@mgear:
I know it is long. But I would appreciate it if your read and comment.
This is my first post. But, I have been reading the main and spoiler threads for more than three months, and I finally felt the need to say something since it appears that no one is talking about the elephant in the room, which is why the Amazon chapters have been moving so slowly. Here is my answer: because Oda is writing a number of epic chapters.
What are the mythical stories we were introduced to in the Amazon section: the Amazon women, the gorgon sisters, and here is my argument the story of Oedipus.
Oedipus in Greek mythology was someone who killed his father (without knowing that he was his father) and married his mother (without knowing that she was his mother.) Later, Freud named a psychological complex after him the Oedipus complex. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus
The story of fathers and sons fighting each other without knowing the other person is common enough. For instance see the Persian epic Rostam & Sohrab (where the father kills the son in a battle w/o knowing that he is his son.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostam_and_Sohrab . I am saying that we are seeing a mother v. son variation here (without any of them killing each other in the end of course.)
For those of you who have been demanding proof that Boa is Luffy’s mom the development of the chapter is itself proof. Here are the reasons:
1. Oda has already used other stories from Greek mythology and it is very likely that he is adopting the Oedipus story (not that luffy is going to marry his mother or kill him, rather he will battle her.)
2. Isn’t it interesting how Boa hasn’t asked Luffy’s name yet. She immediately tries to kill him without even bothering to know who he is. Why is that? Would hearing his name trigger something?
3. Luffy doesn’t quite remember where he saw the symbol (?) on Boa’s back. Could it be that it is a distant memory?
4. You keep asking why did Kuma sent Luffy to Amazon, instead ask why did Oda sent him there. Surely after battling an admiral, Moria, and Kuma, we didn’t need another Shichibukai. He could have introduced her in some different way, instead of having us suffer through it. There are so many other events going on (Ace’s execution, scattered crew) that this has to be quite big for us to be taking things this slowly. In short, the Amazon chapters, in themselves, are proof that she is his mother.
5. I have seen people suggest that she looks in her 20s. First, to me she looks in her 30s. And, second, this is a woman who obviously has a beauty secret and is not going to age that fast. Third, we all know how people look in a manga.
6. This is the weakest reason, but they honestly DO look alike. Their angry expressions are quite the same. And at the very least, even if she isn’t his mom, Oda is messing with us.
7. Luffy’s mom is either dead or has abandoned him. And this Amazon story, and what we have seen from Boa’s character fits the abandon explanation very well (left her two(?) sons behind). I also agree with others who think that Dragon most likely mated with someone special.
Last but not least, you have to consider all the above evidence in what is called in law the totality of circumstances (meaning all the evidence should be considered together.) And all the evidence so far points to that direction. I know that people hate the idea of Luffy having a super-mom, and wanted his mother to be normal, but Oda has already decided to go with the super-family. Sorry. In fact, at this point, the best you can hope for is that Gol D. Roger doesn't turn out to be his maternal grandfather. I’m going to enjoy the next few chapters because the battle between mother and son is EPIC. :ninja:
Here is my take on your 7 answers…
1. Why this particular myth? Why not other myths or folkloire? or none of the above? We haven't seen any evidence that the Oedipus is incorporated into the story so far right? Your drawing your conclusion first (that Hancock is Luffys mom) and then coming up with this myth to explain it. If we had any part of the story where we see that Oda is going to use the Oedipus myth then you would have more substance to your theory. Plus Luffy isn't attracted to her at all right? so he's not going to marry her.. he didn't kill his father... so where would the similarities be? that he met her after being seperated since birth?.. that's probably where the similarity ends..
2. Hancock does not ask Luffy's name thus she is his mom? Does this step seem logical to you? Jesus, I can think of a million character that didn't ask for Luffy's name.. does this mean that they have a special relationship? Hancock not asking Luffy's name does not lead to the logical next step that she is his mom...
3. Of course it's a distant memory he himself states that he doesn't quite remember where he saw it. Luffy has seen a million things during the OP adventure. He doesn't have a great memory for things as we know. It could be a tattoo of black beard's head on her back.. and Luffy probably wouldn't remember. Once again.. him not remembering just proves that it's something he saw and forgot about.. not that Hancock is his mom.
4. Why would Kuma want Luffy reunited with his mom at this moment?.. She doesn't seem like the type that would help her "son." There are literally a million reasons why Kuma might have sent Luffy to Amazon Lilly.
5. This I have no objection to. Sure she could be 90 if Oda gave us an explanation.
6. Looking alike?.. hmm.. honestly.. your reading too much into her look.. I could comeup with pictures of Nami.. where she "resembles" Luffy.. doesn't mean she is his sister.
7. This I agree with. I actually brought this point up a few weeks ago when I originally suggested that she was his mom.
In my opinion you missed your strongest argument for why she has to be his mom. Luffy isn't attracted to her when every man alive is. maybe because she is his mom???.. hahaha.. now I'm just feeding this insane theory.. sorry.. I'll stop.
But yeah.. as you can see.. your 7 reasons.. even as a whole.. don't really add up.. 5 of them are extremely weak.. and a FAR stretch based on faulty assumptions.. and the remaining 2 reasons are decent.. not original.. already mentioned.. by others including myself. these 2 reasons.. 1. Kuma's true purpose 2. explanation for Luffy's abandonment... have been outweighed by the fact that Luffy saw her naked... now would Oda have a mother and son moment by having the son see the mom's butt ass naked? Plus the first words out of her mouth would have been Luffy! instant recognition. Notice how all of Luffy's relatives keep track of him through the newspaper and bounty posters.. even when they're not with him. Ace, Garp, Dragon.. and even Shanks/Mihawk. You're telling me his mom who is a world reknown pirate doesn't know her own son has a bounty of 300 million berries and is in the grandline? I think she would have been way more interested in Luffy than Dragon or Shanks ever was.