Warning: Spoilers For One Piece Episode #1072
Luffy's unveiling of Gear 5th was just the beginning of an incredible showdown in One Piece. Episode #1072 showcased outstanding animation and well-paced storytelling, signaling that the anime is only beginning to deliver. Though the previous episode left some viewers disappointed due to reused animations and pacing problems, the second installment, which revolves around Kaido's battle against Luffy's new Gear 5th transformation, not only addressed the issues seen in episode #1071 but also became one of the most thrilling and action-packed episodes in the series.
Having introduced Luffy's newfound power, episode #1072 centers entirely on the climactic final clash of the Wano arc. This installment proved to be exceptionally entertaining, with Luffy utilizing his surroundings and creative techniques to both amuse and impress visually. While the anime initiated Kaido's remarkable series of battles earlier in 2022, the seemingly unbeatable Emperor of the Sea is now displaying signs of vulnerability against Luffy, hinting at a potential defeat.
One Piece #1072 Was A Constant Spectacle Of Gear 5th's Animation
During the night of Onigashima's Raid, Kaido found himself engaged in fierce battles against the world's most powerful Samurai, various members of the Worst Generation of Pirates, his own son Yamato, and Monkey D. Luffy. However, it was only when Luffy awakened his Devil Fruit and unlocked Gear 5th that the captain of the Beast Pirates finally struggled to catch his breath. It is not surprising that Kaido is facing difficulties, as throughout his years, Luffy has achieved feats against Kaido that no other opponent has ever accomplished before. These include metaphorically inflating him like a hot air balloon and treating his formidable Dragon form, capable of destroying mountains, as casually as a jump rope.
As the battle rages on,
One Piece's Second Gear 5th Episode Does It Better Than The Manga
monitor the ongoing conflict, only to witness a colossal entrance as Luffy bursts through the clouds, launching a furious assault on Kaido. Despite launching a series of fierce counterattacks, Kaido eventually overpowers Gear 5th Luffy, causing him to revert back to his original form after revealing the draining effects of his new transformation. At this moment, Kaido collapses to his knees. Both of One Piece's formidable warriors take a moment to catch their breath and regain their composure before delivering an electrifying and satisfying conclusion to episode #1072 that surpasses the brilliance of Eiichiro Oda's original manga.Episode #1072 of One Piece had the advantage of not needing to address other important plot points, such as Kozuki Hiyori's confrontation with the villainous Orochi in the previous episode. The inclusion of flashbacks did not hinder the pacing of Gear 5th's second episode. In fact, various anime-exclusive moments enhanced the excitement of Luffy's anticipated upgrade, surpassing the quality of the manga. Instances like Luffy's impressive jump using Kaido as a makeshift jump rope or his ability to control rubberized rocks to launch powerful attacks demonstrated the scale and capabilities of Gear 5 in ways that the manga did not originally portray.
The initial episode showcasing Luffy using Gear 5th in action fell short of expectations due to the high standards set by previous episodes in the Wano arc. However, episode #1072 was able to address and improve upon many of the criticisms raised by the previous episode, thanks to its incredible pacing and awe-inspiring action sequences. Since Luffy's second encounter with Kaido using Gear 5th is not the final battle, it is likely that the team at Toei Animation has exciting plans for the climactic concluding episodes of One Piece's expansive and arguably greatest arc: the Wano Country Arc.
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