One Piece Episode 446

[Assertn]

Perhaps it wouldn't be as much of an issue if it WERE a refreshing change of pace. Unfortunately, the Impel Down arc directly follows the Amazon Lilly arc, where Luffy ALSO completely outclassed every threat thrown at him.

Luffy was closer to dying in this arc than ever before, because of Magellan. How can you say he's outclassed every threat? Perhaps your complain should more specifically be tailored to "Unfortunately, Luffy has yet to be weaker than, yet not so much that he doesn't stand a fighting chance against, another villain since before Amazon Lily." Although even then, the marines showed up and mopped the floor with the strawhat crew back in the Shabondy Archipelago arc.

Anyway, I don't know how it could be any more ironic for someone to honestly watch a shonen and say, "it sure would be refreshing if there was more of a convenient, tier-bracketed 1v1 battle structure in this arc."

[Dark Dragon]

I can't really understand the reason behind all these complaints.

You guys honestly wants Luffy to have a hard time dealing with grunts and a few low rank jail wardens? I mean, Ace is being shipped to be executed and there's also the whole Shichibukai and Admiral preparing to fight White Beard's crew.

I'd imagine it would be easy for Oda to make these guys seem strong so he can stretch this arc out longer and make more money from it. I mean having the heroes spend a ton of time fighting unimportant grunts is the typical shounen stretch. Thankfully he's a better author than that, so we can skip through this nonsense and watch the real action.

Impel Down IS a rather formidable prison.

The most dangerous prisoners and therefore the most likely to escape is kept on the bottom floor deep below sea level. All fruit users are chained with sea stones so they are essentially useless unless they somehow manage to collaborate with other prisoners and have themselves be freed. This isn't like a standard prison where prisoners can go out of their cells and do what they want. Everyone on level 6 is kept locked up 24/7 so the chances of multiple gathering together and planning an escape is unlikely.

Magellan fruit is poison and that by it's nature just scream being able to fight multiple opponents and disable them rather easily. The levels are separated by only one entrance or exit with the wardens being in complete control of the elevator. The prison is surrounded by the calm belt and require the prisoners to commandeer a marine ship to safely escape. The Marine HQ is nearby and is able to send aid if necessary. The chances of someone gathering enough people, planing, escaping, stealing a marine ship and getting away all before the Marine HQ can be notified is extremely low.

The reason why Impel Down is so fearsome is because its very design makes it extremely difficult to escape from.

The only reason why Luffy was successful so far was because he's lucky to have been found by Inazuma. He's also happens to be the son of Dragon or the Okama wouldn't have lift a finger to help him attempt such a crazy rescue. Luffy attempt to rescue Ace is the reason why Jinbei and Crocodile went with him. It's impossible to find another person that is as connected as Luffy to where he can influences all these power people to help his cause. There's also fact that since the Marine main focus is White Beard right now and Ace execution is top priority. Magellan personally escorting Ace out while riots are breaking out is proof of this.

I honestly doubt that a large group of criminals from level 6 might be half as successful as Luffy so far.

[Kraco]

Luffy attempt to rescue Ace is the reason why Jinbei and Crocodile went with him.

I don't know why Jinbei was rotting in the prison but I'm pretty sure Crocodile is exceedingly happy to simply have a chance to escape. Beats sitting there chained to the wall, subjected to random torture, powerlessly waiting for his execution million to one, even if they failed. Furthermore, I have no doubt he plans to betray Luffy if any chance whatsoever appears that wouldn't endanger his own escape.

No extra motives to "help Luffy" needed.

[Dark Dragon]

I don't know why Jinbei was rotting in the prison but I'm pretty sure Crocodile is exceedingly happy to simply have a chance to escape. Beats sitting there chained to the wall, subjected to random torture, powerlessly waiting for his execution million to one, even if they failed. Furthermore, I have no doubt he plans to betray Luffy if any chance whatsoever appears that wouldn't endanger his own escape.

No extra motives to "help Luffy" needed.

I would agree, but if you look back at the manga cover pages for miss golden week mini-story. Crocodile had the chance to escape before they even reached Impel Down, but he declined and chose to stay in prison. I would say that he was bored with the world since he plot failed and the only reason he's interested now was because of White Beard. With that in mind, it's probably safe to assume the only reason he decide to escape was because Luffy informed him about his plans rescue Ace and that gives Crocodile a shot at White Beard. You can argue that Luffy trying to save Ace gives Crocodile a reason to leave Impel Down.

[DarthEnderX]

Luffy was closer to dying in this arc than ever before, because of Magellan. How can you say he's outclassed every threat?

Because I've said "except Magellan" like 8 times in this conversation already.

You guys honestly wants Luffy to have a hard time dealing with grunts and a few low rank jail wardens?

Except that there shouldn't BE any low rank jail wardens in a place like Impel Down. It's not some prison in some backwater island. It's the World Government's insane hell dungeon for mass murderers with army obliterating magic powers.

[Sentenal]

Because I've said "except Magellan" like 8 times in this conversation already.

Except that there shouldn't BE any low rank jail wardens in a place like Impel Down. It's not some prison in some backwater island. It's the World Government's insane hell dungeon for mass murderers with army obliterating magic powers.

So you think Impel Down should be staffed by people with the power of Marine Admirals. Or maybe just Vice Admirals? Do you not see how impractical that is?

[DarthEnderX]

Well, considering the alternative, which is what's happening RIGHT NOW, it probably wouldn't have been impractical at all in the grand scheme of things.


I guess my main complaint is the time spent introducing characters like Saldeath and Sadie feels wasted if they aren't gable to do anything.

[Assertn]

I guess my main complaint is the time spent introducing characters like Saldeath and Sadie feels wasted if they aren't gable to do anything.

I kinda felt that way about the other demon guards. They didn't actually affect anyone.
But at the same time I like that I can't predict what Oda plans to do with the characters he introduces.

[DarthEnderX]

Well, Minotauros at least took a combined attack from 4 main characters to put him down.


Oh, that reminds me, I don't remember Luffy shrinking after he used 3rd Gear to down that Demon Guard...