One Piece 4: The Black Cat Pirates

One Piece [ワンピース] #4

by Eiichiro Oda

ウソップの平和な村が、海賊団に襲われる！　事前に知ったルフィ達は、なんとか侵入を阻止しようと海岸で待ち伏せるが、海賊団はいっこうに現れない。そして、反対側の海岸から、なにやら騒がしい声がして…！？

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Fiction, Shonen

Paperback

First published August 4, 1998

About the author

Eiichiro Oda (尾田栄一郎, Oda Eiichirō) is a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of the manga and anime One Piece.

As a child, Oda was inspired by Akira Toriyama's works and aspired to become a manga artist. He recalls that his interest in pirates was probably sparked by the popular TV animation series titled Vicky the Viking. He submitted a character named Pandaman for Yudetamago's classic wrestling manga Kinnikuman. Pandaman was not only used in a chapter of the manga but would later return as a recurring cameo character in Oda's own works.

Please also see:
尾田荣一郎 (Chinese, simplified)
尾田榮一郎 (Chinese, traditional)

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, I’m wondering if I’m just going to give every volume 5 stars. This installment in the series just made me laugh out loud multiple times. I don’t find many very books that do that for me so that was a nice surprise. Luffy and the gang are still dealing with Usopp and his issues but we finally get to see the full scope of the Black Cat Pirates (hilarious name that actually fits them perfectly), the hypnotics Django, and the elusive Captain Kuro. To be honest, this volume is one long fight scene which I didn’t mind. I was completely engaged and kept trying to figure out how Luffy and Zolo were going to get everyone out of this situation. The only qualm that I have about this one (it’s really small) is that sometimes Kaya and Nami looked alike in some panels. It didn’t bother me enough to detract any stars but I kept thinking of how it could be a potential problem if we continue to see Kaya in future volumes. Overall, this was a great installment and I’m excited to keep reading.

[Tawfek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this volume, first 5 star volume for me.
I love Usopp, even though I hate liars, but he has such pure emotions, and genuine love for his village, for the kids that follow him, for the sick girl, he can't do much, so he decides to be the one putting smile and excitement in people's lives.
Now that works with the sick girl, with the kids in his crew, with some village people who laugh when they hear him crying wolf.
But it's annoying for lots of other villagers, so it's not all sunshine and rainbows, and no one is excused for lying, but something about Usopp "I lie to you but I would die for you, even though you wouldn't for me" is really unique and beautiful.

It seems Eiichiro Oda borrows a lot of his ideas from pop culture, you just don't know the reference if you haven't noticed it.
Luffy himself gives you big Monkey King vibes.
Jango's moonwalk mimics Michael Jackson's moonwalk.
Kuro's sword fingers mimics Edward Scissorhands.
Usopp from both the boy who cried wolf, his name is from the writer of the boy who cried wolf Aesop and his fables, his long nose from Pinocchio.
Where he takes his inspiration isn't even hidden, but you just might not know where it comes from.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically one long fight, as is pretty common so far in this series, as the group attempts to defend a girl who is being murdered for her fortune. There's a little bit of stupid for plot in here, but it's not too egregious.

Once again, this has nothing to do with anything, and isn't part of the actual story, but is amazing.

[灰 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“WHICH WAY IS NORTH?!” - Luffy and Zoro

That about sums up the whole volume ｡ﾟ( ﾟ^∀^ﾟ)ﾟ｡

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing. I'm having such a blast with these characters.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how lively, fun and over-the-top the early part of this series is. The earnest characters far outweigh the cynical ones, and that adds to its youthful feeling.

I'm not typically a fan of battle sequences in any medium, but when several of the players in a battle have a major personal stake in its outcome--as is true here--it seems they are much more involving for me. Silly events along the way, like Luffy being hynotized and falling asleep under the stempost of the Black Cat right as he's swinging it around like a huge club, or Nami stepping on his head to wake him up, etc., lightened the mood and made me smile. The battle is also staged really well. Occasional panels showing where the characters are standing, sitting etc. relative to each other, made everything easy to follow.

There's nothing but battling in this book, so there's nothing else to talk about. :D I'm going to take a couple of months' break from One Piece here. While my energy to read more is pretty high, and this storyline isn't quite finished yet, marathoning almost never works for me. That said, I have 66 86 volumes of this yet to read*, so I'll have to come up with a schedule where I read significantly more than two or three volumes a year, which is what I've been doing with other titles. My largest manga project ever. Wish me luck!

* By a truly startling coincidence, there was a box set of volumes 71-90 of One Piece available, and my previous collecting of it that ended in 2014 just happened to end exactly at volume 70, so I pushed the button. I'm going to feel terrible if I end up fizzling out at volume 12, like I did the last time.

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, really, why would he suddenly turn on his fellow butler and attack with lethal intent, with no provocation? If your plan had worked, you'd have had this guy employed by you! Alternatively, if you were the type to just start slashing up because of the phase of the moon, you'd never have gotten such a reputation as a cunning mastermind!

