Yamato is just an absolute knucklehead.
Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 8 - Onigashima)
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@Cyan:
"lol just go live on mountains when the sea level rises", ladies and gentlemen we have solved climate change
Isn't that just the adult timeline of Legend of Zelda?
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Just like we know the Ancient Weapons have power to destroy whole islands,
We don't know that.
We know they're destructive. But we also know now that one of them is a mermaid princess that summons sea kings. Destructive, a threat to the world absolutely, particularly one that's mostly ocean, but not something that can just sink an island off the map entirely.
And we know the second one, for whatever its design specs are, was a boat that existed in blueprints that Franky hasn't seen fit to replicate.
We've seen big explosions and huge AOEs like with Blackbeard's fruit or the buster call or Enel's lightning ball or WHitebeards shakes or Aikanu's magma fists. Things that are absolutely destructive and could cause countless casualties be a threat. You could wipe an island clean with those attacks.
And obviously whatever the end series threat is, it will scale up bigger than those because escalation. But nothing has even remotely approached "erase an actual island of rock" let alone "break a literal continent in half " levels of destruction.
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We don't know that.
Pluton was said as capable of wiping out whole islands, and Poseidon's power was described as able to sink islands.
You can say those are exagerations of the actual truth, but you can't say the theory is baseless.
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We're officially at 10 chapters without a sign of Carrot, and now there is no excuse: Oda has gone out of his way to update us on just about everybody EXCEPT her, Wanda and Perospero (and Fukurokuju, who we know is up to something). We've gotten all the Straw Hats sans those on the roof, Law's crew, Kid's crew, Momo, Yamato and Shinobu, Drake and Apoo, Marco, the Tobi Roppo, King and Jack on his way to the injured Akazaya. If Carrot's absence two chapters ago when even Bepo had a quick scene was mildly odd, her blatant disappearance here is downright insane. And I. Am. LOVING IT!!!
Some folks may have taken her disappearance to be a mark of her lack of importance, or a sign she'll ultimately fail. But Oda has seen fit to make her a constant presence among the crew, one who's even saved them on occasion. For her to be gone now in the midst of this climax isn't a sign of neglect, but of preparation. It's right in Oda's wheelhouse to hold a character back just to bring them in later for dramatic effect. She still has a foe to fight, a mentor to avenge and has yet to understand what that mentor gave up his life for. The fact Oda is waiting to show us even a hint of the outcome tells me that it's something worth waiting for.
Up to now, Carrot has been like the ocean at the beach: constant, normal, unassuming save for the occasional wave. But what happens when the water suddenly disappears from the beach? That water ain't gone: it's churning into a tsunami. And now that it's painfully obvious that's what Oda's doing, I honestly hope he holds her back a while more because when her time does come, her wave is gonna be a sight to see.
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Orā¦..the total opposite of what you said, and she's just a bench warmer for this arc.
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I respect the grind, Shift, I really do, but I don't if the absence of Carrot/Wanda is a positive thing.
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@Johnny:
Orā¦..the total opposite of what you said, and she's just a bench warmer for this arc.
I predict that she will have a 1-chapter fight with Perospero (probably alongside a batch of 1-chapter fights involving the Flying Six and anyone who isn't Kaido or a Calamity, Dressrosa-Style).
I honestly feel like Oda is completely and utterly unexcited to use her in any way, shape or form.
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Pedro's death had a grander purpose. Perospero making it to the island when he could have been left down the falls was for a reason. This has been in the works for over 100 chapters, and the payoff CAN lead to Carrot being a Straw Hat.
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I honestly feel like Oda is completely and utterly unexcited to use her in any way, shape or form.
Not exactly a character with a moveset that makes for fun fight chapters to read.
One of the many reasons she is not joining.
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Meanwhile, Yamato keeps having several pages dedicated to him, even though he's just dealing with fodder in this chapter.
Almost like if he were a main character.
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Doesn't sound like anything the story has declared needs to happen.
Laboon's whole story is a declaration of upcoming Reverse Mountain destruction tho.
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We're officially at 10 chapters without a sign of Carrot, and now there is no excuse: Oda has gone out of his way to update us on just about everybody EXCEPT her, Wanda and Perospero (and Fukurokuju, who we know is up to something). We've gotten all the Straw Hats sans those on the roof, Law's crew, Kid's crew, Momo, Yamato and Shinobu, Drake and Apoo, Marco, the Tobi Roppo, King and Jack on his way to the injured Akazaya. If Carrot's absence two chapters ago when even Bepo had a quick scene was mildly odd, her blatant disappearance here is downright insane. And I. Am. LOVING IT!!!
