One Piece: Romance Dawn Arc SPOILER TALK | Featuring Merphy Napier, Philip Chase, & Allen

Mike is joined by Merphy, Allen, & Philip for the first One Piece discussion, beginning with the opening arc; Romance Dawn.
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠:
One Piece, Vol. 1: Romance Dawn amzn.to/49nMldE
ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕝𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖:
‪@merphynapier42‬
‪@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy‬
‪@TheLibraryofAllenxandria‬
𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕤𝕠 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
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Cypress, TX 77433
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#OnePiece #MikesBookReviews #Discussion

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey Bookworms! You can find the follow up discussions here: Chapters 8-41 on Philip's channel kzbin.infoBlWuhMG8oKQ?si=UaGKeoB8onMOkJnr Chapters 42-68 on Merphy's channel kzbin.infobEFbT_XrXsU?si=vstahJoRg1z2k20x

[@backoff8062]

Please read the manhwa lessa of the crimson knights

[@kodytiffany5686]

Totally with Phillip on this one...Kuina dead by stairs is just NO! SPOILER FOR THOSE AT VOL2 or less So if you have read far enough then you should know how death works in one piece... offscreen just is not it. I could care less if the Manga shows "a body" or not... proof is in the death scene and said scene has a speech. Something like that. Honest opinion is her father faked her death and did so to remove her from the swordsman path. How a loss of memory was achieved not sure so many options exist. But the result is Tashigi.

[@madscientist14]

@@kodytiffany5686the age don't match so I'm not convinced with this theory, also the fact that she's so clumsy with the sword and think it's too "heavy". Kuina had no trouble swinging wado ichimonji around at 11 years old.

[@kodytiffany5686]

@@madscientist14 Oda has changed numbers in the past as he updates things so age differences could be that since its not currently important to the story. I simply cannot drop how similar they are. I would understand if they were sisters or something instead; in which case I would still disagree with the death; just change my tune about why. In the case they are 2 separate people and its not memory issues or something; my new verdict would be her father still faked Kuinas death but this time around he just kept her away from people until Zoro left. She had been considering quitting anyhow and we cannot be sure she took the promise as serious as Zoro did. So after the "stairs" she buckled under her fathers pressure and stopped being the swordsperson. I mean Sabo survived an insane bomb blast and Pell survived being knocked out of the sky or whatever. point is people have survived much worse offscreen and on its simply to blaw of a death for me to accept. Like if Luffy died of old age at the end... what kind of boring ass character conclusion is that?

[@madscientist14]

@@kodytiffany5686 well I can't change your mind and I have no interest to do so since everyone has their own agendas in one piece and I'm not going to stop you from believing it. Personally I think Oda was still a young writer at that time and didn't think too much about his decision of making a character that resembles Kuina. If he really was planning to do something about that narrative he could've done so at Arabasta or Punk Hazard since they have multiple episodes of interaction with the straw hats. I guess there's still a chance in the future, but I can't count on it especially on what's happening now in the current manga. I do think Smoker has admiral potential or at least I hope so. Since I compare Smoker and Luffy to Lupin III and Inspector Zenigata. I would hope they keep the same relationship until the end, where Smoker chases Luffy but never succeeds and then helping each other out when the other needs it.

[@monster-enthusiast]

Anti-buggy, anti-usopp, PRO-akainu????????? Bro.. ain't no way

[@royalfun1031]

Pro all of them

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Sorry, that's the truth. Akainu is awesome, the other two are awful. If it makes you feel better, I'm also anti-Aokiji

[@monster-enthusiast]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria Naw Usopp's my boy. Fave strawhat besides Luffy.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@monster-enthusiast lol fair enough. I'll gladly support Sogeking tho

[@lonewolf9325]

​@@royalfun1031 its cool to find same people across channels covering Op..be it new anime only guys, old manga readers like Jay and Merphy (now old).

