Chapter 902: End Roll

[AmalaNetwork]

@Icefae:

I think the reason that Pudding and Katakuri didn't find solidarity their mutual torment is because of the tough facades they both put up to protect themselves from being hurt. What makes Brulee and Katakuri's moment in this chapter so special is specifically because it's such a rare occurrence in Totland.

@MrBits:

Still, their insecurities have different nuances behind them. Pudding saw her eye as a sign that she was a "hideous monster," and Katakuri saw his mouth as a "weakness." They're different enough that I can understand why they wouldn't bond over it.

Good points.

Still, it is strange, that Katakuri either develops that "deformed face" complex because of Brulee, despite not having it before (or she just made it much worse). Her having same "deformed face" issues of her own makes it even stranger. The fact that all three of them couldn't bond over this "we have weird faces in the world where almost nobody looks like a human being" just feels like forced drama.

But that brother-sister moment in the last chapter was very sweet, even if it had rather shabby foundation.

[Icefae]

I admit it does take some suspension of disbelief that Pudding would feel so bad about her third eye when she has to look at Opera, a fucking weirdo sludge monster skulking around the chateau every day. Although if this is the only life that they've known because they're part of such a dysfunctional family, it's not like they have any idea of what "normal" is. All they really know for sure is that something is wrong with the way that they look.

If Oda doesn't have any more plans for Katakuri and Pudding until some final climax years from now, it would be super cute to have a short cover story where they bond over their admiration of the Straw Hats. I'm not sure if they've ever even spoken to each other.

[theackwardstation]

@AmalaNetwork:

In this particular case, that is exactly what I'm talking about. There is no logical explanation. Logically, Strawhats should have been destroyed right there and then. Frenzied Linlin can't be an unstoppable country destroying monster and be nerfed to the point of not being able to break through defensive Chooper at the same time. When I read that chapter, I clearly saw all out-of-universe reasons why that sequence played exactly as it did. It is plot armor, and it does ruin immersion a little.

I don't think there's a lack of logic in that scene, just things playing out in a convenient manner, but understandably so. Not only for the obvious reason that the main cast won't die, but Oda had prepared the grounds on which the Strawhats were able to defend themselves, not something out of nowhere. Big Mom was out of her mind, lacking focus on them as enemies, and the Strawhats had already learned the means to interact with her powers. Even if that scene is extremely over the top, Oda handled the execution very nicely to make it convincing to me. Even the jokes were very clever and appropriate. Honestly, that chapter gave me back a feeling that I hadn't felt for ages in shonen mangas regarding action scenes. More importantly, we got a little taste of what's a Yonkou.

It shouldn't be that unsubtle. I can write like this and get away with it. When author with 20+ years of experience does that, questions are asked. I'm not bashing Oda, but he should be better at hiding inner workings of his story. I know he is better than this. But I also know that any fictional story constantly evolves during the process of realization, and it's hard to choose best ideas. Especially if you are always under a deadline.

If I may talk of my experience reading One Piece, it's one of the series that I always felt like there was an author behind the scenes. And I like it. It's similar to a friend telling you a great story and you see how much he's manipulating it to be the most amazing story ever. That's fine because it suits the tone of One Piece very well and because Oda tells good stories, with nice themes, nice emotional moments, many surprises, some great characters, a lot of creativity. Not only that, but, honestly, the presentation is not that stripped down to its inner workings, since most of it finds its place very nicely, regardless of how over the top it is, even if you know why things play out the way they are.

Overall, I think WCI does a better job at hiding its inner workings than many past arcs so loved by the fandom. I wasn't around during some of them to read how people were reacting at the time, but sometimes I'm surprised by the brutal scrutinity people use to overanalyze the plot contrivances of the New World as if Oda suddenly changed.

Chapter 902 Katakuri is not the same person, as chaper 873 Katakuri. Might as well call him Dogtooth, because he directly contradicts himself. Are you telling me that pragmatic guy, who said "we should destroy Luffy before he becomes a threat" turning into someone who is happy Luffy escaped, is a smooth and consistent character development? Only because Luffy didn't laugh at him? This guy, who apparently loves his siblings so much, he woved to never lie down on his back for their sake, develops a bro-crush on a person, who with his underlings helped to try and kill his mother, ripped his brother's arm off, sent other brother to hospital, beaten and kidnapped his favorite sister etc.

In my opinion, Oda's treatment to Katakuri was one of the most subtle writing he's ever done. Maybe I read too much into things, but in those almost 20 chapters of fight you can clearly see his transformation through dialogue and his attitude towards Luffy and his own self, also giving the reader all the right tools to interpretate why he's changing. Of course, that's something you'll see (or not) when you reread this fight, so I don't think I have the power to convince you right now when so much was already said by the community.

And no, it's not because Luffy didn't laugh at him. That's not really important. Katakuri was a guy that was carrying too much of a burden to be the perfect man (suffocating his own pleasures) while supporting stupid ideas of what it means to be perfect, like "it's embarrasing to fall in combat and get up again". However, little by little, Luffy's resilience to get up and keep on fighting and then getting better and better was impressing Katakuri, who was completely perplexed by the fact that the lights in Luffy's eyes wouldn't go out. Katakuri was disturbed, even more so because Luffy was fighting him willingly, since he could have escaped of the Mirrorworld before if he wanted to. In this context, Kataruki started respecting Luffy as an actual challenge to him (physically and emotionally) instead of the weakling he thought he was facing at the beginning of the battle. That was the first time Katakuri was enjoying himself in battle against an worthy opponent and Flampé's invasion even made him give up his facade of being socially perfect.

That's why we have a bro-crush.

Btw, if he was this caring of an older brother, how in the world Pudding grew up so lonely and bitter? They have literally same issues. Katakuri couldn't find the time in 20 years to talk with his little sis? Does he only care about Brulee?

There's little we know about the individual relationships between the siblings inside the family. There are more than 80 children born generations apart, living in different islands of Totland, so we don't know how much each of them knows each others problems. That's fine, even more so because Pudding was keeping her pain inside herself instead of being an emo girl.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Icefae:

If Oda doesn't have any more plans for Katakuri and Pudding until some final climax years from now, it would be super cute to have a short cover story where they bond over their admiration of the Straw Hats. I'm not sure if they've ever even spoken to each other.

Pudding and Katakuri will be the downfall of the Big Mom Pirates, that's what I think.

[AmalaNetwork]

@theackwardstation:

I don't think there's a lack of logic in that scene, just things playing out in a convenient manner, but understandably so. Not only for the obvious reason that the main cast won't die, but Oda had prepared the grounds on which the Strawhats were able to defend themselves, not something out of nowhere.