Actually, Hawkins has been missing for longer.
We last saw him in chapter 990. That's like, September of the last year.
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Actually, Hawkins has been missing for longer.
We last saw him in chapter 990. That's like, September of the last year.
The crew clearly needs a fortune teller.
He has been built up for about 500 chapters to join the crew to fill this job.
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@Cyan:
"lol just go live on mountains when the sea level rises", ladies and gentlemen we have solved climate change
is not to live there permanently, is just to have them temporarily safe while said changes are ocurring.
One of the most popular theories out there is that both the Reverse Mountain and Mariejoa need to reach ocean floor, but Luffy himself won't be responsible for both.
Teach will be the one taking down either of those, just for the lulz, and Luffy will be the one repairing it.
in the meantime, everyone goes to the highest places in their countries.
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@DorobÅ:
Not exactly a character with a moveset that makes for fun fight chapters to read.
One of the many reasons she is not joining.
This is a point I made earlier in thiss thread too, Sulong means Oda now has to script a full moon everytime he wants to use it (which will just get ppl pointlessly looking at moon stages in every arc), and Electro is just pure meh. Add to that how her cute moments are all basically lifted from Chopper's playbook, and how her vengeance on Perospero is likely happening in this arc too.
These are all signs that Oda is divesting from her and investing the time in Yamato instead, who has a far more interesting mythology, far more to offer in terms of crew banter and a far more engaging fighting style.
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Actually, Hawkins has been missing for longer.
We last saw him in chapter 990. That's like, September of the last year.
And we may well be due for an update on him as well, but him also going missing doesn't negate the blatant absence of an ally's fight, one that was left on a cliffhanger and has been foreshadowed for years.
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Maybe I'm naive, but I'm riding the "Chopper get's his own Su Long" ship, and if it sinks, I'll sink with it xD
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ā¦
I just don't get how you went from; Carrot will be part of 998-999-1000 because she's important, to; Carrot's missing cause she's important.
And again, no Sulong lasts 10 chapters, not even the Dukes. keep it in mind.
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These are all signs that Oda is divesting from her and investing the time in Yamato instead, who has a far more interesting mythology, far more to offer in terms of crew banter and a far more engaging fighting style.
Hard agree on everything.
And I'll still add the effort of Yamato's design is what makes them the most likely since Jinbe. Like no side character has popped out as much.
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Sounds like we are nearing the tipping point then.
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Pluton was said as capable of wiping out whole islands, and Poseidon's power was described as able to sink islands.
\I haven't done a reread of the series in a long long time, so I'll take your word for it if they actually said it with that exact phrasing. Can you point out the chapter this was stated? Official translation?
Laboon's whole story is a declaration of upcoming Reverse Mountain destruction tho.
You're just trolling now. Or you completely missed the entire point of Laboon AND Brook.
I'm done with this conversation. Ya'll can't possibly be serious.
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I still donāt see Yamato nor Carrot joining, but itās hard to deny Yamatoās hogging all the attention.
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Sounds like we are nearing the tipping point then.
Buckle up, grab a drink, and enjoy the wild ride.
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I just don't get how you went from; Carrot will be part of 998-999-1000 because she's important, to; Carrot's missing cause she's important.
And again, no Sulong lasts 10 chapters, not even the Dukes. keep it in mind.
The same way you went from Sanji will save her from Big Mom's Homies to Sanji will save her from Peros.
ā- Update From New Post Merge ---
Sounds like we are nearing the tipping point then.
No doubt about that.
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You're just trolling now. Or you completely missed the entire point of Laboon AND Brook.
I'm done with this conversation. Ya'll can't possibly be serious.
You can't just call trolling to our solid points over here, Laboon will reunite with Brook, but will also reunite with the other whales as well, Vongola_Boss_IX elaborated a good point about how the other whales are scared from ramming their head on the Red Line, and it seems to me you just blantantly ignored that one.
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Yamato and Shinobu work well together
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You can't just call trolling to our solid points over here, Laboon will reunite with Brook, but will also reunite with the other whales as well, Vongola_Boss_IX elaborated a good point about how the other whales are scared from ramming their head on the Red Line, and it seems to me you just blantantly ignored that one.
It's not a solid point. It ignores literally everything emotionally and narratively about Laboon's story to cherry pick a detail to support an bad theory.
"Laboon waited 50 years for Brook to come back from THAT direction! Oh wait, we destroyed the wall so the direction doesn't even matter now!"
The story wasn't about "the wall needs to be broken so Laboon can catch up", its that "trying to break the wall is crazy, what you actually need is hope."
