One Piece episode 1115 review: Kuzan's new alliance forces him to combat Garp

Modified Aug 11, 2024 11:11 GMT

Kuzan as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei)

One Piece episode 1115, titled The Navy Surprised! The Navy Headquarters’ Former Admiral, Kuzan, was released in Japan on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Fans learn how Kuzan ended up on Pirate Island and allied with Blackbeard, though not all details are revealed. Kuzan remains mysterious, with his true intentions unclear. Meanwhile, Blackbeard achieves another victory elsewhere.

The last episode mainly focused on how the Navy came to Koby’s rescue. However, Kuzan, the newest recruit of the Blackbeard Pirates, could not allow Koby to be taken away easily, that too in Blackbeard’s absence, so he stepped into the battlefield.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

In One Piece episode 1115 Kuzan receives two offers

Brief episode highlights

Kuzan and Blackbeard as seen in the One Piece episode 1115 (Image via Toei)

In One Piece episode 1115, the flashback from the previous continues with Blackbeard getting angry at Kuzan and trying to assert his dominance. However, they do not end up fighting. Instead, the scene shifts to them laughing, drinking, and dancing with the rest of the Blackbeard Pirates.

During this time, Kuzan entertains the crew by mimicking Akainu and reveals that he lost one of his legs during the fight. He now relies on his Devil Fruit powers to create a prosthetic. He also mentions giving Akainu several scars.

Catarina Devon asks Kuzan about the Man with the Burn Scar, who is said to sail a pitch-black ship and possess the last Road Ponegliff. It is rumored that this man works for the World Government. Kuzan claims he knows nothing about the Road Ponegliff.

When Laffitte suggests to Blackbeard that they should take Kuzan's Devil Fruit, Kuzan gets provoked and turns a few people into ice. Blackbeard apologizes for his crewmates and invites Kuzan to join him.

Bepo as seen in the One Piece episode 1115 (Image via Toei)

In the present, Garp asks Kuzan to return to the Navy. A battle ensues between the master and his former pupil. Kuzan freezes Garp, but Garp breaks free, dodges ice shards hurled at him, and even punches some back at Kuzan before slamming him into the ground.

Meanwhile, on Winner Island, Blackbeard is seen laughing as Law lies on the ground. It turns out that his ship had sunk and his crew had been lost. As Blackbeard approaches Law to take his Op-Op Fruit, Bepo, the only other Heart Pirate on the island, consumes one of Chopper's drugs, transforms into his Sulong form, and attacks the Blackbeard Pirates. Although the effect is short-lived, Bepo manages to grab Law and escape by swimming away.

One Piece episode 1115 review

Garp as seen in the One Piece episode 1115 (Image via Toei)

One Piece episode 1115 has once again amazed fans with its exceptional animation quality, which is a significant departure from the styles and color schemes of the previous arcs. The episode features a striking contrast between darkness and a complementary blue light during Kuzan's flashback, where he demonstrates his ice powers.

As the mood lightens, the animation switches to a warmer lighting as Kuzan and Blackbeard dance together. However, the scene switches back to shadow and ice when Kuzan is riled up, creating a really cinematic experience.

One Piece episode 1115 also showcases an intense battle between Kuzan and Garp, who used to be student and master. Garp's cheerful fighting style is captured with fluid movements that perfectly show off his brute strength and speed.

Another standout moment in this episode is the eerie scene of the Man with the Burn Scar's black ship sailing through misty seas, which contributes to the overall atmospheric tension.

One Piece episode 1114 recap

Blackbeard as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei)

In the previous episode, the Navy soldiers arrived at Pirate Island with the mission to rescue Koby. They successfully cornered many of the Blackbeard Pirates. Amidst the chaos, Garp made a dramatic entrance, using his Galaxy Impact to demolish all the nearby buildings.

As Koby reunited with his fellow Navy soldiers, Hibari, who was next to him, was suddenly frozen by Kuzan. Koby managed to catch her just in time before she could fall and shatter into pieces.

Then, a flashback revealed a fierce battle had taken place between Akainu and Kuzan for the title of the Navy's next Fleet Admiral. The battle lasted ten days, ending with Akainu's victory. After his defeat, Kuzan left the Navy and later crossed paths with Blackbeard at a pub.