As much as I would like it to be a big point in favour of Yamato, he's only there because of the Ace flashback and that's what's being shown on the volume cover. I don't think it means anything for his chances (just like how the lack of Carrot and Tama doesn't mean anything for their chances).
Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 8 - Onigashima)
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Honestly even if I'm rooting for Yamato, him being included only because of his flashback with Ace wouldn't be enough for me to consider putting him in that position. Law, Kidd and Killer were more relevant to the plot in those chapters and should've deserved their spot on this milestone cover. It will feel especially weird if Yamato doesn't end up joining the crew, he should have no business to be featured as much in that case.
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I agree that Law, Kid and Killer should absolutely be on there instead, but that is what Oda has done. It's not just Yamato whose on there for the flashback, Ace is there because of the flashback as well. And Ace isn't joining the crew for obvious reasons.
If it was just Yamato and not Ace or if Yamato was positioned differently I might be inclined to agree but its clear that both of them are meant to be connected and so are on there for the same reason.
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I agree that Law, Kid and Killer should absolutely be on there instead, but that is what Oda has done. It's not just Yamato whose on there for the flashback, Ace is there because of the flashback as well. And Ace isn't joining the crew for obvious reasons.
If it was just Yamato and not Ace or if Yamato was positioned differently I might be inclined to agree but its clear that both of them are meant to be connected and so are on there for the same reason.
You’ve got it the wrong way around. The flashback shouldn’t be enough for either Ace or Yamato to be on the cover (the flashback isn’t even part of volume 100), and Ace and Yamato being connected meaning they’re there for the same reason is also backwards.
It also seems weird to me to play down the importance of Yamato’s appearance for his joining chances by arguing that Ace is there too and obviously can’t join, so it doesn’t mean anything for Yamato. I can’t even understand the logic, like Yamato as a mirror to Ace has to follow the same chances of Ace joining? The reason why you could see it in Yamato’s favor is because Oda deems him important enough to be featured in this milestone cover, neglecting other candidates that might have deserved it more. If Yamato doesn’t join it begs the question why Oda found Yamato (and Ace by association) to be more relevant than the rest of the Rooftop 5, who honestly would have led to a better symmetry across all three covers.We don’t know if Oda wanted to include Yamato and not Ace but couldn’t find a way to do it symmetrically, making Ace just a byproduct of layout purposes that, sure, is connected to Yamato and deliberately positioned as a mirror, but without them having the same reason for being included.
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Either Yamato will join or Vivi will return.
Going with Yamato of course
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You’ve got it the wrong way around. The flashback shouldn’t be enough for either Ace or Yamato to be on the cover. (The flashback isn’t even part of volume 100), and Ace and Yamato being connected meaning they’re there for the same reason is also backwards.
It also seems weird to me to play down the importance of Yamato’s appearance for his joining chances by arguing that Ace is there too and obviously can’t join, so it doesn’t mean anything for Yamato, and furthermore assuming that they’re there for the same reason. We don’t know if Oda wanted to include Yamato and not Ace but couldn’t find a way to do it symmetrically, making Ace just a byproduct of layout purposes that, sure, is connected to Yamato and deliberately positioned as a mirror, but without them having the same reason for being included.I don't see how my logic is backwards here. If its not meant to be that then what is the significance of having both of them there in parallel poses, especially Ace. After all, Momonosuke could have also taken up that position given he's with Yamato and they share this connection through Oden and his logbook. Momo is also significantly more important to this story than Ace is. I don't think the flashback not being in Volume 100 matters much seeing as this is one connected image. As long as it happens in this stretch of three volumes then its fine for the cover.
Also, I want to stress that I'm not trying to play down the importance of being on the cover, I just don't think it means anything for his Straw Hat chances and it doesn't need to either. As it stands, Yamato already has enough evidence to support him joining at the end of the arc without us having to try and act like every focus giving to him is more evidence when that's not always the case.
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IMO, if it's just Ace and Yamato, I'll say his chances skyrocket, thought it's not confirmation on its on.
