did you stand by and do nothing for your family?!" Oof.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much! This one hit me so hard!

[@kuanthum6688]

It is time for the FAN LETTER EPISODE!!!! Recently, the one piece Manga has released a special episode that takes place almost as an interlude after the return to sabaody Ark. It shows a piece of this world from the eyes of its normal citizens and more than a love letter to the show, like many of the ones that you can find in this comment section, it is a fan letter. A work of appreciation, that represents every one piece fan. And i'm sure you'll appreciate the distinction between the two once you watch the episode

[@mehulnagle758]

The time isn't here just yet. He needs to finish return to sabaody first

[@daasnahk5058]

Every Admiral's Personality is the opposite of their powers funny enough: Akainu - Lava Powers, Cold Hearted Kizaru - Light Powers, Unclear and Slow Aokiji - Ice Powers, Warm Hearted

[@danzoom]

I wonder how one of the other characters feat in this pattern. I get the green, but the purple kinda confuses me.

[@daasnahk5058]

​@danzoom spoilers don't look past this if unaware . . . . . . Hes free and resists control over him while his devil fruit gives him control Green is obvious ugly yet his powers are beautiful

[@tedwards1025]

You could also say that akainu is hot headed and aokiji is cool/chill though

[@nikgokuhil]

@@tedwards1025 And Kizaru takes things lightly

[@SebastianA.W.]

@@danzoom purple: gambler with no gravitas that puts the fate of many many people in the hands of a dice roll.

[@Maxpain350]

After reading the return of sabaody I really recommend watching "one piece fan letter" It really complement the war arc and return to Sabaody and how the war impacted some unnamed people

[@calebhunt6222]

i second this

[@MaximilianTurner]

i third this

[@camillalapolentona84480]

I fourth this

[@mana2614]

I Fifth this

[@maykonbrasileiro761]

i sixth this

[@elkekso5083]

Quickly becoming one of my favourit channels discussing One Piece just like Merphy did, just love the attention to details you have and the way you are describing your thoughts it's pretty clear that you are a good professor just by that

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@elkekso5083 Thank you so much for your kind words and support! 😊

[@jphilipphoto]

I've watched a lot of OP manga reviewers and I must say, I appreciate the care you take in creating your videos. You are a professional in literature so it's no surprised but something very refreshing about your content is your ability to take your time with the material to process and analyze before you record and upload. Thank you for creating such captivating, interesting, heartfelt, consistent content! Also, Marineford is another one of these arcs/sagas where you fall deeper into the magic of One Piece and Oda's writing. Marineford, after Enies Lobby, is where we knew there was no turning back. The manga took a month-long break I believe after the end of this section of the story, so you can only imagine what waiting that long to see Luffy again must've felt like. Not to mention, how long it had been since they were originally separated at Sabaody. It was at that point, after we all collectively were trying to recover from Ace's death that we remembered that like Luffy, we have our crew, and it gave us a sense of hope to look forward to when the story came back!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I appreciate your kind words! 😊

[@t3cchan]

Re: your intro, it certainly does feel like Oda breaks a lot of storytelling conventions with how he structures things! Excited to hear more in-depth thoughts about the narrative structure later in the video

[@eziothedeadpoet]

your re-telling and commentary on the story had me sobbing like Luffy nearly all the way thru this video.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I had a hard time getting through filming the video! 😢

[@highlyeducatedtrucker]

Ace being the biological son of Roger was a last-minute retcon. When Ace was originally created by Oda, he absolutely had the same parents as Luffy. But when he was gearing up to write Marineford, he asked the editors of Shonen Jump what they thought about the idea of making him Roger's biological son instead. They were all for it, and we got that instead.

