One Piece: Gyojin Tou-hen [Season 1 Episode 20]

One Piece: Gyojin Tou-hen – Episode 20 Review – A Climax Worth the Wait

If there’s one thing One Piece fans can always count on, it’s the emotional payoff after years of buildup. Episode 20 of Gyojin Tou-hen (the remastered Fish-Man Island Saga) delivers exactly that—packed with high-stakes action, deep lore drops, and moments that remind us why we fell in love with this series in the first place.

The Straw Hats Reunite, But the Real Star is Luffy’s Resolve

After two years of separation, the Straw Hats finally reunite at Sabaody Archipelago, but the real focus of this episode is Luffy’s relentless determination to protect Fish-Man Island. The condensed pacing of Gyojin Tou-hen shines here, cutting out the fluff and diving straight into the heart of the conflict. Fans have praised the streamlined approach, with one Reddit user noting, “The original Fish-Man Island arc dragged, but this remake nails the pacing—especially in the Noah and Sea Kings scenes.”

Luffy’s battle against Hody Jones and his desperate attempt to destroy Noah (the massive ship threatening the island) is a highlight. Some viewers felt the fight sequences were a bit disjointed (“The Hody fight was cut weirdly,” admits a MyAnimeList commenter), but the sheer intensity of Luffy’s attacks—like the Elephant Gatling—more than makes up for it. As one fan put it, “Luffy ain’t no hero; he’s a pirate, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect his crew and his meat!”

The Emotional Core: Jinbe’s Moment

The episode’s climax, however, belongs to Jinbe. His blood transfusion to save Luffy is one of the most iconic moments in the arc, symbolizing the bond between humans and fish-men. Fans on MyAnimeList couldn’t stop gushing about it: “Jinbe coming in clutch—this scene always makes me cry!” Another added, “Luffy asking Jinbe to join his crew never gets old. It’s pure One Piece magic.”

The emotional weight of this moment is amplified by the references to Joyboy, the mysterious figure tied to the Void Century. The episode drops subtle hints about Luffy’s connection to this ancient legend, leaving fans theorizing like crazy. “Joyboy mentioned?! What does this mean for the future?” one Twitter user exclaimed.

Mixed Reactions to the Pacing

Not everyone was completely satisfied, though. Some fans felt the episode’s pacing was uneven, particularly in the first half. “The beginning felt rushed, but the ending made up for it,” noted a Reddit thread. Others appreciated the quicker resolution to minor battles, like the Straw Hats effortlessly dispatching Hody’s underlings. “Finally, no more dragged-out fights with forgettable villains,” cheered a fan on Anime-Planet.

Visuals and Music: A Step Up?

The remastered visuals have been a point of debate. While some scenes look stunning (“The Sea Kings and Noah sequences are gorgeous,” raved a viewer), others criticized the art for looking too polished, almost artificial. “It’s like they ran it through a filter and called it a day,” joked one critic. The new ending song, however, has been universally praised for adding a fresh vibe to the classic arc.

Final Verdict: A Must-Watch for Fans

Episode 20 of Gyojin Tou-hen is a rollercoaster of emotions, action, and lore. It’s not perfect—some pacing issues and visual quirks hold it back—but the highs are so high that they overshadow the flaws. As one fan perfectly summarized, “This is why I love One Piece. Moments like these—where everything connects—are what make it legendary.”

If you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer looking for a condensed version of Fish-Man Island, this episode (and the entire Gyojin Tou-hen remake) is worth your time. Just keep tissues handy for that Jinbe scene—you’ll need them.

Rating: 9/10 – A near-perfect climax with a few pacing hiccups.

What did you think of Episode 20? Did the emotional moments hit as hard for you as they did for me? Drop your thoughts in the comments!