One Piece episode 1128 has such a high level of visual fidelity that it’s easy to forget you’re watching weekly TV.
This week has been a true feast of high-caliber animation. We could never anticipate that type of visual grandeur on the tiny screen, so it’s a little crazy to think back on cinematic endeavors around the time I became interested in One Piece, like Dragon Ball Super: Broly and One Piece Stampede, and think that of course they looked magnificent since they were feature films. The continuously excellent work that Toei’s animation stable has produced since then, particularly from Wano to the present, has destroyed that illusion. It’s the One Piece anime, so of course it looks fantastic, but most weeks I find myself slipping into the constant beat of high expectations! It’s funny how things change.
However, despite the high expectations, I was unprepared for this episode’s intensity. I knew I would have wonderful stuff to work with because the real events and narration are already strong. However, the entire program seems to be jumping off the screen. Luffy and Kizaru’s continuous combat, the Zoro and Lucci fight, Bonney’s run for safety, and the cheerful excursion of Vegapunk’s little cloud vehicle are all expertly portrayed and packed with fine detail (such as Bonney grabbing for a pistol several times without looking).
The makeover of St. Saturn is the main attraction. Pure liquid evil that smokes and billows as it assumes dreadful spider shape is so wonderful that it is mind-blowing. For weekly television, talented animators provide an eldritch nightmare that changes the earth itself to writhing, unnatural life, complete with exploding eyeballs that even look at it. These days, it’s rare. I intended it as a positive affirmation when I stated, “What a time to be alive…,” as I was watching. Although we can’t predict what will happen next week, this sets a high standard for all that comes after.