[@rishabhanand4973]

And of course, ace's words about he and Luffy carrying the blood of a criminal, it works either way. At first, we thought he was referring to only dragon, but it turns out he's referring to both dragon and Roger

[@ninjaXladyXjae]

"Doflamingo is revelling in the chaos - he's kind of a Loki figure here in the midst of all of this." 👏👏👏👏

[@conormurphy4328]

I understood that reference 👉

[@DonStove]

🤫

[@Mvgical]

This is too much of a spoiler I think

[@NeroPiroman]

​@@Mvgical the guy only quoted the video nothing more

[@josephjoestar4633]

@@NeroPiromani disagree. This is a lot of hint

[@staticccc]

also slipped my mind but "thank you for loving me" was a hauntingly beautiful line, so many outstanding pieces of dialogue in this stretch

[@ivkovtrut3383]

Props to you for tackling both the war and post-war arcs together! You have no idea how common it is for people to take a break after Marineford and only return to post war months later. But the emotional weight of post-war really hits differently when you’re still feeling the aftermath of Marineford, it all ties together beautifully if experienced in one go. I gotta say though, I'm a bit bummed you didn’t go with my suggestion to read it in two-page mode. Not only does it make those stunning two-page spreads hit harder, but following the text bubbles across split panels can be tricky otherwise. Did you find it tough to track the dialogue flow?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I can understand people taking a break after all the emotions! In terms of the panels, I had zero issues reading them even though you’re correct about the increasing number of two-page panels. I tried to combine the two-page panels for this video, but I couldn’t figure out how to make it work in iMovie, which is, sadly, the limit of my editing skills. Cheers!

[@huskyhsd1416]

Philip really has a way of covering the events of One Piece that brings the emotions back like it's my first time experiencing them again. You can tell he's an English professor with how he crafts these scripts in such beautiful ways!

[@kirbytaylor8629]

Days since Philip can't help but bring up Beowulf: 0 Also the way you snuck in a "convergence" activation phrase for all the Malazan sleeper cells in the audience got a laugh and an eye roll out of me :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

First in, last out! Beowulf would have appreciated that motto too. 😁

[@dudumemont]

This arc is the first time the reader REALLY understand how alive the world in One Piece really is. Everyone, from everywhere we've been to since the beggining is still living and changing themselves and the world around. No story and no character is left in the past when talking about one piece. Hundrends of characters, all in shades of gray. No one is white or black, no one is one dimentional. Everything has depth and reasoning behinh. Truly Genius. IT keeps getting better from this point forward. Glad to see someone who has no background in anime/manga but trully loves fantasy and fiction really dive in one of the richest and best written storys of all time.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@dudumemont Well said!

[@EthanDeems-r6b]

We crying with this one🗣🗣🗣

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It took a while before I could even make the video without breaking down!

[@cecning]

I just cried 38 mins straight! This arc will forever make me cry, and they way you talked about it was so amazing that all my feelings just rushed back as if i was reading it right now! Another banger, I cannot wait for the next video already 🙌

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m still drying my eyes too! Cheers!

[@Zagref7937]

Your thumbnail game is definitely yonko level 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Zagref7937 Cheers! 😁

[@simonstott6571]

One of the things which intrigues me most when it comes to Oda is just how patient he is. The series takes so looooong. But that is not a bad thing, for that is how time works. Most popular modern mangaka tend to speed time up, acquiescing to their contemporary audience's attention span and desire for spectacles. But Oda is much more wise. He is relentless in his depiction and use of time. Strings of plot will loom blurry in the background like those great monolithic portentous figures behind Thriller Bark. This happens for years, sometimes decades, of real-time but Oda will trudge forward nonetheless. The world seems to slowly blossom and only become more and more alive. I get the sense that he truly understands that this is his life's work and that he has built it in such a way so as to anatomize even our own world. This practice of anatomization-where fiction and metaphor become tools to depict reality better than dry accounts could-is what sets apart a good storyteller from a great one, because it reaches directly into our very lives on a macro scale. My favourite moment from Marineford is when Whitebeard says "I am not interested in the treasure, but when it's found the whole world will be turned upside down!" What an apt thing to say seeing that our good guys have "devil" fruits and our bad guys are called "saints." What an irony! (Though of course with Oda, nothing is a simple black-and-white distinction). I am very excited for you to continue and I look forward to your thoughts on the latter half. I am also now convinced to read Beowulf.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@simonstott6571 Thank you so much! I hope you’ll enjoy Beowulf! If you’re curious, I’ve been in a few Beowulf discussions here on KZbin. All the best!