If Laboon really truly needs to get over the wall, end series Luffy can stretch/bounce him up, or Jinbei can do a water spout, or Franky can build a pulley. Whatever, WITHOUT breaking a literal continent in half.
But the entire point of Laboon's story AND Brook's isn't "the whale is trapped and wants to get out" its "the two friends have been waiting 50 years to reunite and both want to uphold their original promise.."
Did you read Chopper's backstory and decide the story was actually about how all poison mushrooms need to be destroyed? Did you read Franky's and come away with the idea that Franky needed to break into Impel Down to free Tom? Did you read Nami's story and decide the the point was to to never declare adopted children are your actual children? What about Gaimon's story and his multi-year wait to get to an empty chest? Is Sanji's backstory about the fact you shouldn't eat your leg to save a child?
You can't just ignore all the emotion and narrative behind the story to pick out a random detail to decide the actual endgame of the series is to undo one character's emotional trauma.
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Oda's obviously playing with expectations by pairing Yamato to fight with Shinobu.
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It's not a solid point. It ignores literally everything emotionally and narratively about Laboon's story to cherry pick a detail to support an bad theory.
"Laboon waited 50 years for Brook to come back from THAT direction! Oh wait, we destroyed the wall so the direction doesn't even matter now!"
The story wasn't about "the wall needs to be broken so Laboon can catch up", its that "trying to break the wall is crazy, what you actually need is hope."
If Laboon really truly needs to get over the wall, end series Luffy can stretch/bounce him up, or Jinbei can do a water spout, or Franky can build a pulley. Whatever, WITHOUT breaking a literal continent in half.
But the entire point of Laboon's story AND Brook's isn't "the whale is trapped and wants to get out" its "the two friends have been waiting 50 years to reunite and both want to uphold their original promise.."
Did you read Chopper's backstory and decide the story was actually about how all poison mushrooms need to be destroyed? Did you read Franky's and come away with the idea that Franky needed to break into Impel Down to free Tom? Did you read Nami's story and decide the the point was to to never declare adopted children are your actual children? What about Gaimon's story and his multi-year wait to get to an empty chest? Is Sanji's backstory about the fact you shouldn't eat your leg to save a child?
You can't just ignore all the emotion and narrative behind the story to pick out a random detail to decide the actual endgame of the series is to undo one character's emotional trauma.
No one suggested any of that as far as I can tell. And of course Brook will have his emotional reunion with Laboon after circumnavigating the globe. And then what? They both drop dead? The point is, maybe Brook can go even further than just reuniting with Laboon - and help bring him back to his family at the very end of the series.
The point is, One Piece is about pursuit of freedom. The Red Line restricts freedom - the ocean should be able to take someone anywhere. And as long as a giant wall bisects the world, whoever controls key geographic locations will be able to control and restrict the movement of people.
The whole thing doesn't need to be taken down and submerged to connect the world's blue seas.
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@Cyan:
Destroying the Red Line is a dumbass idea that has no textual support and is largely fanfic.
Then again "dumbass idea that has no textual support and is largely fanfic" describes half the posts in this thread so that's fitting.
The other half are assholes being assholes.
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@Vongola_Boss_XI:
The whole thing doesn't need to be taken down and submerged to connect the world's blue seas.
If you only break it at one point, its the exact same stopgap as it is now, where you have to go to one exact spot to cross into the starting point, and that one spot could surely be controlled, just as it is now. The only difference would be if you do or don't have a mountain there?
Unless you destroyed a huge massive continent's worth of i0t, not just a small gap around the current entrance.
And even without that, you still have the calm belts edging the grand line, and the crazy weather patterns, and the sea kings, so travel is STILL limited to whoever had the tech and power and vivre cards and log poses to navigate those. It doesn't get any easier or safer to deal with any of that.
If the point is "unify all the seas so its easier to travel", something that's never been a major issue, you can't just put a small hole where there is already a holeā¦ you have to break down and change ALL of it.
You have to wreck a huge chunk of the red line and ALL of the grand line for it to make any real change in the world.
Except, it's NOT an issue. It's not a change anyone is asking for or something that's been made any sort of a story point. No one really complains about it, and their tech is growing past it. The oceans being separate isn't treated as a major problem, it's treated as somethign awe inspiring and wonderful and fun and even considered "paradise" for those that want to be on it. Everyone else is perfectly fine living in their safe blues without the crazy stuff. Every character that's needed to cross them has off camera with little trouble.
Heck, we haven't even had to use a log pose once in the new world. Nami got that triple bracelet and has never used it, because travel to a desired location has gotten so easy with the help of vivre cards and permanent poses.
