August 19, 2026 · 15 min read · Episode guide · Episode 109 · Kagex Blog

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One Piece Episode 737 Review — The Birth of the Legend! The

Anime hub: One Piece · Dressrosa

Contains spoilers for this episode.

One Piece Season 17 Episode 109 The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo! official promotional art
Official promotional art. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

Kagex rating: 7.9 / 10

Episode: Season 17 · Episode 109 — “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” (overall #737)

Air date: April 17, 2016 · Runtime: ~24 minutes · Studio: Toei Animation

One Piece Season 17 Episode 109 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” is overall TV episode 737, sitting inside the Dressrosa 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 17 Episode 108 — Sending a Shock Wave! The Worst Generation Goes Into Action! · Season: Dressrosa 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. “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” is one of those bricks inside Dressrosa — the Wikipedia/TV season that covers overall episodes 629–746.

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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!,” and what does it actually change?

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

Quick Information

  • Anime: One Piece
  • Season / Episode: Season 17 (Dressrosa), Episode 109
  • Overall TV number: 737
  • English title: The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!
  • Runtime: ~24 minutes
  • Studio: Toei Animation
  • Original air date: April 17, 2016
  • Arc keywords: Dressrosa Doflamingo Colosseum
  • Kagex score: 7.9 / 10
  • Where to watch legally: Crunchyroll / Netflix / region-dependent official platforms
One Piece official banner art for Season 17 Episode 109
Official banner art. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

Should You Watch It?

Yes if you are watching One Piece in order through Dressrosa. Skipping “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” 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 #737 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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!.” Fight-only skim culture will underrate quieter setup inside Dressrosa. 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 17 Episode 109 (“The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!”) 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 #737. Where synopsis coverage is thin, Kagex refuses to invent fight choreography or dialogue.

Ordinary Voyage

thumb|210px|left|The Straw Hats and other fighters resting at Kyros’s house. On a hill in Carta lies Kyros’ house, where Kyros, the Straw Hats, Law, Kin’emon, Kanjuro, and Bellamy rest and recover from their injuries. Kyros explains why he lives here and offers the group anything they may need, and Kin’emon asks why Bellamy is with them, to which Law replies that Luffy knows him so he brought him along. Kyros, Usopp, and Law fall asleep from exhaustion, and the door of the house begins opening. Zoro tenses up at the intrusion, but the person entering turns out to be Sabo, who throws Zoro a drink. If you are bingeing for payoff, notice what information the episode forces the Straw Hats (or their opponents) to accept before the credits. Watching “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” in order matters because Dressrosa, Doflamingo, Colosseum context from earlier Dressrosa episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

Unexpected Incident

Robin happily greets him as Zoro asks how she knows him to which she introduces Sabo as Luffy’s brother which surprises Franky and Zoro. Sabo approaches Luffy, and Robin goes to wake him up, but Sabo states that she does not need to do that. Franky asks if he is leaving soon, which Sabo affirms, revealing that CP0 is heading for them. The Straw Hats prepare to leave soon as well, but wonder why Luffy never told them about having another brother. If you are bingeing for payoff, notice what information the episode forces the Straw Hats (or their opponents) to accept before the credits. Watching “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” in order matters because Dressrosa, Doflamingo, Colosseum context from earlier Dressrosa episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

New Pressure

Sabo reveals that he was presumed deceased for a long time after getting into an accident. Twelve years ago, in Goa Kingdom, a ten-year-old Sabo asked about the country’s plan to set fire to Gray Terminal. However, he was shocked to receive callous remarks about a plan that would kill many people. If you are bingeing for payoff, notice what information the episode forces the Straw Hats (or their opponents) to accept before the credits. Watching “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” in order matters because Dressrosa, Doflamingo, Colosseum context from earlier Dressrosa episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

First Discovery

Sabo ran to warn Ace and Luffy, but he ended up beaten and lying in an alleyway. He was approached by Monkey D. Dragon, and told the mysterious man about his contempt for the town and his status. If you are bingeing for payoff, notice what information the episode forces the Straw Hats (or their opponents) to accept before the credits. Watching “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” in order matters because Dressrosa, Doflamingo, Colosseum context from earlier Dressrosa episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

