At first glance, the episode focuses on Riku Doldo III, the former king of Dressrosa, as he desperately rings the Golden Bell to signal a rebellion against Doflamingo. But the "heroic elegy" of the title is ironic. This is not a triumphant rallying cry; it is the sound of a broken man trying to reclaim a hope he no longer fully believes in. The episode’s genius lies in its refusal to glorify Riku’s actions. Instead, it forces the viewer to sit in his humiliation.
Comparatively, Episode 720 offers a dark mirror to the series’ usual themes of inherited will. Where Luffy inspires unconditional loyalty, Riku inspires conditional skepticism. Where Luffy’s selfishness is framed as freedom, Riku’s selflessness is framed as incompetence. The episode dares to ask: what happens when the people don’t believe in their hero? The answer is a slow, agonizing trudge toward a bell that might never ring loud enough. one piece episode 720
The animation style serves this mood perfectly. The colors are washed out, the shadows are long, and the sound design is deliberately sparse. The clang of the bell is harsh, metallic, and lonely—not the triumphant brass of a victory fanfare. When Riku finally strikes the bell, the episode denies us catharsis. The shot lingers on his weathered face, sweat and tears indistinguishable, as he whispers not a command, but a plea. It is a profoundly un-shonen moment: a climax built on exhaustion rather than adrenaline. At first glance, the episode focuses on Riku
In the sprawling tapestry of One Piece , episodes often blend explosive action with profound character moments. Yet, Episode 720, titled “The Bell Rings a Heroic Elegy! The King of the Country of Evil’s Moment of Truth!” , stands as a peculiar and fascinating anomaly. Sandwiched between the relentless gears of the Dressrosa arc’s climax, this episode is less about rubbery punches and more about the suffocating weight of a crown. It is a masterclass in atmospheric dread and a crucial, if uncomfortable, deconstruction of what it truly means to be a king. The episode’s genius lies in its refusal to