I stand by my opinion. Yamato's chances just skyrocketed with that cover. This is the first meta-hint regarding Yamato, and it's a huge one.
But on its own it's not confirmation. Let's see how the story goes ahead.
I'll repost my analysis of what may possible happen, and what would increase or decrease his chances.
What I feel is going to happen is that Yamato will reach the rooftop and occupy Kaido for a while, preventing him from claiming victory. Yamato won't believe Luffy is defeated (at least initially) and will argue with Kaido. Over several chapters, as an ongoing event we see in small bits, they fight, then Yamato will reveal his hybrid form. At some point, Yamato will be defeated and taunted. At that point, we get a flashback, and Luffy returns after this flashback.
What will make or break Yamato's chances over these scenes is how he's portrayed:
- Will Yamato's fight show some interesting attacks and fighting style, or will he just be Kaido Jr. with mostly generic blunt attacks?
- Will Yamato's power have special attributes beyond a beast form, or will it just be a cool form for him to show off once?
- Will Yamato believe in Luffy until the end, or will his conviction crumble over time?
- Will the flashback be about Yamato's childhood (Kaido as antagonist, lost mentor figure introduced), or about Kaido (origin, story with Rocks, Yamato's birth, expectations for Yamato)?
- Will the flashback be long and emotional (like Law's) or short and expositive (like Big Mom's)?
- Will Yamato have chance to prove himself to the Straw Hats, or will his role be just to tie loose plot points in Wano?
If you wish/expect Yamato to join, hope the first option happen in all or most of those questions.
I'm leaning towards mostly the second options. I don't think Wano will get a second long flashback. I feel Kaido is more likely to be the focus of the flashback. I feel Yamato's desperation may reach its peak just before Luffy arrives. Let's see if I'm wrong.
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Its a pre-planned, connected, milestone, full-crew cover.
And Yamato is there, as the only living, not villanous character among them.
That definitely means A LOT for his chances actually.
Also, Ace's presence gives me more of a Saulo, Olvia, Hiruluk's vibe to me.
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Oh woah, Yamato being so prevalent on a volume 100 is huge since it's a milestone for OP. I can't wait to see where this goes
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Its a pre-planned, connected, milestone, full-crew cover.
And Yamato is there, as the only living, not villanous character among them.
That definitely means A LOT for his chances actually.
Also, Ace's presence gives me more of a Saulo, Olvia, Hiruluk's vibe to me.
Would have meant a lot more if he is was positioned together with the strawhats, as it is, it's not really a big pro in anyway except more exposure.
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The undeniable truth is that, in this big milestone cover celebration that includes all Straw Hats, Yamato is present.
Especially considering it's volume 100. This is a huge honor considering only Zoro and Sanji (Luffy's right-hand men) and Ace (Luffy's brother) are present.
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Ah yes, the big milestone cover that's also split across three separate covers and due to the layout of the spread wanting to have each of the main villain on either side leaves nowhere else for the character to go unless Oda wanted the character to be represented with the Straw Hat crew, which he didn't.
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The undeniable truth is that, in this big milestone cover celebration that includes all Straw Hats, Yamato is present.
Some people will not be deterred by anything to find an excuse why it’s not the big deal it probably is.
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Ah yes, the big milestone cover that's also split across three separate covers and due to the layout of the spread wanting to have each of the main villain on either side leaves nowhere else for the character to go unless Oda wanted the character to be represented with the Straw Hat crew, which he didn't.
If you really think this is not a milestone event, seeing that Oda has never done this before, then I don't know what else to say.
Yamato doesn't need to be with the other Straw Hats in order to give implications. Volume 100 alone speaks…volumes. Luffy is deliberately in volume 100 because he is the protagonist. And the people he's sharing space with (Zoro, Sanji, Ace) are nothing less than the closest, most trusted people in his life.
Reminder that Oda didn't need to have Ace or Yamato there, especially because Ace is not present in the vol. 100 chapters at all.
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Some people will not be deterred by anything to find an excuse why it’s not the big deal it probably is.
