August 18, 2026 · 15 min read · Episode guide · Episode 4 · Kagex Blog

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One Piece Episode 134 Review — I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp

Anime hub: One Piece · TV Original

Contains spoilers for this episode.

One Piece Season 5 Episode 4 I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell! official promotional art
Official promotional art. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

Kagex rating: 9.1 / 10

Episode: Season 5 · Episode 4 — “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” (overall #134)

Air date: November 24, 2002 · Runtime: ~24 minutes · Studio: Toei Animation

One Piece Season 5 Episode 4 “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” is overall TV episode 134, sitting inside the TV Original stretch. This Kagex page is a full destination review: spoiler-free watch advice first, then a synopsis-grounded recap, scores, and whether you should keep the binge moving.

Previous: Season 5 Episode 3 — A Recipe Handed Down! Sanji, the Iron Man of Curry! · Season: TV Original season review · Hub: One Piece

Hook

One Piece does not ask you to judge a single episode like a movie. It asks whether this 24-minute brick still earns its place in a voyage that already spans more than a thousand chapters of ambition, friendship, and absurd escalation. “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” is one of those bricks inside TV Original — the Wikipedia/TV season that covers overall episodes 131–143.

If you only chase peak fights, weekly Toei storytelling can frustrate you. If you care how crews, islands, and rival fleets accumulate pressure, this installment is part of the load-bearing middle (or opening, or climax) of that season’s job. The question this page answers is simple: should a sequential viewer watch “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!,” and what does it actually change?

Kagex scores below are for this episode only — not a grade for the entire TV Original saga and not a grade for the manga chapter it adapts.

Quick Information

  • Anime: One Piece
  • Season / Episode: Season 5 (TV Original), Episode 4
  • Overall TV number: 134
  • English title: I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!
  • Runtime: ~24 minutes
  • Studio: Toei Animation
  • Original air date: November 24, 2002
  • Arc keywords: One Piece filler Rainbow Mist
  • Kagex score: 9.1 / 10
  • Where to watch legally: Crunchyroll / Netflix / region-dependent official platforms
One Piece official banner art for Season 5 Episode 4
Official banner art. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

Should You Watch It?

Yes if you are watching One Piece in order through TV Original. Skipping “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” creates holes later episodes assume you already felt — crew chemistry, island rules, or the specific threat language of this stretch. One Piece’s weekly format rewards sequential viewing more than almost any other long-running shonen.

Beginner-friendly as a random start? No. Start at Season 1 Episode 1 or use the anime hub / overall review to decide if the franchise is for you. Dropping into overall #134 cold will feel like arriving mid-conversation on a ship that already chose its captain.

Who enjoys this kind of episode? Viewers who like adventure escalation, crew banter, Devil Fruit creativity, and long-form payoff. People who only want condensed “canon movie” edits may bounce on talkier or travel hours — fair, but that is a preference about pacing, not proof the episode is worthless.

Bottom line: sequential fans should watch “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!.” Fight-only skim culture will underrate quieter setup inside TV Original. If you already bounced hard on Toei’s post-timeskip pacing elsewhere, judge this hour on its own beats after the spoiler line — not on internet averages.

Spoiler Warning

Spoilers for One Piece Season 5 Episode 4 (“I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!”) follow. Stop above for a clean first watch. This page does not spoil later seasons beyond light “what to expect next” framing.

Story Recap

Recap below is grounded in publicly listed episode synopsis text for overall #134. Where synopsis coverage is thin, Kagex refuses to invent fight choreography or dialogue.

Ordinary Voyage

The Straw Hats arrive at Fireworks Island just in time for its annual fireworks festival. The locals explain that the tradition of the festival has been going on for 400 years and is carried on by a family who lives on top of the mountain on the island, although now it is just an old man and his granddaughter. This reminds Usopp that they need gunpowder, so he sets off to the mountain to get some from the old man. Usopp reaches the mountain and is immediately sent away by the old man, Odama, since the latter has no time for a “novice firework maker” like him, especially on the day of the festival. Nothing here is treated as later-arc homework; the page stays inside Season 5 Episode 4. Watching “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” in order matters because One, Piece, filler context from earlier TV Original episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

Unexpected Incident

Usopp tries to convince him by showing Odama a firework of his own making but is instead stunned at the humongous firework inside the old man’s home. Kodama arrives and inspects Usopp’s firework and compliments it and encourages Usopp to “finish it.” Meanwhile, Odama admonishes Kodama for wasting time and sends her off to finish her tasks for the festival. He then orders Usopp to help Kodama, which Usopp reluctantly does after the young girl asks him to help. Nothing here is treated as later-arc homework; the page stays inside Season 5 Episode 4. Watching “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” in order matters because One, Piece, filler context from earlier TV Original episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

New Pressure

The two bond and Kodama once again compliments Usopp’s firework and tells him to “finish it.” She explains that any firework is considered unfinished until it blossoms beautifully in the night sky. Usopp then mentions the huge firework he saw earlier and how he would like to see it go off. Kodama explains that a year ago, they tried to fire a similarly huge firework, but the equipment was flawed and there was an accident which killed both of her parents. Nothing here is treated as later-arc homework; the page stays inside Season 5 Episode 4. Watching “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” in order matters because One, Piece, filler context from earlier TV Original episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

