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.
Join Steve and Nicky this week as they explore Ōoku's alternate take on history where a female-led Shogun rules over Feudal Japan, accompanied by a harem of men that makes up the Ōoku.― Fumi Yoshinaga's multi-award-winning manga, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, officially makes its anime debut this summer. Join Steve and Nicky this week as they explore Ōoku's alternate take on history where a female-led ...
Manga inspired TV anime in April, live-action film in June― This year's 33rd issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine announced on Tuesday that Makoto Ojiro's Insomniacs After School (Kimi wa Hōkago Insomnia) manga will end in two chapters. The manga's next chapter will publish in the magazine's 35th issue, which will release on July 31. If there are no delays, the manga will end in its 125t...
Film earns record US$1.7 million from 44 IMAX screens in 1st 3 days― Entertainment news website Deadline reported via ComScore on Sunday that Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film The Boy and the Heron (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka, or literally How Do You Live?) earned about US$13.2 million in its opening weekend in Japan. The film exceeded US$1.7 million from 44 IMAX screens, which is a new three-day ...
Company reveals dub staff for anime based on Kuro-Gyaru ni Natta Kara Shinyū to Yatte Mita manga― Ascendent Animation announced on Monday that it is producing an English dub for Seduced By My Best Friend (Fucked by My Best Friend), the television anime of Yupopo Orishima's Kuro-Gyaru ni Natta Kara Shinyū to Yatte Mita manga. Kevin Frane is directing the English dub. Steve Warky Nunez is in charge of...
Rocket Shokai's story of hero sentenced to fight war until he changes his fate― The live-streamed Dengeki Bunko 30th anniversary event announced on Sunday that Rocket Shokai's Sentenced to Be a Hero: The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004 (Yūsha-kei ni Shosu: Chōbatsu Yūsha 9004-tai Keimu Kiroku) light novel series has an anime adaptation in the works. ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ 《 作戦指令 》 勇者刑に処す 懲罰勇者...
Mato Kousaka's story of guild receptionist who takes matters into her own hands― The Dengeki Bunko 30th anniversary event announced on Saturday that an anime adaptation of Mato Kousaka's I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I'll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time (Guild no Uketsuke Jō Desu ga, Zangyō wa Iyananode Boss o Solo Tōbatsu Shiyou to Omoimasu) light novel series has been green-lit. Yen Press ...
Soma Santoki stars as Mahito in movie that opened on Friday― GKIDS announced on Friday that it has licensed Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film The Boy and the Heron (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka, or literally How Do You Live?), and it will release the film in North American theaters later this year. Cinema Today and Oricon reported on Friday the cast, staff, and plot summary. Soma Santoki, who is 18 ...
World Dai Star is an unfortunate case of trying too much but failing to excel in any one area.― Stella of the Theater: World Dai Star courts curiosity before its first episode is even up. It's not just the attention it draws to the clear incorporeality of Kokona's pal Shizuka, though that's undoubtedly the main feature. But also the entire interactive network of stage-acting superpowers called 'Sens...
Check to see if your fav anime series made the cut for ANN's Daily Streaming reviews!―
There were a lot of big sequels premiering this season but slimmer pickings for anime to get us through the summer season. Surprisingly though, it wasn't the tentpole sequels that ANN readers clamored for in the poll. Check to see if your favs made the cut for ANN's Daily Streaming reviews. For the curious, the m...
Little is known about the KamiErabi GOD.app anime, but its staff line-up is full of heavy hitters. Find out more about the series, the formation of Seshita's 3DCG studio, and Yoko Taro's drunken agreement to join the project.― Little is known about the KamiErabi GOD.app anime, but its staff line-up is full of heavy hitters. The production boasts character designer Atsushi Ōkubo, the manga creator b...
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...
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, ...