As said in the review below, the video quality is split between the first and last half of the DVD. The first half is very good DVD-rip, with some slight pixelation on fast moving scenes. Same quality as vol. 9. I would rate it 4.5/5. But then it changes to below average TV rip. Not only do you get the normal problems of TV rips (like color blur, unsharp picture) but also there are a lot of disturbances like vertical shadows and phantom pictures. And it the colors look sooo pale when compared directly with the DVD-rip. Would be something like 2-2.5/5.

Fine for me, with my simple stereo TV. I didn't notice any problems with the TV-ripped sounds.

Fine for me, with my simple stereo TV. I didn't notice any problems with the TV-ripped sounds.

Too bad that they switched to TV rip. So the rest of the series will be TV rip too. Why don't these fools wait for the DVDs? Anyway, storywise I liked this volume better than some of the previous ones. The Choppa storyline was very nice, and there were no DBZ-like multi-episode-endless fights on this set. So you have to choose if you accept bad video and subs for the good content's sake.

The first half of this disc is a low 5. The video is even better than the last disc, which was excellent. But then you hit episode 90, and suddenly you go from a DVD rip to a TV rip, and things start to suck. What you get looks like a second-generation VHS tape, with lots of lines everywhere and a generally dirty look to things. NOT fun, considering how great the series looks on DVD. I don't know the release schedule of the japanese discs, so I'm torn on this-TV rips mean the show will now come out on a more regular basis instead of waiting for the japanese DVD release, which are usually slow and have low episode counts. On the other hand, the show loses a lot of its visual appeal. Thankfully, the plot is still just as great as ever, so I can manage. I'd give the TV rips a two, so let's give it a three for average.

Sound is great througout. When it switches to TV rips quality goes down slighty, but not as much as you'd think. At least not on my crappy system.

Sound is great througout. When it switches to TV rips quality goes down slighty, but not as much as you'd think. At least not on my crappy system.

Story: 5/5 Despite the loss of DVD quality visuals, I alreadly plan to pick up the next volume. The story of Dr. Hilluk is amazingly told-for such a lighthearted show, One Piece sure knows how to do tragedy well. The flashback episodes (especially the second one) are done elegantly and beautifully, and the events have a real emotional impact on the viewer. Plus, my favorite One Piece charecter, TonyTony Chopper, finally makes his debut in battle. This is easily the best storyline since the Arlong Arc, so if you're a One Piece fan, you have no excuse not to buy this. Extras: Some charecter design sheets, and a video profile of Chopper. This time it's subbed! Whoohoo! Chapters: Opening, Act One, Act Two, Closing, Preview