As the crew grows, it becomes difficult to let all the members have their time to shine or it may feel a bit forced like fishman island… In order to avoid that problem, we had an arc with only a few members present and some Luffy only arcs.
So how would you feel about an arc where the protagonists would be Sanji and company?
Seems like it may be the way we're headed, that, or a long flashback down the way. So, how would you like to see it handled?
I wouldn't mind an arc focused on Sanji and co. Especially if it is done well.
I would love to see Law's crew involved too. Maybe on Zou they could solve some issue.
Not an arc, but probably a longer Flashback that is the beginning of the new one… Would be great to show us also the rest of the heart crew and there skills?!
I have no clue what will happen, I just want Sanji to be awesome. Brook needs to make another killer Skull Joke and Caesar needs to continue being hilarious. Nami and Chopper can help or something, I guess, and Momo can go sit in a corner.
Well that can be a good idea, Oda could have done that. However i'm picturing Zou as a "Lost and Found" arc. Where at Zou they have to find each half of the crew. I really don't know since this is Oda we are talking about.
Give me some Sanji and I'll be a happy camper.
Yes please! I just said it in the chapter thread, but a small arc focused on those 4 (or 6 with CC and Momo) meeting the Hearts would be amazing!
I was worrying about this actually. Nami hasn't been interesting in a long time. Sanji is alright but I think he's better if he has Luffy and Zoro to banter with. Chopper has not been memorable lately….I guess that applies to Brook too. Ugh...And I just remembered Momo is with them. BUT! Ceasar is there! They kinda cancel each other out... So basically I probably wouldn't want this to happen. But it would be fair since this arc got to focus a bit more on the other Strawhats. Also it probably will just be skirmish chapters since they are running, I would also guess it won't be that long? I can't imagine them not meeting up with the others on Zou.
Zoe is where the strawhats and the heart pirates go their separate ways, at least for the next ark.
Something like Sanji and company get capture by an underling of Big Mom and the rest have to go rescue them, but Law being on the bring of death can't go with them and stays on Zoe.
I was planning to create a "General Zou Arc Discussion" later when this arc is close to an end but it's highly likely that this thread is going to evolve to become one. Ya beat me to it dude. Anyway I think we should re-name this thread into "General Zou Arc Discussion". Will this arc last a few month or a year? I would not be suprised that it last longer.
It would be interesting to see how far such an arc would focus on Sanji and the possibilities of him getting stronger through the whole experience. He's hands down the most able of that division of the crew.
In addition, Sanji, Brook, and Nami are among the craftiest members of the crew, so it would be interesting to see what kind of plans they cook up while in the hands of the Big Mom pirates.
Most certainly between Sanji and Big Mom. Being among the world's greatest chef's it shouldn't be too hard for him to get on her good side.
@Mr.:
It would be interesting to see how far such an arc would focus on Sanji and the possibilities of him getting stronger through the whole experience. He's hands down the most able of that division of the crew.
In addition, Sanji, Brook, and Nami are among the craftiest members of the crew, so it would be interesting to see what kind of plans they cook up while in the hands of the Big Mom pirates.
Most certainly between Sanji and Big Mom. Being among the world's greatest chef's it shouldn't be too hard for him to get on her good side.
I don't think Zoe (is it zoe or zou?) Is where the next ark is going to happen, it probably be like Water 7, as in that's where they depart to the main event and later come back after everything is done.
I don't think Zoe (is it zoe or zou?) Is where the next ark is going to happen, it probably be like Water 7, as in that's where they depart to the main event and later come back after everything is done.
Seems like a contradiction here or I don't fully understand but are you saying that Dressrosa is going to be like Water Seven? I don't think they should return to Dressrosa; there is no reason to. So I think Zou will be the next arc
@joekido:
Seems like a contradiction here or I don't fully understand but are you saying that Dressrosa is going to be like Water Seven? I don't think they should return to Dressrosa; there is no reason to. So I think Zou will be the next arc
Not Dressrosa, but Zou, after Dressrosa, Luffy and his group will get to Zou and find out that the others were taken prisoners and go after them,
Law will probably stay on Zou with his crew to treat his wounds while rest go after them.
Am I the only one who believes Jinbe's side story will eventually end with him meeting up with Sanji's side? I don't think Sanji Being the strongest fighter on that side will be able to take on Tamago and Pekoms, let alone that whole ship. I believe Jinbe will show up and they're gonna escape towards Zou, and only then meet up with Hearts.
A proper arc? Sure. But not the little we spent away from them. I don't mind a 3 chapter flashback to introduce us to zou
Zoe is where the strawhats and the heart pirates go their separate ways, at least for the next ark.