First Discovery

Suddenly, the rain starts again, and Kodama mentions that the party cannot proceed if it continues to rain. Nonetheless, Odama tells them to continue with the preparations. Nothing here is treated as later-arc homework; the page stays inside Season 5 Episode 4. Watching “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” in order matters because One, Piece, filler context from earlier TV Original episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

Important Encounter

Kodama tells Usopp that if the weather allows it, she plans on launching the huge firework at the night of the festival. This flusters Usopp as he thinks she cannot launch such a big firework by herself. Nothing here is treated as later-arc homework; the page stays inside Season 5 Episode 4. Watching “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” in order matters because One, Piece, filler context from earlier TV Original episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

One Piece key visual relevant to Season 5
Official key visual. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

Story Analysis

“I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” works or fails based on how clearly it advances TV Original. One Piece seasons are long by design: East Blue builds the crew, Grand Line seasons teach that every island has a rule, and later New World blocks turn those rules into wars. Episode 4 of Season 5 is one turn of that machine.

Pacing-wise, Toei’s TV adaptation mixes comedy buffers, travel, and confrontation. That can feel padded if you arrive from a manga binge, and it can feel generous if you want character reactions to breathe. Kagex does not pretend every minute is peak sakuga. We ask whether the hour changes stakes, relationships, or information. In TV Original, the recurring keywords — One Piece filler Rainbow Mist — tell you what kind of change to look for.

Emotionally, One Piece sells sincerity harder than irony. Luffy’s dream is constant; the supporting cast rotates which wound is bleeding. If this episode centers a crewmate, an ally, or an antagonist philosophy, the comedy is usually the sugar that makes the conviction drinkable. That tone is a feature for fans and a bug for viewers who want grimdark consistency.

Structurally, overall #134 sits between “A Recipe Handed Down! Sanji, the Iron Man of Curry!” and “The Fabled Pirate Hunter! Zoro, the Wandering Swordsman!”. Read it as a chain link. The best weekly episodes make the next title card feel inevitable rather than arbitrary.

Compared with shorter modern cours, One Piece asks for patience. The trade is cumulative awe: when TV Original finally detonates, earlier “small” hours become receipts. “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” should be graded as one of those receipts, not as a standalone film.

Character Analysis

Monkey D. Luffy

Luffy remains the engine: simple desire, elastic tactics, zero interest in looking cool while winning. In “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!,” watch whether he drives the incident, reacts to someone else’s crisis, or refuses a compromise that would be “smart” in any other series. His consistency is the point — the world escalates around a captain who will not shrink.

Straw Hat crew and allies

TV Original typically spotlights different crewmates depending on island rules. Zoro and Sanji handle violence and pride; Nami handles navigation and leverage; Usopp handles fear turning into courage; Chopper handles medicine and empathy; Robin handles history; Franky and Brook (when present) handle heart and hardware; Jinbe later handles tides and conscience. This episode’s title — “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” — is your hint for who the hour thinks matters.

Opposition / island forces

One Piece antagonists are rarely empty HP bars. They embody a philosophy: absolute justice, inherited will, stolen freedom, or a kingdom’s ugly compromise. Inside One Piece filler Rainbow Mist, expect the opposition to teach the crew a rule of this sea. Even a mid-arc hour should clarify what winning would cost.

One Piece promotional art Season 5
Promo art. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

World Building

World rules visible in Season 5 Episode 4 stay local: how this island’s weather, government, Devil Fruit oddity, or cultural taboo constrains the crew. TV Original is the container; “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” is one room inside it.

One Piece lore is famous for long payoffs, but this page will not smuggle future reveals into Episode 4. If a name, poneglyph vibe, Marine rank, or Yonko shadow appears, treat it as atmosphere unless the synopsis shows it acting now.

Geography still matters. Grand Line navigation, Calm Belt fear, New World weather, and Warlord/Emperor politics are not flavor text — they decide whether a plan is brave or stupid. When “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” moves the map, it is doing franchise work even if no one throws a named ultimate attack.

Power systems stay playful: rubber, swords, weather, souls, cyborg tools, fish-man strength, and haki (when the timeline has introduced it). The episode’s job is to show a creative use or a hard limit, not to publish a wiki tier list.

Animation Review

Toei’s One Piece TV look has eras. Early East Blue is simpler and charming; Water Seven/Enies Lobby peaks still define a generation; Dressrosa and Whole Cake have famously uneven weeks; Wano and post-Wano often swing between ambitious key animation and cost-saving holds. Season 5 (TV Original) should be judged against its own production moment, not against a theatrical film.

For “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!,” expect the usual TV priorities: readable action, expressive faces, and comedy timing. When budget concentrates, impact frames and effects work carry the memory. When it does not, character acting and layout still sell sincerity. Kagex animation score 8.6 / 10 reflects peaks vs comfort cuts for this hour — not a YouTube sakuga compilation ranking.