Which is fair. In the volume thread, bryannmaina acknowledged that even if Carrot were on a cover, it could just as easily just be for her being involved prior to Wano as it could for her being a Straw Hat. No doubt some would remain skeptical regardless of who it was.
For what it's worth, I'm happy for Yamato supporters today. I still have my doubts about it specifically being a mark of a Straw Hat, considering he's not in the same field as the crew but rather set apart like the other key figures. But no denying this is a big honor for Yamato, and doesn't do anything for Carrot.
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Well, by my arbitrary powers granted to me by biased opinion, I hereby update the percentage chance of joining to:
Carrot: 20% and decreasing (no change)
Yamato: 20% and increasing (up from 15%)
Tama: 1% and stable (no change) -
Boarf, for me this neither increase or decrease Yamato's chances. Only that they a major player in Wano. Taking the spread as a whole we see a horizontal fire line in the spread separating the the straw hats from the other characters (nameless homies not counted) on the spread .
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Stuff like volume 43 with Franky, and volume 64 with Jinbe posing with the crew are much bigger deal. -
Boarf, for me this neither increase or decrease Yamato's chances. Only that they a major player in Wano. Taking the spread as a whole we see a horizontal fire line in the spread separating the the straw hats from the other characters (nameless homies not counted) on the spread .
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Stuff like volume 43 with Franky, and volume 64 with Jinbe posing with the crew are much bigger deal.you forgot vol 91.
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Some already making excuses, hell you can even see Yamato eyes looking at Luffy.
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It's just interesting to me that we've been shouted down in this topic for daring to suggest Carrot being given equal position to the Straw Hats on the volume 88 cover means anything, but now are being accused of being disingenuous or whatever (which is so bizarre; I don't know why some people on AP are so intent on personal attacks for not agreeing about manga when disagreement is entirely the point of a message board; it would be boring if we all agreed) for thinking the volume 100 cover may not be a smoking gun.
It could mean something, it could not mean anything. I lean toward it being neutral. Sure, it could be significant, but Ace and Yamato are given equal position - and Ace is not a Straw Hat. Being included could be a hint about crew potential, but I think on covers like these, the most significant element is where the character is positioned.
The reason I thought and still think the volume 88 cover is meaningful is because there are both Straw Hats and non-Straw Hat allies on the cover and Carrot is given equal placement to the Straw Hats. I also stop short of saying it's a smoking gun because Law received equal billing on the volume 78 cover.
I think we keep expecting Oda to give hints about the next Straw Hat with these special chapters and volume covers. But to me, he's really just celebrating the ten person crew finally together now that Jimbei has arrived. He has two enemies in this arc, Big Mom and Kaido placed on volumes 99 and 101. I get the impression Oda really wanted to include Ace here and Yamato balances him well on the opposite side. There are people in this topic who will insist that Ace is only there because of Yamato. Well, that's fine if they want to see it that way, but they're not Oda and so it's not a foregone conclusion or fact. It's a possibility, but Oda has been pushing the Ace connection throughout the entire Wano arc and his bond with Yamato is basically the same as his bond with Tama. To me, that says it's more about Ace than it is about Tama or Yamato. If the Ace-Yamato bond is supposed to be super special, it's diluted by Ace having the same bond with Tama. And vice versa. Like if Wanda and Pekoms were also present to witness Pedro's death and were similarly moved, I'd say Carrot's bond with Pedro was diluted. But Oda took time to show us that her bond with Pedro was different than those two characters.
Like if you look at the composition of the there part cover, there are two rows:
In front of the flames:
Jimbie, Chopper, Usopp, Robin, Sanji, Zoro, Brook, Nami, FrankyBehind the flames:
Big Mom, Ace, Luffy, Yamato, KaidoAce was a captain in his own right just like the other 4. It could mean Yamato being elevated to captain status like Ace. You know a really interesting possibility someone mentioned in the comments to my video about Yamato potentially joining is that Yamato could be something like an ambassador for Wano. It would satisfy both doing something for Wano, continue to honor Oden's legacy by doing the work initiated by the opening of Wano's borders, and allow Yamato to sail the seas as an independent captain of sorts, visiting other nations. It also works really well for a cover story arc.