Something like Sanji and company get capture by an underling of Big Mom and the rest have to go rescue them, but Law being on the bring of death can't go with them and stays on Zoe.
But wouldn't that be even worse? I mean that in the sense that we've spent a loooong time without Sanji and his group, and now they would be helpless and in need of rescue? That would be adding insult to injury (or whatever the correct expression is) imo
Am I the only one who believes Jinbe's side story will eventually end with him meeting up with Sanji's side? I don't think Sanji Being the strongest fighter on that side will be able to take on Tamago and Pekoms, let alone that whole ship. I believe Jinbe will show up and they're gonna escape towards Zou, and only then meet up with Hearts.
Impossible as Jinbe's story is currently ahead of the main story.
I'm sure there's a very strong reason they've been out of the picture for so long, and Oda isn't rushing to show them.
My bet is on a pretty long focus on the Swirlyhat crew after Dressrosa. It's half the main characters after all, and, except for Brook, the other three are among the five most popular Strawhats.
Oda did exactly that way back when with the Baratie/Arlong park arc. Zoro Nami and Usopp went on ahead and we didn't see them for about a dozen chapters, while Luffy and Sanji dealt with Krieg. Then after that story was done, we had a few chapters focusing only on the other group and what they were doing, with Luffy's half of the crew arriving later.
We're presumably going to get similar here, especially with half the strawhats gone for such a long time now (a year in real time), but at the same time I don't imagine Oda going too long without Luffy either. We'll probably get a handful of chapters, maybe as many as 10-15… its hard to judge with the scale of things now, but I imagine mostly Sanji's half will get the momentum going on the plot and Luffy's half will arrive later to help actually deal with the enemies.
I just can't imagine the series going much longer than 2 or 3 months entirely without Luffy... which is about the longest its done with Flashbacks or him being caught in something and out of action. We're not going to get a 6 month arc of just the other half of the crew.
Would really like to see Sanji doing something awesome again. Be alright with an arc, nothing uber long though.
I really want the mugis to become characters that we don't see that often like Dragon or Shanks (well, not to that extent, but to make them more interesting when we finally see them again.) Like we obviously will have some mugis as the main characters for the arcs, but since the series is becoming less and less "strawhats centric", having some members of the crew missing only to see them later would give them much more anticipation for those moments, instead of the everyday life of them always hanging around.
Since we spent the first (?) half of the series developing them, always being on screen and being in fact the core of the series, it would be great to have this other half of the story to give space to other characters now (supernovas, marines, yonkous, revolutionaries, new factions). We saw how much it impacted the story when Kuma separated them, and we saw how they were in Fishmen Island and Punk Hazard: not that different from when they were separated (but Zoro lost lots of his dorkiness and funny stuff), just much much stronger. So to have some character development for them is much needed and would just make sense (instead of having them the same since day 1 pretty much).
Right now we are anxious to see Sanji and the others, i really want this to don't be just a one-time thing. The series really needs to keep the mugis interesting, and at the same time to show how huge and vast the world is, and these two things should go along well.
When Birdcage will be down and wrap up on Dressrosa will be finished I think we might get a good 6-8 chapters about Swirlyhats. I hope for volume full of Sanji action..
When we do get back to Sanji and company do you guys think it will just continue where they last left off or skip it and then explain that part in flashback style?
Since we spent the first (?) half of the series developing them, always being on screen and being in fact the core of the series, it would be great to have this other half of the story to give space to other characters now (supernovas, marines, yonkous, revolutionaries, new factions).
This sounds like the worst thing ever. You don't build up likable main characters only to abandon them for long stretches of time to focus on new/undeveloped characters in the back half of a story. That's crazy.
In general I do like the idea of a shorter arc involving Sanji and the gang. They've been gone for so long that they're super deserving of it.
This sounds like the worst thing ever. You don't build up likable main characters only to abandon them for long stretches of time to focus on new/undeveloped characters in the back half of a story. That's crazy.
In general I do like the idea of a shorter arc involving Sanji and the gang. They've been gone for so long that they're super deserving of it.
I was just exaggerating, because that's what i would like. But at the same time, i don't believe that having them ALWAYS on screen forever until the end of the series from when they re-unite until then would be the smartest choice either. There has to be some balance, or something incredibly huge to keep the readers excited when the mugis are on screen, instead of another 600 chapters of them just defeating baddies without any development.
The point is that "some" mugis will always be present, but that shouldn't overshadow the fact that there are lots of other interesting characters that need more screentime and development, instead of seeing the same faces forever without any changes.
When we do get back to Sanji and company do you guys think it will just continue where they last left off or skip it and then explain that part in flashback style?
