Ron Does Stuff

It’s been a while since I watched the previous episode — or any episode of television, to be frank — but I think I have finally gotten my life and my brain in order? I think I might be able to do this regularly again? Or am I jinxing myself? You never now!

Luffy, Sanji, and Nami finally met Kureha and Tony Tony Chopper in the previous episode, and now we’re seeing what I assume is a flashback, as a mob chases Tony Tony Chopper’s…uh…not cute form. I don’t know what it’s called, I didn’t watch the anime or read the manga! He gets shot, which leads us to the title card and then back to the present.

And what’s happening in the present is Luffy and Sanji unsuccessfully trying to make Tony Tony Chopper talk to them. They’re even trying to scare him into talking by saying that if he’s just any other animal, who shouldn’t the cook him and eat him? Vegans, look away. What does get Tony Tony Chopper talking is Luffy taking a Jolly Roger from a chest. Still doesn’t result in a conversation with them, though.

It’s Kureha who tells Luffy, Sanji, and Nami, taking them back to the Great Doctor Hunt of Drum Kingdom, when it was only her and Dr. Hiriluk left free. Kureha doesn’t exactly have a good opinion of Hiriluk, and I can’t blame her. He turned his last patient into a frog! Did that patient know he was part of a ~clinical trial~? Sure, he has faith in the people of the Drum Kingdom, but you aren’t exactly helping them out when you’re turning them into frogs.

It’s Hiriluk who tends to the shot Chopper at the start of the episode, and I guess him having tot take his clothes off came from the anime. Or the manga. Either way I did not see it coming! We get to see how the two of them build their relationship, starting with Hiriluk giving Chopper a name, and then spending a year with him where they essentially become father and son.

Everybody else’s who’s read the manga or seen the anime probably know all about the relationship between Chopper and Hiriluk, but this is the first time I’m watching, so all of this is new and interesting to me. Hiriluk’s message of never giving up on one’s people? Would have been moving at some other point in tim, but considering the times I’m living in? Where the people in my country are probably going to vote into power yet another fascist? I can’t help but think he’s too idealistic and naive for his own good.

But apparently, not idealistic enough to keep Chopper longer with him! It’s a well-worn trope of pushing away someone you care for so they can grow, and it’s a well-worn trope because it works. I cried! And then the story just goes on! Chopper going into the Valley of Death to get that magic mushroom! And then the twist that Chopper actually poisoning him? Unintentionally? The “When does a man die?” speech? And can I say, the VFX team who worked on Chopper? Great work! I cried throughout!

We’re then brought back to the present, where things are…well, they’re not great. Miss All Sunday is in the village, and Wapol and his goons are on the island as well. It’s a great point with which to end the episode, because aside from the obvious cliffhanger, the audience is also geared to hate Wapol and root for the Straw Hats. We’re off to the season finale!

If any of you guys like what I do, feel free to leave me a tip!