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The other half are assholes being assholes.
While I don't believe we should make things personal, I can get behind this sentiment. Be constructive, debate in good faith, or f off into the sunset.
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@Vongola_Boss_XI:
I do think the Red Line will be broken up, but I don't think that necessarily amounts to submerging a 10km tall mountain range. I think it's more like tectonic rearrangement / making the Red Line permeable. I think both the Red Line and Grand Line may have come into being during the Void Century. There's evidence the Red Line is an aberration. We saw that the entire gam of island whales have the same scars on their nose as does Laboon, which indicates ramming against the Red Line is innate behavior - as if it isn't supposed to be there. Brook seeing Laboon again is great - but Laboon is still stranded on the opposite side of the Red Line from the rest of the island whales. Reuniting him with the others is an even more satisfying end and ties Brook's dream to the central narrative arc of the series.
The Grand Line right now serves a purpose - it's a winnowing system designed to select for the right person to discover One Piece at the right time. The only way to survive the voyage to Laugh Tale and discover One Piece is to possess enough physical fortitude to survive the voyage through a treacherous stretch of sea, and also be of noble enough character to court the favor of the ancient peoples to whom the Road Poneglyphs were entrusted as well as the Kozuki Clan who crafted them (the only ones able to decipher the Poneglyphs until the scholars of Ohara & Robin). The only way the world will change is if the person who discovers One Piece has the support of the world behind them. By necessitating a full circumnavigation of the globe, the Grand Line forces whoever seeks the end of the sea to stop and make friends / allies of those they meet, otherwise they'll never survivie. Mihawk refers to the ability to make friends / allies wherever he goes as Luffy's greatest strength.
It just so happens that he Grand Line can only be sailed in one direction because of the Calm Belts - windless seas where reside the Sea Kings, who also are tied to the ancient prophecies and the 'weapon' Poseidon. The Sea Kings are sentient creatures with vested interest in the future Pirate King helping to bring about the New Dawn.
Once the New Dawn arrives, I think the Grand Line will have served its purpose.
Another hint toward at the least some moving of continents is Oars title, "The Continent Puller." As far as I can tell there's only one continent in the One Piece world.
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Another hint toward at the least some moving of continents is Oars title, "The Continent Puller." As far as I can tell there's only one continent in the One Piece world.
Yup, that too. Plus the Five Elders and Imu reside in Pangea Castle. There's a similar symbol inside Imu's vault to the one on Oars' loincloth.
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@Vongola_Boss_XI:
Yup, that too. Plus the Five Elders and Imu reside in Pangea Castle. There's a similar symbol inside Imu's vault to the one on Oars' loincloth.
This is a bit more speculative, but I think the calm belt currents are formed through some science mumbo jumbo by (or because of) the water that flows from the 4 blues into reverse mountains. Destroying it would literally destroy the calm belt and thus the grand line.
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If you only break it at one point, its the exact same stopgap as it is now, where you have to go to one exact spot to cross into the starting point, and that one spot could surely be controlled, just as it is now. The only difference would be if you do or don't have a mountain there?
Unless you destroyed a huge massive continent's worth of i0t, not just a small gap around the current entrance.
And even without that, you still have the calm belts edging the grand line, and the crazy weather patterns, and the sea kings, so travel is STILL limited to whoever had the tech and power and vivre cards and log poses to navigate those. It doesn't get any easier or safer to deal with any of that.
If the point is "unify all the seas so its easier to travel", something that's never been a major issue, you can't just put a small hole where there is already a holeā¦ you have to break down and change ALL of it.
You have to wreck a huge chunk of the red line and ALL of the grand line for it to make any real change in the world.
Except, it's NOT an issue. It's not a change anyone is asking for or something that's been made any sort of a story point. No one really complains about it, and their tech is growing past it. The oceans being separate isn't treated as a major problem, it's treated as somethign awe inspiring and wonderful and fun and even considered "paradise" for those that want to be on it. Everyone else is perfectly fine living in their safe blues without the crazy stuff. Every character that's needed to cross them has off camera with little trouble.
Heck, we haven't even had to use a log pose once in the new world. Nami got that triple bracelet and has never used it, because travel to a desired location has gotten so easy with the help of vivre cards and permanent poses.
I think when the voyage is over, the Grand Line will have also served its purpose. What makes the Grand Line paradise isn't that it's inaccessible and dangerous - it's that people can pursue their dreams. The Grand Line just so happens to be hemmed in by the calm belts, which cannot be traversed due to the Sea Kings. We now know them to be sentient creatures waiting for the promised day. 'Surely all will go well this timeā¦'. It's as if they're protecting the Grand Line for a purpose.
