justira ([personal profile] justira) wrote2006-08-04 08:08 am

One Piece Ch. 422 -- OH MY GOD I CAN'T HANDLE IT STOP IT ODA

Nay, John, Tai, WHOEVER is reading One Piece and isn't up on the latest chapters, behave yourselves.

For the rest of you, my Lucciholics Anonymous confession.



OH MY GOD

Where the hell do I begin? This chapter focuses on ROB LUCCI and SERIOUS LUFFY with bonus shots of the trials and tribulations of the WONDER TRIO. But not only is this chapter a veritable Lucci-fest, it includes BACKSTORY, SHIRTLESSNESS, and KITTY.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH THIS.

I SHOULD be finishing up the next issue of [livejournal.com profile] grand_line_vine, BUT NO, I have to be INCOHERENT about ROB LUCCI instead. HO MY GAWD.



EXHIBIT A: Rob Lucci as a wee bitty assassin of only 13 years of age. Apparently he was a lanky kid with emo-hair. The emo-hair I could have done without (I MISS HIS LUSTRUOUS CURLS) but the lankiness I can't argue with, even if it makes me a pedophile. We should all know by now, seeing as NAY GOT ME ADDCITED TO PEDOLAND AVATAR that I am apparently into young boys. OH WELL.

However, Oda can't just stop there. Oh no. We get SCARS, too, with bonus CREEPY KID FACE.



Note the shape of the scars. Lucci is IMPRINTED with the symbol of the World Government. I think I will die of squee right here for the WRONGNESS. The World Government uses people and is made up almost entirely of manipulative, morally retarded, utter BASTARDS who are of a completely different order than Rob here. Bobby, you see, is a fucking psycopath who does not appear to have EVER had a moral compass. He is just evil, simple and PURE. The World Government, on the other hand, should really know better. They've GOT a morality, but it's disgustingly, deliciously PERVERTED. And, it appears that Rob Lucci, their apparently dead-loyal (for whatever reasons) instrument, is indelibly marked with their sign.

.... I'll be in my bunk >.>

Oda appears to have sensed my need to BREATHE, so now we have a shot of the WONDER TRIO.



The panel on the left is absolutely PRICELESS, but I couldn't help including the running shot too. I ADORE how each of them has their own style of running. Zoro BARRELS. Sanji shows off that lanky length. Usopp is currently being DRAGGED, which is appropriate, but he definitely has his own way of running, which mostly includes lots of flailing and just getting the hell away from the exploding things and scary people.

While we're on the subject, I would lke to point to the above panels with Sogeking and the one below as well to illustrate a point.



Sanji's absolutely amazing reaction to the WALL OF WATER (albeit with a pretty girl in a VERY SHORT SKIRT in front of it) aside, I adore Sogeking's faces. They're fantabulous. He's almost as good as Spandam. I bring this up in particular because someone on the AP forums (and boy, with gathering links for the Vine I get to read EVERYTHING there, fun) mentioned that this Sogeking "gimmick" shouldn't stick around. They listed a few reasons, one of them being that with a mask on, Usopp can't be expressive enough.

I ask you, since Sogeking first appeared, have we ever lacked for Usopp's amazing facial plasticity?

Sure the mask covers some of it, but Oda is genuis in his ability to convey emotion, and somehow I have never felt slighted of Usopp's reactions just because he had the Sogeking mask on.

At this point Oda, having lulled me into a false sense of security, deals THE CRUSHING BLOW:



HANDS. Followed immediately by ROB LUCCI TAKING HIS SHIRT OFF.



This is where I die and go to heaven hell.

First of all, HANDS. I might not have a hand FETISH, but I'm sure I have some kind of MEDICAL CONDITION that causes me to go into SPASMS OF GLEE at well-drawn hands. Especially man-hands, especially with forearms. But not only is there a HAND, it is ROB LUCCI'S hand, which also happens to be KITTY-FIED in one panel and with visibly rolled-up sleeves in the next.

What the hell am I supposed to do at this point? I would have thought it just couldnt' get any worse and then ROB TAKES HIS SHIRT OFF.

Looking all shadowy and downcast and SEXY AS HELL. There is even BONUS TAT showing.

GUH.

I thought, "It just can't get any better than this."

I was wrong.

I was so wrong.





Apparently the Marines found Lucci's shirtless state as impressive as I did.

I'm not even going to comment on the lanky, shirtless, scarred-up back shot. Or the scar close-up. My brain fried at that point; I couldn't have said anything coherent anyway.

As if I'd been coherent up to that point.

Regardless, since the chapter, lamentably, isn't actually about Rob Lucci standing around shirtless, we get back to that pesky fighting business. Now comes a priceless triad of panels:



In case we ever wanted to know what Lucci's face would look like as he watched the approach of a FOOT THE SIZE OF A FRIGATE, well, NOW WE KNOW.

