Written by Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers from One Piece Episode 1170.
In One Piece, there are some episodes that have nothing but action. There are also some episodes that focus more on character development. Episode 1170 has done a very good job of balancing action and storytelling.
Just finished watching this episode, and I must say that the episode flow was great from start to end. It neither rushed nor dragged, but delivered an entertaining fight scene and planted the seed for something much darker.
Scopper Gaban Steals the Show in Episode 1170
Scopper Gaban completely carries Episode 1170 of One Piece. Right from the moment Luffy goes for the key again, Gaban starts playing with him. That is honestly the best way to describe it. Luffy is serious, but Gaban just keeps dodging everything like it is nothing. He does not look stressed even for a second.
What stood out to me is how effortless he feels. There was no flashy over-the-top introduction. It was just pure confidence. Every movement looks clean, and the animation makes even simple dodges feel satisfying. Then things shift a bit.
Gaban suddenly uses Haki and hits Luffy directly. That moment surprised me because it reminded me that he is not just joking around. He can switch from playful to serious instantly. The Shanks moment was another highlight. The second Gaban says anything bad about Shanks, Luffy snaps. I really liked that reaction because it felt very true to his character. It is rare to see Luffy get that visibly annoyed.
Then comes the heavy part. Gaban hits Luffy to the wall and then goes with his ax attack. This action seems powerful, fast, and deadly. Exactly in this situation, Zoro steps forward. In my opinion, this was a very cool scene. Zoro’s defense against the attack was exactly what was expected from him. Moreover, the blow damages the castle, which increases the level of tension. It shows that this is not just a friendly test anymore.
Then Luffy activates Gear 5. The transformation looked cool and impressive. It seemed that we would witness an epic fight. However, it ends when Gaban suddenly stops.
He casually gives up and says the key is theirs. That honestly made me laugh because it felt so unexpected after all that tension. But at the same time, it makes perfect sense. He was not trying to win. He just wanted to test Luffy. And in that short fight, he proves why he was such a big part of Roger’s crew.
The Holy Knights Finally Make Their Move
The second half of the episode feels completely different, but in a good way. Gunko summons two more Holy Knights, Saint Sommers and Saint Killingham, whose entry is unexpectedly funny to begin with. One of them is seen to be partially dressed while the other seems puzzled.
But that tone does not last long. Very quickly, the conversation becomes serious. They start talking about kidnapping children. Not just as a plan, but like it is something normal to them. And then Shamrock suggests turning it into a game. That line stuck with me.
It suddenly makes everything feel darker. Elbaf did not feel dangerous before, but now it clearly is. The Holy Knights are no longer simply background villains; they have become active threats.
One Piece Episode 1170 Final Verdict
I loved watching this particular episode of One Piece. The visuals are excellent, the pacing is perfect, and the episode never gets dull. The battle against Gaban is brief, but it was very enjoyable and purposeful. It displayed power, personality, and even a little bit of humor.
Gaban from One Piece Episode 1170. | Credit: Toei Animation
On the other hand, the Holy Knights’ plan creates suspense. You get the feeling that some major event is going to take place soon and that this episode is only the beginning. All in all, One Piece Episode 1170 is everything it should be.
One Piece anime currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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