Episode 734 is 100% canon. Do not skip it.
Admiral Fujitora, the blind swordsman of the Marines, stands atop a ruined wall. Despite his allegiance to the World Government, he refuses to stop the Straw Hats. In a striking scene, he uses his gravity powers to lift the rubble of the town, trying to slow the Birdcage's descent. But even an Admiral admits defeat; the strings are unbreakable—even by him. This moment solidifies Doflamingo’s power. If a Marine Admiral cannot cut the strings, who can?
That was the moment Episode 734 became legendary.
that occur in the following episodes, such as Admiral Fujitora's surprising public apology? Episode 734 | One Piece Wiki | Fandom One Piece Episode 734
It was not the silence of fear. It was the silence of a held breath being released.
A wave of silence swept over Dressrosa.
The order came from a one-legged soldier, Kyros, whose wife had been turned to stone and whose body had been a toy for a decade. His voice was gravel and grief. Episode 734 is 100% canon
Fans often debate the animation quality of One Piece post-Time Skip. Episode 734 is a mixed bag. The early scenes involving the Birdcage use heavy CGI for the strings and the collapsing city, which can feel jarring compared to the traditional 2D character art. However, the direction by Toshinori Fukazawa (known for dynamic action cuts) redeems the technical limitations.
As Luffy needs time to recover his Haki to deliver the final blow, the citizens of Dressrosa must act as a shield. This is a terrifying proposition—they are ordinary people facing a Warlord of the Sea. However, the episode beautifully portrays the ripple effect of hope. Usopp, utilizing his sniping skills and his newly acquired observation Haki, directs the citizens to push the Birdcage back.
Reviewers from sites like Anime News Network and Reddit generally consider this a high-impact, emotional transition episode. Despite his allegiance to the World Government, he
The newly freed gladiators did not scatter. They did not cry for long. They charged .
Then comes the "Descent of the Falcon." Zoro sheathes his swords, closes his eyes, and enters a state of Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) to sense the "breath" of the strings. When he unleashes his attack—a secret technique—he does not cut through the cage, but rather creates a massive dent, buying the country ten more minutes of life.