[@JoshTheValiant]

As a general rule of thumb, Japanese looking words have consistent vowel sounds. A= ah, like "account" E= eh, like "egg" I= ee, like "seem" O= oh, like "coconut" U= oo, like "soufle" So any time you see ai, pronounce it like "I", a diphthong. Very technically, it is "aka" and "inu", literally "red dog", but as a single word it flows so quickly that the separation disappears. Same with Aokiji, ao here sounds very much like "ow". As a free space, note that of the vowels, u is often used as a silent letter that just sort of slurs syllables together, and I frankly don't know the rules of that, but "Sasuke" is really pronounced like "saskay", as the most common example most people encountered it first from this era.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! 🙏

[@holysecret2]

Wouldn't you agree that the O is closer to the o in "morning", and the A is closer to something like i in "mine", as in the first half. I can't think of another English word right now that has the "a" pronounced in a straightforward way like this. I think the Japanese pronunciation is closer to that than the "flat" English pronunciation where it's actually an in-between of a and e. The Japanese E sounds closer to the English A than the English A does to the Japanese A. Great other examples though, wouldn't have thought of soufle, it sounds very similar to the almost ü umlaut-nature of the Japanese u.

[@fish-legs]

I really loved hearing your thoughts! It made me happy that you mentioned and liked Trafalgar Law! He’s one of my absolute favorites in the series and I’m excited for your future thoughts on the series!! Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cheers!

[@darKuchiki]

Watched this when it first came out, but I didn't want to add to the inundation of comments until things settled down a bit. Fantastic video as always; you did a great job at illuminating why Oda did the things he did in the order he did and made me appreciate it now that it's all said and done compared to the struggle I had when I was reading this whole saga weekly (the absence of the Strawhats was weighing on me, and on reflection it perfectly parallels what Luffy was feeling). What really hit me in this arc was when Ace said to Luffy that his biggest regret is that he won't be able to see Luffy achieve his dream of becoming the Pirate King (that's coming from someone who was prepared to lay down his life to make Whitebeard the King). I must also echo your thoughts that "I still have my crew." is one of the best moments of the series, which is said to Luffy by Jinbe (someone who explicitly says he won't help Luffy unless he proves himself to him, and look at how far Jinbe was prepared to go for him after seeing him in action, which is a testament to Luffy's character), and the whole reason Jinbe even knew what to say to Luffy in that moment is because Ace told him that even if he couldn't hold his promise to Luffy that he wasn't going to die, he knew that Luffy would still be able to get back up because he has a dependable crew that's there for him (what was the thing again that Whitebeard prized most of all? Family). As Shanks said, you grow by experiencing victory and defeat, joy and sadness; it's okay to cry as long as you overcome it. Beautiful stuff.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said, as always, and I couldn't agree with you more! I especially like your point about Jinbe starting out by stating to Ace that Luffy would need to prove himself, and look where he ends up.

[@JetsFittedUp]

We have a little while to go, but I cant wait for the Whole cake Island and Wano kuni videos, I already know they are going to be so good

[@Marzi29]

I like what someone else said about Garp going to see Dadan... that he knew that going to see her was the only way he would be punished, the only way to get some kind of repentance. To the wider world, to the marines, Garp has done nothing wrong. Only he understands the guilt that crushes him. So he goes to see Dadan, because he knows she will give him the punishment he feels he deserves.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That’s a great way to frame it!

[@alexsreels]

Definitely. and I don't get people who were complaining why he didn't fight back?! He went there because he wanted to be beat up by Dadan as she's the only one who could scold him for what he did. He took those blows because he knew he deserved it. Maybe physical pain would hurt less.

[@TheSajClub]

One small thing I love about one piece is how when people cry, they’re drawn ugly-crying. I feel like in a lot of media men shed a tear looking badass, crying without any regard to how you’re presenting yourself really conveys the rawness of the emotion 😢

[@Drcp1999]

Whenever a new creator starts there one piece journey, it like i relive my first read. With the amount of times i have watched these it still doesnt change the emotion

[@staysic961]

Great video, I’m here for the Jinbe appreciation. Easily a top character that does so much and then flies under the radar in an arc like this. He’s one of the unsung heroes and I’m here to make sure people remember that without him luffy might have quit his dream forever.

