Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for One Piece Episode 1145.

I came into One Piece Episode 1145 anticipating the sheer spectacle of Gear 5 Luffy’s might, and while I did not get pure perfection, I left with more thrill than frustration. The episode gave me some exciting moments, but it also slowed down in places. I liked how the One Piece episode balanced Luffy’s cartoon-like energy with the raw power of Dorry and Brogy.

The mix of Luffy’s wild Gear 5 powers and the strength of the Elbaph Giants made the action feel fresh, while the Gorosei continued to show why they are such a dangerous force that represents the World Government. But the real highlight for me was Emet’s long-awaited awakening. That moment made the episode feel much bigger and more meaningful in terms of the narrative, especially for Joy Boy’s role in the story.

Gear 5, Giants, and a Cartoon Clash With the Gorosei

From the beginning of the episode, I was struck by how One Piece leaned fully into the absurd strength of Gear 5, framing Luffy as a rubber cartoon force that defies logic. While we saw a glimpse of it during Wano, the battle in Egghead brings it out in a better way as Luffy is now fighting an even bigger threat than Kaido. Also, I was happy to see that Dorry and Brogy were not left behind as they stood beside Luffy in his fight against the strongest force of the World Government.

I particularly appreciated the inclusion of “56” in the episode’s symbolism. In Japanese, “go” and “mu” can map to 5 + 6 = “gomu,” a clever nod to Luffy’s rubber nature and his Devil Fruit. That small touch reminded me that Eiichiro Oda and the One Piece anime still care about foreshadowing and hidden details, even in the final saga. Including that reference during the chaos of Egghead was a nice touch, and it brought a smile to my face, even though I was a little disappointed about the pacing of the One Piece episode.

There were instances where the episode slowed down too much because of the long reaction shots and stretched-out moments, but even with that, the fight with the Gorosei is becoming more intense as we move deeper into the narrative. Every time one of the Gorosei showcases a terrifying ability, I feel the excitement rise again. The pacing of the One Piece episode might not have been perfect, but the installment still gave me plenty of reasons to stay hooked.

The Long Sleep Ends: Emet Rises Into the Fight

Emet finally awakens | Credit: Toei Animation

If the clash between Gear 5 Luffy and the Gorosei was the build-up, then Emet’s awakening was the payoff that worked perfectly as the climax of the episode. Seeing Emet finally rise after being teased within the story for so long felt incredibly powerful. To me, it felt like the history of the One Piece world was moving again. It was not just another character entering the fight of Egghead, but someone who would shed more light on the hidden mystery of the world and other different elements like the Void Century, Joy Boy, etc.

Although Emet’s awakening has just taken place in the story, I have a feeling that it will change everything about the battle with the Gorosei. Up until now, it has been Luffy’s cartoonish abilities and the Giants’ power holding the line. But Emet will bring something else to the table as his presence will force the Gorosei to take the fight even more seriously. I could tell that Emet’s inclusion would change the whole dynamic of the battlefield, shifting it from a desperate struggle for escape to an equal clash.

What enticed me even more was that as soon as Emet woke up, he started calling out Joy Boy. Joy Boy has always felt like a legend in the background of the One Piece story, and after a long time, his name has been mentioned, which suggests to me that these hidden aspects of the story are becoming more present. Hopefully, the history of the One Piece world will get more focused, and we will soon find out about the hidden lore that has been teased for so many years.

One Piece is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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