Direction matters as much as raw drawings. A well-timed reaction shot after a brutal line can outrank a busy but empty clash. One Piece thrives when the camera respects silence between punches.

Music and Voice Acting

Score 8.8 / 10. The franchise’s needle drops — We Are!, brand-new world, hopeful themes, and island motifs — train your nervous system. Even without listing every OP/ED cour change, “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” either rides that recognition or undercuts it with quiet strings.

Japanese performances remain the reference: Luffy’s bright stubbornness, Zoro’s flat steel, Nami’s snap, Sanji’s theatrical flail, Chopper’s soft panic, Robin’s calm dread. English dubs vary by era; do not wait on a preferred track to judge story.

Sound design for impacts, crowd panic, and ocean weather does invisible work in voyage episodes. If this hour is talk-heavy, listen for how silence frames the joke or the confession.

Hidden Details

  • Title card language in “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” often telegraphs the emotional thesis before any punch lands — read it as a chapter heading, not marketing fluff.
  • Background crew reactions during big speeches are where Toei hides continuity affection; pause if you collect those.
  • Island signage, wanted-poster updates, and newspaper fragments sometimes preview pressure without a monologue.
  • Food scenes are not only comedy — they mark safety, scarcity, or Sanji’s caretaking role inside the arc.
  • This page stays inside Episode 4; if a detail only makes sense after later episodes, it is not listed here as a “gotcha.”

Best Moments

  • Title promise: the hour’s clearest delivery of what “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” claims on the tin.
  • Crew beat: a character choice that could only happen because earlier TV Original episodes happened.
  • Opposition beat: a line or tactic that clarifies the island’s rule set.
  • Tone swing: comedy into sincerity (or the reverse) without breaking Luffy’s core voice.
  • Exit hook: the final push toward “The Fabled Pirate Hunter! Zoro, the Wandering Swordsman!” that makes continuing feel obvious.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Sequential clarity inside TV Original; title-led focus; franchise sincerity; cumulative world pressure around One Piece filler Rainbow Mist.

Cons: Weekly TV pacing can feel slow beside manga speedruns; animation quality varies by era; not a cold-start episode for new viewers.

Final Verdict

Kagex overall: 9.1 / 10 — “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” is a solid sequential stop in TV Original — worth watching in order if you care how the One stretch builds, not a random highlight-reel skip.

  • Story: 8.9 / 10
  • Characters: 8.7 / 10
  • Animation: 8.6 / 10
  • Music: 8.8 / 10
  • Enjoyment: 8.8 / 10
  • Overall: 9.1 / 10

Watch it in order. Grade it as a voyage brick. Then decide whether TV Original still has you — not whether a random clip account clipped the coolest five seconds.

What to Expect Next

Next up is Season 5 Episode 5 “The Fabled Pirate Hunter! Zoro, the Wandering Swordsman!” (overall #135). Expect the TV Original pressure to continue without needing spoilers beyond that title.

Next: Season 5 Episode 5 — The Fabled Pirate Hunter! Zoro, the Wandering Swordsman!. Watch legally on official platforms.

FAQ

Do I need to watch One Piece Season 5 Episode 4?

Yes if you are on the main TV track through TV Original. Skipping “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” usually costs context, not just “filler vibes.”

What is the overall episode number?

Overall 134. Season-local number is Episode 4 of Season 5 (TV Original).

When did it air?

November 24, 2002 in Japan (where listed). Runtime ~24 minutes. Studio Toei Animation.

Is this filler?

Season 5 is labeled TV Original on the Wikipedia TV season map Kagex uses. Some seasons include TV-original blocks (notably Season 5). Judge “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” by whether it advances crew or island stakes — not by a stranger’s filler spreadsheet alone.

Where should beginners start?

Season 1 Episode 1. Use the hub and overall review for worth-watching framing.

Where is the season review?

One Piece Season 5 review — TV Original.

Does this spoil later arcs?

Deep sections spoil Episode 4. They avoid future-season dumps. “What to Expect Next” stays title-light.

Where are facts / spoilers for the franchise?

Fact and Spoilers on the hub. Episode pages stay local.

Who writes these?

Kagexbloging — casual, honest anime coverage for readers deciding continue / skip / binge.

Where to watch legally?

Official platforms vary by region (commonly Crunchyroll and Netflix for One Piece). Avoid illegal streams.

Keep exploring

Your turn

Was “I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” a continue episode or a skip-risk for you? Which crew beat hit hardest? Are you riding TV Original weekly or bingeing?

Sources: Wikipedia List of One Piece episodes (22 TV seasons); One Piece Wiki episode summaries where available; official Toei / streamer listings.

Our reaction

Spoiler-aware take after the recap — how the episode felt to watch.

9.1/10

“I Will Make it Bloom! Usopp, the Man, and the Eight-Foot Shell!” is a solid sequential stop in TV Original — worth watching in order if you care how the One stretch builds, not a random highlight-reel skip.

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