[@KingPrincess69]

I love him exactly for the same reasons

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I love Jinbe!

[@frosty3393]

Garp skyrocketed near the top of my favorites list in Marineford, and as time has passed and I have reflected more on his actions in this arc, he's now solidified as my favorite character in OP. The struggle of a man torn between duty and family is fascinating. While one may not necessarily agree with the actions Garp took, you understand where he comes from and can't help but empathize and sympathize with him. I can't even imagine what it'd be like to be in his shoes. Having to choose between helping my grandson who I love but went down the wrong path, or choose everything I stand for and worked so hard for, while being the pillar my subordinates look up to and the citizens of the world idolize as the "perfect" marine. If he were to abandon this mantle he has been given at such a crucial moment where his juniors and upcoming Marines are leaning on him, it would set a terrible precedent. Especially considering how much the importance of the "new era" is emphasized in this arc. Unfortunately, Garp the marine won, but Garp the man lost. Nothing but love and respect for Garp and my heart aches for him. "I have no sympathy for criminals ....but family is a different story."

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I don’t envy Garp the position he was in. Talk about conflict!

[@wisemonke648]

I love how oda doesn't use death so lightly but make when he does write deaths they have significant impact

[@Satsujinhan]

I am so happy you still have over 500 chapters to go. I could listen to you talk about One Piece forever Philip!

[@commandocookies]

Going on KZbin and finding that you posted the next OP video is such a joy. I love hearing your thoughts on the story and I can’t help but thank you for posting your journey! It feels like I’m living my own journey again through your reactions and I love it (especially now since marineford is one of my favorite arcs)!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks! 😊

[@eddieherrera951]

Thank you so much for these videos , it’s so hard to find high level analysis on one piece as a lot of KZbin is flooded with theory’s and power scaling , you are truly one of a kind please never stop 🙏

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@eddieherrera951 I’m so glad you find value in the videos! Thank you for watching!

[@giratin7801]

One of the few series I drop everything and watch when I see a new episode. I love hearing your insight, not many readers of one piece read so actively! I especially love when you can draw parallels to existing literature, provides a perspective I otherwise wouldn't be able to know. Keep up the good work!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@Alcatrazrezz]

I've been following your journey with manga since Murphy introduced you to it, and still makes me so happy you found this story... One piece quickly became my favorite story ever. Everyone should experience it.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Alcatrazrezz I’m so happy to be here in your company! 😊

[@Alcatrazrezz]

​@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy It is awesome to have you on the crew! 😊

[@jonathan7skyfire]

Ace death always makes me cry when I see it in the anime because of how Luffy’s Voice actress does that scene. Recommend watching. It’s at the end of episode 482 and beginning of 483.

[@JetsFittedUp]

Every time I hear that final speech about Whitebeards back remaining un scarred as he stands tall even in death I get chills.

[@Usernameforsf]

Yes! I have been waiting for this video! :) “Thank you for loving me”… how much could we improve society if each of us learned to love the poor and downtrodden. And what one piece shows us is that if you give them a chance (a real loving chance, not just throwing money to the problem or oppressing as the government does) you can save people, you can make a change. It’s impossible not to love one piece and the genius of Oda sensei!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said! Thank you!

[@joelewis6019]

First time on your page... based on your synopsis of OP, I can tell you know your stuff. Ordering your book now and look forward to seeing more of your videos, especially your perspective on mangas

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much for your kind words and your support -- I appreciate it all very much!

[@Pandoso01]

24:33 I love the narrator's line in that moment "and at the end he received no cowards wound" he took a moment to highlight just how much EVERYONE respected him.

[@Yawsamama4388]

So glad you started off with the “I have my friends” moment, easily my favorite party of the series

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It’s so beautiful!

