Yeah I believe I stopped right around there in the anime, granted I kinda spoiled myself by reading the description of Thriller Bark and White Beard War Arc along time ago, although my memories really really vague about it (surprisingly) It's a good thing cause now I'll get to see and remember how these events go down.
Btw I'm catching up on One Piece through the manga and I just finished the Water Seven Saga which means Enies Lobby is out of the way. Man though Robin's backstory like holy kitten I kept staring at the screen for like 5-10 minutes each chapter of the flashback, I also loved the way it ended with Luffy's grandpa briefly appearing and I was so confused at first when they mentioned Dragon but then they explained it and I just found it hilarious like Luffy, Luffy Luffy the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Also the tension between Luffy and Usopp when it came to the Going Merry like Holy kitten!! Even the stuff with Franky left me really intriguied too. I don't think I've said it before, but what I'm also liking about Oda is that he makes these side stories in the chapter covers (at least most of them) within the arcs, it's really creative.
I'll probably start reading Thriller Bark probably on saturday, got a kitten ton of stuff to take care of tomorrow. Based on the first volume cover for Thriller Bark I get a good feeling it's going to deal with Brook (considering I know through watching Strong World and Film Z).
Yeah, Robins past was really done well, it was incredibly sad. Oda does a great job with back stories, Brook is another example. Hell, I'm this arc alone, Oda has told the stories of 3 side characters (that he's just introduced this arc) and made them deeper characters than some of the main cast in Naruto. The appearance of Garp was hilarious, and I flipped when I learned about Dragon. Luffys the son of one of the strongest in the world, my god XD
I hated Usopp for the things he said to Luffy. He was completely in the wrong for that. As a part of the story, that subplot was great, but it made usopp look like such a tool. I love the little cover stories!
Your feeling isn't wrong!!!