'As long as people hunger for freedom, these things shall exist' - Gol D. Roger
The One Piece world has been in a dark state for a long time, likened symbolically to night, and waits for a New Dawn. The world will certainly change when Roger and Joy Boy's successor shoulders the burden of history. One Piece was left behind by Joy Boy 800 years ago for a purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled, the voyage to the end of the Grand Line won't have the same purpose. Luffy will have finally completed what Roger could not and whatever Joy Boy started.
--- Update From New Post Merge ---
This is a bit more speculative, but I think the calm belt currents are formed through some science mumbo jumbo by (or because of) the water that flows from the 4 blues into reverse mountains. Destroying it would literally destroy the calm belt and thus the grand line.
Yes, I agree - I actually made a video talking about it a few months back. I get the impression this all goes back to the war that took place in the Void Century.
My impression is that those who created the Red Line and those who created the Grand Line were diametrically opposed (I don't think it's as simple as the 20 Kings and Ancient Kingdom). As you say, he part about the Grand Line is definitely more 'out here' at the moment, but I think it makes sense. As if the Red Line was created to separate the world's seas and the Grand line was created in response as a means of preserving the key to someday fixing the world. It seems to be perfectly designed to select for the right successor - one capable of winning the favor of those who protect the Poneglyphs, scattered throughout the Grand Line, and the Kozuki Clan, the only ones capable of deciphering these writings.
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Well itās cool that Yamato is getting more screen time, staying in the plot is importantā¦... or so I thought
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I think I'll accept Yamato as a potential crew Member once we figure out their endgame here, what bond will she form with luffy and the crew and what can she add to the crew and story and how she can dial down to Oden cosplay but apply her adoration for him to her own wills and dreams plus what she'll gain from confronting her father then I'll warm up to the idea but let's see how oda plays out the story but from what I've seen I'm not getting anything out of her story and character so far that solidifies her spot in the crew.
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On the topic of Carrot, my feelings haven't changed. I still think it's unclear how long Onigashima will last. My impression is that we're still in the middle of the action phase of the story arc, so there's plenty of time left for her moment in the spotlight, but we'll see. I guess what I'm saying is, the reasons I believe Carrot will join were cemented during the Whole Cake Island arc and continued through the first act of Wano. She hasn't been in the spotlight throughout Wano, but Oda's keeping track of her and seems to be building toward a big moment for her. The way Pedro died also seems to leave her with a quest which lasts beyond Wano. I don't think she can understand what Pedro gave his life for without seeing the journey through to the end. So it may just be the way I'm approaching her character arc - it may seem odd that she has been out of the picture so often on Wano - but it still seems to me to be building to something important for her character and so I'm less concerned with what she's doing chapter to chapter within the current arc. If she has a big moment, it's really all about how things end for her as the arc finally winds down, but for now, the action is still heating up.
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It's not just you. After Whole Cake, the vast majority of people on this board (and others) assumed that she was the best candidate we'd had in the NW. Then Oda introduces Yamato out of nowhere, ties him into Ace, and has him state his assumption that he can board Luffy's ship. I've stated many times that Carrot defeating Perospero still won't teach her anything about why Pedro was willing to sacrifice himself. He put his fate and his life the SHs hands. I have an extremely hard time believing that her realization about what he meant will happen away from the SHs. It just makes more sense to have that happen while she's with the crew. Otherwise, we don't get the payoff for his sacrifice. Right now, Oda really does seem to be holding her back for a reason. During her fight, we might get another flashback or some hint about what's to come. Her character arc needs closure and I'd be very surprised if Oda ended it after avenging Pedro, but never allowing her to see why he did what he did.
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Wait how could the new crewmate discussion became a discussion about the "United Ocean" theory?
I know the poster of that theory personally so I maybe biased, but I still believe about that even after all this years haha. Maybe I could summon him here to discuss the theory with you?