Important Encounter

Feeling trapped, Sabo decided to set out to sea, but encountered a ship much larger than his small vessel. The large ship contained the World Noble Jalmack, who shot Sabo’s ship with a bazooka due to it crossing his path. If you are bingeing for payoff, notice what information the episode forces the Straw Hats (or their opponents) to accept before the credits. Watching “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” in order matters because Dressrosa, Doflamingo, Colosseum context from earlier Dressrosa episodes is assumed, not re-explained from zero.

One Piece key visual relevant to Season 17
Official key visual. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

Story Analysis

“The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” works or fails based on how clearly it advances Dressrosa. 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 109 of Season 17 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 Dressrosa, the recurring keywords — Dressrosa Doflamingo Colosseum — 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 #737 sits between “Sending a Shock Wave! The Worst Generation Goes Into Action!” and “The Brothers’ Bond! The Untold Story Behind Luffy and Sabo’s Reunion!”. 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 Dressrosa finally detonates, earlier “small” hours become receipts. “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” 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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!,” 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

Dressrosa 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 — “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” — 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 Dressrosa Doflamingo Colosseum, 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 17
Promo art. © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha / Toei Animation

World Building

World rules visible in Season 17 Episode 109 stay local: how this island’s weather, government, Devil Fruit oddity, or cultural taboo constrains the crew. Dressrosa is the container; “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” is one room inside it.

One Piece lore is famous for long payoffs, but this page will not smuggle future reveals into Episode 109. 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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” 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 17 (Dressrosa) should be judged against its own production moment, not against a theatrical film.

For “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!,” 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 8.1 / 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 8.3 / 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, “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” 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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” 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 109; 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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” claims on the tin.
  • Crew beat: a character choice that could only happen because earlier Dressrosa 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 Brothers’ Bond! The Untold Story Behind Luffy and Sabo’s Reunion!” that makes continuing feel obvious.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Sequential clarity inside Dressrosa; title-led focus; franchise sincerity; cumulative world pressure around Dressrosa Doflamingo Colosseum.

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: 7.9 / 10 — “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” is a solid sequential stop in Dressrosa — worth watching in order if you care how the Dressrosa stretch builds, not a random highlight-reel skip.

  • Story: 8.0 / 10
  • Characters: 8.0 / 10
  • Animation: 8.1 / 10
  • Music: 8.3 / 10
  • Enjoyment: 8.0 / 10
  • Overall: 7.9 / 10

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

What to Expect Next

Next up is Season 17 Episode 110 “The Brothers’ Bond! The Untold Story Behind Luffy and Sabo’s Reunion!” (overall #738). Expect the Dressrosa pressure to continue without needing spoilers beyond that title.

Next: Season 17 Episode 110 — The Brothers’ Bond! The Untold Story Behind Luffy and Sabo’s Reunion!. Watch legally on official platforms.

FAQ

Do I need to watch One Piece Season 17 Episode 109?

Yes if you are on the main TV track through Dressrosa. Skipping “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” usually costs context, not just “filler vibes.”

What is the overall episode number?

Overall 737. Season-local number is Episode 109 of Season 17 (Dressrosa).

When did it air?

April 17, 2016 in Japan (where listed). Runtime ~24 minutes. Studio Toei Animation.

Is this filler?

Season 17 is labeled Dressrosa on the Wikipedia TV season map Kagex uses. Some seasons include TV-original blocks (notably Season 5). Judge “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” 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 17 review — Dressrosa.

Does this spoil later arcs?

Deep sections spoil Episode 109. 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 “The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” a continue episode or a skip-risk for you? Which crew beat hit hardest? Are you riding Dressrosa 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.

7.9/10

“The Birth of the Legend! The Adventures of the Revolutionary Warrior Sabo!” is a solid sequential stop in Dressrosa — worth watching in order if you care how the Dressrosa stretch builds, not a random highlight-reel skip.

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