[@anab6398]

i love doflamingo's justice quote in this arc bc it rings true in our own world. And we see that so clearly with social media being as big as it is as it allows us to see with our own eyes the horrors of war and famine and genocide in real time, and how big the difference is between the ones going through that now and us watching from home

[@Anti-Gravity_Club]

Fun fact Oda in a sbs said that a human who ate the human human fruit would become enlightened. A cheeky reference to sengoku before we knew his fruit

[@firefistportgasdace432]

That's for Choppers fruit, just the normal human-human fruit. Sengoku is the human-human fruit model: Buddha

[@afterhours3452]

Was waiting for this. A good Start into the week

[@ChrisPalmer-s2v]

I literally had chills listening to your opening 😭 It's been years since I read this arc and all those devastating memories just came flooding back 😆

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

It’s a powerful story!

[@ThebassTHX]

love your reviews, and I’m obviously very happy that you seem to enjoy one piece a lot. i think its one of the best stories written in modern time. lots of love

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@ThebassTHX Thank you so much, and right back at you with the love!

[@befuddledrai]

That intro to this video says it all. No other author would have had the guts to do all that and worse, the audacity to have it succeed. Things like these is what makes me believe that studying One Piece as a literary piece would be a masterclass in storytelling.

[@sanji_joestar]

There's something about One Piece and its characters that often feels greater than themselves In the way they act, they talk even the way they live We've seen it countless times again again and again Through characters like Luffy or Roger etc But also through ppl like Belmer, or Hiluluk or Tom, who make decisions that defy reason for something bigger than them When what defines them, what defines their convictions, their identity is stronger than their own lives It's admirable in a way but it can also lead to heartbreaking conclusions Ace's death is a tragedy for someone who spent his ENTIRE LIFE with an existential crisis He didn't know if he even deserved to be born When he asked Garp, he didn't just say ''Yes you do'', which, who knows, maybe could have changed his perspective a little. But that'd also be a pretty naive response because of everything else that was bottling up within the kid. A burning rage aimed at nothing... Until he met Sabo, Luffy - for the first time seeing someone express how he wants him to be alive - and Whitebeard. The man gave him a purpose and a life he can feel proud of He literally wears him on his back along with a hat reminiscing of loved ones like Luffy, His 'ASCE' tattoo with the crossed out ''S'', memento to Sabo, His necklace, for Dadan The cow skull attached to it, for the mountain bandits etc Ace couldn't bear the disrespect the man who saved his life would face because that's also directly insulting his very core and existence It's a 'stupid' decision, an irrational one But an extremely and emotionally valid one for him to have. In his final moments he felt loved more than ever '' Thank you for Loving me '' There's no words more shattering coming from him

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said! Thank you!

[@sanji_joestar]

@ you're welcome Thanks for the review

[@finnkoeweit]

Very excited for this video! Probably my second favourite arc in this series! Edit: Every admiral (and some other marines) have their own brand of justice: Kizaru's is 'unclear justice', Aokiji's is 'lazy justice', Akainu's is 'absolute justice' and Garp's is 'my justice'.

[@hiimed1441]

MY BREAKFAST NEEDED THIS!

[@evannatteford1784]

Damn OP fan here never watched another video on your channel and I only watched the intro so far, but you perfectly encapsulated the beauty of this show and this story and made me tear up a little.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@evannatteford1784 Thank you! I have found One Piece to be a profoundly beautiful experience so far, and I look forward to more!

[@evannatteford1784]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Agreed, personally for me Aces death didn't hit as hard as some of the other moments because I was too busy being mad at him for disrespecting White Beards dying wish and getting himself killed, but Jimbe telling Luffy he still has a reason to live and Luffy remembering he has to be strong for his crews sake hit so damn hard.

[@FelipeFrotaBass]

What a great moment! So many highlights, Doflamingo's speech is one of the best to this day!

[@whakatu519]

I am very happy that I came across your account a couple of days ago. I'm also reading One Piece for the first time, and I'm currently at Dressrosa. It's nice hearing another perspective from a fellow first-time reader. I will definitely be watching your future One Piece videos. Much love from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@whakatu519 Thank you so much, and my best wishes to you for your One Piece journey!

