Ok. It was clear from the spoilers onwards that this week would be the biggest "shitstorm" week in a looong while.
While I'm not the biggest fan of the two main events that are throwing people into fits of rage, honestly? I think they sounded soooooo much worse on the spoilers than what we actually got. Also, the chapter once again was much more focused than people are making it out to be (75% was Luffy/Violet/Toy Soldier in one go, and we can even add Zoro 2 page scene to that and round it up to 80% of the chapter), and, again like last chapter, the last two jumps were used to tie-in the end-of-chapter scene of Usopp running away.
Still, the way people are flipping their shit is quite absurd in some cases. So, let's do this?
First, Robin's toy transformation. Now, it all comes down to frustration, created mostly by our desires that she gets a 1 on 1 after a long and grueling walk on the desert for her on that aspect. I, too, am quite bummed by her turning into a toy. But now, expectations aside, was that something so out of this world to happen?
1- Once a power like this, with the chance of making your allies forget about you, exist and is in the hands of your enemy. . .it's basically written in the Holy Book of Shonen that one (or many) of the main characters will have a taste of it. So, a Strawhat crew member HAD to be turned into a toy. Sorry, it's in the book.
The only SH's in the same area as Sugar were Usopp and Robin, so it was a 50/50 chance. Sucks to be Robin, but hey, it happened.
2- Robin actually acted and tried to do shit on her own the best way she can: trying to grapple Sugar to submission. This, somehow, infuriated many people. These gentleman here took care of it, so I'll quote them accordingly:
@MDL:
Wait, people think Robin was stupid for what she did?
Excuse me, but i seem to remember a lot of people suggesting that she try this method IN THE FIRST PLACE.
You were saying things like "Couldn't she just use her powers to temporarily restrain Sugar?" and "C'mon Robin, utilize that power of yours!"
And now that the method was tried, and failed, you backtrack and call the idea stupid? I must be missing something here .___.
@wolfwood:
You are of course assuming that Sugar is weak enough to be knocked out by one punch.
Or that she won't use her superior speed to tap a gigant fist that's striking at her.
Going giant is so not the way to deal with someone who can insta-kill grapplers.
I get the frustration of Robin being turned into a toy. Admit, though, that people got their hopes TOO DAMNED HIGH, and everyone was 100% sure Robin was going to manhandle Trébol. It didn't happen that way so frustration kicks in and we call her stupid and that "it was out of character". Sorry, but that's not exactly how it works.
Actually, one of the things I was surprised about that weren't on the spoilers is that Robin actualy took action, and, seeing how Sugar can out-speed a pack of super-sonic dwarves with her hands, submission attack from behind isn't that stupid an action, isn't it? Also, now we learned Sugar can only use her hands to turn people into toys, not all her body. That's also something new we learned today.
Now, another thing that really surprised is the massive amount of people doubting that Zoro even attempted to go for the clearly visible, GIANT head. Hmmm. . .really? I mean, I don't know, considering he's fighting a man who's FREAKING ASSIMILATED WITH THE WHOLE CASTLE, I'm quite certain Pica at least knows how to move his head around and dodge slashes, but maybe that's just me?
No, not just me:
@Psycrow:
For Zoro, shouldn't he try attacking the head before he asks that?
@wolfwood:
He probably did. From his panting one could surmise that he's been at it a few slashes.
Now, finally, Usopp's situation. . .well. The execution for the last couple of chapters has been so obnoxiously OBVIOUS on Oda's part, that he wants to set another character moment for him in vein with past events (vs. Chuu, for example).
Also, that Usopp has a split personality was quite evident during his fight with Perona. The motherfucker was scared outta his ass and he braved out when he talked with himself, doing a Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Sogeking scene that was quite creepy. Oda hasn't played on that again, so that was left there as a stand alone, spooky, boy-you-need-psychoanalysis thingie. What if Oda wants to make it a thing with Usopp? We'll see, it's a possibility. Or not.
As for the encore:
@DollarScholar:
I dont know what to think about this "Kyros vs Doflamingo" thing. I dont want him to steal luffys thunder here. Luffy vs DD is a fight that im super pumped for. I donjt want Toy Soldier to butt in and steal the glory.
I sincerely wouldn't worry too much about it? You honestly think Kyros will steal Dofla from Luffy? And Luffy will fight. . .Gladius? Lao G?. . .Hakuba?
No, sorry, but Kyros situation is going to be either: Scenario A- Kyros fights Dofla and Worfes like crazy, or my personal choice, Scenario B- Kyros Worfes Lao G/Buffalo/Gl(r)adius to prove he's not push-over and can handle even one of Dofla's dear family members, then gets Worfed by Dofla like crazy.
Choose your poison.