For me, placement is more important than inclusion. No one would have taken this as evidence that Ace will join if he was still alive.
The big takeaways from this three part cover are that Oda's not really going to give us any hints for a future Straw Hat here and instead, just like the chapter 1000 cover, wants to take some time to celebrate the 10 person crew. Second, Luffy's given equal status to Big Mom and Kaido - and that's not nothing.
Having a difference of opinion is not 'making excuses'. It is not sharing the same opinion. The people who don't see the volume 88 cover as a suggestion Carrot will join are free to see it differently. Why are they not being accused of 'making excuses'?
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In a year or so we will look back and laugh about it, even if that "it" isn't the same thing for everyone
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Feel free to laugh at me and the avatar FolhaS picks for me should it come to that.
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Also, note that, with Yamato, you technically get five Straw Hats to each of Luffy's sides.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
@Vongola_Boss_XI:
It's just interesting to me that we've been shouted down in this topic for daring to suggest Carrot being given equal position to the Straw Hats on the volume 88 cover means anything, but now are being accused of being disingenuous or whatever (which is so bizarre; I don't know why some people on AP are so intent on personal attacks for not agreeing about manga when disagreement is entirely the point of a message board; it would be boring if we all agreed) for thinking the volume 100 cover may not be a smoking gun.
It could mean something, it could not mean anything. I lean toward it being neutral. Sure, it could be significant, but Ace and Yamato are given equal position - and Ace is not a Straw Hat. Being included could be a hint about crew potential, but I think on covers like these, the most significant element is where the character is positioned.
The reason I thought and still think the volume 88 cover is meaningful is because there are both Straw Hats and non-Straw Hat allies on the cover and Carrot is given equal placement to the Straw Hats. I also stop short of saying it's a smoking gun because Law received equal billing on the volume 78 cover.
I think we keep expecting Oda to give hints about the next Straw Hat with these special chapters and volume covers. But to me, he's really just celebrating the ten person crew finally together now that Jimbei has arrived. He has two enemies in this arc, Big Mom and Kaido placed on volumes 99 and 101. I get the impression Oda really wanted to include Ace here and Yamato balances him well on the opposite side. There are people in this topic who will insist that Ace is only there because of Yamato. Well, that's fine if they want to see it that way, but they're not Oda and so it's not a foregone conclusion or fact. It's a possibility, but Oda has been pushing the Ace connection throughout the entire Wano arc and his bond with Yamato is basically the same as his bond with Tama. To me, that says it's more about Ace than it is about Tama or Yamato. If the Ace-Yamato bond is supposed to be super special, it's diluted by Ace having the same bond with Tama. And vice versa. Like if Wanda and Pekoms were also present to witness Pedro's death and were similarly moved, I'd say Carrot's bond with Pedro was diluted. But Oda took time to show us that her bond with Pedro was different than those two characters.
Like if you look at the composition of the there part cover, there are two rows:
In front of the flames:
Jimbie, Chopper, Usopp, Robin, Sanji, Zoro, Brook, Nami, FrankyBehind the flames:
Big Mom, Ace, Luffy, Yamato, KaidoAce was a captain in his own right just like the other 4. It could mean Yamato being elevated to captain status like Ace. You know a really interesting possibility someone mentioned in the comments to my video about Yamato potentially joining is that Yamato could be something like an ambassador for Wano. It would satisfy both doing something for Wano, continue to honor Oden's legacy by doing the work initiated by the opening of Wano's borders, and allow Yamato to sail the seas as an independent captain of sorts, visiting other nations. It also works really well for a cover story arc.
For me, placement is more important than inclusion. No one would have taken this as evidence that Ace will join if he was still alive.
The big takeaways from this three part cover are that Oda's not really going to give us any hints for a future Straw Hat here and instead, just like the chapter 1000 cover, wants to take some time to celebrate the 10 person crew. Second, Luffy's given equal status to Big Mom and Kaido - and that's not nothing.
