Episode 61: Angry Finale! Cross the Red Line!
Air Date: 2001-03-07
Opening: Believe (2nd Opening)
Ending: Run! Run! Run! (2nd Ending)
Manga Chapters: Chapter 101 (11-18/18)
Short Summary
At the Dragon's Nest, Erik and Luffy engage in one last battle as Erik makes a final attempt at claiming the Ryuukotsu. After he is defeated, the Straw Hats say goodbye to Apis and the inhabitants of Warship Island as Apis decides to be the guardian of the Dragon's Nest. The Straw Hats head to Reverse Mountain, the entrance of the Grand Line, and under very treacherous circumstances they head up the mountain.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with Erik declaring the radiance of the Dragon's Nest and that it is the source of the Ryuukotsu. He says that he is tired of the fighting and offers to share the fortune with the Straw Hats. Luffy refuses, causing Erik to freak out. Erik then says he will take it himself as they sit and watch, and he knocks down Apis when she tries to stop him. Apis yells that it is a sacred place for the Sennenryuu. Erik uses Kama Kama no Whirlwind on Usopp and Apis but Luffy blocks it. Zoro offers to fight Erik, but Luffy declares that he will do it. Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Pistol while Erik uses Kama Kama no Whirlwind. Luffy is covered in slashes from Erik's attack, but Erik manages to dodge Luffy's attack. Erik unleashes a scythe barrage, Kama Kama no Whirlwind Scythe, but Luffy charges through it, despite being slashed repeatedly. He grabs onto Erik's shoulders and uses Gomu Gomu no Bell to strike Erik and destroy his shades. Luffy then lands and uses Gomu Gomu no Bazooka, striking Erik and sending him flying. Luffy claims victory as Erik is finally defeated.
The people of Warship Island arrive at the Dragon's Nest and watch the Sennenryuu in awe. Bokuden stands with Apis and the Straw Hats and offers them to come to his house for butaman, but Nami says that they must keep going on to the Grand Line. The Straw Hats board the Going Merry, saying their goodbyes. Apis pledges to protect the Dragon's Nest and dreams to see the next coming of the Sennenryuu. Usopp notes that this won't be for another thousand years, but Apis realizes this, saying that she wants her descendants to see it. The Going Merry then sets sail, and so the Straw Hats say their final goodbyes to Apis and the residents of Warship Island. Bokuden then asks Apis if she wanted to go with them, but Apis says how she realizes she has to stay there. She says how she is grateful for meeting the Straw Hats because otherwise she would have never thought she could protect the Dragon's Nest. She then sees Bokuden fell asleep, but he suddenly awakes again, saying that if she wants to defend Lost Island, she'll have to learn about their ancestors. He goes onto explains the long line of kings once again, much to Apis' dismay.
As the Going Merry sails along, Sanji spots some rain clouds ahead. Nami states that they will be arriving at the Red Line soon. Nami puts down the map and tells the others that the entrance to the Grand Line is through a mountain, stating that they must climb the canals in the mountainside. Zoro notes that a ship can't climb a mountainside, and since the map is from Buggy it can't be too reliable. Usopp says how the current is flowing too fast, and Nami realizes that it is the current in the canal that will bring up them up Reverse Mountain and then down into the Grand Line. She emphasizes how it is very risky, as the Going Merry may be destroyed in the process. Nami states how they are already in a current, so as long as they remain steady, they can reach Reverse Mountain in one piece. The ship enters a storm as they draw near to Reverse Mountain, and Luffy spots it, calling to the others. They come upon several whirlpools in the violent water, slowly being sucked in. Nami spots a crack in the cliff, the entrance to the canal of Reverse Mountain. Zoro is amazed to see the water actually going up the mountain.
The ship heads for the entrance, and Usopp and Sanji work together to make sure the path steers straight. The helm snaps, however, and as the Going Merry goes careening into the side of the canal, Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Balloon to prevent contact, squishing himself in the process. The Going Merry enters the canal just barely, and Zoro hauls in Luffy as the crew celebrates entering the canal. As the ship rides up the mountainside, Erik emerges on the deck, furious. He yells that he won't allow his dream to end, and the Straw Hats realize the danger of Erik's attack to their ship. Nami manages to sweep Erik's feet out from under him, since he was standing on the railing, and he falls into the water, tumbling down the water. Nami says that since he is a Hammer (someone who can't swim in the water due to his Devil Fruit power), he won't return. The Going Merry then finall reaches the peak of Reverse Mountain, a beautiful sparkling sight. The ship rises into the air as it hits the peak, then plummets down and begins its descent down the other side of the mountain. The Straw Hats think of their dreams as they soar down the current, and Luffy declares that One Piece is waiting as the episode ends.
Terek’s Notes
This episode is quite infamous known as the one instance in the One Piece anime when a minor character is implied to have died. Since Eric's Devil Fruit inhibits his mobility in water, there is no way for him to escape from the ocean's embrace; it is, in a way, an appropriate end for a filler character.
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