[@DefinitelyNotAnUndercoverCop]

This wasn't even a talk about Volume one it was a fight between merphy and Allen with Philip and mike as confused spectators lol

[@perjuniper6556]

Immediately out the gate with Anime only, anti-buggy, anti-Usopp, pro Akainu....my guy you are the KING of hot takes

[@backoff8062]

Oda: THE ONE PIECE IS REAL The Fans: it BETTER be

[@KalleVilenius]

Philip once again shows he's a gentleman and a scholar by instantly comparing One Piece to Asterix. The top-heavy guys with big arms, broad chests and spindly little legs definitely call to mind the type of people you see in there. But Allen is underestimating the limitless destructive power of the giraffe. Rookie mistake! Anyway this is the liveliest discussion possible, you people are as excitable as the characters you're talking about! Keep it up. Buggy for pirate king!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Ugh Kaku

[@KalleVilenius]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria You won't like Usopp. You won't like Square Usopp. You're impossible to please.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

​@@KalleVileniushahahahahahaha

[@shook3720]

Philip and Mike’s reactions to Allen and Merphy’s antics were killing me yall. Can’t wait for next week!

[@munzi_i]

Also Phillp is on chapter 7, feels weird to literally spoil him (and Mike in parts) by talking about zoans and „Alvida becoming pretty from a devil fruit“.

[@kianyt5804]

They're barely spoilers, its not like he has any idea what they're talking about

[@deliii395]

He's not gonna remember all that. Also context matters a lot in one piece.

[@benediktmathes2528]

Those are fine I think, but spoiling Buggy's df... there is no way to forget that in a few days. That was pretty shitty imo.

[@fei9165]

Thanks for hosting it Mike! That was pure chaos! Also, Merphy and Allen are seasoned One Piece fans at this point. It's nice to see yours and Philip's journey with fresh eyes, don't feel too intimated by their passion! We're here for your journey first after all! While I enjoyed the banter, a more structured discussion would be fun! I understand it was just the first 7 chapters, and first impression video though! Also hope Allen tones down on the spoilers, I understand some of the things he wouldnt consider spoiler because everyone there is a seasoned fantasy reader (and writer), but there will be viewers who are sensitive to spoilers as well! Hope you get Jimmy for some future arcs as well! Thank you for giving this series a chance.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’m encouraged by their passion. It’s one of the reasons I chose to read it.

[@AnyMEmdq]

22:00 Everyone underestimates Down D. Stairs...

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Too. Much. Fun!!!!!!

[@SethPlato01]

Just as a suggestion, you guys could write beforehand points of what you want to talk about before the stream maybe in chronological order of the story, and deal with them one by one. It was fun to see this but I think there are new people from booktube who are doing a readalong and it's going to be difficult for them to follow between the chaos. Im just glad that someone else outside the anime/manga community will talk about the history and characters and not about the "who is stronger than who" We need people talking about the *IMPORTANT THINGS OF ONE PIECE* : a dry old man, manly tears for a bell and frogs with hair!!!

[@naanull]

I see where Allen gets his "Mugiwara no Luffy" voice. Also, Allen, as someone who's been on this journey 20+ years, Manga > Anime. 😂

[@noname3609]

I am so happy Philip loved Romance down. 😊

[@Pajarocaro]

This was pure caos. Very fun.

[@Syco07-pm3iz]

Good one ​

[@kba2276]

Don't know anybody here except merphy.. but freaking love the dynamic hopefully yall continue

[@jesse8924]

Merphy and Allen going crazy with the spoilers

[@AnyMEmdq]

24:15 My arguments against that theory about suicide: 1. No, it's not a Japanese euphemism, that's a lie, it doesn't exist, ask any Japanese person 2. Zoro and Kuina make a promise to not give up. 2 minutes later, Kuina gives up in the most permanent way possible. As a reaction to being betrayed, Zoro carries her abandoned will with him? He carries Wado out of spite to tell her "look, bitch, I did it and you gave up"? It makes NO SENSE!! Zoro asking for Wado, and carrying on/inheriting Kuina's will, only makes sense is Kuina did not abandon that dream, breaking her promise and betraying her friend in the process. Yes, it's a bit anticlimactic, but that's life. Shit happens and suddenly you are dead in the most pedestrian way possible. Think about every time Zoro spoke about his death, same as Luffy in that regard: It doesn't matter as long as it's on the way to my goal.

[@TyRendition]

Yea I think that why zoro wants to surpass death itself and talks about transcending the heavens to achieve his dream. It not due to her suicide but him knowing time is limited and he wants to fulfill his promise any means necessary.

