One Piece Season 2 Episode 4 “Big Trouble in Little Garden” saw the Straw Hats come across an island locked in time. And the island doesn’t just have dinosaurs to contend with, but giants too. And while it seemingly looks like a simple side quest in the beginning, this episode acts as a platform for Usopp to explore what it means to be a hero.
This episode also gave us a little bit more insight into who Vivi is. Because she isn’t just a princess with some top secret mission. She’s a daughter grieving someone she considered a father. She’s also someone who maybe needs the Straw Hat Pirates just as much as they need her. And she’s a welcome addition to a group of dreamers ready to change The Grand Line forever.
Usopp the Brave Warrior
In comparison to the other Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp’s dream isn’t as well defined. He went with Luffy and the gang because they offered him a chance to explore the world and figure out things. But he’s never been sure what a hero truly is. All he has are the tales he used to tell his Kaya and that he used to his advantage in this episode to bond with Brogy the Red Ogre. That bond kind of lured him into this sense of security that maybe being a warrior was just like his stories.
Brogy’s death changed everything. It acted as a shattering moment where Usopp understood that even grand heroes like Brogy could fall. But also that sometimes these battles, they’re not fair. And the one thing that matters is how you get up afterwards. And yes, maybe Usopp had seen similar things before in the small time he’s been with the Straw Hat Pirates. But it’s something different when you are experiencing that heartbreak directly. And I think that’s what happened with him and Brogy.
By the end of “Big Trouble in Little Garden,” Usopp is alone. And it’s clearly a test from the universe.
Usopp has all the makings of a hero. Right now he might not believe it completely, but heroes are also made in times of desperation. It’s not a simple formula that anyone can pick up a sword and shield and boom they’re a hero. It’s about the people that keep getting up and fighting, especially for their friends. And Usopp has found a family with these people. More importantly, even when he didn’t believe in himself, they believed in him. And that’s something that he’s definitely going to fight tooth and nail to protect.
Nami as the Support System
One of the many people supporting Usopp has been Nami. In “The Beginning and the End” where they hit up Loguetown, Nami and Usopp stuck together, with the latter giving Nami advice that she should treat herself. Them sticking together wasn’t something born out of Nami being the easiest choice or the leftover Straw Hat so he went with her. No. Nami and Usopp hung out together and then in this episode she went to check on him because she cares.
Now, Usopp did make a comment about how nami sounds like Luffy. And that could be true. Luffy could have inspired her to maybe take this lighter approach to life. But let’s not discount how Nami has always had hope. If she didn’t have hope, she wouldn’t have saved all that money and betrayed her family and home as a means to protect them in Season 1. That’s someone who has always cared. She’s just always had to protect her heart because she knows what loving something and losing it feels like.
Nami in Season 2 is letting that mask drop. And I feel like it’s a natural progression for One Piece to have her character enter this phase of her life as Usopp enters his own journey on what it means to be a hero. Also want to mention that Nami being the support system for Usopp, or any of the pirates, doesn’t come to her because she’s a woman. That whole “because she’s a woman, she’s naturally caring” is a lie. Nami makes a choice. And her choices have led her to be this kind, compassionate, and fierce woman.
Vivi and the Importance of Living Instead of Surviving
Vivi had some real criticism in this episode about how maybe we shouldn’t be riding dinosaurs. Instead maybe we should be figuring out what’s happening with the Baroque Works agents and get back to Alabasta to stop them from going into civil war. At the same time, I think they needed to slow down for a second and live their lives. They don’t know exactly how they’re going to get to Alabasta yet, so why not enjoy these dinosaurs until then? But I do get the sense of urgency. Trust me.
There was a moment on top of that longneck dinosaur where Vivi paused and really saw the wonder of the world. Not just through Luffy’s eyes, but her own. Because sometimes you need to slow down and take everything in. And after the death of Igaram, she didn’t give herself a moment to grieve. She just kept going and going and that’s not going to help anyone. So yes, I agree with Vivi and how they’re not on a vacation. But if you don’t enjoy the little things in life or just take a moment to breathe, are you really living life?
At this point, as someone who has never read the manga or watched the anime, I’m not sure if Vivi is going to be a character that stays forever with the Straw Hats. But if she does, I think she will discover something about herself in the same way that all these other characters have. And I think she’s going to bring a real breathable lived experience that the Straw Hats need. Not just because it’s The Grand Line, but because they need someone to ground them while they’re up in the clouds dreaming. And that’s Vivi.
Additional Notes About One Piece “Big Trouble in Little Garden”:
- Loving Vivi right here. She’s got a mission but isn’t going to put them in danger because of it. Considerate future queen there.
- THAT IS A DINOSAUR ROAR
- Zoro’s pink pants. Fashion.
- Look… there’s chemistry between Zoro and Sanji
- Sanji is all “ladies man ladies man” but the way he lights up when Zoro teases him. It’s not giving siblings like Sanji and Usopp are
- Usopp is the only one with survival instincts. I’m Usopp.
- Let’s not put our face near the flower with teeth, Luffy
- Nami and Vivi. Yes, please.
- I KNEEEEEEEW IT. DINOSAURS
- And a T-Rex. They really tried to fight it. LORD.
- Love how Nami went after Usopp to check on him
- And she does sound like Luffy with all that hope talk
- And there are giants….
- Even the way that Luffy said “Arrabiata.” A Latina knows a Latino when she hears them.
- Yes, Luffy how can you ride dinosaurs while they need to get back home
- So… Sanji and Zoro killed a T-Rex.
- And then they argued on who killed it
- “Or a butcher.”
- “The only thing I’m starved for is conversation.”
- Brogy the Red Ogre is so delightful
- Mr. 9. The colors and the shorts. Impeccable.
- “No way, it’s part of my look.” Agreed. Fashion is important.
- Mr. 3’s hair. Freaky. But art.
- Dorry, the Blue Ogre, kind of delightful too
- Aww Igaram was her second father. Loved that mourning ceremony!
- I think Luffy needed to hear that to get a little more perspective on Vivi
- Usopp facing an actual warrior as he’s wishing to be a “brave warrior of the sea”
- Ewwww Mr. 3 and his ugly nails
- “I can’t do this alone.” Awww Usopp. You got this!
- “I couldn’t save you but I can still save Nami.”
- Miss Goldenweek. Oh you little weirdo. I’m going to like you.
One Piece Season 2 is now available on Netflix.
What did you think about One Piece Season 2 Episode 4 “Big Trouble in Little Garden”? Let us know in the comments below!
Make sure to read all our reviews for One Piece Season 2:
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 1 Review: ‘The Beginning and the End’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 2 Review: ‘Good Whale Hunting’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 3 Review: ‘Whisky Business’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 4 Review: ‘Big Trouble in Little Garden’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 5 Review: ‘Wax On, Wax Off’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 6 Review: ‘Nami Deerest’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 7 Review: ‘Reindeer Shames’
- One Piece Season 2 Episode 8 Review: ‘Deer and Loathing in Drum Kingdom’
