The Straw Hats are split up and in a big problem as One Piece’s live-action series enters the fourth episode. While Luffy is in the custody of the Marines, Nami and Kaya are in the mansion desperately trying to survive against Kuro, the villainous former butler. So, what happens in One Piece Live Action Episode 4:, and is it worth watching?
What Happens in The Pirates Are Coming episode?
Picking up right where episode three ends, “The Pirates are Coming” finds Nami and Kaya trapped in the mansion while Usopp desperately runs to find help. Luffy drained the entire pot of soup from the kitchen, and the poison seems to have him on the brink of death. While Usopp insists to Koby that the butler Klahadore is actually the pirate Kuro, Helmeppo dissuades him and they take Luffy. While on the way back, Luffy manages to revive just in time for them to turn back and save Kaya, after he pukes all over Helmeppo of course.
The scene where Luffy tells Koby that he can arrest him or get out of the way is fantastic. He’s told Koby that they’re friends, and when Luffy calls someone a friend he means it, but he’ll go through anyone to protect his friends. Even if the person he has to fight is another friend. Thankfully Koby stands down and lets them pass, which gets Luffy back to the mansion just in time.
Zoro’s Backstory
While everything else has been going down poor Zoro is just trying to get out of the well he’s been stuck in. During his desperate climb, his backstory finally comes to light, showing the intense rivalry between him and his friend Kuina. The two were both young students at a dojo in their home village, learning as young swordsmen. Though Zoro tries his best, he can’t beat Kuina in combat. The two make their pact then, to become the world’s greatest swordsman and fight each other for the title.
Except Kuina dies the next day. No reason is officially given in the live-action, but the source material reveals that Kuina dies from a fall down the stairs. It’s an unfortunate death, and Zoro begs Kuina’s father to let him have her sword, Wado Ichimonji. This is the white sword that Zoro wields, and the one that he will carry everywhere until he reaches his goal.
Luffy Vs. Kuro
Big shout out to Kuro’s actor for pulling off the smug creepiness of the character. From the way he pushes up his glasses to the smug responses to Luffy and the others, he nails the character. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make his claws as long as the source material but understandably would’ve been hard to do. The fight between Luffy and Kuro was fantastic though, and gave a great idea of Luffy’s ingenuity with attacks.
When he wraps Kuro’s limbs up it seems that there’s nowhere to run for the Black Cat Pirates captain. However, Luffy also doesn’t have a free hand to fight with, which is why he stretches his neck way back. The Gum-Gum Bell, a headbutt with more power thanks to his rubbery body snapping back into place, sends Kuro flying through the window and out into the sea.
The Going Merry
After all is said and done Kaya sees the Straw Hats off back at the dock yard. She gives them the ship that Luffy saw when they got there, with a massive ram’s head as the bow. They load the boat up with food and supplies from Kaya. Meanwhile Luffy names the ship after the now-deceased former shipyard manager. The Going Merry is a Straw Hat Pirate just like the others, and sees them through harrowing adventures. This is the ship that sees the crew into the Grand Line, and she’s sturdy as can be.
Why Does Usopp Join the Straw Hats?
While Usopp makes excuse after excuse for why he can’t join the Straw Hat Pirates, Kaya finally convinced him. He even gets a kiss from her before he leaves, which is more than Usopp could ever hope for. He decides to go with the Straw Hats, dreaming of becoming a great warrior of the sea someday like his father, Yasopp.
Monkey D Garp
The finale of the episode involves a reveal the manga didn’t get to until over three hundred chapters in. When the Straw Hat Pirates sail out of Syrup Village, the Marines are waiting just off the coast for them. Garp reassures Koby that he didn’t fail, but instead flushed the pirates out just as he needed him to. Of course, Koby feels guilty for going after his friends, but he is a Marine and complies with Garp’s orders. Once the cannon balls start to hit the Going Merry, the Straw Hats have to start running.
The old Vice-Admiral begins lobbing cannon balls at the Going Merry like he’s at a World Series game. Nothing but gas, straight at the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy thinks quick, inflating to a massive size, bouncing the cannonball back and smashing the mast of Garp’s ship. Everyone is expecting anger but instead, Garp starts laughing hysterically. When Luffy notices him standing there his one word takes all the other Straw Hats by surprise- Grandpa?
Eat at Baratie!
That’s right, the new pirate blazing a trail across the East Blue is none other than the grandson of Vice-Admiral Garp. It’s a conundrum, but Garp doesn’t seem bothered Luffy is against the organization he’s worked his entire life for. As the Straw Hats sail away, Garp lets them off while laughing, with Koby and Helmeppo left in confusion.
One Piece Live Action series wraps up the Syrup Village arc with a surprisingly early reveal. The familial relationship between Garp and Luffy will definitely play into the later season. Garp’s reason for chasing Luffy clearer than ever. One Piece episode four gave a great end to Usopp’s introduction, and now as the Straw Hats head off it’s time to find a cook for the crew. Thankfully the famous floating restaurant Baratie is close, and Luffy will smell out food if it’s anywhere close.
One Piece Season 1 Episode 4: The Pirates Are Coming – 7/10.
One Piece Live Action serial is available to stream on Netflix in the United States.