[@ElijahRedd1]

This is very spoilery, end of Wano spoilers. It is also up for speculation, so this is my theory. Don't read ahead if you don't want spoilers or crazy theories. During Zoro's fight with King, he is struggling to control his new Sword Enma. Which is tapping into his life force and stealing his strength. During the end of the fight he has all these flashbacks about his childhood and Kuina. From this he learns that Enma isn't malicious, but that he is too weak. Earlier the Manga establishes that Cursed Blades have a will of their own and will kill their owners if they are too weak. That is covered in the sword shop in Louge Town, if I remember right. I feel Oda was highly implying that Wado Ichimonji, which roughly translates to The Straight Path To Heaven, is a cursed blade. It killed Kuina. I have a totally unconfirmed theory that the reason Zoro always gets lost is because of Wado Ichimonji.

[@AnyMEmdq]

@@ElijahRedd1 Kuina fell down the stairs. And no, Cursed Blades don't kill their owners, the Sandai Kitetsu, and if you want, all three Kitetsu Cursed Blades, are cursed to cut, even when the owner doesn't intend to, and will even cut the owner if needed. You can say they are bloodthirsty. It is never said it's a truth of every Cursed Blade. And spoilers In Wano we learn that actually, there's no such thing as Cursed Blades, but the some blades have a sort of will of their own. They are therefore deemed Cursed by those who don't understand it, and don't have a strong enough will to overcome that of the sword

[@adamrivers3250]

Immediate screaming! That’s how you know this will be a brilliant series of discussions.

[@deliii395]

I died laughing when merphy & allen started doing the laugh 😂

[@kosalk1801]

It's Zoro because the character is named after Zorro the swashbuckler.

[@dianaayt]

Also, I dont understand why people hate usopp so much. I finished that 3D2Y arc and I dont hate him! I never hated him. He is the most realistic character in terms of how I would react there

[@vectoralphaSec]

One Piece is one of the greatest's things that ive gotten into in life. Reading the manga and watching the anime has been amazing for me. Such a brilliant story and series.

[@Omegateck16]

This livestream was exactly what i thought it would be...chaos with some good old one piece praise:)

[@nabil2781]

Peak one piece content. Really loved the discussion. Hope you guys continue this series to the end.

[@mikesbookreviews]

We are. We’re just taking turns hosting. The second and third arcs were discussed on Philip’s channel last night.

[@Talking_Story]

This was so awesome! I left my comfort zone and tried vol 1 last month. So this was so fun to watch.

[@dianaayt]

One piece blew my mind. It's my first manga I was enjoying it very much in alabasta, then in the next saga I was like "oh this is why people say it is so good. wow" but then I got to the next saga and since then I've been reading 1-2 volumes a day, crying so much every day, laughing so much every day. I could never imagine this could be this good. Excited to see what will come next and forever grateful for merphy for screaming in my face about it and for you mike because I started right when you did so it was fun following you at the same pace in the beggining

[@Omegateck16]

A legendary story indeed.

[@darKuchiki]

This was just as fun as expected, really looking forward to more from you guys.

[@eternaleclipse7813]

I'm gonna enjoy this. please keep this coming.

[@Raindeerappreciationmember4983]

Found this a little late, but really enjoyed it :) Have joined Murphy on her review and am now looking forward to seeing these discussions!

[@ericjoseph2215]

As a fan of all things fantasy stories no matter the format (tv/movies, comics, books), one piece is in my top 25 comic/manga. It’s nice to see more people being willing to explore stories and enjoy the art of storytelling outside their comfort zone. Oda has written a great story that speaks to a wide audience.

[@munzi_i]

Thanks for the great discussion, it was a lot of fun listenting in. I especially enjoyed the conversation around characters, plot and themes, hope that continues in the upcoming videos. Was not a big fan of the "shouty" parts or the manga vs. anime discussion, though the sword-in-mouth skit was funny. :)

[@yellowlili221]

I'm so happy for this 😊

[@cloudnine4383]

One Piece has a damn diverse world and lore but for me the Japanese VAs plays a big part in why im hooked to the series

[@ivansplvd6518]

I'm so happy this happened, this was so much fun!