Having a difference of opinion is not 'making excuses'. It is not sharing the same opinion. The people who don't see the volume 88 cover as a suggestion Carrot will join are free to see it differently. Why are they not being accused of 'making excuses'?
I think there's a big difference here compared to Carrot. For starters, only half of the Straw Hats were present through Dressrosa and Whole Cake, so there was never a full SH cover like how we got during Alabasta. We can't extrapolate much because, like you said, Law was also present in 78, in a "Heroes" cover even. With that in mind, Carrot's placement in 88 is not really special. Tama's placement in Volume 91 arguably means more, but then you have Jinbe missing.
Volumes 99-100-101 are a special occasion, so Oda deliberately packed it with characters that are central to Luffy's overarching goals. His crew, his dead brother that marked the end of Part 1 and the two Emperors that he has to currently fight for the PK title. With that in mind, Yamato sticks out like a sore thumb. Oda technically didn't need to have Ace+Yamato in there, but he did for some reason.
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Would be funny if on the inside cover Yamato and Ace get replaced by Carrot and Pandaman
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Also, note that, with Yamato, you technically get five Straw Hats to each of Luffy's sides.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
I think there's a big difference here compared to Carrot. For starters, only half of the Straw Hats were present through Dressrosa and Whole Cake, so there was never a full SH cover like how we got during Alabasta or Enies Lobby. We can't extrapolate much because, like you said, Law was also present in 78, in a "Heroes" cover even. With that in mind, Carrot's placement in 88 is not really special. Tama's placement in Volume 91 arguably means more, but then you have Jinbe missing.
That's a perfectly fine position to take. I think we're going to have to wait to see if it's significant or not. I lean toward it being meaningful, but it's something that won't be certain until later.
I would say, personally, I don't think the presence of the full crew makes this any more of a smoking gun because of placement on the cover. I think that's what's more significant than simply being included since Ace, Big Mom, and Kaido are also included on these covers for different narrative reasons.
With that being said, I understand why some people think this is significant. More than anything, I'm advocating against saying people who don't share the majority view in this topic of coping or making excuses. I just don't like personal attacks or accusations of some deficiency for not sharing the same opinion or interpretation.
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Let me put it this way: covers say a lot, but it's the events of the chapters that have to bring it all home. If Yamato can seal the deal, really become a part of the crew in the time remaining, then great. He's most likely got a lot more than the ten or so chapters in 101 to do it.
If Carrot, however, is able to do what I think she's going to do, figure out what Pedro wants for her, make a commitment to the Straw Hats, put her anger aside and show how she's grown as a character since we first met her, I think it wouldn't be outrageous to expect her prominently in front of volume 102 or 103. After that, who knows.
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Orochi, Killer, Fukurokuju, King and Jack have a ton of better reasons than Carrot to make it into a cover, yet none have.
Also, if the expected Flashback of Kaido/Yamato occurs soon, yeah that'll totally guarantee Yamato's presence in 102/103 as well.
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The recent episode put even more of an emphasis on how Neko and Inu got lost in their anger and couldn't go with the others to reach Momo and Toki. Pedro's last words coming back and Pero laying that beat down, may not be enough for Carrot to change.
Brook lost his crew and couldn't do anything about it. Robin with Ohara, Franky had Tom, Nami with watching Bell-mere die etc. They all found unique ways to flip their inability to change things and powerless moments. Brook still has Laboon to reach. Franky still can maintain and see that the PK ship is the best as it helps the crew. Robin piecing the puzzle together and getting to the truth.
Paulie and Rebecca clearly had others to rely on to fire Lucci and Kaku or defeat Diamante. Now, will this be about Neko getting the revenge against Pero with Carrot failing or will she take initiative and find a unique way to help the crew? She has taken initiative before.
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If she does nothing unique for the crew and it's just about Neko getting the vengeance that she couldn't like Zoro telling Kaku he's fired or Kyros defeating Diamante, then she's definitely not SH material.