This bit is just fantastic for several reasons. First of all is LUFFY'S FOOT. Oda loves the zany pretty hard, and I actually love Gear Third for how WACKY it is. I remember there was this huge conern when Gear Second was first unveiled that One Piece would turn into another Dragonball with endless power-ups marked off by absolute power levels and predictability and general yawn.

To this I had two reactions. The first was made up mostly of "Duh, Dragonball was the first, of COURSE it looks cliché from this end of the three decades that separate the two manga series."

The second was trust in Oda.

WHICH HAS APPARENTLY PAID OFF.

Anyway, FOOT.

The other highlight is of course serious Luffy, which is all kinds of sex and love and after 422 chapters of that face occasionally putting in an appearance, I still can't get over it and still can't form words to describe it. It's Luffy. Y'all may have noticed my fascination with Iceburg, my raging hard-on for Lucci, my obsession with Paulie, my complete and utter love of Pell, Kalgara, Norland, Franky, Smoker, Ace, Shanks, Ben Beckman, and so many others, but honestly, it was Luffy who pulled me into the story and I just can't love any other character quite the same way.

And, of course, there is Lucci's face. I am tempted to make an awful O RLY icon, with the giant foot, Lucci doing O RLY, and then serious Luffy coming back with the YA RLY. Or possibly a panel of him destroying the entire goddamn ship with it.



Yes, that's right. The opressive World Government regime crushed by the power of THE FOOT.

Possibly I should not be making the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles joke that's just begging for it right now.



Next I me me me oh god it's all for me we are treated to Lucci being LITHE, and continuing to be shirtless. There is bonus CROUCHING and even a PROFILE SHOT with SHOULDER showing. And just for people like me and [livejournal.com profile] megalotro, this is all happening on a ship. Rob Lucci is crouching shirtless on a yard by the crow's nest.

I think this is a conspiracy.

Especially given that the very next panel is once again serious Luffy.



We even get bonus lanky!Lucci kicking.

And then.

And then and then and then.

AND THEN.



KITTY.



KITTY.



KITTY.

Also Luffy looking like a giant balloon heart. With a bra.

BUT MOSTLY KITTY.

However, lest we forget that Rob is jumping half-naked all over a ship, we get a REMINDER:



Yes, in case you forgot that ROB LUCCI was SHIRTLESS and SCARRED and DODGING A GIANT FOOT on a SHIP.

JUST IN CASE.

I mean, I know I sure needed the reminder >.>

Also bonus leopard spots. KITTY.

Then there is fighting. However, there has been fighting going on for the last, oh FORTY CHAPTERS, which translates to nearly a year. I know Gear Third is awesometacular, but I believe I have already included the Gear Third highlights for this chapter: the FOOT and "Get Well Soon!"-balloon Luffy. The GIANT FIST OF DOOM is so last chapter.

But! Oda deals two more blows before signing off.

First and so very foremost is serious Luffy and LUCCI KITTY SMIRK.



If Lucci could have done ANYTHING to make me happier in my pants than take his shirt off, it was smirk.

AND THERE IT FUCKING IS.

Also serious Luffy with his hair blowing all about. Possibly this is a well-kept secret up til now but I LOVE LUFFY'S HAIR >.>

Actually, no, wait. It's not serious Luffy. It's PISSED Luffy. Which is like serious Luffy only TEN TIMES SEXIER.

And finally we are left with Word Government/high-ranking Marines being bastards =D



Just about every chapter where World Government/Marine officials of any rank are featured, Oda manages to shock me into higher and higher states of moral outrage as the World Government aspires to new heights of ABSOLUTE ASSHATTERY.

Also recently on the AP forums, someone was asking about who the "main villain" of One Piece is. They talked about how every series has a "main" villain, claiming that it was Orochimaru for Naruto (I find this debatable but whatever), Aizen in Bleach, Hao in Shaman King, and so on and so forth.

First of all I object to this on the grounds that a "main villain" is unnecessary. Rather, it's not like some sort of prerequisite for a story. Or at least, not a main villain that is manifest. Stories revolve around conflicts, and conflicts need at least two sides, so there's a "villain" present all the time, but it might be an idea. A part of themselves the hero struggles with. A deadline. Fate. Circumstance. Or, yes, a big dude with a sword spewing clichéd lines.

That aside, One Piece does have a main villain. If you must point fingers then I'd say it's the World Government, but really, it is anybody who opposes truth and dreams and freedom.

Oda, I love you.

Ahhh.

Well, regardless, a very satisfying chapter. In, uh, many ways. Cough.





HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH THAT?!

HUH, ODA? Answer me THAT.

You will put me back in therapy, I swear.

Also, I ask again, WHERE IS HATTORI.
ext_50713: (Default)

[identity profile] megalotro.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Wheeee!