[@PokeJoshNY]

How dare Allen hate both Buggy and Kruppe. Pick and choose your battles, man.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I do. I choose all of them

[@PokeJoshNY]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria bro chose to hate joy and whimsy smh

[@deliii395]

So looking forward to these livestreams! I feel like Mike, philip, merphy and allen make a great discussion, each coming with a different voice. Can't wait for more one piece livestreams! Will you guys do saga vice livestreams? Or arcs? Shorter arcs could be grouped together.

[@DeathRex88]

That level of character confusion is what they were scared of and contributed to the decision to make it "Zolo"

[@vikkajackson929]

Love this! ❤

[@dodumichalcevski]

This was AMAZING 🎉

[@weihuang7806]

Thank you guys, that was a lot of fun

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@AnyMEmdq]

18:43 It's the same as the soft R in Spanish, it's rolled but it's soft. And yes, TECHNICALLY, it could be said "Zolo" and it's TECHNICALLY correct. In fact, there are characters who call Luffy "Ruffy". But the thing is, the name Zoro was taken from El Zorro (that's why the bandana, too, I believe). When Viz started translating One Piece in the English version of Weekly Shonen Jump, they wrote Zoro. When 4Kids got the rights to the anime, they changed it out of stupidity, as they believed Disney (owners of El Zorro) could sue them over the name Zoro, which is impossible, because a) they are spelled different, b) they are only pronounced the same when both are mispronounced, and c) Zorro means Fox, and you cannot put copyright on a noun. At that point, to avoid differences, Viz changed it to Zolo. The only option to get a legally translated chapter of One Piece in English saying "Zoro" is to get one of those original Weekly Shonen Jump magazines

[@larrykylemoose]

I love this and I need more

[@bunnycarrotaf7853]

I finally know about this video thanks to the 2nd live stream chapter 8 to 41! This was hilarious and awesome! Please do more ❤️💯👍😁😁😁🤣🤣😂😂

[@tomsativa]

I called him luhffy in my head til like vol 30. So awesome to see you guys reading this

[@serpent7706]

I woke up to this, it's gonna be a good day

[@notrixamoris3318]

WE ARE!!!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

The best of the openers

[@funnyman530_9]

This Allen guy is giving me Jim Carrey vibes

[@thomasdahlberg5920]

Allen really said that he hates useless characters and then proceeded to say that Smoker is one of his favorite characters. What exaclty has Smoker done? He accomplished absolutely none of his goals in the show. In fact, the one thing he DID achieve was to give Law his heart back so he could do the thing that Smoker was trying to do.

[@ryvall_blu]

I think kuinas death is the sort of thing that just gains more and more meaning overtime and that one of zoros main themes is the struggle with mortality

[@doc_tor_green]

So happy to hear Philip talk about how Luffy's probably on the spectrum, being myself, I definitely agree and it's one of the reason why I love him sm

[@marirezende8478]

Merphy and Allen's faces every time they said something that they can't talk about cause it's spoilers are soooo funny

[@captaincrespo3327]

It is objectively zoro not zolo. The reason we know being we see it written out in English. Someone probably already said this, but zolo comes from the original English dub and the company, 4kids, being afraid of litigation from I believe Disney, who owned zorro. The first edition of the English one piece says Zoro but they changed it in later printings

[@MatthewLikesToRead]

Poor Philip 😂

[@Nastyn1nja808]

can't wait

[@austinsinger7565]

Allen hating on Usopp when Usopp is a god.

[@Axalion71]

This was a really fun discussion but dang allen cannot help but spoiling everything

[@MetalGildarts]

Allen reacted exactly as I thought he would 😂😂😂

[@ratiuvictor9533]

Allen and Merphys antics are hilarious.

[@amvibes9633]

Merphy really is just like Nami IRL. I'm only 14 seconds in but boi is she explosive 🤣🤣

[@dtcharo]

I watched this and thought "these are my people".

[@lih7542]

Keep that coming just increase the no of volumes discussed

[@HotshotMC]

Bold of Allen to claim the anime has motion

[@Dovakinskywalker]

I can only last about 4 seconds with the one piece English dub.