I thought we would get a flashback if Sanji and co. came back to become involved with Dressrosa's plot at some point, but that doesn't seem to be happening anymore. So i'm expecting a "turn back the pendulum" moment where we can follow it right from when they left the spotlight.
I wasn't too sure what to vote on, so I went with what I think would likely to happen because of the lack of scenes showing their situation this arc.
I'm kinda hoping for a mini arc or a long flashback chapter. I wouldn't mind some lamp shade hanging on the fact that it feels like a long time they've been fighting if they just cut back to them as if nothing has happened
I would like to see it through flashbacks.
As Robby said, Oda has already done the "go back in time and see what happened to others" during Arlong Park arc.
Instead, this time it can done through a series of small flashbacks as Luffy and others try to find out what happened to the crew.
They could reach Zou only to find that the others are nowhere to be found and they are unable to contact the rest of crew.
Then Luffy's group can search for the rest of the members by questioning others as they report various sightings of conflict between StrawHats and BigMom/Kaido/whatever in the form of small flashbacks.
Would be nice to see something like that.
I would like to see it through flashbacks.
As Robby said, Oda has already done the "go back in time and see what happened to others" during Arlong Park arc.
Instead, this time it can done through a series of small flashbacks as Luffy and others try to find out what happened to the crew.
They could reach Zou only to find that the others are nowhere to be found and they are unable to contact the rest of crew.
Then Luffy's group can search for the rest of the members by questioning others as they report various sightings of conflict between StrawHats and BigMom/Kaido/whatever in the form of small flashbacks.
Would be nice to see something like that.
I dont wanna short flashback. I wanna few chapters long ride and not glimpses of action.
Short flashbacks would not pull me into action that took place on Swirlyhats way to Zou.
I dont wanna short flashback. I wanna few chapters long ride and not glimpses of action.
Short flashbacks would not pull me into action that took place on Swirlyhats way to Zou.
Hardly any time has passed in universe for some major action to have occured.
There would probably have been a few small skirmishes to stall for time while trying to escape.
As much as Sanji is good, he is up against two of Yonko crew members. It would hardly be a fight.
The real battle would start once they reunite.
It would awesome if it was a woman going after them, what would Sanji do then?
I thought we would get a flashback if Sanji and co. came back to become involved with Dressrosa's plot at some point, but that doesn't seem to be happening anymore. So i'm expecting a "turn back the pendulum" moment where we can follow it right from when they left the spotlight.
Yes, my prediction is that we'll get the "Swirlyhats Arc" (aka Big Mom arc?) will occur when Dressrosa is done, most likely while the Strawhats are out at sea. A sea voyage to Zou or wherever is the perfect time the shift the focus elsewhere.
I seriously doubt we will just get snippets–Half the crew are going to be in the hands of a goddamned yonkou. Nothing that significant can simply be glossed over.
But Robby is right on one important thing--the publishers will dissuade Oda from spending a long period of time without the star character appearing at all. A mini-arc is most likely in order.
I think Sanji and co. are not getting captured but make it safely to Zou after Sanji defeating Tamago and the others beating Pekoms possibly with Jinbe's help. Oda has something to make Sanji look awesome and that's why he was getting the shaft to compensate. Also the fact that the distance between Fishmen Island and Whole Cake Island takes four days to travel and it was only two days since the Straw hats left Fishman Island till now heavily indicates the absence of Big Mom on the ship. Big Mom's voice heard on the ship was probably a Den-den-mushi and was only a plot device to build tension.
I was just exaggerating, because that's what i would like. But at the same time, i don't believe that having them ALWAYS on screen forever until the end of the series from when they re-unite until then would be the smartest choice either. There has to be some balance, or something incredibly huge to keep the readers excited when the mugis are on screen, instead of another 600 chapters of them just defeating baddies without any development.
The point is that "some" mugis will always be present, but that shouldn't overshadow the fact that there are lots of other interesting characters that need more screentime and development, instead of seeing the same faces forever without any changes.
Strawhats are the main character of the series and pretty much the center of the series period .
Just because you find other characters interesting does not mean they should suddenly take over main character place . There is a reason why secondary characters are secondary and not main
Arc no, but I expect a 6-10 chapters flashback with the fight, maybe even something to show them in present.
But I still don't see what Oda plans for them. Since Dressrosa was SHs shine arc after the time skip, likely they will also do good again't Big mom.
Would be strange if half of the straw hats defeat important foes and the rest get defeated.
Would love a 10-15 chapters arc.. But most likely it will be just flashbacks with Sanji either being left behind to save the rest of the crew of Uncle Jinbe taking the spotlight
Sanji :cwy:
I'm still mad that there will be a Dressrosa party without Sanji and Co… Even more with Sanji never getting a proper goodbye from Viola
A mini arc ?
