A review by kthedestroyer
One Piece: Skypeia 25-26-27, Vol. 9 by Eiichiro Oda

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is probably the easiest decision for the overall rating yet. Since I gave all 3 volumes 4 stars... Well, 2 stars it is. 

I'm kidding (obviously), but anyway. Let me just say that these were some really solid volumes but they didn't live up to their predecessors. With some exceptions there weren't many great character moments and the concept of a land in the sky hasn't been explored well enough (in my opinion). 

The following part of the review might contain SPOILERS. 

Volume 25; 4/5

This volume was not the best. It wasn't bad (which of course it wasn't... it's One Piece), but it just doesn't reach the highs of the best volumes. I'm not a fan of this jungle environment... we already had one a few volumes ago so I don't see a reason for it now. The monkeys didn't work for me and I just overall didn't find the story in this volume interesting. However, there where a bunch of things that I did like, like Shanks's appearance which I have been waiting for for so long. We also got Buggy and Ace which was great and I loved how Luffy decided to fight the entire town of people on his own. That was sick. We got introduced to the flamingo guy and I heard that he's a good villain so that's great. But hey, they are finally going to the sky island and I feel like the good stuff of this arc are gonna happen there.

Volume 26; 4/5

Now this was a bit better but still not quite on the level of some Alabasta arc volumes. I really like the concept of these sky islands and it would be really interesting to see that explored instead of being in that forest infested by some fake gods or something. I sensed pretty early on that this might be a trap since that woman just let them pass without paying money. I was right (kind of) since they are now wanted trespassers but hey, they always get out of sketchy situations so I'm sure they'll be fine. Not to mention that I love how no one was angry that the angel girl betrayed them and they were mad that she told them about it. It was wholesome. I'm also excited for the ball challenge and I think that they'll have to go through all challenges.

Volume 27; 4/5

Well... This was good. Not quite there yet but pretty close if you ask me. I actually really liked it but it's missing that wow factor that was present in some of the previous volumes. Let me just say that I love how Chopper remembered the whistle and also that he jumped into the water to save the knight guy. I still don't know how he survived but who cares. What's important is that my baby is okay. Also... Can we comment on Usopp's remark that they can replace the mast but not Chopper. That was really sweet and wholesome. The concept of that island being split up and one half ending up in the sky is cool and I really hope my straw hat gang finds the treasure. The dancing wolves are funny as heck (I love them) and that's it. I hope that everyone getting lost won't have terrible consequences.