, titled " The First Obstacle? Giant Whale Laboon Appears ," marks a major milestone as the Straw Hat Pirates officially enter the Grand Line . Episode Overview
In a panic, the crew fires a cannon at the whale, which has no effect. Luffy, however, punches the whale's eye. Laboon responds by swallowing the Going Merry and the rest of the crew. One Piece Episode 62
While the crew is inside the whale, they discover its stomach has been modified to look like a giant outdoor setting with a house on a small island. Here, they meet Crocus , a mysterious old man who lives inside the whale. , titled " The First Obstacle
The appearance of Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday is the first hint of the Baroque Works organization, which serves as the primary antagonist group for the next several arcs. Luffy, however, punches the whale's eye
The whale isn't just an obstacle; it has a tragic history involving a group of pirates who promised to return to it decades ago.
This episode kicks off the and introduces several long-term elements:
After surviving the treacherous descent down Reverse Mountain, the crew’s celebration is short-lived when they are suddenly confronted by a massive wall of blue—which turns out to be the eye of a colossal island-sized whale named .