🗡️ Ryuma the Legendary Swordsman: A Stunning but Short-Lived Netflix Adaptation

John Paul BonannoUncategorized1 month ago

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🗡️ Ryuma the Legendary Swordsman: A Stunning but Short-Lived Netflix Adaptation

Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation – Why This Short Netflix Anime Leaves You Wanting More

A Hot Take on Ryuma’s Anime Debut

I just watched Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation on Netflix and… well, let’s just say it felt like someone handed me a slice of cake, then yanked it away after one bite. Seeing Ryuma gave me chills.

It’s not bad. In fact, it’s excellent—sharp animation, slick direction, and a satisfying adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s 1994 one-shot manga. If you’re a One Piece fan, seeing Shimotsuki Ryuma come to life in full color is a moment. This is the swordsman who once sliced a dragon in half and turned a katana pitch-black in the process. The guy is practically Wano’s patron saint.

But here’s the kicker: it’s just 25 minutes long. Just as you’re getting comfy, Ryuma slays the beast, smirks, and walks off into the mist. Cue credits.

So what did we get? What did we miss? And why are fans already begging for more? Let’s dig into the dragon-slaying, blade-forging brilliance of Ryuma’s short-lived but memorable return.

Plot in a Nutshell: Ryuma A One-Swing Wonder

This isn’t a complex story—it doesn’t need to be.

Ryuma wanders into a nervous town. Cyrano, a local poser with a sword and zero courage, pretends to be a hero to impress Flare, the only villager still standing after a past dragon attack. The dragon returns. Cyrano freezes. Ryuma borrows a beat-up blade and slays the monster in one glorious strike.

That’s it. That’s the episode. And somehow, it’s perfect and not nearly enough.

Meet Ryuma: Wano’s OG Legend

If you’ve followed One Piece, you’ve heard of Ryuma—maybe during the Thriller Bark arc, when Zoro fights his zombified body, or later in Wano, when we learn Shusui (his sword) is a national treasure. But here? You finally get the origin story.

Long before the Straw Hats were even a concept, Ryuma was swinging blades and forging legends. He turned a katana black with sheer force of will and battle experience. That sword, Shusui, would one day be passed to Zoro (briefly) after a soul-on-soul duel. Yeah—this isn’t just backstory, it’s legacy.

What the ONA Gets Right (And Then Some)

Ryuma’s Swagger

He’s cool without trying. He’s not arrogant, just focused. There’s no drama when he faces a dragon—just steel in hand and purpose in stride.

Cyrano’s Comeuppance

Every One Piece tale needs a loudmouth fraud. Cyrano plays the role perfectly—cowardly when it counts, busted when it matters.

Flare’s Quiet Strength

She doesn’t get much screentime, but Flare isn’t just a background character. She represents hope, survival, and the scars of the past.

That Strike

One clean slash. One dead dragon. And somehow, it’s more satisfying than some entire movie climaxes.

Unanswered Questions about Ryuma: Fan Theories to the Rescue

How did Ryuma leave Wano?
Some fans think the country wasn’t always closed. Others believe he snuck out. Either way, he had to return eventually—his body was buried in Wano’s frozen Ringo region.

Why is Shusui a big deal?
Because it turned black defending Wano. Because it was wielded by Ryuma. Because swords can tell stories, and this one screams “national treasure.”

How did Moria get Ryuma’s corpse?
Theory time: after Oden died and chaos reigned, Gecko Moria sneaked into Wano—or paid someone to do it—and looted Ryuma’s grave. It fits. It’s dark. It’s very One Piece.

Let’s Talk Blades: Why Ryuma’s Shusui Still Matters

Shusui isn’t just cool-looking. It’s one of the few swords in the One Piece world that turned black—not from paint, but from battle. That transformation represents mastery, endurance, and honor. When Zoro gave it back in Wano and took up Enma instead, it wasn’t a downgrade—it was respect.

Animation Breakdown: Sunghoo Park, You Genius

Directed by Sunghoo Park (Jujutsu Kaisen, God of High School), the ONA blends speed and beauty perfectly. The action pops. The quiet moments simmer. And when that dragon appears, you feel it—big, bad, and doomed.

The soundtrack? A moody, orchestral delight. The tone? Just the right amount of myth-meets-revenge.

Reactions: “Loved It… But Where’s the Rest?”

Reddit blew up within minutes: “We NEED a full series!”
IGN called it “fun but rushed.”
Fans on YouTube praised the fight choreography but wanted more time with Flare and Cyrano.

In short: we’re hooked, but Netflix left us hanging.

What’s Next? Fans Pitch Their Wishlists

A full Ryuma miniseries: Imagine six episodes—his early years, travels, sword lore, and that eye scar.
Other Oda one-shots: Like “God’s Gift for the Future” or even Romance Dawn in pre-Luffy form.
Kaido vs. Moria flashbacks: Come on, let’s see how that grave heist really went down.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions on Ryuma

Q1: Is the Monsters ONA canon within the One Piece universe?
A: Yes, Eiichiro Oda confirmed in SBS Volume 47 that Ryuma from Monsters is the same character who appears in One Piece, making the ONA’s events canon.

Q2: Why is Shusui considered a national treasure in Wano?
A: Shusui became a black blade after Ryuma used it to slay a dragon, symbolizing Wano’s strength and resilience, thus earning its status as a national treasure.

Q3: How did Gecko Moria acquire Ryuma’s corpse and Shusui?
A: It’s believed that Moria exploited the turmoil in Wano following Oden’s death to steal Ryuma’s remains and Shusui, later using them in Thriller Bark.

Q4: Are there plans for a full series based on Ryuma’s story?
A: While no official announcements have been made, fan enthusiasm and positive reception could influence future adaptations exploring Ryuma’s life in greater depth.

Q5: How does Ryuma’s story connect to Roronoa Zoro?
A: Ryuma is an ancestor of Zoro, and their shared lineage is emphasized through the inheritance of Shusui and their similar swordsmanship ideals.

Q6: Where can I watch Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation?
A: The ONA is available for streaming on Netflix.

Final Thoughts: Ryuma a Taste of Greatness

Ryuma’s debut is everything fans hoped for—until it abruptly ends. It’s the kind of anime that sticks with you, not because it answers all your questions, but because it opens the door to something bigger. And we want in.

If Netflix and Toei are listening: We’re not just watching—we’re waiting. Ryuma deserves more. The legend is alive again. Don’t let the story stop here.