To start off, I am a big One Piece fan, and more than enthusiastic to read any fics that expand upon canon. The premise, which was someone else reincarnating as Luffy, with potshots at the original, wasn't a green flag, but I still progressed.
And I don't regret it. In terms of research, unlike other fics that include spite and rationality, the author DID do it. Naval warfare is greatly expanded upon, and the way the elements work against each other is realistic.
Also, a smart move on the author's part, which still is a way to show the protagonists as far stronger than canon but more fun than the alternative, is to make the antagonists bring more of their A-game to keep the battles exciting and even. For example, expect to see Vice Admirals earlier.
These two lead to one of the stronger points of the fic, the fight scenes. If you want to see strategic, long fights where Elemental Rock–Paper–Scissors and characters using their brains in general work, this fic is for you. Also, due to the lack of limitation in the demographic, there is more violence than in canon, with far more deaths.
Side characters get more moments to shine in this story, especially the Vice Admirals. Also, Luffy still has to work for his victories due to having to face stronger opponents, or them taking him more seriously, or him lacking a good counter that existed in canon and having to rely on Haki (Enel and Perona). Even if someone Can't Catch Up, it's acknowledged and they are forced to work among their own weight class.
While there is Nami-bashing, I would say the women in general get more moments to fight than in canon. Hina, Gion and especially Robin and Makino. So, props to the author for letting women be competent, in fact if there is one improvement over canon it's this.
Final plus is that in spite of The Stations of the Canon being in effect, the plot changes quite drastically in some parts.
The comedy hasn't made me laugh, but has made me smile.
But the story is far from perfect. Luffy lacks the things that make him Luffy in canon, and him being happiness incarnate is something really vital in the original. Also, some things aged badly. For example, Luffy not eating the Gum-Gum Fruit is going to backfire when Shanks becomes the carrier of Nika, who has implications of the Chosen One in canon, instead. And the less we say about Kuma's death, the better. Even though I loved the way it was undone.
Also, outside of some moments of catharsis due to canon events, or moments of someone being a badass during a fight and earning my respect, I can't find a truly emotional moment. Not even "I Want to Live" is present here. (Note:Dunno if the author actually read this, but Whitebeard using Haki to make his epic speech better is the first exception, which was after the review) Finally, sometimes it comes off as too mean-spirited to canon elements.
Overall, it's a good fic if you like action and strong women, just don't expect it to pull at your heartstrings... until the end of Marineford, that finale was awesome.
Very good in terms of rationality, but misses part of what makes the original One Piece awesome
To start off, I am a big One Piece fan, and more than enthusiastic to read any fics that expand upon canon. The premise, which was someone else reincarnating as Luffy, with potshots at the original, wasn't a green flag, but I still progressed.
And I don't regret it. In terms of research, unlike other fics that include spite and rationality, the author DID do it. Naval warfare is greatly expanded upon, and the way the elements work against each other is realistic.
Also, a smart move on the author's part, which still is a way to show the protagonists as far stronger than canon but more fun than the alternative, is to make the antagonists bring more of their A-game to keep the battles exciting and even. For example, expect to see Vice Admirals earlier.
These two lead to one of the stronger points of the fic, the fight scenes. If you want to see strategic, long fights where Elemental Rock–Paper–Scissors and characters using their brains in general work, this fic is for you. Also, due to the lack of limitation in the demographic, there is more violence than in canon, with far more deaths.
Side characters get more moments to shine in this story, especially the Vice Admirals. Also, Luffy still has to work for his victories due to having to face stronger opponents, or them taking him more seriously, or him lacking a good counter that existed in canon and having to rely on Haki (Enel and Perona). Even if someone Can't Catch Up, it's acknowledged and they are forced to work among their own weight class.
While there is Nami-bashing, I would say the women in general get more moments to fight than in canon. Hina, Gion and especially Robin and Makino. So, props to the author for letting women be competent, in fact if there is one improvement over canon it's this.
Final plus is that in spite of The Stations of the Canon being in effect, the plot changes quite drastically in some parts.
The comedy hasn't made me laugh, but has made me smile.
But the story is far from perfect. Luffy lacks the things that make him Luffy in canon, and him being happiness incarnate is something really vital in the original. Also, some things aged badly. For example, Luffy not eating the Gum-Gum Fruit is going to backfire when Shanks becomes the carrier of Nika, who has implications of the Chosen One in canon, instead. And the less we say about Kuma's death, the better. Even though I loved the way it was undone.
Also, outside of some moments of catharsis due to canon events, or moments of someone being a badass during a fight and earning my respect, I can't find a truly emotional moment. Not even "I Want to Live" is present here. (Note:Dunno if the author actually read this, but Whitebeard using Haki to make his epic speech better is the first exception, which was after the review) Finally, sometimes it comes off as too mean-spirited to canon elements.
Overall, it's a good fic if you like action and strong women, just don't expect it to pull at your heartstrings... until the end of Marineford, that finale was awesome.