Exactly. It's so obvious and makes so much sense from the writer POV, that it's actually removes most of the tension. And I disagree about "out of nowhere" bit. It's not that SH are strong enough to repel Yonkou now, it's her who is brought down to manageable level, because she apparently gets weaker during her frenzy, which wasn't foreshadowed. It is logical development, but so obviously introduced just to make that encounter manageable, it becomes kinda "in your face".
Just like Cracker having 1 HP, btw.

I guess, it's just boils down to whether or not we actually want to see storyteller and his tools IN the story, and that's very subjective. It's good that you are able to enjoy it, even if you see tropes. Not saying I'm not enjoying, but more fridge logic there is, less immersive it becomes.

That's not really important. Katakuri was a guy that was carrying too much of a burden to be the perfect man (suffocating his own pleasures) while supporting stupid ideas of what it means to be perfect, like "it's embarrasing to fall in combat and get up again". However, little by little, Luffy's resilience to get up and keep on fighting and then getting better and better was impressing Katakuri, who was completely perplexed by the fact that the lights in Luffy's eyes wouldn't go out. Katakuri was disturbed, even more so because Luffy was fighting him willingly, since he could have escaped of the Mirrorworld before if he wanted to. In this context, Kataruki started respecting Luffy as an actual challenge to him (physically and emotionally) instead of the weakling he thought he was facing at the beginning of the battle. That was the first time Katakuri was enjoying himself in battle against an worthy opponent and Flampé's invasion even made him give up his facade of being socially perfect.

That is a very good explanation, ruined by the fact that in the end it turns out Katakuri wasn't doing his perfect facade for himself. Knowing that, bonding with an enemy, who harms those very people he is going to such absurd lenghs for (even that's just Brulee) just raises more questions.

[theackwardstation]

@AmalaNetwork:

Exactly. It's so obvious and makes so much sense from the writer POV, that it's actually removes most of the tension. And I disagree about "out of nowhere" bit. It's not that SH are strong enough to repel Yonkou now, it's her who is brought down to manageable level, because she apparently gets weaker during her frenzy, which wasn't foreshadowed. It is logical development, but so obviously introduced just to make that encounter manageable, it becomes kinda "in your face".
Just like Cracker having 1 HP, btw.

I don't see Big Mom necessarily being physically weaker in that rampage, but rather intellectualy confused. That's what got her there. The only scene where we can contest her strenght is when Chopper used Guard Point to defend Nami, but then I must argue that Mama was only trying to grab Nami, not punching her down. Overall, her whole portrayal was fierce and she took no damage from powerful attacks.

About fake tension, that's a reality in One Piece and a detriment to the series to some extent, but that's something I got used to a long time ago. What I found out is that it didn't affect me too much because I still enjoyed reading the battle moments for its dynamics, the comedy, the drawings, the creative solutions. Anyway, despite my appreciation, whenever an arc in OP reaches the time for battles, that's what I call "the bureaucratic part", so I chill down because I know I won't feel the taste of danger. The only thing I hope to see is a good execution and creative solutions… and WCI excelled in this department in many scenes, like Jimbe surfing the tsunami, Carrot breaking the healms of Daifuku's fleet, this whole chapter fighting against Big Mom... the only lame moment was Wadatsumi's switcharoo, just because of the deceitful cliffhanger.

I guess, it's just boils down to whether or not we actually want to see storyteller and his tools IN the story, and that's very subjective. It's good that you are able to enjoy it, even if you see tropes. Not saying I'm not enjoying, but more fridge logic there is, less immersive it becomes.

That sums it up, although Oda does a beautiful job drawing these scenes to make them work for me.

That is a very good explanation, ruined by the fact that in the end it turns out Katakuri wasn't doing his perfect facade for himself. Knowing that, bonding with an enemy, who harms those very people he is going to such absurd lenghs for (even that's just Brulee) just raises more questions.

I don't see that as a contradiction, but rather as a complexity. He understands that Luffy is an opponent, but he respects the boy for who he is. That's fine, even more so because Katakuri did fight untill collapsing. In the end, Katakuri can even see himself in Luffy since the boy was only protecting his friends just as Katakuri was protecting his siblings, afterall Big Mom herself was the one to start that conflict by kidnapping Sanji. On the other side of the battle, Luffy also respected Katakuri despite being an enemy that was putting his crew in danger, so Luffy even went out of his way to put a hat on top of Katakuri's mouth at the of the fight.

I'd even point out that Luffy is not the man to pointlessly harm his siblings as he never abused Brûlée during the whole kidnapping.

[AmalaNetwork]

@theackwardstation:

I don't see Big Mom necessarily being physically weaker in that rampage, but rather intellectualy confused. That's what got her there. The only scene where we can contest her strenght is when Chopper used Guard Point to defend Nami, but then I must argue that Mama was only trying to grab Nami, not punching her down. Overall, her whole portrayal was fierce and she took no damage from powerful attacks.

I think that was whole point of her getting thin, because otherwise why put so much focus on it at all? We know she wasn't dying from it, because she still had enough mojo to theoretically rampage through all the islands. Besides, Jinbe threw her from the ship and got directly hit, but barely even bleed. It's doubtful those two hits would have same results, if BM was healthy and at full power.

About fake tension, that's a reality in One Piece and a detriment to the series at some extent, but that's something I got used to a long time ago. What I found out is that it didn't affect me too much because I still enjoyed reading the battle moments for the dynamics, the comedy, the drawings, the creative solutions.

I just wish Oda would tone some fake tension and forced drama down. Like, I know SH won't die. But I also know neither them nor ship would get seriously harmed either. They won't even get seriously attacked most of the time.

WCI exceeded in this department with many scenes

Oh, WCI has many good moments.

But it also has Sanji vs Luffy, Pound, Mama's squad of useless daughters, cake declarations and Wadatsumi.

I don't see that as a contradiction, but rather as a complexity. He understands that Luffy is an opponent, but he respects the boy for who he is. That's fine, even more so because Katakuri did fight untill collapsing. In the end, Katakuri can even see himself in Luffy since the boy was only protecting his friends just as Katakuri was protecting his siblings, afterall Big Mom herself was the one to start that conflict by kidnapping Sanji. On the other side, Luffy also respected Katakuri despite being an enemy that was putting his crew in danger, so Luffy went out of his way to put a hat on top of Katakuri's mouth at the of the fight.

I'd even point out that Luffy is not the man to pointlessly harm his siblings as he never abused Brûlée during the whole kidnapping.

I do see it as a contradiction of sorts, because when somebody beats up your siblings, the last thing you would think about was it pointless or not. Maybe it's wrong to try and apply this stance to fictional character, but last chapter shows: he does love at least one of his sisters. But since Luffy is such a swell guy, it's okay for him and his friends to beat and kidnap her (and then it's ok for him to have shot at Kata's mother. In not creepy way). Sister is alive and well in the end, so no harm, right? Pretty sure, IRL we would call him a hypocrite at least (and most likely terrible brother). Because what Luffy does is not really that different from what those guys did, when they gave Brulee the scar, motive wise.