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I feel like the Kaidou flashback will also be the Rocks flashback so we are probably more likely to get Kaido, Rocks, Whitebeard, Big Mom and whoever else will be on their crew. I think it might be quite fun if it parallels the Oden flashback cover with Kaidou in Oden's place.
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Orochi, Killer, Fukurokuju, King and Jack have a ton of better reasons than Carrot to make it into a cover, yet none have.
Also, if the expected Flashback of Kaido/Yamato occurs soon, yeah that'll totally guarantee Yamato's presence in 102/103 as well.
And I assume whenever Yamato's df is revealed that'll be on a cover too.
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I'm all for seeing how this raid turns out. It's been fairly unpredictable and events can always play out that the reader least expects. Honestly, anything can happen by this point that ruling out things could transpire is practically counter to what we're seeing.
Also, I'm still on the boat that Wano isn't ending this year. The raid could conclude by this year's end and so could some events, but Wano as a whole? Nah.
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Ignoring the Straw Hat discussion for a second, why exactly are we surprised that Yamato is on the cover? Even such a prominent spot twice in a row is justified, given how ultra condensed and important his role is (Shirahoshi had a similiar treatment).
Absolutely deserved to be highlighted like this, especially since Oda played the "Saobody top-trio against the world" cover two volumes ago already.
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Ignoring the Straw Hat discussion for a second, why exactly are we surprised that Yamato is on the cover? Even such a prominent spot twice in a row is justified, given how ultra condensed and important his role is (Shirahoshi had a similiar treatment).
Absolutely deserved to be highlighted like this, especially since Oda played the "Saobody top-trio against the world" cover two volumes ago already.
In a coverspread that focuses on the Straw Hats, Big Mom and Kaidou I would've expected Law, Kidd and Killer to be featured as the remaining main players in this fight against two Emperors. Or, if Yamato is featured, that there are also other characters like Momo or the Akazaya. I'm suprised that all those characters were skipped over and that Yamato is the only other player present, and that Ace was also thrown in.
Volume 97 isn't the Big Three against the world, it only has the Tobi Roppo in the background they're not even fighting against, Killer is completely skipped, and Yamato also got his own cover with volume 98 -
Ignoring the Straw Hat discussion for a second, why exactly are we surprised that Yamato is on the cover? Even such a prominent spot twice in a row is justified, given how ultra condensed and important his role is (Shirahoshi had a similiar treatment).
Absolutely deserved to be highlighted like this, especially since Oda played the "Saobody top-trio against the world" cover two volumes ago already.
Cause is the full-crew heroically challenging the villain's cover of the arc(?)
Shirahoshi did not appear in the hero's cover of Fishmen Island, Jinbro did.
A year from now, Yamato could formally have joined the crew already, so when we look at it in retrospect, it'll be a 'oh so that's why Yamato was there!, Its the Strawhats challenging the Yonkou!!, I get it now'.
Its not being that sneaky cause yeah, Yamato's been recieving lots of attention, in and outside the manga from the author.
From the Weekly Shonen Jump cover to this.
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Ignoring the Straw Hat discussion for a second, why exactly are we surprised that Yamato is on the cover? Even such a prominent spot twice in a row is justified, given how ultra condensed and important his role is (Shirahoshi had a similiar treatment).
Absolutely deserved to be highlighted like this, especially since Oda played the "Saobody top-trio against the world" cover two volumes ago already.
Because then you have to question why Momo or Tama or Kin'emon weren't present as well.
Momo himself is Shirahoshi's equivalent for this arc, being the cowardly royal damsel with a surprising hidden power.
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I think this is really a matter of perspective. I think largely if you already expected Yamato to join, it's just more confirmation.
But this doesn't really surprise me in any way to see Yamato, particularly with Ace present. I think the argument is Ace is only there so Oda could justify Yamato's presence - but that's a pretty big leap and assumes insight into Oda's thought process in creating the cover. Which is fine to speculate about, but isn't a foregon conclusion. I think Oda just really likes including Ace because he was so important to Luffy's character arc - and Yamato is there more because of Ace than the reverse.