On topic, I hope Yamato and Shinobu run into a named personnel of Beast Pirates, maybe Hawkins, so we finally can see what they're really capable of (mainly Yamato). That also could be the trigger of Hawkins' turn coating because he sees Kaido's child on his enemy's side
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@Vongola_Boss_XI:
On the topic of Carrot, my feelings haven't changed. I still think it's unclear how long Onigashima will last. My impression is that we're still in the middle of the action phase of the story arc, so there's plenty of time left for her moment in the spotlight, but we'll see. I guess what I'm saying is, the reasons I believe Carrot will join were cemented during the Whole Cake Island arc and continued through the first act of Wano. She hasn't been in the spotlight throughout Wano, but Oda's keeping track of her and seems to be building toward a big moment for her. The way Pedro died also seems to leave her with a quest which lasts beyond Wano. I don't think she can understand what Pedro gave his life for without seeing the journey through to the end. So it may just be the way I'm approaching her character arc - it may seem odd that she has been out of the picture so often on Wano - but it still seems to me to be building to something important for her character and so I'm less concerned with what she's doing chapter to chapter within the current arc. If she has a big moment, it's really all about how things end for her as the arc finally winds down, but for now, the action is still heating up.
It's not just you. After Whole Cake, the vast majority of people on this board (and others) assumed that she was the best candidate we'd had in the NW. Then Oda introduces Yamato out of nowhere, ties him into Ace, and has him state his assumption that he can board Luffy's ship. I've stated many times that Carrot defeating Perospero still won't teach her anything about why Pedro was willing to sacrifice himself. He put his fate and his life the SHs hands. I have an extremely hard time believing that her realization about what he meant will happen away from the SHs. It just makes more sense to have that happen while she's with the crew. Otherwise, we don't get the payoff for his sacrifice. Right now, Oda really does seem to be holding her back for a reason. During her fight, we might get another flashback or some hint about what's to come. Her character arc needs closure and I'd be very surprised if Oda ended it after avenging Pedro, but never allowing her to see why he did what he did.
But then you have to ask: why is she not being focused in that case?
Like, all of the Straw Hats have been there since the 500's, with lots of prominence ever since, then comes Carrot in the 800's, who has plenty of focus during Whole Cake but more or less vanishes through Wano. Why is that?
You can't tell me that Carrot vanishing for over 10 chapters is anything normal for a supposed main character. That's never been Oda's style. He had a good reason to keep Jinbe on the bench post Fishman Island since, as a Warlord, he would've tilted the scale a bit too much at the beginning of the New World (since the main enemy was another Warlord), but at no point was Jinbe ever not a protagonist whenever he was present He even got his own cover story to compensate a bit for his delayed joining. He rejoined 40 chapters ago and has remained a constant presence, even fighting alongside Robin, Luffy and Sanji for a few chapters.
No one is gonna question Carrot's role in Whole Cake, but it's absolutely warranted in Wano. While every Straw Hat was having their own personal adventure as expected in every arc, Carrot just remained to the side, not doing anything.
And now you want me to believe this is all intentional and part of some master plan? Carrot is not even fighting a Beast Pirate, and she's not doing by herself either since Wanda is tagging alone. This just seems moving goalposts since there were expectations that we would've seen Carrot's fight by now. And why does having a big moment mean she has to stay out of focus until it happens? As far as I'm aware, the Straw Hats always have had big moments, and without ever needing their spotlight to be sacrificed. That's more or less the case with protagonists. More focus would be particularly important for Carrot, who's been in the manga for way less time than any other Straw Hat.
Carrot if anything is reminding me a lot of Paulie. Very prominent during their first arc, but when the story moved to the important conflicts, they were completely sidelined.
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But then you have to ask: why is she not being focused in that case?
Like, all of the Straw Hats have been there since the 500's, with lots of prominence ever since, then comes Carrot in the 800's, who has plenty of focus during Whole Cake but more or less vanishes through Wano. Why is that?
You can't tell me that Carrot vanishing for over 10 chapters is anything normal for a supposed main character. That's never been Oda's style. He had a good reason to keep Jinbe on the bench post Fishman Island since, as a Warlord, he would've tilted the scale a bit too much at the beginning of the New World (since the main enemy was another Warlord), but at no point was Jinbe ever not a protagonist whenever he was present He even got his own cover story to compensate a bit for his delayed joining.. He rejoined 40 chapters ago and has remained a constant presence, even fighting alongside Luffy and Sanji for a few chapters.
No one is gonna question Carrot's role in Whole Cake, but it's absolutely warranted in Wano. While every Straw Hat was having their own personal adventure as expected in every arc, Carrot just remained to the side, not doing anything.
And now you want me to believe this is all intentional and part of some master plan? Carrot is not even fighting a Beast Pirate, and she's not doing by herself either since Wanda is tagging alone. This just seems moving goalposts since there were expectations that we would've seen Carrot's fight by now. And why does having a big moment mean she has to stay out of ocus until it happens? As far as I'm aware, the Straw Hats always have had big moments, and without ever needing their spotlight to be sacrificed. That's more or less the case with protagonists.