Again, it was a good scene, maybe best scene in a long time IMHO, but in terms of characterisation it certainly didn't help.

[HeartOfDarkness]

@Kdom:

You see, our differences have become so high on that point that i can’t even understand your english anymore

….Actually, you're right....Even I can't understand what i wrote......

Well, that's embarrassing.

[theackwardstation]

@AmalaNetwork:

I think that was whole point of her getting thin, because otherwise why put so much focus on it at all? We know she wasn't dying from it, because she still had enough mojo to theoretically rampage through all the islands. Besides, Jinbe threw her from the ship and got directly hit, but barely even bleed. It's doubtful those two hits would have same results, if BM was healthy and at full power.

One thing Oda always likes to do is to give a visual representation of whatever a character is going through (this is a manga!), so we can see it, not only know it. Since Big Mom was hungry and her journay was to be fulfilled by a cake, why not make her thinner? Well, that's what I got from it… or, of course, she was in fact weakened. It works both ways. If she was weakened, it's pretty fine for me too, honestly. As for Jimbe, it's hard to measure his power level, being a Shichibukai and all. Of course he's way weaker than Big Mom, but how much does it take for a Yonkou to beat a Shichibukai? Is it a OHKO? Or will they brawl a little? What I can say is that Jimbe used his ultimate technique and could only push Big Mom back, all that considering that Fishmen Karate works in mysterious ways.

I do see it as a contradiction of sorts, because when somebody beats up your siblings, the last thing you would think about was it pointless or not. Maybe it's wrong to try and apply this stance to fictional character, but last chapter shows: he does love at least one of his sisters. But since Luffy is such a swell guy, it's okay for him and his friends to beat and kidnap her (and then it's ok for him to have shot at Kata's mother. In not creepy way). Sister is alive and well in the end, so no harm, right? Pretty sure, IRL we would call him a hypocrite at least (and most likely terrible brother). Because what Luffy does is not really that different from what those guys did, when they gave Brulee the scar, motive wise.

Wait, what Luffy did is very different from anything those guys did to Brûlée. Those cowards marked his sister's face for no reason other than keep bullying Katakuri. That's a different context of a war started by a third party where both sides in the fight (Luffy and Katakuri) don't have any particular malice, but just happen to be enemies by circunstance. Anything Luffy has ever done against a villain, including the BMP, is nothing more than defeat them to protect his own people. Anyway, even if Luffy was not such a swell guy, but a little devil, it's not unreasonable that Katakuri will get hooked on a respectable opponent just for his own selfish feelings of satisfaction and admiration. Brûlée is even scolding Katakuri. People are complex. As I pointed out, Katakuri is one of the reasons Pedro died and Luffy is there too respecting the guy.

That's such an old trope to become brothers in war, even after tragedies, something that I suppose is also real in our world. Humans. Hypocrites? Maybe. Or maybe the answer goes deeper. But not something that goes against a proper characterization.

[AmalaNetwork]

@theackwardstation:

One thing Oda always likes to do is to give a visual representation of whatever a character is going through (this is a manga!), so we can see it, not only know it. Since Big Mom was hungry and her journay was to be fulfilled by a cake, why not make her thinner? Well, that's what I got from it… or, of course, she was in fact weakened. It works both ways. If she was weakened, it's pretty fine for me too, honestly. As for Jimbe, it's hard to measure his power level, being a Shichibukai and all. Of course he's way weaker than Big Mom, how much does it take for a Yonkou to beat a Shichibukai. Is it a OHKO? Or will the brawl a little? What I can say is that Jimbe used his ultimate technique and could only push Big Mom back, all that considering that Fishmen Karate works in mysterious ways.

G4 didn't even make her flinch, but Jinbe did. Since Jinbe even at his ultimate can't have same attack power as G4, it's safe to say some variables did change. It's hard to say. Maybe she would be sent flying regardless, and fishman karate does bypass that iron skin. Anyway, I think we made our points on the matter perfectly clear.

Wait, what Luffy did is very different from anything those guys did to Brûlée. Those cowards marked his sister's face for no reason other than keep bullying Katakuri. That's a different context of a war started by a third party where both sides in the fight (Luffy and Katakuri) don't have any particular malice, but just happen to be enemies by circunstance. Anything Luffy has ever done against a villain, including the BMP, is nothing more than defeat them to protect his own people. Anyway, even if Luffy was not such a swell guy, but a little devil, it's not unreasonable that Katakuri will get hooked on a respectable opponent just for his own selfish feelings of satisfaction and admiration. Brûlée is even scolding Katakuri. People are complex. As I pointed out, Katakuri is one of the reasons Pedro died and Luffy is there too respecting the guy.

I just want to highlight that quote.

Anything Luffy has ever done the BMP, is nothing more than was part of the plot to kill their captain and mother to protect Germa.

And that is not nice thing to do, however you spin it. I would even say, its worse than petty street squabbles of BMP childhood.

From Katakuri POV, Luffy is an enemy, who is working with traitors. He also sent a box to his captain, which was for all intends and purposes should have exploded right in her face. Now, we can argue if some BMP have close family bonds, but they don't really like their mom, okay, that is fair. Pre-902 it was perfectly fine, we could take your explanation, and view Katakuri as some kind of noble warrior guy, who created that persona for himself, and stuck to it because of his childhood issues.

But post-902, it looks like he betrays not his mom or whole family, but that one sister he swore to protect, and sacrificed freedom to eat donuts for. Mind you, Brulee is one of most loyal children. And however complex a character he may be, those things are kind of mutually exclusive. You either devoted to your cause, or you don't. In most cases, one of battle forged rivals does make a compromise.

And if that compromise and contradiction (and little bit of hypocrisy) is what we are supposed to be seeing, then this plotline works as intended. No compaints.

[desa]

@AmalaNetwork:

That makes it even worse, because it somehow stops him from saying "Screw those guys, there's nothing wrong with your eye". Sibling love works in mysterious ways.
Also, if he has no insecurities, why is Luffy accepting him as imperfect even a plot point then?

Dogtooth is much older than Pudding so I doubt she would know about him being insecure.To her dogtooth has always been this way. She would just think he is perfect like all the other siblings did.

Brulee doesn't have some kind of shame towards her face that we know of. She just got bullied as a kid and ended with a scar.

[AmalaNetwork]

@desa:

Dogtooth is much older than Pudding so I doubt she would know about him being insecure.To her dogtooth has always been this way. She would just think he is perfect like all the other siblings did.

