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One Piece Episode 808 - "A Heartbreaking Duel - Luffy vs. Sanji - Part 2"
A thread dissecting this episode, hopefully displaying why I believe this is not only one of the best episodes in One Piece, but anime as a whole.
A thread dissecting this episode, hopefully displaying why I believe this is not only one of the best episodes in One Piece, but anime as a whole.
Before I begin, I want to say thank you to Takashi Ōtsuka for his absolutely stellar work directing this episode, thank you to Mayumi Tanaka for delivering one of the greatest voice acting performances I've ever seen and thank you to Noboru Koizumi for animating this.
In order for you to understand why this episode is so effective in evoking emotion and delivering a heartfelt narrative, I have to explain how we got here.
Sanji is a member of our main cast, one of the Straw Hat Pirates. He has spent the large majority of the series on this +
Sanji is a member of our main cast, one of the Straw Hat Pirates. He has spent the large majority of the series on this +
journey with them, but he always kept something about his past a secret. His royal lineage. Sanji is a member of the Vinsmoke family, and wanting to completely shed all ties to the family who abused and ridiculed him as a child, he never spoke of their name.
The central plot +
The central plot +
of the Whole Cake Island arc is to rescue Sanji who has been forced into marrying the daughter of Big Mom, who is one of the Yonko. This is a political marriage forced upon Sanji by his family, who have returned to further torment him. Leaving without a word, Sanji makes his +
way to Whole Cake Island without giving a proper farewell to his crewmates, half of which were still at Dressrosa at the time.
Sanji believes the best thing to do is go through with this marriage, as it will save the crew from finding themselves in a conflict with an entity as +
Sanji believes the best thing to do is go through with this marriage, as it will save the crew from finding themselves in a conflict with an entity as +
terrifying and powerful as Big Mom.
Luffy, being the understanding captain he is, acknowledges Sanji doesn't truly want this and makes his way to Whole Cake Island to free him from the chains of this political marriage.
After spending an entire night fighting against one of +
Luffy, being the understanding captain he is, acknowledges Sanji doesn't truly want this and makes his way to Whole Cake Island to free him from the chains of this political marriage.
After spending an entire night fighting against one of +
Big Mom's strongest subordinates, Cracker, Luffy is finally reunited with Sanji and asks him to come back to the crew.
Now that I've explained how we got to Episode 808, let's dissect this episode right from the very beginning.
Now that I've explained how we got to Episode 808, let's dissect this episode right from the very beginning.
The episode opens up with a scene of Sanji thinking back on his duel against his father Judge, where he threatens to take Zeff's life if Sanji tries to escape. Sanji also acknowledges that the handcuffs on his wrists are wired to blow his hands off if he tries to escape.
This reminds of the very real & intense stakes that come with Sanji trying to escape his current predicament, and this is a necessary reminder that serves to justify his actions later in the episode.
Sanji thinks back on everything he endured and experienced with Zeff, his +
Sanji thinks back on everything he endured and experienced with Zeff, his +
true father figure who he loves immensely. These scenes are presented wonderfully with their own distinct colour palette and OST, and serve to make us empathise with Sanji as well as evoke emotion from us. He has chosen to give up his life in order for his crewmates and this +
is him reminiscing on the moments most dear to him.
Out of nowhere, Luffy shows up and Sanji's inner conflict is immediately showcased with multiple very brief yet effective flashbacks that tells us he truly wants to be with his friends again, but his current predicament is +
Out of nowhere, Luffy shows up and Sanji's inner conflict is immediately showcased with multiple very brief yet effective flashbacks that tells us he truly wants to be with his friends again, but his current predicament is +
far too confing for him to escape.
If he leaves with Luffy here, the first person he ever loved will be murdered and he will lose his two precious hands, which are the only means for him to indulge in his life's passion, which is cooking.
Sanji does the only thing he really +
If he leaves with Luffy here, the first person he ever loved will be murdered and he will lose his two precious hands, which are the only means for him to indulge in his life's passion, which is cooking.
Sanji does the only thing he really +
can do here, and kicks Luffy in the face, sending him tumbling away.
What makes this kick particularly powerful is the fact that Sanji remembers his fondest and last memory of Zeff before making his decision. Another brilliant reason why this kick is so effective is because +
What makes this kick particularly powerful is the fact that Sanji remembers his fondest and last memory of Zeff before making his decision. Another brilliant reason why this kick is so effective is because +
Luffy's dialogue right before getting kicked is "I had no choice.. so", and this perfectly captures how Sanji is feeling. He truly believes he has no choice. The OST stopping in tune with the sound effect of the kick, is the cherry on the cake.
Nami's immediate reaction is +
Nami's immediate reaction is +
confusion. Nami's entire role in this episode is that of a supporting character who feels like an insert of the audience, she spends this entire episode reacting to what is going on and a lot of the time, she feels like most of would when watching this episode for the first time.
From confusion to sadness, anger, frustration, Nami goes through whirlwind of emotions in this episode which does wonders for the audience's engagement, it truly feels like she serves the role of somebody for us to relate to whilst experiencing this tragic scene.
The first thing Sanji says is "get packing, you low-class pirates." He honestly couldn't have made it clearer that he is spouting nonsense and trying to get Luffy & Nami to leave, what I fail to understand is why he didn't approach this differently considering he knows what +
kind of person/captain Luffy is, but that's an entirely different discussion and I don't want to go on a tangent.