One Piece is my favourite story, but it's not without its own share of nonsense.

But the fights are still good and there's a bit of comedy and emotion here as well, particularly with Usopp. I already love the guy.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action in this one, with even more weird and wonderful enemies for Luffy and his crew to face. Captain Kuro is a particular nasty piece of work, with the strange ability to sneak past opponents unseen. Honestly at times this is so unhinged and off the wall and I love it.

[lobelyys · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda boring, this was only a full introduction of the enemies, which are the most ugly and creepy of the series imo (for what i remember).

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars
Video Review: https://youtu.be/9hK_oIkcHYU

[Alec Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

usopp quero q vc saiba q eͪ meu protegido

to curtindo bem mais esse arco aqui no mangá do q na série!!!

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this story is more comedic than uhm exciting? The author notes and questions are cute and funny as well.
Oda is approved 💃

[Erica Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Usopp hadn't always been telling all these tall tales, everyone in the village would have believed him.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Meowban Brothers! 😂

[Viv (vivianneslibrary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoro is my main man ⚔️🗡️
4.5⭐️

[T.R. Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit, my least favorite sections of One Piece are in the beginning stages when Oda was still finding his legs. The World-building hadn't taken off yet and the stakes were very low. I just don't hold fond memories of the first arcs like I do once Marineford starts getting closer. This one is still good, but it starts to go downhill after this. It originally took me a long time to get into One Piece for that reason. Oda doesn't hit the gas pedal until hundreds of chapters into this story; at least in my opinion. The beginning is still a lot of fun, it just gets blown out of the water by many of the other Shonens which had outstanding first arcs. One Piece is a very slow starter to get the hypetrain rolling.

[Shadyside Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Kuro and his crew might not be the most exciting villains but they definitely have an interesting incentive And put up quite the fight! Although, Luffy and his crew are obviously dominating!

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tam olarak 11 ayda okumuşum, her güne bir panel resim

[Gavin Hetherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read One Piece for the first time and document my experience on YouTube, starting with the entire East Blue saga: https://youtu.be/T_3DySjyRjk

[Shane Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The slow pacing that began in volume 3 is quickly remedied in volume 4! The story advances with humor and action as its central villain steps out to claim the spotlight. Oda does a great job showing us how truly different a villain like Kuro can be. His cunning tactics and ruthless blood lust is the polar opposite to the comedic and zany Buggy. He quickly shows us why he is a threat, to not only our heroes, but the other villains as well. The other stand out character is Usopp. Oda is able to take a trait like cowardice and somehow make it enjoyable through humor. And although Usopp is a big scaredy cat, when the time comes, his bravery peeks through and you get some great moments. The supporting cast do great as well with Kaya having great emotional moments and the Usopp Pirates bringing in a surprising yet refreshing loyalty.

Luffy, as always, is a blast to follow. His interactions with Usopp can be some of the best. More of his personality and beliefs are further explained during a thrilling battle to protect a sleeping town. Zoro gets a fun fight with a couple of goofy villains who turn out to be more of a threat than youd imagine. Nami doesnt get to shine, due to her role sticking with stealing. (Her time is coming soon.) The last character is Django and his silly antics. Yet again, Oda delivers another fantastic villain who can be quirky like Buggy and dastardly like Kuro. He is a lot of fun to read.

Overall volume 4 moves the pace of the Kuro arc to a "just right" speed. It delivers laughs, intrigue, suspense, and thrills. Eichiro Oda pushes our favorite heroes and villains into interesting positions and really nails the dilemma that results from these positions. The villain is great and the story is fantastic. Youll be ready to pick up volume 5!

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luffy and his crew go up against the Black Cat crew and offers some silly sequences filled with deceit, trust, and straight-up action.

Some really inspiring scenes are also present, as well as much needed apologies and revelations.

Yours truly,

Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/

[Emi.acg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si maratón de one piece 😌 uno más y me voy a dormir xd

Ahhh pucha estoy en conflicto Usopp me cae mal pero aquí todavía no xd si igual es bonita su historia y lo que hace por Kaya a pesar de ser un mentiroso. Y de igual forma que intente salvar el pueblo.

[sawaaiiq · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why doesn't Luffy kill his enemies? Because in that era, everyone uses their lives to fight for their dreams. For an enemy, when their dream has been shattered, it is the same as losing a fight, and as painful as death."

- Oda

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie: if I were I pirate, I would join the Black Cat Pirates.

[Sarah Sloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

So exciting. Another cliffhanger ending, which I don't really mind if I'm being honest

[River · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

[Raul Terhes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You shall not pass!" - Oh Gandalf, when did you become a green haired swordsman?

[alia. ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“WHICH WAY IS NORTH?!”

[Luan Ramalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luffy é pft

[Mr. Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a minute to get me back into the drama. But once the sh*t hit the fan, I was back in.