Brulee doesn't have some kind of shame towards her face that we know of. She just got bullied as a kid and ended with a scar.

He would tho. He probably didn't really care about anyone after first generation of children, which doesn't mesh well with whole "best brother ever" idea either.

Brulee was pretty bitter about it, when she tried to cut Nami face off.

[theackwardstation]

@AmalaNetwork:

And that is not nice thing to do, however you spin it. I would even say, its worse than petty street squabbles of BMP childhood.

From Katakuri POV, Luffy is an enemy, who is working with traitors. He also sent a box to his captain, which was for all intends and purposes should have exploded right in her face. Now, we can argue if some BMP have close family bonds, but they don't really like their mom, okay, that is fair. Pre-902 it was perfectly fine, we could take your explanation, and view Katakuri as some kind of noble warrior guy, who created that persona for himself, and stuck to it because of his childhood issues.

But post-902, it looks like he betrays not his mom or whole family, but that one sister he swore to protect, and sacrificed freedom to eat donuts for. Mind you, Brulee is one of most loyal children. And however complex a character he may be, those things are kind of mutually exclusive. You either devoted to your cause, or you don't. In most cases, one of battle forged rivals does make a compromise.

And if that compromise and contradiction (and little bit of hypocrisy) is what we are supposed to be seeing, then this plotline works as intended. No compaints.

A plot where Luffy is helping to assassinate someone is really new grounds for this series and I agree with you that this is not something nice. One could argue that Luffy didn't enter that alliance if not to accomplish his own goal of saving Germa (alongside Sanji), but that doesn't really matter once he accepts the deal regardless of how he understands his own murderous actions, and it's not like Katakuri knows that, of course (but he doesn't know about the Tamatabako Box yet, btw). So yes, Katakuri has reasons to see Luffy as an enemy… and the thing is... he does. Kinda.

What we got in chapter 902 is an emotional response from Katakuri presented through a smirk, not him blatantly supporting Luffy. That's a difference between reason and heart. In my opinion, Katakuri probably still thinks of Luffy as his enemy at the moment… and so he lies defeated on the floor. Under this perspective, his respect for Luffy didn't go beyond his own duty to protect his family, so it's pretty clear to me that he's devoted to his cause. Besides that, I must stress how much this respect was earned through 10 hours of stressful combat for very personal reasons, not something I can really relate to anything in my life to really measure the substantiation. Other than that, it's factual that every sentiment you're expecting from Katakuri towards Luffy was there at the beginning, just this problematic enemy that Katakuri had to smash without any kind of positive sentiment attached to it.

If Katakuri is happy that Luffy successfully escaped, we also must contextualize his reaction with the fact that he knows the Strawhats had little to no power to hurt his family in the process, so there's close to zero casualities on his side. As long as we're going for this route of compromises between battle forged rivals, it's an important factor that Katakuri is not losing anything that he holds dear, even if the threat was real at some point before (the wedding). And yes, I do agree that there's a healthy compromise and contradiction in this storyline.

As for the future, who knows what's coming from Katakuri. Maybe he'll think of the wedding as something in the past or maybe he'll still think of Luffy as an enemy. Honestly, I believe Katakuri will repent many of his family actions and become a new leader for many of his siblings in place of his mother/captain. His future relationship with Luffy will be born under this new context, probably becoming rivals/friends, although not really competing because Luffy will be leagues ahead in the quest of becoming Pirate King.

[BingBang]

@Blissed:

How the Zeff thing is still an issue when that was resolved by Oda months ago is beyond me…

Solved? Im Big Mom and if I see someone escaping my country and destroying my wedding the first thing I do is to kill Zeff.

[AmalaNetwork]

@theackwardstation:

A plot where Luffy is helping to assassinate someone is really new grounds for this series and I agree with you that this is not something nice. One could argue that Luffy didn't enter that alliance if not to accomplish his own goal of saving Germa (alongside Sanji), but that doesn't really matter once he accepts the deal regardless of how he understands his own murderous actions.

I actually like that. We're constantly reminded Luffy is not a hero, and then he is portrayed like perfect knight in shining armor. It was getting tiresome.
Now we're hanging out with deranged serial killers, plan asassinations etc. Like, you know, pirates.

If Katakuri is happy that Luffy successfully escaped, we also must contextualize his reaction with the fact that he knows the Strawhats had little to no power to hurt his family in the process, so there's close to zero casualities on his side. As long as we're going for this route of compromises between battle forged rivals, it's an important factor that Katakuri is not losing anything that he holds dear, even if the threat was real at some point before (the wedding). And yes, I do agree that there's a healthy compromise and contradiction in this storyline.

Screw Praline, right? (Just kidding).
I wouldn't say BMP didn't lose anything important. In terms of manpower, they lost two allied crews, some siblings, Pekoms. It's not much, but it is a loss. Also, nobody knows how Morgans is going to spin that story, so they might as well lose that aura of fear, which was stopping most people from trying to mess with them. It will not be even slightly surprising, if that comes to bite them in the ass ofscreen.

You know, it's useless to talk about the future right now, because even if we see BMP again, it will be in 4-5 years from now. That's enough time to tie up all the lose ends on paper, then burn them and start from scratch about hundred times. I'm positive, whatever happens to them will barely resemble whatever Oda plans right now. Thats why I don't really want to look at WCI in context of unknown future arc. It is here and now, entire thing with highs and lows.

And Katakuri is still kind of inconsistent, but maybe that was the whole point, and it's not bad in and on itself.

[theackwardstation]

@AmalaNetwork:

I actually like that. We're constantly reminded Luffy is not a hero, and then he is portrayed like perfect knight in shining armor. It was getting tiresome.
Now we're hanging out with deranged serial killers, plan asassinations etc. Like, you know, pirates.

Oh, I like it too… since they kidnapped Caesar just to take down Kaidou, lol, that was very proactive and different.

I wouldn't say BMP didn't lose anything important. In terms of manpower, they lost two allied crews, some siblings, Pekoms. It's not much, but it is a loss. Also, nobody knows how Morgans is going to spin that story, so they might as well lose that aura of fear, which was stopping most people from trying to mess with them. It will not be even slightly surprising, if that comes to bite them in the ass ofscreen.

Ah, I don't mean that the BMP are not losing moral and strenght… just that Katakuri knew that the Strawhats wouldn't be able to jeopardize his siblings' lives at Cocoa Town since they were too busy being overwhelmed themselves. And in fact he's happy by news that actually didn't mention any casualties.

You know, it's useless to talk about the future right now, because even if we see BMP again, it will be in 4-5 years from now. That's enough time to tie up all the lose ends on paper, then burn them and start from scratch about hundred times. I'm positive, whatever happens to them will barely resemble whatever Oda plans right now. Thats why I don't really want to look at WCI in context of unknown future arc. It is here and now, entire thing with highs and lows.