Carrot if anything is reminding me a lot of Paulie. Very prominent during their first arc, but when the story moved to the important conflicts, they were completely sidelined.
I can't say what Oda's reason is in this case. He has sidelined Straw Hats for entire arcs ever since Sabaody. The entire crew aside from Jimbei sat out Amazon Lily, Impel Down, and Marineford; Sanji, Nami, Chopper, and Brook sat out Dressrosa. Zoro, Usopp, Robin, and Franky missed Whole Cake Island, and Jimbei was absent during Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, Zou, and the first two acts of Wano. You can say there was real narrative purpose for those absences where Carrot is on the same island, but I just think it's too early to tell. There were times when Sanji vanished in the middle of story arcs like Water Seven and it ultimately served a purpose. The fact that Carrot is engaged in a meaningful battle which Oda really didn't even need to include at all here if he was entirely disinterested in her story is what leads me to think there's a bigger purpose for her. But I also think there's plenty of time left on Onigashima / Wano, so the absences in the middle of the arc don't concern me that much. In the short term, there were times individual members f the crew have been sidelined mid-arc - maybe not for as many chapters, but there were also fewer characters to compete with for panel time. I completely agree that the way Oda has handled her in Wano is strange - she seemed to be just as prominent in the first act as she was during Zou / WCI / the trip to Wano, but then faded completely into the background in Act 2. I know it was important the Minks presence remain hidden - and as soon as the Straw Hats prepare to set out for the raid she popped back up, sailed with them aboard Sunny to Onigashima, and got to partake in the big reunion scene with Jimbei. She was together with the Straw Hats, appearing alongside them in every chapter right up until 989 when Perospero showed up.
Ever since Big Mom made her way into the castle, Oda has done nothing but focus on the roof battle and the stuff going on inside the dome. I'm not saying absence from the story looks good for Carrot - only that I'm not sure it's bad either. It seems Oda brought Perospero specifically for this fight to happen. You could argue it's to resolve Carrot's storyline from WCI, but I'm not so sure. As I said, Big Mom's children failed to make it to Onigashima and aside from maybe giving Linlin an exit strategy, there's no apparent narrative purpose in bringing only Perospero. Realy Big Mom is th character Oda needed to get to Onigashima and she was already here before any of her children arrived (he has continued to comedically deter their progress in reaching Wano / Onigashima). I don't think Carrot can resolve the meaning of Pedro's death by getting revenge on Perospro. This seems like an important emotional moment for her, but ultimately the same questions remain - what did Pedro mean when he said the Straw Hats needed to survive because they will fulfill a long-held Mink Prophecy? What is the New Dawn? The words Pedro left Carrot with, 'every person has their time to shine', were passed down to him directly by Gol D. Roger when Roger declined his request to join the Roger Pirates. So those words carry real weight and I don't think fighting Perospero is Carrot's 'moment to shine.'
So it's really just up in the air for me. The story is so big, with so many moving pieces, I think it could simply be a function of Oda emphasizing things which are more immediate. I really don't think we'll be able to say for certain until Wano ends. That's why I say my thoughts about Carrot joining haven't changed. She seems to be a natural fit whenever she's around the Straw Hats, even on Wano.
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I've been thinking about it and the more I do I feel like when the crew is complete/the last nakama has joined/if there is one more nakama to join Oda is going to make some (clear and direct) statement or announcement about it.
With the way things have been going I don't think he'd be quiet about it when he's looking towards the end. Even if he ends up addressing it in a sbs and just says nobody else will be joining for now (to leave the door open for an apprentice/cabin boy).
Carrot if anything is reminding me a lot of Paulie. Very prominent during their first arc, but when the story moved to the important conflicts, they were completely sidelined.
Great observation and comparison.
Oh man I remembered when Pauline was introduced and helping the crew out just about everybody was all in on him joining. Predictions about who he would fight with his ropes and everything lol. Then he kinda slowly faded in the background as things continued and even with more focus on Franky it wasn't a clear. Only until he got all that Tom comparison and flashback were the clues more obvious.
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It feels like people are starting the grieving process, step 1: denial.
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But then you have to ask: why is she not being focused in that case?
Like, all of the Straw Hats have been there since the 500's, with lots of prominence ever since, then comes Carrot in the 800's, who has plenty of focus during Whole Cake but more or less vanishes through Wano. Why is that?
You can't tell me that Carrot vanishing for over 10 chapters is anything normal for a supposed main character. That's never been Oda's style. He had a good reason to keep Jinbe on the bench post Fishman Island since, as a Warlord, he would've tilted the scale a bit too much at the beginning of the New World (since the main enemy was another Warlord), but at no point was Jinbe ever not a protagonist whenever he was present He even got his own cover story to compensate a bit for his delayed joining. He rejoined 40 chapters ago and has remained a constant presence, even fighting alongside Robin, Luffy and Sanji for a few chapters.
