Man you are all depressing people. Like 20 posts of "opening song is terrible." What do you people want? I thought it was pretty okay! Such criticism, such hate, such downers, the lot of you. Why can't we just love One Piece when it comes to us, why must there be such hurtful analysis.
Personally I think the new eyecatch is great, just because it's new. That's what I was looking forward to the most in this episode, so much has changed and the mechanics of the show would have to change because of it. New op, new eyecatch, changed Roger intro, new appearances for the whole cast, new new new!!!!! After 500 episodes I am fuckin READY. I don't care what is changed, I trust the dude behind it, change away.
I think the timeskip is actually kinda interesting, cause it gives Oda an opportunity to rebalance the crew as a unit. They were built piecemeal over so many years, now after the gap he can think "what aesthetic are we missing, what can be tweaked, how can this crew be more cohesive." The art style has evolved as time has gone on, and the Straw Hats were all so "normal" looking, this was a chance to make them even weirder, like all those rookies. Make Franky huge, give brooke a ridiculous outfit, etc. Bring them up to par with the overall aesthetic as it has evolved. They were some of the last holdovers, really.