There's a strong theory going around that Big Mom may go to Wano right now, so there's that. But if her next arc will happen only after Kaidou, I agree with you that Oda probably doesn't have a detailed plan for her follow up. That doesn't mean, though, that he doesn't have an overview of how some central aspects of that conflict should play out, since he has already sinalized many connections with Elbaf and some characters still have a role to play (like Pudding waking up to the powers of her third eye). I believe the BMP will be nerfed in the future, the reason being the events that happened in WCI, especially how many siblings are rebelling or terrified (or in love with the Strawhats, lol).

[AmalaNetwork]

@theackwardstation:

There's a strong theory going around that Big Mom may go to Wano right now.

Yeah, that's not happening. Although it would have been a bold move. Like cutting to Reverie just after cliffhanger, and we know how that one went.

[Razh]

Not sure what would be the point of setting up Elbaf with BM's backstory just to have her tail SH to Wano. And I don't see her appearing both at Wano and Elbaf. So not sure what's so strong about that theory.

[Long John Silvers Rayleigh]

@BingBang:

Solved? Im Big Mom and if I see someone escaping my country and destroying my wedding the first thing I do is to kill Zeff.

IMO the implicit threat was Baron Tamago and the information network pulling the strings and big mom doesnt even know about zeff that well. If he refused to go, they bring it up to her and she sends enough guys to kill him but otherwise she isnt that involved. In that case why would she act out on them instead of luffy for messing things up. You're thinking she's a lot more sadistic, when her anger is more simple-minded, she probably doesnt give a shit about zeff anymore, if she ever did, and now just wants to de-soul luffy. Shes petty if you refuse her but shes short tempered enough to not hold this as a grudge vs sanji because luffy pissed her off way more

[Sirxxx]

@Blissed:

Not sure why you equated my post with his, was merely asking for further clarification.

Just for the part where I stated my original point. In a way, I guess I was saying it would've been interesting if Sanji had developed…something...because of his altered lineage, since the story and the entire arc went out of its way to point out that he has an altered lineage that comes with certain enhancements.

@theackwardstation:

Many of these decisions seem very delibarate and many of them I appreciate, honestly. Every closure related to the Vinsmokes (most of your list) was handled with maturity by Oda, in my opinion, something that I respect for this ackward situation. Btw, the Germa staying behind while the Strawhats do nothing was set up back in chapter 870, when Sanji accepted their resolve to do as they want.

Overall, the majority of your complaints are against Oda's decisions for the character, not the execution itself. What I mean is: it's not that "the pay offs didn't get you", but some of them just weren't supposed to be climatic in the first place.

That is correct. The execution, even if it wasn't flawless, was good. More importantly, it is what it is at this point–we have to accept it to continue reading. The things I listed as missed opportunities were never intended to culminate in anything that meets my definition of climactic (as evidenced by the fact that none of them did). I was just lamenting the fact that so many of them didn't.

While I respect your feelings, I'm invested in how these decisions made the whole arc very organic and brought such a bittersweet finale. Overall, Sanji is taking the burden for the fact that the Strawhats were powerless against the BMP, which means they left this arc without accomplishing much. As for Sanji's feats, he saved his family back in the wedding, settled their differences, got the girl (Pudding) and baked a cake that did enough to save the crew against a Yonkou that was supposed to be up at the end of the arc for this creepy finale.

Ahh, see here's where we share a difference of opinion, as I don't believe that the decisions the story made served to develop Sanji or the plot organically. That's why I'm so fixated on the missed opportunities in the arc–I'm looking for more justification for what I just read, because I'm dissatisfied with the justifications that the story's given us. When I look at how Sanji seemed to have such a shaky motivation to leave his crew in the first place, such a passive role in his own arc, and only whimpers of resolutions to a lot of what had been established by the story, I have a hard time looking at all of those story beats I mentioned originally and NOT wondering why so little of it played out in a way that would make Sanji look stronger at the conclusion of the arc. As it stands, I still don't think he has changed much, as a fighter, chef, character, or Strawhat.

Execution-wise, I was mostly disappointed by chapter 856 because it failed to be this big cathartic moment to have me crying over such a reconciliation. However, while that chapter alone will never be really fulfilling to me, I'm really hopeful that Oda didn't put an end to this story and we'll see more of Sanji having to conquer his way back to the crew.

Here here! I hope this isn't the end of his penance for what he just put his crew through. See, you can understand where I'm coming from, even if you don't agree. Because the way you feel about that reunion in 856, is the way I feel about all of the other ways that the arc resolved a lot of things it did with Sanji.

@Icefae:

I think the reason that Pudding and Katakuri didn't find solidarity their mutual torment is because of the tough facades they both put up to protect themselves from being hurt. What makes Brulee and Katakuri's moment in this chapter so special is specifically because it's such a rare occurrence in Totland.

I was left with the impression that Pudding's tough façade was for herself, while Katakuri's tough façade was for his family. It was nice to see that the bullying experienced on Totland was consistent all the way from Katakuri's generation to Pudding's.

[uniaka ikuzakas]

Anyway, with one of the straw hats in BM's hands (jimbe) can't BM just tell luffy to return or else she will send his head in a box? Since that is how BM rolls, sends a gift if you don't show up. Fk Jeff and going back all the way to baratie to get him.

[Ukimix]

@Sirxxx:

I was left with the impression that Pudding's tough façade was for herself, while Katakuri's tough façade was for his family. It was nice to see that the bullying experienced on Totland was consistent all the way from Katakuri's generation to Pudding's.

Most likely Pudding's facade is also for her 'new' family. It's hard not to think she erased Sanji's memories to protect him. Not only because she loves him, but because she's very popular now among the BM pirates.

Now how erasing his memories protects Sanji? I'd like to know it. Just a hunch.

[BattleFranky69]

@theackwardstation:

lol, of course One Piece has battles and I enjoy them. The mistake is to think that Oda is stuck with fights as the only thing he can do to highlight a character. Another proof of that is how Sanji was one of the lead characters of WCI and didn't get one.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

The major resolution happened in chapter 870 when they settled their differeces and moved on not acknowledging themsleves as family anymore. I think that makes sense as an ending to them, very adult-like way of dealing with problems, although not the most exciting thing ever. The thing is... the prideful Germa has put on their shoulders the duty of protecting the Strawhats because they were saved during the wedding and, according to Sanji, "that's their resolve".

This very chapter 902 excplicits that Germa was there to help the Strawhats, not to take revenge on Big Mom. That said, I wouldn't say the Vinsmokes have changed, because they're acting out of pride. But I'll give them the benefit of being shaken, as we can see by Judge's last words to Luffy in chapter 899.

