: Directed by Toshihiro and storyboarded by Yutaka Nakashima, it captured a "classic One Piece" feel with well-timed comedy and subtle character moments.

: The Plague King showcases his cruelty by firing Excite Bullets into the crowd. These aren't normal bullets—they carry a virus that freezes the victims' skin in ice, turning the battlefield into a literal frozen hell for the samurai.

Episode 1002 continues the intense Raid on Onigashima, shifting focus from the main stage to the rising stakes for individual Straw Hats.

: As the title suggests, Nami takes center stage. Alongside Usopp, she faces off against the terrifying siblings Ulti and Page One of the Tobi Roppo. While they spend a good chunk of the episode running and using distractions, it sets the foundation for one of Nami's most defining emotional battles of the Wano arc.

This was an "outsourced" episode, but it was widely praised for its solid execution:

: After being exposed as a traitor by Queen and Who's-Who, X Drake makes a bold decision to fight alongside Luffy. While Zoro is initially suspicious and refuses to team up, the two eventually find "mutual disdain" for each other that leads to a temporary alliance against the Beast Pirates.