Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 8 - Onigashima)

[.access timeco.]

She has been in 3 arcs. Pedro was last arc and this arc isn't over. What has been passed up? A lot of the reasoning here doesn't take into consideration that the 3rd arc isn't over and her mentor just died last arc.

Yeah, man. "If" is a conditional conjunction. "IF" Oda doesn't take the chance to work on her now, the 3rd arc, the arc that isn't over, IF the 3rd arc is over and Oda doesn't take the opportunity to use it in her benefit when everything surrounding her points at her, THEN there is no reason to believe he will bother to do it when nothing is.

The original post you replied to was entirely based on exposing a current situation where such thing can happen (on this 3rd arc. Before it is over).

[MasterKingJC]

She's yelling at Luffy in the exact same manners Nami would? thus behaving like Nami.

The mad-nami face is just for extra points.

I'm starting to think you're trolling now. Grasping at the thinnest of straws.

[Cockycent]

Yeah, man. "If" is a conditional conjunction. "IF" Oda doesn't take the chance to work on her now, the 3rd arc, the arc that isn't over, IF the 3rd arc is over and Oda doesn't take the opportunity to use it in her benefit when everything surrounding her points at her, THEN there is no reason to believe he will bother to do it when nothing is.

The original post you replied to was entirely based on exposing a current situation where such thing can happen (on this 3rd arc. Before it is over).

So, we're both working on "ifs", but you're acting as "if" what you're saying is more credible. Actual crewmates have established bonds with strangers and they had never left their village before. That is Usopp. So, if Carrot has been "passed up" and you can't expound on how Usopp was capable of what you say is less likely, then that point isn't sound. Hence why I replied.

Carrot is still possible when it comes to joining. If her lacking of a dream is a point against her, i've agreed with that for a long time. Not having a connection later on because everyone she can possibly know is from Zou is incorrect. Usopp has met a newer character. Pedro, Neko and Inu have been outside of Zou and possibly made connections. Should I rule out that their relationships as pirates can't come back to Carrot?

[Monquito]

But the main implication with the connections, is that flashbacks don't happen out of thin air but they happen where certain connections are around.

Zou had literally all of Carrot's friends in it, WCI had Pedro and Wano has all of her warrior comrades, still a flashback hasn't happened yet.

Nami, Robin and Jinbro had theirs as soon as we arrived to places that contained these connections, everyone else had theirs right in the spot.

So either way she joins here just because and gets that fb in another arc that also might explain why she didnt get one already.
Or is left behind.

[electricmastro]

I definitely feel Yamato’s introduction set up the potential for her character to be expanded and developed into someone who’s confident enough to pursue dreams and adventurous life beyond her past and be a passionate, supporting friend to Luffy and his dream as well.

[Cockycent]

@monquiyo
If Carrot gets another flashback and still no clear dream, that still wouldn't clinch it for me. Maybe for you, it's the moment to anticipate, but I still would question the chance. I need to see more of a declaration mentally of a dream. A flashback is just a bases for a foundation. The dream that shows other interest beyond their group and circumstance sticks out more than anything.

[PKRolling456]

@monquiyo
If Carrot gets another flashback and still no clear dream, that still wouldn't clinch it for me. Maybe for you, it's the moment to anticipate, but I still would question the chance. I need to see more of a declaration mentally of a dream. A flashback is just a bases for a foundation. The dream that shows other interest beyond their group and circumstance sticks out more than anything.

Flashbacks are important though. They provide a deeper look at a character's past, showing us their motivations and how they've grown over time. It gives us a better understanding of a character which goes a long way in building interest in that character. Carrot so far hasn't gotten that kind of exposition and I feel it's one of her biggest problems. I would also dispute the notion that her experiences in WCI were an effective substitute for a flashback.

[Cockycent]

Flashbacks are important though. They provide a deeper look at a character's past, showing us their motivations and how they've grown over time. It gives us a better understanding of a character which goes a long way in building interest in that character. Carrot so far hasn't gotten that kind of exposition and I feel it's one of her biggest problems. I would also dispute the notion that her experiences in WCI were an effective substitute for a flashback.