Judge didn't learn a lesson, though. He proved his intransigence. That's why I considered it unresolved. It doesn't feel like a victory that Sanji proved he was better than them, a victory would have felt like they did change or at least suffer such a blow to their pride that even keeping up a pretense would have been impossible. But you can't have everything, and there was a hell of a lot else we didn't get out of this arc.

[Big Black Hole]

@AmalaNetwork:

Yeah, that's not happening. Although it would have been a bold move. Like cutting to Reverie just after cliffhanger, and we know how that one went.

That would really be so unusual and against what Oda usually does, that I seriously doubt it. Oda usually likes his arcs (with few exceptions) to be self-contained and even though he has made exceptions in the New World in how he uses some characters for other arcs, Wano already seems to be so filled plus the resolution to this arc clearly seems to be in Elbaf.

We had the Big Mom Pirates play a role at Fishman island, Dressrosa, Zou, here and likely in Elbaf. I feel it would actually be a plus to explicitly NOT have them present at Wano.

Also if Big Mom in a way helps or benefits Kaido it would undermine the "Supernova Rookies have to work hard to go to the top"-theme Oda clearly has in mind especially for Luffy and Kid. If she's an antagonist, how will he explain the underdogs defeating TWO emperors? I mean we're going to need the Strawhats, Kid Alliance, Whitebeard Pirates, Mink, Samurai and Ninja just to defeat Kaido. If Big Mom is almost kaido's equal (which she must be, or else the Yonko title would be meaningless) we would likely need the some amlunt of allies AGAIN for her. How ODa gets this done even in an over 100 chapter arc is beyond me.

[theackwardstation]

@Sirxxx:

Ahh, see here's where we share a difference of opinion, as I don't believe that the decisions the story made served to develop Sanji or the plot organically. That's why I'm so fixated on the missed opportunities in the arc–I'm looking for more justification for what I just read, because I'm dissatisfied with the justifications that the story's given us. When I look at how Sanji seemed to have such a shaky motivation to leave his crew in the first place, such a passive role in his own arc, and only whimpers of resolutions to a lot of what had been established by the story, I have a hard time looking at all of those story beats I mentioned originally and NOT wondering why so little of it played out in a way that would make Sanji look stronger at the conclusion of the arc. As it stands, I still don't think he has changed much, as a fighter, chef, character, or Strawhat.

Just to make clearer something I've that said before but didn't communicate very well, what I meant by "the plot being organic" is that no Strawhat (besides Luffy) did anything above their own abilities to defeat the Big Mom Pirates. Many of them had their time to shine (and I'd include Sanji), but their feats are very low-key in impact on their enemies, and that's what led to such a bittersweet ending. At the end of the day, WCI is also a story about how the Strawhats are no match for the Yonkou… so this feature spills over into Sanji, setting up the limits under which he was allowed to have his comeback. Many of the feats Oda could have written for Sanji would disrupt this perception of the crew being overwhelmed or would be just embarassing for the BMP. All things considered, Sanji did many cool things throughout the arc, but he was not in the position to save the day.

As for Sanji personal arc in WCI, I wouldn't say he was developed, at least not in the traditional sense of the concept in literature, although Oda has set the pieces to make him develop in the future if that's in the plans. However, I think it's impossible to say that his character was not explored and given more depht, as many analysis about the subject have pointed out, so my perception of his character changed yes. Even more, I'd say that Sanji also changed as a Strawhat too... it all depends on what's going to happen next. My belief is that the subject will be brought back at Wano and he'll have to redeem himself for having beat up Luffy.

As a chef Sanji did get a feat above anything else he's ever done, so that's cool. As a fighter, I guess he didn't show anything concrete, but that'll come.

Here here! I hope this isn't the end of his penance for what he just put his crew through. See, you can understand where I'm coming from, even if you don't agree. Because the way you feel about that reunion in 856, is the way I feel about all of the other ways that the arc resolved a lot of things it did with Sanji.

Yes, it's very similar how we feel, although about different things. What I thought was weird in chapter 856 was (1) Sanji gave Luffy three reasons why he couldn't go back to the crew and Luffy only addressed the third one, (2) the lack of inspiration in the execution for such a big moment. While my second complaint is something subjective that's already in the past, my first complaint is that that scene didn't feel like a proper resolution for the amount of loose ends… so I could only take that their reconciliation will be revisited in the future, otherwise I'll always find that scene a little weird.

--- Update From New Post Merge ---

@BattleFranky69:

Judge didn't learn a lesson, though. He proved his intransigence. That's why I considered it unresolved. It doesn't feel like a victory that Sanji proved he was better than them, a victory would have felt like they did change or at least suffer such a blow to their pride that even keeping up a pretense would have been impossible. But you can't have everything, and there was a hell of a lot else we didn't get out of this arc.

Honestly, this is a matter of preference and maybe culture. I can only answer you with my own bias, so I'll tell you that the more I explore my adulthood, the more I understand that people's moral values are not easily changed, even more so when they're such a blockhead as Judge. So I was very satisfied that Oda actually gave us a conclusion on this topic in such a mature manner, when Luffy dismissed Judge's perception so that the reader can understand that you don't need to care for that man's opinions when you actually have your own better values.

Actually, many theories on how Sanji would disprove Judge's mentality wouldn't go anywhere, in my opinion. If Sanji had showed how amazingly powerful he is in front of Judge, wouldn't that just make his son shine in his father's eyes for his own moral values that only care for strenght? How does that change? The things that bother Judge are that "all he does is cook", "he doesn't have royal pride", "he puts his life in danger in order to protect the weak", "he has useless emotions", "he's unfit to be a soldier", a bunch of bullshit that's beyond anything they can show him wrong… unless we go for a really mushy conclusion that people would be complaining about how childish it was.

By the way, to be honest, Judge already knows that Sanji is a strong fighter and he's seen the Strawhat's ideology bringing them to succeed in WCI... I wouldn't be surprised if he's shaken inside as his intransigence in chapter 899 sounded very insecure to me.

[Chrior]

@uniaka:

Anyway, with one of the straw hats in BM's hands (jimbe) can't BM just tell luffy to return or else she will send his head in a box? Since that is how BM rolls, sends a gift if you don't show up. Fk Jeff and going back all the way to baratie to get him.

Jinbe will show up and join in Wano, though, which means he is not going to be captured by Big Mom. So no, she can't.

[Bond en Avant]

The more I think about it, the more I wonder.
What was the point of Big Mom snapping out of her cake-induced ecstacy? And then chasing the Strawhats?
If we needed a reason for Jinbei to stay behind, the remaining Big Mom pirates have been doing a pretty good job of chasing down the Strawhats.
If we needed the musical Soul Pocus ending, Big Mom could either still be celebrating the deliciousness of the cake, or just regain consciousness without caring to catch the Strawhats.
Clearly, a lot of us have a problem with Sanji's cake not knocking out Big Mom for a significant amount of time, so my question is why Oda thought she needed to wake up so soon.

