One of the most memorable backstories.

books:


	• One Piece, Volume 16: Carrying On His Will Eiichiro Oda, Beth Kawasaki VIZ Media LLC, 2007 - 192 pages average customer review:based on 2 reviews view larger image
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One of the most memorable backstories.

I'm writing this review based on the fact that no one has written one yet. Anyway, I'll get on with it.

This is one of the more emotional based volumes, like volume 9 was. In this one, it starts with Luffy and Sanji trying to carry the seriously ill Nami to the top of the Drum Mountains where the only doctor in the country is said to live. They begin by being countered by ferocious Lapahn, giant bear-like rabbits. After the scuffle, Sanji is left unconscious, forcing Luffy to carry both him and Nami up Drum Mountain. The actual climb is not what you might expect, as the mountain is straight up and Luffy climbs it's rocky grooves in a billowing blizzard, once again demonstrating Luffy's dedication to his crew. Upon reaching the top, the trio encounters the so-called "Witch" Doctor Kureha, and her strange assistant, the walking-talking reindeer boy Tony Tony Chopper. Luffy and Sanji both, at first, want to eat him, but soon Luffy wants to recruit him(go figure). However, Chopper's past is a heartbreaking tale that contains one of One Piece's most memorable monologues. The backstory is basically a cue that Chopper WILL join the crew, but it is also loaded with pathos that really makes you appreciate the cute little reindeer. The volume ends with the end of the backstory, and Luffy punching King Wapol, the villain of this arc, right in the face.

It is the backstory that is the linchpin of this volume. Chopper's past includes a quack doctor who is determined to find a miracle cure that will heal the saddened hearts of the people of Drum, and, hopefully, the power-hungry Wapol. This man, Hiriluk, is like a father to Chopper, and serves as Chopper's idol for medical determination. It is Hiriluk's sacrifice, and subsequent monologue, the "When does a man die?" speech, that will humble you to the strength of a dying man.

Aside from all my praise, I would like to point out a few annoyances. We are all aware that Viz has been using more childish dialog since volume 5, but this one has a very childish translation of one of Sanji's lines: "Darn those blasted hippity-hops!! I'll turn 'em to stew!!" For one, "darn those blasted" is far too redundant to be effective. Second, the original word Sanji said is "Pyon-Pyon", the Japanese onomatopoeia for a bouncing noise, and "hippity-hop" is just lame. Probably the other big change is that Chopper no longer calls Dr. Kureha by "Doctorine", but simply "Doctor" now. Otherwise, the translation is decent and mostly mature.

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Still wonderful.

Eiichiro Oda, One Piece: Carrying on His Will (ViZ, 2000)

Finally, the introduction of Tony Tony Chopper! The crew's detour has taken them to an island of constant winter looking for a doctor for Nami. Turns out the island only has one doctor, and she lives on the top of a mountain. Sanji and Luffy head off carrying Nami, while Usopp and Vivi try and figure out what's going on with the island, and what happened to their deposed ruler. Needless to say, everything gets complex... ****

Avalanche! Luffy and Sanji surf a tree down a mountain on a fast-moving wave of snow and just avoid being buried alive. But then the demented King Wapol suddenly appears and orders Luffy and Sanji's deaths. With no time to lose, Luffy evades their attacks, when out of the blue an unlikely friend comes to his rescue! A friend who was just trying to kill him only hours before!

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