Luffy refuses to fight back initially, recognizing Bellamy as a friend, yet he is forced to act to stop Bellamy from destroying himself.
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.
This episode is widely regarded for its emotional weight, parallel scenes to earlier chapters, and high-stakes setup for the final confrontation between Luffy and Doflamingo. 1. The Tragic Rematch: Luffy vs. Bellamy one piece episode 720
As Luffy and his crew navigate the island, they stumble upon a shocking revelation about Doflamingo's past. The episode sheds light on how Doflamingo became the ruthless and cunning pirate he is today, driven by a desire for power and revenge.
The Straw Hats receive news that the alliance needs to move to Zou to reunite with the separated crew members (Nami, Chopper, Brook, and Momonosuke). However, before they can leave, they are intercepted by the Marine Admiral Fujitora. In a twist, Fujitora deliberately rolls a dice to decide whether to capture Luffy; it lands on a number that spares him, showcasing Fujitora's "luck" and his internal moral stance against the Shichibukai system. Luffy refuses to fight back initially, recognizing Bellamy
One Piece episode 720 tugs at the heartstrings as Luffy and his crew come to terms with the weight of their own Will of D. The episode explores the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of one's convictions.
In conclusion, Episode 720 is the "slow burn" of the Dressrosa arc. It is frustrating by design, melancholic on purpose. It reminds us that in One Piece , true strength isn’t just the ability to punch a Warlord into the bedrock; it is the resilience to ring a bell for freedom when your own people have already branded you a demon. By focusing on Riku’s failure to be the perfect king, Oda (and Toei) crafted an episode that isn't about winning back a country—it’s about the lonely, humiliating, and ultimately heroic act of refusing to let despair have the last word, even when no one is listening. The King of the Country of Evil’s Moment of Truth
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.