[theackwardstation]

@Bond:

Clearly, a lot of us have a problem with Sanji's cake not knocking out Big Mom for a significant amount of time, so my question is why Oda thought she needed to wake up so soon.

Because it gives a stronger impression of her in this doomed finale if we leave the arc with her up and active. This is parcially Big Mom's arc too and Oda's setting a second conflict for the future, so her last moment still gives the vibe of villain to be beaten. It's more of a poetic decision.

[Blissed]

@Bond:

The more I think about it, the more I wonder.
What was the point of Big Mom snapping out of her cake-induced ecstacy? And then chasing the Strawhats?
If we needed a reason for Jinbei to stay behind, the remaining Big Mom pirates have been doing a pretty good job of chasing down the Strawhats.
If we needed the musical Soul Pocus ending, Big Mom could either still be celebrating the deliciousness of the cake, or just regain consciousness without caring to catch the Strawhats.
Clearly, a lot of us have a problem with Sanji's cake not knocking out Big Mom for a significant amount of time, so my question is why Oda thought she needed to wake up so soon.

Because nothing solidifies the uncertainty of how exactly Jinbe and co. make it out of this mess better than Big Mom herself being there.

[AmalaNetwork]

@Big:

We had the Big Mom Pirates play a role at Fishman island, Dressrosa, Zou, here and likely in Elbaf. I feel it would actually be a plus to explicitly NOT have them present at Wano.

And then we have Beast pirates linked to Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, Zou, Wano and whenever that Shirahoshi kidnapping is happening.
We're not getting another Enel in the New World are we? Everything will be Yonkou all the way down. This is truly the finish line.

…And now I'm depressed.

[Johnny B. Decent]

@AmalaNetwork:

And then we have Beast pirates linked to Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, Zou, Wano and whenever that Shirahoshi kidnapping is happening.
We're not getting another Enel in the New World are we? Everything will be Yonkou all the way down. This is truly the finish line.

…And now I'm depressed.

And Blackbeard, too, of course.

[AmalaNetwork]

@S.C.:

And Blackbeard, too, of course.

Well, he is a yonkou, so he counts.

[Ukimix]

@BattleFranky69:

Judge didn't learn a lesson, though. He proved his intransigence. That's why I considered it unresolved. It doesn't feel like a victory that Sanji proved he was better than them, a victory would have felt like they did change or at least suffer such a blow to their pride that even keeping up a pretense would have been impossible. But you can't have everything, and there was a hell of a lot else we didn't get out of this arc.

I wonder if it's unresolved or not. Clearly Sanji doesn't care much, with the exception of Reiju's fate. And if Judge is captured, sure he's pretty much screwed. But it'd be a cruel destiny for Reiju if sh'e killed by BM. I don't see a happy solution there.

[Johnny B. Decent]

What I would have liked to done was also have Reiju be evil and the person who saved Sanji from his life was like a clone soldier who wasn't effected by Judge's brainwashing or something. That way, BM could klill them all and we wouldn't feel bad for them.

[Sirxxx]

@theackwardstation:

[MrPecans]

@uniaka:

Anyway, with one of the straw hats in BM's hands (jimbe) can't BM just tell luffy to return or else she will send his head in a box? Since that is how BM rolls, sends a gift if you don't show up. Fk Jeff and going back all the way to baratie to get him.

I really don't think that Jinbe being in Big Mom's clutches is a certainty. The page with Life or Treat is, to me, quite inconclusive.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Chrior:

Jinbe will show up and join in Wano, though, which means he is not going to be captured by Big Mom. So no, she can't.

We don't really know that either.

[Chrior]

Well, this page makes it pretty clear what is going to happen. It's not certain, but it's as sure as we can be, in OP.

!

[fuzi11]

@Chrior:

https://imgur.com/dE3IC43Well, this page makes it pretty clear what is going to happen. It's not certain, but it's as sure as we can be, in OP.

https://imgur.com/dE3IC43https://imgur.com/dE3IC43https://imgur.com/a/uAoge0E

! https://i.imgur.com/dE3IC43.png

Once Jinbe joins Luffy will have 5 top notch S Rank infamous people in his crew

Supernova of the Worst Generation, Son of the most wanted man in the world, etc etc etc - Monkey D. Luffy,
Supernova of the Worst Generation, Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro.
The lone survivor of Ohara: Demon Child - Nico Robin
Prince of the mythical assassin family of Germa 66 - Blackleg Vinsmoke Sanji
Royal Shichibukai - Jinbei

I wonder if Franky will ever become infamous for being the apprentice of the shipright who build the Pirate King's Ship - the Oro Jackson, or for knowing the blueprints of the ancient weapon Pluton.

Will the other members Chopper, Usopp, Brook and Nami ever get as infamous as the rest?

[MrPecans]

@Chrior:

[qimg]https://imgur.com/dE3IC43[/qimg]Well, this page makes it pretty clear what is going to happen. It's not certain, but it's as sure as we can be, in OP.

[qimg]https://imgur.com/dE3IC43[/qimg][qimg]https://imgur.com/dE3IC43[/qimg][qimg]https://imgur.com/a/uAoge0E[/qimg]

! [qimg]https://i.imgur.com/dE3IC43.png[/qimg]

I think he probably will, but I want to leave for a twist.

[FelRes]

@fuzi11:

Once Jinbe joins Luffy will have 5 top notch S Rank infamous people in his crew

Supernova of the Worst Generation, Son of the most wanted man in the world, etc etc etc - Monkey D. Luffy,
Supernova of the Worst Generation, Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro.
The lone survivor of Ohara: Demon Child - Nico Robin
Prince of the mythical assassin family of Germa 66 - Blackleg Vinsmoke Sanji
Royal Shichibukai - Jinbei

I wonder if Franky will ever become infamous for being the apprentice of the shipright who build the Pirate King's Ship - the Oro Jackson, or for knowing the blueprints of the ancient weapon Pluton.

Will the other members Chopper, Usopp, Brook and Nami ever get as infamous as the rest?

I wouldn't even include Sanji with that group. His family is far more infamous than he himself is. No one bats an eye at him like they do when they see those other four. Brook is arguably more infamous seeing as he's a popular musician who suddenly went pirate in his last concert, at least that's how the public would see it. I could see Usopp getting up there cuz Usopp.

[RamistaR]

Sorry to be the 100th person asking…. is there a chapter this week ?

[GolD.Ace22]

Gol D. en Week
=D

[fuzi11]

@FelRes:

I wouldn't even include Sanji with that group. His family is far more infamous than he himself is. No one bats an eye at him like they do when they see those other four. Brook is arguably more infamous seeing as he's a popular musician who suddenly went pirate in his last concert, at least that's how the public would see it. I could see Usopp getting up there cuz Usopp.

