Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for One Piece episode 1139.
When the best parts of a One Piece episode are the first and last three minutes, you know you’re in for a strange ride. I tuned in expecting chaos, battles, and revelations, but instead got a sluggish episode that more or less felt like a setup for the next installment. In every aspect, One Piece episode 1139 was a mediocre display of developments that tried to create an impact using the threat of a Buster Call.
However, the slow progression of events, combined with the constant tendency to cut away for close-up reaction shots of nearly every major character, quickly lost their impact. At first, these lingering shots seemed designed to build tension, but after the third or fourth round, they began to feel repetitive and intrusive, thus ruining the experience of what could have been another masterpiece for One Piece.
The only saving grace for the episode was the new opening and ending themes that focused on the major players of the final saga with a catchy tune. Still, excitement for a theme song can only carry an episode so far. It was one of those rare installments that disappointed me, but left me eager for what comes next for the One Piece anime.
When the Music Hits Harder Than the Story
I am happy that Toei’s decision to debut a brand-new opening and ending for One Piece episode 1139 paid off. The opening is performed by ELLEGARDEN, while the ending is performed by CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, and both felt like an adrenaline shot, hinting at the thrill that the story is about to bring in the future. The opening theme was especially interesting, and I replayed it multiple times just to catch a glimpse of any foreshadowing that Toei or Eiichiro Oda might have subtly placed.
I will admit, if the episode had been nothing more than its opening and ending, I would have been far more satisfied because the entire episode just drags the story to reach an end and create anticipation for the next installment. There were a few thrilling moments in the middle, such as Kizaru’s attacks on Bonney, Kuma, and Atlas, but they lacked the intensity or impact to stand out as truly memorable highlights of the One Piece episode.
The tension never reached a peak, and the quick cutaways to other scenes drained the sense of urgency that could have maybe saved the episode. Toei tried their best to compensate for the sluggish pacing with the help of fluid animation and vibrant colors, but still, the episode’s energy was quite low, and honestly, I had expected better.
Related: One Piece: The 10th Straw Hat Pirate Member Isn’t Yamato After Oda’s Devil Fruit Hint
The narrative was dragging its feet, and it reminded me of those slow-paced episodes that became the biggest hurdle of the Wano arc. All of this is the result of Toei’s plan of adapting one chapter per episode, which, in my opinion, is the root cause of the pacing problems that have plagued the One Piece anime.
Episode 1139 Feels Like a Trailer for the Next One
Saturn and Vegapunk in Egghead | Credit: Toei Animation
If I am being blunt, the narrative teases huge stakes (invoking a Buster Call to obliterate Egghead), yet it rarely leans into the emotional or tactical consequences, which makes it feel like a setup for One Piece episode 1140. The constant meandering undercuts the events and focuses on what will happen in the future. While there are some anime-only scenes, like Zoro’s ongoing battle with Lucci and Luffy trying to push through his overeating, they feel more like fillers than meaningful additions.
Related: One Piece: Ranking Every Straw Hat Pirate’s Character Development From Worst to Best
The episode’s rhythm couldn’t quite find its stride, even when the visuals demanded it, which also makes me frustrated with the overall development of Egghead so far. One thing I am certain of is that episode 1140 will be a big one, thanks to the groundwork laid in 1139, and the preview only adds to that sense of anticipation. Still, they could have done better with this latest installment by delivering a sharper balance between buildup and payoff.
The fact that we are in the final saga of One Piece and the best thing about the adaptations is the opening and ending themes, does not sit well with me at all. While I will agree that the episode was impressive in terms of animation, it lacked the sustained heat I wanted, delivering moments of visual brilliance without the narrative punch. It won’t change my love for One Piece, but it will surely affect my excitement for the upcoming episodes.
One Piece is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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