No one is gonna question Carrot's role in Whole Cake, but it's absolutely warranted in Wano. While every Straw Hat was having their own personal adventure as expected in every arc, Carrot just remained to the side, not doing anything.
And now you want me to believe this is all intentional and part of some master plan? Carrot is not even fighting a Beast Pirate, and she's not doing by herself either since Wanda is tagging alone. This just seems moving goalposts since there were expectations that we would've seen Carrot's fight by now. And why does having a big moment mean she has to stay out of focus until it happens? As far as I'm aware, the Straw Hats always have had big moments, and without ever needing their spotlight to be sacrificed. That's more or less the case with protagonists. More focus would be particularly important for Carrot, who's been in the manga for way less time than any other Straw Hat.
Carrot if anything is reminding me a lot of Paulie. Very prominent during their first arc, but when the story moved to the important conflicts, they were completely sidelined.
Oda has shown with Jinbe that he's treating NN differently in the New World, so I'm not going to assume that someone missing for 10 chapters automatically gets disqualified. This isn't Carrot's arc. It's not even Yamato's arc since he didn't even show up until like 26 or 27 chapters ago. Your definition of "not doing anything" seems a little condescending considering she saved the crew from certain death. And what logical reason could you come up with that would explain Carrot defeating a $700 million bounty pirate solo? Only Luffy has defeated anyone close to that and that was just last arc. Wanda being there essentially makes that scenario more believable. There is no goalpost moving. Defeating Perospero won't teach her anything about Pedro's sacrifice, so there's obviously more to come for her character even after he's defeated.
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It feels like people are starting the grieving process, step 1: denial.
Some are already in anger
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It feels like people are starting the grieving process, step 1: denial.
Obviously the trap here is anything anyone says to counter this will be counted as denial. The fact is, Carrot's still fighting and involved in the plot. Oda's the one who set this whole fight up years ago with Pedro's death and Peros's survival. If you think the pay off won't be worthwhile, you're the one in denial.
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Carrotās going to say goodbye to the Strawhats during the Wano epilogue to help Momo or return to Zou with Wanda, and weāll be halfway through Elbaf with her supporters still clamoring that sheās going to appear at a clutch moment with a full epiphany about Pedroās will and join after Elbaf. Because Jinbe set a precedent, donāt you know? Denial is going to run the whole series.
Jinbe is completely different from the other recruits. One nakamaās extraneous circumstances does not mean thereās a new pattern for NW recruits. Jinbe was intrinsically tied to two emperors and had a pirateās honor to abide by that prevented his joining. Carrot has none of that. Nothing that needs to be settled before joining. Carrot should have joined in Zou if she was going to at all. No one doubted Jinbe was a nakama after Fishman Island when Luffy asked him to join. He was integral to FI, to WCI, and now to Wano. Carrot only had one scene to help the Sunny flee.
The Minks are sworn allies to the Kozuki. All the minks are going to support Momo as the new shogun, Carrot included. Carrotās getting some closure now to complete her role in the story and will realize the Dawn when Momo does. If Momo is the key to the Dawn, and heās not going to travel with the crew, then thereās no reason for Carrot to do so either.
As for Yamato, to say it isnāt his arc is being a little obtuse. He wouldnāt have made sense as a character before we knew who Oden was. As soon as the setting shifted to Onigashima, Yamato was immediately in the action and has been prominent ever since. Onigashima by itself will be longer than most arcs where a new character joins, so Yamato was never absent when it mattered the most.
Obviously the trap here is anything anyone says to counter this will be counted as denial. The fact is, Carrot's still fighting and involved in the plot. Oda's the one who set this whole fight up years ago with Pedro's death and Peros's survival. If you think the pay off won't be worthwhile, you're the one in denial.
Carrot's fight isn't in the plot yet, and there's a very real possibility that it will be offscreened and Oda will just let the anime handle it like so many other Wano fights. I think that it will have payoff, but I don't think that payoff will be named nakama. Every time a character joined, the character had to fail for Luffy to come in and beat the big baddie. Zoro was captured, Nami was utterly defeated and outwitted, Sanji was beaten down, even Jinbe didn't want to confront Hodi. Is Carrot going to fail and then Luffy comes in to beat Perospero? If we want to set up a pattern for new nakama, the recruit needs to feel indebted to Luffy in particular, and that's just not happening for Carrot.