Well, my proposal requires setup that I don't have time to do right now - at work >.>

Will look over draft when I get home and try to find you a non-gheyish rec ^^ pwaha ^^

-Tro

woo I think I'm not logged in >.> *click*

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Well I will probably just post it for now and tweak later today and hope nobody notices >.>

Although I would like to have Nay's recs. I wonder what happened to her >.>

You are logged in and have been logged in =P

Or at least your comments have all been signed.

And a proposal with setup? I am intruiged.
ext_50713: (Default)

[identity profile] megalotro.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Woo, sounds good to me ^^

Pwa >P no, I mean I have to do that 'click the lj user and type in password' thing where it doesn't let me pick my user pic >(

Wooo ^^ yes, with setup ^^ mwahaha~ I might get off early today to hopefully type up said set-up >.> I pitched it to snarks even though I do not desire to have her participate~ but I wanted an opinion ^^ and... deleted it >.> boohiss~

-Tro

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Re newsletter: I'll give nay like another hour or two to show up >.>

Re logging in: Oh. Okay?

Re proposal: Aww man, snarks is in on it already? Boo, now I'm jealous XD

Although if you lost your pitch you could maybe ask her if she still has it?

Hopefully you will be getting off work early cause I wants to knoooooow.

OH BY THE WAY.

I had a breakthrough with work-work (like the shit I get paid for in dollars and not lack-of-reviews >P ) right as I was AMBUSHED by bits of that tangled W7 fic with the much ghey of Iceburg/Franky and Iceburg/Lucci and Lucci/Paulie variety. I am typing that now so possibly I will have SNIPPETS for you soon.
ext_50713: (Default)

[identity profile] megalotro.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
newsletter - okeedokee, probably off early *crosses fingers*

logging in - just cranky cause I'm on the shared work computer so no 'keep me logged in' thing >( rrr

proposal - mwahaha ^^ I gotta talk to alena too, who is equally in the dark ^^

YAAAAY SNIPPETS!

-Tro

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
ohhh, okay, that's a good reason to be login-cranky

I'm always amused by your choice of icon. I am too lazy to pick usually and I only have six XD

As for SNIPPETS. Snarks has demanded to see them, holding her SEEKRIT PROJECT hostage unless I do. Ho. But hopefully they will not suck. Why do I try to make myself write about all this complicated emotional crap? Can't I just get straight to the smex?
ext_50713: (Default)

[identity profile] megalotro.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yep! But now to home with my soothing always logged-in-edness ^^

*snorfle* I lubs my icons >.> I hate having to sacrifice a few to stuff more in, but I don't use ALL of them ^^ I just COVET all of them!

Wheeee complicated emotional crap is what W7 is all about *squees to self* if it helps, I also do not know what the SEEKRIT PROJECT is either ;_;

-Tro

[identity profile] rab-rumrunner.livejournal.com 2006-08-08 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
mmmm, Lucci/Paulie? I'd squee over that.

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-08 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, yes. I write that, uh, a lot. Most of it is just in a long multi-chaptered fic that I'm not releasing until the entire thing is done. But soon, yes. I also have a one-shot with them on the way =)

[identity profile] rab-rumrunner.livejournal.com 2006-08-09 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I try to write it. Key word try.

AHHHH! So excited! Totally friending you to keep up with that.

[identity profile] snarkymonkey.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
*insider's grin* I still say it's a good proposal. =3

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I still say you both suck =D

[identity profile] snarkymonkey.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
;____;

Just for that, no spamming of the sooper seekrit mess idea.

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
But I meant it with LOOOOOOOVE!

Nooooooo! Come baaaaaack! *clings*

[identity profile] snarkymonkey.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
;__________________________________________;

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
HOW DO YOUR TEARY FACES CUT ME TO THE HEART.

HOW.

I am full of remorse. ;__________________;

[identity profile] snarkymonkey.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
;___;

That last line sounds like it belongs in a haiku.

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I act like a tard
Karen makes weepy faces
I feel much remorse
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[identity profile] megalotro.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
*squish* I think so ^^ with some tweeking~ I'm gonna fumble it over in my head a bit more over lunch ^^ add a few details I thought of since I~ lost the window that I typed it in for you ;_;

Also, must conspire to figure out what to do with US ^^ I think I'll pop up an entry on snafu about it so we can schmooze somewhere that ISN'T Ira's comments >.>

-Tro

[identity profile] justira.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah y'all are like totally having brainsex in my comments >.>

That's okay; it makes me feel popular XD

But just, uh, tell me what the hell is going on when you figure it out >.>
ext_50713: (Default)

[identity profile] megalotro.livejournal.com 2006-08-04 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm~ you know you like it~ kinky voyeur ^^

*pounce* I am leaving right now and I will type it up as soon as I get home ^^ I swear it!

-Tro