Critics and fans alike praised the episode's art style, noting that the animation and color palette used during the flashbacks were "great and beautiful," successfully evoking the classic "One Piece feels". The contrast between the bright, beautiful landscapes of Dressrosa and the underlying tragedy of its people is a recurring highlight of this arc.

“Poor Rebecca, the fact that she's still going through her ordeal says a lot about her character.” Reddit · r/OnePiece · 11 years ago

The episode masterfully transitions from the chaos of the Corrida Coliseum to a series of flashbacks that humanize the hated gladiator, Rebecca:

: The "Thunder Soldier" steps in to fill the void left by Scarlet. The bond between them is beautifully depicted, as he protects her, teaches her to fight, and even acts as a protective father figure.