One Piece: Episode 99

Now, that wasn’t as bad as people say it was, right? It was far, far more worse. At least, I was warned.

It’s not like it was spelled out in huge letters that it was terrible. However, the plot centers on a group of strangers who NOBODY in the audience cares about. The Straw Hat crew acts out of character. Vivi becomes annoying (I like her yet I’m not a big fan of her monologues and litany.). And the gags fell flat.

I’m thinking that I may have been influenced by other people’s comments. But I realized that the usual humor was missing and I can’t say I laughed in any of the bits. In fact, this may be one of the slowest OP episode I’ve ever seen. Usually, I breeze through an eppie and want for more. This time it was the opposite.

Even the best shows have their off days, right? If there’s any consolation, there’s a small intriguing flashback in the last scene. With two subpar episodes in a row, I’m hoping the 100th episode will be nothing short of astounding.