I was actually hesitant at first to put Sanji in there, but I feel like the name alone should be enough. it's the same with ace. no one really cared about him until they learned the truth about his heritage.
with brook I'm not sure. being a rogue popular musician wouldn't really scare anyone.

and future usopp is obviously god usopp the great whose name alone shatters the hearts and the courage of everyone who hear it

[Knaxern]

Probably break for three weeks now.

[theackwardstation]

@Sirxxx:

Thanks for the clarification! Your definition of organic makes sense as explained, and giving the Strawhats more…subtle...achievements in the arc makes sense in this context. I copied the bolded part in particular, because it bears repeating: BUT THE CAAAAAAKKKKEEEE THOUGH!!! T_T T_T T_T

Defeat by cake was a feat that ONLY Sanji could accomplish that would have fit in organically with the story that would have saved the day both for his crew and the BMP and wouldn't have embarrassed them and WHHHHHY ODA, WHY! :cwy:

And yes, that reunion was very poorly executed. But I think that's more because the set-up for this crew desertion was so weak in the first place. I'm not sure if there was anyway to salvage it for such a longtime crewmember like Sanji.

Oh, I was all in that situation, really taking into heart everything that had happened before the reconciliation. Even if overthinking the set up could lead to some questions regarding the persuasiveness of Oda's writing, there was enough to convince me even now. Of course this whole plot only exists for dramatic reasons, but that's the best reason to write a story haha, otherwise there's no current emotional connection, only us following a story because of it grabbed us years ago. Obviously, if the plot is too forced, it can break the illusion and feel artificial… but it worked for me in many scenes.

But sniffle if he…cooked a sniff...cake that was so good......snort...that it could incapacitate Big fssshh Mom...when none of them could do it fffssh fffssh through strength alone...

You know what, I'm just gonna take this Golden Week off to try to get over the cake thing. The wound is still too fresh right now...

...Great point on not having Sanji "prove" himself to his father and family using THEIR criteria and values! I just wish the story didn't go so far in making Sanji look bad/incapable in front of them either, strength-wise. He was beaten by his father, beaten and bullied by his brothers, and ultimately had to be saved by his siblings as they jeered him all the way.

In my understandment of the story, Sanji's "out of character" moments (according to many), when he decided to beat up Luffy and refused to come back to the crew, were also justified by his emotional state at that point, not only because of the shackles that were holding him (Zeff, fake cuffs, yadda yadda). As we read the first part of WCI, we see how Sanji progressively goes from his usual cocky nature (always challenging his family) to a more depressed one (reserved and resigned) due to the constant abuses he was suffering from his family, maybe making him regress to his past self. So I understand why it was important to make Sanji go through all that humiliation.

[AlphaMale]

@theackwardstation:

One Piece is a shonen manga that focuses so little on fights… come on! It's hard to say that's what matters in this series.

For example, since the time skip, did we get a proper fight for any Strawhat besides Luffy? Even Zoro only got duels against opponents way below his level for a proper shonen. And when the other Strawhats get fights (if they get), the approach is much more comical than challenging and serious. Not only that, but I stress that many "hype fights" happened offscreen and some others are shown only in little teasing bits. And this policy is not exclusive to the New World, because even during the Paradise, we've had multiple instances in which the third strongest crew member (Sanji) only got fights a long time after the previous one… weird! And what about the weaker crew members? Barely any fights at all. So WCI is only another proof on the matter. Even Luffy vs Katakuri became this spectacle of character development for the anatagonist as a person more than a fighter.

So yeah, truth is that Oda focuses much more on storytelling and doing new shit that he thinks are cool. And the cake falls in this category, like it or not. Sanji is the cook, so he got a cooking feat. Sanji inhirited the principle of feeding any hungry person from his true father Zeff, so he bakes a cake for the enemy in an arc centered around Sanji's relationship with family. Totland is all about food, so we got a big fat wedding cake to end the arc. The parallels are endless. That's One Piece for better or worse.

And let's not talk about predictability, because it's also very predictable that a protagonist will win any 1v1 in One Piece when it happens.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

That's nice to hear! :)

One Piece is a shonen manga that focuses so little on fights LOL
we got a timeskip so that straw hat pirates don't job too much on fights , and now you said the focus on fights is little?

I never said storytelling is not a main factor in OP , but saying the actions are just small part of it , is just ridiculous .

It's even more predictable for Sanji to make a good cake for Big Mom , that guy never had any problems with food.

[theackwardstation]

@AlphaMale:

One Piece is a shonen manga that focuses so little on fights LOL
we got a timeskip so that straw hat pirates don't job too much on fights , and now you said the focus on fights is little?

I never said storytelling is not a main factor in OP , but saying the actions are just small part of it , is just ridiculous .

It's even more predictable for Sanji to make a good cake for Big Mom , that guy never had any problems with food.

Fighting is something implicit in One Piece since being the Pirate King is a showdown of power, but it's pretty clear how much less fights we're getting over time in Oda's storytelling… not to mention all the arguments I've made that you haven't addressed. The undeniable fact is that Oda wrote a Year of Sanji without giving Sanji a single fight... so the readers should at least acknowldge that fights are not a priority for Oda when writing One Piece, for better of worse.

[Razh]

Yeah I think it's more like Oda has too many characters, plots and subplots to be able to draw much fighting.

Monster trio, a bad guy, couple of lieutenants, easy. But with 10+ potential fighters on each side it's becoming increasingly difficult to focus on everyone.

So we're getting more of everything, but less of everything at the same time.

Couldn't care less about OP without fighting in it.

[AlphaMale]

@theackwardstation:

Fighting is something implicit in One Piece since being the Pirate King is a showdown of power, but it's pretty clear how much less fights we're getting over time in Oda's storytelling… not to mention all the arguments I've made that you haven't addressed. The undeniable fact is that Oda wrote a Year of Sanji without giving Sanji a single fight... so the readers should at least acknowldge that fights are not a priority for Oda when writing One Piece, for better of worse.

implicit ? Lol what are you talking about . The hype on this fight is the four emperor , admirals , shicibukai.
OP fans are built from the actions and power hype . Do you realize how there are many people on this forum getting excited over good fights and the hype of strong people?
Also , you must know how there are many critism about Oda's work after timeskip , which also coincidentally began when the fights were decreasing .

Don't forget that recently Oda just kept on recycling the previous arcs : country rescuing arc or damsel in distress arc . So much for storytelling.

[firelord111]

I like fights in one piece cause people do creative attacks and actions which makes it fun to watch if oda can't make fights like that between characters I rather the characters not to fight