Nonetheless, this line sets the tone for the coming events fantastically. Sanji declares himself a prince of the Vinsmoke family and tells Luffy he is going to +
Nonetheless, this line sets the tone for the coming events fantastically. Sanji declares himself a prince of the Vinsmoke family and tells Luffy he is going to +
get married to Pudding, and there's nothing Luffy can do about that. His time as a Straw Hat pirate is up, and Luffy should give up on him. After blabbering more nonsense, Luffy tells Sanji he isn't convinced and Yonji, one of the brothers Sanji hates with every inch of his +
being, offers to help Sanji get rid of them. Obviously, Sanji refuses and says he will be taking matters into his own hands.
For the next 8 or so minutes of the episode, Sanji is consistently beating Luffy down with a flurry of kicks. You can truly feel the emotion packed into +
For the next 8 or so minutes of the episode, Sanji is consistently beating Luffy down with a flurry of kicks. You can truly feel the emotion packed into +
every one of his attacks, the episode is directed in a way that makes each sound effect genuinely painful to witness.
This is a one sided beatdown, Sanji is releasing all the stress and emotion he has built up into each of these kicks with the sole intention of making +
This is a one sided beatdown, Sanji is releasing all the stress and emotion he has built up into each of these kicks with the sole intention of making +
Luffy leave. And Luffy, being the understanding captain he is, is able to discern that doing this to Luffy is taking a serious emotional toll on Sanji. He doesn't want to hurt his friend, but it's the only thing he thinks will work.
The entire sequence of Sanji attacking Luffy +
The entire sequence of Sanji attacking Luffy +
is gorgeously and fluidly animated by Koizumi, there are a ton of beautiful and crisp shots to be taken from the scene and the colours of Sanji's Diable Jambe make it all the more appealing.
Here are a few gorgeous visuals from that sequence that really stand out.
Here are a few gorgeous visuals from that sequence that really stand out.
Throughout this entire "fight", Nami's role I spoke of earlier is utilised wonderfully through scenes of her pleading for the violence to stop and telling Sanji enough is enough.
After delivering his most powerful strike and finally knocking Luffy out, Sanji is slapped by +
After delivering his most powerful strike and finally knocking Luffy out, Sanji is slapped by +
Nami. Whether or not she was justified in slapping him here is still a point of contention today (she definitely fucking was), which goes to show well crafted the drama between these three friends was explored.
Sanji makes his way back onto the horse carriage, and slowly +
Sanji makes his way back onto the horse carriage, and slowly +
begins to burst into tears. What he just done is something he never imagined he would have to. This is something that understandably evoked a lot of anger, sadness, disappointment and confusion from fans the day the chapter was released, and those are all emotions Sanji himself +
experienced on that carriage.
Still, up to this point in the episode, we haven't experienced any of the things that make me call it "one of the best episodes of all time".
The carriage begins to move, and Luffy gets up.
Still, up to this point in the episode, we haven't experienced any of the things that make me call it "one of the best episodes of all time".
The carriage begins to move, and Luffy gets up.
I can not possibly hope to describe the greatness of this incoming scene. You just have to watch it. The sound work in this scene is some of the best in anime. Mayumi Tanaka's performance here is without a doubt, one of the most impressive voice acting performances I have ever +
seen. The voice crack as she says "orewa" is just undefeated man. The sfx of the carriage slowly moving further and further away from Luffy as his voice slowly increases in volume and intensifies, perfectly captures the feeling of loss here. The tears from both Sanji and Nami,
the powerful, emotional OST, all of these different sounds come together to deliver and almost flawless sequence that I struggle to get through without getting seriously emotional.
But that isn't all. God bless the genius Takashi Ōtsuka for the decision in including this final +
But that isn't all. God bless the genius Takashi Ōtsuka for the decision in including this final +
filler scene to close the episode.
An emotional, tearjerking montage of all the Straw Hat's endeavors to date. Like the previous scene, I can't possibly describe how well executed this scene is. It just does everything.. perfectly.
An emotional, tearjerking montage of all the Straw Hat's endeavors to date. Like the previous scene, I can't possibly describe how well executed this scene is. It just does everything.. perfectly.
Just look at these fucking shots man. What a wonderful, heartbreaking way to end the episode, and end Sanji's tenure as a Straw Hat pirate.
And lastly, we have one final showcase of masterclass directing from Takashi Ōtsuka where he chooses to end the episode on a grim note.
And lastly, we have one final showcase of masterclass directing from Takashi Ōtsuka where he chooses to end the episode on a grim note.
This shot of Luffy and Sanji's first personal, touching moment fades into the shot of Sanji standing over Luffy, who is unconscious and beaten on the ground by his hands (or feet, I should say).
It fades to black, and then we get the final shot of the episode. Masterclass.
It fades to black, and then we get the final shot of the episode. Masterclass.
Most of y'all know I don't like Sanji... at all. But there's no denying this episode was absolutely fucking brilliant, all across the board, and without a doubt one of the best things to come out of One Piece. I don't want to get negative, but my main and possibly only gripe +
with this episode is the fact that this conflict is resolved pretty poorly in my opinion. Maybe I'll make a thread discussing why I don't like Sanji and tackle why exactly I think the deconstruction of his character in WCI was very poorly handled, but for today, episode 808 
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