I disagree. Dreams are more important in the case of being a SH nakama. Many characters get a flashback. Not all become nakama. What their specific dream says more than a flashback. I understand how important a flashback is. It's just not as important as as dream. She can have a flashback and still just be a notable ally. Her dream says more about her character's direction.

[Shift]

Okay, we've got some chess piece action this week. Shinobu is escorting Momo off the board for the moment, and Luffy sent Yamato to join them. The Straw Hats are missing Usopp and Chopper, who said they were on their way there, and Zoro. But of their allies, the only notable ones left in the hall are Hyo and Carrot.

There's no telling if any of them are gonna stick around, or if they'll all have a chance to regroup before they split off again for individual fights. I kinda wonder if they'll all take down BM as a group effort. Anything could happen, of course. But Carrot's still there, in prime position for her moment.

I don't intend to act like I know what Oda is thinking, but I honestly think this Sulong extravaganza might be the final chance for Carrot.

First we have the problem of Carrot's backstory and own plot. So far she got a flashback of less than a page that seemed to cover everything there was to be shown and didn't left any hook for later. The fact she never left Zou means she has almost zero chances of meeting an acquaintance in the following arcs to prompt a flashback or anything that can expand on what we know about her and allow personal side-plots.
Second we have the Luffy problem. So far he seems to not have been impressed in the slightest about her and they lack any meaningful moment/scene.

The collective Sulong could address both of those problems. It involves pretty much everyone Carrot knows fighting for their lives and about to meet onslaught, so it is the perfect (and possibly last) opportunity to put her in a scene that can relate to her on a personal level and possibly even trigger a future flashback. Luffy also voiced his will to leave the dome (where every other character is) and go there, plus Carrot has the perfect means to get him there since the access is a hole in a ceiling like 50 meters tall (so perfect for her jumping ability).
So it provides an excuse to isolate Carrot and Luffy from the rest of the cast, an excuse for Carrot to showcase her abilities to him (since Luffy missed pretty much every single of her moments), and all of that while placing both of them in a dramatic situation that can relate to her on a personal level.


If Oda really wants to develop Carrot into one of the main characters, this scene has the potential to cover for all her shortcomings at once. But at the same time, if he doesn't take this perfect opportunity to develop her, I think the message is more than clear. It is really now or never as I see it.

While I can't say I agreed that this is the last chance, I do think you've come up with an excellent scenario for Carrot to show off her skills to help Luffy. That's what I'm expecting to happen at some point: her going Sulong in front of him and displaying some of that prowess. I would still hope that she does something impactful as normal Carrot first.

[TheGarc]

I think people shouldn't expect a big flashback for Carrot. The most I am expecting is another flashback about Pedro training her in Sulong, telling her about his dreams and adventures and how this might have inspired her. I can see this happening during a big moment like the expected confrontation with Perosperos but it won't be longer than a single chapter.

The fact is that her life in Zou was pretty peaceful. Major events in her life only started happening a few weeks ago. This doesn't decrease her chances of joining at all. A lot of people want a cabin boy/girl to join the crew but the main problem is always that they are children and too weak to protect themselves. Carrot has combat training and can hold her own. At the same time she could be this inexperienced crewmember when it comes to sailing on a ship and exploring the world. A good parallel to Jinbei who has the most experience out of everyone else in the crew.

[RobinotX]

People say Carrot isn't special within the Minks...

But she is the only Mink that is part of Inurashi Musketeers and is trained by Pedro who is part of the Guardians which are under Nekomamushi. She is the only Musketeer wearing Green.
Carrot has a link both with Inurashi and Nekomamushi which were part of the Pirate King crew at some point. She lost her mentor who wants to help the Straw Hats to bring the Dawn of the World. The Mink already have been shown to be quite focussed on others with the whole point of saving Raizo.

In that sense there quite some boxes checked on her behalf already. Also when the Big Mom pirates found out that The Straw Hats invaded Whole Cake Island. They bumped Carrot in as a Straw Hats with a self drawn bounty.

[King Cannon]

In that sense there quite some boxes checked on her behalf already. Also when the Big Mom pirates found out that The Straw Hats invaded Whole Cake Island. They bumped Carrot in as a Straw Hats with a self drawn bounty.