Not surprised about Law and Kid's absence here. Oda already did the trio of captains on the volume 97 cover. And they may appear on 102, 103, 104, 105… however many more volumes Wano lasts.
Yamato's presence is sort of neutral here to me. I have never said Yamato can't join, though have explained my personal reservations about whether or not that's what's being setup. But being present on this particular cover is far from a smoking gun. Just like 88 isn't a smoking gun for Carrot joining.
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@Vongola_Boss_XI:
I think this is really a matter of perspective. I think largely if you already expected Yamato to join, it's just more confirmation.
But this doesn't really surprise me in any way to see Yamato, particularly with Ace present. I think the argument is Ace is only there so Oda could justify Yamato's presence - but that's a pretty big leap and assumes insight into Oda's thought process in creating the cover. Which is fine to speculate about, but isn't a foregon conclusion. I think Oda just really likes including Ace because he was so important to Luffy's character arc - and Yamato is there more because of Ace than the reverse.
Switch Ace and Yamato to Pedro and Carrot in thr cover.
What would that tell you?
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.Exactly!
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Switch Ace and Yamato to Pedro and Carrot in thr cover.
What would that tell you?
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.Exactly!
I would think it's really strange for them to be in the back row. Personally, if Carrot was aligned with background characters in a cover, separated from the crew, I'd think it is neutral or negative. The reason I think 88 is potentially meaningful is because she's given equal standing to the Straw Hats. But again, I don't think the cover alone is definitive proof. It's just a piece of evidence which is potentially meaningful.
So I would say my stance her is more consistent. Both are potentially meaningful. Neither is a smoking gun. Yamato's presence could be meaningful but has another potential explanation and thus isn't definitive proof.
I think it's less logically consistent to say this one is absolutely meaningful for Yamato and 88 is absolutely not meaningful for Carrot. For me, 88 is important not just because Carrot's on the cover (She's also on 85, 82, and 81), but also because of where she's placed on the cover.
I would say Solid for example, makes a good point about Tama's presence on the 91 cover, which does strike me as interesting, even if I don't necessarily think Tama will join. Yamato's presence on 100 is potentially meaningful, but being given equal position to Ace who was personally significant to Luffy without being a Straw Hat put it in the neutral category I think.
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Because then you have to question why Momo or Tama or Kin'emon weren't present as well.
Momo himself is Shirahoshi's equivalent for this arc, being the cowardly royal damsel with a surprising hidden power.
I wouldn't question it because Oda obviously has to compromise somewhere, and the ones you mention already had covers dedicated to them (some over the span of a decade!). I'm not saying those who're missing aren't important, but Yamato is both important AND fresh. This is his time - with an added Ace-fanservice bonus in play. I mean if you want to add Ace on that cover then there's no way around Yams, right? Unless one doesn't care about context at all.
Oh, and the Shirahoshi example wasn't meant as a parallel to the character's role, just that prominent characters do have their time - and when they do it's not unusual that they occupy large parts of volume covers. If I would put any weight on a cover then it would be 98, with Yams fighting next to Luffy (highlighted with special coloration).
But this one here? Super expected, would be weird if he wouldn't be present.
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If it was Carrot and Pedro back there I would be confused because Pedro hasn't appeared in this string of volumes. But assuming we live in an alternate reality where we got a Pedro & Carrot flashack instead of an Ace and Yamato flashback, my feelings would be the same. They are there because we got a flashback with them. They are either side of Luffy because part of that flashback involved them talking about Luffy (and also because they wouldn't fit on Volume 99 and 101). And that if it was meant to be a crew tease and not because of the flashback then they would've been with the crew, like we got on that one volume in Enies Lobby with Franky or the Fishman Island volume with Jinbei. Whether its Ace & Yamato, Pedro & Carrot, Oden & Momo it would mean the same thing and that thung is not a crew tease.
