“Roof Piece” (as fans refer to it) has finally arrived, and we’re all really excited about it. It’s hard to overstate how well the Toei Animation team used the most recent episode to set up the epic showdown between the two Sea Emperors and members of the Worst Generation. Emotional impact, narrative, and a concentration on analogies in One Piece Episode 1,015 shook viewers to the core. It was in this episode that we were reminded of just how excellent One Piece is and how much we care about Luffy and his quest. A few tears here and there wouldn’t be surprising; the show was nothing short of magnificent.
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Momonosuke and Shinobu learn more about Yamato’s interaction with Ace and Oden’s notebook from him in the first part of the episode. It’s no surprise that Ace was all praise for Luffy the whole time and that he managed to throw in a few comments about his ambition to be King of the Pirates. Ace apologised and implored Yamato not to laugh, but he didn’t even flinch once. His expression was one of wonder and awe since he had read about Gol D. Roger in Oden’s notebook and had seen the same phrases there. A well-executed animated sequence depicting the parallels between Luffy and Roger is used to accentuate Yamato’s thoughts on the topic, and then it begins.
Although changing the style of animation in flashbacks and the like is nothing new, the stark difference in colour schemes between Luffy and Roger in this sequence worked really well. Both Yamato’s perspective on the situation and that of the fans were made clearer by this incident. Luffy and Roger’s analogies were also brought into focus. There was a parallel between Roger, Oden, and Whitebeard and their trios of Luffy, Ace, and Sabo in the sequence. Luffy and Roger’s dream required the presence of these characters, and their presence heightened the episode’s emotional effect.
Once Ace and Yamato say their final farewells, the tears flow again. In the Marineford Arc, we saw another glimpse of Ace’s agonising end when his Vivre Card faded right before Yamato’s eyes. I love how Toei Animation spent time on Yamato in this episode since it allows us to see a different side of the character from what we’ve seen in the manga. Yamato’s adoration and devotion for Oden, Luffy, living a free life, and opening Wano to the world are all vividly shown. The much-anticipated Roof Piece makes its debut in the second half. They carefully make their way inside the room, preparing to face Big Mom and Kaido. Zoro’s appearance on the rooftop was a bit of a chuckle, in keeping with One Piece’s trademark style of slapstick comedy.
It’s finally here: Luffy’s appearance! Although Big Mom and Kaido were teasing him, Luffy ignored them and continued on his journey to Kinemom and the Akazaya Nine. Again, we observe parallels in this scenario, but this time they have a larger emotional impact since we witness it from Luffy’s perspective. There is a lot of attention on Luffy’s feelings about their stay in Wano. Luffy’s memory with the Akazaya Nine when they swore to assist each other out, followed by hues of dark crimson after the Akazaya Nine were knocked down, was hard to see for additional emotional harm.
Luffy’s frightening remarks to Kinemon — “Can you carry the Land of Wano on your back?” — were also there.
The segment focuses on the samurai and their alliance’s feelings about the battle for Wano and the importance of the struggle. As Luffy is about to hit Kaido, additional emotions begin to flood across the scenario. It’s Ryuo, or “flow,” that Luffy recalls Hyogora saying about Ryuo (Wano’s version of Haki). In more ways than one, “flow” is evident in this section. In addition to Luffy’s talents, there is also the flow of emotions, which is shown through the memories of the individuals behind Luffy’s motivation to fight.
Finally, Luffy hits Kaido with a powerful blow. The icing on the cake is an instrumental version of One Piece’s very first opening theme. Depending on your point of view, this could be one of the series’ finest episodes or just one of many great ones. Whatever the case may be, One Piece fans should give this episode high marks for its emphasis on feelings and story development. However, One Piece Episode 1,015 is unquestionably one of the greatest episodes in the series’ history.