To be fair, they did the same for Pedro, who was presented alongside Brook as the "remaining two Straw Hats".

You can't have your Carrot cake and eat it too.

[Deicide]

While I’m on the camp of “only Jinbe is Joining in this arc”, I’d say Carrot’s chances are way higher than Yamato’s.

[wolfwood]

Feels a tiny bit weird that Carrot is the only happy go luck mink when the rest of her species is going into an avenge our fallen bloodlust. Like i get that she is on the protect Momo patrol, but you'd like to see just a little spark in her eyes about paying back the attempted genocide of her race and by extension family

[Zhenja]

They bumped Carrot in as a Straw Hats with a self drawn bounty.

They bumped her with them because they all were intruders, and they knew they belonged together, everything else would've been stupid.
It's the same with Luffy calling her name on the ship while holding back Katakuri, would've been stupid if he had called everyone but her.

Take it for what it is and not what you would like it to be.

[theackwardstation]

Feels a tiny bit weird that Carrot is the only happy go luck mink when the rest of her species is going into an avenge our fallen bloodlust. Like i get that she is on the protect Momo patrol, but you'd like to see just a little spark in her eyes about paying back the attempted genocide of her race and by extension family

I don't get it, honestly. The minks were not targeting Jack here in Onigashima. Instead, he introduced himself to them by going to the roof.

But if we're not talking about Jack and targeting revenge against the Beast Pirates as a whole, then I should say that everybody in this raid is doing it, including Carrot. The only thing that changes is who fights who.

[Jabra]

Nothing is overly noteworthy about Carrot, except one thing that is (almost) never brought up:

She's a woman and she understands "cool things".


I don't think she will join, but this is really an extraordinary combination no matter how you look at it. Sometimes I wonder if Carrot is the product of the fanmail from angry female readers who obviously do understand "cool things" - and thus dislike that stereotype a lot.

Maybe she's even designed by one of Oda's daughters or so. It wouldn't surprise me.

[Daz]

I find it curious that in this recent spat of Carrot debate, no one is really talking about how she is presented in the actual current chapters. Because unlike for most of Wano, now she has moved from Present in a general sense, as in somewhere on the island to actually present at the current focus of action.
Now, I’ve gone on record several times lamenting the decrease in crewmember spotlighting in this arc, but even compared to the actual crewmembers Carrots focus comes off as anemic. She’s been pretty much relegated to be an accessory to Nami, reacting or acting alongside her. Its not just that she shows up on 1 panel in the most recent chapter I’m not sure theres been a single case in this raid of a panel dedicated entirely to her, or even a panel where shes highlighted as the main focus? I pretty much mainly remember her being in the background as Nami has been in the foreground.
Now again, its not like all the other Straw Hats have been getting exposure left and right, but even currently-off-screen Jinbe and Robin got some highlight panels that showed of them specifically in fun ways.
For the last while I’ve not posted here because I felt arguing storytelling shortcomings of Carrot as a crewmember felt stupid considering how much I criticize Odas recent storytelling choices, but now we’ve seen not only a slight uptick in Straw hat exposure, but even that Oda can still do extended exposure for a new character, in the form of Yamato.
Hence: From the POV of Carrot supposedly being the Next Big Thing you’d really think she’d be highlighted more, even on a level comparable to the existing crewmembers.

[RobinotX]

To be fair, they did the same for Pedro, who was presented alongside Brook as the "remaining two Straw Hats".

You can't have your Carrot cake and eat it too.

Pedro would have joined as well but sadly died . Give me my cake back.

[Robby]

In that sense there quite some boxes checked on her behalf already. Also when the Big Mom pirates found out that The Straw Hats invaded Whole Cake Island. They bumped Carrot in as a Straw Hats with a self drawn bounty.

Strawhat allies are constantly lumped in with them. Like Paulie was counted among the Strawhats in Water 7 for instance. Because the characters, and Oda, aren't going to constantly say "The strawhats... and friends." They consistently get lumped together unless its multiple equal sized groups.

Similarly, Oda doesn't seem to count Stronger s a Blackbeard pirate, but he doesn't go "The Blackbeard pirates... and their horse." Narrative shorthand.