After a rough entry and a little bit of rest, the crew soon finds themselves in another dangerous situation.
Creative Staff
Writer/Artist: Eiichiro Oda
Translation: JN Productions
Adaptation: Lance Caselman
What They Say
The Straw Hats have made it to the ocean in the sky, but not everything is as angelic as they had imagined. Charged with illegal entry, they are being pursued by not only the Skypiea Police, but all the other inhabitants of the sky too! Everyone wants them out, but will these outlaws be allowed to leave in peace?!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Things start of strangely with the crew awakening with their ship sailing on a sea of clouds. A crazy native looking person soon attacks the crew and surprisingly manages to make quick work of Luffy, Sanji, and Zolo. However, an old man in armor calling himself the “Sky Knight” swoops in and saves the group and, after informing them that they DIDN’T have to ride the knock up stream to get there, gives them a whistle to summon him for help once more before flying off on his bird… that can turn into a winged horse. Of course, the crew then realizes that they’re still pretty much exactly where they were before and decides to just sail until they reach something. Eventually, they come to a gate manned by an old lady who asks for a fee but, upon learning they have none of the currency of the country, tells them they can pass if they so choose. Obviously, they choose to continue on and enter the country of Skypiea and wash up on a beach made of clouds. There, they meet Conis her father, residents of the area, who treat them kindly, feeding them and even showing Nami how to ride a Waver (which is more or less a jet ski). Conis also explains that essentially everything in Skypiea is powered by “dials”, shells which absorb and hold things such as sound, images, or wind. However, things don’t stay so peaceful, as the local law enforcement shows up and declares that the crew are all criminals for trespassing into the country. Lacking the money to pay the fee, they choose to fight off the officers and escape.
While trying to plan their next move, Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji watch as their ship, along with Nami, Chopper, Robin, and Zolo are taken away to the Sacrificial Altar in the forbidden Upper Yard of Skypiea, a sacred land. As such, Luffy decides that they will rescue their friends, fighting the leader of the land, Kami Eneru, and his four vassals along the way. In order to reach their friends, the group follows Conis into town where she shows them a boat that can transport them through the clouds. However, right as they’re about to leave, Luffy asks why Conis has been shaking the whole time. Conis breaks down and tells them she’s been setting them up because refusing Kami Eneru means death. Right then, a massive beam of light falls from above to destroy her, but the Sky Knight swoops in and rescues, carrying her to safety. We are told that the Sky Knight was the former Kami of the land, and then the group leaves on their journey.
Traveling through the forest of Upper Yard, the group comes to four doors, each offering a “challenge.” Deciding on the “Challenge of the Ball,” they are confronted by the strange, spherical Satori, one of the Kami’s vassals, their fate left unknown until the next volume.
In Conclusion:
Like the last volume, not much in terms of actual action happens here. However, things are still quite interesting as we start to learn of the strange land above the clouds and its unique tools. This arc is certainly shaping up to be an odd one, even by One Piece standards. It will also be interesting to see how the group will manage to beat someone with as much power as Kami Eneru seems to wield. Either way, this volume certainly does a good job wetting your whistle for the next one.
Content Grade: B+
Art Grade: B
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: January 5th, 2010
MSRP: $9.99