It's been like an 1 hour and a half since Sanji and crew set off to Zou. We will get a flash back of the Swirly Hats using 'coup de burst' and running away to Zou.
Sanji will probably solo Pekoms and Tamago whilst chopper is loading the cola barrels, then they will leave.
I'm hoping we do see the other half of the crew and Momonosuke getting some play. Brooks really grown on me and I'd love to see him and Chopper getting a spotlight. Momo needs a bit of fleshing out, too.
I'm not sure who the antagonists are going to be. Nami's friendship with Lola and the suspicion that could be Big Mom really looms over any confrontation there and I don't see that half of the crew starting a fight needlessly.
Somehow I get the idea that the four Supernovas, functioning like one crew, are going to make a play against Big Mom and the Straw Hats are going to be caught in the middle.
Whatever happens I do hope Big Mom is part of it. I've been wanting to see her properly for a very long time.
On one hand I want Big Mom to be Lola's mom. On the other hand, Big Mom is a cannibal.
On one hand I want Big Mom to be Lola's mom. On the other hand, Big Mom is a cannibal.
Still betting she has some kind of gingerbread crew.
We're not going to get a 6 month arc of just the other half of the crew.
This is what I feel too; there's no way Oda would leave all the details of Sanji and co.'s plight out, as clearly something intense is building up around the scenes while Luffy, Zoro, Robin, Usopp, and Franky save Dressrosa.
Flashbacks would pull the reader up to speed, but I feel 10-15 chapters would be a bit much.
Definitely interested into what happened though.
I'm hoping we do see the other half of the crew and Momonosuke getting some play. Brooks really grown on me and I'd love to see him and Chopper getting a spotlight. Momo needs a bit of fleshing out, too.
I'm not sure who the antagonists are going to be. Nami's friendship with Lola and the suspicion that could be Big Mom really looms over any confrontation there and I don't see that half of the crew starting a fight needlessly.
Somehow I get the idea that the four Supernovas, functioning like one crew, are going to make a play against Big Mom and the Straw Hats are going to be caught in the middle.Whatever happens I do hope Big Mom is part of it. I've been wanting to see her properly for a very long time.
I been theorizing about something like that, it could be a good way to get rid of all this characters in one ark.
Maybe Sanji and the rest are just going to get invited to a tea party (very forcefully).
@Doffy.:
Strawhats are the main character of the series and pretty much the center of the series period .
Just because you find other characters interesting does not mean they should suddenly take over main character place . There is a reason why secondary characters are secondary and not main
I find it mildly amusing that you say that, when we have the arc where that exact thing is happening.
16 chars of 3 to 7 chapters.
Still betting she has some kind of gingerbread crew.
Their weakness is milk
Brook takes advantage of this
Entire fleets of gingerbread go down as music plays
They run away in horror, completely helpless against this invincible musical skeleton
I find it mildly amusing that you say that, when we have the arc where that exact thing is happening.
We still have 5 main characters anyway, so it's not that big of a deal.
Not to mention that many Straw Hats play secondary roles in several arcs, like Usopp and Sanji in Whiskey Peak, Zoro and Usopp in Drum, Sanji in Little Garden, Robin in Punk Hazard… so might as well send them do something somewhere else than just taking space doing little to nothing.
I would like to see it through flashbacks.
As Robby said, Oda has already done the "go back in time and see what happened to others" during Arlong Park arc.
Instead, this time it can done through a series of small flashbacks as Luffy and others try to find out what happened to the crew.
They could reach Zou only to find that the others are nowhere to be found and they are unable to contact the rest of crew.
Then Luffy's group can search for the rest of the members by questioning others as they report various sightings of conflict between StrawHats and BigMom/Kaido/whatever in the form of small flashbacks.
Would be nice to see something like that.
Just to end in a long flashback putting all the small flashbacks together and finally knowing what actually happened. I think it's a great idea.
We still have 5 main characters anyway, so it's not that big of a deal.
Not to mention that many Straw Hats play secondary roles in several arcs, like Usopp and Sanji in Whiskey Peak, Zoro and Usopp in Drum, Sanji in Little Garden, Robin in Punk Hazard…
But this is first time we have non-straw hats character performing the roles of Straw Hats. Like defeating majority of antagonists crew.
I mean… except for when they were separated, it was always Straw Hats job to defeat the antagonist. But in this arc, they've beaten only two out of all them, going up to three when we count upcoming defeat of Doflamingo.
I'm not saying it is a big deal, nor do I critisize it, I'm just saying it happened and it could happen again.
