One Piece Episode 1068 is yet another solid entry in the ongoing ever-growing hits catalog of Toei's run with the Wano arc.
Topically it's a grab-bag episode of sorts, jumping around to a few different set pieces. Izo versus CP0, Law and Kid recovering after the battle with Big Mom, Hiyori playing the shamisen over Shogun Orochi, and the ongoing fight on the rooftop between Kaido and Luffy. In prior episodes, I have frequently lamented the sheer breadth of scenes and characters and sub-plots running through Wano, as I feel it pulls the audience in too many directions at once with too little payoff. This episode should theoretically fall within that grievance, but I think it ends up a strong episode despite that for three main reasons.
First and most selfishly, I like all the characters this episode focuses on. It's bias, sue me. But I do think that's part of my issue with the high number of character stories - your mileage with each tale can vary wildly depending on who is in the spotlight.
Second, 1068's varied stories feel impactful because we are getting to see the dramatic conclusions/climaxes to threads that have been built up over the past few years. It can be hard to watch episodes that feel like they barely move the needle forward on too many stories, but this week we get almost the opposite effect where multiple big conclusions land at once. Izo's mortal battle with CP0 and Hiyori revealing her true intentions to Orochi are HUGE moments, and God they just feel great to watch. It's especially satisfying given how the manga handled Izo's death (or rather, didn't), so it's nice to have a more dramatic moment for such a prominent character in the arc.
Third, I think the direction is just superb in this episode. Lots of brilliant shots in this episode that wow in a fundamentally different way than flashy explosion punches. Hiyori is framed by the setting sun while the shadow of her father disappears into smoke as she plays the last song Orochi will ever hear in his life and her reflection glimmers in his eyes. Kaido stands stock still as the scene transitions to the fading memory of Charlotte Linlin when they first met. This is cinema baby, and I can't get enough.
Work first revealed in 2021― Polygon Pictures announced on Friday that it is working with Marvel Studios on a new work in the Spider-Man franchise titled Spider-Man: Freshman Year. The studio stated the work would be an animated series. Polygon Pictures revealed a logo for the work. Polygon Pictures is perhaps best known among Japanese animation circles for the two Ajin television anime series and f...
Light novel centers on boy who meets girls who have all been turned down by guys they like― The official Twitter account for Takibi Amamori and Imigimuru's Make Heroine ga Oosugiru! (Too Many Losing Heroines!) light novel series revealed on Tuesday that the novels will have an English release. The announcement did not reveal the English publisher for the novel. The novels center on Kazuhiko Nukumizu...
Main cast, staff return for half-year season based on Kei Azumi's isekai novels― The official website for the television anime of Kei Azumi's "alternate-world social reform fantasy" novel series Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy- (Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Dōchū) unveiled a new teaser trailer and teaser visual for the anime's second season on Thursday. The trailer reveals the second season's January 2024 ...
New Yonezu song titled "Chikyūgi" (Globe)― Industry news website Natalie reported on Friday that Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man, My Hero Academia, March comes in like a lion) performed the theme song "Chikyūgi" (Globe) for Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka (tentative English title: How Do You Live?) film. Natalie's editorial staff confirmed the information after viewing the...
Return to the world of literary turf wars in Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5! Also check out our reviewers' takes on Cecelia and Pastor Lawrence, Zom100: Bucket List of the Dead, Helck, Dark Gathering, School for Heroes, Synduality: Noir, My Happy Marriage, Bleach, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, and more!― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2023 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics ...
It's Jean-Karlo's first TWIG anniversary, and he has a lot to talk about, including a new impressive set of releases from LimitedRun, and AI voice impersonations coming a head in the fan community.― Welcome back, everyone! We've been busy over here; this past week, I was working on the Atelier Marie Remake review. It's a delightful game, someone does need to illustrate a family tree for the Atelier ...
With amazing music, an epic swordfight, and backed by a story from Durarara!! creator Ryohgo Narita, Fate/strange Fake -Whispers of Dawn- is a must for franchise fans.― Fate/strange Fake -Whispers of Dawn-, based largely on the first book in Ryohgo Narita's Fate/strange Fake series, is the opening chapter of a much larger story. It features over a dozen main characters—constantly switching between t...
RAIN CODE topped Japan's video game sales charts during its debut release, edging ahead of Final Fantasy XVI. Building off its success, we asked its creator about the neon rain-soaked world and if he plans to create more games in the series.― Game creator Kazutaka Kodaka is well known for his specific brand of "strange," from the conniving murder-teddy of Danganronpa to the wild criminals of Akudam...
Every frame of this film feels like a separate work of art—one that only becomes grander when put together as part of the greater whole. It's a film you could watch a hundred times.― It's been 10 years since Hayao Miyazaki, arguably the most famous anime director of all time, made a feature film. In 2013, Miyazaki himself was content to retire and let The Wind Rises be the last film that he would ev...
Even if you don't know anything about Fate, these are just interesting ideas in their own right.― Nick and Nicky double down on the hype surrounding the newest anime entry of the Fate franchise, Fate/strange Fake - Whispers of Dawn. These series are streaming on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News N...
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys goes out with a beautiful message, heralding the beginning of the end for the Pokémon series many viewers grew up with.― Pokémon Ultimate Journeys is the final installment in the Pokémon Journeys series. This part, in particular, finally gives us a glimpse of the ending on the horizon. I'm not just talking about the ending of this season in general but the end of Ashes Jour...
The Japanese video game studio, MyDearest, is giving away three t-shirts signed by famous Japanese voice actors for the upcoming game, Episode III of Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate!― Hello ANN Readers! You are in for a treat! Anime News Network, in collaboration with the Japanese video game studio, MyDearest, is giving away three t-shirts signed by famous Japanese voice actors for the upcoming game, ...
Atelier Marie can be clunky and might need you to be patient with its many peccadilloes. But also, it's a sweet, cozy sim game that reinforces the notion that everyone has a place in the world, and even the people in the dusty corners can be important.― For 26 years, the Atelier series has delighted fans around the world with its comforting stories of charming alchemists working away in their little...
"What I want to portray is a message; it's not blood or what you look like that is the important connection; it's the mental connection that's critical. That's the important aspect you can see in the partnership between Elias and Chise."― The ethereal fantasy series The Ancient Magus' Bride returned to TV with slow-burn intrigue set in the College. Chise had lived a somewhat reclusive life with Eli...
Chris and Steve work their way through all the summer isekai anime to date to see if there's one shining light among the reincarnated heroes.― Chris and Steve work their way through all the summer isekai anime to date to see if there's one shining light among the reincarnated heroes. These series are streaming on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participan...