One Pace [Season 1 Episode 1073-1074]

One Pace [Season 1 Episode 1073-1074] – A Breather or a Letdown?

If you’ve been riding the One Piece hype train lately, especially with the introduction of Gear 5 in the previous episodes, One Pace’s recut of Episodes 1073-1074 might feel like hitting the brakes hard. The fan project, known for trimming filler and aligning the anime closer to Eiichiro Oda’s manga, delivers a streamlined version of these episodes—but does it hold up to the explosive energy of Luffy’s latest power-up? Let’s dive into what fans are saying and whether this installment is worth your time.

The Plot: Fire, Water, and a Whole Lot of Waiting

The episode shifts focus from Luffy’s battle with Kaido to the chaos unfolding inside Onigashima. The Skull Dome is engulfed in flames, threatening everyone inside. Enter Raizo and Jinbei, the unlikely heroes of the hour, who team up to unleash a massive water jutsu to douse the inferno. Meanwhile, Luffy’s screen time is minimal, leaving fans hungry for more Gear 5 action.

The pacing here is deliberate—some might say too deliberate. While the manga had a similar slowdown, the anime’s execution has left fans divided.

Fan Reactions: The Good, the Bad, and the “Why?!”

The Positives

1. Jinbei and Raizo Shine

2. Fans loved seeing Jinbei finally get some spotlight. His dynamic with Raizo, especially their combined effort to save everyone, was a highlight. One commenter put it perfectly: “Raizo and Jinbei save the day. 2 goats fr.”

3. Luffy’s Lightning Grab

4. Even with limited screen time, Luffy’s brief moment of grabbing lightning out of the sky was a crowd-pleaser. It’s pure Gear 5 absurdity, and fans ate it up.

5. A Necessary Breather

6. After the high-octane madness of Episodes 1071 and 1072, some viewers appreciated the slower pace. “This one felt more like a breather episode,” noted one fan.

The Negatives

1. Animation Woes

2. Toei’s budget constraints were glaring. The fire sequences and Raizo’s jutsu lacked the polish fans expected, especially after the stunning animation of previous episodes. “The crappy animation made it feel so much worse,” complained one viewer.

3. Too Much Filler, Not Enough Luffy

4. With Gear 5 fresh in everyone’s minds, the lack of Luffy vs. Kaido action was a letdown. “Hardly any Luffy screen time in this one,” sighed a fan.

5. Recap Overload

6. The episode reused scenes and flashbacks, a common Toei tactic to stretch runtime. “Recaps and heavily reused scenes never feel good,” grumbled another.

The Big Question: Is It Worth Watching?

If you’re here solely for Luffy vs. Kaido, this episode might test your patience. But if you enjoy the broader One Piece world-building and side character moments, there’s still fun to be had. Jinbei and Raizo’s teamwork is a standout, and the fire subplot adds tension.

That said, the animation quality and pacing issues drag it down. As one fan bluntly put it: “Absolute waste of a week again.”

Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag

One Pace’s version of Episodes 1073-1074 is a classic case of “necessary evil.” It advances the plot but stumbles in execution. The highs (Jinbei, Raizo, Luffy’s lightning antics) are great, but the lows (animation, pacing) are hard to ignore.

For die-hard fans, it’s a must-watch. For casual viewers? Maybe skip ahead to the next big fight.

Rating: 6.5/10 – Not terrible, but not One Piece at its best.

What did you think of the episode? Let’s discuss in the comments!