[@mirulrs]

just in time with my food arrived, this gonna be a comfy and good time... i love your one piece videos!!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you! 😊

[@Iqbaleh]

Love love loveeee your thoughts about One Piece. I have been reading/watching the manga/anime since I was 18 (I am now 30), so to see a fresh, open minded person going through what I went through years ago, it feels amazing. Glad you are enjoying this manga! Bless you!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks, Nakama!

[@Viol_ation]

PERFECT TIMING SIR!!! IM SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!

[@nozser]

I listened to the while i was doing something and felt upset that i didnt concentrate. So im listening to it again to give you my full attention. Thank you for all the hard work and effort that goes into each video. See you in the new world 🌍

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@nozser Thank you so much for listening and giving it your attention - much appreciated! 🙏

[@astralcommuniorinokripperi9609]

Another incredible video! I love the recurring Beowulf comparisons in a lot of your One Piece videos. One Piece, especially with the Marineford arc, feels like one of those classic stories that people remember generations after. It's a kind of modern-day Oddyssey and all the aspects presented are very reflective of the time we live in and our culture now. The themes of slavery, greed, compassion, dreams, friendship and even gender identity are at the same time poignant and reflective of where we are as a species. Especially with this arc's theme of self-determination, that you are who you choose to be, who you choose to follow, you are not stuck with what your parents/society/tradition chose for you. The idea of Inherited will, that you inherit values and ambitions from those you think the most highly of, in this case Ace with Whitebeard, is a core theme of One Piece but also a quite modern idea in terms of human history. It's a bit of a shift from most of our history where our birth and who our parents are determined 99% of our place in the world and in society. That's why I always think of One Piece as the perfect modern epic. It's the kind of story we could show aliens who just landed on Earth to be like "here, this is basically where we are as a species: we put love and interpersonal bonds at the core of our existence and we value freedom most of all." Love Marineford, its peak!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said, and I’m glad someone likes the Beowulf references! 😊

[@radchum]

Awesome video. Whiteboard’s final declaration, his last “Eff you!” To the government, “The one piece is real” is done so awesomely in the Anime aswell. Both English and Japanese. Their voice actors are simply just amazing. Looking forward to seeing you in the new world!

[@CS-tr7xt]

I cried watching this video, just remembering the whole thing

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@CS-tr7xt It’s such an emotional story!

[@CS-tr7xt]

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Perhaps considering watching those few episodes when that happens, until shanks arrives and the war ends would be a good idea, those few episodes have to be the most iconic in the entire series and the music just elevates it so much. Thank you for doing these reviews Philip

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@CS-tr7xt Cheers!

[@evanmccord5396]

Today marks ten years from when I lost my best friend, my found brother. Your opening words bring me resolve. I appreciate you. Best wishes to you and yours. ❤

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@evanmccord5396 I’m so sorry for that loss, Evan, and my wish for you is to continually discover great beauty and meaning in your life with the people around you.

[@evanmccord5396]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I appreciate your words yet again. I have been coming to terms with this reality better each day. I cherish the connection through stories and media with other people who find joy in these mediums. On that note I see some interesting parallels between your supreme priest Bledla and Akainu. With the former's righteousness through his hold on the way of Edan and the later's position on his justice. It is a sign of great storytelling on both parts to have such differing stories share character tropes in such a way. I am excited to continue my journey through your works and am happy you have your journey through Oda's. My found brother Connor would have enjoyed your book as much as I have, I am sure. He also was a huge fan of anime and manga and made it through Thriller Bark. He showed me the nuance in that arc even if it took me years to catch up, haha. Much love and luck Nakama. 🫶🏽

[@iamjustguy]

Speaking of the admirals’ “brands” of justice, Oda has actually given them names! Akainu - Absolute Justice Aokiji - Lazy Justice Kizaru - Unclear Justice

[@Melorific]

I think you switched aokiji and kizaru here. Aokiji is lazy justice, and kizaru is unclear justice.

[@iamjustguy]

@Melorific whoops you’re right! Fixed it

[@Oharafolk]

What a powerful and moving intro! Thank you so much for this beautiful review and thoughts.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Oharafolk I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching and for the kind words!

