The Battle of Onigashima is finally over and the dust begins to settle in One Piece Episode 1077. It’s been a long time since anyone was able to take a breath and genuinely smile in the series, with the Raid lasting over a hundred episodes at this point, but it’s finally here. So, as Episode 1077 brings a new dawn to the land of Wano, is it an episode worth watching?
This review does contain spoilers for One Piece through episode 1077. The anime is available to watch in full from Crunchyroll with new episodes dropping every Saturday at 10 pm EST. Watch before reading to avoid spoilers!
What Happens in One Piece Episode 1077?
After the last few episodes brought the Wano arc’s Raid on Onigashima to a close, it was time to pump the brakes a little on the action. One Piece slows things down this week in episode 1077, which sees everyone’s reactions to Luffy’s victory at the start of the episode. Everyone from Cat Viper to Nami to Chopper gets a check-in to show how characters are holding up in the aftermath of the massive battle. Seeing everyone exhausted from the fights, while Raizo stands covered in the waters of Zou and others rush wounded around, was a great reinforcement of just how much was going on at once.
The rest of the episode takes in the fallout from the battle, specifically all of the wounded that still need to be checked out. Thankfully it isn’t just Chopper who’s available to see to them, as things quickly get overwhelming. Meanwhile, Momonosuke collapses outside of Onigashima, still in the massive dragon form, and has a talk with Zunesha. They come to an agreement before all of Oden’s samurai gather and make their way to the Flower Capitol along with Momo, ready to inform the rest of the country.
Wano is Free!
Luffy really hit Kaido so hard at the end of the battle the Beast Pirate Captain went through the earth and into hell. Something close to it, anyway, as he was punched down into a massive magma pit a little further down than Big Mom was. Whether this means that Kaido and Big Mom are officially “dead” is anyone’s guess, as One Piece has usually played pretty fast and loose with permanent death. Unless it’s like a visible onscreen killing, then most people remain dead.
It’s still nice to see that even after twenty years to the day of Orochi and Kaido’s brutal murder of Kozuki Oden, hope has persisted. All the paper lanterns floating up from the Flower Capitol during the festival made a beautiful field of stars to welcome in Wano’s new era of freedom, carried on by the wishes inscribed on them.
Doctor Chopper Needs Help!
Chopper has really been the MVP of the Onigashima Raid in his support role. The dude even took on Queen for a time in his Monster Point form, and it took Sanji unlocking entirely new powers to bring that monster down. That was after he used his ridiculous knowledge and medical abilities to create a vaccine on-site for Queen’s Ice Oni virus, and even mass-produce it for allies and enemies alike. Chopper pulled a ton of weight behind the scenes during the Raid on Onigashima, and now he’s feeling the heat.
The heat as in all the incredibly hurt and dying people around him that he as one person can’t hope to tend to in time. The poor little reindeer is having a panic attack as more and more wounded arrive at his feet, and by the end of the segment, he’s nearly in tears. Thankfully he has some backup from the Minks, who scour the castle for medical supplies that are still usable after the fires and floods. Chopper may get overwhelmed, but he’s going to get the job done!
Remembering Yasuie
What a fitting tribute to Yasuie that was at the end, after seeing just how much this one remaining yakuza boss went out and risked his life for others. Not only was Yasuie protecting people, but he was also acting as a thief in the night, stealing food from the Flower Capitol stores for Orochi and giving it out to those who really needed it. Then the flashback to when he finds Toko eating the SMILE Fruit, wondering why she can’t stop laughing suddenly, is just heartbreaking.
Yasuie willingly ate the SMILE Fruit of his own accord so Otoko wouldn’t have to laugh alone. His dancing off into the sunset with her alongside, shadows trailing behind them, is the perfect image to remember a loving father by. He’s definitely setting a better example than most dads in One Piece, at least. His subsequent death to foil Kanjuro’s betrayal, along with the many other selfless acts, establish him as a real unsung hero of the Wano arc.
Momonosuke’s Decision
After all this time, when Zunesha is waiting at the coast for Momonosuke to order the borders of Wano to open, he decides not to. It’s not a decision that will get an explanation yet, but it does come from a place of surprising wisdom for the young Momonosuke. He may have aged physically, but he still has the mental state of a young child, so it’s good that he’s making decisions like this early. For now, he brings the rest of Oden’s vassals to the Flower Capitol, where they plan to reveal themselves amidst the defeat of Kaido.
Wano is about to enter a prosperous era and be a great ally to the Straw Hat Pirates in the battles to come. While Momo won’t open the borders now, the time will come in the future. Episode 1077 closes with the last remnants of the Beast Pirates surrendering, and a new day dawning over the land of Wano in One Piece.