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If it was Carrot and Pedro back there I would be confused because Pedro hasn't appeared in this string of volumes. But assuming we live in an alternate reality where we got a Pedro & Carrot flashack instead of an Ace and Yamato flashback, my feelings would be the same. They are there because we got a flashback with them. They are either side of Luffy because part of that flashback involved them talking about Luffy (and also because they wouldn't fit on Volume 99 and 101). And that if it was meant to be a crew tease and not because of the flashback then they would've been with the crew, like we got on that one volume in Enies Lobby with Franky or the Fishman Island volume with Jinbei. Whether its Ace & Yamato, Pedro & Carrot, Oden & Momo it would mean the same thing and that thung is not a crew tease.
I agree with this assessment.
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I feel like the Kaidou flashback will also be the Rocks flashback so we are probably more likely to get Kaido, Rocks, Whitebeard, Big Mom and whoever else will be on their crew. I think it might be quite fun if it parallels the Oden flashback cover with Kaidou in Oden's place.
It might not be particularly relevant in the cause of Yamato since she was born years after they disbanded, though perhaps depending on what dialogue is exchanged, Kaido might touch on personal info from before her birth.
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Always funny to see the loops people we go through.
Though considering you know who still is transphobic with Yamato it’s to be expected.
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Not really loops if you can't explain it.
We Carrot fans said the same thing for Volume 88 because it was the Heroes/Villains cover of that arc that signified how she was separated and viewed alongside the crew in that arc, showcased her Sulong form, and was named directly after said volume. Same arguments that were used then are being used now. It's just under the justification of it being the 100th volume.
That's not a loop, that's the other side of the coin, bud.
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But this a coin with 100% more value we're talking about.
If Carrot gets Nakama points because of a cover with half the crew and a couple of barely memorable characters around it.
What does Yamato gets for being along the full crew, 2 yonkou and Portgas D Ace himself?
Twice the nakama points at least.
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But this a coin with 100% more value we're talking about.
If Carrot gets Nakama points because of a cover with half the crew and a couple of barely memorable characters around it.
What does Yamato gets for being along the full crew, 2 yonkou and Portgas D Ace himself?
Twice the nakama points at least.
Featured alongside them? Sure. But from mine and other skeptics points of view, she's lined in the backdrop next to Ace, which points to how significant of a character Yamato is, but you can't say Yamato is in that exact same line up starting fromm Jinbe towards Nami from Volume 99-101. That's how the opposite perception goes.
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Featured alongside them? Sure. But from mine and other skeptics points of view, she's lined in the backdrop next to Ace, which points to how significant of a character Yamato is, but you can't say Yamato is in that exact same line up starting fromm Jinbe towards Nami from Volume 99-101. That's how the opposite perception goes.
But you're saying it right there, Yamato is with the full Crew.
Carrot's never had that.
I also find it unlikely that she will appear at all in the remaining Wano covers.
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But you're saying it right there, Yamato is with the full Crew.
Carrot's never had that.
I also find it unlikely that she will appear at all in the remaining Wano covers.
Considering we've been wrong about things regarding how Wano will play out (like Sanji saving Carrot from Perospero), let's not start saying we know things will play out from Oda's POV.
It's true, Carrot was never featured in a full crew lineup Volume cover, but that suddenly didn't disqualify her from being featured later on whatever that may bring since the future is largely unknown.
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Even Perospero himself is unlikely, whom with Carrot is going to be sticking for a while.
Take Orochi for example, the man has had one of the greatest roles in the entire arc and simply doesn't get a cover at all.
Also, with an upcoming Rocks/Kaido/Yamato flashback, we could guess what 102/103 are going to be like.
And Nekomumashi can still lose to leave room for Sanji, I'm just not that confident of that happening cause Nekomumashi is pretty damn strong.
Unlike Carrot who had 0% chances of victory, I think Neko v Peros would be 50/50%. -
But this a coin with 100% more value we're talking about.
If Carrot gets Nakama points because of a cover with half the crew and a couple of barely memorable characters around it.
What does Yamato gets for being along the full crew, 2 yonkou and Portgas D Ace himself?
Twice the nakama points at least.
How many points are you awarding Tama for the volume 91 cover?