[@95yazid]

My man really said Buggy and Usopp are useless and then proceeds to say "I like cool people like Smoker" You can't make that shit up

[@nikoburazer437]

2004 started watching. Since 2008 in up to the with the manga.

[@corduroycrook]

This was so unhinged 😂

[@henryitudela]

i love one piece counsel's!

[@Nastyn1nja808]

50:39 lol Love Allen! lol

[@JapaneseJim]

oh how fun

[@doc_tor_green]

Allen tlking shit about zoans is so real lmao

[@westsidekuma32]

KING of Shonen!!!

[@jayko473]

Buggy is amazing !! Hahaha

[@goanceoe6502]

Loved this but please chill with the spoilers lol

[@saroojanvasanthakumar1510]

Ayo merphy stop Allen from spoiling Everything to Mike and Phillip

[@numberhunter62]

Zoro's 3 swords came about from Oda as a child believing that surpassing Musashi is to have another sword.

[@phobic1818]

PEAK here!

[@naanull]

What mangas has Phillip read? Suicide is not a trope for shounen, it comes more and more in Seinen. Also, seppuku needs to be public (that is, in front of someone with authority) to restore honor for the clan. Seppuku is a ritual, harakiri is the mere action of disemboweling oneself.

[@stayalivefan]

I would say suicide is brought up in almost every Japanese piece of entertainment unless it's for kids. So it's common to Shonen but not hugely focused on like in Seinen I wouldn't call it a trope tho.

[@naanull]

@@stayalivefan yeah, I can get behind that in the sense of sacrifice or self suffering imposition, but suicide as such is at most tangentially in shounen (beyond that there is way more).

[@Daoless]

Admiral Allen 🫡

[@Ledpooplin55]

I don't know if this is true but I've heard it said that falling down the stairs is a euphemism for offing yourself in Japan.

[@stayalivefan]

It's not true. Just something that popped up on the internet

[@samfisher6606]

How can you be Anti-Zoan? Zoans are amazing!

[@Riverpeth]

🎉

[@Masterofalltrades7]

Wait till Allen finds out about logia devil fruits.

[@yogitapandya368]

🤩🤩🤩

[@user-hb9fy6ny4j]

❤

[@gam1ngloko]

I see merphy, i click

[@77LDK]

can we do arc talk cuz 7 chapters isnt alot ;x

[@askmebefore1068]

Trust me, when Allen watch the anime remake, his mind would change...

[@Magni87]

Hyyyyype!!!

[@drkekyll]

It's Zoro because Oda is absolutely referencing Zorro. "It's not a reference because it's not an exact copy" is a really weak argument... Also, it's Alabasta because it's named for the mineral alabaster commonly found in Egyptian artifacts. That's why the kingdom also has a lot of references to Egyptian culture. The royal family is called Nefertari...

[@buggydes]

Allen only like cool things😂

[@AMRITCHETRI249]

What is phillip's channel

[@Rogue_VI]

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy All of the channels are in the description.

[@danielrehfeldt]

what in the hecking heck is this Usopp slander!?! My sniper king, My God D. Usopp!?! Put some respect on my boy's name.

[@Rogue_VI]

So much fun. Hopefully I will get to see most of these live. The chemistry is great. And Buggy and Usopp suck.

[@gjulia312]

Allen being fanbois are cute

[@lyzzle]

Nice of Allen to immediately let us know we can safely ignore all of his opinions.

[@bcool9272]

I think you have a problem with the concept of pirate. Anyone who defies institutional powers may be called a pirate, they don't have to pillage and plunder.

[@AndreDeSimone-dy1cz]

I tried reading these chapters to stay on pace with the discussion and woof, made it through 3 and couldn't go on. Don't think manga is for me. Still going to watch these discussions though, you guys are too entertaining

[@nellyl1592]

The beginning was slow for me as well but would advise to read until arlong park to get the hype/potential of the serie

[@Omegateck16]

Read until arlong park and if you still dont like it then its probably not for you

[@lonewolf9325]

OnePiece Odyssey has a What-If scenario all throughout the game, with Nods to Canon material, as fun dialogues between the crew. But it has a Major Major spoiler in the main missions, so be careful to not progress much than you are in the manga.

[@Nastyn1nja808]

"Mugiwara"