[@coldvoid7013]

Love to see another video from the professor himself 👏 I think it’s time you watch the One Piece special “Fan Letter” because it further highlights the impact the war has on the world, and is a fresh take on the story of One Piece as we view it through the lens of your average civilian. It’s an amazing episode, and if you’d like, there’s also a special novel about ace looking at ace’s journeys throughout his adventures.

[@JosefDerKaiser]

He should probably wait until after either Return to Sabaody or the next arc

[@coldvoid7013]

@ yh true

[@Yczechshi]

Philip Chase, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Reliving the tragedy of Marineford through your reflection really brought me to tears. You captured the most heartbreaking moments so well, especially the powerful themes of sacrifice and fatherhood. Seeing Whitebeard’s dream as a young man hit me hard, it made me see him as a true Dreamer, someone passing the torch to the next generation. It’s inspiring, and reminds me to keep chasing my own dreams while supporting those who come after me. Thanks again for such a moving reflection.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My best to you for the pursuit of your dreams!

[@Exilum]

One of the earliest bookmarks I have in my chrome profile was one of an Ace illustration that I saved as "Aceeee... I miss you 😢" around 2015 when I was 14. It was years after I first saw/read that pivotal moment (don't remember if I watched or read that part first), but I still felt the grief.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I think it will be a moment I’ll carry with me too.

[@clayrixj5822]

In a arc filled with fighting, war and death somehow Oda-sensei managed to slip in one of the most loveliest thing ever, family.

[@doronrosstuvia3489]

This is my favorite arc in the series - not to say there won’t be arcs that rival the greatness of this arc, but for me, this is it. What’s interesting to me is that this is such a simple story from the POV of Luffy. The story is essentially “run, get to Ace, and free him.” Everything else around him is happening on its own, supporting the timer of Luffy’s pursuit of Ace. It’s a man-made ever-changing environment created by the connections characters have with each other around the pursuit of Ace’s freedom. We first set up the changing environment by showing how Sengoku and Whitebeard are able to manipulate the field via strategic super powered moves. As we move into the war, we have Boa’s connection to Luffy influencing her decisions, Smoker’s past with Luffy influencing his decisions, Koby’s history with Luffy, Garp’s connection to Luffy, Crocodile’s connection to the government, etc. etc. It’s a snowball of connections surrounding this simple narrative focus that eventually snowballs out of control. The way this is written really allows us to understand the direction of the war - because it’s all related to Luffy’s drive, and it allows us to understand every aspect of the war on a larger scale. If we hadn’t met all of these characters before and understood their power dynamics and connections, the story in this arc would not function. I also think Oda really puts on a display here of how to write characters and empathize or care about them quickly. Sure, Oars Jr and Whitebeard are quintessential tropes, but we understand them through their motivations and their recognizable idiosyncrasies as characters. I’ve reread and rewatched this arc so many times, but I remember feeling my heart drop after my first experience. This story probably changed the chemistry in my body for how it made me feel lol.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent insights here! Thanks so much!

[@doronrosstuvia3489]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thank you! I love your insights and I’m loving to see you on your journey.

[@SirArthurTheGreat]

I thought this was a professor Skye video when I saw the thumbnail (which really confused me lol), but in the best way possible, you remind me of him. Another thoughtful and well-spoken professor making analyses of art I like? Sign me up!

[@Itoyokofan]

Afaik, Oda didn't plan for Shanks to appear, it was almost last minute decision. Which is why Shanks have to somewhat acwardly avoid Luffy in this moment. Also it is not clear if Sabo was planned by Oda from the beginning or not. But we did see Ace appearing in Alabasta with A>S

[@LilFabsTV]

thanks for the review as always Philip :DD

[@highlyeducatedtrucker]

Dadan beating the snot out of Garp, asking him why he took the side of his job instead of his grandson. And then Dadan showing the newspaper to Ace and Luffy's hideout and telling Ace he saved Luffy hit me square in the feels out of nowhere. One second I was fine and dandy, next second I was having to compose myself.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I know the feeling!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

One of the hardest OP moments to get through. Watching you talk about this brought back a lot of the emotion and pain of this. Wonderful breakdown as always 👏

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much for watching and for your encouraging words!